Theodore B Rushing

Longwood, Florida

November 11, 2011

 Killed in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Fort Drum honors three fallen Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team
By Mr Paul Steven Ghiringhelli (Drum) - February 2, 2012

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Families, friends and fellow comrades of three fallen Soldiers attended a Mountain Remembrance ceremony Thursday at the Main Post Chapel to honor the memories of their warriors recently killed in Afghanistan.

The three 3rd Brigade Combat Team Soldiers killed were Staff Sgt. Ari R. Cullers, a mechanic with 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion; and Pfc. Theodore B. Rushing and Pfc. Jackie L. Diener II, both scouts with 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment.

"We come together as a military community, as an organization, and as a large Family to remember Ari, Theodore and Jackie," said Col. Dennis Sullivan, 2nd Brigade Combat Team commander. "They paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives in the service to our nation.

"It takes a courageous and patriotic individual to volunteer to serve our nation in our armed forces -- particularly in a time of war," he added. "These young men were clearly both courageous and patriotic."

After the invocation, three Soldiers took turns paying tribute to each of their comrades.

"Staff Sgt. Cullers was the kind of person … if you put your life in his hands, he would take care of you," said Sgt. Shammel Williams, 3rd BSTB. "(He) was very passionate about the Army and the lives entrusted to him.

"I can honestly say that I've never met anyone like Staff Sgt. Cullers," Williams said.

Spc. Sean Niemi, 3-71 Cavalry, called Rushing a dedicated and motivated young Soldier who, from the moment he was assigned to the unit last year, was eager to put his training to use.

"In his short time with 3-71 Cavalry (Regiment), Pfc. Rushing left an indelible impression on all of us who had the privilege of getting to know him," Niemi recalled. "His sense of duty was rock solid. His pride and determination were second to none."

Staff Sgt. Douglas Graham, 3-71 Cavalry, paid the last tribute in honor of Diener.

Graham said the young private arrived in July and grew excited when he was told he would deploy to Afghanistan in September.

"My time spent with Pfc. Diener was brief," Graham said. "I had the privilege of serving with him and getting to know him for only two short months.

"I'd like to express my deepest sympathy and gratitude to the Diener Family," he said. "Thank you for sharing him with us and know that Pfc. Jackie Diener will be missed dearly."

After recognizing Gold Star Families in attendance, some of whom had traveled long distances to honor and remember their fallen warrior, the ceremony's keynote speaker praised the noble service of the three Soldiers.

"Some can only serve themselves," Sullivan said. "Some serve their family. And others -- men and women like Staff Sgt. Cullers, Pfc. Rushing and Pfc. Diener -- serve the nation selflessly."

Sullivan pointed out that Soldiers who decide to serve don't get to choose where, when or why they go.

He said wearing the "U.S. Army" tape over their hearts means they are actively willing to pay any price for the country they love.

"Our Army is built to fight and win our nation's wars," he said. "We go where we are told, for we have chosen to serve. Our fallen brothers chose to serve and they paid the ultimate sacrifice -- a sacrifice that all who serve must be prepared to pay."

The colonel noted that while Cullers had been in the Army for seven years and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan with the Spartans, Rushing and Diener were fresh out of training. He said they joined the Army last March, arrived at Fort Drum in July, and deployed by September.

In the end, the Spartan Brigade was extremely fortunate to have had the three men in their ranks, Sullivan said.

"I can guarantee you that their units in Afghanistan have mourned their loss and are using their service as an inspiration," he said. "Their units are stronger today, and their fallen brothers have inspired them to fight all the harder, be all the sharper, and all the more committed to their cause.

"For these professional warriors overseas, they now have three more personal reasons to ensure they succeed."

Sullivan concluded his remarks by telling audience members that the Army community both mourns and celebrates the lives of Cullers, Rushing and Diener.

"We will not forget them," he said. "They have now taken their place joining those ranks, taking their posts, guarding our gates, inspiring future generations, and reminding us what we all know, but perhaps do not think often enough about, that freedom is not free, and its fee is paid in blood and tears and with scars that may not be seen, but run deep and do not fade with time."

The ceremony ended with the playing of taps, a moment of silence and the benediction.