Col. Gregory Townsend died helping stranger on the road

Army hero killed while helping stranded driver along Virginia highway

BY TRIBUNE MEDIA WIRE
APRIL 24, 2019

The 46-year-old served two tours in Iraq (February 2003 – February 2004 and August 2009 – August 2010) and one in Afghanistan (October 2009 – January 2010). He arrived at Fort Lee in July 2017 where he assumed command of the brigade.

FORT LEE, Va. - A decorated military veteran was killed after stopping on a Virginia highway to help a stranger change a flat tire on April 18, according to a Fort Lee spokesperson.

Col. Gregory Townsend, commander of the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at the U.S. Army Quartermaster School, died Monday.

"As he finished changing the tire, the vehicle fell on him," Fort Lee spokesperson Dani Johnson said. "He was taken by a life flight helicopter to VCU Critical Care Hospital, Richmond, Virginia, where he received treatment until his death."

The incident on Route 460 happened April 18.

"The loss of Col. Greg Townsend is devastating for his family and the Army," Brig. Gen. Douglas M. McBride Jr., 55th Quartermaster General and commandant at the Quartermaster School.
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Fort Lee Hardee's Lunch Angel is Chief Warrant Officer Jason Sibley

What this Iraq War veteran did at Hardee’s will melt your heart
CBS 6
BY WAYNE COVIL
DECEMBER 23, 2014

“I really didn’t feel as if I had done anything, that I believe most people would do,” Sibley said.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason Sibley

FORT LEE, Va. — We now know the name of the mystery soldier whose act of kindness at a Petersburg Hardee’s went viral last week.

The tale began when a stranger sat and watched the Iraq War veteran buy lunch for a woman he met outside the restaurant on Tuesday.

As one of the people inside the restaurant was leaving, he asked to snap a picture of the soldier and the woman he bought lunch for.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason Sibley, a husband, father of three with 16 years of service in the Army, said it all started when he left Fort Lee a quick lunch at a nearby Hardee’s.

“I was going to lunch at Hardee’s and as I came in, a lady approached me and asked if I would buy her a meal. And I said, ‘Yes,'” Sibley told CBS 6 News senior reporter Wayne Covil. “I asked her if she wanted to sit down, our meal would probably come together [and] if she wanted to have lunch together.”
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Thursday, December 18, 2014
Soldier Fed Hungry Woman and Sat with Her a While

Fort Lee Sgt. 1st Class Paula Walker commented on stress in 2009

Fort Lee Sgt. Paula Walker Commented On Military Stress In 2009: Why Mental Health Is Not Only A Problem On The Frontlines
Medical Daily
By Stephanie Castillo
Aug 28, 2014

In 2009, Walker was stationed at Fort Eustis (also in Virginia) when former Major Nidal Hasan, a military psychiatrist, killed 13 people and injured more than 30 on Fort Hood. U.S World News and Report referenced an archived interview Walker gave regarding the incident, in which she said, “People are people. They go through things in life. They either handle stresses in a good way or in a bad way.”

After nearly 14 years on active military duty, Sgt. 1st Class Paula Walker, 33, shot herself in the head on Fort Lee’s military base. She’d been stationed there since December 2011.

Prior to the incident, Walker was reportedly irate, throwing objects around in a room she barricaded herself in. Fort Lee was on an hour-long lockdown while negotiators tried to talk her down. Walker was rushed to the VCU Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

The gun in question was not a military-issued weapon, which, it turns out, is not unlikely for Fort Lee. If a gun is properly registered, it is allowed on base. Otherwise, there are currently no metal detectors, according to a report from CBS 6 News.
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Latest Fort Lee Suicide Part of Many

Latest Fort Lee Suicide Part of Many

Fort Lee has history of soldier killings, suicides
Times Dispatch
Mark Bowes
Richmond Times Dispatch
August 25, 2014

Fort Lee has seen at least four other soldiers commit suicide in the past three years, with two of them collectively killing five other people before fatally shooting themselves.

The soldiers who killed had served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and at least one of them was being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from his last deployment.

Three years ago today, Fort Lee Army Capt. Leonard J. Egland, 37, committed one of the worst multiple slayings in Chesterfield in a decade. Police said he fatally shot his estranged wife, Carrie P. Egland, 36; her new boyfriend, Scott T. Allred, 40; and Allred’s 7-year-old son, Morgan, in the Chester home the Eglands had shared before they separated about a year earlier and Egland moved out.

