R.I.P. Sgt. Patrick O. Williamson

Name: Army Sgt. Patrick O. Williamson

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Age: 24

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From: Broussard, La.

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Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

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Incident: Army Sgt. Patrick O. Williamson died Oct. 27 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an IED. Also killed were Sgt. Fernando Delarosa, Staff Sgt. Luis M. Gonzalez, Sgt. Dale R. Griffin, Sgt. Issac B. Jackson, Spc. Jared D. Stanker and Pfc. Christopher I. Walz.

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Died: October 27, 2009

(Taken from www.iberianet.com) BROUSSARD — A Mass of Christian Burial for Sgt. Patrick Oliver Williamson, 24, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Broussard with Fr. Louis Richard, Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Chancellor of St. Thomas Moore. Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Lafayette on the Youngsville Highway Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday from 8 a.m. until the time of the services. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Mausoleum.

A native of Lafayette and a resident of Broussard, Sgt. Patrick Oliver Williamson died on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, in the Arghandab Valley of Kandahar providence in Afghanistan. Because of his sacrifice, we are all safer. The world is better for having Patrick Williamson in it for 24 short years. God loved him so much that he called him home early.

Patrick is a graduate of Saint Cecilia Elementary and a 2004 graduate of Saint Thomas More High School where he earned a scholarship in Petroleum Engineering. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for two years majoring in Mechanical Engineering before he answered his life’s calling as a soldier in the U.S. Army, enlisting in August of 2006.

Patrick loved Cydney Palmer, whose heart he won through persistent charm. He embraced life enthusiastically. He was loyal to his friends and a joy to his family. He was mechanically gifted and often the only one who could start his truck. He was also an avid student of history, recalling the most obscure facts and dates with amazing ease. He loved the outdoors, pulling pranks, anything to be with his beloved friends. He had a quick smile and friendly demeanor when greeting friends or putting strangers at ease. He was always true to his core values and had a quiet confidence that he carried with humility. He took on all of life’s experiences without fear; whether that meant four-wheeler acrobatics, airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., leaving friends and family to form a new Stryker Brigade at Fort Lewis, Wash., or his deployment in harm’s way to Afghanistan. He had found his calling and was never afraid. With his intelligence and aptitude scores he could have had any job in the Army. He chose infantry because that is where he could experience the best training and make the biggest difference in his mission of protecting America from her enemies. He was a responsible leader who progressed through the ranks far ahead of schedule. He was proud of his job and supported those under his responsibility.

Patrick Oliver Williamson is a true American Hero who represents the most honorable values in our country. He is extremely loved and will be missed so very much by his family. We know that he is in Heaven looking down on us. He will be with us always.

He is survived by his parents, Leon “Buddy” Williamson III and Sybil Barras Williamson of Broussard; a brother Max Williamson of Broussard; a sister Betsy Williamson of Broussard; his paternal grandmother, Elaine Baskett, of Glenmora; his maternal grandmother, Florence Barras, of New Iberia; and the love of his life Cydney Palmer.