In their own words

A couple of the guys e-mailed me their thoughts and feelings about some of the men that were killed on SEPT 04. I've been so busy that I didn't have a chance to put them up. I apologize...
DEUCE DEUCE OUT!

Sgt. Murray - one of the best leadership I have ever had in my entire military career... when everyone would give up on me... he would always try to motivate me in a positive way... no matter if I was a screw up or not... I was his screw up n he wouldn’t let me fail... n today I'm the man I am today... when I came to him I was an E-1 that was a little under 2 years ago... and I'm now standing today as a proud E-4 in the United States Army... and a huge part of that is thanks to him and his kind heart and tactical leadership skills he used on me... he was a leader... a mentor... and a friend of mine n I will never forget him

PFC Shelton - Shelton was in the same boat as I was when I came to Charlie company... except he screwed up after I did... and yet he STILL got promoted before I did... he was a soldier among soldiers.. He learned from his mistakes as I did and he wasn’t gonna let the fact they demoted him stop him from being on top... unlike a lot of people in the army. When he was offered to leave the army he stayed and stuck it out dealing with the consequences as I did. he has my utmost respect for doing so and doing it so well...

SPC Lane - I didn’t get to chill with lane a whole lot... but every time I did it was... well.. unique... he was like the best fuckin driver we had in 2nd platoon... so good he was point... one thing that sticks out with lane and me... the day I started turning my poetry into rap songs with the guys I rap with now.. When everyone else made fun of me for being white and rapping... lane told me straight up... "Hey man u might sound white... but your lyrics r really fuckin good" that meant a lot to me...

SPC Crookston - this kid was the smartest dude I ever fuckin met in the infantry. I think Crookston was too smart for the infantry to be honest... but even so he did his job day to day and met the physical conditions with no qualms... n yes I learned that word from him... I learned a lot from him...

SGT Joel Murray
SPC Crookston
SPC Lane
PFC Shelton

fightin along my side all thru my deployment... to fightin along my side for me to be a better person... for never giving up on me... for never excluding me... for makin me feel a part of something so much bigger than myself... from me tryin my best to help u when u needed me the most... to you sacrificing your lives me n the rest of us that appreciate what we do for a living...

you men r my fucking hero's!!!

cant believe its finally been a year... my you be at peace and with god... n for any family to these men... may god be with you and yours... these men are so much more than met the eye... although I don’t know them the best for I am not there family... but from what I do know n have seen.. Is in utter and utmost soldier like courage and the pure definition of a MAN... I love you 4 so very much...

PSALM 23 part 4

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.


.. HOOAH men... HOOAHSPC Winkler, Andrew

To everyone, especially in C-co 2.16 INF, Ft. Riley, KS "Rangers" who all served in Iraq from Feb.

07-April 08.
SGT.

Joel Murray
SPC.

David Lane
SPC.

Randy Shelton
CPL.

Duncan Crookston
CPL.

Joseph Mixson

These men were, are and always will be the best at what they did, PROTECTING THE U.S.A. from harm getting here. Please say a prayer for these BRAVE, GRATEFUL, CARING AND AMERICAN SOLDIER'S and their families. To all of my BEST buddies who gave the greatest cost of all, your life, over-sea's, serving with us, I know that you all are always with me and my buddies, and families, watching, protecting and always guiding us in the correct direction.



So Instead of feeling down about Sept.4, 2007 for these great heroes, let's not cry but celebrate the day that they are re-born in Heaven with and for all of us. I Love you and miss you all soo much.

Brother's ForEver:):)
To everyone that says a prayer for these great men, THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT:)

P.S.

Below is the prayer from PSALM 91 that I prayed that day for these great and true AMERICAN SOLDIERS:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, "My refuse and my
fortress; my God, in whom I trust.

"
For he will deliver you from the snare of the
fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will
cover you with his pinion, and under his
wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a
shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor
the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A
thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at
your right hand; but it will not come near you.


