My walk this morning was dedicated in honor of:
Army Sgt. Aaron K. Kramer, Age 22 of Salt Lake City, Utah
He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky
Aaron died Sept. 16, 2010 of wounds suffered when their unit was hit with small arms fire in Kandahar, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Aaron attended Skyline High School from 2003 to 2006. Always sporting an army t-shirt, Aaron had no reservations on making his intention of serving clear to his class- mates. During high school Aaron and his brother attended the JROTC program at Taylorsville High under the instruction of LTC Horton (Ret.) and 1SGT Heinkel (Ret.). For those years Aaron excelled as a student and a leader. Participating in numerous JROTC teams, he helped Taylorsville make a mark in competitions and events. Before he’d even graduated from school, Aaron had already enlisted into the United States Army. He shipped out July 2006 to Fort Benning Georgia, where he attended Basic Training and Airborne School.
As a squad leader he always looked after his guys, providing everything from marriage counseling to combat training. Aaron was leading his squad when enemy forces attacked their position. In the ensuing gun battle, he was shot and wounded. It was later in a military hospital on base that Sgt. Aaron Kramer slipped away from life.
Kramer’s parents hugged his twin brother Brandon, who arrived with the body. He is a member of the 82nd Airborne Division serving in Ft. Bragg, N.C. and recently returned from a tour in Iraq. He was dressed in full uniform at the ceremony. Sohm says Brandon had been determined to accompany his brother’s body home. “He didn’t know how to go about it, but he stuck with it until he got the orders approved,” he said. Family members say Brandon is taking Aaron’s death the hardest. “They’ve never been separated,” said Sohm. “They’re twins, and they weren’t separated today either in that long journey on the airplane. Brandon was there with him, and he’s been there his whole life and will continue to be there. We felt Aaron’s presence here today.”
Sgt. Kramer was a highly decorated soldier. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge; Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab.
The walk was amazing. I want to thank everyone for helping me honor this fallen hero with your honks and waves. The walk was a 10.19 walk. Let us keep their memories alive.
