WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins today released this statement following the announcement by the Governor’s office that two Maine soldiers were killed Saturday in an attack in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dale James Kelly, Jr. of Richmond and Staff Sergeant David Michael Veverka, of Jamestown, Pennsylvania, a student at the University of Maine, both died in the attack. A third soldier, Private Christopher Fraser, of Windsor, was seriously injured in the attack and has been transferred to an Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
“Today is a sad day for the state of Maine as we mourn the loss of two brave soldiers who died in the attack. My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Staff Sergeant Dale Kelly, Jr. and Staff Sergeant David Veverka. We are all proud and grateful of the service and dedication these two men gave to our nation.
“My thoughts and prayers also remain with Private Christopher Fraser and his family. I wish him a full and speedy recovery.”