WELCOME TO WEST VIRGINIA BRIDGE RIDE: THE 65 ARE HOME.
CPL David Allen Crum II
USMC - 36 years old
On March 18 we honor and remember CPL David Allen Crum II, USMC, of Charleston WV and his mother Tammy Pridemore Crum of Hewett, WV.
CPL Crum was born February 16th 1984 and died 3/18/2020. David was a veteran of the US Marine Corp, serving for 8 years during the Iraq Campaign earning the rank of corporal. He did 3 tours in Iraq including being in Fallujah, Ramadi, and Tel Keppe among other areas.
He was decorated with Marine Corps Good Conduct (twice) Award, Combat Action Ribbon (Iraq), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/2 Bronze Service Stars), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3rd Award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (Iraq), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation (x2), Certificate of Commendation, and Rifle Qualification Badge (sharpshooter).
His family said that David "never came home’ from Iraq.
Let us remember CPL Crum and his family, and as always…
Say Is Name
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#goldstarfamilies
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Make the Connection
Run for the Fallen
Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA
Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good
Pvt. Michael J. Slater
US ARMY - 19 years old
April 21 marks the anniversary of the passing of Pvt. Michael J. Slater, US Army, 19. We honor and remember him and his mother Patricia Pauley Slater both of Scott Depot, WV.
He was assigned to the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died April 21 2007 in Taji, Iraq, about 12 miles north of Baghdad, of wounds sustained when his vehicle rolled over during combat operations.
Pvt Slater, a 2005 graduate of Winfield (W.Va.) High School, was a heavy vehicle driver who joined the Army in July. His dream was to join the Army, according to Winfield High Principal Bill Hughes.
For the 19-year-old Slater, joining the military was something he had always wanted to do. "He talked to me right before he went to the service. I asked him why. He said, ‘I've just always wanted to go, Poppa,' " recalled Edward Withrow, Michael's biological grandfather.
Michael was a boy who loved to make people laugh. Even in his death, he could fill the room with laughter. Even in serious times, he could find something to make people smile.
Family and friends of Michael remember him not only as a mischievous boy, but one who was also devoted to God. Michael was a member of the Scary Creek Church of God. Michael was remembered as an ornery boy who everybody loved. "When I watched that little boy grow up, if I had to pick one way to describe him, it would be Dennis the Menace," his Pastor Keith Hudson said. "He was one of those people, you couldn't help but love him. Even when you were most aggravated, you loved him." "The last picture I have of Michael is him bowed down at the altar and asked the Lord to be his savior. A month before his death he sent an e-mail. It said, ‘It's 8 o'clock. The work's done, but I'm going to chapel,' " Hudson said.
Pfc. Michael James Slater had a funeral with full military honors and was buried in a silver casket right beside his mother's plot, just as he had chosen.
Slater’s father Chuck is Winfield’s softball coach.
While he was in the Army, Michael received the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge and the Weapons Qualification Badge.
Posthumously, he received the Bronze Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
Pvt Slater leaves behind many siblings and nieces and nephews and missed by all.
Let us always remember Pvt Michael Slater, his family, and…
Say His Name.
