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DEL.ICIO.USA farewell to fallen comrades
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Striker, Iraq � They gathered on a hot and dusty night, the thick haze blurring the normal fiery hues of the setting sun in Baghdad.
Photos from the memorial ceremoniesIn pairs, soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team stepped on the stage to say goodbye to four of their fallen comrades.
They knelt in front of the helmets, boots, dog tags and upended rifles that symbolized the four men from the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment killed Sunday when their Humvee was torn apart by a massive roadside bomb in southwest Baghdad.
When the roll was called for Alpha Company’s second platoon, an eerie silence followed the names of Staff Sgt. Carl Fuller of Covington, Sgt. James Kinlow of Thomson, Sgt. John Thomas of Valdosta and Spc. Jacques “Gus” Brunson of Sylvester.
Hundreds of soldiers attended the memorial service for the four Georgians Thursday evening at Camp Striker, the second such somber remembrance the state’s citizen soldiers have attended since arriving in Iraq almost two months ago. Sgt. Chad Mercer of Waycross, also a soldier in the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry, died earlier this month in a vehicle accident.
As darkness began to blanket the camp, soldiers shared their memories of the four who died.
Lt. Col. Steve McCorkle, commander of the 2nd Battalion, said Brunson was a man who enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting. Kinlow was looking forward to going home and buying a new truck. Fuller volunteered to deploy to Iraq with the 48th even though it was his third combat mission. And Thomas liked to dress up his pit bull and put him in the side car of his motorcycle as he roared through the streets of Valdosta.
“There was no warning, no visible enemy,” McCorkle said of the deadly blast. “We can take comfort that they are in a much better place. Now they are serving the Army of God.”
Then it was platoon leader 1st Lt. Joseph Latella’s turn to speak. Sunday evening, when the bad news first got back to Latella, he had thrust his fist into a wall. On Thursday, the 24-year-old recent college graduate from Dahlonega held it together â€â€? until he began talking.
“The bonds you make with a soldier will simply not let you be the leader the books tell you to be,” Latella said, choking over his words. “I miss them. I love them like brothers and they are unforgotten,” he said.
The word “brothers” surfaced throughout the evening, in every speech, in every conversation. Sobbing soldiers hugged and comforted one another the best they knew how. It was a moment to put soldiering aside and share their grief.
“I lost four good friends and we’ll never get them back,” said Staff Sgt. William Taylor of Valdosta. “I want to say they died for a good cause, trying to help the Iraqi people get their freedom. Right now there are no words to really describe how I’m really feeling.”
Among the line of 2nd platoon soldiers who formed behind the stage to shake hands was an Iraqi man named Ali, whose last name can not be revealed because of possible retribution. He served as interpreter for Alpha Company and stood in line with the soldiers as though he were one of them � a brother.
“He was a great man,” said Ali, wiping back tears as he spoke about Fuller, whom he had come to know well since the 48th arrived in Iraq. “He was my best friend. He was all the time so loving.”
The four Alpha Company soldiers were on patrol Sunday on Route Aeros, a dangerous east-west road in the southwestern section of the Iraqi capital. They were in the last Humvee in a three-vehicle patrol.
They had just passed a traffic control point when the improvised explosive devise exploded.
“It was the loudest noise I’ve ever heard,” said Sgt. William Rousseau of Milledgeville, who was in the lead Humvee. “My first response was to make sure my crew was OK. Then I went down to the middle vehicle to check on them. I was proceeding to the third vehicle, but it wasn’t there.”
Rousseau said he had been particularly close to the jovial Fuller. They went to the chow hall together, worked out in the gym and watched movies.
“I miss him. If I was having a bad day, he would pick me up,” Rousseau said. “If he was having a bad day …,” said Rousseau, pausing. “Well, he didn’t have a bad day.”
