PSALM 23

The LORD is my shepherd;I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures:He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul:He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death, I will fear no evil:For you are with me;

Your rod and your staff they comfort me.You prepare a table before me,In the presence of my enemies:

You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the

days of my life:And I will dwell in the house

Of the LORD for ever.

Remembering the Life and Accomplishments of Great Paratroopers and a Marine

Memorial CeremonyFor

CPT Matthew C. FerraraSgt Phillip A. Bocks USMC

SGT Jeffery S. MersmanCPL Lester G. Roque

CPL Sean K. LangevinSPC Joseph M. Lancour

17 November 2007Camp Blessing, Afghanistan

MEMORIAL CEREMONY2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry

Camp Blessing, Afghanistan______________________________________________________0530Z (1000L) 17 November 2007

Prelude

Invocation CH (CPT) David Schnarr

Commander’s Tribute CPT Matthew Myer

Friends’ Tribute SFC William Stockard

1stLT Michael Syntax USMC

CPT Chad Swaims

PFC Gregg Rauwolf

PFC Gabriel Green

Scripture Reading Psalm 63:6-8 PFC Steven Kerns

Musical Tribute American Soldier

Memorial Meditation CH (CPT) David Schnarr

*Roll Call 1SG Scott Beeson

*Firing of Volleys

*Taps

*Please Stand

IN MEMORY OFSPC JOSEPH M. LANCOUR

26 JUNE 1986 – 9 NOVEMBER 2007

CHOSEN COMPANY2nd BATTALION (AIRBORNE), 503rd INFANTRY

“TASK FORCE ROCK”173rd AIRBORNE BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

SPC Joseph M. Lancour was born on 26 June 1986 in Cadillac, Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 8 February 2006.

After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) and attending Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, SPC Lancour arrived at Caserma, Ederle in Vicenza, Italy for his first duty assignment. SPC Lancour was immediately assigned as a Rifleman in Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

SPC Lancour conducted his first deployment to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII in May 2007. During his service, SPC Lancour participated in numerous combat patrols and manned a critical observation post at Bella Combat Outpost providing security and observation of the surrounding mountainous terrain.

SPC Lancour’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

SPC Lancour is survived by his loving family – Starla Owens (Mother) of Fountain, Michigan and Robert Lancour (Father) of Ludington, Michigan and two sisters Aja Tennille Thomas and Deborah Nicole Lancour.

IN MEMORY OFCPT MATTHEW C. FERRARA

14 OCTOBER 1983 – 9 NOVEMBER 2007

CHOSEN COMPANY2nd BATTALION (AIRBORNE), 503rd INFANTRY

“TASK FORCE ROCK”173rd AIRBORNE BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

CPT Matthew C. Ferrara was born on 14 October 1983 in Torrance, California, and he graduated and was commissioned from the Unites States Military Academy at West Point on 28 May 2005 as an Infantry officer.

CPT Ferrara completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia and reported to Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy for his first duty assignment. Matt was assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry as the Platoon Leader of First Platoon.

In May 2007, CPT Ferrara deployed with the company to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII. On 22 August 2007, CPT Ferrara led his men to thwart a deliberate enemy attack on the Aranas Combat Outpost (Ranch House) by a numerically superior force. For his valorous and heroic actions that day he was submitted for the Silver Star.

CPT Ferrara’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and Basic Parachutist Badge.

CPT Ferrara is survived by his loving parents Mario and Linda Ferrara of Torrance, California, and his brothers Marcus, Damon, Andrew and sister, Simone Carmichael.

IN MEMORY OFSgt PHILLIP A. BOCKS USMC

1 March 1979 – 9 NOVEMBER 2007

EMBEDDED TRAINING TEAM 1-92ND KANDAK, 3RD BRIGADE, 201ST CORPS

AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMYREGIONAL SECURITY ADVISORY COMMAND – CENTRAL

Sergeant Phillip A. Bocks was born in Avon Township, Michigan on 01 March 1979 and joined the United States Marine Corps reporting to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina on May 22, 2000.

