Photo By Daniel Rangel | Chaplain Melvin and a formation of Sgt. Charles R. Browning's unit observe a moment of...... read more read more
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE METHAR LAM, Afghanistan – A memorial ceremony was held here June 4 for a U.S. Army Soldier who was killed by an improvised explosive device.
Army Sgt. Charles R. Browning, 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, Arizona National Guard, was killed and four other Soldiers were injured in the attack at 8:49 a.m. on June 1 while responding to a request for help as a quick reaction force.
The Soldiers were assigned to the Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team and were serving a one-year deployment. The team is responsible for helping the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with its security, governance and reconstruction efforts.
"We lost a hero a couple days ago," said Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Ricci, commander of the Mehtar Lam PRT. "[And] to each of his brothers and sisters [I say] we will finish the fight that we started together."
Three Soldiers from Browning's platoon spoke about his service to his country and the honorable way he lived his life.
"Sergeant Browning was one of my best [noncommissioned officers]," said Army 1st Lt. Robert Samuel, PRT Platoon Leader. "He inspired men ... It's hard to tell stories about you Sergeant Browning because you are a legacy."
"I used to wonder what made good NCOs. When I met Sergeant Browning, I knew what it was.
Sergeant Browning gave a damn," said PRT security forces member Army Pfc. Bryan Russell. "Sergeant Browning pushed himself and he pushed his Soldiers. You would talk to him for 10 minutes and you were motivated to go do something."
"There's not a guy in the vehicle who didn't wish it was him instead of Sergeant Browning. I'd hate to see his face if he had lost one of his soldiers," Russell said.
"When the information started to come back over the radio that morning we heard the words that every Soldier dreads, 'one KIA'," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Chelone, a PRT platoon sergeant.
"In an instant we lost a good leader, Soldier and a friend. Let us not mourn any longer but let us celebrate his life the way he lived it, with pride and honor," Chelone said.
In an effort to console the servicemembers, Gov. Gulab Mangal of Laghman province noted that our job fighting against terrorism will continue in Afghanistan but he hopes one day we will have great peace.
Browning, who is survived by his wife, Lisa, and two step daughters, volunteered for the deployment. He served in Korea as a member of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) before joining the 1/158.
Browning was goal oriented. He planned to run a marathon in April 2008. He spent hours at the gym in preparation of accomplishing that goal. In his honor, the FOB fitness center will be named after him.
As the memorial service progressed more tears would fall. 'Walk the Line' by Johnny Cash was played as a musical tribute to Browning who was an avid musician and fan of Johnny Cash. The music would bring even more tears.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2007 12:31 |
| Story ID: | 10767 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE METHAR LAM, AF |
| Web Views: | 474 |
| Downloads: | 407 |
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