Police said Egland, an 18-year Army veteran who served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, then traveled to Pennsylvania, where he fatally shot his estranged wife’s mother, Barbara Reuhl, 66, before dropping off his daughter unharmed at a hospital. Egland then fatally shot himself in Jamison, Pa., after firing at police who tried to stop him.
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Fort Lee Suicide

New York Daily News called Fort Lee soldier "unhinged" in suicide report?

Fort Lee suicide soldier identified as Sgt. 1st Class Paula Walker from Yonkers, NY Paula Walker was a human resources specialist, the U.S. Army says. The 14-year veteran shot herself to death in a barricaded office on the Virginia base.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Soldier dies after shooting at Fort Lee
WWBT
Posted: Aug 25, 2014


FORT LEE, VA (WWBT)
Fort Lee officials say a soldier has died after she likely shot herself at the post Monday morning.

The shooting caused the post to be placed on lockdown for around 45 minutes.

Army officials have not released the soldier's identity, but say she is an E7 Sergeant First Class who was deployed to Iraq in 2007 for 15 months in the personnel arena.

The soldier came into the Combined Arms Support Command Headquarters, building 5020 around 8:45 a.m. She went to the third floor of the building armed with a small, concealed handgun. She barricaded herself inside an office and began throwing stuff around the room.

An alert was sounded and officials made occupants take shelter or evacuate as negotiators tried to get the situation to end peacefully. Officials say the soldier turned the gun to her head and fired a single shot. No other injuries were reported.

Special Agents from the US Army Criminal Investigations Command are on scene and investigating.

Officials initially called the incident a 'police emergency' and asked everyone to stay indoors. The installation was locked down and all personnel were asked to enact active shooter protocols.
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Disturbed female soldier dies after she shoots herself in apparent suicide attempt at Fort Lee in Virginia
The female sergeant died after she barricaded herself in an office at the Combined Arms Support Command and threw things at police who tried to calm her down before firing a single round into her head, a major general at the fort said.
New York Daily News
BY PHILIP CAULFIELD
August 25, 2014

An unhinged female soldier died after she barricaded herself in an office at Fort Lee in Virginia and shot herself in the head on Monday, officials said.

The soldier initially survived the self-inflicted blast, but died after she was taken to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, officials at the fort said.

The incident at the heavily populated base began at around 9 a.m. when military authorities received alerts about a female soldier with a gun inside building 5020 at the Combined Arms Support Command headquarters.

Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, CASC's commander, said the sergeant 1st class had snapped, barricaded herself in an office with a gun and threw things at authorities trying to talk her down.
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There was another suicide tied to Fort Lee in January

Man dead in apparent murder-suicide a soldier, Fort Lee officials say
FROM STAFF REPORTS)
Published: January 15, 2014

FORT LEE - A man suspected of killing his wife and then turning the gun on himself was a decorated Fort Lee soldier who had done several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Terrell D. Davidson, 38, was an Army first sergeant who had deployed to Iraq for three tours and one tour in Afghanistan, according to a statement from Fort Lee officials Tuesday.

Davidson was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in the 12000 block of Mason Avenue around 9:15 p.m. Sunday, according to Chesterfield County police. Nearby, police found the body of the solider's wife, Nequia S. Davidson, 39. She died from a gunshot wound, police said.

Terrell Davidson entered active duty service in 1993 as an automated logistical specialist. He arrived at Fort Lee two years ago and served in a staff position as an instructor/writer. In November 2013, he was assigned as the senior noncommissioned officer in a 23rd Quartermaster Brigade training company.

Davidson deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and Iraq in 2003, 2004 and 2008.

His awards and decorations included the Bronze Star medal, five Army Commendation medals, five Army Achievement medals, six Army Good Conduct medals, two National Defense Service medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbons, Combat Action Badge and Air Assault.
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Marine MP sentenced for having gun in Fort Lee?

Marine MP sentenced for having gun in Fort Lee, remains free on appeal
Posted by: cliffviewpilot
Posted date: September 21, 2013

EXCLUSIVE: A judge yesterday reluctantly sentenced a Marine MP whose loaded service weapon was brandished at police by another man during a melee outside a Fort Lee nightclub to five years in state prison.

However, he allowed Hisashi Pompey to remain free on appeal based on his service to his country. If Pompey loses the bid, he will have to serve three years behind bars before he’ll be eligible for parole.

Superior Court Judge Edward A. Jerejian said he really had no choice under the state law known as the Graves Act.

“Other states are different, but here we have mandatory sentences,” Jerejian told him. “This was basically a very unfortunate situation, and the plea offer still included state prison time and would have cost you your career.

