Hey guys, My name is Jerry, I was the unit Instructor Pilot in that unit with Shane Colton, we overlapped about 1 year their at Hood. Shane was excited about getting his camaro on the road and we always talked about our cars when we saw each other. Shane as you know was killed on Easter Sunday of this year leaving behind his Son Lance, and wife Inge. Shane had already put together a 383, new quarters, and was working on a newer dash and newer gen tilt steering column as well as a new rear end setup with disc brakes. Of course when the unit deployed he put the car in storage there in Killeen thinking he would get back to it when he got home. As we all know now he never made it. Shane was a great soft spoken guy, he had offered to help me when I finally do my quarter panel fix on my car. I know he would have given the oppurtunity. Inge his wife has taken Shanes death very hard, they were very close, closer than most couples I have seen over my years in the Army. They went everywhere together and were very happy I always thought. I remember a special time for me when my son who was 9 at the time was visiting from England (I get him a few months a year) we were over at Chuck Fortenberry's house in troy Texas just north of Temple for a C Company "Vampires" get together, my son was there with me as was Shane his wife and their son Lance. Also there were 2 great friends of mine and all the guys from our company, Ron Young and Dave Williams, you remember them, they were the 2 apache POWs shot down at the beginning of the war.My son and Lance had never met but Josh really enjoyed playng with him and the other boys all day,playing in the pool and such. Sad thing is, Chuck was also killed with Shane in that shootdown. I think back on that day now and remember how we were all sitting around a fire, talking, drinking beer and talking about things,our famalies, and what we want in life,it was a happy time. I cant help but think about how Shanes and Chucks sons,who were so happy and having so much fun that last summer,not knowing it was their last summer with Dad. I can only imagine how they felt losing their dads, I think what if it was my son Josh who lost me it makes me tear up right now. I have placed myself in their shoes many times, knowing what happened to them in explicit detail and it hurts me very bad. They didnt deserve what was dealt for them, they deserved better. I know I am rambling, but In the business I am in, I thank the Lord everyday I come back and get to see my Son, knowing that people that were good friends of mine do not have that luxury, and their Sons are growing up without their dad to show them those things that fathers do.
With that if there is anything I can do I will, I am in Korea and will not be back in texas until end of summer 2005. Inga still lives there in Killeen with Lance, Shane was buried in Killeen and she intends to stay there. They had just bought a new house. I do not have her new contact information,but would be able to track it down very easily. I still have quite a few peoplein that area in other units that were Shane and Chucks friends also.
you can email me at:
jerry.sherrill@korea.army.mil
