(12/2/09) - Four fallen Illinois Soldiers from the 1544th Transportation Company based in Paris, Ill., were honored for their support of postal operations in Iraq during the dedication of a new post office Dec. 17 here at Joint Base Balad (JBB), Iraq. Nine Soldiers and civilians names are written on a bronze plaque that is a replication of the one from Camp Liberty, Baghdad. The original plaque’s location was destroyed and a replica of the plaque was made for the dedication.
The Illinois National Guard Soldiers on the plaque are Spc. Jeremy Ridlen, 23, of Moroa, Ill., killed in action May 23, 2004; Spc. Charles Lamb, 23, of Casey, Ill., killed in action Sept. 5, 2004; Sgt. Shawna Morrison, 26, of Paris, Ill., killed in action Sept. 5, 2004 and Sgt. Jessica Cawvey, 21, of Normal, Ill., killed in action Oct. 6, 2004.
Capt. David W. Laes, commander of the 847th Human Resources Company based in Fort Snelling, Okla., with the 90th Special Troops Battalion, 90th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), spoke of the nine Soldiers and civilians who voluntarily give their life in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as proud American citizens.
He said their brave and vital tasks create a stable and secure environment for communities worldwide.
At JBB, those tasks sometimes involve placing themselves in harm’s way by conducting missions that range from route clearance and reconnaissance to postal operations and logistical support convoys.
“Since the beginning of operations in Iraq, there have been numerous casualties,” Laes said. “We honor our fallen daily by continuing to serve and conduct our mission with integrity, bravery and honor. The postal personnel at Joint Base Balad are dedicating the newly built post office on east Balad to our fallen postal heroes (who) gave their lives in support of the United States of America.”
Brig. Gen. Paul L. Wentz, commanding general of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) out of Fort Hood, Texas, said he was honored to be at the dedication.
“I think it’s fitting and appropriate that the plaque down in (Camp) Liberty got moved up here and recognizes the nine fallen postal workers that paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Wentz said. “It really represents the postal community and the folks that have been dedicated to providing mail services to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians in this theater for a long time.”
Laes reminded everyone present at the ceremony what the building, and the plaque, symbolized.
“(Americans) have given their lives in sacrifice for something that they believe will bring a better, more promising future for our children, grandchildren and generations to come,” Laes said. “We come together in the most difficult of times to help one another, whether in financial crisis, natural disaster or armed conflict.”
The other five Soldiers and civilians on the plaque include Spc. Darryl Dent, 21, 547th Transportation Company, Washington, killed in action Aug. 26, 2003; Vernon Gaston, 45, Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR) Inc., Lampasas, Texas, killed in action Sept. 3, 2003; Pfc. Isaiah Hunt, 20, 497th Transportation Company, 1st Corps, Fort Lewis, Wash., Green Bay, Wis., killed in action Nov. 15, 2004; Sgt. Rocky Payne, 26, 497th Transportation Company, 1st Corps, Fort Lewis, Wash., Howell, Utah, killed in action March 16, 2005 and Fred Bryant, 39, KBR Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., killed in action Aug. 5, 2003.
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