Blue C. Rowe, 33

I am totally devastated by 1SG Blue Rowe's ultimate sacrifice. I worked with him for over 2 1/2 years before this last deployment. I am still in his unit. All of Delta company were broken up in different Provincial Reconstruction Teams. I had not seen Blue since late October when we all flew to Afghanistan. He was an excellent First Sergeant. He was physically fit. He always took care of soldiers. He did not have the cocky attitude that many First Sergeants have.
He was one of the few NCOs who did not smoke. He was a natural born leader and an excellent athlete. He would come in the top 3 in a running 8 mile ruckmarch march/shuffle run where we had to have at least 40 pounds in our rucks. On drill weekends, We would get to our unit in Upland on at 5 am and start the run at 5:30 after making sure we had the minimum weight in the rucksack. He was also airborne qualified too. He was always friendly to both officers and enlisted alike. He made First Sergeant at age 31. In this global war on terror, always think that the casualties of war will be somebody else and not someone you know in your own unit. We were a 25 man special operations airborne company. Blue's legacy lives in the ISAF press releases where he was helping Afghan Police learn basic police skills or helping the villagers in the brutal winter with humanitarian aide. He will be missed by all of us!

CPT Conway

I was stationed with Rowe in Germany at the 529th MP Company and was also deployed with him to Croatia/Bosnia. I always remember Rowe having the most wonderful smile ever, he could just light up a room. We had a nickname for him and always called him Little Boy Blue..and he would just crack up laughing. Rowe was a very hard working dedicated Soldier and will truly be missed by many. I'm proud that I was given the chance to be graced with his friendship. May you Rest in Peace my Brother. My heart and prayers go out to your family in their time of loss.

We first met Blue in Germany. Cindy first met him, and he was her world. That's all she would ever talk about. Blue...Blue...Blue! Cindy brought him to our apartment in Weisbaden, for a bar-b.q. We played some football, had a great time with family and other friends. Cindy and Blue stayed the latest and of course we played spades. At that time he had a huge thing for No Doubts music....he blasted the stereo...M.P.s came to our door. He managed to know the guys that came to the door, and Thank God...he got us out of being in trouble with the building manager. He always had a way with words. We managed to stay friends with Cindy and Blue after all these years. (13yrs) We still see them and there family and will always have a connection with them with a friendship that will last forever.Not just a friendship, but they are family. We have been there for the pregnancy of Andrew, and helped Blue take care of Cindy while he was deployed, as well as the birth of Andrew. Words can't express the joy Blue and Cindy shared once Andrew was born...He's a perfect young man...They focused on being the best parents they could be, and boy does it show. There son is amazing!! Just like his dad!! We will always be here for you guys...Cindy & Andrew, we love you!!! May God Bless you Blue...you are a true American Heroe!! May God comfort this family during these painful times....Blue you are so dearly missed. We love you!!

I served with Blue in Iraq on a Civil Affairs team. He was an exemplary soldier and no doubt his professionalism and commitment continued in Afghanistan. He lived the Army Values and was an excellent role model both for young soldiers and budding NCOs. The nation has lost a great warrior, I have lost a dear friend and his family has paid the ultimate price. He deserves to be honored.

1SG Blue Rowe was a consummate professional and dedicated patriot. I had the honor and privilege of serving with him in the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion between 2003 and 2006. He displayed bravery, devotion to duty and unwavering support for his troops. I could not have asked for a better Non Commissioned Officer. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time. He will never be forgotten by the warriors with whom he served.

Timothy J. Kalkus
MAJ, CA
BN XO, 426th CA BN
Mosul Iraq 2004-2005

I too had the privilege of serving with 1SG Rowe in Iraq and in the 426th CA BN which has become my home away from home. Blue was the kind of soldier we all aspired to be. 1SG Rowe showed true courage in Iraq as he did in Afganistan. I will miss his calm disposition his laugh and they way you could depend on him to accomplish anything. Blue you will never be forgotten.