Comments
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By Gina Morgan Williams
July 28, 2005 10:22 PM | Link to this
To the brave members of the 48th, I am so sorry for the loss of your soldier brothers. There is no way that I could imagine being there in Iraq and going through everything you are experiencing and then having to deal with the deaths of your friends, too. To all the families, I pray that God will wrap his loving arms around you and you will feel the love and support of God, family, community and friends at this very difficult time. To the AJC reporters and photographers - thank you for bringing us the coverage, your articles are so appreciated. To the Walton County Georgia members of the 48th, I think of you all each and every day - I never fail to remember you. Never! Especially my buddy Jim Brown. Thanks for the letter Jim, I got it last week and ran all the way down the driveway like an excited child when I took it from the mailbox. I cherish this letter from you. Take care of each other and know that we love you. ~Peace and Love~ GMW Turkey Mountain, GA USA
By Angelia Countryman
July 29, 2005 08:01 AM | Link to this
My name is SPC Angelia Countryman and I returned from Iraq in April 2004 with Company B, 161st ASMB. I am a medic in the National Guard and our unit asked for volunteers to help send off the 48th Brigade when they left Ft. Stewart in April, so I gladly volunteered. Our unit was also in Ft. Irwin, CA with the 48th while they were training. Needless to say, I got to know alot of soldiers in the 48th Brigade. Some I knew from the past and some were my new buddies. I made sure I got some of their email addresses so that I could stay in contact with them and lift their spirits a little while they were deployed. Of the soldiers I saw that I knew from the past, none surprised me more than SGT Carl Fuller. He and I worked together before the military and remained friends for years. He was a true cop. He was a born cop; he looked the part, walked the part. The only thing that didn’t fit was his infectious smile. With his gentle nature, I just couldn’t see Carl maintaining a serious look while chastising someone. I spoke with Carl at Fort Stewart at the parade for a while, just before they lined up to partake in the ceremony. He helped me force water on his fellow comrades. He made sure that his guys were drinking plenty of water and wasn’t giving me a hard time. Carl was a sweetie and God truly has a good guy on his side. Carl, you will be missed. We will miss you and your smile but I now know that you are in the skies of heaven still smiling down on us.
Your friend and fellow comrade. SPC Angelia Countryman
By Jan
July 29, 2005 08:15 AM | Link to this
All of you are doing the MOST honorable thing, to serve our Country. I am so sorry about your loss. You are in my prayers.
May God Bless You, Jan, Blue Ridge,GA
By Army Girlfriend
July 29, 2005 08:57 AM | Link to this
To Mansfield, Bishop, Bell, Latella and all of our brave soldiers - we are thinking of you often and pray everyday for all of you. Thank you for all you are doing out there. Em NGC’03
By Glenda Cowan
July 29, 2005 11:16 AM | Link to this
I am sorry for your loss of 4 brave men. I have a grandson Daniel that is at Camp Stryker in the 48th BCO Task Force 121 His father Jeff is also in the National Guard and I have a son that is the Army. I pray daily for all our military men and women as does our church. I would like to express my love and sympathy to you for the lost of your men and to their family and friends. May God bless each and every one of you.
By linda
July 29, 2005 11:35 AM | Link to this
Thinking about all the military personnel who put their lives on the line moment by moment. Also asking the Lord to bring FAITH to fruition in the hearts and lives of these men and women
By Joanne
July 29, 2005 12:39 PM | Link to this
I have known Staff Sgt. Carl Fuller and his family for 20 years. Carl was the most kind-hearted person I have every known in my life. He always greeted you with a smile. Carl loved his family very much.His only sister Belinda was his heart they were always such great friends. Carl I will miss you. To the family of Carl Fuller.. be blessed that God made this wonderful guy part of your family. He will always be remembered for his kindness,his great smile and that he gave his life so that others might know the joy of freedom.
By William A. Grant Sr.
