Army Reserve Center in Weldon Spring named for fallen Soldier

Photo By Sgt. Benjamin Slankard | Family, friends, and fellow Soldiers stand in front of the newly unveiled sign at the entrance to the newly dedicated training building. The Army Reserve Training building was dedicated in memory of Sgt. Melvin Y. Mora, who gave his life in Iraq during a mortar attack June 6, 2004. In attendance were family members, friends and former Soldiers who served with Mora during his time in the military. (Army photo by Army Sgt. Benjamin Slankard)  

WELDON SPRING, MO, UNITED STATES

05.17.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Francis Horton 

363rd Public Affairs Detachment

WELDON SPRING, Mo - Soldiers with the 620th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion paid homage to Sgt. Melvin Y. Mora, a fallen Soldier, May 17.

The Army Reserve training center in Weldon Spring, Mo., was named for Mora, who was killed in action June 6, 2004, at Log Base Seitz in a mortar attack.

“Mora was a great person. He cared very much about the Army, himself and others around him,” said Sgt. John Dowling, mechanic, 245th Maintenance Company.

He moved from Puerto Rico to Missouri in 1998 and enlisted in the Army Reserve while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physics. He was one month away from graduation when he was called up for deployment.

Since his death, Mora was awarded an honorary bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Missouri, Colombia. A scholarship fund was set up in his name by his school in 2005, which provides a deserving physics student a scholarship every year.

During the ceremony, Soldiers were reminded of the commitment and sacrifice both service members and families make for their country.

“Today as we remember Sergeant Mora, each of us knows that it could have been one of us being remembered instead,” said Lt. Col. Sean Campion, commander, 620th CSSB.

“As Americans, we are grateful to families like the Moras who have endured the loss of someone loved, and we are humbled by Sgt. Mora’s great sacrifice,” said Mo. Senator Roy Blunt.

Mora might be gone, but his legacy will live on at the Weldon Spring Army Reserve Training Center.

“All in all, Sgt. Melvin Y. Mora was a great man,” said Brig. Gen Kenneth D. Jones, commander, 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command. “He was dearly loved by all who knew him.”

• Date Taken: 05.17.2014
• Date Posted: 05.20.2014 21:09
• Story ID: 130580
• Location: WELDON SPRING, MO, US