Christopher E. Loudon

Christopher E. Loudon

Company C 1-22 Infantry

4th Infantry Division (Mechanized)

KIA October 17, 2006

Soldier with Sullivan County link killed by bomb in Iraq

By MARK MARONEY - mmaroney@sungazette.com

An Army soldier with ties to Sullivan County was killed Tuesday in Iraq, and his family is mourning his loss.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Christopher E. Loudon, 23, of Brockport, near DuBois, will be sorely missed for his dedication as a husband and father
and as a soldier fighting terrorism, his wife and mother-in-law said from their Muncy Valley-area residence Wednesday night.

Loudon’s widow, the former Jacey Laidacker, 24, who lives with her mother and father, Suzanne and Larry Laidacker,
described her husband as a “soul mate” and “best friend.”

“Chris was the most caring, kind, strong person that I know,” she said. “I’m going to miss him every day.”

Jacey and Chris Loudon the day Chris graduated from Ranger training

Photo from the Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Loudon, who was attached to the 4th Infantry Division based in Fort Hood, Texas, was killed by a roadside bomb
that exploded as he was riding by in a Humvee on patrol in Baghdad, Suzanne Laidacker said.

Three soldiers with Loudon also died in the blast, she said. She did not give their names.

Army personnel declined to comment when contacted by the Sun-Gazette. The Department of Defense Web site, which lists casualties,
had not posted information on Loudon as of Wednesday night.

“He was looking for snipers, improvised explosive devices and knocking doors down,” Suzanne Laidacker said.
Loudon was scheduled to return in December having left in July, she said.

“I have two sons and a daughter and he was my third son. If I could trade places I would give up my life.”

Loudon’s parents, Randy and Suzanne, live in Brockport. His brother, 1st Lt. Nicholas Loudon, 25, is a member of the 82nd Airborne
and is also serving in Iraq, Suzanne Laidacker said.

The distraught mother-in-law spoke about how the couple met. “He fell in love with our daughter at college and we fell in love with him,” she said.

Jacey graduated from the Sullivan County School District in 2001, where her father, now retired, worked as an elementary teacher and guidance counselor.
She and Loudon attended Slippery Rock University, where they met. It was “love at first sight,” Suzanne Laidacker said.

Loudon enrolled in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in high school and college. While in high school he always thought about a military career.

The two graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2005 and Loudon received his commission as a second lieutenant.
He also took the rigorous Ranger training, passing the test on his initial try, Suzanne Laidacker said.

She described her son-in-law as a “warrior” who “wanted to do his duty for his country.”

Loudon leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter, she said.

Burial is expected to include full military honors. “He will no doubt receive the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and several other medals,” Laidacker said.

Friends, family and members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Turbotville, where Jacey and her mother and father worship,
are providing an outpouring of community support, Laidacker said.

So have employees at Kay Jewelers in the Lycoming Mall, where the widow works as a seasonal sales associate.

“”We’re all pretty upset,” said Judy Coup, Kay Jewelers assistant manager. “We’re all very close here.”

A special account for Loudon’s family has been set up at Sovereign Bank, and donations may be made at any branch,
according to Kate Pacacha, Lycoming Mall’s director of marketing.

“It is a savings account for Jacey that people can donate to,” she said.

Section: News Posted: 10/19/2006

Williamsport Sun-Gazette

October 21, 2006

**********************

2nd Lieutenant Christopher Loudon's decorations

In a November 16, 2006 memorial service held at Ft Hood, 2nd Lt. Christopher Schmitt had the following to say:
"Second Lt. Christopher E. Loudon, 23, was one of three brothers who chose a soldier's life. One brother is deployed to Iraq.
The other is awaiting an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point."

2nd Lt. Christopher E. Loudon
22 years old from Brockport, Pennsylvania
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
October 17, 2006

2nd Lt. Christopher Loudon graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Baccalaureate Degree in Environmental Health in 2005. Upon graduation,
he entered the United States Army on September 9, 2005. He received his commission as an Infantry officer and was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company,
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in July 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2nd Lt. Loudon’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal,
the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

He was KIA in Baghdad, Iraq when an IED detonated near his vehicle. Also killed with him were; Corporal David M. Unger, 21, of Leavenworth, Kansas ;
Corporal Russell G. Culbertson III, 22, of Amity, Pennsylvania and Specialist Joseph C. Dumas Jr., 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana.

