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The Price of FreedomOn September 29th, 2010, Senior Airman Mark Forester, beloved son, brother and friend was killed in Afghanistan while attempting to save a fallen comrade. We hope that you find Mark's story a source of inspiration, patriotism and proof that heroes are real.
Mark was a member of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope AFB, NC. His website is dedicated to all Combat Controllers as well as US Servicemen, both past and present. We are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. Mark A. Forester - JAG 28 (May 15, 1981 - September 29, 2010) |
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archive: June 2012 | view all recent posts
2012 Price of Freedom Scholarship Recipients
On May 21, 2012 The Mark Forester Price of Freedom Scholarship was awarded to two Haleyville High students: Cameron Collier and Dylan Burleson. Thanks to the help of Mick Gillispie and Trey McNutt of the Tennessee Smokies we were able to award two scholarships this year.
Pictured below are:
Mick Gillispie
Ray Forester
Cameron Collier
Dylan Burleson
Pat Forester
Trey McNutt
Pictured below are:
Mick Gillispie
Ray Forester
Cameron Collier
Dylan Burleson
Pat Forester
Trey McNutt
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Silver Star awarded to Mark Posthumously
On 15 June 2012, Mark's parents were presented with the Silver Star for his "valiant effort to rescue a fallen comrade".... and his "steadfast courage in the face of the enemy...", during his final battle on 29 September 2010.
The ceremony took place at Hurlburt Field, FL and many of Mark's teammates and other military supporters were in attendance, along with most of Mark's family. It was a quick, somber, powerful, and positive ceremony. We thank all those who planned and supported, including Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, who is the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL. We were touched by all the support.
The ceremony took place at Hurlburt Field, FL and many of Mark's teammates and other military supporters were in attendance, along with most of Mark's family. It was a quick, somber, powerful, and positive ceremony. We thank all those who planned and supported, including Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, who is the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL. We were touched by all the support.
Click the link below to read the full citation describing what Mark did to earn the nations third-highest combat military decoration. This final battle took place on his 78th combat mission of that deployment.
Click the links below to see additional coverage of the ceremony:
Fox 10 News
ABC 3 News
Air Force News
Shadowspear Special Operations
Stars and Stripes
This flag was flown over Afghanistan on the one-year anniversary of Mark's death on 29 September 2011. It was presented to the family after the Silver Star ceremony.
Fox 10 News
ABC 3 News
Air Force News
Shadowspear Special Operations
Stars and Stripes
This flag was flown over Afghanistan on the one-year anniversary of Mark's death on 29 September 2011. It was presented to the family after the Silver Star ceremony.
Mark's siblings in front of the painting at the STTS gym at Hurlburt Field. It was painted by Airman Josh Chambers. The plaque at the bottom of the painting says:" Faith Driven - Never Ending". You can read more about it here.
The statement painted over the doors reads: "Through these doors lie freedom. How much will you sacrifice to ensure it remains?"
The statement painted over the doors reads: "Through these doors lie freedom. How much will you sacrifice to ensure it remains?"
Former CCT Gregg Fox presented mom and dad with this plaque that includes Mark's HALO certification-- his unique Military Freefall Parachutist ID # that identifies him in the archives of the USA Special Warfare records as a HALO jumper. Gregg said, "Your Brother not only endeavored, but successfully completed and acceled at what most people would not even dare to do. Since I was the ranking Air Force instructor at the USA JFKSWCS MFF School when Mark came through as a student, I felt it my duty to get this to your family."
Thank you Gregg. We are forever grateful for this detailed plaque.
Thank you Gregg. We are forever grateful for this detailed plaque.
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Results of Price of Freedom Race and 31-mile Memorial Birthday Walk
The Price of Freedom Race and 31-mile Memorial Birthday Walk were once again great events to honor Mark, and to raise money for The Mark Forester Foundation. They both took place on May 19, 2012 in Haleyville, AL. For the race, you will see pictures of all ages since there was a 10k, 5k, and 1 mile fun run. We really appreciate everyone who participated in both events, as well as those who volunteered and our sponsors. We also appreciate the City of Haleyville, Police Dept, Fire Dept, and Tuscaloosa Track Club. And, we thank race director Lauren Tinker for her hard work on the race.
We had local racers attend as well as from several other states, both civilians and military.
Below, racers pause for the singing of the National Anthem.
We had local racers attend as well as from several other states, both civilians and military.
Below, racers pause for the singing of the National Anthem.
Race photos courtesy of Jessica Burleson Photography, Jessica Riddle Photography and eLah Photography.
Below picture taken at 6:00 am just before the walk began. We started with 70 people and finished with about 64. It took us 11.5 hours, including 4 stops for rest, food, drink, and to doctor feet. We couldn't have made it so comfortably without the assistance of the Haleyville Police Dept, and all those who drove behind, let us stop at their homes, and loaded/unloaded chairs at each stop.
We had walkers attend from several states--as far away at Washington and Vermont, both civilian and military.
We had walkers attend from several states--as far away at Washington and Vermont, both civilian and military.
Arriving at first stop.
Trucking down Hwy 195.
Resting at stop 4.
And thanks to Chick-fil-A for providing gift cards and novelties. We are huge supporters of Chick-fil-A and they support our communities and proudly support our military.
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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."
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.
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.
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.
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