10 years later, loved ones honor soldier's sacrifice

CHILLICOTHE – The well-known saying may state that "time heals all wounds," but there wasn't a person among those gathered Saturday around Spc. Gavin Colburn's final resting place in Floral Hills Memory Gardens who would say that's true.

Colburn, a 2003 graduate of Adena High School, was a 20-year-old motor transport officer serving in Iraq as a member of the Army Reserves' 542nd Transportation Company when, on April 22, 2005, an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle and claimed his life. In the 10 years since then, the pain inflicted on Colburn's loved ones in that one fateful minute has not diminished significantly.

"Let me say this year, I'm not going to say it's easier – you can't put it into words," said Colburn's mother, Tina Stevens. "At least I smile when I remember things (about Gavin) now. Before, it was harder."

While the day-to-day aftermath can be difficult enough, Stevens said the anniversary each year poses even more of a challenge. She finds support, however, from Herb Begman and Lindsay Lloyd, along with Lloyd's son, Arlington, who come to stay with her each anniversary. Both Begman and Lloyd served with Colburn and provide what Stevens said is a "crutch" for her to lean on.

More than a dozen people stood at Colburn's graveside as rain started to fall Saturday – most were family or those who had spent time in the service with him. Adam Grooms opened a brief ceremony reading something he had prepared to honor his friend and fallen comrade.

"Since I returned home, we've had the time to reflect on what Gavin meant to our lives and what a huge loss his death brings to the world," Grooms said. "The fact that we are all gathered here today speaks to how Gavin affected our lives in a positive manner. It is with great pride that I continue to say that I served with an American hero."

Following a prayer, Grooms' remarks and a playing of taps, those gathered shared a few memories that brought some smiles and laughs to cut through the gloom of the day and the somber occasion. They then each took a shot of whiskey, which Stevens said was Colburn's favorite, temporarily placing the bottle by his memorial marker.

Universally, those attending recalled Colburn as someone with a strong work ethic who had plenty of qualities that drew people to him.

"He'd give you the shirt off his back before he'd let someone else go without," said his father, Tony Colburn.

"He was always friendly, engaging," said his platoon sergeant, Paul Pearson. "He was a fine young man."

Pearson said Colburn had just been promoted from private first class to specialist shortly before his death. He said that on the day of Colburn's death, an opening had come up on an entry control point duty that was headed out and the sergeant had to put Colburn in the truck.

"We all knew going in that we might lose somebody for two reasons," Pearson said. "Number one, the situation was getting worse, and number two, we had the hillbilly armor on the trucks. We were getting up-armored as they called it to get better protection – that other stuff all you've got is that sheet metal and the windows down, and that's a dangerous situation."

Colburn's sacrifice has been remembered in the naming of a section of Ohio 138 in his honor. Tribute has also been paid by dozens of people – some who knew him personally and some who simply wished to honor his service – through comments on online websites like one established for the "Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Colburn's grave marker echoes the sentiment of that website, noting that he was "one of several" heroes. That statement is one that all who were gathered around it Saturday could agree with.