Another CCT'er KIA

[smcpart]

Very sad news. Just received this. RIP brother. MD


Team,

With great sadness, I want to inform you that SrA Mark A. Forester, CCT 21 STS, was killed in action today in southern Afghanistan.
Our prayers are with his mother, father and brother.

Memorial and internment plans are TBD.

RA

ROBERT G. ARMFIELD

COL USAF

Commander, 720th Special Tactics Group

[KamoKid]

Becoming a nasty year for us...

RIP brother. Tell the others we miss them.

[Gollywompas]

RIP brother, thank you for everything. I wish you everlasting happyness

[johca]

RIP

[SN]

RIP-
Blue skies and soft landings.

[bugeater]

RIP warrior.

Another hero off to Valhalla before his time.

[txb&b]

RIP Warrior. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Prayers out to the family and friends.

[dealmaker]

RIP Mark Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice and service you will never be forgotten.

[ac130usnsr]

Rest in peace Airman, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

[JDAM]

Rest in peace...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Kk_gv2pS9lw/TKSvZuuPw6I/AAAAAAAAALk/ID3-ZiOmlkM/s400/P1310004.JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Kk_gv2pS9lw/TKSw6m7my2I/AAAAAAAAALs/wHjfsIfzx2w/s400/Mark-Smile.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Kk_gv2pS9lw/TKT1extIBaI/AAAAAAAAAL0/7nX4TLQu6_I/s400/Mark-Flag-Big.jpg

[GreenSalsa]

God bless you family, and your friends--you will be missed but not forgotten

[SATCOM]

Blue Skies, condolences to the family, and 21 STS.....

[Corsair]

RIP

[GreenNick]

God bless you, your family, and loved ones. RIP fellow airman.

[smcpart]

The following article was forwarded to me. It was taken from www.tuscaloosanews.com


UA graduate killed in Afghanistan

Senior Airman Mark A. Forester of Haleyville was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday. Forester, seen here in Afghanistan, was a 2006 graduate the University of Alabama.
By Jason Morton Staff Writer
Published: Friday, October 1, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 11:32 p.m.


Relatives say that Mark Andrew Forester had accepted the reality that his commitment to the United States was going to keep him away from the Crimson Tide’s upcoming football season.

Forester, a University of Alabama graduate and senior airman with the U.S. Air Force, was supposed to return home to Haleyville next month and had already made plans to attend the Iron Bowl in November with his family.

Instead, Forester, 29, died Wednesday in combat in Afghanistan.

His family described him as good brother and a gentle friend.

Forester’s brother, Thad, said he couldn’t reveal many of the details surrounding his brother’s death.

“He went down fighting,” Thad Forester said.

Thad Forester, 33, said he was concerned when his little brother announced that he would be taking his finance degree not to Wall Street but to war.

“I supported him,” Thad Forester said. “I mean, somebody has got to do it — I’d just rather it not be my brother.

“But he was prepared for the challenges and he knew that he was putting his life seriously on the line.”

He recalled the day that he and his brother bought a camouflage hat with an Alabama script “A” from Woods & Water. Thad Forester said his brother didn’t buy it for his first tour of duty as an Air Force combat controller — a highly trained, skilled position that demands entry into hostile enemy territories.

“He just got it because he liked it,” Thad Forester said.

But Mark Forester found a way to work an item representing the Crimson Tide into his combat wardrobe on a regular basis, Thad Forester said.

Thad Forester said his little brother loved his job. “He loved shooting, he loved swimming and he loved jumping out of planes — it was just things that he loved,” he said. “And he was able to stay calm in extremely stressful situations.”

Mark Forester was living with Thad in Tuscaloosa, which ultimately led to him following Thad to the university.

Both the Foresters met Michael Andrew, a fellow UA student who became a professional photographer.

Andrew wrote a memorial to Mark Forester on his website, www.michaelthemaven.com: “Of all the people I know, I cannot think of a more kind, generous and well-rounded person I have ever met. He was a true friend, slow to temper, always reliable and extremely fun to be around.”

Andrew said his friend was a devout Mormon who did not smoke or drink.

“When he was interviewed by the Air Force recruiter on why he wanted to enlist, he told him that he wanted the opportunity to kill terrorists,” Andrew said. “It was kind of unusual to find such a combination of a good person and a warrior all in one.”

It was the warrior part of him that led Mark Forester to choose one of the most grueling military disciplines available.

He signed up to be a combat controller, which put him on the battlefield.

Andrew said his friend believed that protecting his country was his God-given task.

“Mark firmly believed that his purpose and duty in life was to the United States,” Andrew said. “He felt like that was what God put him on the planet to do — literally.

“He was just a patriot to the core.”

[KJ]

Two weeks, two Special Tactics Men; Mark Forester and Daniel Sanchez KIA. Blue Skies.

[glassiam]

RIP...

[gator28]

I was lucky enough to get to know Mark pretty well while working with him in Uruzgan. I have rarely been as impressed with anyone like I was with Mark. His professionalism and bravery were unmatched. I left Uruzgan not long before the op he was on when he was killed to move to another mission area. He was a real hero. After hearing what happened on the op, I wasn't surprised with the bravery he showed. He was always the first one to run to a teammate in need. I'm so sorry for your loss. God bless his family and loved ones. Rest in Peace, Mark. You will never be forgotten.

[SECFOROMAD]

SRA Mark Forester you and your family will be in my prayers, god bless you, and may you rest in peace

[CCTUSAF]

RIP Brother. Thoughts and prayers to your family.

[bugeater]

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_16159293?source=pkg

An article about his funeral.

The poem from his mom at the end of the article blew some dust around my office.

"Red Beret Sea

Poem read by Yvette Duchene during the funeral for her son, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Daniel R. Sanchez.

Big blue ocean waves came crashing ashore,
A sea of Red Berets walked right through my door.
Many solemn faces that I didn't know,
Knelt down around me and held me just so.
"Your son died in combat," are the words I still hear
as the blue ocean waves whispered in my ear.
"He made the ultimate sacrifice" he continued to say ...
"Our Brother, Your Son, wouldn't have it any other way."
Those big ocean waves continued to stir
In my head, the confusion and turmoil ... still all a blur.
But now the waves whisper stories of hope, love and faith
They're those of your Brother, My Son, Daniel Ray.
His smile felt by ALL, not just his family
But those blue ocean waves of the Red Beret Sea.
He is loved by so many and I've come to understand,
The blue ocean waves are a Brotherhood of Man.
His fortitude, guts and bravery show through,
Just as the waves of the ocean inside each of you.
But in spite of the swell of the tides from this sea
It all just makes sense and is so clear to me.
The Red Beret Sea fills this hole in my heart
It's his way of showing that he'd never depart.
He holds us and guides us and will show us the way
We love you so much my baby Daniel Ray.
-- Yvette Sierra Duchene"

["TheSiatonist"]

Blue skies...

[dochelton]

RIP Bro

[OZEbullfighter]

RIP MATE