Staff Sgt. Eric D. Cottrell,
Cpl. Juan M. Lopez Jr., &
Pfc. Paulomarko U. Pacificador
2007-08-13
Dear friends and Family......It's a bitter sweet time for Gabe and I as we are winding down our journey in Iraq......sweet because we have done almost 13 months and mentally need the break on American soil, but bitter because we are leaving our BlackDragon family that will still be fighting the fight until December.......
The picture is the memorial display of our 3 fallen brothers. SGT Eric Cottrell, PFC Juan Lopez and PFC Paulo Pacificador, who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Aug. 13 in Qayyarah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Staff Sgt. Eric D. Cottrell, 39, of Pittsview, Ala
SGT Cottrell leaves behind a wife and 4 children so please keep them all in your prayers.
Cpl. Juan M. Lopez Jr., 23, of San Antonio
PFC Lopez is survived by his parents and family
Pfc. Paulomarko U. Pacificador, 24, of Shirley, N.Y.
PFC Pacificador is also survived by his parents and family.
Please also keep all the soldiers in 5-82 FA because even though their hearts are heavy, they still must drive on and do missions because the enemy stops for no one.
I was once again both honored and humbled to have been part of the ceremony as an usher to the soldiers and guests and another K9 handler sang the National Anthem. This showed us we are truly part of the Black Dragon family.
Take care, God bless and Gabe and I should have our feet and paws on American soil soon , but we will not be at ease until we are at Fort Bliss, Texas awaiting the return of our Army Family from the 5-82 FA.
- Chuck and Gabe
