Conner, Ceo, Boswell SPC Brian Conner, SPC Bernard Ceo, SPC Samuel Boswell
This is to commemerate Specialists Conner, Ceo, and Boswell, who were killed near Al Taji, Iraq. All three belonged to first platoon; they were much loved and respected and will be missed by all who knew them. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.
May they rest in peace.
  SPC Brian Conner |
 SPC Bernard Ceo |
 SPC Samuel Boswell |
NOTE: The original memorial page was lost. This memorial page was recovered from a google cache that was created before some comments were posted. If your comment is missing from the five comments below, please leave it again.
October 17th, 2005 at 1:30 pm
I would like to send my deepest condolences to the familes, and that i’m deeply sorry to all of you guys.. I know it must be hard…
October 17th, 2005 at 1:35 pm
Baltimore Sun: Families mourn Md. soldiers (registration may be required)
October 17th, 2005 at 1:36 pm
My last memory of Conner was near the Iraqi border. I had driven up late at night, and was sleeping in the tent with him and his convoy. In the morning I was freezing (since they jack up the air condtioners) and I was awakened by SPC Conner giving me his sleeping bag. The newspapers say his fire department buddies call him a “gentle giant”, and I think the term is fitting. He brought a lot of expertise with him from his job as a firefighter. I had just put him in for a medal for treating an injured soldier on his last convoy. When it came to the mission, Conner was very reliable and competent.
Ceo had ambition. He had already started a clothing lines, and told me on several occasions about his dreams to open a store in Baltimore. He told me he loved being a soldier, and wanted to go to college and maybe become an officer. He loved his music. I can’t tell you how many times he woke us all up at Camp Atterbury rapping with his headphones on. Time after time we’d see him scribbling down lyrics; he even recorded a few tracks here in country with SPC Lawson, which is very impressive.
I didn’t know Boswell very well, only because he arrived one month into the deployment. I do know that he had a great reputation as a soldier, and that his squad leader eagerly requested that he be placed in 1st platoon from the moment we heard he was joining the unit. He eagerly went north on his last mission the same day he had returned from a previous one.
We’ll miss them dearly.
-LT Whong
October 17th, 2005 at 1:36 pm
We got some advance notice on Conner as his mother-in-law happened to be attending the same retreat we were when she learned the news. So my thoughts go out especially to her and the rest of her family. From what I read in the comments above, it seems they were all brave and competant soldiers. I pray for their families and also for their platoon buddies who must carry on without them.
October 25th, 2005 at 4:18 am
SPC Conner is like the big brother I never had. He always put others first , and nevr complained about much. He was leader , and a great man. I will always remeber him for the jokester he was and all the time I spent with him
October 25th, 2005 at 4:38 pm
Let me first say that these three gentleman are in our hearts forever!! Sgt Conner, Spc Ceo and Spc Boswell lost their lives doing what they loved so much.
The members of the 243rd Family support group want the Soldiers w/ the 243rd know that we Love and Care deeply about each Soldier. This is an awesome group of people that I am so proud to say that I am a part of - both the Support Group as well as ties to the Soldiers in Iraq - through my husband.
We have spent a a lot of time w/ the Families here in Maryland and they are a wonderful group of people.
I have a special connection to the Conner Family - the best way to describe them is to say they are “Strong.” I also have a special bond w/ Spc Conner - he said to me before the troop shipped out - “Don’t worry, I will bring him home to you” - referring to my Husband. When I found out about his passing, my heart grew very heavy. He is sorely missed by all that knew him - both intimately and briefly. He was so unselfish and so giving - as Lt. Whong mentioned. His Children miss their Father and adored him so much.
Spc Ceo - he worked w/ my Husband here in Maryland and was a great guy! He had such ambition and drive. His Family held a vigil for him on Wed - Oct 19 - and it was awesome and in the same sense - so sad. A Father who grieves so deeply and a Mother living in a state of shock. Brothers who hang their heads longing to see their brother one last time.
Spc Boswell - a soldier, a son & a friend. His viewing was this past Sunday - Oct 23 - and to see the members of the Honor Guard standing poised like statues in his honor - was breath taking. He touched so many lives in his short 20 years. I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to actually meet such a dedicated soldier.
I would also like to add that Cherise - Conner’s sister - would like to send a message. She asked that everyone stay focused and come home safe. She hopes to have one heck of a party when everyone returns.
Please keep her in your prayers as she plans to lay her brother to rest.
In closing - the 243rd is in my prayers and thoughts - daily.
In adoration…..
Mrs. Spc Baer
October 26th, 2005 at 10:18 am
My heart and prayers go out to the families of our fallen heroes. While I did not know the heroes personally I have heard great thing about each of them. I offer my deepest condolences.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen.
He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem–
not to mention that Friday at Calvary?
Face it Friends, He’s crazy about you!
