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United
States Division - South
Media
Release
HQ,
USD-South
Basra,
Iraq
APO
AE 09374
VOIP:
858-4087
May
13, 2010
RELEASE
20100513-02
Memorial
service honors fallen Soldier
By
Pfc. DeAngelo Wells
3rd
BCT, 4th Inf Div PAO
COS
GARRY OWEN, Iraq – The 1st Battalion, 8th
Infantry Regiment “Fighting Eagles”, 3rd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
gathered to pay respects to a fellow Soldier
May 3, 2010.
The
memorial was held in honor of Pfc. Charlie
Antonio, of Kahului, Hawaii, Company A,
1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., who died April
18 from a noncombat injury.
“Antonio
was very dependable and a go-to guy. When
something needed to be done he would get
it done,” said Sgt. Dennis Banks, of Mariotta,
Ga., Co. A.
Lt.
Col. John P. DiGiambattista, commander of
1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., gave a brief speech
expressing the unit’s condolences to family
and friends. Two of Antonio’s friends
also said their final goodbyes. The last
one to speak was Chaplain (Capt.) Derek
Pottinger, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt.
“Charlie
was motivated and dedicated to being in
Iraq and accomplishing the mission,” DiGiambattista
said during the remembrance..
“As
we remember Pfc. Charlie Antonio and thank
God for his presence in our lives, we remember
the most important thing we have here are
our brothers and sisters standing beside
us,” DiGiambattista said.
At
the conclusion of the ceremony, Soldiers
stood before Antonio’s “Battle Cross,” paying
last respects and placing small tokens beside
his photograph.
The
Battle Cross was placed at the front of
attendees as a tribute showing both honor
and respect. Antonio’s inverted rifle with
bayonet signaled a time for prayer, his
helmet and identification tags signified
a fallen brother in arms, and Antonio’s
combat boots represented his final march.
The cross is traditionally accompanied by
an enlarged photo of the Soldier.
Antonio
was a devoted Soldier that looked out for
his battle buddies. He was always
pushing his friends to be better in every
aspect of being a Soldier, said Pvt. Alex
Castro, a Los Angeles, Calif. native, also
assigned to Co. A.
Cutlines:
100503-A-7311W-001
Col.
James E. Rainey, commander, 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and
3rd BCT Command Sergeant Major Miles S.
Wilson pay their respects to fallen Soldier
Pfc. Charles Antonio, Company A, 1st Battalion,
8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, during a
memorial service at Contingency Operating
Site Garry Owen, Iraq, May 3, 2010.
(U.S.
Army photo by Pfc. DeAngelo Wells, 3rd BCT,
4th Inf Div PAO)
100503-A-7311W-002
Staff
Sgt. Andrew Walsh and Sgt. Dennis Banks,
both Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, salute in respect to Pfc. Charles
Antonio, a fallen soldier assigned to their
platoon, during a memorial service at Contingency
Operating Site Garry Owen, Iraq, May 3,
2010. Antonio died April 18 from a
noncombat injury.
(U.S.
Army photo by Pfc. DeAngelo Wells, 3rd BCT,
4th Inf Div PAO)
100503-A-7311W-003
Soldiers
assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, attend the May 3, 2010, memorial
ceremony in honor of their fallen comrade,
Pfc. Charles Antonio, Company A, 1st Bn.,
8th Inf. Regt., at Contingency Operating
Site Garry Owen, Iraq. Antonio died
April 18 from a noncombat injury.
(U.S.
Army photo by Pfc. DeAngelo Wells, 3rd BCT,
4th Inf Div PAO)
For
queries, contact the United States Division
– South Public Affairs at USD-S_PAO@iraq.centcom.mil;
by phone at (Iraqna) 0790-194-2865 or 770-263-9379.
For more USDS news, visit our Web site:
www.dangerforward.us.
-30-
Tag
Words: 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment,
‘Fighting Eagles’, Charles Antonio, 3rd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
Contingency Operating Station Garry Owen,
Iraq, Raul Velazco, Alex K. Castro, Andrew
Walsh, Fallen Soldier, Memorial, Hawaii,
Georgia, North Carolina, California, Wyoming
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