Michael J Trost AKA "The Troll"
SFC, CA
Asst OPS SGT
Mosul Iraq 2004-2005

I had the honor of serving with Blue Rowe while in the 64th MP CO at Ft.Hood from 1999-2001. He was an exemplary NCO, friend and human being. We served together in Hungary in 2000 and in the dark, uncertain days and weeks following 9/11. No matter what the circumstances were, Blue's sense of humor, professionalism and compassion got us through many hard times. My thoughts and prayers go to Blue and his family. God Speed my friend.

Frederic Moore
Baghdad, Iraq

Honor,Pride and Compassion are only a few words that describe 1SG Blue Rowe.
When my Son Shane Olguin joined the Army Reserves, he was 17 yrs old. He was blessed to be in the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion in Upland. When Shane would come home from drill, he would talk about all the great guys he met and of course one name always stood out
"Blue Rowe". Well, we got the news that the 426th Civil Affairs unit were going to be deployed to Iraq, of course ours hearts sank,but on the morning that our Son left for Ft Bragg to get ready for deployment, 1SG Rowe was right there to comfort Mom and Dad. Blue said he would take care of our Son and bring him home safe, and by God he did.Our prayers and thoughts are with the family, and Blue's memory will live on in our hearts forever.Thank you Blue Rowe for your Honor.

Throughout my career in the Army, I have met some awesome people. Whether it's on a deployment or a 2 week school in some desolate place like Fort Hunter Legitt. Most of the time, you meet these remarkable people, maybe exchange emails or phone numbers, and never see the person again. It was like that with Blue and I until we crossed paths again last year in Reno. It was good to see him, hang out with the wives, and talk about meeting up in Cali after our deployments. He is the type of friend where you not only talk about meeting up again, but you do it because he's worth it. My wife and I will miss you, we truly lost a good a friend. Cindy and Andrew, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Blue, we'll meet again.

I did not have the honor of meeting Blue in the military. But, I did have the honor of working with Blue for almost two years at Northrop Grumman Space Technology in California.

Being from Alabama and Blue from Arkansas, a couple of "Good Old Boy's" hit it off right from the start and talked SEC football every chance we could, especially when Bama and the Hoggs played each other.

Blue had the best personality you could ever ask for and just being around him, his southern draw and his smile, made your worst days become better right there on the spot.

May God watch over Cindy and Andrew and take good care of them. May God and the Hogg's watch over Blue in Heaven.

God Bless you my Southern Brother!

I recently went to a funeral to honor one of our great soldiers who have sacrifice his life for this country and to be personally involved its too much to overcome the sadness. I offer my condolences to the ROWE'S family and I truly wish that this war would end so no other family will be sadden by paying the ultimate price. Thank you again SGT BLUE ROWE for sacrificing your life for us. GOD BLESS YOU and your
family.........

I have had the privilege of knowing and serving with Sgt. Rowe in Iraq in 04-05. Soldiers like Sgt. Rowe are far and few. I have many memories of Sgt. Rowe and he was truly one who sets the standard of how a soldier should be. I was his roommate while deployed during OIF III and we shared stories of our families back home and frequently talked about our wives and sons who are close in age. One of the many things in this life I am sincerely grateful for are the memories and the camaraderie I have experienced while soldiering with Sgt. Rowe. Soldier, you will be missed and never be forgotten.

-SSG. Anaya, Antonio
(U.S. Army Vet.)

Azul, (1SGT Rowe)

Will miss you buddy, SSG Ramos (425th C.A). I will remember the great times we had in C.A. re-class school. Thats where I met Rowe, back then he was a SSG. He had told me, he was coming out of active duty MP's and was re-classing to C.A., I was re-classing myself from an unit MP to C.A. We sat next to each other very day until graduation. I remember the first day of class he told me that his first name was "Blue" which I did not believe at the time but he wanted me to call him "Azul" because it means "Blue" in spanish and it sounded more sexy. He was joker in class, we had this on going joke about "remember that time.....when I had my meat on your grill". He always watch out for the troops, you could tell he was a natural leader because back then I was just a CPL. Even when we flew back home from C.A. re-class to LAX, him and his wife give a ride back home from the airport. From the short time we met he left a inprint. My prayers and condolences to your family.

