Not Forgotten: Memorial Day Weekend honors Mark

On May 27, 2012 we had the privilege of attending the biggest Memorial Day celebration on the west coast. It was in Manteca, CA, sponsored by The Place of Refuge Church and Welcome Home Heroes Foundation. We were amazed at the support from the city and community and the honor shown to Mark, his family, other Gold Star families, and veterans.

Pictured below is the 11th panel of their "traveling panel' tribute. It was dedicated to Mark. The other names on the panel are all who have fallen in the war during 2011. The panel is an impressive sight and is backlit, so it stands out at night.

The caption at the bottom of the panel reads: "Photo of Air Force Senior Airman Mark A. Forester age 29, of Haleyville, AL, was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, NC, died Sept 29, 2010 in Jangalak Village, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations in Uruzgan province. Forester was a devout Mormon and believed strongly in serving his country."

Mom and dad placing the wreath near Mark's panel.

Close to 7000 crosses in the park, representing each life lost during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another very impressive sight.

One of the showcases with their local fallen heroes. Unfortunately there were several of these.

Pastor Mike Dillman, who works all year to make this event happen. He slept in the park next to the panels, just to show his love and appreciation to the fallen represented at the display. He is a Vietnam vet and received an unfriendly welcome home. He vowed to not let that happen again.

He said as an Army Chaplain in Vietnam, he opened the body bags of thousands of servicemen. When he heard the story of Mark wrapping his body armor in the American flag, he was blown away because he'd never seen that before.

We received a proclamation from the city of Tracy, thanking us for Mark's service. After this I was able to speak to the crowd. I spoke of Mark's love of country, Silver Star, and his love for the people of the central valley, since he served as a full time missionary in the Oakland area in 2000-2002.

Lt. Col Frank Latt also addressed the crowd.

Phil Waterford presenting Pastor Mike Dillman with a new F-150 truck. This was a complete surprise to him. Phil has been a big supporter of this event for several years and said that Mike deserved it after the many years and all the heart and soul he puts into this Memorial Day ceremony.

Phil Waterford with Earl "The Pearl" Watson. He was part of Company C, 1317th Engineers, a black regiment used in support of George Patton's 3rd Army in WWII. He is now the only survivor of that group. Watson went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, the largest single battle the U.S. has ever fought.

His story is remarkable, from being a restroom attendant at Knickerbocker Hotel to becoming friends with Ronald Reagan, John Wayne and Gene Autry, all who frequented the Hollywood hotel. He told the actors of his service during the war. Then one day Reagan along with Wayne and Autry went to the Knickerbocker management and complained that Watson, a war hero, should have a better job than restroom attendant. He then became the doorman.

Earl is a great American and you'll find his story Intriguing.

White dove release.

Impressive C-17 flyover. He was only about 1000 feet.

We were also able to visit the mission home and office were Mark served when he was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This picture was in Mark's last apartment before coming home in 2002.

Mom and dad in front of the Oakland Temple, near the mission office where Mark served. It is a beautiful temple and grounds. It also provides an incredible view of the Oakland and San Francisco sky lines.

We will forever be grateful to the people of Manteca for this event. They honored Mark in a way we couldn't have imagined. They also honored all our nations heroes, both living and dead, in a way that few places do. We really felt Manteca was the most patriotic city in the country after these events. There was a great feeling there and we hope to attend again. If you live anywhere near Manteca, CA, we suggest you find a way to attend next year. It will bless you and your family's lives.

2012 Price of Freedom Race results now posted

Click the links below to view results for the 10k, 5k, and 1 mile. You will see a page with division winners, as well as times for each participant. Thanks for your participation in another successful race weekend in Haleyville.

Also, pictures will be posted soon.

