Friday, April 10, 2009

Army Sgt. Edward W. Forrest Jr.

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Edward W. Forrest Jr., 25, of St. Louis, Mo.

Sgt. Edward Forrest was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died April 10, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by a suicide bomber. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Gary L. Woods Jr., Sgt. 1st Class Bryan E. Hall, Cpl. Jason G. Pautsch and Pfc. Bryce E. Gautier.

Soldier showed dedication to his ‘brothers’
The Associated Press

Edward W. Forrest Jr.’s sister asked him not to re-enlist and go to war for the third time.

“I told him I didn’t want him to be a hero. I just wanted him to be my brother,” said Melissa Forrest-Pliner. “But he said he owed it to his brothers — that’s what he called the soldiers in his unit — to go back and help them finish up the job.”

Forrest, 25, of St. Louis died April 10 when his vehicle was struck by an explosive in Mosul. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Carson.

In high school, Forrest, known as “Eddie,” was a long-distance runner and was also on the wrestling team.

“He was a very enthusiastic member of the track and field program,” said his former coach, Rolland Garrison. “He was a very good kid with a great smile.”

Forrest and his wife, Stephanie, were living in Colorado Springs with their 3-year-old son, Bradan, and a newborn son, Jameson.

“Edward was home last month to witness the birth of their youngest,” said his father-in-law, Ron Foster. “Edward returned to Iraq for his third tour of duty right after the birth.”

Army Sgt. Edward W. Forrest Jr. was killed in action on 4/10/09.

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