FORNEY, Texas – Family and friends of fallen soldier Army Specialist Chad Hayden Drake attended the Forney City Council Meeting on September 16, 2014, to listen and watch as Forney Mayor Darren Rozell read and presented a “Fallen Hero Day” proclamation in honor of Drake to his daughter Kaylee Nicole Drake, widow Randi Drake Wright, and mother Ginger Drake Smith.
FORNEY, Texas – Family and friends of fallen soldier Army Specialist Chad Hayden Drake attended the Forney City Council Meeting on September 16, 2014, to listen and watch as Forney Mayor Darren Rozell read and presented a “Fallen Hero Day” proclamation in honor of Drake to his daughter Kaylee Nicole Drake, widow Randi Drake Wright, and mother Ginger Drake Smith.
23-year-old Army Spc. Chad H. Drake was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, on September 7, 2004, after his patrol vehicle came under attack by enemy forces using small-arms fire. Drake saved two fellow soldiers and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star posthumously.
Rozell declared Monday, September 8, 2014, as Army Spc. Chad Hayden Drake Fallen Hero Day in Forney, Texas.
Drake was killed in Iraq during the week the 1,000th casualty was reported. Drake was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Army Specialist Chad Hayden Drake Fallen Hero Day Proclamation to his daughter Kaylee Nicole Drake:
“Whereas, we honor our fallen heroes, our military, veterans, law enforcement officers, fire fighters and all first-responders and their families for their dedication to our country and community an
Whereas, Army Specialist Chad Hayden Drake served with the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
Whereas, one moth prior to his death, Specialist Drake was on a mission to rescue two pilots when his Humvee was ambushed with a roadside bomb. Showing a lack of fear and demonstrating valor, Specialist Drake left the safety of his vehicle returning twice to free the driver and hatch gunner of the disabled Humvee. Upon relocating his two fellow soldiers to a safe position, he maneuvered to a more advantageous position to help the two pilots. Throughout the fire-fight Specialist Drake had been wounded in the leg and the neck yet his love for his fellow soldiers and his sense of duty pushed him forward. Had it not been for his heroic actions on that date these soldiers may have died in battle. For those heroic acts he received the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for valor; and
Whereas, on September 7, 2004, barely one month after his heroic actions, Specialist Drake again put others before himself. Due to his previous combat injuries Specialist Drake could have avoided direct combat operations, but instead volunteered for a vehicle patrol and was killed in action when his patrol vehicle came under direct attack by enemy forces using small arms fire; and
Whereas, on this the 10th anniversary of the death of Army Specialist Chad Hayden Drake, we are reflecting and honoring the memory of a young man who died serving his country and his daughter, Kaylee Nicole Drake who will know that her heroic father did not die in vain and that he died doing what he loved, protecting his country;
Now, Therefore, I, Darren Rozell, Mayor of the City of Forney, Texas, in tribute to the memory of Army Specialist Chad Hayden Drake, and all out fallen heroes, our military, veterans, law enforcement officers, fire fighters and all first-responders, and families as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby declare Monday, September 8, 2014, as
Army Specialist Chad Hayden Drake Fallen Hero Day
in the City of Forney and call upon everyone to honor our men and women who died protecting our nation and community, and those who now put themselves in harm's way every day for our freedom.
In Witness Wherefore, I hereunto set my hand and official seal this 16th day of September, Darren Rozell, Mayor.”
