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Felix The Assassin · 03-16-2004, 06:07 PM

From the WP off of the Secure Server.
You cannot use the link. But this is it if you can go "Green".
https://www.us.army.mil/portal/jhtml...316266756.html

This article talks about the soldier, SPC Jason Ford. I'm sure there will be an article about CPT Kurth later on. They were both Bco "Bushmaster". The loss to the Bushmaster's must be devastating as SPC Ford was just a great kid with an appreciation for the world. CPT Kurth was the Company Commander.

Washington Post
March 16, 2004
Pg. B1

Armed With Hope, Soldier Dies

Md. Man Saw Army as Way to New Life

By Hamil R. Harris, Washington Post Staff Writer

Joseph Ford, a retired D.C. police officer, smiled yesterday as he recalled the night several years ago when his son and another boy were riding in the back seat of his patrol car in Northeast Washington, getting a close-up look at police work. Ford got an emergency call and started rushing to the scene.

"They were riding with me," said Ford, 57, of Temple Hills. "I had the siren and lights flashing. They were swaying and trying to hold on in the back seat."

His son, Jason C. Ford, was on patrol again Saturday, this time as a 21-year-old Army infantryman in Iraq. He and Capt. John F. Kurth, 31, of Wisconsin were killed by a roadside bomb in Tikrit, the home town of ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

"His demeanor, his bravery -- he took his love into a bad situation to help someone," Ford said of his son, who was the 21st U.S. service member from the Washington area to be killed in Iraq, some in combat, others in accidents. Eleven of the dead were from Virginia, eight from Maryland and two from the District.

Ford said his son, who was not married, enlisted in the Army two years ago because he saw military service as a ticket to a better life.

Jason Ford was raised in Prince George's County and the District. As a teenager, he dropped out of Bladensburg High School but then joined the Job Corps, earned a high school equivalency diploma and got his life back on track.

Ford said his son was interested in becoming a computer technician and saw the military as his best hope.

"Being a serviceman who served in Vietnam, I have no regrets on what my son chose to do," said Ford, who was in the Marine Corps for four years.

"It hurts deeply to realize that he lost his life, but he lost his life in an honorable way, serving his country. I am very proud of that. I am very proud of his courage and not questioning why he was there," Ford said.

Ford and his wife, Irene, Jason's stepmother, said they learned of his death Saturday evening. The news came in a telephone call from Jason's mother, Florence Newell of the District, shortly before Army officials showed up at the Fords' home.

"His mother called and said, 'Jason is gone,' " Irene Ford said, adding, "I tried to call as many family members as possible and told them, 'Come over here.' "

She voiced anger over the U.S. military involvement in Iraq. "Why are our children dying?" she said. "What is the reason for this young boy to lose his life? . . . It's like their lives don't make a difference."

Jason was the youngest of Joseph Ford's six children. Jason's sister Thleia Hamrick said her brother "had a free spirit" and showed concern for others.

The Defense Department said he was in Bravo Company of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. He had been stationed in Germany before deploying to Kuwait and then Iraq.

His father said he received a call Sunday morning from an Army sergeant who was close to his son.

"He called and said, 'I am going to bring Jason home,' " Ford recalled. "He said, 'I am going to do it even if I have to pay my own way.' He said, 'I will let no stranger bring him home. I will bring my brother home.' "

Irene Ford fought back tears as she reflected on the sergeant's call.

"He said one time when he was depressed, Jason came by at 1:15 in the morning and talked with him all night. He said not one person didn't like Jason. They all liked him."

Joseph Ford said his son will be eulogized at Paramount Baptist Church in Northeast Washington after his body is flown back to the United States.

He said that despite his loss, he went to church Sunday morning and sang with the choir.

"My strong faith is in the Lord, and God doesn't make mistakes," Ford said.

"God knew him as one of his soldiers, and therefore he is watching over him."

Staff writer Avis Thomas-Lester contributed to this report.

