JACKSONVILLE, NC, USA U.S. Army SGT, COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 120TH INFANTRY, WHITEVILLE, NC BAGHDAD, IRAQ 06/29/2009
In this age of Social Networking, the living often leave messages to the families of those who have passed from this world into their eternal rest or to their families. In some cases, the writers knew the deceased. In others, they did not. One person’s tragic death can affect so many of us.
On July 29, 2009, Army Sergeant Roger Leeroy Adams, Jr., 36, died from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad. He died with Sergeant First Class Edward C. Kramer, Sergeant Juan C. Baldeosingh, and Specialist Robert L. Bittiker, all North Carolina Guardsmen from the 120th Combined Arms Battalion, Wilmington.
In Roger’s online Legacy.com Guestbook appear the following tributes:
September 21, 2010 – My love and sympathy to the family. I know it has been over a year but want you to know, we still care! My son-in-law was a medic assistant that was there at the time of Sergeant Adams untimely death; he has asked for a dog tag with his name on it and I will wear a bracelet as well. Just wanted you to know. We are in MO and my son-in-law is stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. As a teen I wore a bracelet with the name of a MIA soldier in Viet Nam. In the past few years I have learned of his death. He also was a hero as your loved one was. God bless you all! ~ Joy Parrish, Hurdland, Missouri
June 29, 2010 – Hello, my name is Kelly Walsh, I was given a dog tag with Roger’s name on it, I rode in the Illinois Freedom Run. The run was with about 5-8 thousand bikers and we all ride to the freedom wall in Marsilles, Illinois with the names of fallen soldiers. I was very honored to wear a dog tag with Roger’s name on it. I’m very humbled by this experience today. I have two sons and as a mother I have great compassion for your family. I will wear the dog tag every year that I ride in this motorcycle freedom run. I have 14 dog tags and now Roger’s makes 15. I wear them very proudly and my heart goes to you and your family. Thank you, Kelly Walsh
May 31, 2010 – To The Family: I have never met a soldier that did not want American’s to enjoy life and their freedoms on any given day. Likewise, I know that your family will never replace the loss of ‘our’ hero, Sergeant Roger Adams, and today is a time for me to let you know, that I am grateful and humbled by his bravery. I will do my part to preserve our American freedoms and I will pray that you will allow God to give you comfort as you make it through each day and that my life will honor his sacrifice. My prayers for our leaders and our country include regaining a moral grounding, much like the guards pledge that protect the grounds of the unknown soldier. With love and humble appreciation! ~ Susan Raynor, Denver, North Carolina
Roger was a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician at the Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department and was Fire Fighter 1 & 2 Certified. Like Sergeant First Class Kramer, Sergeant Adams served in the Marine Corps and then in the National Guard.
His remains were buried He His remains at the Coastal Carolina State Veteran’s Cemetery with Military Honors. He is survived by his wife: Teresa Adams and four sons, Tyler, Samuel, Maxwell and Baylee, all of the home; parents: Roger L. Adams, Sr. of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and Linda Deome of Kentucky; brothers: Allen Weeks and Eddie Weeks, both of Kentucky; and sisters: Cheryl Adams and Brandy Massey, both of Kentucky.