2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. Soldiers honor fallen comrade

Photo By Christina McCann | FOB MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, wait in line to pay their final respects to Spc. Nicholas Rogers at a memorial ceremony here Oct. 29. Rogers was killed in a firefight with terrorists at a battle position in a rural area south of Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chris McCann, 2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div.)  

MAHMUDIYAH, IRAQ

11.10.2006

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Force Iraq Public Affairs

By Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div.

FOB MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq – Soldiers gathered here Oct. 29 to mourn the loss of a Soldier whose presence will be sorely missed.

Spc. Nicholas Rogers, 27, was killed Oct. 22; by terrorists in a firefight at a battle position south of Baghdad. A medic by military occupation, and an emergency medical technician before he joined the Army, he quickly manned a M-240B machine gun to defend the Soldiers of his unit, the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Rogers' closest friends remembered him as a devoted family man and a good Soldier.

"I never saw him lose his cool, and he never got crazy angry. He was really cool, really collected," said. Pfc. Isaac Severman, 4-31 Inf. Regt., and a native of Albuquerque, N.M.

"I spent a lot of time with him. He had a good sense of humor, kind of understated, and he talked about his family. Every day, you knew where to find him – at the Internet café, talking to his family," he added.

The Soldiers who worked with Rogers on a daily basis said he was great at his job.

"He was enthusiastic about being a medic ... he was just a very compassionate person," said Severman. "He had an unbelievable desire to help. He was extremely professional and very by the book. There's a certain time when Soldiers feel relaxed in their work environment. Rogers would always be at parade rest."

Rogers was also remembered as an inveterate player of cards and a great fan of Star Wars – never hesitating to show off his memorabilia or movie clips.

Despite his love of fun, Rogers made the ultimate sacrifice.

Sgt. Jason Lane, Rogers' squad leader and a native of Austin, Texas noted that Soldiers by their trade are expected to be willing to make that sacrifice.

"It's an expectation that some Soldiers may shy away from," he said. "Spc. Rogers did not. He died defending his men and attacking the enemy."

Capt. Jeff Bryan, chaplain, 4-31 Inf. Regt., urged the Soldiers massed to pay tribute to Rogers' memory to live as he did and not shy from duty.

"He did this not only by giving his life, but by living his life," said Bryan. "His life was all about helping others."

Rogers' awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal with a "V' device, an Army Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Medal, an Overseas Service Ribbon, an Army Service Medal and a Combat Medical Badge.

Rogers, a native of Deltona, Fla., is survived by his wife, Kelly, his 3-year-old daughter, Jocelyn, and a child expected in January.

• Date Taken: 11.10.2006
• Date Posted: 11.17.2006 13:27
• Story ID: 8312
• Location: MAHMUDIYAH, IQ