Chris Mason a professional PRCA Cowboy left his professional sports career, and his position as a Alabama Department of Public Safety Third-Party CDL Examiner at Bishop State Community College, and enlisted in the US Army to defend our great nation, and to bring freedom to a people he never knew. Place of birth: Mobie, Alabama Place of death: FOB Summerall - Siniyah, Iraq Allegiance: United States of America Service/branch: United States Army Paratrooper Years of service: 2004-2006 Rank: Corporal Unit: 82nd Airborne 1/505th Company A Battles/wars: FOB Summerall Area of Operation / Northern Iraq Operation Iraqi Freedom III Awards: Bronze Star Purple Heart Army Accommodation Medal Army Achievement Medal-(2 Adwards) Good Conduct Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal National Defense Service Medal Chris is FOREVRER 32 years of age, single male (never been married) Professional PRCA Cowboy (1998-2006) / OTR Eighteen Wheel Truck Driver (1996-2006) / Technical College Instructor (2001-2004) / US Army Paratrooper "Airborne Grunt"(2004-2006). He owned two dogs (Jack Russell & Serbian Husky), a 2004 Chevy Silverado Pickup Truck, and a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire, he gave his soul to Jesus. Chris loved God, and reading the Gospel, and was always glad to share the "Good News" with anyone who wanted to hear it... but he also enjoyed being a Cowboy, training folks to drive those big 18 wheel trucks and issuing them a CDL, HARD physical training, good looking smart women, fast cars, Alabama Football, NASCAR, NFL, music (country and rock), fishing, hunting, and playing Black Jack. He believed in freedom, and he was willing to give his life to keep this country free from terrorism, and to protect your freedom as an American. Chris lived his life with honor, dignity, determination and courage. He truly believed "What we do in life Echoes in Eternity"... his life now echoes. "THE AMBUSH" 28 November 2006 @ 12:40 EST I would have to say we all, including Mason, had an especially strange feeling about going outside the wire that night. The reason was quite simple; we were the first ones to go back into the city after a three day raid we conducted there. We all knew there was something waiting for us, just didn't know what, or who would live to tell about it. A foot patrol was sent in ahead of us. We would be the "Extraction Team" so we sit just outside the city in the dark, on a dusty side road. Mason was the driver of the Humvee second in line. The call came in, the foot patrol had engaged the enemy, wounding one Al-Qaeda terrorist. They called for us to come in as fire support, and get them out. Two blocks from the linkup point Mason' Humvee came under attack from both sides of the road. His gunner engaged the enemy with his 50. Mason attempted to maneuver his Humvee so he and his gunner could break out of the kill zone. Then all at once without warning there was a sudden shock wave, blast of heat, and flames bluring our line of vision. We became confused, and unsure of what was taking place. As we regained our line of site we realized we had not only driven into a terrorist ambush, but Mason had been hit by an extremely powerful IED. It was all going down in front of us, and Mason' Humvee was the target. After the blast his Humvee lay upside down in the street. We attempted to get to Mason, but the fire from the explosion swallowed his Humvee, and rounds were cooking off in every direction. The enemy continued to fire at the Humvee. We fired back with our 50s until the enemy with drew. Still we were unable to save Mason. It is safe to say he died instantly from the blast of the IED. DOD list Cpl Mason as being killed by small arms fire, but we were there, and on the ground. Bottom line is "Chris was doing what needed to be done for his country". The President of the United States, "George W. Bush", authorized in a hand-written letter dated Feb 1, 2007 the following quote be placed on Chris' headstone: "We Will Not Tire, We Will Not Falter, And We Will Not Fail" "Strength and Honor" -Chris now stands proud for us as a Warrior in God's Army-