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Wednesday, February 27, 2002
Soldiers memorialized
CHANTAL ESCOTO
The Leaf-Chronicle
A bitter wind whisked snow flurries around more than 2,000 family members and friends filing into Dreyer Field House Tuesday morning to honor 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment soldiers who died in a helicopter crash.
The eight aviators with Company E were killed in the Philippines on Feb. 22 in support of Operation Freedom Eagle, the moniker for the war on terrorism in that region of the world. Two airmen stationed in Okinawa, Japan, were also killed when a MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying the 10 service members went down in the sea. The accident is still under investigation.
The memorial paid tribute to Maj. Curtis D. Feistner, Capt. Bartt D. Owens, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jody L. Egnor, Staff Sgt. James P. Dorrity, Staff Sgt. Bruce A. Rushforth Jr., Staff Sgt. Kerry W. Frith, Sgt. Jeremy D. Foshee and Sgt. Thomas F. Allison.
"I would like to thank everyone for all of their prayers and support," said Frith's wife, Carolyn, in a prepared statement. "This is a very difficult time and my heart goes out to all of the families who have also suffered loss."
Soldiers with the 160th who were closest to their fallen comrades gave heartfelt reflections of their time together -- often straining to hold back tears. Stories of poker games, after-hours parties and other mischief were blended with tales of bravery and dedication to family and career that can only describe the Night Stalker values.
"I know you're not here, but I know you'll be with us on every flight and mission," said Sgt. 1st Class Miguel A. Marlowe of 2nd Battalion, 160th.
On the guest list for the ceremony were the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki, Tennessee and Kentucky legislators and Texas billionaire Ross Perot.
Speaking about Foshee, Sgt. 1st Class John J. Williams summed up the creed that Night Stalkers don't quit. "Every now and then you'll notice a Night Stalker with a fire in their eyes ... in Jeremy's eyes you could just see the passion ignite.
"You will truly be missed but not forgotten. I know all the Night Stalkers in heaven will be training for their new mission. God bless," he said.
Chaplain Capt. James Brisson compared the lost aviators to Olympic gold medalists except that "the gold they sought was found in the heart, the gold they sought was found in the soul," he said. "Their test is now over, their time is now over. Their gold has been found."
The fallen soldiers were awarded the Legion of Merit, Air Medal and an Outstanding Service Medal.
According to Department of Defense information, 32 military personnel have died fighting terrorism since Sept. 11. Eleven of those killed were headquartered at Fort Campbell.
On Dec. 5, Master Sgt. Jefferson D. Davis, Sgt. 1st Class Daniel H. Petithory and Staff Sgt. Brian C. Prosser with the 5th Special Forces Group were killed when a misguided U.S. bomb missed its target. Nineteen other service members were injured in the same accident.