John-Your sacrifice will remain in our hearts for a lifetime, with intense gratitude.
“Some people’s lives can truly make a difference however long or short their lives on earth. They give the gifts of kindness and of caring. They sow the seeds of friendship and self-worth. Some people’s lives are beautiful examples of putting others first, and when they are gone, the lives of those they touched are so much richer, and the love they shared lives on and on.”
Sgt John Penich~Forever Young, Always Missed, Never Forgotten.....
In the far away fires
Where the hills forever burn
At the feet of our heroes
We try hard to learn
But the lesson is lost there
In the smoke and the mud
That we are one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood
I stood by the river
That ran red with shame
I stood in the killing fields
Where death had no name
I stood with my brothers
And away it flood
And we were one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood
Then I fell to the ground
Tasted ashes on my tongue
Thinking that only the dead
Are forever young
There was peace in the twilight
And for a moment among
It was a world without danger
A world without war
And I will take all your suffering
It will do any good
Cause we are one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood
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Sgt. John M Penich, U.S. Army, was killed on October 16, 2008 while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. Sgt. Penich was assigned to Viper Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, as a light infantry rifleman. John had enlisted in the Army in March 2006 and was promoted to Sergeant in March 2008.
Sgt. Penich's awards include the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Bronze Star (Posthumous), Purple Heart Medal (Posthumous), the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (third award), Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the NATO-ISAF Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Parachutist Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Sgt. Penich was also awarded the Brigade Soldier of the Year award in 2007.
He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he enriched!! He was a devoted son, brother, uncle, friend, and soldier.
Richard Engel visits Sgt John Penich's mother on Dec 16 2008-
Report after Viper Co returns home, and the Memorial Poker Run to honor Sgt John M. Penich-
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After witnessing the 2001 terror attacks, John M. Penich told his family he wanted to serve his country. But his career took a detour managing a hotel, a banquet hall and then a nightclub before enlisting.
"He kind of ignored his calling and bounced around," said his older brother Jeff Penich. "But he had no regrets of joining the Army. It was a calling to him in 2001, and it didn't catch up with him until later."
Penich, 25, of Beach Park, Ill., died Oct. 16 in Karangol Village of wounds suffered from indirect fire. He was a 2001 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Hood.
Penich enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, mountain biking, riding four-wheelers and Harleys, and playing paintball.
When sending care packages to him in Afghanistan, Jeff said his brother used to ask for things for his fellow soldiers.
"It was never 'I would like this.' Never, 'I want this.' It was always, 'What can I get for my guys?' He always put everyone before himself, including his country," Jeff said.
By Amanda Kim Stairrett Nov. 14, 2008
Killeen Daily HeraldFORT HOOD – Kathleen Garross spoke to her son, John, several times over one week in mid-October.
"Did you get any new medals?" she asked once.
"Yeah," her son answered. "There should be a big one coming."
"What did you do to earn it?" Garross asked.
"You don't want to know," was the response. "Let me just tell you, I took care of business."
Garross never got to hear from her son just what he did to earn a Silver Star, the third-highest honor given to service members for valor. Sgt. John Penich died Oct. 16 in Karangol Village, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from indirect fire, according to information from the Defense Department.
It wasn't until after his death that Garross learned of her son's heroics. They were heroics that earned him a Silver Star and a Bronze Star Medal with Valor. They were heroics that, on multiple occasions, led Penich to save the lives of his brothers in arms.
Garross and Penich's father, James, received their son's Silver Star on Thursday following a memorial ceremony in his and three others' honor.
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