Ft. Benning ranger killed in Iraq

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service)—An Army Ranger died April 18 while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Company B, 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

Staff Sgt. James R. Patton was conducting a combat operation in northern Iraq when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in which he was riding crashed.

"Staff Sergeant Jimmy Patton was the life of his platoon and the epitome of a selfless servant," said Col. Dan Walrath, 3rd Battalion, Ranger Regiment commander. "He made the best of every situation regardless of circumstance and he always exuded an easy confidence that ‘it could be done.'"

Patton was on his seventh deployment in support of the War on Terror. He had previously deployed twice to Iraq and four times to Afghanistan.

"Staff Sergeant James Patton was the epitome of the American Ranger - Warrior, Patriot, and dedicated to mission accomplishment. Staff Sgt. Patton was killed in a helicopter crash on one of the most significant missions since the beginning of the Iraq War," said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, 75th Ranger Regiment commander. "Jimmy trained his Rangers well; those that were not injured secured the crash site, evacuated the wounded, and then successfully completed the mission. Staff Sgt. Patton's spirit lives on in the Rangers he led in combat and the friends and families he touched throughout his life."

Patton enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2004, and following completion of One Station Unit Training and the Ranger Indoctrination Program, he was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. During his service with the 3rd Ranger Battalion, he served as a grenadier, fire team leader, and rifle squad leader.

Patton is survived by his wife Beatriz and daughter Cecilia of Columbus, Ga., and his parents Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory and Sheila Patton of Indian Mound, Tenn.

Sounds like an odd topic, right? Recently, my 11 year old daughter ... who happens to be a huge supporter of our ThankYouSoldier projects from making cards to helping to fill Hero Packs ... said, "daddy, can I play a video for you?" Intrigued, I said "absolutely. I knelt beside her computer desk looking over her shoulder. The video was obviously popular with 12 million views but I only recognized the singer's name ... Carrie Underwood. It didn't take long to realize why my daughter thought this was a good one to show "daddy".

The song "Just A Dream" takes you on roller coaster ride as you watch an apparent bride to be find out her deployed fiance has been killed in action. The wedding she expected to take place is no longer a reality as the lyrics ring out "why'd you have to leave me, why'd you have to go, I was counting on forever, now I'll never know". I'd really rather not give away too many details but have posted the link below so you can see the break-down yourself.

The song was almost over when I realized tears were running down my face. My daughter had already noticed and just held my hand, not saying a word. I didn't really notice how pretty Carrie was in the video, how amazing her voice is, or even the flow of the music. But I did recognize the reality. Shear statistics would tell us at some point in all the wars and in the lives of some of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, there was a fiance waiting at home who now thought or uttered the same words ... "I was counting on forever" ... a husband or wife waiting on a deployed spouse who now won't come home, or a child expecting to share every exciting moment in life with a parent who will no longer "be there" for them.

Our fallen Heroes are not just faces in the newspaper and names on memorial walls. They were real people. They had real lives. And they had real loved ones waiting for them to return.

The next time you hug your spouse or child, the next time share that special moment with someone in your family ... remember those who gave up their hugs and special moments in selfless sacrifice wearing our country's uniform. Remember our fallen Heroes ... don't let their "loved ones" be the only ones who will never forget.

Carrie Underwood "Just A Dream" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8khHqMntkbQ