Christopher Sachs, a 36 year old Army Veteran died of complications of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
on November 2, 2008. Below is his story, as told by his beloved Uncle Jon. I strongly urge you to visit the web
site dedicated to Chris and especially recommend reading his diaries from Iraq.
"Christopher Sachs served nearly a year in Iraq, leaving in December 2004, and finishing his enlistment soon
after that. He had joined the Army for a four year stint, much of which he served in Germany. He served in Iraq
a variety of capacities, from medic to armorer.
In September of 2008, he felt tired after mowing a lawn. He went to the VA hospital and was sent right to the
Roswell Cancer Center in Buffalo, near where he lived. On Sunday, September 21, he was diagnosed with
AML, a form of leukemia that normally strikes children and older people. He got married the next day, instead of
the planned October 11 wedding, so that Robyn, his new wife, could sign papers and deal with medical-legal
situations. He started chemotherapy late that night, 2am on Tuesday morning. On Wednesday his reaction to
the chemotherapy was so intense that he was moved to the ICU.
He went into a coma, and never came out. There were a series of crises, each worse than the last. He suffered
multiple organ failure, and died on November 2nd, 2008.
Chris was 36 years old, a giant of a man, and as generous, friendly, and funny as anyone you ever met. The
loss has been so sudden and so vast that his family is still reeling from it."
They have put together a website as tribute to Chris and another place to gather information on Iraq war
illnesses: www.forchrissake.org.
Here are some highlights of his Army career, in his own words:
" - At AIT selected to be the platoon guide, and kept the job the entire 16 weeks, while most others were rotated
through their position.
- I earned my Schutzenschneur (inter-country rifle program), earning Gold.
- I have stood before a military promotion board and received the highest score among all soldiers present,
including the E-6 board.
- The ONLY soldier in my company selected to go to Turkey during Operation Iraqi Freedom. While there he
volunteered (yes, volunteered!) to work at the E701st aid station and was one of only 20 soldiers out of 1500
during the whole three months to receive a coin from Major General Mortensen.
- Selected and sent off to Armorer school to add to my duties by fixing weapons.
- Selected to replace the training NCO
- Promoted to Sergeant in Iraq"
on November 2, 2008. Below is his story, as told by his beloved Uncle Jon. I strongly urge you to visit the web
site dedicated to Chris and especially recommend reading his diaries from Iraq.
"Christopher Sachs served nearly a year in Iraq, leaving in December 2004, and finishing his enlistment soon
after that. He had joined the Army for a four year stint, much of which he served in Germany. He served in Iraq
a variety of capacities, from medic to armorer.
In September of 2008, he felt tired after mowing a lawn. He went to the VA hospital and was sent right to the
Roswell Cancer Center in Buffalo, near where he lived. On Sunday, September 21, he was diagnosed with
AML, a form of leukemia that normally strikes children and older people. He got married the next day, instead of
the planned October 11 wedding, so that Robyn, his new wife, could sign papers and deal with medical-legal
situations. He started chemotherapy late that night, 2am on Tuesday morning. On Wednesday his reaction to
the chemotherapy was so intense that he was moved to the ICU.
He went into a coma, and never came out. There were a series of crises, each worse than the last. He suffered
multiple organ failure, and died on November 2nd, 2008.
Chris was 36 years old, a giant of a man, and as generous, friendly, and funny as anyone you ever met. The
loss has been so sudden and so vast that his family is still reeling from it."
They have put together a website as tribute to Chris and another place to gather information on Iraq war
illnesses: www.forchrissake.org.
Here are some highlights of his Army career, in his own words:
" - At AIT selected to be the platoon guide, and kept the job the entire 16 weeks, while most others were rotated
through their position.
- I earned my Schutzenschneur (inter-country rifle program), earning Gold.
- I have stood before a military promotion board and received the highest score among all soldiers present,
including the E-6 board.
- The ONLY soldier in my company selected to go to Turkey during Operation Iraqi Freedom. While there he
volunteered (yes, volunteered!) to work at the E701st aid station and was one of only 20 soldiers out of 1500
during the whole three months to receive a coin from Major General Mortensen.
- Selected and sent off to Armorer school to add to my duties by fixing weapons.
- Selected to replace the training NCO
- Promoted to Sergeant in Iraq"
CHRISTOPHER SACHS
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