You will only look with your eyes and see the
recompense of the wicked.

Because you have
made the LORD your refuge, the Most High
your habitation, no evil shall befall you, no
scourge come near your tent.

For he will give
his angels charge of you to guard you in all
your ways.

On their hands they will hear you
up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.


You will tread on the lion and the adder, the
young lion and serpent you will trample
under foot.

Because he cleaves to me in love,
I will deliver him I will protect him, because he
knows my name.

When he calls to me, I will
answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I
will rescue him and honor him.

With long life
I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.



Please say this to honor our great hero's

Today Sept 4th has been a year now even though it still feels like it was yesterday. There Shelton and I were talking before I headed out for my R&R about a week before Randy was going to be on his. Randy and I were talking about how we would meet up in the states before I had to head back and meet his family along with showing me around his home town. Randy and I have been friend’s since day one of Basic Training. We went through 30th AG and ended up being in the same platoon and same squad when we reached Riley now what are the chances of that! Randy was a outstanding friend, brother, and just one of the greatest soldiers I have ever meet in my life just a better man and better friend then I can say about anyone of my friends back home. Randy always knew how to make the shittiest of situation be one of the greatest things to laugh about at the end. He always had a joke for everything and always knew how to put a smile on your face but he also knew when and when not to be serious. He was amazing role model among his peers.
Randy Shelton took his job seriously he was always on top of things. As well as being the first person to always be putting up his gun and helping others that’s needed to be helped. When we weren’t on mission wether we were able to have down time or if we had the shit shift of the C.O.P you would always find Randy hitting the weights. He was always making sure he kept in shape which is more then I can say because I along with most of us didn’t do shit, but be lazy on our off time and try to sleep the little bit that we could, But not Shelton. Then there was always the Bears he loved his team he would never miss a game and when he had to he would always be pissed. Before I had left to go back to the states I Know the one thing he was looking forward to see was that Bears game. I also know that he very much loved his family and could not wait to go home to see them he talked very highly of all of you. When not working Shelton always loved a good time not only can he put a smile on your face and make you laugh, but he also knew how to give a person the best time of there life wether it was watching a football game or going out for a night out in town. Randy always wanted to start up his own business. Which was the reason he joined the army. Randy just wanted to find direction and to be able to make the right moves first. There are many things I will never forget about Shelton, His smile, his Laugh, Jokes, and his way to have a good time. For all the people who know Randy we all learned a lot from Him as well made a very large part of there lives. We will NEVER FOR GET YOUR FRIEND, BROTHER, and SOLDIER.
Spc. Picard, Christopher 1sqd. Team leader

I’ll never forget Randy’s sense of humor. He always found away to make me laugh whether it was from a joke he said or just himself laughing at a stupid situation. I remember no matter how much I used to tick him off he always tired to square me away or help me along no matter how bad it got. He also made guard shit SOOO much better. I don’t think I could ever forget his laugh or the fact the David used to make fun of it. Hehe. On top of that I think one of the weirdest things I’ll miss, but the funniest is how he always seemed to pass gas just as SSG Wade got into the humvee or if we where on a long as heck mission. Then he’d always laugh and say, “Sorry Sgt., I had spicy food for lunch. Hahaha..” And oh man was it bad. On top of all that I won’t forget how he was always the first gunner out there mounting his .50 cal whether or not anyone was there to help him, and while that he managed to help the other guys prep the truck early. Also another great thing was the fact that he always had some joke about how old or how big Rodriguez’s head was and it ALWAYS made everyone laugh their head’s off. He was a great soldier, a true friend, and the best brother anyone could ever ask for. No matter how many days go by I’ll never forget Randal Shelton or his smile, laugh, and sense of humor. That day was a nightmare but it will never cover up how great of a man he was.
As for the rest of the guys, no matter how jacked up I was they always wanted to help. No matter how bad the job was they always found a good side. No matter how much it just SUCKED!!! They always put their “smile” on. And that’s why I’m proud to say I served 1sqd, 2plt, Cco 2-16. Because no matter how much they tried to beat us down, take us out, or just straight piss us off, we only got closer to each other. You we’re my brothers, friends, and piers. I’ll always love you and miss.
Spc. Anderson, Michael 1sqd.
SAW Gunner

