This August marks the 10 year anniversary since the 503rd set foot in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) for the first time. On September 8th 2004, Army PFC. Jason L. Sparks of the 1st Battalion 503rd Infantry Regiment, Camp Casey, Korea was killed by enemy fire in Fallujah, Iraq. He became the first KIA of OIF from the 503rd “First Rock”. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I remember the day that this occurred like it was yesterday. I also remember LTC Gubler standing before the Battalion to explain what had happened. His tears and the utter silence told the untold story of what was to come in Ar-Ramadi, Iraq that year. Marking 10 years since PFC Sparks gave all for his country; I will be collecting memorabilia for his grave site. His tomb is in Monroeville, Ohio and it is close to where I live. I will be collecting items from now until September 7th 2014. If you would like to send letters, grave site memorabilia, 503rd or Army memorabilia, or any other effects or items, please send to the following address: Kent State University P.O. Box 5190 181 Schwartz Building ATTN: Mr. Eric Hutzell Kent, OH 44242 Thank you for your support. “If you ain’t 503rd, you ain’t ……”
Posted on: Mon, 05 May 2014 15:09:54 +0000
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