SSG Ramos, Paul
PRT
Baghdad, Iraq
(South Gate, Ca)

I am Sgt Blue Rowe's neighbor; I met Blue the day he moved into the neighborhood. Unfortunately he was deployed 2 days after I met him. I see his wife and son walking around the neighborhood walking the dog. I always wave and say hello. I am deeply saddened and hurt that he was not able to return home to be with his family. Like I said I never was able to get to know Blue that well, but my prayers will always be with him and his family.

Richard Levy

I met Blue when he and now wife Cindy were all deployed to Bosnia. Cindy and i were in the same Unit. Once we got back to Wiesbaden all she did was talk about Blue, Blue, Blue!! My opinion of Blue is a passive Jokester. When I returned from my second tour in Bosnia, iwas happy to hear they got married. Sad that i wasnt there!! But you have to do what you have to do in order to be happy. I was skeptical about long distance relationships, BUT YOU MADE IT, CHICA!! EVEN TOUGH I COULD NOT MAKE IT TO THE WAKE OR FUNERAL, ALWAYS KNOW THAT ME AND MY FAMILY'S HEART, LOVE AND PRAYERS WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU AND ANDREW!! LOVE YOU CINDY AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND ANDREW THROUGH THIS TIME OF GREIF!!

MRS TAWNYA STONER-HARRISON
US Army Veteran
159 Med- DUSTOFF MEDIC
557 Med- Scorpions,Sting Sting

To the family of 1SG Rowe, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am currently stationed in Gardez, Afghanistan in the 426th CA Bn. Its true that once you've met Blue you'll always remember his smile. I met up with him a couple of months ago in Baghram. We both talked about returning home and spending time with our families. I'm fortunate to have know him for the last couple of years. I'll always remember his smile and his leadership. GOD bless you and your family. 1SG Michael Barros

I had the privledge of working with Blue Rowe at Northrop Grumman Space Technology in Redondo Beach, CA. He always had this great smile that could make every persons day a lot brighter. My prayers and deepest sympathy goes out to his family. His presence will be missed here at NGC by all.

I meet Blue and Cindy Rowe when he transferred from Germany to the 64th MP Co at Ft Hood, TX. He was one of my closest friends for three years while were in the 64th. I am devastated that he is no longer with us. I had recently started trading emails with Cindy and planned on seeing Blue, Cindy and Andrew while he was on his R&R in Washington, DC. You could not ask for a better friend or fellow soldier to be by your side. I will miss you Blue. My prayer and condolences to you and your family.

Bill Straw

sorry its been so long since i've talked to you brother, i have been searching high and low for you. Unfortunatly i had to find you this way. I always wondered what happened to you and Cindy and your famous words i only knew about "how bout those lions" you know what im talking about Cindy, every time we left on a mission he got that from you. Blue was a brother to me he will always be remembered as the "Good Guy" always willing to help anybody in any situation. Love you Blue

Where to start; It really saddens me that Blue is gone. We were in 1st platoon together in the 64th MP Co in Ft hood. We deployed to Hungary together in 2000. He was really a great guy. He was always very motivated and set the example, He and Cindy were me and my wifes friends. 1sg Rowe will be missed !!

1SG Rowe was a great friend, mentor and solider. He was everything a solider should be. He was compassionate, honest, with a can do attitude and a great sense of humor. I looked up to him and he was always there when I needed guidance. I miss him, and every night before I go to sleep I think about the great times we had together. Whether it was exchanging a funny e-mail, discussing a funny movie, or just the times we had training together. In the end, I can honestly say that I have never met a better man than Blue C. Rowe. He has inspired me, and although he is not with us anymore, he will continue to inspire me and guide me in the right direction with all my memories of him. His past words will always be relevant, and in his memory I will always dedicate any of my accomplishments to the greatest person I have ever known. He will never be forgotten!

