Paris Unit Re-Dedicates Plaque Honoring Fallen Soldiers, Civilians

Related Media

Pictured are the protective t-wall barriers listing the names of fallen Soldiers and civilians who played a vital role in postal operations and in the early stages of the war in Iraq.

• Cindy Morrison, mother of Sgt. Shawna Morrison of Paris, 1544th Transportation Company, holds a photo of her daughter.
• Kevin Cawvey, father of Sgt. Jessica Cawvey of Mahomet, 1544th Transportation Company, takes a photo of friends, family and Soldiers of the 1544th that deployed with his daughter.

PARIS, IL (11/20/2011)(readMedia)-- Nearly two years ago, the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) honored the memory of seven Soldiers and two civilian contractors with a plaque dedication ceremony at the Balad Post Office Dec. 17, 2009 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

The Soldiers and civilians played a vital role in postal operations in the early stages of the war in Iraq. The plaque honoring the fallen hung in the post office, until it closed its doors as operations in Iraq come to an end. The plaque now has a new home.

The Illinois National Guard's 1544th Transportation Company rededicated the Balad Post Office's plaque honoring the nine in a ceremony Nov. 19 where the plaque found its permanent home at the Illinois Army National Guard Armory in Paris, Ill.

Friends, families, members of the Paris community and Soldiers from Fort Lewis Wash., and units across Illinois gathered to honor the memories of the Soldiers and civilians:

• Mr. Fredi Bryant, KBR Inc. Contractor, Aug. 5, 2003

• Spc. Darryl Dent, 547th Transportation Company, Washington D.C. Army National Guard, Aug. 26, 2003

• Mr. Vernon Gaston, KBR Inc. Contractor, Sept. 3, 2003

• Spc. Jeremy Ridlen of Paris, 1544th Transportation Company, Illinois Army National Guard, May 23, 2004

• Spc. Charles Lamb of Casey, 1544th Transportation Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Sept. 5, 2004

• Sgt. Shawna Morrison of Paris, 1544th Transportation Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Sept. 5, 2004

• Sgt. Jessica Cawvey of Mahomet, 1544th Transportation Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Oct. 6, 2004

• Pfc. Isaiah Hunt of Green Bay Wis., 497th Transportation Company, Fort Lewis, Wash., Nov. 15, 2004

• Sgt. Rocky Payne of Howell, Utah, 497th Transportation Company, Fort Lewis, Wash., March 16, 2005

"Today I ask you to join me in saluting these Soldiers and civilians, for their dedication, bravery and courage," Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt, of Hopedale, the director of the joint staff for the Illinois National Guard. "Without their service and sacrifice we wouldn't be able to enjoy many of the little things we take for granted every day, including gathering here today."

Pratt said Illinois National Guard was chosen to receive the plaque since it had the most Soldiers honored on it.

The 1544th lost a total of five Soldiers during its 2004 to 2005 deployment to Iraq. Staff Sgt. Ivory Phipps of Chicago, who was not included on the plaque, would be honored in another ceremony in March, near the anniversary of his death in Iraq.

Capt. Rachael Stribling, commander of the 497th Transportation Company in Fort Lewis presented Dennis and Marie Payne with a plaque honoring their son Sgt. Rocky Payne. This plaque resided at the 497th's headquarters at Fort Lewis. With the 497th soon to be deactived Stribling wanted the Paynes to have the unit's plaque honoring their sons service in the 497th.

In the seven years since her daughter's death, Sandra Cawvey said the 1544th Soldiers who deployed with her daughter are still a part of her and husband Kevin's life and have played a role in the life of Jessica's daughter Sierra, now 13.

"We've seen them numerous times throughout the years and they've supported us and Sierra," said Sandra. "Taking her trick-or-treating, taking her to the park, having sleep overs with her. They've helped us get by over the years."

Sandra said the event honored the memory of her daughter and she was happy the plaque was relocated to the Paris Armory.

"It's like a touch of her we can have here," Sandra said.

Capt. Jeremy Tackett of Springfield, the commander of the 1544th said the plaque accompanied with photos of the Soldiers, it will hang in the Armory for visitors and Soldiers to remember those have made the ultimate sacrifice.

"Men and women in uniform willingly take on the duties and obligations that come with military service and will continue to serve with distinction and carry on the honor and legacy of those who have sacrificed and carry on their memory and mission," said Tackett

Submitted photo/ Pictured are the protective t-wall barriers listing the names of fallen Soldiers and civilians who played a vital role in postal operations and in the early stages of the war in Iraq. Nearly two years ago, the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) honored the memory of seven Soldiers and two civilian contractors with a plaque dedication ceremony at the Balad Post Office Dec. 17, 2009 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, 108th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs/ Cindy Morrison, mother of Sgt. Shawna Morrison of Paris, 1544th Transportation Company, holds a photo of her daughter placed next to plaque that hung in Balad Post Office honoring the nine Soldiers and civilians in a ceremony Nov. 19 were plaque found its permanent home at the Illinois Army National Guard Armory in Paris, Ill.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, 108th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs/ Kevin Cawvey, father of Sgt. Jessica Cawvey of Mahomet, 1544th Transportation Company, takes a photo of friends, family and Soldiers of the 1544th that deployed with his daughter when she died in explosion near her convoy that was traveling on a main supply route Oct. 6, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq.