Chad J. Vollmer
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Thursday, December 28 2006 @ 04:53 PM MST
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Mlive.com -- GRAND RAPIDS -- As he left Grand Rapids for the U.S. Army National Guard, preparing to serve in Iraq, Chad J. Vollmer realized he hadn't said goodbye to a neighbor he called Aunt Jill.
On a cell phone, he said he would be right back. She figured he meant months, and said a prayer. A few minutes later, he pulled into her driveway on Plymouth Avenue NE.
"He started sobbing, I started sobbing -- I said, 'I just love you so much.' "
Jill Skinner had watched Vollmer, always an active little boy, grow into a young man who didn't have to be asked to help out around her house.
Earlier this week, she watched his mother, Sandy, who saw the government vehicle parked outside, slam her front door shut -- her only protection against the terrible news coming her way.
"She knew. She knew," Skinner said Wednesday.
Vollmer, 24, a Grand Rapids Central High School graduate and an Army specialist, was among three Michigan soldiers killed Saturday in Salman Pak, Iraq, when an improvised roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle during a combat operation.
Also killed were Pfc. Wilson A. Algrim, 21, of Howell, and Pvt. Bobby Mejia II, 20, of Saginaw. All three were assigned to the First Battalion, 125th Infantry in Big Rapids.
They are among 119 service members with known Michigan ties who have died in Iraq since the war began. Five Michigan soldiers have been killed in the past few days.
Army Sgt. Curtis L. Norris, of Ingham Township, died Saturday in Baghdad of wounds he received when an improvised explosive device went off near his vehicle.
Most recently, Army Pfc. Andrew H. Nelson, 19, of St. Johns, was in an explosion in Baghdad on Monday.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm has ordered that flags be lowered Friday for a sixth soldier, Army Spc. Andrew P. Daul, 21, of Brighton, who was killed by a roadside bomb Dec. 19.
On Wednesday, the flag was at half-staff outside Sandy Vollmer's house.
Chad Vollmer's father, Terry Vollmer of Grand Rapids, said his son died a hero, doing what he wanted to do. He was in the ROTC in high school, and signed on with the Army National Guard after his junior year.
"He loved the military, and he loved this country," his father said. "I empathize with all of the families of all of the young men that have sacrificed their lives, not only in this war, but any other war. Service to his country -- that's what he wanted to do."
The family, which includes his mother and sister, Heather, loved him dearly, Terry Vollmer said.
Chad Vollmer wanted to join the U.S. Coast Guard once he was released from duty. He already had served his six years, but was called back for service in Iraq, said Paul Magnan, a friend of the family.
He said Chad Vollmer took classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and spent time on boat crews in Grand Haven. He also enjoyed golfing, and took trips with his father, Magnan said.
"Just one terrific kid," he said.
Magnum e-mailed him frequently, and followed Vollmer's Internet blog. Vollmer wasn't one to complain. Under his favorite quote, he wrote: " 'Cause that's the way things ... are, and you better get used to it. Quit your (complaining)."
Skinner, the next-door neighbor for 30 years, thought of Chad Vollmer as one of her own. Early on, he called her "Aunt Jill," and it stuck.
She said it is hard to imagine his parents' grief.
"I sent him a Christmas card that said, 'God bless you, child. You take care of yourself, and I'll take care of your mom.' Oh my God. How did I know that's the way it was going to be? He brought nothing but happiness. Just a love, a kid that any mom would want for a son."
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Chad J Vollmer
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Grand Rapids, Michigan
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December 23, 2006
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Age
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Military
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Rank
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Unit/Location
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24
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Army
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Sgt
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1st Battalion, 125th Infantry
Big Rapids, Michigan
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Killed in Salman Pak, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations.
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Pfc. Wilson A. Algrim
Hometown: Howell, Michigan, U.S.
Age: 21 years old
Died: December 23, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Unit: Army, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry, Big Rapids, Mich.
Incident: Died of wounds suffered when a makeshift bomb detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Salman Pak.
Wilson A. Algrim's parents remember how he lit up while taking his first elevator ride. Then 8 and having just been adopted from Colombia, Algrim was rattled by the sudden movement, and his face expressed both joy and anguish. "That was more like a roller-coaster ride," said his father, Donald. Algrim, 21, of Howell, Mich., was killed Dec. 23 in Salman Pak by a roadside blast. He was assigned to Big Rapids. Without a high school diploma, Algrim in 2004 entered the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy, a residential program affiliated with the National Guard that is geared toward at-risk children. He excelled there, winning an award for athleticism, graduating in 2004 and finding his life's purpose. "It was really great," Donald Algrim said. "When your child doesn't have direction, then finds it, it brings a lot of joy." Algrim liked to draw action figures and graphic designs. He wanted to get know other cultures, and liked sports such as basketball and soccer. "I would say he was gregarious, courageous, curious," said his mother, Judy. "He was very friendly and smiled a lot. He was loving and affectionate."
Wilson Andrew Algrim
Specialist, United States Army
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NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of Defense
No. 1316-06 IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 27, 2006
Media Contact: (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public/Industry(703) 428-0711
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.They died December 23, 2006, in Salman Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations.They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry, Big Rapids, Michigan.
Killed were:
Specialist Chad J. Vollmer, 24, of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Private First Class Wilson A. Algrim, 21, of Howell, Michigan
Private Bobby Mejia II, Saginaw, Michigan
For further information on these soldiers the media can contact the Michigan National Guard public affairs office at (517) 481-8140. The 125th Infantry was moving through Salman Pak, Iraq, when, all of a sudden, its soldiers noticed two Iraqi police vehicles they were traveling with had disappeared.
Immediately, mortars started raining from the sky and Army Staff Sergeant Jack Vliet and others went into nearby vehicles for cover. But Vliet said Specialist Wilson Algrim stayed at his post, telling his fellow soldiers where the rounds were landing.
It was that kind of courage and devotion that set Algrim apart, Vliet said at the fallen soldier's funeral Saturday at the Howell Nazarene Church.
"Obviously, he was one of a kind," said Vliet, Algrim's squad leader. "He was one of the top soldiers I ever served with."
Algrim died December 23, 2006, from wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device went off near the Marion Township man's vehicle during combat operations. Two other men with him were also killed; all three were assigned to the Michigan Army National Guard 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry from Big Rapids.
Family and friends remembered the 21-year-old as a quiet, likable guy who was able to overcome several obstacles and mold himself into a strong young man during his time spent in the armed forces.
About 200 people showed up for the service, including former Army buddies; U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton; and other well-wishers. Algrim is at least the ninth soldier with Livingston County ties to die in Iraq, and his funeral comes just a week after one held for Brighton Township Army Specialist Andrew Daul.
"This proves to me this is the next great generation," Rogers said. "I call it the '9/11 generation,' because they're volunteering during war."
The somber service featured a 21-gun salute, the ceremonial playing of "Taps," and the presentation of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star to Algrim's parents. Members of the Patriot Guard stood outside the church, holding U.S. flags. The soldier is to buried this week at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Algrim was born in Antioquia, Columbia. When he was 8 years old, he and his two sisters, Janét and Lisa, and one brother, Jason, were adopted by Don and Judy Algrim.
Judy Algrim had lived in Columbia when she taught at the University of the Andes, located in Bogota, Columbia.
Wilson Algrim attended Howell Public Schools for a short time, but since he had never gone to school in Columbia, he was far behind his classmates.
Consequently, he was sent to Michigan Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, near Battle Creek. The program gives students a lot of help with tutoring and vocational education.
Wilson Algrim graduated from that program in 2004 and eventually became part of the Michigan Army National Guard.
