Tuberville Honors Fallen Americans ahead of Memorial Day

Tuberville Honors Fallen Alabamians Ahead of Memorial Day

"They were fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, and friends-but to us, they're American heroes. We owe them our full gratitude."

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) recognized U.S. Air Force Major Alex Klinner of Auburn and U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Hall of Huntsville for making the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Excerpts from Senator Tuberville's remarks can be found below and his full remarks can be found on YouTube or Rumble.

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OPENING STATEMENT

"Even the most hotly debated issues in this building pale [in] comparison to the American soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to give us the freedoms to debate and disagree in the first place. Later this year, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. Most democracies-they don't even come close to that. They don't survive that long. But our great country has survived because of the brave men and women who have answered the call to defend our freedoms at home and all across the world. Sadly, some of our nation's heroes never returned home. Alabama has numerous memorials across our great state to honor our own fallen heroes. The U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama, hosts more than 400,000 visitors annually, where they learn more about our military and those that served. The City of Trussville, Alabama, is home to the Alabama Fallen Warrior Monument, which honors Alabama's service members killed since 9/11. And Huntsville is home to one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the country. These landmarks and events help tell the stories of daughters, sons, husbands, wives, mothers, and fathers who answered the call to defend our country at home and abroad, not knowing what their future might hold. Stories of mothers who hugged their children and husbands who kissed their wives, without knowing if it was their last time. Next week, we recognize Memorial Day. Many will use this as an opportunity to grill out and go to the beach-but this isn't just another day off or another long weekend. It's a day to honor these fallen heroes and reflect on their sacrifice. Today I'd like to recognize two fallen heroes from my state of Alabama-Alex Klinner of Auburn [and] Jeffrey Hall of Huntsville, along with their families."

ALEX KLINNER

"Earlier this year, we lost six service members in a refueling mission, including three members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron based at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama. Among those were this young man, 33-year-old Auburn native Alex Klinner. Alex joined the Air Force in 2017 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps from Auburn University, after graduating from Auburn in 2016 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He deployed four different times in just seven years, logging more than 563 hours in combat zones or support roles. But as impressive as his pilot skills were, Alex's brother-in-law James said that he shone the brightest in his role as a husband to his wife Libby and a father to his three young children. Alabama continues to mourn the loss of a hero gone way too soon. But Alex's legacy of faith, family, and freedom will continue to live on."

JEFFREY HALL

"Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Hall of Huntsville is another Alabama soldier whose life was cut short in service to our country, at the young age of 28. Jeffrey's mom, Annette, said that he was destined to serve in the military. She recalls him as an energetic and headstrong child and a wonderful big brother to his sister Emily. Jeffrey started showing an interest in being a soldier when he was only three years old. He was fascinated with Army uniforms and always wanted to dress up as a soldier. Annette and her husband, Charles encouraged Jeffrey's dreams [...]

Annette decided to honor her son's sacrifice by starting an American Gold Star Mothers chapter. The chapter connects and supports more than 40 mothers across 18 counties in North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. They also raise awareness for the sacrifices made by Gold Star families, including with a float in Huntsville's Memorial Day parade each year. Annette repeatedly says it is a joy to speak of her son because she never wants to forget his life he lived or the sacrifices he made for his country. Her and Charles are heroes for raising their son to love this country and continuing to carry on this same sense of patriotism even after Jeffrey's untimely death."

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.