Carson soldier was 'anchor guy'

MOSUL, Iraq. - Fort Carson’s Sgt. Chad A. Barrett was mourned by comrades today at the base where he died Feb. 2.

At the 30-minute ceremony, a chaplain told his fellow Fort Carson soldiers to honor Barrett by remembering the three pillars of belief: Faith, hope and love.

“Today as we struggle with his loss and the situation surrounding his death, I give you these three things,” the chaplain, Capt. Stephen Pratel told an audience of about 200 who gathered in a movie theater for the service.

The Army won’t say how Barrett died in his room that night at Forward Operating Base Marez. The death wasn’t caused by enemy action and is being investigated, officials said.

Barrett will be missed, said his eulogist, Capt. Karen Baker, who commands the Forward Support Company that’s serving in Mosul with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team’s 1st Battalion of the 8th Infantry Regiment, which left Colorado for Iraq in December.

“Chad Barrett was a quiet professional who never missed an opportunity to share his knowledge,” she told the mourners.

Friends said Barrett, on his second deployment to Iraq, was a respected expert who could tear apart and reassemble every weapon in the Army’s arsenal blindfolded.

A native of Saltville, Va., the 11-year Army veteran served as a fuel specialist in Baker’s company, ensuring that rigs in the battalion never ran on empty. Along the way, Barrett earned the Army Commendation Medal twice and the Army Achievement Medal.

Barrett survived attacks in Iraq, including bombings, and earned the Combat Action Badge. Baker said he didn’t seem to let the war bring him down.

He is survived by his wife Michelle, son Zachery Barrett and stepdaughter Taylor Chidley.

Baker described Barrett as a devoted husband and father.

He died less than two months after his 36th birthday, and four days after the battalion lost five soldiers when their Humvee was destroyed by a bomb during a patrol in Mosul’s Palestine neighborhood.

Baker said the loss took a toll on her company, because Barrett’s sense of humor buoyed those who were down.

“He was just one of those guys who would open his arms when you were having a bad day and tell you a joke,” she said.

After the service, Baker said the sergeant was one of the most reliable people in the company. While others took their time accomplishing some tasks, Barrett was eager.

“He would seriously be running and jumping out of his chair,” she said.

After the service, some soldiers stood solemnly in front of a picture of Barrett and others hugged.

Barrett’s friend Staff Sgt. Frederick Hinton remembered the smallish man with a booming, deep voice that made him seem much larger.

“He was an outstanding individual,” Hinton said. “He was nice to everybody and had a warm heart and infectious smile.”

While the Army investigates how Barrett died, his friends only want to remember how he lived.

“He had a good heart,” Baker said. “He was one of those anchor guys.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: tom.roeder@gazette.com