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Politics : Sioux Nation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Patricia Trinchero who wrote (2168)	11/29/2004 11:08:36 AM
From: coug	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 361011

Patricia, And another one not too far from where I grew up. :( snippet... <<Army Spc. Blain Ebert, 22, went from driving tractors in Washtucna farm fields to tanks in Iraq, where he was killed Monday in Baghdad during a firefight with Iraqi insurgents.>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Washtucna soldier remembered This story was published Sunday, November 28th, 2004 By Mary Hopkin Herald staff writer WASHTUCNA -- Friends and family packed Washtucna High School on Saturday to remember a young man as compassionate as he was mischievous. Army Spc. Blain Ebert, 22, went from driving tractors in Washtucna farm fields to tanks in Iraq, where he was killed Monday in Baghdad during a firefight with Iraqi insurgents. The funeral service drew a crowd of about 500 people to the high school gymnasium, nearly doubling the small Southeastern Washington town's population of 260. The service conflicted with a football game that guaranteed the Lacrosse-Washtucna Tigercats a berth at the state championships next week. The crowd observed a moment of silence prior to the kickoff to remember Ebert, who was an offensive and defensive lineman for the Tigercats. He graduated in 2001. "Whatever he did, he did 100 percent, said Lacrosse-Washtucna football coach Jeff Nelson. "He lived life to the fullest and he was fun loving." Those who came to remember Ebert in Washtucna filled the wooden bleachers and folding chairs, and when the chairs filled up, others were borrowed from the school cafeteria, where long tables were stacked with salads, homemade chicken and freshly baked bread prepared by community members. "This community has reached around the world to help, and it paid the ultimate price on Nov. 22, 2004," said Ebert's uncle, Charles Kienbaum of Spokane. The soldier's mother, Lucy Ebert of Auburn, described her son as a jokester with deep faith and a strong sense of right and wrong. "He died living his life the way he chose," she said. "He believed with all his heart he and his fellow soldiers were making a difference. ... He was never mean-spirited." That's one of the things that attracted Shilanta Ebert, Blain's widow, to him. That, and his physique, she said with a laugh. "He had a great body," said Shilanta, 20. Shilanta arrived in town Friday from Atlanta, meeting many of her husband's friends and family for the first time. She shared humorous stories of her husband with his friends and family, and they cheerfully reciprocated, she said. "We all have stories," she said. "Everyone I have met knew him. I think everyone in town knew him." The couple married just a month after meeting and were together only 10 months before Blain was shipped to Iraq eight months ago. "I loved his arrogance, and he loved my jazzy attitude," she said. "I had found someone I could trust. He was truly my best friend." Shilanta said she was stunned and amazed by the warm hospitality of the small town. "I was concerned about coming here," said Shilanta, who is black. "It's a small town with no black people. But no one sees color here. I can see why he wanted to bring me here." Ruby Harris, Blain Ebert's mother-in-law, said it was part of Blain's personality to reach out to those who didn't fit in and make them feel at home. "He was the best son-in-law God could have given me," said Harris, who also traveled from Atlanta to attend the service. Shilanta was tearful as the crowd stood when a small choir began singing America the Beautiful. Maj. Gen. James Collins, deputy commander at Fort Lewis, presented family members with flags and the Bronze Star and Purple Heart awards Blain Ebert earned during the battle that took his life. He is the fifth Mid-Columbian to be killed in Iraq. Others include Army Staff Sgt. Robert Anthony Stever of Pendleton, Marine Lance Cpl. James Huston Jr. of Hermiston, Marine Staff Sgt. Marvin Best of Prosser and National Guardsman Spc. Jeremiah Schmunk of Richland. The ceremony ended with a single trumpet blowing taps and family and friends coming together to share a meal and more memories. "We were blessed to know and love Blain for many years and he will always remain in our hearts," Kienbaum said. tri-cityherald.com c