The family's pastor, the Rev. Mark Franck of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Howell Township — the service was held at Howell Nazarene Church to accommodate a large crowd — said Wilson Algrim was able to overcome his struggles.
"When he locked in, he could accomplish anything," Franck said.
Wilson Algrim's family was smiling after the service, reflecting on the fun times spent with the soldier.
Judy Algrim remembers, after much searching, acquiring a Spanish version of the movie "Toy Story" when Wilson Algrim was a child. The thing was, the Algrims also had the English version, too.
"He put in the Spanish (version) and said 'There's something wrong, it's in Spanish,' " she said, adding he then started looking for loose wires, thinking the TV was on the fritz.
Lisa Algrim, 15, said she'll never forget playing basketball and swimming with him. Janét and Wilson Algrim enjoyed going to the movies often, and Jason and his brother used to pretend they were Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Don had some parting words for his son.
"We're proud of him and we love him," he said after the service. "He was a great hero."
Staff Sertgeant Jack Vliet, leader of the squad Army Specialist Wilson Algrim served in with the
Michigan Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry from Big Rapids, salutes the fallen soldier in
Saturday's services at Howell Nazarene Church
Major General Thomas G. Cutler, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard, presents the U.S.
flag that had covered the casket of Wilson Algrim to the soldier's family at services Saturday at Howell Nazarene Church
Pall bearers carry Wilson Algrim from the Howell Nazarene Church to the hearse after services Saturday Sunday, January 7, 2007
A 21-year-old soldier from Livingston County was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, given for bravery or acts or meritorious service, and the Purple Heart during his funeral Saturday in Howell, Michigan.
About 250 family members, friends and military officers attended funeral services for Army National Guard Specialist Wilson Andrew Algrim, who was killed on December 23, 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on combat duty in Salmon Pak, near Baghdad.
Algrim will be buried Wednesday with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
Algrim was a native of Colombia who came to the United States 13 years ago when he, a brother and two sisters were adopted by Don and Judy Algrim of Marion Township. The children had lived on the streets for a time in Colombia.
The Rev. Mark Franck, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Howell, who conducted the service at the Howell Church of the Nazarene because of its larger capacity, said life wasn't a bed of roses for Algrim. He said Algrim came as a boy to the U.S. with a lot of issues because of a difficult early childhood in Colombia.
"You have some scars you carry with you in that new setting, there can be some difficulties,'' Franck said. But he said Algrim's heart was in the right place. "There was a life and a love for people,'' he said. "(Wilson) could be a man on a mission; there was no stopping him.''
The eulogy was given by Sergeant Jack Vliet, Algrim's squad leader, who found it hard to hold back tears as he recounted Algrim's loyal service.
Also giving words of praise for Algrim's service, after the funeral, was Major Greg Durkae, 125th Infantry battalion commander. "He was very dedicated to what he did, he was a hero.''
After the ceremony, Judy Algrim related how her son used to watch over his little sister, Lisa, like a mother hen - both in Colombia, where they lived on the streets, and later in the U.S. after their adoption. He used to carry Lisa on his shoulders, his mother said, and the two siblings had the tightest bond of the four children, who are biological siblings.
Donald Algrim said his son overcame a lot. "He was really motivated to go to Iraq. He wanted to serve his country. He wanted to be an American.''
Lisa Algrim, 15, used to walk around the house wearing her older brother's clothing, and now has several of his possessions. "I have his uniform, his boots, his graduation suit,'' she said. "I'm really proud of him.''
According to the family, Wilson Algrim was a quiet, protective, loyal brother. Younger brother Jason related fond memories, such as playing basketball with his older brother, who also played soccer and ran track. "I admired him a lot,'' said Jason, 17, a Howell High School junior.
"It was beautiful, very touching,'' Judy Algrim said of the service. Posted: 7 January 2007 Updated: 16 January 2007 Updated: 4 March 2007 Updated: 20 April 2007 Updated: 1 July 2007
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