|
David J Todd Jr |
||||||||
|
San Antonio, Texas |
||||||||
|
August 20, 2008 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Killed in Bala Morghab, Afghanistan, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
| In Memory of our Son, SFC David James Todd, Jr., May 26, 1972 - August 20, 2008 Our son was a soldier that every man wants to be, a father that every man hopes to be, and a friend who was admired and respected by all those who knew him, a true and honest human being that was always there for you. He's the definition of a true hero, never giving up until the mission was done, and never ever leaving a fellow soldier behind. That was proven in a fierce battle in Bala Morghab, Afghanistan August 20, 2008, where he helped save 12 soldiers. He firmly believed this motto: “no man left behind": A soldier that was saved that day, writes "On 20 August 2008 American Soldiers were involved in a nine hour battle in which a twelve man patrol became beleaguered and in dire need of extraction from overwhelming Taliban forces. Sergeant First Class David J. Todd, organized a quick reaction force of American soldiers and came to the aid of his men. SFC Todd served as a gunner during the fight, and recovered his brothers through a barrage of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenade impacts. He was killed during the extraction of the patrol from the city of Joy-I-Khawaja just 3 kilometers south of Bala Morghab.. After the battle of 20 August 2008, the American flag grommets were severed from its halyards’ never to be flown again and it was to be used to drape the body of our friend Sergeant First Class David J. Todd. However, this flag was remounted upon the pole to mark the base during a Taliban counter-attack upon the patrols return. It is because of David’s sacrifice that the 12 men of the patrol survived. We will never forget David – our brother. He was a leader of men. David was committed to his men and moreover he loved his family and country. Often we would see him awake at sunrise talking to his love ones. He and the other fathers shared stories of their children and old memories of each of their childhood. One of our favorite memories of David is when his team stationed in Delaram, Afghanistan was preparing dinner. A young soldier attempted to grill steaks for the team, only to completely burn the first rack of steaks. David, pushed him aside and began to prepare the steaks, taunting him for his age and inexperience at the grill. It is a simple memory, but to his team, so was David. He was a proud son, loving husband, father and friend. His leadership qualities are a continuing yardstick for other’s to strive for. Our son was a fair leader, always pushing the guys just a little bit more than they thought they could handle, and he knew their potential. What a go getter, never did anyone think to say they were done or couldn't go on, in SFC Todd's platoon that just wouldn't fly. His troops will never forget his love for that darn cup of coffee! Even in the miserably hot, humid temperatures of Fort Polk, Iraq or Afghanistan you would never see him without a cup of java in his hand! (or on his desk) When K TRP was deployed to Iraq the request from ouor son was "send more coffee!" That I did, coffee, bar b cue sauce, and beef jerky, were his favorites! One of his friends stated: “He's a wonderful man and will be missed terribly. To Dave's fellow soldiers: make SFC Todd proud. Go a little above and beyond, take charge; show a fellow soldier the "way" just as he did for you, give 110% every day, you know he wouldn't accept any less from you! Never forget the sacrifices he and other hero’s like him have made for us, we should forever be thankful to them and their families. Thanks Dave for all the memories, laughs, and good times. Rest in peace my friend; your job here is done. Scouts out! Our son’s passing is extremely painful; he was the older of two children. He and his sister, Stephanie were very close, even though the miles separated them, their love for each other followed them throughout their lives. People have said “time heals all wounds”. I have a different outlook on something like this; I see that our lives have changed and it will be like this forever. Holidays, birthdays, special occasion’s etc., are so painful it is indescribable. "No greater love is that of a soldier to lay down his life for his fellow man". ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A Tribute to our son, who gave the ultimate sacrafice, on August 20, 2008, follows. Thank you and God Bless Mary & David Todd, Sr. and family |
||||||||
Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away
Copyright 2003-2024 Q Madp