October 26th, 2005 at 2:21 pm
FIRST, I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE FAMILIES THAT GOD PUTS NO MORE ON US THEN WE CAN BEAR, AND THAT ALTHOUGH WE WILL DEEPLY MISS THE SOLIDERS THEY FIRST BELONG TO GOD. I WILL MISS ALL THE SOLDIERS DEEPLY UNFORTUNATELY TWO I ONLY KNEW FROM THE MOB BRIEFINGS, BUT SGT CONNER (BRIAN) I KNEW FOR MORE THEN SIX YEAR AND WAS A PLEASURE TO BE AROUND. HIS SMILE AND JOY FOR LIFE AND PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS STAY IN MY HEART AND MIND, I WILL DEEPLY MISS ALL THREE BECAUSE THERE FIGHT WAS IN A CAUSE THAT IS CLOSE TO MY HEART AND EVENTHOUGH I KNOW THAT GOD ONLY PUTS US HERE FOR A SHORT TIME IT STILL HURTS TO SEE THEM GO.
PATTY
October 26th, 2005 at 2:26 pm
I first met Ceo when we went to Germany in 2001. He was such a sweetheart. I oftern refered to him as my “baby” cause he was so much younger than me. I was surprised when I saw him during the 243rd’s AT.
As for Conner, He called me everyday from the time I started working for the 243rd. I began refering to him as “My Big Teddy Bear.” My love for him was also as the Younger Brother that I was never Blessed with.
I didn’t know Boswell, but I feel that we were all Family. They were all a part of my “Extended Family.” My heart has been heavy ever since I got the word of our loss.
Just as a reminder to the families of all the soldiers who are deployed: I can always be reached. I work at the 5th Regiment Armory in ARP-Security, and my email address is deltadawgzz@yahoo.com
SPC Jackie Brown
October 26th, 2005 at 5:34 pm
Thank you Paris for your entry. My wife wife and I are just back from the viewing for Sgt Conner in Baltimore. As I said in an entry that was lost nothing can stop the hurt for the families on the loss of these brave men. We must turn to our faith to answers to questions about why? I believe they died in defence of democracy both in Iraq and in our country. The vote is important. Let us use it to guide our country with the best light that we have.
October 26th, 2005 at 8:55 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these brave men. Although we did not know these 3 brave men personally, we have a connection to the 243rd through our good friend, Willie Long.
We appreciate all that they are doing to keep us safe here at home and hope that all of our Military will be home soon, Safe! We will never forget any of them. They will always have a special place in our hearts.
October 27th, 2005 at 12:31 am
[…] The reason I knew about blog post recovery via Google was beacuse I had done the same thing for my brother Chris’s page. He has posted a lot of stuff that was lost in the server lockout, and I was determined to get it back. I got about 90% of it, but only posted the missing text from the fallen soldiers memorial page Chris posted when three of the soldiers in his platoon were killed in an accident. […]
October 27th, 2005 at 2:45 pm
My heart goes out to all of the members of the families - Our thoughts and prayers are will each and every one. Know that we are there when you need shoulder to cry on or just for someone to listen.. Thanks to the Whongs the memorial and getting the site up so quickly.
November 5th, 2005 at 1:03 pm
Chris: Keep up the great work! It is wonderful to see you guys having some kinda fun.. I noticed that you were getting the attention of Gov. Bob and wife Kendall.. Way to Go! The Memorial Tribute was done wonderfully well. My prayers continue to remain with their families daily as well as the 243rd and all soldiers “OVER THERE”. GODSPEED to ALL of YOU. Looking forward to the next posting. Teri Mills wife of Sgt. John Mills
November 9th, 2005 at 8:30 am
This month’s drill, 4-6 November at Ft. A.P. Hill the entire battalion was assembles and a memorial service was held for Boswell. It was like no other National Guard event I have attended. I got a feeling that everyone in that room truly lost a brother.
November 10th, 2005 at 9:46 am
My son is serving with the 243rd. I am so sorry for your losses. They were and are indeed heros. My heart goes out to their families and friends.
December 3rd, 2005 at 5:28 pm
My prayers are with you and your Families for you Soldiers of the 243rd Eng. Company, I am sorry that I am not over there with you, but you all know why I can not be there, but my prayers are.
Your old Readiness NCO
December 15th, 2005 at 3:57 pm
I ventured down to Arlington Cemetery today to pay respects at CPL Ceo’s final resting place. I have been to Arlington cemetery many times; it held more significance for me after I became a soldier than it did prior, but I have never gone to visit a specific grave. There are hundreds of thousands of gravemarkers, all dress-right-dress, each one for a soldier, sailor, marine or airman. In the past, they all represented “troops”, but none of them had ever represented a person that I actually knew, interacted with, trained with & served with. Visiting the cemetery is always a moving experience, but it never felt like this… it was a seriousness I can’t quite describe.
It was a cold and snowy morning, and the cemetery was pretty empty except for groundskeepers and security guards. I saw some troops from the 3rd regiment preparing to receive a funeral off in the distance. (For those that don’t know, the 3rd Infantry Regiment out of Fort Meyer does all of the funeral details for Arlington Cemetery.) The information desk provides you with a map and directions to the site you seek… they were quite helpful.
