Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Daleanne Maxwell | Members of the color guard uncover a rendering of a monument that will be placed in...... read more read more
BLANDING, Utah – The Blanding Armory was renamed and rededicated the Sgt. 1st Class James E. Thode Armory, Blanding Readiness Center, during a ceremony Dec. 9. The renaming ceremony was held in honor of Sgt. 1st Class James E. Thode who was killed in action last year in Khost, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit, the 118th Sapper Company, 1457th Engineer, Battalion, 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, with an improvised explosive device.
Throughout the ceremony several speakers praised Thode as a husband, father, Soldier and friend, and how he is missed every day. The renaming of the armory is one way for his legacy to continue.
“His [Thodes] legacy will always be in our hearts,” said 1st Sgt. Charles Barkey, the 1SG for the 118th Sapper Company during the deployment. “His name outside will be there, for those that will walk through these halls, who will join the Guard and when you youngsters grow up and hear his name his legacy will be kept alive by us telling his story.”
Thodes wife, Carla and their children, Ashley and Thomas, were amongst those that were in attendance.
Blanding City Mayor Toni Turk took this opportunity to express his gratitude to Thode’s family.
“Although he was not a resident of Blanding he was a member of the community, he took our sons to war so that they would not have to go without an experienced warrior to lead them,” said Turk.
“The city of Blanding has commissioned a special medallion that is to be given to the loved ones of our heroes making the ultimate sacrifice to our country,” said Turk. “This is a special token of our appreciation for the service rendered and the sacrifice made. I would like to present the cities special medallion for his ultimate sacrifice to his widow; and to extend our heartfelt appreciation for his devotion to duty, country and community … God bless you.”
As part of the renaming ceremony a plaque was placed inside the armory entrance and in the spring a monument will be built and placed outside honoring Sgt. 1st Class James E Thode.
The plaque reads “This building is dedicated to the memory and legacy of our comrade Sgt. 1st Class James (Doc) Thode, KIA Dec. 2, 2010, in Khost, Afghanistan; It is undoubtedly appropriate and proper for a memorial of this stature and purpose to pay tribute to one of the finest non-commissioned officers to have ever served our great state and nation.”
The monument will read: Sgt. 1st Class James E. Thode (Sept. 27, 1965 – Dec. 2, 2010) 118th Engineer Company, 1457th Engineer Battalion, 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Utah Army National Guard. Died Dec 2nd in Sabari District, Khost province, Afghanistan from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unity with an improvised explosive device. Thank you for your bravery, patriotism and commitment to our nation. You will not be forgotten, for the memory of your tenacious spirit will live on in each patriot.
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2011 11:30 |
| Story ID: | 81687 |
| Location: | BLANDING, UT, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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