Upon completion of basic training and the School of Infantry, Sgt Bocks was assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Regiment where he served as Team Leader and Squad Leader completing a deployment in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (SOUTHERN WATCH) and a Unit Deployment Program to Camp Hansen, Okinawa. On 6 February 2004, Sgt Bocks was re-assigned to the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California where he served as a Mountain Warfare Instructor.

In March 2007, Sgt Bocks volunteered and was assigned to Afghan National Army Embedded Training Team (ETT) 1-9, serving as an advisor, mentor, and trainer for the 1st Company, 3rd Kandak, 3rd Brigade. He was later re-assigned to the 2nd Company, 2nd Kandak, 3rd Brigade.

Sgt Bocks’ awards include: Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal with 1 star, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 2 stars.

Sgt Bocks is survived by his loving family - Kent Bocks (Father) of Truckee, California, and Margaret Bocks (Mother) of Troy, Michigan.

IN MEMORY OFSGT JEFFERY S. MERSMAN

11 MAY 1984 – 9 NOVEMBER 2007

CHOSEN COMPANY2nd BATTALION (AIRBORNE), 503rd INFANTRY

“TASK FORCE ROCK”173rd AIRBORNE BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

SGT Jeffery S. Mersman was born on 11 May 1984 in Paola, Kansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 15 January 2002.

SGT Mersman served in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division as a Grenadier and Rifle Team Leader. While in this unit, SGT Mersman deployed three times in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM before reporting for duty at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy.

SGT Mersman was assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team as a Rifle Team Leader in August 2006. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDUING FREEDOM VIII in May 2007. During this deployment, SGT Mersman participated in numerous combat patrols and manned a critical observation point at Bella Combat Outpost in Nuristan Province providing surveillance and early warning of enemy activity. SGT Mersman’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.

SGT Mersman is survived by his loving wife Narcissa Mersman and children Keonni Sanchez, David Castro Jr., Davilyn Castro, Dessarae Castro and Robert Mersman (Father) and Mary Ritch (Mother).

IN MEMORY OFCPL LESTER G. ROQUE

4 DECEMBER 1983 – 9 NOVEMBER 2007

HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY2nd BATTALION (AIRBORNE), 503rd INFANTRY

“TASK FORCE ROCK”173rd AIRBORNE BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

CPL Lester G. Roque was born on 4 December 1983 in Obando, Bulacan, Philippines where he spent most of his childhood. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 2 February 2005.

During his time in service, CPL Roque completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Medical Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. On 10 October 2005, CPL Roque reported to his first duty station at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. After his arrival, he immediately joined Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VI where he was assigned as a trauma medic. Due to his maturity and leadership, he was assigned as the Chosen Company Senior Medic where he served with distinction. During OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII, CPL Roque established two aid stations at Combat Outposts Bella and Aranas (Ranch House), conducted numerous combat patrols, and established a local national clinic to increase the healthcare for the surrounding populace.

CPL Roque’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.

CPL Roque is survived by his loving parents Mr. Antonio Roque and Mrs. Clarrisa Roque, brother Antonio, and fiancé Leikathryn Garcia Rivera.

IN MEMORY OFCPL SEAN K. LANGEVIN

17 AUGUST 1984 – 9 NOVEMBER 2007

CHOSEN COMPANY2nd BATTALION (AIRBORNE), 503rd INFANTRY

“TASK FORCE ROCK”173rd AIRBORNE BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

CPL Sean K. Langevin was born on 17 August 1984 in Walnut Creek, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 14 February 2006.

After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georiga, CPL Langevin reported to his first duty station at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. He was assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team as an Automatic Rifleman. CPL Langevin deployed to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII in May 2007.

During his time in Afghanistan, CPL Langevin went on numerous combat patrols. He was also involved in a violent firefight with enemy forces at the Aranas Combat Outpost (Ranch House) on 22 August 2007. For his heroic actions during the Ranch House attack, CPL Langevin was submitted for the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.

CPL Langevin’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

CPL Langevin is survived by his loving wife Jessica Langevin and his parents Drew and Roxane Langevin of Walnut Creek, California.