Joseph M. Cerfus
 |
| Age: |
|
25 |
| Hometown: |
Marysville, WA |
| Date of Death: |
5/5/2008 |
| Incident Location: |
Alberta Canada |
| Branch of Military: |
|
Army |
| Rank: |
Spc. |
| Unit: |
A Co., 5-159 Aviation Regiment |
| Unit's Base: |
Fort Lewis, WA.
|
|
Ever since Joseph M. Cerfus was a little boy, he wanted to serve his country. At 17, Joseph joined the Navy and completed two tours in Iraq. Then he joined the army Reserve and in 2007 became a custody officer for the Snohomish County Department of Corrections.
Joseph was killed in a heavy equipment exercise while participating as a Reserve in military training in Alberta, Canada.
Joseph had a big heart, cared about his friends. He was just an overall “good kid”. Michael Cerfus, father of Joseph, said ”I’m just really proud of my son”.
Cerfus was one of about 200 soldiers in A Company, 5-159 Aviation Regiment, based at Gray Army Airfield, Fort Lewis. With so many soldiers facing combat in Iraq, deaths closer to home are more surprising. It brings home how dangerous the job is for these guys and gals.
"Joey" or "Joe Joe" was sometimes a goofy guy who loved to be outdoors, shoot target practice and go off-roading in four-wheel drive pick-up trucks, said his friend Balta Rojas. I couldn’t ask for a better friend in my life, he will be truly missed.
Joe came back from Iraq without a scratch. His love of service drove him to re-enlist with the reserves. “He loved the fact that he was able to keep us Americans free and he loved to fight for our rights”.
02/03/2010"Our Guardian Angle"
We miss u