2012 Price of Freedom Race and Memorial Birthday Walk Sponsors

Once again, we appreciate every single one of our sponsors. Without the generosity of these companies, organizations, and individuals in our community; this race, walk, and events surrounding it would not be possible. Please give your business to these patriotic companies and organizations whenever possible. They support our military and our fallen. And once again, special thanks to the City of Haleyville and the Haleyville City Schools for all their support and accommodations.

Click the link below to see the list of sponsors for this year's events.

The Mark Forester Memorial Award for Excellence

On April 26, 2012, we attended the University of Alabama Campus Veterans Association (CVA) Banquet at Hotel Capstone. In addition to honoring many veterans who were in attendance, The Mark Forester Memorial Award for Excellence was presented for the 2nd year in a row. This year's recipient was Christopher Duke, from Columbia, AL.

Christopher enlisted in the US Navy in 2004 and went to boot camp in 2005. After finishing Corps School he was sent to Portsmouth Naval Hospital and farmed out to Branch Health Clinic Naval Station Norfolk from 2005-2007. He worked in Aviation Medicine and Military Acute Care as an EMT as well as doing a short stint with the Military Police onboard Naval Station Norfolk. He was then sent to Field Medical Service School at Camp Lejeune, NC to complete training for duty with the Marine Corps.

He was stationed with Marine Special Operations Command Support Group from 2007-2010 doing field evolutions and teaching Combat Life Saver courses before Marines deployed. While with the Marines, he was the only Navy Corpsman on the east coast qualified to fly Raven UAV drones. Getting outstanding marks on his Physical Fitness Test gave him the opportunity to be the Command Fitness Leader for MARSOC Support Group. He received 3 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Fleet Marine Force(FMF) Warfare Pin, Global War on Terrorism, and Pistol Ribbon. He separated from the Navy in 2010 to complete his Bachelors Degree in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Alabama using the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

He will graduate in May of 2013 and hopes to become a commissioned officer in the Navy. He currently has a 4.0 GPA and works for the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at UA.

Chris said, "Being the recipient of the Mark Forester Memorial Award for Excellence was a great honor. Like Mark I have an unending passion for Alabama football and everything surrounding it and I hope that I will uphold the honor of this award throughout the rest of my time in Tuscaloosa and my continuing military career. Rolltide!"

Pictured below is Chris, along with Rozlynn and Thad Forester. Congratulations on the award Chris, and thank you for your service to our country.

Barry Crawford receives Air Force Cross

We first met Capt. Barry Crawford on Sept 29, 2010 shortly after the news of Mark's death was delivered. Barry, and a fellow teammate Sascha, were assigned to be with our family during the process that followed the next nine days. He left a lasting impression on our family.

We are very proud of him for this accomplishment. The Air Force Cross represents the second highest honor for valor in combat. In short, during a 10+ hour firefight in Afghanistan in May 2010, he directed multiple aircraft, which eliminated numerous terrorists, and exposed himself to the enemy many times in order to evacuate the wounded and get his team out of the area safely. During this fight, one of his antenna was hit by a bullet which caused it to strike the back of his neck. He lost several men that day and has been nothing but complimentary to his team for their escape from the enemy fighters.

You can read many more details, as well as see his actual citation by clicking HERE.

You will be amazed at his talent, skill, and mental toughness after ready this article. It's well worth the read.

You can also watch video of the ceremony from the Pentagon by clicking HERE.

Sgt. Mac has additional info on Barry HERE.

He was also interviewed on Fox News last week. Thank you for your service Barry. It's great to see another CCT receive a distinguished award. First There!

Below is Barry receiving his medal from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz. He is the same man who awarded Rob Gutierrez his Air Force Cross, and Ish Villegas his Silver Star.

Below is Barry at work.

The Air Force did send their best during our trying time. He definitely went above and beyond to meet our needs and help organize everything surrounding Mark's Angel Flight, funeral, graveside service, missing-man formation flyover, and much more.

We hope you can continue to find inspiration on this site by reading not only about Mark, but about the many others who protect us. They deserve much more respect and appreciation.

Barry is a husband and father of two.