Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Lost a fraternity brother in Iraq
Just got an e-mail that one of my fraternity brothers, Chris Petty, was killed in Iraq on Monday. Here is the story as it appeared in the Huntington Herald-Dispatch:
"In the early hours of Monday, U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Petty became one of the 2,209 casualties of Iraqi Freedom since March 19, 2003.
Petty is married to the former Debbie Hunt, daughter of Dr. John Hunt of Huntington and the late Ann Hunt.
He is a 1996 Marshall University graduate, with a degree in criminal justice, and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Petty and his wife married in June 1999 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Huntington.
Along with four others, Petty, 33, died when a roadside bomb detonated near the Humvee they were driving during a convoy from Baghdad to Najaf to see the progress being made on rehabilitating schools.
Others killed in the bombing were Maj. William F. Hecker III, 37, of St. Louis; Sgt. 1st Class Stephen J. White, 39, of Talladega, Ala.; Sgt. Johnny J. Peralex Jr., 25, of Kingsville, Texas; and Pvt. Robbie M. Mariano, 21, of Stockton, Calif.
This was Petty's second tour of duty in Iraq with his unit, and he was in command of a section of the 3-16 FA Battalion.
Hunt said his son-in-law didn't have to go back, but felt a responsibility to his unit and its members.
In a message today to his friends and family, Paul Petty said his son was "in harm's way out of dedication to his comrades and soldiers. There was no question in his mind that he had to go back with his soldiers for the second deployment. He would never expect them to do anything he wouldn't do himself."
Paul Petty also wrote his son went "despite his frustrations with the Army and a full awareness of what was right and wrong about Iraq."
Hunt said his son-in-law had a ready smile and willingness to help. Petty became a father for the second time last October and was able to see the child they named Owen before returning to Iraq. The couple has another child, Oliver, born in 2002. The four Pettys were pictured on this year's family Christmas card with Petty holding newborn Owen.
Once Petty's body is returned to the United States, plans are being made for burial in Arlington National Cemetery, which had been his request."
Chris was a great guy. We both lived in the fraternity house at the same time and shared a lot of fun times together. In particular, I remember a July 4th celebration where Chris bought a ton of fireworks that ultimately set a neighboring apartment building's dumpster on fire. Petty jumped into the dumpster to extinguish the flames and emerged covered in soot. As he got back to launching more fireworks, the dumpster burst into flames again. I can't remember how we eventually got it put out; however, I'll never forget how much fun Chris was having the entire time.
I hadn't spoken to Chris since I graduated, so I didn't know that he had joined the Army. Though with both of his parents in the government, it isn't a surprise to hear that he would choose to serve his country.
My thoughts go out to Deb, who he met while we were in college, and their 2 young children.
UPDATE: The original story from the Herald-Dispatch contains the following photo of Chris with his family.
"In the early hours of Monday, U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Petty became one of the 2,209 casualties of Iraqi Freedom since March 19, 2003.
Petty is married to the former Debbie Hunt, daughter of Dr. John Hunt of Huntington and the late Ann Hunt.
He is a 1996 Marshall University graduate, with a degree in criminal justice, and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Petty and his wife married in June 1999 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Huntington.
Along with four others, Petty, 33, died when a roadside bomb detonated near the Humvee they were driving during a convoy from Baghdad to Najaf to see the progress being made on rehabilitating schools.
Others killed in the bombing were Maj. William F. Hecker III, 37, of St. Louis; Sgt. 1st Class Stephen J. White, 39, of Talladega, Ala.; Sgt. Johnny J. Peralex Jr., 25, of Kingsville, Texas; and Pvt. Robbie M. Mariano, 21, of Stockton, Calif.
This was Petty's second tour of duty in Iraq with his unit, and he was in command of a section of the 3-16 FA Battalion.
Hunt said his son-in-law didn't have to go back, but felt a responsibility to his unit and its members.
In a message today to his friends and family, Paul Petty said his son was "in harm's way out of dedication to his comrades and soldiers. There was no question in his mind that he had to go back with his soldiers for the second deployment. He would never expect them to do anything he wouldn't do himself."
Paul Petty also wrote his son went "despite his frustrations with the Army and a full awareness of what was right and wrong about Iraq."
