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Local hero honored by comrades in Iraq
By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun
BASRAH, IRAQ — Military Police from the 21st MP Company
dedicated their new Combat Outpost in honor of Sgt. Joseph Perry
during a ceremony in Basrah, Iraq held on Oct. 2.
Perry, 23, of Alpine, died on Oct. 2, 2006 in Muhallah,
Iraq, when his mounted patrol came under attack by enemy forces
using small arms fire during combat operations. Perry was
assigned to the 21st Military Police Company, 16th Military
Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.
“I’d like to give you a picture of what Joe was like,”
said Sgt. Rene Duvall, Perry’s best friend. “Always a Coke and a
smile. That was his thing. Those were his luxuries. “
The company commander, Capt. Charcillea A. Barrett,
reminded the Soldiers that what they do today helps mold future
Soldiers.
“The biggest thing I want you to take away from this is
today is a piece of our history. We have the opportunity and
privilege to take time to remember one of our comrades, Sgt.
Perry,” she said.
“And today is important for another reason. As Soldiers, we’re
not solitary beings. We’re out here together. And we’re tied to
those who came before us, those who are standing to our left and
to our right, and to those who are going to come after us.”
Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon, OBE, Multi-National Division
Southeast Commanding General reflected on how Perry’s sacrifice
helped get Basrah where it is today, on the precipice of peace.
“A year ago when I was here in Basrah, I couldn’t
imagine standing here like this with you fine Soldiers, said
Salmon. “Joe’s sacrifice, and everyone else’s, was all about
getting us to this position now; in a position where we can
bring peace and stability to Basrah and help the Iraqis stand on
their own two feet. And we can collaborate and work together to
make Basrah, which is one of the most important cities, as
normal as possible. What we do is going to make a difference.”
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| Above,
the sign that now identifies the outpost. Below,
soldiers bow their heads for a moment of silence
during the naming ceremony. |
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The 21st MP Company is currently deployed to Basrah Iraq to
conduct an Iraqi Police Training Mission. The 21st work for the
Multi National Division-South East and have established a COP in
the city of Basrah for Troopers to live.
“Joe’s memory and legacy serve as a source of pride and
honor for the Troopers of the 21st and when the subject of
naming our new ‘home away from home’ was brought up, there was
only one suggestion made, COP Perry. That name sparks emotion
with the members of the unit still today,” said First Sergeant
Jeffrey Maddox.
“There are still members of this unit who served with
Joe on both of his deployments. I myself served with Joe on his
first deployment when I was his Platoon Sergeant during the 21st
MP Company’s first deployment to Iraq in 2004,” Maddox said.
The soldiers in Iraq were not the only ones to honor
Sgt. Perry with this outpost naming; local Iraqis took the
opportunity to say thank you, according to Maddox.
“When we decided to name the COP after Joe, we knew we
wanted a sign made to recognize what we are going to do. That
isn’t as easy as it might seem in Iraq, we had to go to an Iraq
contractor that could do it,” wrote Maddox in an e-mail to Yuhl-Torres.
“When the contractor delivered the sign I asked him how much it
cost: He completely floored me with the answer. His company
wanted to donate the sign to our unit to help remember your
sacrifice and to further honor Joe for what his life has given
the Iraq people.
“He further stated that what your sacrifice and Joe’s
life has given the Iraqi people is HOPE,” Maddox wrote.
Maddox read a letter at the naming ceremony from
Perry’s mother and step-father, Kirsten Yuhl-Torres and Vern
Torres, of Alpine. They thanked the 21st MP Co. for remembering
their son two years later and for naming the COP after him.
“This was a great honor for Joe, and for us,” said
Kirsten. “It was really nice to see him being honored by his
friends and comrades over there.”
Since her son’s death in 2006, Kirsten Yuhl-Torres has
been involved in her own efforts to honor Sgt. Perry, and other
sons and daughters that are fighting overseas. Kirsten and Vern
created the Sgt. Joseph W. Perry Memorial Corporation, whose
mission is to send care packages to deployed military men and
women, by providing outreach, food, and comfort items for our
recovering wounded warriors, and by providing personal care
items, books, and food items to our homeless veterans’ shelters.
For more information about their efforts and how you
can take part, check online at
www.sgtperry.org.
Another way to get involved is the upcoming care
package day in Alpine. Organizers and volunteers will be
packaging at least 187 boxes for the Christmas mailing for the
deployed troops that the group is supporting.
The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15 at Joan Mac
Queen Middle School, 2001 Tavern Road, from 10 a.m. to noon. All
items will be provided. Please do not bring additional items for
packing. Organizers are asking for a donation of $10 per family
to help with mailing costs (each box costs $10 to mail).
If you would like to take part please RSVP to
sgtperrycorp@cox.net.
 E-mail
the Editor
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