Memorial Day 2019

Memorial Day 2019

There have been over 1,354,000 US war dead since to formation of the United States of America. Decoration Day as it was called dates back to May 30, 1868, when the graves of fallen Union Soldiers were decorated in remembrance and it coincided with what was being done in Southern states. In 1967 the name was officially changed to Memorial Day, even though it was unofficially called Memorial Day since 1882.

This is what this day means to me, SFC (Retired) James A Pierce, Jr. It is the day I remember the several personal and professional men that I have known that are no longer with us. They gave their lives so we we can go on as a free country. Three of the men I knew personally and the other two I was near them when they died. Those that know me should remember the phrase "Never Forget"! I live by that.

I have three combat tours in the almost 25 years of active duty Army service I gave to the United States.

1. Gulf War, 1 Jul 91-31 Jan 92 (Southwest Asia Ceasefire Campaign)
2. Operation Iraqi Freedom, 13 Aug 07-31 Jul 08 (Iraqi Surge)
3. Operation Enduring Freedom, 21 Dec 09-4 Dec 10 (Afghan Surge)

Here are the Soldiers that I remember on this day:

CPT Michael Norman form Killeen, Texas. He was KIA on 31 Jan 2008 on Route Oilers near Sadr City, Baghdad. He was on a MiTT with us and was traveling back to FOB Shield from FOB Loyalty when his combat patrol was struck by and EFP (Explosively Formed Projectile). These were supplied by Iran. He passed away on site. I had known him since April 2007. He is buried at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Section 1, Marker 382. He was on MiTT 3/82 (Sharks). We won't forget wear he rests.

SFC John Norton was from Stanton, Kentucky. He was KIA on 15 Dec 2005, in Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan. He was station with the 74th Long Range Surveillance, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Brigade. I was told that he had volunteered to go on the dismounted patrol when they were engaged in direct fire. I met John while we were in 25W ANCOC, in February 2005. He was an awesome guy to know! He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 60, where the KIA soldiers the Iraq and Afghanistan are located.

SSG Justin Decrow was from Plymouth, Indiana. He was KIA on 5 Nov 2009, at Ft Hood by the murderer Nidal Hasan. He was assigned with me at the 16th Signal Company. He was a Team Chief in 1st Platoon and I was the 2nd PSG. He had went to the SRP center one day early to see if his waiver had come in so that he could deploy with us. It would have been Justin's first deployment.

PFC Corey Hicks was from Glendale, AZ. He was KIA on 5 May 2008, on Route Predators going from FOB Hope (War Eagle) to FOB Loyalty then to BIAP. He was with 1/66 Armor, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and was hit by an EFP (Explosively Formed Projectile). They were providing security for my MiTT while in transit to BIAP to exchange out Up-Armor HUMMVs for MRAPS. We made it two mile when he was hit by two EFPs. I will not forget his sacrifice. We were about 200 meters from his RG-31 when it was struck.

MAJ Alan Rogers was from Hampton, FL. He was KIA on 27 Jan 2008, on Route Budweiser
en-route to Old MOD for a MiTT coordination meeting with MiTT counterparts when his combat patrol was struck by an EFP five minutes from Old MOD. He passed away at Old MOD. He was based out of FOB Rustamiyah in Southwest Baghdad.

Never forget these Soldiers and what they did for the Army and country.