Westboro Baptist

[jamieooh]

http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-community-law-enforcement-prepare-for-soldiers-funera-specialist-christopher-stark-monett-jolly-mill-park-law-enforcement-westboro-protestors-patriot-guard-20110310,0,7530067.story

[jamieooh]

http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=420966

Pierce City, MO) -- Family and friends of a fallen Ozarks soldier laid him to rest Saturday.

Army Spc. Christopher Stark, 22, of Monett, Missouri, died from injuries after an IED exploded on February 28 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

Friends and family say Stark loved the outdoors.

Instead of holding a funeral inside a church, they decided to have it outside at Jolly Mill Park where he used to spend afternoons fishing. They say that's is where his spirit lies.

The rumble of the Patriot Guard and dozens of flag-bearers led the way.

"I didn't know him but he served our country and deserves all the support we can give him," said Rick Miller, who was paying his respects to the fallen soldier.

The gentle creek water was a scenic backdrop as Spc. Stark returned home, one final time.

"Monett is a small town," said 1st Sgt. John Marbut. "Very tight knit."

Marbut was Stark's leader in high school JROTC.

"I've been doing ROTC for 15 years and it's the first boy I've lost," said Marbut.

Stark and his team were a battlefield bomb squad. They carried out one of the Army's most dangerous jobs -- deactivating IEDs.

Stark loved his mission so much, he put himself in harms way to do it, time and time again, until the day an IED hit his humvee.

"He wasn't working that day. He kind of had a day off. One of the kids got sick and he volunteered. He had two days left in that sector before he moved to an easier area. So he stood up. That's Christopher. He took somebody else's mission that day or else he wouldn't have been there," said Marbut.

"The sacrifice he made for us -- whether you agree with what we're doing in Afghanistan or not is immaterial -- he's done it for his country," said Miller. "His family suffered the loss and they need the support."

His helmet, boots and uniform, a reminder of not just what the Stark family mourns, but what we all lost.

"Just a fine soldier," said Marbut. "It's too bad he had to give his life for his country, but freedom is not cheap."

Stark was honored with several medals including the Purple Heart and the Gold Star.

An Army commander who spoke Saturday said he may have been one soldier, but in a country where one-half of one percent of its citizens wear a uniform, Christopher Stark stepped up for his country.


Update 7:25 p.m.

Stark is survived by his mother, Theresa, and brother, Travis.

Dozens of people lined state highways surrounding Jolly mill park to pay their respects.

A handful of protesters also showed up Saturday. They're members of a church in Kansas that believe god kills soldiers to punish America's acceptance of homosexuality.

The protesters stuck around for about a 30 minutes and left.

Some of the people you see in the slideshow above acted as a human shield to drown out the protesters' voices. Those supporters of Stark stood their ground all day.

[ArmyGI_Jo]

God Bless the PGR.

[SgtJim]

first of all, thanks for the "report" Jamie!
:rip:
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U.S. Army Spc. Christopher G. Stark was a 22-year-old Monett, Mo., native assigned to 705th Explosive 9962 Ordnance Disposal Company Stark was working out of Combat Outpost Tangi in support of 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, while deployed in Afghanistan.

Several Soldiers said Stark was an outstanding team member and a great EOD technician. Stark’s comrades said he was always willing to help others and made everything he did fun for himself and for those around him.

“Spc. Stark served as my EOD team member; his input and enthusiasm was crucial to the successful completion of numerous missions,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Czikalla of Clive, Iowa. “He loved being an EOD technician. There was never a day that Chris didn’t live life to the fullest. He experienced more in his 22 years than many do in a lifetime.”

9963Stark’s “strong sense of loyalty and devotion to his team made him a very reliable technician,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Chandara Hak of Santa Rosa, Calif., and 705th EOD member. “You could always count on Spc. Stark to have your back in any situation.”

U.S. Army Spc. Dwayne Rhymes of Conroe, Texas, knew Stark as a friend and brother who worked hard and was always willing to learn new things. He said fellow Soldiers could always count on Stark if they ever needed anything, calling him “a blessing to those around him” who will be missed but never forgotten.

The officers of 705th EOD also valued Stark as an EOD expert and a Soldier. They knew Stark was an integral part of their organization.

9964 “Spc. Stark was great at everything he did. You could always count on him to do his best and give his fullest effort,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Alex Dial of Decatur, Ill. “He was an invaluable asset and an absolute pleasure and blessing to be around.”

“Specialist Stark was a gifted and motivated Soldier,” said; U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Teller of Hillsville, Va., Stark’s company commander. “He had a driving passion for EOD work.”

Stark’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal with star device, Global War on Terror Service Medal, NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Basic Badge.