Golden Dragons remember comrade, why they stand 'Right of the Line'

Photo By Staff Sgt. Lyndsey Prax | Lt. Col. Thomas Boccardi, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., who serves as the commander of 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment "Golden Dragons," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, gives a speech to his Soldiers during a ceremony at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, July 30, 2008. The ceremony renamed the battalion headquarters Daggett Hall, to honor the memory of Sgt. John Kyle Daggett, a native of Scottsdale, Ariz., who succumbed to wounds from a rocket-propelled grenade attack in May.  

TAJI, IRAQ

08.06.2008

Story by Pfc. Lyndsey Prax 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment "Golden Dragons," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, humbly stood in formation outside their headquarters at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, for a ceremony to honor a fallen comrade, July 30, 2008.

The Golden Dragons renamed their headquarters Daggett Hall to honor the memory of Sgt. John Kyle Daggett, a native of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Daggett was injured May 1, 2008, when he was struck by shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade in Sadr City. He succumbed to injuries, May 15, 2008. He was the first Golden Dragons Soldier lost on this deployment.

"The units may change, but this building will still be here," said Lt. Col. Thomas Boccardi, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., commander of 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt., as he spoke to his Soldiers standing in front of him. "It's a queue when we are here, and it's to remind others when we are gone. It's here to ensure we all remember.

The sheet then dropped from the new sign, officially pronouncing the new name.

"From now on, this building will be known as Daggett Hall," he said.

For the Soldiers who served with Daggett, the memorial meant remembering a friend, a leader and also to remember why they themselves stand at the "Right of the Line."

"He was an amazing leader," said Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Arambula, a native of Dallas, who is a platoon leader with Company B, 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt. "All the younger guys wanted to be just like him. He was an inspiration."

Spc. William Haney, a native of Kansas City, Mo., and an infantryman with Co. B, agreed.

"He was a great guy, and he cared about everyone," said Haney, who first met Daggett in Airborne School in October 2005 and served next to him in Sadr City. "This loss has affected us all, and he won't ever be forgotten."

During the ceremony, Haney read a commentary written by Daggett's parents.

"Freedom isn't free," he said. "Each time you see an American flag, please remember the blood that has been shed to keep our nation free."

Not only will Daggett's fellow Soldiers think of him every time they see a flag, but while they are here, they'll remember him daily as they walk into the headquarters and see his name posted next to the door.

• Date Taken: 08.06.2008
• Date Posted: 08.06.2008 06:13
• Story ID: 22170
• Location: TAJI, IQ