Remembering 1LT Ferrara, SGT Mersman, CPL Langevin, CPL Roque, SPC Lancour and SGT Bocks, KIA, Afghanistan 9 November 2007

Four years ago tomorrow (9 November 2007) six American Warriors were killed in an ambush in eastern Afghanistan.  Six family's lives were changed forever.  Their battle buddies lives were changed forever.  Legions of friends learned the news that these men had become American Heroes - Heroes to whom we owe so much we can never repay them.

Please take a few minutes to read about these men.  Honor them.  Remember them.  Be grateful for them.  It is the very least we can do.
Rest in peace brave warriors.  We will never forget you.

Memorial Service in Afghanistan 2007

1st Lt. Matthew C. Ferrara, 24, of Torrance, Calif.

14 October 1983 – 9 November 2007

Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

1LT Matthew C. Ferrara was born on 14 October 1983 in Torrance, California, and he graduated and was commissioned from the United States Military Academy at West Point on 28 May 2005 as an Infantry officer.

1LT Ferrara completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia and reported to Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy for his first duty assignment. Matt was assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry as the Platoon Leader of First Platoon.

In May 2007, 1LT Ferrara deployed with the company to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII. On 22 August 2007, 1LT Ferrara led his men to thwart a deliberate enemy attack on the Aranas Combat Outpost (Ranch House) by a numerically superior force. For his valorous and heroic actions that day he was awarded the Silver Star.

1LT Ferrara’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and Basic Parachutist Badge.

Sgt. Jeffery S. Mersman, 23, of Parker, KS

11 May 1984 – 9 November 2007

Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

SGT Jeffery S. Mersman was born on 11 May 1984 in Paola, Kansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 15 January 2002.

SGT Mersman served in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division as a Grenadier and Rifle Team Leader. While in this unit, SGT Mersman deployed three times in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM before reporting for duty at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy.

SGT Mersman was assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team as a Rifle Team Leader in August 2006. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDUING FREEDOM VIII in May 2007. During this deployment, SGT Mersman participated in numerous combat patrols and manned a critical observation point at Bella Combat Outpost in Nuristan Province providing surveillance and early warning of enemy activity.

SGT Mersman’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.

CPL Sean K.A. Langevin, 23, of Walnut Creek, CA

17 August 1984 – 9 November 2007

Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

CPL Sean K. Langevin was born on 17 August 1984 in Walnut Creek, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 14 February 2006.

After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georiga, CPL Langevin reported to his first duty station at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. He was assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team as an Automatic Rifleman. CPL Langevin deployed to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII in May 2007.

During his time in Afghanistan, CPL Langevin went on numerous combat patrols. He was also involved in a violent firefight with enemy forces at the Aranas Combat Outpost (Ranch House) on 22 August 2007. For his heroic actions during the Ranch House attack, CPL Langevin was submitted for the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.

Cpl Langevin’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

CPL Lester G. Roque, 23, of Torrance, CA

4 December 1983 – 9 November 2007

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2dn Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

CPL Lester G. Roque was born on 4 December 1983 in Obando, Bulacan, Philippines where he spent most of his childhood. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 2 February 2005.

During his time in service, CPL Roque completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Medical Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. On 10 October 2005, CPL Roque reported to his first duty station at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. After his arrival, he immediately joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VI where he was assigned as a trauma medic. Due to his maturity and leadership, he was assigned as the Chosen Company Senior Medic where he served with distinction. During OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII, CPL Roque established two aid stations at Combat Outposts Bella and Aranas (Ranch House), conducted numerous combat patrols, and established a local national clinic to increase the healthcare for the surrounding populace.

CPL Roque’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.

SPC Joseph M. Lancour, 21, of Swartz Creek, MI

26 June 1986 – 9 November 2007

Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

SPC Joseph M. Lancour was born on 26 June 1986 in Cadillac, Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 8 February 2006.

After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) and attending Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, SPC Lancour arrived at Caserma, Ederle in Vicenza, Italy for his first duty assignment. SPC Lancour was immediately assigned as a Rifleman in Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

SPC Lancour conducted his first deployment to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII in May 2007. During his service, SPC Lancour participated in numerous combat patrols and manned a critical observation post at Bella Combat Outpost providing security and observation of the surrounding mountainous terrain.

SPC Lancour’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

Marine Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks, 28, of Troy, Mich.

