Edward W. Forrest

EDWARD WATSON FORREST, JR. was born May 29, 1983 at St. Louis County Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri to Tina (nee Warren) Hessler and Edward W. Forrest, Sr. â€œAs I look back nowâ€, reflects his mother, Tina Hessler, â€œI cherish those moments when I could hold him and keep him safe from harms wayâ€. Eddie died April 10, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, a Sergeant in the U.S. Army assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry Division in Ft. Carson, Colorado. On this day, Sergeant Forrest would lay down his life alongside four other soldiers he called â€œbrothersâ€. Tina and Edward, Sr. divorced when Eddie was very young â€“ at age 3. Throughout his childhood and adolescence, there was a strong military influence in Eddieâ€™s life and the American Flag was a prominent symbol in his home. Tina Hessler and her family were was always proud to show their patriotism any way they could. She re-married a Vietnam Veteran, Robert â€œBuzzyâ€ Ferguson, first exposing and enthralling Eddie with the idea of military service. When Eddie was 11, Tina married Richard Hessler, further reinforcing the significance of military service with his background as a Combat Engineer at Ft. Leondard Wood. In elementary school Eddie would tell Tina, â€œMom, when I grow up, Iâ€™m going to be a Top Gun Pilot and shoot down the bad guysâ€. Eddie grew-up in High Ridge, Missouri - attending Brennen Woods Elementary School in High Ridge, Missouri and Northwest High School in Cedar Hill, Missouri. He was active in the Boy Scouts and the Civil Air Patrol and he ran Cross Country and Track. Nearing the end of high school, Eddie moved to Fenton, Missouri to live at the home of his best friend, Danny Davis, and his family. He would graduate from Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, Missouri in 2003. Immediately, Eddie enlisted in the U.S. Army. Always a proud, yet naturally a protective mother â€“ Tina expressed concern and wished he might reconsider as the war in Iraq was so heavily being pursued. As always, Eddieâ€™s response and conviction were clear, â€œIf youâ€™re going to go, do it when you are needed â€“ when there is a war going onâ€. He graduated from Basic and Infantry Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Tina was so proud of her â€œlittle soldierâ€. Eddie then shipped to South Korea, briefly, before his first 18 month deployment to Iraq. From Iraq, Eddie was returned to Ft. Carson, Colorado in the United States to train National Guard Troops for their eventual deployment to Iraq. It was in Colorado that Eddie would meet the love of his life - Stephanie â€“ and be married on December 19, 2005. One year later, Eddie witnessed Stephanie Forrest give birth to their first son, Bradan L. Forrest. He continued, however, to feel guilt about training troops for combat, rather than serving alongside fellow soldiers stationed in Iraq. Eddie volunteered, received a second deployment and was sent back to Iraq. For 15 days he was allowed to return home to Stephanie and Bradan as they welcomed the newest edition to the family, Jameson B. Forrest, on March 9, 2009. One month later, their lives would change forever. On April 10, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, Sergeant Edward W. Forrest of St. Louis, Missouri, Sergeant Bryan E. Hall of Elk Grove, California, Private 2nd Class Bryce E. Gautier of Cypress, California, Staff Sergeant Gary L. Woods of Lebanon Junction, Kentucky and Corporal Jason G. Pautsch of Davenport, Iowa, all died â€“ the result of a suicide bomb attack with a truck full of explosives. Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 Awards & Decorations Service awards and decorations for Sergeant Edward Forrest, Jr. include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, The Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officerâ€™s Professional Development Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Overseas Service Bar, the Weapons Qualifications Badge, the Combat Infantrymanâ€™s Badge, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Iraq Campaign Medal with a Bronze Service Star. Proclamation Out of respect for his death and in recognition and appreciation for his bravery and service to the United States of America, by Order of the Governor of Missouri, Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, the flag of the United States and the flag of Missouri was flown at half-staff at all government buildings in the county of St. Louis, Missouri from April 14, 2009 through April 19, 2009 and then flown at half-staff at all government buildings statewide for one full day on April 20, 2009 from sunrise to sunset. Survivors Sergeant Edward W. Forrest, Jr. is survived by his wife of three (3) years, Stephanie Forrest of Fountain, Colorado, two (2) sons, Bradan Forrest and Jameson Forrest of Fountain, Colorado, his mother, Tina (husband, Richard) Hessler of High Ridge, Missouri, his father, Edward Forrest, Sr. of St. Louis, Missouri, six (6) siblings, Melissa (husband, Kent) Pliner of Florissant, Missouri, Margie (husband, John) Gilliland of Chesterfield, Missouri, Ricky Hessler of Arizona, Shawn Smith of Hillsboro, Missouri, Danny Davis of House Springs, Missouri and Larry (wife, Bethany) Davis of Fenton, Missouri, lots of nieces and nephews, including Kevin, Mikayla, Kourtney, Kamaryn and Kodi, lots of aunts and uncles, including, Gary Warren of St. Clair, Missouri, Penny Million of St. Charles, Missouri, Wendy (husband, William) Lynch of Arnold, Missouri, Carl Warren, Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri and Norman (wife, Emma) Hessler of Glen Carbon, Illinois, his grandmother, Caroline Hessler of Glen Carbon, Illinois and many other relatives and friends. Events For family, friends, and neighbors in our local community, the St. Louis area, the State of Missouri and surrounding communities to attend, there are two (2) separate Memorial Services scheduled at the following dates, times and locations. It is anticipated that the immediate family will be in attendance at both events. For more information, please see the contact numbers for each event. You may forward online condolences to www.chapelhillmortuary.com Saturday, May 23, 2009 Gathering from 1:00 p.m. until time of Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. at Big River V.F.W. Post #5331, #1 Lynn Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016. Contact Darryl White with Big River V.F.W. by phone at 636.274.5001 Sunday, May 24, 2009 Memorial Service at 12:00 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Missouri, St. Louis, MO 63125. Contact Jefferson Barracks by phone at 314.845.8320 PDF Printable Version

Edward W. Forrest

May 29, 1983 - April 10, 2009