Photo By Sgt. Maj. Tanya Lumbard | Third Sustainment Brigade Commander, Col. Ron Novack and Lt. Col. Louis Feliciano,...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Deployed soldiers paid tribute to two fallen comrades, Feb. 8, during a remembrance ceremony held in Southern Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Robert Massarelli and Sgt. Michael Strachota were inducted into the Hall of Heroes—an indoor photo memorial built for U.S. Army soldiers who perished while stationed at Camp Leatherneck, serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Massarelli and Strachota died June 24, 2012 in Kandahar. They were assigned to the 96th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), out of Fort Hood, Texas.
“Massarelli and Strachota’s actions were of honor and an immeasurable sense of service and commitment to duty as they traversed on a continuous basis throughout the most dangerous routes of Regional Command-South,” said Lt. Col. Louis Feliciano, commander of the 393rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico. “Whatever the task, whatever the mission, Massarelli and Strachota always stood ready.”
Feliciano’s battalion—comprised of five subordinate companies and a headquarters element—stood tall as he and Command Sgt. Maj. Josue Maldonado spoke about the heroism of the two warriors during the ceremony.
“Staff Sgt. Massarelli and Sgt. Strachota are not with us today, not physically, but their spirits are with us,” said Maldonado. “They are watching over all our steps, flying like strong eagles so we will not fail.”
Sgt. Jeff Haddix, assigned to the 63rd Ordnance Company, 393rd CSSB, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, said that the fallen soldiers lived the Army’s core values.
“They went out of the wire without any expectation of recognition,” he said. “They went out for the mission. They went out knowing the risk; they went out willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for the things that we believe—for democracy and freedom.”
Third Sustainment Brigade Commander, Col. Ron Novack and Command Sgt. Maj. Forbes Daniels, joined the 393rd command team to unveil the photo collages of the two fallen soldiers.
Feliciano said that it was an honor and a privilege to be able to induct Massarelli and Strachota into the Hall of Heroes.
“Massarelli and Strachota stood, and will always stand, among your fellow comrades in arms today, tomorrow and always as their photographs serve as a symbol of selfless service to our nation,” he said. “Our nation will be ever grateful for their service. The Soldiers of this battalion will never forget these heroes.”
The photo memorials were placed on display next to five other U.S. troops who made the ultimate sacrifice—Spc. Shawn Muhr and Spc. Joshua Campbell, who perished Jan. 29, 2011 and Cpl. Colby Richmond and Cpl. Devin Daniels, who died Aug. 25, 2011 while serving with the 546th Transportation Company; and Pfc. Alberto Obod, who passed away Aug. 28, 2011 while serving with the 240th Quartermaster Company.
| Date Taken: | 02.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.09.2013 04:53 |
| Story ID: | 101733 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Hometown: | FORT CAVAZOS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Hometown: | HAMILTON, OH, US |
| Hometown: | PINE BLUFF, AR, US |
| Web Views: | 924 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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