He leaves behind his parents, Randy and Susan Loudon ; his wife, Jacey Loudon ; a daughter, Isabel Loudon ; two brothers, First Lieutenant Nicholas Loudon ,
and Jonathan Loudon ; his paternal grandmother, Florence Loudon and his maternal grandfather, Everett William Campbell.

from the website The Thunder Run

2LT Chris Loudon

Dinner to benefit fallen soldier's daughter

12/16/2006

BROCKPORT - A great way to support our troops is to support their families.
When U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Christopher E. Loudon, formerly of Brockport, died Oct. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq, he left behind a 5-year-old daughter, Isabel.
A Jan. 6 reception will take place at the Bandit's Hideaway social hall, just off Boggy Run Road, Brockport, from noon until "whenever."
Those coming just need to drive from Route 219, and follow the signs and flags. All proceeds will benefit Isabel Loudon.
Members of Loudon's 4th Infantry Division, 2nd Platoon, C-Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, based in Fort Hood, Texas, will be there.
The soldiers hail from all around North America, places such as Texas, Arkansas, Utah, Wisconsin, Virginia, Canada and Brockway.
Besides paying respect to the Loudon family, visitors will be able to meet soldiers, and there will be a buffet dinner, live entertainment, raffles and door prizes.
Advance raffle tickets will be available at select locations.

Beverly Fustine of Brockway has spearheaded organization of the event, and has been assisted by Dolores Price of Big Run and Marlene Bartlett of Brockway.
Fustine said any donations, such as money or food, or in-kind services granted prior to the reception would be appreciated, but people can also enter the event
just by making a free-will contribution at the door. Everyone is welcome. Fustine can be contacted by calling either 265-2502 or 590-0910.
Fustine grieves the loss of Loudon, especially because her son, U.S. Army Spc. Zacharry K. Mayhew, served with him in the "4th I.D. 1-22."
Loudon and Mayhew are also both Brockway Area High School graduates, Loudon in 2001 and Mayhew in 2004. The two even played on the same
high school soccer team when Loudon was a senior and Mayhew was a freshman.

After Loudon graduated high school, he and Mayhew didn't meet again until they were both stationed in Iraq.
Mayhew sent an e-mail letter that was directed to Fustine after Loudon died. In the correspondence, Mayhew described his reunion with Loudon in August.
In the letter, Mayhew said, "I knew his plans were to join the military, but never in a million years did I expect to meet up with him here in Iraq.
We were in the chow hall and I noticed his name and walked up to him and we started talking."
Mayhew noticed that Loudon had become a 2nd lieutenant, and in the letter he said, "From that moment on, it was just like soccer again.
Like he was the captain and I was the freshman. When I needed someone to talk to, he was there."

Mayhew was deployed to Iraq Dec. 14, 2005. He returned stateside Dec. 1 to serve at Fort Hood. However, Mayhew plans to be at the Jan. 6 reception
with 15 to 20 of his "4th I.D. 1-22" comrades. According to Fustine, Mayhew is scheduled to return to service in Iraq during October.
Regarding next month's reception, Fustine wishes Loudon could be there in person. "He'll be there in spirit," Fustine said. "We're going to make him as alive
as we can that day."

Fustine said she sometimes feels guilty for being able to celebrate that her son is alive, when other families have lost loved ones who died fighting for the country.
Fustine feels hurt when soldiers die, but understands that the families of the fallen go through even greater pain. She is fearful when her son is in the line of danger,
but realizes that soldiers may ask themselves if today will be the last day of their life when they wake-up in the morning.
Fustine has decided to concentrate on organizing next month's event. "I took all that fear, turned it into energy, and put it into this,"
she said. "I will do all I can to help Isabel."

©Courier-Express/Tri-County 2006

from: Tri-County Courier-Express

Grave marker for 2nd LT Christopher Loudon in Arlington Cemetery

Photo from the Arlington National Cemetery Website

For tributes to Christopher Loudon click on the following links:

Arlington National Cemetery Website

Iraq/Afghanistan War Heroes

Facebook Tribute

Unveiling the sign designating the Christopher E. Loudon Memorial Bridge

Photo from the Facebook webpage

House approves Scarnati bill naming bridge after soldier
Saturday, January 30, 2010

HARRISBURG - The State House of Representatives has given final approval to legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-25 of Brockway Jefferson,
that would honor a local soldier who died in Iraq by naming a bridge after him.

The legislation would name a portion of U.S. Route 219 over the Little Toby Creek, Brockway Borough, the Christopher E. Loudon Memorial Bridge.
Senate Bill 380 now goes to the governor for his signature.

"This is a fitting tribute to Second Lieutenant Loudon who died in Baghdad, Iraq, in October of 2006 while serving his country as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom,"
Scarnati said. "A sign displaying his name will be erected at the bridge to honor his memory and his brave service and sacrifice."

Loudon was born in the City of DuBois, Clearfield County, and graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in environmental science in 2005.
After graduation, Loudon entered the U.S. Army on Sept. 9, 2005, was commissioned as an infantry officer and was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company,
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

Second Lt. Loudon was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 17, 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.
During his service in the U.S. Army, Loudon received the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal,
the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Ranger Tab.

from The Progress

Feb 6, 2010

Colonel Craig Osborne, Commanding Officer of 2nd LT Chris Loudon
in 1-22 Infantry, speaks at the dedication of the Second Lieutenant
Christopher E. Loudon Memorial Bridge

Photo from the Facebook webpage

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