Blue is a friend and a classmate for many years in Siloam Springs. Blue valued people more than possessions. You could see this in his daily interaction with peers from early gradeschool through graduation. No social boundries prevented blue from being accepted and admired by classmates of all backgrounds. His voice was known more for what he didn't say that what he did. He was quiet and toughtful and found simple words to express great understanding of condition. Patient and understanding. Sympathetic and empathetic to others conditions.Blue was a builder of hope in others and an encourager to all around him. His wisdom was conveyed to others by the way he lived his life. The challenges he overcame. His courage in choosing a challenging path in the armed forces at an early age. Blue is a hero to many and will continue to live on as a hero in the eyes of our kids and grandkids from the Siloam Springs High School Graduating Class of 1994. We miss you blue!

As I sit here with tear upwelling, I remember fondly Blue Rowe. We were Team Leaders in the same squad of the 1/64th MP Company. Many of times my home was the gathering place among friends to come together and laugh. My friend "BLUE", I will see you again one day, in a place among Angels, in a place of restful peace. Until then, embrace the brotherhood of those who gave all and know we REMAIN PROUD OF YOU ALL!

SFC Luis A. Camacho
US Army

Sad to say i did not know blue as well as i could have in the future.
what i knew about him is his respectfull ways to all.
Thanks for your sacrifice my brother, we can live in peace and one day i will get to know you the way i wished i could have.God bless you, my niece and my nephew.

My only wish is that i could have known you as i do my niece Cindy and maybe one day my nephew andres. You probaly knew how greatfull i as well as auntie tonie are for your sacrifice. Your gentlemenship is and will always be like none other.REST IN PEACE AND ONE DAY WE WILL MEET AGAIN.Peace to my niece and nephew as always to your mom and family.

Unfortunately, I did not have the pleasure of meeting 1SG Rowe or many of the other soldiers whose final coming home I have had the honor to attend over the years. I was the second to the last vehicle in the procession from Los Alamitos to Rose Hills and I was able to see hundreds of people lined up to pay respects to 1SG Rowe. It was a moving experience that many will not forget. My condolences to his family and the many friends he leaves behind.

Alex Mendoza
1SG,USAR(Ret)

My first Experience of 1SG Blue Rowe was......he came over to my Reserve Center in Bell, Ca. His unit was doing Pre Mob Medical training (Combat Lifesaver). He saw my Airborne Banner and Maroon Beret sitting on my desk. He came in and asked me some questions, at that time I was busy with my unit, so we spoke briefly but when I was done we got a chance to talk alot. The next day (Sunday) he came up to me and said "Hey thanks for what you do" you do a thankless job (Retention) and he coined me with one of his Delta Dog coins. I knew that day the type of NCO he was. I never forgot that......when I got that email of a 1SG in the 426th Civil Affairs was killed in Afghanistan I said "Please let it not be him". When i found out it was Delta Company I just knew. I carried his coin in my pocket the day they brought him home at Los Alamitos and at the funeral in Rose Hills. I thought of putting that coin on top of his casket but.....thought no he wanted me to have it and with it I have a fine NCO always by my side. 1SG Blue may you rest in Peace and God Bless his Wife Cindy and Son Andrew.
SFC Thomas J. Geer Jr.

Well Blue, we miss you! So very much! But you were such an extrordinary kind of man that you touched the hearts of each of us who were priviledged to know you..... that YOU WILL ALWAYS LIVE! A part of us has been changed because of who you are! I love to be reminded as I drive down Whittier Blvd. and see the banner in our hometown of Whittier honoring YOU! Of course It hurts to know that we are for a time separated but Who YOU really are Lives in our hearts and minds. A true "BLUE HERO" a man who has made this world a better place and a safer place. I pray for Drew and Cindy and want to go and visit them. Your life and service to your country make us so very proud to have had the blest good fortune to have crossed life paths with you. WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT! MAY THE LORD'S ANGELS BE DAILY ENCAMPED AROUND CINDY AND ANDREW AS CONTINUE TO TOUCH OTHERS WITH THE COURAGE THAT THEY LEARNED FROM YOU!

