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photo by Hannah Reel
The Honor Guard carries the casket of Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Shaw out of the Natchez Convention Center after the service Wednesday. Shaw was a Natchez native and died Sept. 29, 2009 after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while serving on Jolo Island, Philippines.
Natchez soldier laid to rest with honors
Published Thursday, October 15, 2009
NATCHEZ — With clarity that seemed to stretch up to the overcast skies, the staccato of the three volley salute followed by the mournful notes of “Taps” echoed across Natchez National Cemetery as friends and family gathered to say goodbye to Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Shaw.
A Natchez native, Shaw, 37, was killed Sept. 29 on Jolo Island, Philippines, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.
A private memorial service was conducted at the Natchez Convention Center Wednesday morning, and he was buried at the National Cemetery following a closed military service there.
Photo by Hannah Reel
The Honor Guard stands at attention while the funeral procession for Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Shaw enters the National Cemetery Wednesday. Shaw was a Natchez native and died Sept. 29, 2009 after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while serving on Jolo Island, Philippines.
Shaw’s family was presented with the military medals he was posthumously awarded.
The posthumous awards included the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Serving as spokesperson for Shaw’s family, Sgt. 1st Class Joe Ybanez said the family was thankful for the words of encouragement and gifts.
“They appreciate the support they have received from the community,” Ybanez said.
Shaw was deployed on Jolo Island as part of Operation Enduring Freedom — Philippines.
It was his second deployment with Operation Enduring Freedom.
Shaw was a graduate of Natchez High School, and he attended Texas Southern University on a track and field scholarship, where he enlisted in the U.S. Army reserve in November 1995.
He later received a bachelor of science degree in history from Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, N.J.
In May 1995, he joined the active service as a forward observer. He completed basic training, advanced individual training and the U.S. Army Airborne School, and was assigned as a fire support specialist to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash.
In 1997, Shaw volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course, and in March 1999 he completed the Special Forces Qualification Course.
He was assigned to 1st Special Forces Group — Airborne at Fort Lewis.
Shaw also served as an instructor at the Special Forces Qualification Course at Camp Mackall, N.C., but he later returned to the 1st Special Forces Group — Airborne at Fort Lewis.
His military education included the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Ranger Course, U.S. Army Jumpmaster Course, Basic Instructor Training Course, Advanced Non-commissioned Officer Course, Basic non-commissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Shaw’s awards and other decorations included Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit citation. Shaw earned the Special Forces tab, Ranger tab and the Parachutist Badge.
Comments
Posted by GodsChild (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
God Bless the family, friends, and love ones to this great soldier. You have my prayers!
RIP
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A true "Natchez hero". What an absolutely elegant and fitting burial.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This scene has become all too familiar; yet it makes my heart hurt every time. God be with the family and friends. PRAY FOR PEACE.
Posted by SIOUXLADY (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
EACH TIME I HEAR TAPS, I FILL UP INSIDE WITH EMOTIONS.
YET IT MAKES ME FEEL PROUD THAT I LIVE IN THIS GREAT NATION.
" I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved"
REST ON MY FELLOW SOLIDER.. YOU HAVE BEEN PROPERLY RELIEVED.
Posted by commander (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To the family of SFC Shaw, You are in ours prayers. Soldiers and the families of soldiers deserve our utmost respect. Soldiers live and die under a different creed that most civilians will never know....No Mission too Difficult, No Sacrifice too Great, Duty First.... First Infantry Division
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Shaw for protecting me and my freedoms with your life.
Posted by hitchcock (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SFC Shaw was one of America's true heros who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
May he rest in peace.
Posted by counselor35 (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Farewell to my awesome classmate. You lived a life truly worthy of celebrating. Your homegoing ceremony was fit for a king. We love you Chris and we will miss you dearly. To the family, "Ttrust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not to your understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him....." Proverbs 3:5.
Be it resloved, that the Class of 90 is not the same without you.
Love Monica
Posted by eveningstar052 (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SFC Shaw, I give you my thanks for your sacrifice. I owe my freedom to you. America wouldn't be such a great country without men like you. May God grant peace and comfort to your family. May they know that their son was a true hero. Rest in peace Christopher Shaw.....
