Christopher E Loudon

Brockport, Pennsylvania

October 17, 2006

 Killed in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.

2LT Christopher E. Loudon was born on 25 March 1983 in Dubois, Pennsylvania.

2LT Loudon graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Baccalaureate Degree in Environmental Health in 2005. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Army on 9 September 2005. He received his commission as an Infantry officer and was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in July 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2LT Loudon’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab. 

2LT Loudon is survived by his wife, Jacey Suzanne Loudon and daughter Isabel M. Loudon of Killeen, TX as well as his parents Randall and Susan Loudon of Brockport, Pennsylvania.

One year ago, December 23, 2005, was the happiest day of my life. I felt privileged and honored to give the hand of my beautiful daughter, Jacey, to a young man of Chris Loudon's caliber. He was bright, gifted, determined, and a true gentleman. Today, December 23, 2006, one short year later, I am the saddest man in the world. Not only has my daughter lost a loving and caring husband, but I have lost the best son-in-law a man could hope to have. Chris was like another son. In the far too brief time I knew him, we shared hopes and dreams and common goals. There was so much I wanted to learn from Chris, but our time together was much too short. Through his example he taught me, and I think he taught all who knew him, several valuable lessons. Through his example he taught us the value of life. He lived every minute to the fullest. Every moment needed to count toward achieving a goal.
Also through Chris, my faith in the so-called "younger generation" has been restored. It is imperative that each generation produce its share of warriors as required by world circumstances. Chris was a true American warrior who stepped up to do his duty regardless of the risks. 
Finally, Chris showed us that the purpose of life is not just to be happy. The purpose of life must be to matter, to be productive, to be useful and to have it make some difference that you lived at all. Chris did just that... he made a difference. The lives of all who knew him will be enriched simply because we knew him. 
Chris Loudon embodied all that is good and right with America. Chris was my son-in-law, he was my hero, and he was my friend. I thank God for men like 2nd LT Chris Loudon. May we never forget. 

I'm Christopher Loudon's grandfather. Thank you for your website which provides the rest of us with a window to see how our finest and most precious are remembered.

I witnessed a fantastic show of support for his parents. The neighbors on Chris's street had placed large yellow ribbons with a small black one in the center on each utility pole. Food flowed from the neighbors into the Loudon home to provide for the family and family members from Georgia and Texas who dropped everything to be there. Cousins were there to be pallbearers. Three school districts were involved since both of Chris's parents are educators.

The small town of Brockway, Pennsylvania lined their main street every 2 feet both sides of the street for 1/2 mile with small AMERICAN Flags and each home on the street displayed a large American Flag. It was "small town" USA showing its' patriotic stuff and respect for one of their own. Chris was not just a soldier. He was an ambassador.
Chris had contacted one of his professors at Slippery Rock University seeking help and advice for a local community in Iraq who were having a problem with their water supply.

I would like to share a tribute (see the attachment) that I wrote about Chris when I returned to my home in Georgetown, TX. Obviously I'm a biased observer but I loved the guy. He was a great grandson, a great American and a good soldier. He will be missed, but not forgotten.

Everett W Campbell 

A Tribute to Chris

Thoughts race helter-skelter through my head
And will not quit as I remember a young soldier boy,
Age four or there about.
His quest for knowledge was sated by a finger point
And a question formed and said in a childish way 
“Whasthat?” His way of saying, what is that?
The answer most always came from family members who were there.
Today as I sit in this processional car,
Glum and numbed by grief I can imagine the boy Chris saying, 
“Grandpa, Whasthat?”
My answer would surely be, “Christopher, that’s a brave young man
In that big and polished car that’s first in line.” 
“All these people standing beside us both right and left 
And 
The flags that line the street pay tribute to the soldier 
Whose decisions were based on what he believed right.” 
Slowly I turned to see if the little lad had heard.
He was gone.
The procession moved on.
Chris gone!
Love ties his memory to us all.