TIPTON, Iowa ---- Two fallen Soldiers from Tipton, Iowa, were remembered during a Heroes Monument Dedication Ceremony here June 7. Spc. David Berhle and Spc. Aaron Sissel were killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and monuments to the Soldiers were unveiled in front of Tipton Middle School. The ceremony was sponsored by the Cedar County Heroes Memorial Committee.
The Soldiers' lives and accomplishments were recalled during the event, which included a speech by First Army Chief of Staff, Col. Dale Kuehl, Berhle's battalion commander in Iraq.
"I had the honor and privilege of commanding and serving with over 900 extraordinary American men and women, the Soldiers of the First Battalion, 5th Cavalry," Kuehl said. "David Behrle was one of the Soldiers, serving as an infantryman in First Platoon, Alpha Company. "I must admit, that it is quite humbling to come back and address the family and friends of one of the Soldiers we lost during our deployment. But I greatly appreciate this opportunity."
Kuehl described what it was like when Behlre and the rest of the battalion were trying to bring stability to the area.
"David and his fellow Soldiers in First Platoon served in a neighborhood called Ameriyah. Al Qaeda in Iraq was terrorizing the local citizens and controlled the neighborhood," he said. "It was not uncommon for children on their way to school to pass corpses in the streets."
Berhle was helping to provide security for those building an outpost in Ameriyah when an Improvised Explosive Device hit the Bradley he was in. Six Soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter were killed.
Kuehl talked about the legacy that Berhle left. "David was a football player, wrestler, and class president. I have read articles, blogs and posts about David and the picture painted is that of a young man of character," he said. "The values that shaped David influenced his decision to join the Army, to become part of something much bigger than himself. Not only did he volunteer, but he volunteered during a time of war."
Kuehl related a time when Berhle's quick thinking and attention to detail saved a life.
"A group of Iraqis were charging his Bradley and David laid his sights on the lead figure, but he checked his fire for he sensed something was wrong," Kuehl recalled. "Instead of a weapon, the man carried a small girl covered in blood. She had been shot in the side of the face and the bullet was buried in her neck. The platoon rushed her back to the hospital on base."
Remembering Sissel was retired Lt. Col. Rich Apel, who served with him in Iraq, when both Soldiers were attached to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. But he had first known Sissel when he served as his batboy on a youth baseball team, and later as his teacher, and football and baseball coach.
Apel described Sissel as "full of life and fun loving. He loved to be around the people he served with, a very positive person. One of those people you always like being around."
Apel talked about the importance of remembering the fallen and supporting their families.
"I've been to hundreds of ceremonies, where people go to show their support, but they can't fully grasp the pain that the families go through," he said. "I let the families know how special their child was and that they're not forgotten. I try to help them understand that people truly care and share their loss and that they're not alone."
Marc Weaver, a Marine Vietnam War veteran and chairman of the Cedar County Heroes Memorial Committee, also addressed the importance of paying tribute to the fallen.
"Their sacrifice needs to be remembered and honored," he said. "It was a good turnout, I thought it went over real well. It was a moving for everyone in the audience."
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