Community center named in honor of fallen Soldiers

With the sun lowering in the clear Iraq sky, seven Task Force 34 fallen Soldiers were honored as ground was broken for a new community center on May 4.  

In remembrance of the ‘Fallen 7’ of 2nd Battalion, 149th General Support Aviation Battalion’s (GSAB) call sign ‘Red River 44’, the new community center on the West side of Joint Base Balad (JBB), Iraq will be named Red River Place.

“Chaplain Swanson came to me about two or three months ago and said ‘I think we have a need over here and we have something that we can do,’” said Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Commander.  “It was the entire JBB community of chaplains who came together and said ‘we have a need here to serve the spiritual needs of so many on the West side of Joint Base Balad.’”

Once this need was realized, planning the details and the naming of the building went into effect.  The Air Force thought of the loss of those currently stationed on the West side of JBB.

“On behalf of 2-149th, I would like to express my sincere gratitude toward the United States Air Force for their thoughtfulness and efforts in designing and building the Red River Place,”   said Lt. Col. Joanne MacGregor, 2-149th GSAB Commander, as she addressed the ceremony audience.  “Red River Place will be a permanent establishment on Joint Base Balad for all future personnel to gather and remember our fallen Soldiers.” 

“In naming this building after the Red River crew, we honor these men and their ultimate sacrifice,” said Cpt. Jason Rowe, B Co., 2-149th GSAB Commander.  “It was nearly eight months ago that we lost seven of our fellow servicemen; Brady, Cory, Dan, Julio, Luke, Mike and Robert.  Not a day goes by that we don’t miss their laughter and camaraderie.” 

The ceremony concluded with Brig. Gen. Bishop, Task Force 34 Commander Col. Clay Brock, Lt. Col.  MacGregor, and Cpt. Rowe digging their shovels into Iraq’s earth and each pulling free a scoop of dirt to mark the start of the construction for the new building, Red River Place.

“Unfortunately, with these Soldiers’ sacrifice, we are building this in their name,” Brig. Gen. Bishop said.  “The positive side of it is that their memory will continue to live on, and this facility will serve so many more in a need that we really had to have.  It will also help us tie the West side of Joint Base Balad to the East side, so that we are truly a joint base.” 

Red River Place is estimated to be ready for use by late July.  The Soldiers of Task Force 34 are scheduled to complete their deployment later this month.

For more information on the Fallen 7 of Red River 44 visit:
http://www.TaskForce34.org/our_fallen_soldiers

Spc. Jodi Krause
HSC 834th ASB Unit Public Affairs Representative
4 May, 2009