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- The People Behind The Sacrifice
Army Spc. Wade A. Slack
Died May 6, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Waterville, Maine; assigned to the 707th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died May 6 at Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.
Funeral scheduled for Lewis soldier
The Associated Press
WATERVILLE, Maine — A funeral for a soldier who died in Afghanistan will take place May 16.
Army Spc. Wade Slack, 21, of Waterville was killed May 6 by indirect fire from a rocket or mortar fired by insurgents.
The Morning Sentinel of Waterville reported that the funeral is planned for the Blessed Hope Church in Waterville.
Shanon Cotta, a spokesman for the Maine Army National Guard, said that Slack’s remains will be flown to Maine on May 15. He says Slack will be buried May 18 at the Lewis Cemetery in Oakland.
Slack, who joined the Army after graduating from Waterville High School in 2007, was assigned to the 707th Ordnance Company, 3rd Ordnance Battalion, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
‘He made people feel special and loved’
The Associated Press
Friends and family members knew they could turn to Wade Slack if they were down. He always seemed to be cheerful and knew how to spread that to others.
“He made people feel special and loved,” said his sister, Meghan Slack.
Slack, of Waterville, Maine, brought that spirit to his work in the Army. He specialized in disarming explosives, one of the most dangerous jobs in combat.
“I don’t think I ever once heard him complain about the job,” said Sgt. James Cribbett. “He was always there to brighten our day, every day.”
Slack, 21, was killed May 6 when his unit came under fire in Jaghatu, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
He graduated from Waterville Senior High School as an honor student in 2007. He enjoyed music, video games, movies and shooting.
His father said Slack had been preparing for military service since age 14.
“He was a great young man,” said Alan Slack. “He was focused and knew what he wanted in life.”
Slack also is survived by his mother, Mary Slack, stepmother, Rose Slack, and siblings Jonathan, Andrew, Jesse and Lauren.