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Events carry special meaning

May-30-2005 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

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By SHAWN DAY, Statesman Journal

Laurie and Mark Whitham plan to observe Memorial Day by making a low-key, private journey to their son's grave in Springfield.

It will be their second trip this month to Springfield Memorial Gardens. They went on Mother's Day to mourn the one-year anniversary of Army Spc. Chase Whitham's death. Today won't feel any different.

"We pretty much feel the same every day," Laurie Whitham said. "It doesn't matter how long it's been."

Chase Whitham graduated in 2000 from Marist High School in Eugene, and he enlisted in the Army about two years later. He spent a year serving in South Korea, returned home to Oregon, then signed a waiver allowing him to join the scout platoon of the Stryker Brigade, part of the 2nd Infantry Division based in Fort Lewis, Wash.

He had been in Iraq with his unit for about six months when he and a handful of soldiers took a break from the sweltering conditions and jumped into a 3 1/2-foot-deep pool in a Mosul palace.

A few moments later, an electrical current surged through the pool, killing Whitham and injuring another soldier. Investigators determined a faulty pump and improper wiring were responsible.

For Laurie Whitham, thoughts of her son and his death can claw into her consciousness at any time or place. Walking down the aisles of a grocery store recently, she spotted one of Chase's favorite foods: smoked oysters.

His memory came flooding back. So did the tears.

"I've been real weepy lately," she said. "It comes in waves. You have days when you're reminded of stuff. You can't predict it." [...]


Comments For "Events carry special meaning":

Laurie & Mark, you and I have communicated recently and I have loved all your special emails, showing your love, courage, and bravery, just like Chase's.......in spite of his loss to you and your family. I have been thinking about you today, Memorial Day, as well as all the others, who have been in Iraq........those who came back, like my son Spc Aaron LaSaint, and those who did not. One thing I do know for sure.....our young people are so honorable, brave, and courageous...no matter what. God bless them all.....and Chase, you, and Mark. Thank you to Chase for all his service in trying to make a difference for others. In time, maybe that will be what we all can see. Thank you for the love you clearly have shown.

Karen K in Seattle, proud Stryker mom of 3/2 SBCT 1/14 CAV A Trp soldier

Posted by: KarenK, proud Stryker mom | May 30, 2005 6:56 PM

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