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KABUL, Afghanistan - The late senior enlisted leader of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan was honored through the dedication of the new Sgt. Maj. Wardell B. Turner dining facility at Resolute Support Headquarters—one year after he was killed in action.
The 21-year U.S. Army veteran of Nanticoke, Maryland, was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and assigned to Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan when he and another soldier, Spc. Joey Riley, were killed in an improvised explosive device attack. A military policeman, Turner had been traveling to observe Afghan National Army soldiers’ marksmanship Nov. 24, 2014.
The soldier had volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan in order to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. As the senior enlisted leader, he also served as an adviser to the commander.
“Whether it was counseling non-commissioned officers to become the best they could be, or providing guidance to senior leaders, Sgt. Maj. Turner was invested in the men and women he served, and served with,” said Maj. Gen. Gordon “Skip” Davis, Jr., commander, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.
Davis also highlighted Turner’s determination of overcoming obstacles—no matter how big or small.
“Sgt. Maj. Turner encouraged everyone around him to rise above,” explained Davis. “That phrase meant step up to the challenges you face, rise above the fray around you, do what is most important, then do more, more than you think you can, and do it better.”
Davis, along with Turner’s successor Command Sgt. Maj. Paul E. Biggs, unveiled a plaque dedicating the building in front of more than 200 international Resolute Support personnel, Afghan partners and guests. The plaque covering was adorned with unit patches left by various U.S. military service members, as well as coalition partners.
Soldiers from 10th Mountain Division, including Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Bannister, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Ray Lewis, senior enlisted leader, traveled from Bagram Air Field to pay their respects. Turner was last assigned to 10th Mountain Division Headquarters in Fort Drum, New York.
“Remember our fallen comrades regardless of service or nationality,” said Biggs. “You may not be associated with them personally, but they are associated with you. You represent the last patch that they wore on their sleeve or emblem on their uniform.”
Maj. Geoffrey Bailey, chaplain, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, asked the men and women in attendance to remember Turner and others who gave their lives for their country.
“May each person who pauses to read this plaque consider how great a cost was paid upon freedom’s alter of sacrifice,” implored Bailey.
Sgt. Maj. of the Afghan National Army Safi Roshan, who worked closely with Turner during his deployment, expressed condolences and reflected upon his fallen comrade and friend.
“Sgt. Maj. Turner was a big man with an even bigger heart,” said Roshan. “He was dedicated to Afghan soldiers. He loved training us and we loved him for that.”
“I will miss my friend, mentor and fellow sergeant major,” added Roshan as he concluded his remarks.
He then joined fellow Afghan soldiers in adding an Afghan flag patch to the plaque covering in memory of Turner and his service—and sacrifice to Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2015 14:44 |
| Story ID: | 182914 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Hometown: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | KABUL, AF |
| Hometown: | VICENZA, IT |
| Hometown: | FORT DRUM, NY, US |
| Hometown: | LEBANON, OH, US |
| Hometown: | NANTICOKE, MD, US |
| Hometown: | THE PENTAGON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 496 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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