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Chad Bales remembered during dedication

U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, left, John Wayne Metcalf, Ginger Metcalf their children Joshua and Jenny and Marine Lt. Col. R.K. "Bob" Weinkle, command officer of Combat Service Support Battalion 10, salute the flag during a ceremony to honor Lance Cpl. Chad Metcalf Bales Saturday. The 20-year-old Coahoma resident was killed in April while serving in Iraq. (HERALD photo/Lyndel Moody)

By LYNDEL MOODY Staff Writer

Chad Metcalf Bales wasn't a just a U.S. Marine by trade, it was his state of mind, his platoon commander said during a dedication ceremony held in the fallen Marine's memory Saturday.

"Chad was the life of the party kind of guy," recalled Marine Lt. Col. R.K. "Bob" Weinkle, commanding officer of Combat Service Support Battalion 10. "He was very proud of being a Marine. He carried a photo of himself with his mom, his step-dad, his little brother, his little sister, Joshua and Jenny, in his wallet. He was very popular with his friends and he liked to brag about his popularity.

"He was very confident and a little cocky. But you know what, most good Marines really are that way," Weinkle continued. "He boasted that he was the best truck driver in PS Transportation Support Company and you know what, he was. Marines with the security element said he enjoyed driving them around Iraq and he died doing what he loved. He died peacefully and nearly instantaneously. He did not suffer."

More than 130 people attended the dedication of a marker, bench and tree in memory of Bales, who was killed in an accident while serving with the First Marine Expeditionary Force marching on Baghdad in April. The ceremony has held at Bales' alma mater, Coahoma High School.

Weinkle, the keynote speaker, talked about the young Coahoma 20-year-old that he knew, a proud Marine.

"Chad volunteered for the toughest motor transportation mission in my platoon, our security platoon," Weinkle said. "He transported our mortar section, our heavy machine gun section. They were always up front with me in the lead. He was always up front, always ready to go and in fact when he wasn't driving, he manned the line."

Statically, the platoon Chad was part of participated in the longest overland attack in the history of the Marine Corps. The accomplishment earned the platoon the Presidential Unit Citation, the first of this award given to the Marine unit since the Vietnam War, Weinkle said.

"As we deployed over to Iraq, Kuwait first, he experienced seven weeks of exhausting practice, preparation and drills before we crossed the boarder," Weinkle said of Bales. "Chad experienced ambushes from those who intended us harm. He also returned fire to silence those who challenged us. He experienced extreme fatigue from operating a vehicle and defending ground up to 36 hours without sleep.

"He experienced the smiling faces and the waves of the children of Iraq who said really the only English that they knew which was good, good with a thumbs up sign," Weinkle continued. "He also experienced the proud citizens of Iraq who yearn to be free. He saw that. He talked to them. He knew what he was doing was right and just."

Bales left a lasting mark on the Marines he served with and on the world, Weinkle said.

"Today you may hear many of our fellow citizens and some of those in the media ask if what we did and what we continue to do in Iraq was right. Only one who was there could truly answer that," he said. "Chad gave his life, not just for his country but for fellow human beings that hungered for freedom.

"I know it was the right thing to do," Weinkle said. "Chad knew that it was the right thing to do. His death was not in vain. I'm assured and I'm convinced that Chad would say the same thing. President Ronald Reagan once said some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they've ever made a difference in the world. The Marines don't have that problem. Chad did not have that problem."

U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, who presented Bales' family with a U.S. flag, quoted a scripture in the Bible that said "greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

"Chad Bales was found worthy," Weinkle said. "He answered our nation's call. He was a watchmen on a wall. You can rest at peace knowing your fellow Marines will continue our hallowed tradition of winning our nation's battles. We wish fair wind and seas as you go to our streets of heaven. Semper fi."

Contact Staff Writer Lyndel Moody at 263-7331, ext. 234, or by e-mail at newsdesk@crcom.net