Photo By Staff Sgt. David Hopkins | Col. John Spiszer, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, commander looks at...... read more read more
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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - A table and chair now sit empty in the corner of the newly dedicated Sergeant Douglas John Bull Dining Facility in honor of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division's first Soldier lost in Operation Enduring Freedom IX.
A crowd of nearly 100 filed into the Forward Operating Base Fenty DFAC on Memorial Day to dedicate the facility to Bull, who died in action on July 8, 2008, while on a route clearance in the Kunar province of northeastern Afghanistan.
"Today we name this DFAC in honor of Sgt. Bull because it is important to sustain the memory of the sacrifice that he made and the sacrifice made of all our fallen heroes," Lt. Col. Bradley White, Brigade Support Battalion commander, said. "Sgt. Bull and the other fallen heroes of OEF IX have added meaning to our lives. They have given all. They put aside personal peace and affluence with the hope that there is more to life than mere selfish endeavor."
During the ceremony the BSB and 201st Special Troops Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Patrick Daniel, spoke of the hard work Soldiers like Bull have done in Afghanistan and of the sacrifices they have made because they believe in the freedom of the Afghan and American people.
"We serve because we believe," White said. "We believe in a way of life, that involves freedom and equality. We believe in our families and loved ones. We believe in the Soldiers to our right and left. And we believe in the sacrifice that these Soldiers, the fallen heroes of Task Force Duke have made."
At the front of the crowd stood a wooden plaque covered in a red, white and blue cloth that Daniel and White revealed together. On the plaque was an image of Bull and a short description of his military career and accomplishments, just a few words to describe the warrior who gave all for his country.
"I can think of no better Soldier to memorialize than Sgt. Doug Bull," Daniel said. "He was every inch the Valiant Warrior."
His friends and fellow Soldiers filed by the plaque to say goodbye one more time to a comrade before they exited the Sgt. Douglas John Bull Dining Facility.
Even though it's always a tragedy to lose a Soldier in war, his fellow Soldiers and leadership are proud of Bull's courage and will always remember his sacrifice.
"Today, it is an honor for me to represent all the Valiant Warriors as we dedicate this DFAC in the name of our Valiant Warrior hero, Sgt. Douglas John Bull," Daniel said. "May his name and legacy of courage and sacrifice live forever."
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2009 05:51 |
| Story ID: | 34410 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 890 |
| Downloads: | 521 |
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