By all accounts from family and friends, Pfc. Shaffer lived his life to the fullest. For this young man that meant caring for others, having fun and making people laugh, even when confronted with life's challenges. The image of a tough marine masked the side most familiar to his loved ones, that of a more playful young man who pulled pranks and brought laughter to lives of others.

His stepfather, Mark Adams, recalls a golf outing where neither he nor Jeff were playing particularly well. Rather than suffer through the rest of the game, and to the surprise of Mark, Pfc. Shaffer jumped in the water and began collecting golf balls. Mark had never had more fun playing golf. The day was a testament to the effect Pfc. Shaffer often had on others. But he also had a humble, more serious side and a deep sense of commitment to his country.

While working for his uncle's masonry contracting business in Harrison, Arkansas, he took time to earn his GED. Shortly thereafter, and to the surprise of many in his family, he joined the United States Army in February 2005.  The tragic events of September 11th changed how he viewed the world and motivated him to serve in the military. For Pfc. Shaffer, serving in the Army was a way he could contribute to the safety of his family and security of all Americans. The 20-year-old was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division. After being stationed in Germany, Pfc. Shaffer was deployed to Kuwait and later Iraq. Witnessing close friends lose their lives in Iraq, he was never naive about the dangerous realities of war. He believed whatever happened to him was God's will and often told this to his mother to calm her fears. Pfc.

Shaffer's life ended on September 13th, 2006, after a roadside bomb detonated near his Bradley assault vehicle. On September 16th, family, friends and fellow soldiers gathered at Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, Texas to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Jeffrey Shaffer. I am proud to pay tribute to him today and am thankful for his service to our country. He leaves behind a two-year-old daughter, Makayla Grace, who I hope will one day know that her father took full advantage of what life had to offer and brought untold happiness to those around him. My thoughts and prayers are with her, Jeffrey's parents, his aunt and uncle, and all those who knew and loved him.