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Following In The Footsteps of The Fallen
(May 19, 2011) |
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 FOB MUSA QAL'EH, Helmand province, Afghanistan (MCN -
5/12/2011) — A memorial service was held recently to honor
the service of Staff Sgt. Jason Rogers.
Rogers was
the platoon sergeant of 3rd Platoon, Company C, 2nd Combat
Engineer Battalion, operating under the command of 3rd
Battalion, 2nd Marines while in Afghanistan. Since joining
the Marine Corps in 2003, Rogers served in two combat tours
in Iraq and three in Afghanistan, including the current
tour.
On April 7, 2011, Rogers and his platoon were
performing a clearing operation to remove improvised
explosive devices. He was clearing a path to a helicopter
for two severely wounded Marines when he was taken from this
world.
Rogers understood the dangers his job entailed
and exhibited unwavering dedication to Corps and country,
according to his fellow Marines. On April 27, his friends
and fellow Marines gathered on Forward Operating Base Musa
Qal'eh to remember a fallen hero. |
FOB MUSA QAL'EH, Helmand
province, Afghanistan - Corporal Ryan Schuenke, an engineer with Company C, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, reaches to touch the field expedient battlefield cross in memory of Staff Sgt. Christopher Rogers, held on April 27,
2011. Photo by y USMC LCpl. Clayton Vonderahe |
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A pair of boots was
placed with a rifle standing vertically between them, barrel
down. A Kevlar helmet crowned the stock of the rifle while
Rogers' dog tags were hung solemnly from the pistol grip.
The Marine Corps Flag crossed with the American Flag,
provided a backdrop for his field expedient battlefield
cross. The memorial allowed others to reflect on who Rogers
was, what he meant to them, and how they would miss him.
“He always looked on the brighter side of things,” said
Sgt. Jarrod Alexander, a squad leader with 1st squad,
Company C, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion. “He never had any
discontent toward anything. He could always make any
situation better, regardless of if it was bad or good.”
Marines reflected on his bright character and ability to
befriend any one. They remembered his natural
ability to lead Marines, especially in combat
conditions. They recalled how he could be friendly
to everyone, yet correct a Marine without having to
raise his voice. The speakers |
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made it very clear he was a man to be admired, and
that his passing was nothing short of a tragedy to
those lives he touched. |
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“He wasn't one to stand around the corner or go back
into a vehicle and bark orders. If he issued an order, he
was right there with you. If his Marines were sweeping (for
improvised explosive devices) he was right there sweeping
with them,” Alexander said.
Those in attendance were
given a moment to pay their respects to Rogers in their own
fashion. Each attendee said goodbye one last time, allowing
closure for those who had worked with him.
“I miss
him, I miss him every day; I think about him every minute.
Everything that he's ever taught me is still whispering in
my ear. Anytime I tell my Marines something I always think
about what he would say first.”
Though he is gone,
his legacy lives on through the actions of all who were
fortunate enough to, in one way or another, have had him as
a mentor. His spirit remains in those whose lives he has
touched as they strive to follow in the footsteps of their
fallen comrade. |
By USMC LCpl. Clayton Vonderahe
Regimental Combat Team 8
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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