AWARDS CEREMONY FOR WOUNDED 4-14 CAV TROOPER

March 12, 2006

In an emotional, yet dignified and formal ceremony at the home of his parents in New Bern, NC, SGT Eric Edmundson of C Troop, 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, was awarded the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, and the Order of the Golden Spurs for his service and combat actions in Iraq.
 

SGT Eric Edmundson

On October 2, 2005, as the driver of the Troop Commander’s Stryker vehicle, then Specialist Eric Edmundson was badly wounded when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) destroyed the vehicle while on an operation near the Euphrates River in Iraq.  He and a fellow trooper were immediately evacuated by helicopter to the in-country military hospital at Al Asad, and then to a larger hospital in Iraq.  Thereafter, he was med-evaced and has received treatment in the Army hospital in Germany; then Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC; and, for the past couple months, has been receiving treatment and rehabilitation at the Maguire VA Center in Richmond, VA.

Present and assisting in the ceremony were:  Captain John Hawbaker, Eric’s troop commander—himself a wounded trooper—who presented the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Action Badge; Colonel (Retired) Woollard, Captain Hawbaker’s father-in-law who organized and arranged the ceremony; and Walter Hickey and Gaither Deitz, veterans of the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment and members of the 14th Cavalry Association that live in the area.  Walter Hickey, the oldest 14th Cavalry member present, had the honor of presenting the Order of the Golden Spurs.   Captain Hawbaker spoke eloquently about Eric as a Soldier, his driver, and friend, explaining in more detail about what happened on Oct 2, 2005.  Eric’s wife Stephanie and daughter Gracie, parents Ed and Beth Edmundson, sister Anna, and many other family members and friends and neighbors proudly participated and the local TV station and newspaper covered the ceremony.
Left to Right: Walter Hickey, CPT Hawbaker, SGT Edmundson, Gaither Deitz  

 Anna, his sister, provided the following words to express their sentiments:  “Eric was extremely moved by the ceremony and the awards he received.  He was honored by the presence of his family, along with old friends and new.  It was a proud day for Eric’s family.  To see our HERO being awarded for his bravery, and the courageous battle he has been going through the last five months, touched our hearts.  After the ceremony, a quiet gentleman approached Mom and Stephanie, simply saying, ‘Please be proud.  My son did not make it back.’  This short encounter solidified our gratitude to the medical staff who ‘brought Eric back’ and offered us the opportunity that thousands of families have not had.  We intend to continue to support and advocate for our Soldier, and the other wounded service members.  As the veterans before them, they will live with their injuries long after war is over and forgotten about.  We thank everyone from the 14th Cavalry Association for visiting Eric during his time at Walter Reed.  It has to be reassuring for him to know that his fellow Cavalrymen are standing beside him.”

A Captain and his Sergeant

 Eric with his grandparents, wife Stephanie, daughter Gracie and many friends and other relatives.

For more details about Eric’s condition and the loving care and concern of his family, please view the journal at www.caringbridge.org/visit/ericedmundson.  Eric and his family have a long and difficult struggle ahead of them and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers and continue to visit and support them.  Eric’s address is 5807 Barbary Coast, New Bern, NC 28560; Tel: 910-545-1014.

 (Article Prepared by Frank Varljen)