The Fallen Rise Again: Tribute to SPC Henry C. Risner

A Soldier NOT to be Forgotten

SPC. Henry C. Risner, U.S. Army

Preface: One’s emotional reaction to the death of American soldiers should NOT be hidden from the public, and neither should it be connected to what one thinks of war or politics. There is only one concern: paying proper respect to the dead. For this reason I have been pleased with the recent change in Pentagon policy allowing media coverage (when granted family permission) of the arrival on American soil of the flag-draped caskets of fallen soldiers. (To get a sense of the impact of this change, see the Washington Monthly).

The deaths of these soldiers represent the price of our freedom, which we should never take for granted. Americans need to be aware of that cost, even if that awareness is associated with some psychological discomfort or pain.

In honor of ALL fallen soldiers I have chosen one representative soldier to whom to pay tribute: Henry C. Risner. In many ways he was the prototypic American soldier, a symbol of the supreme sacrifice.

*****SPC. Henry C. Risner*****

Risner was 26, a Latter-day Saint, and from Golden, Colorado. He was part of the ARMY’s 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based at Fort Drum, N.Y. By August, 2004 his unit had been serving in Iraq only a few months. On August 18th, Risner was struck by small arms fire directed at his Baghdad checkpoint. At the time of his death he was handing out candy to Iraqi children in the street. (Some Army reports indicate that bread was being handed out, but sources closest to the scene indicate that it was candy).

The conditions in Iraq were especially dangerous during the summer of 2004. During that July, fifty-three soldiers had died in Iraq. Sixty-eight American soldiers died in the month of August. On that fateful day of August 18th when Riser died, four other American soldiers died from injuries sustained in Iraq. Further, Risner may have been aware that a soldier from his unit had died on August 17th (Spc. Brandon T. Titus from Boise, Idaho), one day before his own death.

Part of the heroism of American soldiers is their ability to face each day anew, even when colleagues, fellow soldiers, have fallen before them.

*****

On August 26, 2004 soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment gathered in a chapel at Camp Victory North to pay their last respects. In the memorial ceremony the first sergeant from Risner’s unit performed a roll call. Risner’s name was called last, and of course, he did not answer. The ceremony ended with a 21-gun salute and taps.

Capt. Chuck Slagle III, B Company, 2-14 Infantry commander characterized Risner as “a quiet professional,” who “never complained when assigned to any task.” (Quoted from The Mountaineer; see previous link).

Sgt. Dennis Dominski said of Risner, “When it came to being an infantryman, he was on it. It was an honor to serve with such a fine Soldier.” (Quoted from The Mountaineer; see previous link).

*****

When Risner's brother, Jesse, heard about how Henry had been distributing candy to the Iraqi children, he said, "He loved children, and he would do everything he could to help people who were less fortunate than himself."

It is my privilege to have one of Henry Risner's sisters as my daughter-in-law. Was Risner's generosity connected to his religious background? Having gotten to know multiple members of his family I would give a definite "yes" answer.

*****

Gravesite of Spc. Henry C. Risner at Fort Logan
National Cemetery. Click to enlarge.

Shown above is a recent picture of the gravesite of Henry C. Risner taken by my oldest son who is also in the Army. The grave can be found at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

The gravestone reads:

HENRY C RISNER
SPC
US ARMY
PERSIAN GULF
IRAQI FREEDOM
SEP 17 1977
AUG 18 2004
BSM & PH
LOVE EMMY

Please note: The Christian cross, such as is found on Risner's gravestone, is proudly displayed on the graves of many LDS soldiers. Other LDS graves display an emblem of the Angel Moroni (e.g., see the grave marker shown in my essay "The Little Miracles that Change Lives").

The "BSM & PH" toward the bottom of the headstone indicates that Risner received the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and the Purple Heart (PH). The inscription "Love Emmy" is from his wife Emily.

There is more to this sad story. When Henry deployed to Iraq, Emily was newly pregnant, having a January 2005 due date. Note that Henry died about one month shy of his 27th birthday. Near his posthumous birthday, a baby daughter, Katelynn, was born prematurely. She lived one day.

Arrangements were made to bury father and daughter beside each other. Consequently, the back of the headstone reads:

KATELYNN
DAUGHTER
SEP 14 2004


The gravesite of Katelynn Risner who lived one day
and was buried next to her father. Click to enlarge.

The Risner gravestone reminds us in subtle ways that no human being is complete without others. This father and daughter literally have each other's back.

*****

Words do NOT console. Really, only God can console. People can only hope to assist the process. I pray that this essay may make a tiny contribution toward the healing process.

Study of Henry C. Risner's life suggests to me that there is some ultimate meaning, even if death has its undeniable tragedy.

How can we make sense of such challenges? To me, I try to remind myself of the "three R's" of the atonement. They are redemption, resurrection, and relief. I know of no scriptural verses that explain these three processes better than the following:

Alma 7:11-12 [brackets are mine]
11 And he [the Son of God] shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people [in other words – redemption].
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people [in other words – resurrection]; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities [in other words – relief].

Jesus took upon himself ALL of our pains, spiritual and physical. In doing so, he loosened the constraints of death by giving rise to a general resurrection. If we have faith and take upon ourselves the name of Christ, then there is relief, not only in this life, but also in the next.

*****

Happy Easter!

*****

Copyright 2008 S.Faux (Email: foxgoku54 [at] gmail [d0t] c0m; URL: http://mormoninsights.blogspot.com). Readers may distribute this post for noncommercial purposes provided such distributing is of the entire post, including author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.




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