W.Va. Soldiers run for a fallen comrade

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ruth McClary | Sgt. Deforest Talbert, 24, died July 27, 2004 when an improvised explosive device targeted his vehicle. Troop B Soldiers, here on their second deployment, honored Talbert with a commemorative run on Veterans Day at Joint Security Station Yusifiyah, Nov. 11. His sense of humor, mentoring and good parenting skills are the things Soldiers remember most about him. (Photo courtesy of: Sgt. Deforest Talbert's family)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.11.2009

Story by Spc. Ruth McClary 

30th Armored Brigade Combat Team

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A red and white cavalry flag gently waved in the wind, leading Soldiers of Troop B, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, on a commemorative run at Joint Security Station Yusifiyah, Nov. 11, in honor of one of their own lost in combat.

Sgt. Deforest Talbert, 24, a Troop B Soldier during the squadron's first deployment, here, died when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during a combat mission near Baladruc, Iraq, in July, 2004.

Although the conference room at the JSS is named after Talbert, Troop B commanders wanted to do something more; something that involved those who knew him, and still miss him today.

"We decided to do something as a memorial for Talbert and the run on Veterans Day; seemed like a good way to honor him," said 1st Lt. Will Hargis, of Huntington, W. Va. "Talbert was a funny guy; keeping the atmosphere lively. He was always good for a good laugh at the right moment."

The Soldiers ran laps around the inner circumference of the small compound they share with Iraqi Soldiers in the early morning hours on Veteran's Day. They ran a total of about a mile in a close, group formation; signifying the cohesive bonding in memory of their fallen friend.

Before the run, two of Talbert's friend's recall the events of the incident as if it happened yesterday. After five years, still torn with grief and guilt from not being able to save him, Staff Sgt. Greg Blankenship, of Cross Lanes, W. Va., discussed what happened.

"It's still hard for me to talk about it," said Blankenship. "I haven't discussed this with anyone except Bridges since it happened. I was in the vehicle behind Talbert. Everything happened so fast, I was knocked down from the blast and my head was all fuzzy."

"Two guys got out of his vehicle and one kept hollering, 'Talbert is still in there,' and the truck was on fire," he added. Blankenship, Talbert and a third friend, Sgt. Jacques Bridges, were very close during the last deployment.

"The medic and I tried to open the door to get him out, but the ammunition started popping from the heat. They made us move back because of the ammo. I burned the crap out of my hand trying to get him out, but I didn't notice it until sometime later," Blakenship said.

Bridges, of Charlotte, N.C., and Talbert had a history that dated back before the deployment. They attended West Virginia State University together, located in Institute, W.Va., and both entered the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. The two Soldiers also went through Army basic training together, and came to war together as well.

Bridges arrived at the scene of the incident 15 minutes later with the quick reaction force.

"When we left to go to the scene we knew there was one killed in action, but they wouldn't tell me who," said Bridges. "I was looking at the vehicle and somebody said, 'Bridges, it's Talbert, man'; I don't remember who said it," said Bridges.

"I didn't want to cry because the insurgents could still be out there; watching us," Bridges added. "Sgt. 1st class Jeffrey Neal pulled [Talbert] out and we stayed in the area for about six hours after it happened. He didn't have time to get out; the autopsy said it was an instant death from the blast. It was bad; I just hope he didn't suffer."

Bridges and Blankenship remember many missions through the streets of Baladruc. Memories of how two little Iraqi boys used to sell them ice cream and candy and how Talbert had teddy bears sent from home just to pass out to the little girls in the community, protecting them and making sure the boys didn't take the bears from them.

Troop Soldiers remember Talbert's humor, friendship, and how he loved being a father. The native of Alexandria, Va., found his way from a troubled youth to becoming a role model for others to follow in his footsteps. Talbert, an athletic college student, never lost his passion for the game of football. It was a sport he mastered in high school but never pursued in college because of his troubled past.

His son, Deontae, carries on the family legacy in pee wee football where Blankenship often stops by to watch him play, when he is home. Bridges also checks in on him and his mother to make sure they are okay.

"Some of the guys from the unit stop by to check on them," said Bridges. "They have a good support channel; 150th has been good about that."

Blankenship, Bridges and Talbert had a running game of Madden football that they played during the last deployment. A game that "Touchdown Talbert" never got to finish.

"Bridges, Talbert and I played ball on Play Station," said Blankenship. We left the game on pause when we went out on that mission. When we came back the game was still set on pause. It sat on pause forever because no one wanted to turn it off."

Although the run started out as a tribute to his life, it helped two Soldiers deal with the harsh realities of his death.

"I didn't think it would, but it actually helped to talk about this," said Blankenship.

"It's been crazy, it's been hard, but at least we are not forgetting the ultimate sacrifice he made," said Bridges.

• Date Taken: 11.11.2009
• Date Posted: 11.14.2009 02:29
• Story ID: 41576
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