Cpl. Christopher E. Mason

Cpl. Christopher E. Mason - 32 years old from Mobile, Alabama. Chris was a huge inspiration to a lot of people. He could make anyone around him smile or even laugh. What can be said about Chris? Nothing more then he was a gift from God. Even as a soldier, he spread the words of God to those around him. He had a strong faith in Christ. Among many things he valued were his salvation, family, friends, and his life. He always had fun no matter what he did. Chris was a religous person. He was proud to serve his country and willing to give the ultimate sacrafice. He wasn't engaged, or married - except to Christ. He spoke openly on religous things. Chris had two dogs, a Chevy pickup truck, and a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire. But like many guys, he loved women, fast cars, fishing and being a cowboy. For 10 years, Chris was a PRCA Bullfighter/Cowboy protection expert. Not to mention, Chris was a Tri-athlete, an extreme cyclist. The only way he would workout was hard physical training. More then anything though, he loved God. During his school careers, he had many friends and was without a doubt a great student. He graduated from high school in 1994. After the Sept 11th attacks, Chris decided to enlist into the Army. But that wasn't the only reason. One day he had told his father, "I am tired of watching other men and women fight for my freedom, I am going to fight for my freedom myself". Next thing they knew, their son was a paratrooper. Jodi Mathews-O'Brien knew Chris through fellow school mates. She said, "Without a doubt one of the finest human beings on this earth. I am very thanksful to have known him." Cpl. Mason was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (1-505 PIR), 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division based out of Fort Bragg, N.C. In front of a church congregation after he had returned from Iraq. he spoke of his devotion to his overseas mission. During his speech he also talked about how important it was to be in Iraq and was looking forward to returning. ``Folks, you got to dig down deep. When things get tough for you, you got to remember you're in a war,'' he told members of his family's church. ``You're in a battle for your soul, people. You hear me? And it's no joke. The bullets we play with are real over there and the things that the devil uses on us is real over here.'' Cpl. Mason was killed on Nov. 28, 2006 from injuries sustained when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire while on patrol in Bayji, Iraq. He was ambushed and killed by those enemy forces while moving into position to provide support for his comrades. They had come under heavy small arms fire and were unable to disengage. His injuries were suffered from a hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). "Chris was a great man. When I came to 1-505 PIR, he was one of the first people I remember meeting, and every memory of him after that has him either smiling or laughing, he always had a great attitude. I can also remember the day I heard about his death, and I just couldn't believe it. May he rest in peace and know he will never be forgotten." Wrote Franklin Ferretti. His brother - also in the military, speaks in the highest respect of Chris. During the memorial, he spoke of Chris, at times needing a few seconds to gather himself. "Chris was a great guy who inspired me, made me laugh and made me want to be a better person. He truly loved this country, was proud to be an American and was glad to serve in Iraq to protect us from terrorism. One of the things that he said to me when he was home in October was, "Jennifer, if I never have anything but the clothes on my back, the truck I drive and a roof over my head, I will be happy and grateful for those things because we are living the American dream. Those people over there do not value life....they just don't care." When I count my many blessings, Chris is one of them. I was blessed to have known such a wonderful man. He will forever live in my heart and mind." Written by Jennifer Farmer Cpl. Mason's company commander said the following, "He was the most mature and dedicated paratrooper I ever met during my time serving in the 82nd Airborne Division." President George W. Bush, authorized on Feb 1, 2007 that the following quote be placed on Chris's headstone.... "We Will Not Tire, We Will Not Falter, And We Will Not Fail". One of the more outreached quotes of Chris' is the following. "Wherever freedom goes. The gospel is soon to come right after" Chris Mason. Oct 2006 Like so many others, this is a huge loss for the Mason family and the military. The 82nd Airborne lost a dedicated brother. There are no words to comfort those who knew him. Sorrow is a natural feeling to endure. One thing everyone should consider - instead of feeling sorry and feeling so much sorrow.....celebrate. Celebrate Chris's life. Celebrate that he had lived and helped to change a world that was unable to change itself. To give hope to those who never experienced hope before. Celebrate the good times and the achievements. Just as any service member that falls, grief is okay but celebrate their lives, of who they were. Remember they don't want to be remembered by sorrow but that they lived and they died doing something great that so many refuse to do.

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Staff Sgt. Clamens	Staff Sgt. Duran	Spc. Green	Pvt. Guerrera
Spc. Ceo, Sgt. Conner, Spc. Boswell	Lance Cpl. Smith	Cpl. Lapinski	Spc. Ravago
2nd Lt. Leduc	Sgt. Lhotka	Lance Cpl. Schroeder	Cpl. Mason
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