“I thought military weapons were covered in all states,” he said. “If I had known they weren’t recognized in New Jersey, I never would have brought it here.”
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Soldier and daughter killed in house fire at Fort Lee

Soldier, daughter who died in house fire had NC ties
NBC News
By: DANE HUFFMAN
NBC17.com
Published: November 20, 2012

FORT LEE, Va.
The two people found dead after a fire in a housing unit on post early Monday morning at Fort Lee have been identified as Sgt. Corey Flowers, 24, and his 2-year-old daughter, Kourtney Flowers.

Sgt. Flowers, a native of Raeford, N.C., was a mortuary affairs specialist with the 54th Quartermaster Company. He joined the Army in 2006 and has been stationed at Fort Lee ever since.

Spc. Pauletta Flowers, the wife of Sgt. Flowers and mother of Kourtney, was not in the residence during the fire.
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Army Officer Shares Lessons After Friend’s Suicide

Army Officer Shares Lessons After Friend’s Suicide
Filed under DOD NEWS, SUICIDE PREVENTION
SEPTEMBER 23, 2012
by GLENN.SELBY

When a close friend committed suicide, a junior Army officer from Fort Lee, Va., opened her eyes to how active leadership and genuinely caring for fellow troops can help prevent suicide in the military.

Second Lt. Noelle Edinger was home on leave in Wyomissing, Pa., in late April when a close friend of hers ended his life and changed hers forever.

“You hear about it all the time, but when it’s close to home and somebody you actually know, the first thing you think is, ‘How could you?’ … They were supposed to be the first person you would call when you needed help. And then you realize that you never knew they were hurting that bad,” said Edinger, an adjutant officer with the 530th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Fort Lee.

Edinger last saw her friend two months before his suicide. She said its impact on her included an increased awareness of her surroundings when she returned to work.

“He was my buddy … I didn’t think the stuff he was going through was anywhere near as hard as what some of my soldiers experience (during long training missions and deployments),” she said. “It made me more aware of the soldiers around me and what they might be going through. And it made me realize that not every soldier – not every person – handles stress and depression the same way. Not every soldier shows it. And (the suicide) really taught me that just because they’re not showing it doesn’t mean they’re not having a bad day, or it doesn’t mean that they’re not having something going on at home.”
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Army officer shares lessons after friend's suicide

Army officer shares lessons after friend's suicide
U.S. Army Garrison
Fort Lee
Story by Stephen Baker
9/13/12

The U.S. Army is observing September 2012 as Suicide Prevention Month, focusing efforts on total Army family well being, resilience, stigma reduction and positive results achieved by getting involved and reaching out for help. The theme for the month is "Shoulder to Shoulder, We Stand Up for Life." In this photo, soldiers from Fort Lee, Va., demonstrate their commitment to the Army's suicide prevention efforts.

FORT LEE, Va. - A junior Army officer from Fort Lee, Va., shares how the loss of a close friend to suicide opened her eyes to how active leadership and genuinely caring for fellow troops can help prevent suicide in the military.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Noelle Edinger was home on leave in Wyomissing, Pa., in late April when a close friend of hers committed suicide – an act that ended his life and changed hers.

“You hear about it all the time, but when it’s close to home and somebody you actually know, the first thing you think is ‘How could you?’ … they were supposed to be the first person you would call when you needed help; and then you realize that you never knew they were hurting that bad,” said Edinger, an adjutant officer with the 530th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Fort Lee.

Edinger last saw her friend two months before his suicide. She said its impact on her included an increased awareness of her surroundings when she returned to work.

“He was my buddy … I didn’t think the stuff he was going through was anywhere near as hard as what some of my soldiers experience [during long training missions and deployments],” she said. “It made me more aware of the soldiers around me and what they might be going through. And it made me realize that not every soldier – not every person – handles stress and depression the same way. Not every soldier shows it. And [the suicide] really taught me that just because they’re not showing it doesn’t mean they’re not having a bad day, or it doesn’t mean that they’re not having something going on at home.”
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Hero After War with I'll Stand by You by the Pretenders

Fort Lee probes 4 deaths, possible suicides, average had been 1 a year

Fort Lee probes 4 deaths, possible suicides
The Associated Press Posted : Sunday Sep 2, 2012

PETERSBURG, Va. — Fort Lee is investigating whether four deaths this year were suicides.

If they were, the deaths would represent a sharp increase in the number of suicides reported annually by the base.

The Progress-Index reports that the Army post has averaged 1.1 suicides per year over the past decade.
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Fort Lee Army Officer dies at shooting range

UPDATE Gun range owner says Army Reserve Officer prayed before pulling trigger

Shooting range victim identified as Fort Lee soldier
By: MARK BOWES
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: July 21, 2012

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va.

A customer of a Colonial Heights shooting range who died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound Wednesday has been identified as an Army officer stationed at Fort Lee.

