From Renee of the Soldiers' Angels Living Legends Team:
We have a fallen Hero from Soldiers' Angels, Spc. Eric T. Caldwell.
Caldwell, 22, of Salisbury, Md., died Jan 7 in Iraq of wounds sustained when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Eric is survived by his mother, Vanessa Caldwell of Gloucester, Va.; his father, Brian Caldwell of Philadelphia; two sisters, his twin Andrea Caldwell of New Orleans and Katie Caldwell of Philadelphia; his aunt and uncle Melvin "M.J." Caldwell Jr. and Pamela Caldwell of Salisbury, MD; and his paternal grandparents, Melvin and Naomi Caldwell of Salisbury, MD.
Renee
Caldwell's military service was inspired by his grandfather, Melvin Caldwell Sr., 83, a U.S. Army Air Corps radio operator and navigator on B-25 bombers in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Known affectionately in the family as "Boss," Melvin Caldwell Sr., a former attorney in Salisbury, wore his bomber jacket into old age.
His grandson worked hard to enter the military. Eric Caldwell struggled with a learning disability and spent months studying to earn his graduate equivalency diploma and pass written tests to enlist, M.J. Caldwell said.
"He found his calling. He loved it. He enjoyed the fraternity, the camaraderie, the quasi-family atmosphere."
Despite a new home in the military, Caldwell never forgot his family. Whenever possible, Caldwell e-mailed from his post outside Baghdad. He bought a pricey Iraqi cell phone so he could call at least every 10 days, at $2 per minute.
When Caldwell phoned last Thursday to say he would be home soon on leave, his aunt promised to pick him up at the airport and prepare a holiday turkey dinner, but he joked that he would be happy eating at Chuck E. Cheese's as long as he could spend time with family.
Source: The Daily Times.
The Patriot Guard Riders are riding for SPC Eric caldwell.
Please take a moment to read the Army Specialist Eric T. Caldwell tribute at the Soldiers' Angels Fallen Heroes blog.
Remember our Heroes.
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