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Memorial to Honor Somalia, Iraq Fallen |
| Soldiers from 2-14 Infantry gaze at a memorial for Soldiers killed in Somalia and Iraq at the battalion headquarters. Photo by Pfc. Chris McCann. Photo Courtesy of Fort Drum Public Affairs |
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Memorial to soldiers killed in action during battles in Somalia and Iraq
By Pfc.
Chris McCann
2nd
Brigade Combat Team Journalist
Soldiers of
2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment had a day to remember Monday.
“Golden Dragons” began the day by participating in the Mogadishu Mile, a
mile-long run in full battle gear, including Kevlar helmet and body armor,
to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia.
The battalion lost a Soldier there when the unit rescued U.S. Army Rangers
whose Blackhawk helicopter had crashed, stranding them in a hostile area.
After the run, the battalion assembled behind the headquarters building to
dedicate a new memorial to 15 Soldiers killed in action during battles in
Somalia and Iraq. Families and friends of the fallen Soldiers were
present to see the unveiling of the “battle cross” – a bronze statue of a
pair of boots, an M-16 and helmet – and to join in fellowship together as
families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Lt. Col. John Valledor, battalion commander, spoke at length about the
memorial and the reasons for it, praising the loved ones left behind for
their contribution to American freedom.
“These too are heroes,” he said.
Valledor also quoted the New Testament, saying, “Greater love hath no man
than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
“They laid their lives down for the oppressed people of Somalia and Iraq,
people with whom they shared neither culture nor language. … These men
were warriors and (lived up to) the Warrior Ethos,” Valledor said, citing
the passage that says, “I will never leave a fallen comrade.”
“The Warrior Ethos breathes life into our organization. These
Soldiers in life and in death are its most fervent champions, and we will
not allow their memory to languish,” he said.
“We are not gathered to mourn them, but … to remember, and to thank them
for their courage and sacrifice,” Valledor added.
The monument was unveiled by several family members: wives, mothers,
fathers, in-laws. They were escorted to the memorial by senior
noncommissioned officers from the unit.
“It was an honor to take the family of the Soldiers we lost and allow them
to honor their sons,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Youngs, acting first
sergeant of A Company.
A final roll call was given by the battalion command sergeant major, and
Taps was played over the sniffles of gathered families.
After the formal ceremony ended, Soldiers, battle buddies and families
alike photographed the monument and each other.
Pam Lindsay, of Gillette, Wyo., who lost her son, Sgt. Kurt Schamberg, on
May 20, said she approved of the monument.
“I love it,” she said. “It’s very nice, and a lot of thought went into it.
It’s a fitting tribute.”
Spec. John Tanner of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-14 Infantry,
knew several of the Soldiers killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He
said the memorial was positive.
“It’s nice to be able to do something for your brothers-in-arms,” he said.
“We as Golden Dragons wish we could do more, but we’re all glad we could
have a small part in it.”
Dusty Roach, father-in-law of Spec. Brian K. Baker, who was also killed in
Iraq, and several other family members came up from Midland, Texas, to pay
their respects.
“It’s a tribute to those brave men, and it makes you really proud to see
all the other guys here that served with them and the families. I’ve
never been prouder of my son-in-law and all the men who served with him.
Brian’s baby daughters … I’m going to bring them back here and make sure
they see (the monument),” he said.
Amy Baker, with her son in tow, wept. “It was awesome,” she said of the
service. “It honors him. … It’s something I can bring the kids to
when they get old enough.”
Judy Deblanc of Evansville, Ind., lost her son, Spec. Darren Deblanc,
whose name is also on the walkway leading to the monument.
“It’s great,” she said. “It’s nice to know they put their heart and sweat
into this.”
In fact, Valledor said, a great portion of the labor was donated by 2-14
Soldiers. Excavating, sweeping, digging and mulching were all done
on weekends and evenings over the last two weeks to prepare for the
ceremony.
Staff Sgt. Matt Govea knew most of the Soldiers named on the walkway.
“I think it’s good, because it’s preserving the memories and giving some
of the Soldiers closure. The first few (killed) we didn’t have time
to mourn, we had to go back out on patrol,” he said. “It’s part of
the tradition, keeping memories alive, and it’s good to let new Soldiers
see.”
Making sure that the newest Soldiers know they won’t be left behind or
forgotten seems to be a key part of memorial ceremonies.
The Golden Dragons’ memorial to Soldiers killed in Mogadishu also bears
testimony to that ideology.
This year marks the 12th anniversary of the battle. The
battalion has made a tradition of honoring those who lost their lives in
that battle by running the Mogadishu Mile.
Two first sergeants on Fort Drum, who were privates first class at the
time, were present during the battle. They provided a tie for
younger Soldiers to remember the battle that many know only from the movie
“Black Hawk Down.”
“We were able to tie together the unit’s heroic exploits,” Valledor said
of the day’s solemn festivities.
The memorial honors the following Soldiers:
* Pfc. Henry Martin;
* Sgt. John Klinesmith;
* Sgt. Glenn Allison;
* Spec. Brandon Titus;
* Spec. Henry Risner;
* Sgt. Andrew Brown, A Company, 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment;
* Pfc. David Waters;
* Spec. Brian Baker;
* Spec. Dwayne McFarlane, HHB, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery
Regiment;
* Sgt. Brett Swank, A Company, 1-509th Infantry;
* Sgt. Lindsey James;
* Spec. Darren Deblanc;
* Pfc. Charles Cooper; and
* Sgt. Kurt Schamberg.
(Note: Brown, McFarlane and Swank were attached to 2-14 Infantry at the
time of their deaths.)
Thanks to the Fort Drum Public Affairs Office for the above text and photo.