Legacy

It was a very hot September day, and our attitudes towards our next task were piss poor to say the least. We are fighters, we are America's Warrior class, we are killers, we are Infantrymen. That day we were playing chauffeur to escort someone to a meeting, when in the scheme of things was small to us but to the rebuilding of the sector in which we patrolled would play a large part in rebuilding that area. Our mission was two-fold we also had to take an Engineer to do a sight eval at a gas station were 2 of our 2/16 brethren had been shot by a sniper. We would take him there and he would determine what we could do to make the gas station safer for our guys inside.
On the way to a meeting my gunner noticed some suspect wires in the road and I called to the lead vehicle to watch them on the way back. The lead truck commander called back to me and said he got it.
We dropped off the people for their meeting and began phase 2 of the mission. We passed back by the place with the wires with no issues. We made a right turn onto Route Predators. One of Iraq's most deadliest routes. We drove up after that turn about a thousand meters. People were out in the streets shopping and going on with their daily routines. I was the last vehicle and just making it to a bend in the road where I could only see 2 trucks in front of me.
A loud explosion would change the lives of many forever. It was so hot that day.

One year has past since the events of Sept 04, 2007 and I find myself wondering if the last thing that I said to my good friend Sgt Joel Lee Murray was "Watch out for those wires." The wires I'm referring to were just down power lines and about a mile away from the explosion and had nothing to do with anything, though even months after September 4th those wires were still there and I thought hard to remember if we had said anything to each other after that. Even now I wonder.

For me the sights and sounds of that day are burned into my mind like a computer monitor left on to long. The memories of those that past never fade. I talked to several of my fellow 2nd Platoon members today, I miss them and their camaraderie and I feel that they are the only ones that truly understand.

I told some young Privates today about Legacy, and how in the military good leaders and Soldiers live forever. They live forever through their guidance and actions. Former leaders that I had, live forever through me as I pass their style, and wisdom down to younger Soldiers. I know that Shelton, Crookston, Lane, and Murray will live forever, forever young and forever Warriors.
Shelton tought people to accept everyone, he was the guy that took a lot of people under his wing and showed them a good time. His Loyalty will be passed down to younger generations through lives he touched.
Lanes sense of humor and love of life will be passed down. He had the ability to lighten a situation with a joke so not funny that it was hilarious or a silly face that would make you have no choice but to smile.
Crookston's intelligence will never be forgotten, as he was the computer guru and Rubik's cube master, no one that was touched by him will ever be able to look at a Rubik's cube and not think of him. Most of all Strength, as he lived when the doctors said he wouldn't make it through that September night. He lived for 6 months before his body gave out, though spiritually and mentally he never stopped fighting.
Sgt Murray passed on his leadership and knowledge of his chosen profession. The young Soldiers that he mentored are now preparing to become NCO's and leaders. Their kit bags are full of good tactics and leadership principles that Sgt Murray up held and held them to.
I could really go on forever on how the LEGACY of these individuals will be passed down forever. These are just the tip of the iceberg.
Joseph Mixson survived the blast but his life is forever altered. He would lose both of his legs. Mixson is with us but his Legacy is set in stone, as we learn Courage, and Strength.

Not a day goes by in which any of us that were there that day doesn't think about what happened, and plays the what if game. We remember the good times that we had with those guys which were many. On this day I just wanted to take the time and let everybody know that as time goes on their memories will not fade, and their Legacy will live forever. Anytime you see a Soldier in uniform somewhere down the line, there is a good chance that he or she has a piece of SGT Murray, CPL Crookston, SPC Lane, and SPC Shelton, and CPL Mixson in them.
Deuce Deuce OUT!!!