In a small close-knit town in northern Virginia, family, friends, coaches and teachers, line the streets to say ‘Thank you’ to a young community member who lost his life on October 3rd in a Taliban attack on a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan.
Stephan Mace, 21, of Purcellville, Virginia, was in involved in the deadliest battle for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since July 2008. Mace, along with seven others, battled Taliban insurgents for a total of 12 hours, with the most vicious fighting lasting seven of those twelve. All eight soldiers involved were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, and 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Just three days after the deadly battle, Vanessa Mace attended the Dignified Transfer of her 21 year old son to be with him on the last leg of his trip home from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. “I brought him into this world, and he was my baby,” she said. “I thought it was my responsibility as a mother to bring him home.” She sat beside her son’s flag-draped coffin to be with Stephan as they made their journey back to Purcellville, Virginia.
Mace was first deployed in May to Afghanistan, fulfilling his childhood dream of joining the Army. His service to our country would not stop there. He had aspirations of continuing his career by joining the Department of Homeland Security or the CIA. Sadly, these dreams were dissolved upon his burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
Section 60 of Arlington Cemetery holds those who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Alongside a military escort, Stephan’s mother met the procession as pallbearers gently placed the casket graveside. Condolences were delivered by high-ranking officials along with friends and family who gathered in remembrance of Spc. Mace.
The ceremony continued as flags were prepared and presented by U.S. Army Brig. Gen Reuben Jones, to his mother Vanessa, father Larry Mace and his grandparents, John and Mary Kay Petro. Stephan’s three brothers, Matthew, Bradley and Christopher stood by their parents as the seven-member firing party launched three volleys. Following a bugler’s “Taps”, a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace.”
Mace’s hometown friends, classmates and teammates mourn his loss, speaking of him as a ‘courageous’ and ‘determined’ young man. Childhood friend and football buddy, Sam Chapman comments, “If more people in this country had the passion and the determination and the courage that Stephan had, it would without a doubt be a better place. He was just a great guy."
Among the 6 medals awarded to him by the Army, including a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, his most precious was the one his mother had given him when he was just fifteen: the medal of St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers.
These brave individuals that sacrifice their life for our country are among the most respected. Although at first glance, serving our country is extremely heroic and courageous, there is a history of tragedy and long line of casualties as a result. Whether it is in warfare or experienced after your service has commenced, our country’s soldiers are at constant risk.
Yes, warfare is the evident killer of thousands of U.S. soldiers, but there is also the danger of a hidden cause of death. Asbestos contact is one of the leading hazards service members come into contact with while serving our country. This dangerous material was used in every branch of the Armed Forces as insulation, brake and pipe lining, as well as an ingredient in cement, to name a few.
An extremely aggressive form of cancer called mesothelioma is particularly caused by the inhalation of asbestos material. Veterans make up the largest group of individuals who are diagnosed with this form of cancer, mainly due to their high exposure levels while serving the country.
The dangerous, unknowing environment of warfare can be detrimental to not only a person’s health but their life. Losing your life in battle is truly devastating to a soldier’s family, friends and community.
Adelson, a friend of Mace’s who survived the attack was able to give closure to the Mace family. In the last moments of Stephan’s life he reached for the St. Christopher medal his mother had given him and passed it on to his fellow soldiers. "I'm glad Stephan didn't die right away because he was allowed to give that one gift to his unit and give them the St. Christopher and that he also was able to feel God come to him and take him away," Stephan’s mother says, comforted by this detail.