July 29, 2005 12:49 PM | Link to this
I was looking in the local paper the other day and seen the story about the four soldiers from Camp Striker. One of them was name Sgt. Carl Fuller of Covington Ga. They had a very small photo of him with the article.This photo looked a lot like a friend of my wife and i that we took Martial Arts with that had the same name. We fell out of touch with Carl over the past few years so i don’t know if that was him. The Carl Fuller that we knew was an Ex-Police Office and Truck Driver. If anyone can tell whether this may be the same Carl Fuller that I’m speaking of please let me know.To all of the soldiers and their families, I pray for you Everyday.
By Mike Parker
July 29, 2005 12:59 PM | Link to this
Joe:
You don’t have to go by the books to be a leader.
And, you don’t have to die in combat for your former classmates to be proud of you.
Do everything that you can with what you have and come home when you can.
Mike
By Michael McGee
July 29, 2005 01:02 PM | Link to this
To the brave and courageous men and women of the 48th, my deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your families. I am truly saddened at the continued lost of american lives. As an employee of DoD with the Defense Contract Management Agency, I will continue to work with due diligence in our nation’s defense industry to ensure that you have the latest and best equipment technology can provide in order to give you every advantage that you rightfully deserve. May GOD keep and bless each and everyone of you as we pray for all of our warfighter’s safe return. Michael McGee, MSgt (Ret)USAF, - Quality Assurance Specialist, DCMA, Lockheed Martin, Marietta, GA
By Christie
July 29, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this
May God be with you and your families as you put your lives on the line everyday for our nation. Knowing that we have these brave men and women fighting for our country, puts a smile on my face when looking at my 2 year old daughter. I know you are fighting to keep America safe. To you many brave men and women, may God be your source of strength and hold steadfast with you. To the families of the fallen. May God fill your hearts with hope, faith, and pride. Please know that God will not put any situation in front of you that is to unbearable to handle. He will always give you the grace to triumph over any situation. May God bless you all.
By pamela bentley
July 29, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this
To the families of the the deceased i want to extend my sympathies. So many men and women are over there fighting for the very freedoms we enjoy here as well as trying to liberate a country. My heart breaks for the wives and childern left behind. this is the second time my husband has served in iraq. he is with the 48th but happened to be on leave when this happened. there are no words that could comfort you during this time of loss but i would like to share something that my husband said is dear to his heart as a soldier…Psalm 91. This scripture depicts how the Lord will gives us what we need as soldiers during battle and as spouses supporting those fighting for the cause. They fought selflessly and they should be remebered as HEROs. This battle that is being fought should not be looked at from one angle(the negative one). Lets not forget the courage and valor all of these individuals display when the cameras arent on and applaud all of the families supporting their spouses in spite of what the media display here. AJC has done a great job on the other hand of showing all sides of the battle, good and bad. God Bless all of you and your in our prayers
By Robbie
July 29, 2005 11:37 PM | Link to this
I attended high school with Gus Brunson in Sylvester. He and his entire family are the kindest people you could ever meet. He always had a smile on his face and never seemed to be bothered by anything. He will be missed by all. Prayers go out to his family and all the others that have lost love ones. God Bless You.
By Nicole Bell
July 31, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this
Thinking of all the men and women who are putting their lives on the line. I pray for the families of the lost soldiers and even though I knew none of them personally, I feel like I have experienced a huge loss also. I know these soldiers died for a good cause and that God is keeping them in his care. May God bless you all and keep you safe!!! I love you my husband, SGT Bell. Hurry home soon!!!
By arthur brown
August 2, 2005 08:31 AM | Link to this
To the fuller family, my heart goes out to you, for the lost of Carl ray. I grew up with Carl and was deeply saden to hear of his death. The last time i saw Carl he was a cop in 94’. Willis;Belinda,Patrick,Michael,and the entire fuller family be strong. My prayers are with you.
By Janet Hardy
August 3, 2005 07:20 PM | Link to this
My heart goes out to all the families that have lost their sons. My son is also in the 121st, and his heart is broken for all his brothers who are gone. All these men are so brave, and so respected for the sacrifice they have made so we can live free of terriorists. How can we ever repay them.