From Marines dot mil Bocks’ journey to MWTC began when he enlisted in the Marine Corps May 9, 2000. That same year, he graduated from basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. He then reported to the School of Infantry East at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he graduated and became a Marine Corps rifleman. He later served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch from Sept. 1, 2001 to Feb. 3, 2002. Sgt. Bocks then deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from May 5 to Aug. 15, 2003, according to his service record book.

In his short life, Sgt. Bocks contributed more to his fellow man, fellow comrades-at-arms, and to the units he served in, said Cooling. “He touched more people in more ways than many of us could in a lifetime,” he said. “The evidence of that is why we are all here today.”

Please go to the link above to read more about Sgt Bocks. 

NEVER FORGOTTEN

Honorary COL Evan Pertile Named One of The US Army Faces Of Strength 2011

If you've read this blog for the past couple of years you may remember Evan Pertile.  Evan was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer just after Thanksgiving in 2008.  Depending on how you look at it that was three LONG or three short years ago.  I'm sure his parents would say it was three LONG years ago.  But the good news is that Evan is in remission and doing well thanks to the amazing care he received at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

Evan's mother announced on their caringbridge site that Evan has been selected as on the U S Army's 2011 Faces of Strength.  Evan is the only civilian to ever be selected for this honor.

From The United States Army Faces of Strength:

At the age of eight, Evan Pertile has achieved more than most men. He retains the honorary rank of colonel in the U.S. Army, has received multiple medals and survived a vicious battle. In 2008, Evan was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Shortly after his diagnosis, Evan was brought to St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, for operations and radiation therapy. While treatment was tough, Evan was even tougher.

After spending many sleepless nights by Evan’s side at St. Jude’s, his mother, Rachel, was heading home to Columbia, South Carolina, when she met someone who would change the Pertiles’ lives. Brenda Bowen worked at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, and when she learned of Evan’s affinity for “Army guys,” she knew she could help. Brenda used her network to rally support for Evan. A message board that Rachel had set up began to flood with words of encouragement from the Soldiers he admired so much.

That support came just in time. Evan had lost his appetite as a result of his rigorous chemotherapy treatment when he started receiving messages of support from all over the world. One after another, Soldiers told Evan that he had to eat to be Army Strong. These words of encouragement sparked an incredible willpower in Evan to eat again, allowing doctors to remove his feeding tube. Since then, Evan has proudly touted that he is Army Strong, someone who “can fight anything and win,” and he is now two years in remission.

Over the past three years, Evan has befriended many of the Soldiers who encouraged him throughout his recovery. By taking time to contact Evan, the Soldiers helped save a life off the battlefield. And while Evan’s story began as one of Soldiers inspiring a young boy, it has turned into a source of inspiration for other Soldiers. Now, instead of words of encouragement, Evan receives messages of thanks.

“The whole time Evan was a force within himself of strength, courage and perseverance,” says Rachel. But she recalls that Soldiers told her “as much as we help Evan, Evan helps us. Evan shows us what we fight for and what we believe in, and he gives meaning to what we do.”

Evan faced much adversity in his bout with brain cancer, but his drive to be Army Strong helped him win the battle. Evan defines strength as “courage” and the will to “keep fighting.” The Soldiers who know him define strength as “Evan Pertile.”

Matt Burden of Blackfive first introduced us to Evan in early May 2009.

Later that month SSG Ryan Pitts and I visited Evan at the Target House near St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The night after SSG Pitts and I visited with Evan and his mother he became critically ill.  It was touch and go as to whether he would make it or not.  But he did.  Today he is thriving and enjoying being an 8 year old boy.  God answered so many prayers.  And, thanks to so many Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen around the world (literally), Evan drew strength to fight his toughest battles. 

It seems that now Evan is learning that he has given much back. 
In July 2009 Jim Hanson aka Uncle Jimbo and I visited Evan.

Evan has been an inspiration to so many.  He is an incredible young man.  Now that he is in remission he is swimming, playing soccer, doing well in school, playing with his older brothers and his new baby sister and conitnuing to raise money for St Jude so that other children can be treated for devastating childhood cancers.  It has been such a privilege getting to know Evan and his family. 

Congratulations Evan! 

More links:

Evan Pertile Follow Up posted on Blackfive July 2009 (excellent video)
Evan Pertile Update posted on Blackfive Sept 2009
Evan Pertile return to duty with a great video Uncle Jimbo filmed the day before Evan left for home.