Remembering a son, a brother, a hero

Matt Hildner

Daily Press Writer

MONTROSE — U.S. Army Cpl. Chris Sitton left a large mark on Montrose.

An outdoor enthusiast. A friend to many. A loving son and brother. And someone who died serving his country.

Sitton was laid to rest with full military honors Sunday following a memorial service at Montrose High School and an inurnment at Grand View Cemetery attended by nearly 250 mourners.

Sitton, a 2003 MHS graduate, died Aug. 19 in eastern Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated near the convoy in which he was travelling. He was 21.

"Even those who knew him best would still have trouble saying all there was to say about him," said Capt. Tom Lesh, an Army Chaplain from Fort Carson, during the memorial ceremony.

Brig. Gen. James Gillman also addressed the gathering. He noted that, like the Sittons, he was originally from Texas and, like Sitton, he was also a medic.

"It would have been a blast working with him," Gillman said.

Dewayne Beltran, a Vietnam veteran who presented a plaque to the Sittons on behalf of the Purple Heart Association, described how grateful all soldiers are to medics.

"Any combat veteran has very high esteem for medics," he said. "I've seen them come for the dying, working miracles."

Sitton served with the 710th Combat Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Gillman presented the Sittons with six honors, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and his Army Medic's badge.

He added that the courage and integrity, instilled in Sitton by his family, teachers and scouting mentors put him well ahead of many soldiers when he entered the army.

"With someone like Christopher Sitton, we were way past the basics on day one," he said.

Sitton moved to Montrose with his family from Texas in 2001 during his sophomore year of high school. Once here, Sitton became involved in the Venture Crew 490, a local coed scout troop that engaged in a number of outdoor activities.

More than two dozen Boy Scouts and Boy Scout leaders came in uniform from across the Western Slope to honor the former Eagle Scout.

While in high school, Sitton excelled in athletics, running cross country and qualifying for the state track meet in multiple events during his junior and senior years.

A table at the memorial service was adorned with his letter jacket and pictures of his family and track teammates.

Sitton, who was remembered by friends and family for his outgoing personality, was known for keeping his older sister Laura on her toes.

Lesh described Chris as a little brother with a "whole lotta good and a little bit of mischief."

Following the memorial service, an 1867 horse-drawn coach carried Sitton's ashes from the high school on an hour-long procession to an inurnment ceremony at Grand View Cemetery.

Gillman presented flags to Chris's parents Judy and Steve, his sister Laura, and his fianc¸, Army Spec. Ashley Villarreal.

The inurnment included a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," a bugle performance of "Taps," and a 21-gun salute.

Sunday marked the second time in as many years that Montrose said goodbye to a service member who died in combat. Marine Cpl. Chad Maynard, who died in July 2005 after his Humvee struck a roadside bomb, was a 2004 graduate of Montrose High.

At the close of the inurnment ceremony, Lesh reminded those gathered that Chris had "lived his life well and lived it completely."

He also asked for God's help for all to remember that fact.

"Help us to cry good tears," he said.

Contact Matt Hildner via e-mail at matth@montrosepress.com