Guest column: State officials comment on death of Oak Ridge soldier

Note: This is an edited copy of a Thursday announcement from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder regretfully announce the loss of Tennessee soldier Staff Sgt. Christopher Michael Ward of Oak Ridge.

Ward was fatally injured when his patrol was struck by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, which detonated on Saturday, April 6, in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Ward was serving with Troop A, 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The 24-year old soldier grew up in Arcadia, Fla. However, Ward moved to Tennessee with his mother, Joyce Ward, and attended Oak Ridge High School before earning his General Educational Development, or GED, diploma and enlisting in the United States Army in November 2006.

“We join the Ward family in a time of mourning, and we humbly recognize the ultimate sacrifice made by Staff Sergeant Christopher Ward,” Haslam said. “On behalf of the State of Tennessee, we offer our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Christopher’s family and friends.”

“This is a grave reminder that Tennesseans along with several other Americans continue to serve our country in harm’s way in countries such as Afghanistan,” Grinder said. “We are saddened by the loss of Staff Sergeant Ward, and we hope the Ward family feels the support of the entire state as they grieve the loss of their loved one.”

Ward is survived by his mother Joyce Ward of Oak Ridge and brothers Matthew Ward of Oak Ridge and Travis Ward of Tulsa, Okla.

“Chris was proud to be an American and loved serving his country and fellow Americans,” Joyce Ward said. “We are going to miss his beautiful smile, green eyes, and fearless attitude.”

The remains of Ward arrived at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base on Friday morning.

The visitation and funeral were on Saturday at Weatherford Mortuary in Oak Ridge.

Ward posthumously received the Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal during the funeral services.

Ward also posthumously received the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart, and he had already received several Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, and several other service-related awards.