Posted by adamscountygirl (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for serving our country with honor--May God bless your family-- You are our true Natchez Hero!
Posted by thompson39120 (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RIP MY DEAR FRIEND!!!!!!!
YOU were a GREAT TRACK STAR and FRIEND and YOU ACCOMPLISHED a lot in YOUR MILITARY CAREER, and YOU will be missed as YOU gave the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, AS YOU LAID DOWN YOUR LIFE so that OTHERS MAY LIVE AND BE FREE.
Capt. PatrickThompson
U.S. Air Force Reserve, and Natchez High 91 Grad.
Posted by delaniust (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CONFIDENT, NON-SELFISH, A GENTLEMEN, AND HUMBLE TO GOD and his family!!!!!!
I met Chris Shaw on the school bus, while we both were in 7th grade. I couldn't see Chris in the back of the bus cause he was so short. All I could hear was this LOUD voice of confidence. Later, we both became friends and then track buddies. All thru-out high school, Chris was never selfish. If you attended the funeral Henry "Doc" Woods(track coack)said Chris was OUTSTANDING 4x's, before reaching the mic. One person can make the difference, and to be honest, Chris was the Team. He won all the distance events and ran majority of all the relay events.
To tell you about his unselfishness; Chris lost a few races ON PUPOSE during our 10th and 11th grade years. Everyone was stunned as to know how did he loose and to whom did he loose too. Later that night, Chris told me he lost the race so (his teammate a senior) would not quit the team, because he complained he could never beat Chris. I told Chris, you sound like Muhammad Ali, when he let Leon Spinks win the fight, because he felt sorry for him and he wanted Leon Spinks to buy a set of teeth. haahha
Chris was a gentleman to family, friends, and strangers. Many times after running at track meets, people would flood around Chris for interviews or advice, sometimes even autographs. EVERYONE Loves to hang around a winner.
Chris said to me, before we won the 1989 track state championship, I need you to run the 400x100(quarter). I remembered at that moment, I told him in 9th grade I would never run the 400x100 unless you ask me to. Well he remember that and I was forced to keep my word. And we won that relay. I beat everybody on that 2nd leg of the event. Thanks to Chris I over came a fear(phobia)of running that event. He gave me the confidence and determination I needed. I carry the tourch of SFC Christopher Shaw in my heart, for if you EVER had the opportunity to let this man touch your SOUL, you would never forget the PERSONALITY, CONFIDENCE, NON-SELFISHNESS, MORAL VALUES, and HUMBLENESS that lived inside his SOUL. To ALL the family, I continue to pray your strength in the LORD. God Bless you!!!!!!
YOUR TRUE FRIEND
TRACK MEMBER
BATTLE BUDDY
SGT Delanius Z. Trask
Served Operation Enduring Freedom
Baghram, Afghanistan 2003-2004
CLASS of 1990
P.S. Chris, I still have one of your favorite songs: Blame it on the Rain by Milli Vanilli
Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on October 15, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RIP brave, young warrior.
Your service and sacrifice are deeply appreciated, your memory cherished.
Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of SFC. Shaw.
Posted by skippydammit (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A true Natchez hero has been honored on his way
to Heaven !
God Bless SFC Shaw and his family.
Our prayers are with you as you celebrate his life.
We as Americans owe y'all a HUGE debt for
our freedoms.
God Bless and keep those leaving memories
on this board, especially those in our Military.
Thank you SFC Shaw and all of our Military
for protecting us, even at the ultimate cost.
Posted by squeetlebomb (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank You Sgt. Shaw.
Posted by kuntryboi (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was honered to have known chris while attending highschool, chris was an exceptional athlete but you would have never known it by his selfless demeanor, he was a true class act. May u RIP classmate.
Kendrell Davis c/o 1990
Posted by houstonhustler (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sgt Shaws record speaks for itself.His many accomplishments showed what the man was made of.It is sad to lose a loved one much less some one was as dedicated as he was to his country,community and family.Natchez can be very proud of this man.The global war on terroism has no boundries.It stretches to every corner of the globe.It shows no mercy to any one.But Sgt Shaw and his comrades were taking the fight to the enemies of our nation.He was truly a hero in every sense of the word.Pray for him his family and the military men and women who will step up and try to fill his shoes and continue where he left off.
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