Fort Lee officials said 2nd Lt. James R. Cho, 26, whose home of record was listed as LaGrange, Ill., was an Army Reserve officer who entered service in January 2011. He was attending the Quartermaster Basic Officer Leader Course and assigned to Bravo Company, 71st Transportation Battalion, U.S. Army Logistics University, since June.
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Fort Lee investigating death of soldier in barracks

UPDATE

Army identifies soldier found dead in Fort Lee barracks
By: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: July 18, 2012

The Army has identified a soldier from Texas who was found dead in his barracks room at Fort Lee.

The Army said today that foul play isn't suspected in the death of 21-year-old Pvt. David E. Vines of Beaumont, Texas. But investigators with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command haven't ruled it out.
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Fort Lee investigating death of soldier in barracks
By: JEREMY SLAYTON
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: July 16, 2012

A soldier stationed at Fort Lee was found dead this morning in his barracks room.

Fort Lee officials said in a release that military police and Fort Lee emergency personnel responded shortly after 8 a.m.
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Members of mortuary affairs have some of the highest percentages of PTSD

HOME FROM WAR: One of the toughest military jobs
April 25, 2012
by Scott Wise and Greg McQuade

EDITOR’S NOTE: CBS 6 reporter Greg McQuade is telling the stories of veterans who have returned to Central Virginia after serving their country in Iraq or Afghanistan. Look for Greg’s reports each Wednesday on the CBS 6 News at 11 or click here to view them on WTVR.com. If you know a veteran whose story Greg should tell, let Greg know on his Facebook page.

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – She is just 20 years old, but Specialist Jennifer Martinez can say her job is one of the most challenging in the armed forces. Martinez just returned to Virginia after serving her second tour in battle. During her six month deployment, Martinez missed a great deal while serving overseas.

Members of mortuary affairs have some of the highest percentages of PTSD in the military. Jennifer said she has the right mental and physical makeup for a most difficult mission.

“This deployment was in Afghanistan and my first one was Iraq,” she said. “I just got back maybe two weeks ago. I missed food! Food! Driving my car things like that.”

Jennifer is exhaling at Fort Lee after spending a long six months in a war zone. Her five foot one frame had many questioning her ability in a theatre of war.

“Because I’m so short and small they say oh you can lift that.. ‘Yes I can lift that,’” she said.

As a member of the 54th Quartermaster Company, this 20-year-old soldier was tasked with one of the toughest jobs in the military.

“We have infantry people come in special forces come in and say I couldn’t do the job you’re doing. I guess it takes a special person. We basically process the soldiers so they can come home to their families with respect and honor,” she explained.

Not just process any soldier, but those who gave their lives serving their country.
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Westboro hate group stalking another family funeral

After all, stalking is what this is. They do not show up at every military funeral so they decide who to go after. They find out where the funeral will be and gear up to tell them how much God hated their family member.

Westboro Baptist Church members to picket funerals in Chester

By: TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF From staff reports
Published: September 02, 2011

Members of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church plan to picket the funerals today of a man and his young son who were found slain in a triple homicide Sunday in Chesterfield County.

The anti-gay, anti-Semitic group — known for heckling at military funerals claiming God kills soldiers as punishment for national tolerance of homosexuality — faxed a statement announcing it will picket the funerals of Thomas Scott Allred, 40, and Allred's 7-year-old son, Morgan, outside the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home on West Hundred Road.
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Soldiers return to Lee after Iraq deployment

Soldiers return to Lee after Iraq deployment
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 24, 2011 13:41:48 EDT
PETERSBURG, Va. — Eighty-four soldiers are due back at Fort Lee after a yearlong deployment to Iraq.

The soldiers expected back Thursday night are with the Army’s 240th Quartermaster Battalion. During their deployment, the soldiers worked to plan, control, maintain and regulate the Army’s fuel supply in Iraq.

Family and friends are expected to welcome them home.
Soldiers return to Lee after Iraq deployment

Fort Lee jump site inspected following death of Pvt. Anthony R. Milo

Fort Lee jump site inspected following death

The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jul 9, 2010 10:42:42 EDT

PETERSBURG, Va. — A team of Army investigators is inspecting a parachute jump training site at Fort Lee where a 24-year-old private was killed during a practice jump.

Pvt. Anthony R. Milo died in March when the Colorado native became tangled in power lines after jumping from a Black Hawk helicopter.

The Petersburg-area base suspended training at the drop zone after the death and shifted its activities to Fort Pickett.

Fort Lee officials and a team from Fort Benning, Ga., are evaluating the site.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/07/ap_lee_parachute_death_070910/