Hunt said his son-in-law had a ready smile and willingness to help. Petty became a father for the second time last October and was able to see the child they named Owen before returning to Iraq. The couple has another child, Oliver, born in 2002. The four Pettys were pictured on this year's family Christmas card with Petty holding newborn Owen.
Once Petty's body is returned to the United States, plans are being made for burial in Arlington National Cemetery, which had been his request."
Chris was a great guy. We both lived in the fraternity house at the same time and shared a lot of fun times together. In particular, I remember a July 4th celebration where Chris bought a ton of fireworks that ultimately set a neighboring apartment building's dumpster on fire. Petty jumped into the dumpster to extinguish the flames and emerged covered in soot. As he got back to launching more fireworks, the dumpster burst into flames again. I can't remember how we eventually got it put out; however, I'll never forget how much fun Chris was having the entire time.
I hadn't spoken to Chris since I graduated, so I didn't know that he had joined the Army. Though with both of his parents in the government, it isn't a surprise to hear that he would choose to serve his country.
My thoughts go out to Deb, who he met while we were in college, and their 2 young children.
UPDATE: The original story from the Herald-Dispatch contains the following photo of Chris with his family.
¶ 2:21 PM 
Comments:
I was assigned to the same Artillery unit Chris was while in South Korea. My favorite story was when we were out in the field at our observation post and it was cold as hell - dropped to like 0 degrees F overnight! Anyway, the heater in the vehicle he was in went out overnight and when he tried to get up the next morning, the zipper on his sleeping bag was frozen closed. He tried to sit up in his sleeping bag, but found out more bad news...the moisture from his sweat was wicked away to the outside of the sleeping bag and it froze to the floor of the vehicle. All we hear is a few grunts in succession and this loud rip. Needless to say, he needed another sleeping bag after that.
I talked to him a few times over the years, but it's been pretty few and far between.
Even though I may not have known him as well as those who were close to him or went to college with him, know that his life, humor, and wit touched all those around him. Chris will be sorely missed by those he knew and served with. God be with you my friend and may your memory last a thousand lifetimes.
Chance Webster
SGT, US Army
I talked to him a few times over the years, but it's been pretty few and far between.
Even though I may not have known him as well as those who were close to him or went to college with him, know that his life, humor, and wit touched all those around him. Chris will be sorely missed by those he knew and served with. God be with you my friend and may your memory last a thousand lifetimes.
Chance Webster
SGT, US Army
posted by 
Chance : 12:38 PM
Chance : 12:38 PM I went to school with Chris when he was in 8th grade at Fay School in Massachusetts. He was a great guy and a good friend. I visited him and his family in Jamaica over the summer of 1987. His family opened their doors to me and welcomed me in.
The memories of the great times we had that summer have stayed with me for a long time.
Though we lost touch I never forgot Chris.
My heart goes out to his family.
The memories of the great times we had that summer have stayed with me for a long time.
Though we lost touch I never forgot Chris.
My heart goes out to his family.
posted by John : 9:35 PM
John : 9:35 PM I didn't know CPT Petty, but I knew of him. He was wonderful to my nephew, CPT Robert Jackson. He emailed Rob's parents just 4 days before his death, introducing himself and singing Rob's praises. He even provided a history lesson on An Najaf. His email burst of excitement of what the year would hold.
May God bless his family. What a tragic loss.
May God bless his family. What a tragic loss.
posted by Barb : 4:12 PM
Barb : 4:12 PMblog comments powered by Disqus
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It's been a long time since I had seen Chris, too. Probably since my graduation as well. One thing I'll remember, the summer before my senior year, Chris had a ferret living in his room. Another brother had received a rabbit from his girlfriend for his birthday. For some reason, the rabbit was the least social animal ever created. One afternoon, we were all in the back yard. The rabbit was tied to a post and Chris was walking the ferret on a leash. The ferret approached the rabbit, sniffing to see if it was dangerous (or whatever it is that ferrets do). Chris said, "Watch my ferret kick its ass." As if on cue, the rabbit did a Chuck Norris impression and smacked the ferret upside the head, sending it cowering behind Chris.
Those two summers living in the fraternity house were the best of my life. And now, one of those people I shared those experiences with is gone. Chris, you'll be missed.