Roy Brooks Mason II

Fairfield, California

May 22, 2009

 Served 2 tours in Iraq.  PTSD

Dedication planned for soldier memorial
MISTY MAYNARD Posted: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 11:00 pm
MAY'S LICK -- U.S. Army Spc. Roy Brooks Mason II was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors in June 2009.
While his family were a part of a beautiful ceremony, and his grave could be in no better place, his grandmother, Betty Mason wanted a local marker, something that would stand as a memorial to him that she could visit.
Initially, she thought she might get a plaque for Roy Mason, a two-time Iraq war veteran who died at the age of 28 after returning from overseas. She contacted the local VFW post to determine how to go about getting a plaque and spoke to Post Commander Eddie Brierly.
Brierly said he was not sure if the VFW could get a local marker and contacted state and national VFW members as well as the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C. Having no luck, Brierly brought up the topic in a local VFW meeting and the local membership immediately latched on to the idea.
"It's just what we do," Brierly said. "We try and help out any veteran ... and the family members of veterans."
Instead of a plaque, the VFW purchased a stone to be placed in the May's Lick Cemetery.
"I couldn't be more pleased with it," Betty Mason said.
Roy Mason joined the Army shortly after graduating high school, Betty Mason said. He was following in a family tradition by joining the service. His grandfather had served in the Navy, while his father served in the Marines. Roy Mason opted for the Army and Betty Mason said family used to tease her youngest son, telling him they were going to ship him off to the Air Force, just to have it represented as well.
Betty Mason didn't see Roy Mason often as he was growing up. He lived in California, but they kept in close contact via the phone. She attended his graduation from training at Fort Benning, Ga.
Betty Mason said her grandson did not talk much about his service in Iraq, although she noted that when he returned to the U.S. after his second tour, it seemed to have affected him more.
"It just took everything out of him," she said.
Roy Mason served well, his grandmother said, earning several awards. Among those were the Army Good Conduct, National Defense Service medal, Iraq Campaign medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, Combat Infantryman's badge, Army Service ribbon and Overseas Service ribbon.
Roy Mason died May 22, in Santa Cruz, Calif.
A dedication is planned for the memorial marker for 2 p.m., June 25 at the cemetery.
Brierly said he has invited several local and state officials and there will be representatives from several area veteran organizations at the dedication. Some members of the VFW wanted to make Roy Mason an honorary member of the VFW, however there is nothing in the by-laws for it. However, several people offered to purchase a brick in honor of Roy Mason for the VFW's brick project. Bricks are purchased to be placed around the memorial in front of the VFW.
A dinner will follow the dedication at the May's Lick Community Center at the May's Lick Volunteer Fire Department.
Betty Mason said she really wanted a service that would honor her grandson's service to the military.
"I just want him to be remembered as the good soldier he was," she said.

Roy Brooks “Brookie” Mason II
By memorials
July 6, 1980 — May 22, 2009
SPC Roy Brooks Mason II, 28, died May 22, 2009 in Santa Cruz.
SPC Mason was a member of the U.S. Army 1/9 Infantry. He served two tours of duty in Iraq and was a member of the former 4th Brigade Combat Team. He was stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. SPC Mason was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
He was born July 6, 1980, the son of Roy Brooks Mason I of Nebraska and Debbie Mason of Fairfield. In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife, Michelle Mason; brothers, Nick, John-John, Adam, David, and Cole; grandmother, Betty Mason; aunts and uncles, David Mason, Tammie and Keith Braga, Michelle and Danny Current, Cindy Love, Debi Richter, Shirley, Barbara, Joanne, Mary, Filamina, Robert, Ricky and Tommy; nieces, Claire, Lacey, and Jaqueline; cousins, Tommy, Jacob, Clayton, Desirae, Dallas, Star, and Holly; and second cousins, Destiny and Alicia; mother-in-law, Linda White; sisters-in-law, Kimberly and Elizabeth; and Jay Johnson, a true friend who has always been more like a brother to him.
Better known to his family and friends as “Brookie”, he enjoyed spending time with his family, loved fishing, was an avid video gamer and loved his cat “Smokey”.
We will celebrate your life and mourn your sudden death.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made in “Brookie’s” memory to the Disabled American Veteran’s, 549 Merchant St., Vacaville, CA 95688.
Chaplain Keith Knauf will officiate a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Veteran’s Building, 549 Merchant St., Vacaville. Interment with military honors was held in Arlington National Cemetery on June 16, 2009. Online guest book at www.mccunechapel.com.

Missing Fort Carson Soldier Found Dead
Fort Carson officials tell 11 News a 28-year-old soldier who has been missing since Tuesday has been found dead in California.

Brandy Gill, a Fort Carson spokesperson says PFC Roy Mason II was found dead this afternoon in Santa Cruz, California by the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Gill said she could not release any other details because the death is still under investigation.

A California newspaper is reporting that Mason's death was a suicide. Fort Carson officials would not confirm.

PFC Roy Mason II, was assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit, and was listed as AWOL Tuesday when he did not report to the morning's accountability formation.

According to Army officials he rented a car from Enterprise.

Mason has been in Warrior Transition Unit since April 1, 2009. WTU is a unit for mentally and or physically wounded soldiers. Fort Carson officials tell 11 News, WTU is for wounded warriors that were either injured while in combat or are unable to perform normal soldier activities, which keeps them from deploying.

Before being re-assigned to WTU, Mason was assigned to 1-12 Infantry, 4BCT, 4ID, which is deploying right now to Afghanistan.

"We are very sad about this tragic loss of life and our hearts go out to PFC Mason's family," said Gill.