Photo By Sgt. Maj. Jeremy Crisp | Warrant Officer Todd VanLangen, team leader, Operational Detachment Alpha 3221,...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – April 25, 2009, is a day that will be remembered in the hearts of 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldiers as one of sorrow and heartbreak. For on that day, a member of their ranks passed from this world.
Master Sgt. Stephen Walker Booth of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd SFG, known affectionately as "Walker," died along with his wife Dawn that day in a vehicle accident caused through no fault of his or her own. However, a new date will be etched in the hearts of Booth's comrades, because June 4 was the day in which a memorial stone was dedicated to him outside of Company B, 2nd Bn. headquarters.
"Walker Booth, the father, the husband, was a great American," said Master Sgt. Johnny Crocker, 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG. "There is so much I would like to say about Walker but it would take me a lifetime to get it said."
Crocker and Booth's close friend, Warrant Officer Todd VanLangen, team leader for Operational Detachment Alpha 3221, 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG, eulogized Booth during the ceremony and characterized him as a brother, and as a man of character, respect and loyalty.
"I never had a brother, because I was an only child," Crocker said. "But Walker was my brother."
Crocker described how he was moving into a new house one day, and Booth just showed up to help him move. "I never asked him for help; he just showed up. He would drop anything at any time to help out one of his brothers," Crocker said.
Booth was an avid motorcycle rider and rode regularly with his wife, Crocker and VanLangen. He and his wife were riding on the highway early on a Saturday when a car pulled out from a convenience store in front of them. All of the proper precautions taken, safety equipment worn and experience riding couldn't save Booth and his wife.
"When one departs our ranks while not deployed, it comes as a particular and unique blow," said Lt. Col. William Carty, commander, 2nd Bn., during the ceremony. "But he will never be gone – he is only waiting as the advance party on the final objective, where all those oppressed are free."
Four memorial stones lay outside the Company B headquarters. Only one lie covered during the ceremony.
Two Soldiers with white gloves approached the covered stone while those in attendance stood in silence. The cover was lifted, and later flowers were placed next to the site.
A new granite memorial stone, which reads, "In memory of Master Sergeant Stephen Walker Booth, April 25, 2009," now lies in front of the company headquarters for all to see, and to evoke memories of the man whom Van Langen said was in his opinion, "one of the best green berets ever."
Booth is survived by his sons Rhyan and Garrett of Sanford, N.C., and mother Cynthia K. Booth of Carrollton, Ga.
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2010 16:52 |
| Story ID: | 51080 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,366 |
| Downloads: | 135 |
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