Courtesy Photo | CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - (Right to left) Sgt. Nikia Carter, Spc. Justin Brown, Spc....... read more read more
Story and photos by Sgt. Crystal Rothermel
143rd TRANSCOM PAO
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - More than 650 servicemembers filled Camp Arifjan's Zone 1 chapel auditorium Thursday to honor and say goodbye to three fallen Maryland National Guard Soldiers.
Sgt. Brian Conner, Cpl. Bernard Ceo and Cpl. Samuel Boswell died Oct. 14 in a convoy accident south of Baghdad that caused their humvee to catch fire. They were members of the 243rd Engineer Company, headquartered in Baltimore and recently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"We gather here this morning to pay tribute, honor, and to say farewellâ?¦" said Chaplain (Capt.) Rodney Thomas.
He said their comrades described them as "fun-loving, inquisitive, a good friend, responsible, a dedicated father, a devoted son, full of life, dreamers, and then someone this week said to me, "These men were patriots.""
The three Soldiers traveled from Baltimore to Kuwait as comrades. Although the three were each unique individuals, they were united by their determination to wear the Army uniform and serve their country up until their last mission together.
"We all have our dreams of going home, singing, hugging and kissing the wife," began friend Spc. Jarome Lawson in his poetic tribute. "But for three Soldiers, this satisfaction was taken away one night."
Gone, but not forgotten evident by the words of their fellow Soldiers.
"He lived as a Soldier, but he died like a man," said Lawson about his friend, Conner, known to his friends as "Big Baby Biscuit."
Conner served his country through the military and as a civilian firefighter in Baltimore.
"He was one of the best friends anyone could be blessed to be around," said Sgt. Arthur Ball.
"He always had a smile on his face. He was a man of principle, goals, love, morals and an all-around responsible and ideal man," he said.
Comrades described Ceo as kind and helpful.
"Whenever you needed something, he would do it for you. And if he couldn't, he would find someone who could help you," said Sgt. Nikia Carter.
"He would always talk about how much he loved his family," he said.
Ceo volunteered for the deployment because he wanted to do his part in serving his country and to do his part as a Soldier, said Spc. Justin Brown, who described Ceo as more than a friend and comrade, he was like a brother. Ceo used to talk about his life with his fiancé and pursuing a career in teaching.
"He displayed a dedicated persistence in everything he did," said 1st Lt. Roderick Little of Boswell.
After working together for several years, Roderick said the positive attitude Boswell demonstrated in everything he did made him stand out as one of the Army's best.
"We don't say farewell to Cpl. Boswellâ?¦ we say Boswell we will see you soon. Cpl. Samuel M. Boswell, rest in peace," he said.
"May their courage, may their bravery, may their sacrifice never be forgotten," concluded Thomas.
Silence followed as Sgt. 1st Class David Davis called the roll. Rifle salutes were fired and "Taps" hung in the desert air as leaders and friends presented their farewell salutes to the fallen heroes of the 243rd Engineer Company.
| Date Taken: | 10.28.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2005 14:57 |
| Story ID: | 3512 |
| Location: | ARJIFAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 68 |
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