Bryce D Howard
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VANCOUVER, WA, USA
U.S. Army
SGT, 585TH ENGINEER COMPANY, 864TH ECB, FORT LEWIS, WA
JAJI, AFGHANISTAN 08/28/2007
For those of us who were lucky to have known Bryce, we all can look back and picture his smile and hear his laugh. A story shared by one of his Commander’s is a good example of not only the great soldier he was, but the spirit that he leaves behind….
“During some down time, I found him “surveying” an existing road with several of his new soldiers. I watched as he walked PFC Johnson and a couple others through the process, and I determined that survey work appeared to be absolutely boring. So I asked how everything worked. He was patient even with a brand-new company commander, and explained, very thoroughly, what they did, how they input the information into the computer, and how they translated everything into pounding stakes into the ground. I was a bit overwhelmed and made the comment, “wow, you have to be pretty damn smart to do this stuff.” Sergeant Howard paused, raised an eyebrow and said matter-of-factly, “No Sir, just smarter then you.”
Bryce was born on 3 December 1982 in Vancouver, Washington. He enlisted into the Army as a Technical Engineer Specialist in April 2001. He attended Basic Training and AIT at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. His first duty station was Camp Henry, Korea. In August 2003, he was assigned to Headquarters and Support Company, 864th ECB(H) in Fort Lewis, Washington. He deployed with the company to Afghanistan in March 2005 and February 2007.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal (w/1OLC), the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Meritorious Unit Citation.
He is survived by his wife, Amber. His sons, Caleb and Ryen. His parents, Annette and Dean Howard. And his siblings, Casey Loveall and James Howard.
Bryce you will never be forgotten. The lessons you taught us, the laughs you shared with us, the memories you gave us….. will forever be in our hearts. Until we see you again…..
Bryce was one of my Soldiers and best friends. We shared allot of good times together on and off work. He was a excellent Soldier and an even better friend. We deployed together in 2005 to Afghanistan where he worked directly for me. Bryce was a great guy, very pasionate about his family and those who he considered friends. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him! I know he’s looking down on all his friends and family smiling and laughing. Bryce, you were the first Soldier that I ever worked with that I had a personal friendship with outside of work, from the moment we first met I knew that we would be good friends. I miss you buddy! Everyday I wake up and walk out to my living room and see a picture of you that I printed out. Makes me laugh at times becuase I still remember the day that picture was taken… I promised you that I would always be here for you, Amber, Caleb and Ryen and I hold true to tha promise to this day.. I keep contact with Amber and remind her that I will always be here for her and the boys as long as there is still air in my lungs and the Lord allows me to walk this earth. Lord I know you are taking care of Bryce, Please tell him that we love him, miss him, and that he will live on through his wife, children, family, and close friends forever. One day my friend we will meet again and I expect to be greeted with a laugh, smile and cold hevenly beer.
Gone but Never Forgotten,
SFC Andrew G. Weist
United States Army
Special Operation Command