Return With Honor.
Felix

03-16-2004, 06:07 PM	#10
Felix The Assassin The Dreadnoks Join Date: September 27, 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 62 Posts: 3,608	From the WP off of the Secure Server. You cannot use the link. But this is it if you can go "Green". https://www.us.army.mil/portal/jhtml...316266756.html This article talks about the soldier, SPC Jason Ford. I'm sure there will be an article about CPT Kurth later on. They were both Bco "Bushmaster". The loss to the Bushmaster's must be devastating as SPC Ford was just a great kid with an appreciation for the world. CPT Kurth was the Company Commander. Washington Post March 16, 2004 Pg. B1 Armed With Hope, Soldier Dies Md. Man Saw Army as Way to New Life By Hamil R. Harris, Washington Post Staff Writer Joseph Ford, a retired D.C. police officer, smiled yesterday as he recalled the night several years ago when his son and another boy were riding in the back seat of his patrol car in Northeast Washington, getting a close-up look at police work. Ford got an emergency call and started rushing to the scene. "They were riding with me," said Ford, 57, of Temple Hills. "I had the siren and lights flashing. They were swaying and trying to hold on in the back seat." His son, Jason C. Ford, was on patrol again Saturday, this time as a 21-year-old Army infantryman in Iraq. He and Capt. John F. Kurth, 31, of Wisconsin were killed by a roadside bomb in Tikrit, the home town of ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. "His demeanor, his bravery -- he took his love into a bad situation to help someone," Ford said of his son, who was the 21st U.S. service member from the Washington area to be killed in Iraq, some in combat, others in accidents. Eleven of the dead were from Virginia, eight from Maryland and two from the District. Ford said his son, who was not married, enlisted in the Army two years ago because he saw military service as a ticket to a better life. Jason Ford was raised in Prince George's County and the District. As a teenager, he dropped out of Bladensburg High School but then joined the Job Corps, earned a high school equivalency diploma and got his life back on track. Ford said his son was interested in becoming a computer technician and saw the military as his best hope. "Being a serviceman who served in Vietnam, I have no regrets on what my son chose to do," said Ford, who was in the Marine Corps for four years. "It hurts deeply to realize that he lost his life, but he lost his life in an honorable way, serving his country. I am very proud of that. I am very proud of his courage and not questioning why he was there," Ford said. Ford and his wife, Irene, Jason's stepmother, said they learned of his death Saturday evening. The news came in a telephone call from Jason's mother, Florence Newell of the District, shortly before Army officials showed up at the Fords' home. "His mother called and said, 'Jason is gone,' " Irene Ford said, adding, "I tried to call as many family members as possible and told them, 'Come over here.' " She voiced anger over the U.S. military involvement in Iraq. "Why are our children dying?" she said. "What is the reason for this young boy to lose his life? . . . It's like their lives don't make a difference." Jason was the youngest of Joseph Ford's six children. Jason's sister Thleia Hamrick said her brother "had a free spirit" and showed concern for others. The Defense Department said he was in Bravo Company of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. He had been stationed in Germany before deploying to Kuwait and then Iraq. His father said he received a call Sunday morning from an Army sergeant who was close to his son. "He called and said, 'I am going to bring Jason home,' " Ford recalled. "He said, 'I am going to do it even if I have to pay my own way.' He said, 'I will let no stranger bring him home. I will bring my brother home.' " Irene Ford fought back tears as she reflected on the sergeant's call. "He said one time when he was depressed, Jason came by at 1:15 in the morning and talked with him all night. He said not one person didn't like Jason. They all liked him." Joseph Ford said his son will be eulogized at Paramount Baptist Church in Northeast Washington after his body is flown back to the United States. He said that despite his loss, he went to church Sunday morning and sang with the choir. "My strong faith is in the Lord, and God doesn't make mistakes," Ford said. "God knew him as one of his soldiers, and therefore he is watching over him." Staff writer Avis Thomas-Lester contributed to this report. Return With Honor. Felix __________________ The Lizzie Palmer Tribute Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy 35th President of The United States The Last Shot Honor The Fallen Jesus died for our sins, and American Soldiers died for our freedom. If you don't stand behind our Soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them.