2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

Story by Sgt. Dustin Roberts

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers remembered the life of one of their own in a memorial ceremony at Camp Liberty, May 30.

Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers serving with the 2nd Stryker Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, held the ceremony for Spc. Chad Edmundson, from Williamsburg, Pa., who died of wounds from an improvised explosive device during dismounted patrol operations in Abu Ghraib May 27.

Friends and comrades of Edmundson said a few words to describe just the type of character he had.

"Chad personified every aspect of the Army values," said Capt. Jason Hoffman, Edmundson's company commander. "His character was defined by selfless service."

Hoffman said Edmundson helped build a foundation of teamwork and camaraderie by aggressively completing any mission without hesitation or complaint and his attitude spread among the Soldiers around him.

"Spc. Chad Edmundson was a builder. By the work of his hands and his winning spirit he built up those around him," he said. "He lifted up his squad and platoon with his high motivation."

Edmundson's fellow Soldiers agreed that his elevated motivation was kept on and off duty.

"Besides when actively engaged in military operations, I rarely saw him without a smile on his face," said Staff Sgt. Jeffery Crum, who was in the same platoon as Edmundson. "He was always in good spirits and that attitude spread throughout our platoon."

Crum said Edmundson's patriotism and courage is something he will always remember.

"We will honor him for who he was as a man and a friend," he said. "He is someone who will never be replaced and someone we will never forget."

Edmundson's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Medal with "M" device, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

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