Remembering Sgt. 1st Class Robert E. Rooney, 43, died Sept. 25, 2003 in an accident in Kuwait. He was struck by a forklift while unloading on a pier in Shuabai Port/Spod.
An Operation Desert Storm veteran and 21-year U.S. Army National Guardsman, he is the first Massachusetts Army National Guard soldier to die in a war zone since World War II.
Robert was a longtime resident of Plymouth, MA but had moved to Nashua, NH with his wife Diane, in 2002, to be closer to family members. He had a passion for NASCAR and was following the circuit and his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon. While he was in Kuwait, a friend taped the races and sent them to him. “Jeff Gordon was his idol,” Diane recalls. “He has so much Gordon stuff in our home it’s not funny! That’s pretty much all we would buy him for Christmas”.
He was a member of the National Guard’s 379th Engineer Company, based in Bourne. His unit was mobilized in January to support Operation Enduring Freedom. The 379th Engineer Company’s primary mission is to construct and recontour secondary and main roadways.
“Sergeant Rooney was a devoted husband, father and a respected colleague. We mourn his loss. He honors his family, his unit and the National Guard with his dedication, service and sacrifice for our nation.”
Sgt. Rooney joined the National Guard in 1982 and for the past 20 years worked full-time at Camp Edwards at the Massachusetts Military Reservation at the unit training equipment site, where he was an operational maintenance shop chief.
The unit training equipment site services all Mass. National Guard units, providing and maintaining vital equipment, such as heavy trucks and self-propelled artillery for training throughout the year.
TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR….
SFC Robert E. Rooney
Senator Barnes and Rep Baldasaro on June 16, 2010 at the presentation of personalized flags to Jim and Lynn Savage by George Lutz.
Dear Families, Friends and Supporters,
Our 2013 Run has come and gone and again this year. We find that the spirit of the day has touched us in way only our hearts can speak.
We hope you share this spirit and it stays with you throughout the year. Over 700 of us came together on Sept. 15th, 2013 to celebrate the lives of our 71 Fallen Heroes. This was our biggest turnout yet.
We are ever grateful for our sponsors and donors, without their generosity the event would not be possible. We also thank our volunteers for their time and support and for our runners commitment & energy. Clearly we all share a dedication to preserving the memory of these men and women of our state’s military who lost their lives while bravely protecting our freedom. Crucially, your participation and support ensures that we continue to tell the stories of our soldiers, and for that, we and their families are forever indebted.
We are currently debriefing and already looking to make 2014 even better!
Please check back on our web for fund raising events throughout this and next year and stay in touch via Facebook. Also, merchandise is always available via the Online Shop.
Warmly,
“RFTF-NH” {Julie, Fran, Cindy, Nichole}
www.runforthefallennh.org
Our 71 Fallen Heroes
Never forget – To Remember is to Honor…
Join us for a tribute run honoring our NH fallen military Heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9/11/01. Hug a family of a Hero as they stand by their loved one’s poster.
The course is 12 miles, however, you don’t have to go the whole distance! Trolleys travel the course to pick you up at any time. Run, Rest, Rehydrate, Run some more!
The entire run is free! All we ask is for you to thank our heroes’ loved one for their tremendous sacrifice.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2013
REGISTRATION/SIGN IN OPENS AT 6:30 AM @ ODIORNE STATE PARK
There are some new and exciting changes in the NH Chapter! Bill Geary, Gold Star Uncle has been appointed the new director of Honor and Remember New Hampshire Chapter, together with Paul Boore, Veteran and Jim Savage, Gold Star Father and Veteran will be Co-Directors.
We have all worked hard over the past 2 and half years and have been through 2 years of working with legislation. So…2014 – that will be the year!!!
I will still be on the NH Chapter, working with Gold Star families, flag presentations, etc. I am so honored to have been entrusted with being the Director for the past few years!
Love you all!!!
NH will never forget!
Blessings,
Susan
