502nd Infantry Regiment Family and Friends Honor Their Fallen

Family members, friends, and fellow comrades of 502nd Infantry soldiers lost in Iraq got together in July 2006 to install paver bricks with engraved names at the 101st Airborne Division Memorial located at Ft. Campbell.  Charlie Gant, 502nd Infantry Regiment Governor, started and pushed the project to get the necessary funds donated to pay for these pavers.  The 502nd has suffered many casualties this tour in the Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign.

The following e-mail from Charlie Gant accompanied the pictures -

Greetings to all,
 Here are some photographs taken by Sam Bass our Association's Executive
Secretary during the two hour ceremony attended by the 502nd Regimental
WIA's, soldiers, and widows of 502nd troops whose husbands paid the supreme sacrifice who still live in the Fort Campbell area and others who attended the
touching two hour ceremony Memorial Paver laying ceremony. 

 This wonderful ceremony has set an example by which other units within the
101st Airborne Division Association (may) wish to follow.

Strike Airborne, Strike Force
Charles R. Gant DMOR
Governor 502nd Regiment 101st Airborne Division Association
Liaison Alpha & Delta Company's 2/502nd Strike Force Widow Makers
Organization

A total of thirty-six soldiers from the 502nd Regiment have lost their lives as of July 30th, 2006.  Seven additional pavers will be obtained and placed along side their fallen brothers at a later ceremony.

Charles Gant

Many thanks go to Sam Bass of the 101st Assn. Office for taking and supplying the photos.

The first three photos were taken at an Eagle Remembrance Ceremony, which occurs the 2ns Wednesday of each month.  All of the other pictures are from the paver laying ceremony.

Pfc Tyler R. MacKenzie, 20, of Evans, Colo. died near Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee on November 2, 2005.  He was assigned to the Army's 1^st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. Mackenzie entered the Army in January, 2005, and arrived at Fort Campbell in June, 2005.   He is survived by his parents, David and Julie MacKenzie, also of Evans.

Information on purchasing these pavers is located on our website, or you can contact the Assn. Office.  Other units that have suffered losses are encouraged to do the same for their fellow comrades.  The memorial is beautiful, hope you agree..

All photos on this page are the property of the 101st Airborne Assn. Office.  You should contact Sam Bass for permission before using them, thanks!..........  L. Frazier     07/31/06