CPL Ceo is buried at the end of a row in the southwest corner of the cemetery. The pentagon fills most of the background through the trees. There was nobody around… It was snowing hard and 25 degrees; so familiar a sight back here, but so drastically foreign in Kuwait or Iraq. I took it all in, gave him a salute, and went on my way.
Rest in Peace.
1LT Whong
A few days later I paid visits to the graves of SGT Conner and CPL Boswell.
SGT Conner was laid to rest in a section of Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens dedicated specifically to U.S. Servicemembers. There was snow on the ground, covering most of the markers, but the staff was able to help me find the site. He rests among Maryland’s finest… soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who dedicated their lives to the service of the nation. I hope his friends and family know how proud we are of these men, and that they are remembered and honored prior to our missions to Iraq.
Rest in Peace.
CPL Boswell was laid to rest in a family cemetery outside Clarksville, MD. I visted that afternoon, and it was still cold, and still deserted, except for the traffic rushing by on route 108. I just stood there and thought about how young he was… and how odd it was… the last time I saw him we were riding north in a humvee, in a sandy, barren desert, 6000 miles from this spot. Then, here I stand looking over his grave, back at home in the Maryland Countryside, so far removed from the Army and the conflict I was engulfed in a few days prior. We shall keep pressing on in his memory.
Rest in Peace.
December 19th, 2005 at 10:53 am
Sir, Freind, Whong….
Thanksgiving I just went and did the same to Bozzy’s grave, it was the hardest thing ive ever dealt with in my life… im sure you know how tight 2nd plt is at a co… whatever…. moral is none of you guys in iraq are forgotten… all are missed… take care bro
December 29th, 2005 at 5:09 am
It has taken me 2 1/2 months to really come to the realization that my friends are gone. Not gone in spirit but in the body. The lost of the three soldiers was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. I never thought that I was going to come to an unknown land with 150+ and leave without 3 soldiers. Their memory will always be with me and I miss them dearly.
December 29th, 2005 at 5:04 pm
This is just a little poem that i wrote in memory of our 3 fallen members of the 243rd ENG. Co. I am sorry that i couldn’t be there with you guys but i am still trying to get there. I hope this helps a little. My prayers are with you.
Three Soldiers
In Memory of SGT Brian Conner, CPL Samuel Boswell, and CPL Bernard Ceo of the 243rd Engineer Co. CSE killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom 14 October 2005.
Three soldiers on a road in Iraq,
trying to deliver peace.
Constantly coming under attack,
they hope the war will cease.
Running missions both day and night,
to resupply their sisters and brothers.
Who lead the way into the fight,
without forsaking others.
They know the possibilities of death,
and yet they still drive on.
They fight until their dying breath,
so that freedom will live on.
Until that day their mission ends,
and the Lord calls them home.
Leaving behind their families and friends,
though they’ll never walk alone.
For looking down from a heart filled sky,
these three men are now at peace.
They’ll continue to keep a watchful eye,
even though they are at ease.
We will honor these men and their final tour,
and their message will ring true.
It’s freedom that we are fighting for,
the Red, the White, and the Blue.
Lesley P. Ernest
SFC, MDARNG
243rd Engineer Co. CSE
5 November 2005
December 31st, 2005 at 2:54 am
Sen. Mikulski honors the fallen on the Senate floor Oct. 25, 2005 (mp3 format; text transcript also available.
August 21st, 2006 at 4:59 pm
I know this is late but thoughts of Bozy (Cpl Boswell) still come up. The little brother I never had the friend everyone wanted and a solider to look up to. For those who new Bozy knew that he would have gave his left leg to complete a mission and his right one if you needed it. Thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that lost someone in this conflict.
Spc. Clarence Camp
August 21st, 2006 at 4:59 pm
I know this is late but thoughts of Bozy (Cpl Boswell) still come up. The little brother I never had the friend everyone wanted and a solider to look up to. For those who new Bozy knew that he would have gave his left leg to complete a mission and his right one if you needed it. Thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that lost someone in this conflict.
Spc. Clarence Camp
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:37 am
I will miss them all, for giving there all. rest in peace bros. (G.F.C.)
March 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I wanted to thank everyone for their kind words. I know a lot of you knew Bernard Ceo personally and miss him greatly. He is missed more than words could ever describe. He touched many people’s lives in so many ways. His nieces and nephew adored him and always will. He has so much love from his family and freinds and he always gave back just as much to us all. I know that he is with each and everyone of us each day of our lives.
All three of the soldiers SGT Brian Conner, CPL Samuel Boswell, and CPL Bernard Ceo will always be with us in our hearts. They were all terrific men that stood up for what they believed in. I always question why them or anyone for that matter? But God has his own plans.
May they rest in peace.
Love, Nancy Ceo