newwiccan

My husband and gobs101's son are stationed at Fort carson. Gobs son knew a few of the men killed.


Family, friends bid farewell to soldiers



First Sgt. James Smith takes down a memorial display Monday following a memorial ceremony at Fort Carson for Staff Sgt. Michael Quinn and Sgt. Thomas Broomhead.

Two men among Fort Carson troops killed in Iraqi conflict

By DANIELLE NIEVES THE GAZETTE

Sally Quinn Taylor was standing on the steps of Soldier’s Memorial Chapel Monday when a man quietly placed the gold star service banner in her hands.

The single gold star, representing a family member who has died while serving the military, is for her son, Michael.

Inside the chapel, two framed photographs rested in front of two pairs of boots, guns and helmets - one for Sgt. Tom F. Broomhead, another for Staff Sgt. Michael B. Quinn.

Fort Carson soldiers Quinn, 37, and Broomhead, 34, were killed Tuesday at an Iraqi checkpoint in Fallujah when two Iraqis stepped from their car and opened fire.

The men are two of seven confirmed soldiers from Fort Carson who have died in combat in Iraq to date.

“I have watched, on many occasion, the last march of the soldier to the grave,” said Chaplain Lt. Col. James Ellison.

The memorial ceremonies, “ever respectful, always solemn,” are hard on everyone, he said.

“It seems we are working from one ceremony to another,” Ellison said. “In a way, we are being overwhelmed.”

He assured those who came to remember the men that they would “not be lost in the crowd.”

On Monday morning the chapel on Fort Carson was full. Families of both men and soldiers dressed in Army fatigues silently took their seats as bagpipers played outside.

Both men were assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Carson.

Quinn, who was jokingly called “By-the-Book-Bob,” was remembered for his strong work ethic, and was someone his classmates relied on when they needed help.

“He was very serious about his job,” said Sgt. Edwin Claros. “He was always teaching soldiers how to do things right.”

Quinn graduated from Line Mountain High School in Hearndon, Penn., in 1984. He enlisted after graduation and completed a tour in Korea. He later attended the University of Southern Florida, and reenlisted in 1996.

His mother, Sally Quinn Taylor, and stepfather, Chuck Taylor, came to the service from Levy County, Florida.

In just a few days, they will hold memorial services again for close family members.

Quinn said she received a letter from her son shortly after learning he had died.

It was dated May 5, and he told his mother morale was still high.

“He was just gung-ho all the way,” she said.

Jim Carter, Broomhead’s brother-in-law, said the focus is now on his sister and her three sons.

“When he left, we all said goodbye, and the last words from all of us were, ‘be careful,’” he said. “It was only a couple days ago that we heard...”

Broomhead was a jokester, he said, and he had devoted his life to becoming a father.

The former Marine enlisted in the Army in 2000 to attend the Armor School at Fort Knox, Ky.

Broomhead is survived by wife Kelli and three sons, Jacob, Zachary and Jason from Colorado Springs; parents Robert Broomhead and Rosemary Klima of Fort Myers, Fla.; brothers Michael and Bryan of Phoenix, and Fort Myers, Fla., respectively.

Quinn is survived by his wife Melissa and son, Timothy.

Tasha405

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