This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, SGT Cory R. Mracek. We will remember him forever.
Cory Ryan Mracek was born March 16, 1977 in Chadron. He attended several different schools in the Panhandle before coming to Mirage Flats. He attended Hay Springs High School and graduated in 1995. He played football and basketball for four years and participated in track one year. He attended CSC one semester and then joined the National Guard.
He returned to Chadron after Basic training and several months later decided to join the Army. He spent his first year in South Korea. While there, he was given several medals. He was chosen to be a United Nations Command Honor Guard for six weeks. Only the best soldiers were picked from each unit. He also had the honor of patrolling for a Four Star General, the Commander in Chief of the United States and Korean forces.
He went to Fort Campbell, KY where he trained in air assault. He came home when his four- year tour was done and worked as a night stocker at Walmart. The Army life was calling him after 9-11 because his country needed him. That was what he was trained to do.
He re-enlisted and went to training at Fort Sill, OK to be a forward observer. He graduated from school in June 2002 and proceeded to Korea for 12 months. Because of the war in Iraq, his tour was extended to 15 months. He arrived in the states in October 2003 and proceeded to Ft Benning, GA where he attended training to become a paratrooper. He loved the thrill the first time he jumped from the plane. He graduated Airborne school on Nov. 5, 2003. It had been his dream to be a part of the 82nd Airborne Unit. His mom, Pat, and sister, Heather, were there to pin his wings on him. He came home for three weeks and participated in the Crestview Veterans Day program where he presented certificates to several residents.
He loved playing video games and was very good with computers. He would watch movies for hours and laugh at the silliest things. He was very much a kid at heart. His all time favorite movies are the Star Wars series. He has boxes of Star Wars memorabilia. He also enjoyed Lord of the Rings. He liked the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Denver Broncos. Before he left for Iraq, he attended a hockey game in North Carolina. He enjoyed it because he said there were only four in the crowd with Avalanche jerseys on.
He loved life and laughed constantly, and when he laughed it was contagious. He was proud of his chosen career and his flag. He wanted to go to Iraq to serve as he felt it was his duty. He was deployed to Iraq on January 17, 2004. He was in Turkey for two days and was killed 8 days later on January 27. His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal with 3 leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Defense Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Badge M-16 Rifle, Expert Badge Hand Grenade, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge and posthumously received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Special speakers at the service included: CPT Norberto Menendez, Commander A/3-319; LTC Dennis D. Tewksbury, Commander 3/319 Airborne Field Artillery Regiment and Brigadier General Richard J. Rowe, Assistant Division Commander for Operations.
Also attending services were ISG Dung H. Kim, in charge of funeral detail; ISG Wilburn E. Myatt; 15 pallbearers, SGT Christopher M. Hrubes; SGT Galbert C. Sinclair; SPC Nathaniel R. Mummert; PFCMatthew T. Rood; SPC Todd M. Sweppenhiser; SPC Michael S. Barnes; SPC Urbano A Velazco; PFC Daniel G. Dicker; PFC Ryan M. Evans; PFC Ricard M. Goller; PFC Santiago M. Reyes; PV1 Matthew M. Konopatski.
He is survived by his parents, Jim and Pat; sisters Stacy and Heather. Grandparents George and Charlotte Cummings of Gordon, and Jim and Mildred Mracek of Alliance. Uncles: Bart and Bobbi Bartels (Jason, Luci), Gering; Mike and Delila Bartels (Amanda, Jackie, Curt), Chadron; Ed and Vanessa Bartels (Danielle and David), Alliance; Mike Mracek (Sarah), Hemingford; Aunts: Sandy and Jim Heesacker (Jess, Angie), Hay Springs; Lynn and Jerry Weldon (Bill, Jenny, Faron, Jerry), Alliance; Jean Wood (Paul), Alliance; Delvine and Clay Reames, Perryton, TX; Karan Meyer, Faulkton, SD.
He was preceded in death by his beloved grandpa, Jack Bartels; cousin, Kayle Bartels, aunt, Toni Mracek.
A memorial was established to the Lister-Sage Community Center in Hay Springs. Donations were accepted by Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE.
Arrangements were made through Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron with funeral services held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, Feb 4 at the Armstrong Gym at Chadron State College with Reverend Rod Smith and Chaplain (CPT) Matthew Madison officiating.
Burial was held in the Gordon Cemetery with Full Military Services provided by the 3rd Battalion 319 Airborne Field Artillery Regiment.
