Lumberjacks’ remember fallen comrades in Zabul

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Gary Keen | Capt. Daniel Schebler, commodore, Combined Task Force 69, is interviewed by Iliash Nastia, media representative for the Ukrainian Minster of Defense, at the Ukrainian Western Naval Base during exercise Sea Breeze 2010. Sea Breeze is an annual maritime exercise in the Black Sea focusing on enhancing maritime security capabilities. Sea Breeze is the largest exercise this year in the Black Sea including 20 ships, 13 aircraft and more than 1,600 military members from Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Moldova, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and United States.  

MOGENSEN, AFGHANISTAN

07.17.2010

Courtesy Story

2d Cavalry Regiment

By Chief Petty Officer Jeremy L. Wood

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MOGENSEN, Afghanistan — Combat Engineers with 20th Engineer Battalion’s Task Force Lumberjack held a memorial service to honor their fallen comrades, July 17, in Zabul province, Afghanistan.

The four soldiers were killed by a massive improvised explosive device, south of Highway 1, when their mine protected vehicle was struck by a command-control wire device, three days earlier.

The blast also wounded one other solider, whom was transported to higher care and treatment facilities.

Service members close to the fallen spoke at a military service held at Forward Operating Base Mogensen in Qalat. The dog tags clanked on upended M16 assault rifles in the wind. Flags flapped and rippled. Solemnly, soldiers shared stories, memories, jokes and pride about those honored.

“They traveled to some of the most disputed areas to find and neutralize one of the biggest killers on the battlefield – the IED,” said Lt. Col. Peter Andrysiak, battalion commander, Task Force Lumberjack, 20th Engineer Battalion, during his remarks at the ceremony. “These heroes embraced this grueling mission daily, paying the last full measure for freedom – ours and for the Afghan people.”

A nickname or special affect that person had on the unit’s morale and ability to gel. Each remembered for their willingness to achieve the mission, seek out greater responsibilities and commitment to the mission.

“… Brothers, rest in peace,” concluded Spc. Damian Marter, emotionally. “You will not be forgotten, not now, not ever.”

Those honored:
Army Sgt. Zachary Fisher, 24, originally from Ballwin, Mo., is survived by his wife and parents. Napa, Calif., native, Sgt. Chase Stanley, 21, posthumously promoted, is survived by his parents. Spc. Jessie Reed, 26, of Orefield, Pa., is survived by his wife, son, daughter and parents. Spc. Matthew Johnson, 21, from Maplewood, Minn., is survived by his parents.

• Date Taken: 07.17.2010
• Date Posted: 07.19.2010 08:08
• Story ID: 53045
• Location: MOGENSEN, AF