"War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always."
-- Author Unknown
Posted on 10/26/2001 8:03:19 PM PDT by mdittmar
A private memorial service was held Friday for an Army Ranger who was among the first combat-related deaths in the U.S. military campaign against terrorism.
About 200 people attended the service for Pfc. Kristofor Stonesifer, 28, a native of Doylestown, north of Philadelphia. It included full military honors and eulogies by friends and family members, said funeral director Steve Shelly said.
"Kris was one of the best: the 3rd Ranger Battalion, an elite unit; so we sent the best to be first," the family said in a statement released Friday by the Army. "We live in freedom through his commitment and that of many others all over the world."
Stonesifer and Spc. Jonn J. Edmunds, 20, of Cheyenne, Wyo., were killed when their Black Hawk crashed in Pakistan on Oct. 19. A memorial service for Edmunds was scheduled for Saturday in Wyoming.
Stonesifer's body arrived Thursday at Philadelphia International Airport from Germany, said Shari Lawrence, an Army spokeswoman at the Pentagon. He will be cremated.
Military officials have not released details of the Black Hawk's mission, but some believed it was preparing to cross into Afghanistan in the event any Army Rangers had to be rescued.
Stonesifer had attended college and lived in Missoula, Mont., before joining the Rangers in May 2000, serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment based at Fort Benning, Ga.
Stonesifer's grandfather and father served in the military, as does his brother, Ric.
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always."
-- Author Unknown
PFC Kristofor Stonesifer...
PFC Kristofor Stonesifer...
PFC Kristofor Stonesifer...
He now guards the gates of Heaven.
The Edmunds family has created a Jonn J. Edmunds Memorial Fund that will provide no-interest loans to first-year Rangers. The family also is tentatively planning to create a scholarship for Wyoming students.
"Jonn joined the Army for the education benefits, and unfortunately he is not going to be able to use his," Edmunds' father, Donn, said earlier in the week. "This will help take care of deserving youth in our state (and) keep our son's legacy alive."
Where do we send contributions?
Bump If anyone have an address or website for this fund, please post the information.
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