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Purple Heart Ceremony

Five soldiers with Alpha Company 891st Engineer Combat Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard were awarded the Purple Heart during a ceremony held May 19, 2005 in Iraq. Sergeant First Class Michael A. Lopez, Specialist Thomas M. French, Specialist Ronald W. McDaniel, Specialist Timothy C. Geier and Specialist Ricky L. Beerbower were presented medals by Brigadier General Jimmy Welch, Commander 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard; Lieutenant Colonel Lee Tafanelli, Commander of the 891st Engineer Combat Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard and Captain Shannon Nicklaus, Commander of Alpha Company 891st Engineer Combat Battalion.

SPC Timothy Geier was injured on April 10, 2005 when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated next to his vehicle. He was driving a vehicle designed to detect mines and IEDs for a route clearance mission when the IED was detonated. He is assigned as a communications specialist with Alpha Company 891st. SPC Geier's parents are Kerry and Betty Geier of Girard, KS. He is a 2003 graduate of Girard High School.

SFC Michael A. Lopez and SPC Ronald W. McDaniel were injured April 18, 2005 when an IED detonated in a culvert their platoon was inspecting. SFC Lopez was the combat engineer platoon sergeant for that reconnaissance mission. While recovering from his wounds, he is working in the Company operations command post. His wife, Dawn, and daughters Alicia and Brittany live in Pittsburg, KS. His parents, John and Ann Lopez also reside in Pittsburg. He is a 1984 graduate of Pittsburg High School. SPC McDaniel's is a combat engineer and a member of SFC Lopez's platoon. His parents are Donald and Barbara McDaniel of Fort Scott, KS. He is a 1996 Graduate of Fort Scott High School.

SPC Thomas M. French and SPC Ricky L. Beerbower were injured May 1, 2005 when their HUMVEE was attacked by a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device killing SPC Derrick Lutters and seriously injuring SSG Rufus Hicks. SSG Hicks will be awarded the Purple Heart at a later ceremony. SPC French is a combat engineer with Alpha Company. His wife, Kristie, and parents Mac French and Wynema Velia live in Pittsburg, KS. He is a 1997 graduate of Northeast High School. SPC Beerbower is an equipment operator with Alpha Company. His mother Sheral Vest lives in Fairplay, MO. He is a 1988 graduate of Uniontown High School.

After awarding the soldiers their medals, Brigadier General Welch commented; "I've said many times the best part of my job is to award soldiers and promote soldiers. The Purple Hearts awarded here today are deserving but not the type of medals I look forward to presenting. The best thing about the five Purple Hearts I've presented is the five soldiers are here with us today and I'm thankful for that."

The Purple Heart is an American decoration, the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first American award made available to the common soldier. It was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by one of the nation's most famed heroes, General George Washington, at Newburgh, New York on 7 August 1782, during the Revolutionary War. Lieutenant Colonel Tafanelli said "this award serves as evidence the price of freedom and the sacrifice made by those who defend our Nation".

Alpha Company is a subordinate of the 891st Engineer Combat Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard, Iola, Kansas, which deployed to Iraq under the 194th Engineer Brigade (TA), Tennessee Army National Guard, Jackson, Tennessee in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06. Brigadier General Jimmy Welch (Dyersburg) is Commander of the 194th.

(L-R) Brigadier General Jimmy Welch, Sergeant First Class Michael Lopez, Command Sergeant Major Ronald Jones, 194th, Specialist Ricky Beerbower, Specialist Thomas French, Specialist Timothy Geier, Command Sergeant Major John Ryan 891st, Specialist Ronald McDaniel and Lieutenant Colonel Lee E. Tafanelli.

Story and photos by 2LT Sean T. Linn, S-5/PAO,
891st Engineer Battalion (C)(W)
Kansas Army National Guard
Tallil, AB, Iraq