Holloman honors fallen Army Soldier

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  More than 300 members of Team Holloman turned out June 11 to pay their respects to an Alamogordo resident and Army soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice earlier this month in Iraq. 

Army Spc. Christopher M. Kurth was killed in a grenade attack near Kirkuk, Iraq, June 4. He was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division. 

Col. Jeffrey Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Cui, 49 FW command chief, met Specialist Kurth's family prior to the arrival of the aircraft. 

"Team Holloman is honored to be a part of Specialist Kurth's return to Alamogordo," Colonel Harrigian said. "This day is important for the family and we appreciate them letting us pay our respects. Every military member who wears the uniform, and every American, should reflect on the sacrifice this family has given to our nation."

Airmen from the U.S. Air Force and German air force lined the streets of Holloman to render one final salute as the procession passed. The Airmen were joined by Department of Defense civilians, contractors, dependents and veterans.

The Patriot Guard Riders, which is made up of members - many of which are veterans - from around the nation, were on hand to honor the fallen soldier. Members showed their respect with a cordon of American Flags during the plane's arrival. The riders also provided a motorcycle escort from Holloman to the funeral home. On Saturday, they will provide an escort to his final resting place following funeral services in Alamogordo. 

Ride captain Mr. Ed Summerall, a veteran himself, said it is his privilege to honor this hero. 

"After Vietnam, we were not welcomed home and we do not want that to happen to our young troops today regardless of the way they come home," he said. "We thank them for their service and indeed honor them for their sacrifice to this country." 

Tech. Sgt. Troy Bizzack, non-commissioned officer in charge of the Steel Talon Honor Guard, said even though Specialist Kurth wasn't Air Force, he was deeply honored to be a part of his fellow compatriot's return home.

"We wanted to make sure we were honoring Specialist Kurth's memory and the great sacrifice he gave to this country. When a U.S. military member pays the ultimate sacrifice every member in uniform grieves the loss regardless of the branch of service," he said. "The way things are today and with as much joint warfare that we're doing, we come together to honor our own nation's fallen whether it be Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force."

Specialist Kurth's wife, Robin Kurth, said she appreciates everyone turning out to show their gratitude for her husband's devotion to his country. She said he was a brave soldier and truly believed in what he was fighting for in Iraq.

"He loved everything over there and he liked to help everybody," she said. "He's my biggest hero."