Bono Mack Expresses Condolences for Fallen Soldier

U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, whose district includes Murrieta, released a statement after learning of the death of 29-year-old U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Suresh N.A. Krause of Cathedral City, whom she helped to become an American citizen.

Krause was among seven Army and Navy casualties Aug. 16 when the Black Hawk helicopter they were in crashed northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan, the Department of Defense said Monday.

"Nothing is more painful than learning of the death of one of our brave U.S. service members, but the loss of Suresh is even harder to accept because of the long, difficult journey he took from impoverished Sri Lanka to war-torn Afghanistan," Bono Mack said Tuesday in a statement.

"Simply becoming an American citizen wasn't enough for Suresh. He wanted to defend his adopted home as well. Last week, he died a patriot and a hero, and joined an elite legion of men and women who have given their lives in defense of freedom.

"In the end, Suresh Abayasekara Krause was as American as you can get. I was honored to have known him, and will be forever inspired by his pursuit of freedom."

Chief Warrant Officer Brian D. Hornsby, 37, of Melbourne, Fla., assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 

Krause was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Also killed were: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Petty Officer Technician 1st Class Sean P. Carson, 32, of Des Moines, Wash., assigned to an explosive ordnance disposal mobile unit in San Diego; Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks, 28, of Edgewater, Md., assigned to a West Coast-based naval special warfare unit; Sgt. Richard A. Essex, 23, of Kelseyville, Calif., assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Sgt. Luis A. Oliver Galbreath, 41, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class David J. Warsen, 27, of Kentwood, Mich., assigned to a West Coast-based naval Special warfare unit.