Photo By Christopher Freeman | Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mark Martin speaks with Maj. Andrew Herzberg,...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – With tears in her eyes and shakiness in her voice, Lisa Lourey addressed a group dressed in their best, to include their customary Stetsons. She composes herself, and begins to talk about those no longer with us.
Troopers of 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, added two additional names to their Wall of Heroes, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, May 1.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Matthew Lourey and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua Scott were OH-58 Kiowa Warrior pilots who gave their lives during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died from injuries sustained when their OH-58 came under small arms fire.
“It will be 10 years this month that they answered the call to an infantry platoon with troops in contact near Buhriz, Iraq” said Brig. Gen. Frank Muth, director, Army quadrennial defense review office. “Their legacy lives on in the mind and hearts of fellow Air Cavalry Troopers across our Army.”
Muth, who served as the squadron commander for 1-17 when the pilots were killed, served as the guest speaker.
“I was absolutely honored to have stood in the same formation as them and have flown with Lourey and Scott in combat,” said Muth.
After the unit redeployed from Iraq in 2005, the unit was relocated to Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
“They were re-designated as 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault),” said Lt. Col. Adam Frederick, commander, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade.
For the last decade, a memorial honoring Lourey and Scott has graced the Wall of Heroes within 7-17 on Fort Campbell, as 159th CAB will be deactivated and its members sent elsewhere.
“It is time for these heroes to come home as part of the 1-17 family,” said Muth.
With Stetsons adorned and the walls painted red and white, the cavalry spirit was strong during the rededication.
“These two gallant warrant officers epitomize the cavalry spirit, mounting their steed and riding them to the sound of the guns,” said Frederick. “ There is nothing more important than remembering those that gave their all in the defense of others.”
The memorial dedication adds to the already fabled history of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade.
“This memorial and your heroic deeds will ever be etched in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division, but more importantly in our hearts,” said Muth.
Lisa Lourey, widow, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Matthew Lourey, spoke following comments made by Muth.
“As long as we remember those who died, they are never gone,” said Lourey. “They are never gone.
Mrs. Lourey, glancing at the memorial while she spoke, talked of the impact these warrants left on 1-17 after they passed.
“Lourey’s memory lives on each time that someone he trained gives a check ride and each time a sergeant decides to make that transition to warrant officer,” said Lourey. “Scotts’ memory lives on through the lessons he taught his children and the annual warrior race that his widow Sherri participates in with family and friends.”
The memorial closed with the playing of taps and a toast.
“I invite you to toast with me for these heroes,” said Frederick.
The crowd responded with a “to Matt and Josh.”
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2015 14:13 |
| Story ID: | 162284 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,700 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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