U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Bickham, second from right, of Fort Campbell, Ky., escorts Joyce Ward, right, of Oak Ridge, after a Saturday funeral for her oldest son, Staff Sgt. Christopher Michael Ward, who died in an April 6 explosion in Afghanistan. Also pictured are Christopher’s two younger brothers, Travis and Matthew.
For many of us, the war in Afghanistan—now the nation’s longest—is largely forgotten. We are consumed, most of the time, by our daily lives, working, paying bills, raising children, and having a little fun when we can.
But Joyce Ward of Oak Ridge will never forget. Her oldest son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Michael Ward, 24, died in southern Afghanistan one week ago, the victim of an apparent suicide car bombing that also killed two other soldiers, a U.S. diplomat, and a Department of Defense civilian. They had been delivering donated books to children in Zabul province.
Christopher Michael Ward
Ward was remembered and honored during a Saturday funeral at Weatherford Mortuary in Oak Ridge. In a celebration of his life that mixed occasional laughter with many tears, Ward received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal, as well as the Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal.
The three medals were presented to his mother, Joyce Ward of Oak Ridge, in a ceremony with Gen. Jefforey Smith, commanding general of Fort Knox, Ky. Smith called Ward a man of character, a member of the small group of Americans who join the military.
“He made the decision, and he didn’t look back,” Smith said.
Gen. Jefforey Smith, commanding general of Fort Knox, Ky., before a medal presentation at the Saturday funeral for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Michael Ward, who received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, and Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal.
The Purple Heart is awarded to military men and women wounded in combat, and the Bronze Star recognizes acts of heroism performed in ground combat as well as acts of merit and meritorious service. The Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal is awarded to anyone who is from Tennessee and was killed in action after July 2011.
U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann said it was the first time one of his constituents had been killed in action.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you,†Fleischmann told Joyce Ward as he fought back tears. “What a great sacrifice that a man like your son would put on a uniform and go fight, and so I say, ‘Thank you.’â€
U.S. Army National Guard representatives salute Christopher Michael Ward’s casket.
Many-Bears Grinder, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, told Joyce Ward that Gov. Bill Haslam had declared Saturday a day of mourning and had ordered that all flags across the state be lowered to half-staff. Before saluting Ward’s casket, she presented Joyce Ward with a flag that had flown over the state capital in Nashville.
“These men and women that serve their country, they are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters,†Grinder said. “We try to assure them their loved ones will be remembered, and their sacrifices will not be forgotten.â€
The flag that had covered Chris Ward’s casket is folded before it is given to his mother, Joyce Ward.
Smith read a letter from a lieutenant in charge of Ward’s unit. In it, the lieutenant wrote that Ward expected the absolute best from everyone because he expected it out of himself.
During the funeral, Ward was described as an amazing person with an infectious smile, and a good soldier and leader who had an “outlandish sense of humor.”
Friends and family said he will be dearly missed and nearly impossible to replace. He will never be forgotten, they said.
“Chris was proud to be an American and loved serving his country and fellow Americans,†Joyce Ward said in an announcement posted by the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs. “We are going to miss his beautiful smile, green eyes, and fearless attitude.â€
“He’s always been someone I looked up to, even though I would always try to ‘one-up’ him,” younger brother Travis Ward said.
Dozens of volunteers from several groups, including the Patriot Riders, showed up to support the Ward family at Saturday’s funeral. Here two volunteers hold U.S. flags by the funeral home’s front door.
They emphasized the debt the country owes to veterans, who help ensure the nation’s freedoms aren’t taken away.
“The families are incredibly proud of the service of their loved ones,†Grinder said.
Ward was born in Arcadia, Fla. He attended Oak Ridge High School during his junior year before earning his GED and enlisting in the Army at 17. He had served in Iraq twice, and this was his first tour in Afghanistan.
He was a “cav scout†who served in the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment based at Fort Stewart in Georgia. He received full military honors Saturday.
Patriot Riders hold U.S. flags in a line that stretches across the front of Weatherford Mortuary.
Funeral home family member Adam Weatherford said about 200 people attended the receiving of friends and funeral. They included federal, state, and local officials; military volunteers and family support groups; and Patriot Riders. Some have lost children of their own in combat or have sons and daughters who serve in the military. Many lined up at 8 a.m. Saturday in front of the mortuary with U.S. flags, showing their support for the family.
“I’m proud of this soldier, and I hurt for the family,†said Laurice McCord of Knoxville, who has a son serving in the U.S. Marines. “Their names will never be forgotten.â€
Chris Ward’s mother and two brothers leave the funeral in a limo supplied by Lincoln’s Sports Grille.
Local restaurants brought gift cards for the family, and several East Tennessee law enforcement agencies, as well as the Tennessee Highway Patrol, escorted Ward’s body to the funeral home from McGhee Tyson Airport on Friday. The owners of Lincoln’s Sports Grille provided a limo for his family.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Bickham, a casualty assistance officer from Fort Campbell, Ky., said the April 6 explosion in Afghanistan is still under investigation, and a full report is expected later.
The others who died included diplomat Anne Smedinghoff, 25, of Chicago, and Spc. Wilbel A. Robles-Santa, 25, of Juncos, Puerto Rico, and Spc. Deflin M. Santos Jr., 24, of San Jose, Calif.
Note: This story was last updated at 11:47 a.m. April 14.
Levi D. Smith says
I saw the limo and Tennessee state troopers with their lights flashing drive past my house around 1pm today. I thought that it was probably related to this fallen soldier.
John Huotari says
Yes, the Tennessee Highway Patrol was providing an escort for the family.
Jason Allison says
This war is far from forgotten. As a veteran and someone who has a family member still serving, we ARE indebted to the Wards for their sacrifice and loss.
John Huotari says
Thank you, Jason.
Jason Allison says
I wasn’t meaning to turn this topic into my service. I do appreciate the thanks but above all feel I didn’t do any more than a job I wanted to do. The true thanks should go to the family members and service members who either lost a loved one or who were hurt in defense of our nation.
johnhuotari says
Jason,
I understand what you meant.
It seems that most Americans don’t spend a lot of time these days thinking or talking about the war in Afghanistan. If I recall correctly, it barely came up in the presidential campaign, even in the foreign policy debate. That’s what I meant by the war is largely forgotten by many of us.
And yet the death of a soldier like Christopher Ward reminds us that we are still at war, that military men and women are still fighting overseas and other Americans are risking their lives as well. One of the main messages I heard at his funeral is that his sacrifice and service should be remembered and not forgotten. And so I hope our coverage can play some small part in helping people to remember Christopher Ward and his service to our country.