Ironhorse remembers soldier killed in apartment fire

Photo By Sgt. Bailey Kramer | In memory of Warren, Mich. native, Pfc. Christopher Sroka, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to the 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, the unit held a memorial ceremony, here, Oct. 12. In front of the ceremony stood the customary combat boots, rifle, advanced combat helmet and dog tags to honor a fallen comrade.  

FORT HOOD, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

10.12.2012

Story by Capt. Angel Jackson 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas – Ironhorse soldiers, family and friends gathered for a memorial ceremony held in honor of Warren, Mich. native Pfc. Christopher Sroka, here, Oct. 12, at the Ironhorse Chapel.

Sroka died Sept. 14 in an apartment fire in Killeen.

Although Sroka joined the Army less than a year ago, he left a lasting impression on those with whom he served.

“By all accounts, he was a soldier’s soldier,” said Lt. Col. J. Bradley Swift, commander of 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “For the uninitiated, this means despite his young age, he conducted himself in the tradition of soldiers from decades past. He was respectful, reserved and humble, completely devoid of selfishness.”

“I am not surprised that Christopher Sroka volunteered to join the Army,” added Capt. Kevin McCarty, chaplain for 115th BSB, 1BCT, 1st Cav. Div. “In the short time that he was here, it became evident that he contained the one ingredient most important in a soldier. He [had] an eager servant’s heart.”

First Lt. Benjamin Evans, acting commander of B Company, 115th BSB, described Sroka as an upbeat, enthusiastic and motivated soldier.

“He strived to do more, learn his job, and hone his military occupational specialty … ” Evans said.

Evans praised Sroka for bringing his design for a more functional company area by helping construct offices for the company’s training room and executive officer to work from.

He also mentioned that Sroka helped build their company conference room, which for the time being, “has hence been named the Private First Class Christopher Sroka Memorial Conference Room.”

• Date Taken: 10.12.2012
• Date Posted: 10.16.2012 17:26
• Story ID: 96252
• Location: FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US
• Hometown: WARREN, MICHIGAN, US