US Army Photo by SSG Russell Lee Klika - The photo above shows soldiers of the 2nd Squadron of the 278th Regimental Combat Team taking part on Tuesday, March 22, in a memorial service for Spc. Paul W. Thomason, of Greeneville-based Troop G, in Iraq. Thomason was killed last Sunday morning when a bomb exploded beneath the military truck in which he was riding. Four other East Tennessee soldiers, including Spc. Anthony Lambert, of Mosheim, were wounded in the attack. In the foreground of the photo above, Sgt. Major Dennis Peck, left, and Lt. Col. Frank McCauley, the unit’s commander, present a final salute to Thomason before a memorial to the fallen soldier that includes a helmet atop a rifle. A pair of soldiers’ boots are partially visible in front of the memorial.

By: GRAHAM LEONARD/Special to The Greeneville Sun
Source:The Greeneville Sun
03-23-2005

Note: Graham Leonard, a 79-year old retired educator with extensive experience in the Middle East, is embedded with the 2nd Squadron of the 278th Regimental Combat Team near Kirkuk, Iraq.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE BERNSTEIN — In the time-honored manner of the old cavalry, the officers and men of the 2nd Squadron of 278th Regimental Combat Team (2/278th) marched onto the FOB Bernstein parade ground Tuesday to pay tribute to Spc. Paul William Thomason III, of Jefferson City.

The memorial ceremony honored Thomason, a father of four, who was killed Sunday by a roadside bomb blast.

The concrete apron of a former air base serves the 2/278th both as helicopter pad and parade ground. Seven helicopters and the men were lined up there facing a large picture of Thomason, his boots, and his helmet standing on the butt of his gun, stuck down in concrete blocks covered by camouflage.

At the ceremony’s end, every soldier filed past the picture and symbol to give a final slow salute to Spc. Thomason while a brass quartet, flown in from Tikrit, played hymns.

Tuesday was the windiest day the 2/278th has experienced without rain. The dry winds blew much dust and blew away anything not tied down. All sounds tended to get carried off.

The bright sun showed the low ridge of Kurdistan to the east and flat horizons in every other direction. The burn-off fires of the Kirkuk oil fields could be seen even by daylight to the north and northeast.

Unit’s Second Death

This was only the unit’s second death in four months in Iraq. Members of the 2/278th appeared to have almost begun to have believed that their caution and attention to security would be enough to keep them safe. But Spc. Thomason was riding in one of the 278th’s most heavily armored vehicles.

The memorial ceremony began with a recorded bagpipe playing "Amazing Grace." The colors, American and regimental flags, were posted. All presented arms as the national anthem was played by the brass quartet.

After the post chaplain, Capt. Clark, of Johnson City, gave a short prayer, he and three others sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Capt. Justice, also from Johnson City, read a short but very moving eulogy: "For my men and myself, I know I can say this — we all deeply cared for Spc. Thomason. We loved him as a brother. We are all very sad that he has left us, and his absence left an aching hole in our hearts." "I can say for myself that my homecoming will not be as sweet or golden as I once thought it would be. Losing a soldier is a terrible thing. Losing a brother is far worse." Following this, Capt. Justice reported several stories he had heard from men praising Thomason.

Col. Dennis Adams, of Gray, the regimental commander, gave a general appreciation of Thomason and of all soldiers serving in Iraq.

(No first names for Capts. Clark or Justice were provided. — Eds.)

"Indeed A Sad Occasion"

The 2/278th’s commander, Lt. Col. Franklin McCauley, said of Thomason, "This is indeed a sad occasion for his friends and fellow soldiers, but it is even sadder for his family back home in Tennessee. Our thoughts and prayers are for his family who must go on without him.

"I had the honor to work with Spc. Thomason due to his assignment in Headquarters and Headquarters Troop. He had a quiet and unassuming manner, a quick smile, always did his best in anything you asked of him and got along with everyone.

"It was for these reasons that he was assigned to assist in transporting our most precious cargo from FOB Speicher to FOB Bernstein. He knew how important it was to take care of our soldiers during their travels to other FOBs and for leave and he did that job well, if only for a short time.

"He joined Troop G to help fight the war on terrorism. He volunteered for what he felt was his duty as an American citizen. He has made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and for that, he will be forever a hero.

"For his sacrifice not to be in vain, we must continue to fight the good fight for what is right and honorable.

"We must continue to work as a team to help make our portion of Iraq secure from terrorists and enable the good Iraqi citizens to govern themselves.

"We will do this. We must do this. For this is our mission.

"Paul, we love you as our fellow Peacemaker.

"We will miss you, and we will always remember you. We will never forget!"

Thomason’s Qualities Recalled

Thomason’s troop commander, Capt. William Jessie, from Claiborne County, of the Headquarters Troop, spoke most intimately about the qualities of Spc. Thomason and details of his buying a house.

He said Thomason had finished moving into it only a few hours before he left East Tennessee on Father’s Day last June. Captain Jessie ended his remarks calling for a few minutes of silent tribute to Paul Thomason.

Chaplain Clark also gave a eulogy on the theme: "Freedom isn’t free!" The gist of all these tributes to Spc. Thomason concentrated on his love for all children, especially his own four children. They told of how he enjoyed handing out candy to children on his patrols.

All spoke of his quietness and dedication to duty and his willingness, even eagerness, to accept responsibility.

The regimental chaplain, Maj. Crew from Camp Caldwell, gave a closing prayer. After the final prayer, the squadron came to attention and presented arms during the playing of taps by a lone bugle.

Every Soldier Salutes

Then the entire squadron, beginning with the officers and staff, filed in front of the picture.

During the salutes, the brass quartet softly and slowly played favorite hymns such as: "Abide with Me;" "Over And Above Us Watch;" the "Old Rugged Cross;" "Fairest Lord Jesus;" "Beulah Land;" "America the Beautiful," and again, "Amazing Grace."

After all the 2/278th’s soldiers had passed by, they moved forward. When dismissed, they all shouted the 278th motto: "I Volunteer, Sir!"

Three men of the secretive and highly trained Special Forces, who work closely with the 2/278th came forward and made their individual salutes.

Perhaps most moving of all, the commander and staff of the new Iraqi Army, whom the 2/278th is training on part of FOB Bernstein base, some of the Arabic, Kurdish and Turkomen translators and a local entrepreneur, a Kurd, who had attended the memorial ceremony, came forward on their own and unrehearsed and stood before the picture and symbol of Spc. Thomason and said the "fatiha," the Muslim prayer for the dead.

On Monday, the day after the tragedy, which was the Kurdish New Year, "No Roz," the Kurdish mayor of Tuz, brought a feast to the officers and staff of the 2/278th and expressed his condolences.

His wife had made delicious "koubbeh," balls of bulgar wheat stuffed with lamb and onions.

Tuesday, before the memorial ceremony, the Turkoman commander and executive officer of the New Iraqi Army along with the concessionaire on the base, a Kurd, brought a feast of condolence to the 2/278th and their visiting officers.

The bringing of kebabs of chicken, lamb and ground meat with salads reminded these Tennesseans of their practice of bringing food to the home of the grieving.

After the troops were dismissed, the seven helicopters lifted off and flew back to their various bases with those from other bases who had come to honor Spc. Thomason.

After the memorial ceremony but before dinner, Lt. Col. McCauley telephoned the widow of Spc. Thomason to express the condolences of all the 2/278th and to describe the memorial ceremony held in his honor.

Story Copyright to The Greeneville Sun