First and foremost- Love, Peace, & Blessings to Cindy and your family. The Lord is always with us all and I pray that they find comfort in His Love and know that you are in a safe place.
My homie, my brother, “Lil Boy Blue”. Remember all those days and nights of our crew sitting on check points, patrolling MSRs, working on vehicles (fixing everything with duct tape!); watching and quoting every Chris Farley and Adam Sandler movie “…your brain’s the one with the candy shell” (haha)”…surprise ya didn’t know that”-just trying to make good times in a time of chaos. Good ol' “Diamondback Base”. Remember when Cindy first started rotating down to support us? It wasn’t long before all the guys knew she only had eyes for you. It was no surprise when I heard you guys got married. Young yet focused. Hard charger.When I heard you made MSG, I felt nothing but “proud”. Proud of a lil brother who had the will and strength to achieve it all, a true soldier, a good man. It’s not hard to imagine what kind of dad you had become. My son is 13 now! Can you believe it? I guess time waits for no man. I guess some folks just don't understand the impact an individual has on this world. I’m proud to have known you, to have served with you. I can show my kids that there are still real Heroes in this world, and I was blessed to have known one. Blue Charles Rowe. You can't forget a person like you. Real, genuine, selfless. Many families can sleep at night because of men like you. If you recall, I can get a bit longwinded (haha). Carry on brother. Say what’s up to Harry for us; and while you guys are up there still on your mission, check our ‘six’ every now and then if ya can? -Diamondback-Five-Delta-Out

I recently participated in battle assembly. As I was walking around the hallway, I saw sketch of 1sg.Rowe in picture frame. Never knew who you were , Never met him in my life. But I feel his dedication and love of his country through his legacy. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten

I was stationed with Blue in S.Korea when he was a private fresh out of boot. We were in the 55th MP CO. He was a good guy and all though I hadnt spoken too him in years I still feel this loss. It was a pleasure knowing you brother. There's a special place in heaven for soldiers like you.

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord” It has been 1 year ago today that you lost your life serving our country. You were my Son's First Seargent and a True Freind.God Bless your family. Rest in peace Blue Rowe....Thank you for your service.

When I first heard the news I was saddened. My condolences go out to his family. I remember being stationed with Blue at the 529th, I remember his sense of humor and enjoyed working with him. As I read the entries from those who had worked with him since, all I can say is that I am honored and proud to have once knew a great man, soldier, father, and husband. May you rest in peace, god protect your family, and know that you will be remembered for you have impacted so many lives.

I went to high school with Blue, he was the most funny, most caring, high school guy I think I ever knew. He would try to be friends with anyone. It didnt matter. He was a lover not a fighter but he was doing what he thought was right. Protecting this place for the rest of us.

I knew Blue in 1996 because I was his squad leader as a SGT in Chun Chon Korea 55th MP Company (forward). I remember his skills as a good basketball player and he was an all around terrific guy. He had this infectious laid back attitude, even when it seemed as though all heck would break out he would come around and make things better with his amiable smile and quick wit. I was looking for old friends on FB just now and learned of his passing. I cried like a baby for several minutes and remember my old friend. I last saw Blue at Ft. Leonard Wood in 2001. He was at BNCOC. We always would meet up each day and go to Captain D's for dinner or KFC. If I had a daughter it would be Blue who I'd would want my daughter to marry. The rest of the memories I'll keep to myself and pray for his wife and child. People in the military develop special bonds between each other that few would understand unless you been there, I can honestly say, I Love You Blue! I have to stop I can't go on. It hurts too much.

Blue Rowe! I first met Blue in basic at Ft. McClellan. We hit it off immediately! We were then both stationed together in Korea after basic. We played basketball together, we would laugh and joke as we ran by everyone on company runs. Truly, my partner in crime! The best friend a guy could have! I will miss you brother! The world is a lesser place without you.

I met Blue when I was a PV2 during OIF 2005. He was one of the CA guys who made me feel like a member of the team even though I was a Signal Soldier. I will always remember him as the consummate professional and a great human being. My time serving with him in Dahuk was a highlight of my military career.