1-41 Infantry Regiment have Memorial for Fallen Comrade

Photo By Staff Sgt. Victor Everhart | The memorial tribute for Staff Sgt. Roberto Loeza before his memorial service held at Combat Outpost Charkh May 29. “We’re all better for knowing Staff Sgt. Loeza, remember his life and honor his service, take your example from him, he will always be an honored member of the battalion and future generations of Stalwart soldiers will know of him and learn from his courage as long as the regiment exists,” said Lt. Col. William Kinsey, the Task Force 1-41 IN commanding officer.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHANK, AFGHANISTAN

05.29.2012

Story by Sgt. Victor Everhart 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan -Losing a family member is always hard, and since everyone in the Army is a brother or sister, it’s just as painful to say goodbye.

The soldiers of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment recently felt that pain when they had to say goodbye to one of their brothers during a memorial service held at Combat Outpost Charkh May 29.

“Today we honor the life and service of Staff Sgt. Roberto Loeza,” said Lt. Col. William Kinsey, the Task Force 1-41 IN commanding officer. “He was a dedicated husband, father, friend and soldier.

“We lost Loeza, when an insurgent recoilless rifle round hit the company casualty point, he was 28 years old,” said Kinsey. “Staff Sgt. Loeza was a bit of an unsung hero, his versatility made him a go to non-commissioned officer which helps the Army run. Of note he ran the company intelligence cell, providing the best information on the insurgency, and most recently had returned to a platoon to resume duties as a squad leader, arguably the most important position in any infantry company.”

“The loss of Staff Sgt. Loeza is felt deeply by every soldier in Charlie Company, as well as those in our battalion,” said Capt. Peter Elverum, the Charlie company commander. “His soldiers knew what they could expect from him, attention to detail in every task, discipline and accountability for their actions. He was a trusted leader not only by his superiors, probably more important by his subordinates.”

“While I was the executive officer, myself and Staff Sgt. Loeza, spent a lot of time working very closely together,” said Elverum. “I knew that any task I asked him to do would be completed quickly and honestly with more attention to detail than I ever expected, from anyone doing any task, Staff Sgt. Loeza paid more attention to detail than anyone I knew.

“I trusted him at every turn, and I knew that his words and his feedback were filled with experience from his previous four deployments,” said Elverum. “But he wasn’t just a non-commissioned officer that I trusted, he was one of my closet friends on the combat outpost, we lifted weights together nearly every day.”

“Charlie Company is the great company it is, because of the great effort of Staff Sgt. Loeza and those like him, we will miss him,” said Kinsey. “We cannot get Loeza back, but we can honor his sacrifice and his memory and try to be better soldiers for having known him.

“We cannot forget that Loeza leaves behind his wife Teresa and children Mason and Kaelin, no words of mine can compensate for their loss, but know that you will always be with us and we will help you through this time,” said Kinsey. “We’re all better for knowing Staff Sgt. Loeza, remember his life and honor his service, take your example from him, he will always be an honored member of the battalion and future generations of Stalwart soldiers will know of him and learn from his courage as long as the regiment exists.

• Date Taken: 05.29.2012
• Date Posted: 06.04.2012 01:37
• Story ID: 89370
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHANK, AF