Note: This article was originally published on April 11, 2003. We’re re-posting it now for our Colorado’s Fallen tribute.
Longmont – Since losing his buddy in Operation Iraqi Freedom last
week, Army Sgt. 1st Class Troy Franzen has repeatedly been consoled
by friends who say: “I’m sorry for your loss.”
But Franzen, who once served with Sgt. 1st Class Randall “Randy”
Rehn and who spoke at his memorial on Thursday, is quick to correct
them.
“My reply is: ‘Did you know Randy? Because if you didn’t, I’m
sorry for yours.”‘
Hundreds filled St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Longmont to
remember a friend who enjoyed a good joke and indulged in life.
“I’ve never known a man who enjoyed life as much,” Franzen said.
“You never heard him complain – unless we ran out of Bud Light,”
he said, prompting giggles from the crowd.
During the afternoon ceremony, friends told stories that drew
tears, laughter and a sense of American pride.
Rehn, 36, was killed April 3 while fighting with the Army’s 3rd
Infantry Division near Baghdad’s international airport. The 16-year
veteran commanded a rocket-launch vehicle. Two other soldiers also died in the incident.
Rehn, a graduate of Niwot High School, was the third of five men
with Colorado ties to have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Rehn’s mother, JoAnne Rehn, said officials told her that her son
was in a Humvee when it was hit by hostile fire, but coalition
forces also were firing in the area. An investigation may take up
to 90 days and could delay the return of Rehn’s body to the United
States, family members said.
He is scheduled to be buried in Tulsa, Okla., near Fort Sill, where
his unit was based and his wife, Raelynn, and 7-month-old daughter,
Megan, live.
Raelynn sat in the front pew, her eyes fixed for much of the
service on a portrait of her husband that rested on a table with a
folded American flag.
Rob Roth, a childhood friend, described Rehn as a character who
pulled frequent pranks – like hiding the tires from Roth’s car when
they were in high school, or sneaking bites out of his lunch. But
Rehn also had “character in a different sense,” he said.
Roth, who works with at-risk children, said his students recently
shared their impressions about Rehn after learning of his death.
They called him courageous and responsible, Roth said. Another told
him: “I don’t know Randy, but he showed me respect. To Randy’s
family and friends, I will pray for you. To Randy’s wife, he was a
true guy.”
Raelynn pursed her lips and nodded at the compliment.
The Rev. Brian Morrow said the memorial was a time for crying but
also a time for celebration.
“We celebrate someone who God has gifted to us in his life. We
will enjoy his friendship his sense of humor, his teasing.”
Gov. Bill Owens called Rehn a “son of Colorado,” and “above all,
an American.”
“He loved his country deeply,” Owens said. Quoting from the
Bible, he said, “Greater love hath no man than when he lays down
his life for his friends. This was the story of Sgt. Rehn.”
Joe Rehn, Randy’s older brother, called Randy “my best friend.”
“I lost that partner,” he said. If Randy were here, he would have
special advice for all those in attendance: “Life is short. Live
it to the fullest. Don’t let a day slip by when you don’t hug
somebody,” Joe Rehn said.
Joe’s wife, Penny, recalled a discussion Randy had with her son,
Joshua.
When Joshua, 12, asked his uncle why he would fight a war many
Americans were protesting, Randy told him, “This is why I fight,
so those people have the right to do that.”
