Fallen hero

August 20, 2006

By JOEL DAVIDSON

Frontiersman

PALMER - Rain poured and rivers flooded the Mat-Su Friday, while 500 people lifted their voices inside the First Baptist Church in Palmer to sing the favorite hymn of fallen soldier Shane Woods.

&#8220Though life be wretched away, they cannot win the day, the Kingdom is forever” people sang as they gazed at Woods' flag-draped casket.

On Aug. 9, Spc. Shane William Woods died at age 23 when a roadside explosive ripped into his armored Humvee in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, killing him and two fellow soldiers. He was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division.

Woods grew up in the Mat-Su and graduated from Palmer High School in 2003. His parents said his aim in life was to love God and family and serve his country. The Army honored that service with a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart.

The Rev. Jonathan Rockey is the senior pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer where Woods

regularly attended church with his parents, Wayne and Mae, and his younger sister, Stephanie.

The grieving family listened in the front row of the church, as Rockey told them that Woods' life was ultimately a victory.

&#8220Some may say, ‘How can you proclaim victory when Shane's life in this world is done?'” he said, before adding that, &#8220fighting for his country was not the only battle Shane was engaged in.”

Even more important than the pressing war in Iraq was Woods' spiritual battle - one that could not be derailed by death, Rockey said.

&#8220Not even an improvised explosive device can separate him from the love of Christ,” Rockey told the gathering of friends, relatives, fellow soldiers, media representatives and state politicians. &#8220A stronger one than Shane won the victory.”

Fellow soldier, Sgt. Christopher LaNoue told the packed crowd that Woods was an inspiration to those around him, both in life and in death.

&#8220We are all only given one life to live,” he said in a tribute that was marked by tears and laughter. &#8220If we were all able to live forever, we would not be able to appreciate life.”

LaNoue described Woods as a relaxed soldier, despite drinking so much coffee they had to ration it to him.

&#8220One time we found coffee instead of water in his canteen,” LaNoue said.

Pastor Rockey told how he saw Woods grow from a shy young man to a &#8220gentleman of action.”

A photograph on the front cover of the funeral service program pictured Woods standing on a local mountaintop - his arms stretched wide and smile beaming across his face.

A few pages into the program, Woods' parents included a one-page meditation. The first line quotes from the Old Testament Book of Hebrews, and tells of their hope that their son's death was not the end.

&#8220Now faith is being sure of what we hope for,” it reads, &#8220and certain of what we do not see.”

Contact Joel Davidson at 352-2266 or joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.