VILSECK, Germany — The 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment bid farewell Wednesday to two fallen “dragoons” during a memorial ceremony at Vilseck.
Pfc. Cody A. Board, 19, of McKinney, Texas, and Spc. Joseph T. Prentler, 20, of Fenwick, Mich., were killed in separate roadside bomb attacks in Afghanistan on Oct. 4.
Regiment soldiers, family members and friends of the pair filled the Rose Barracks Cavalry Chapel for the ceremony that included readings of remarks sent by their commanders from Afghanistan.
Lt. Col. Douglas Sims, commander of Board’s unit — 1st Squadron, 2nd SCR — said in his remarks that he recalled recently learning that the young soldier’s father, Christopher Board, was a West Point graduate.
“I asked [Pfc. Board] if he had thought about going to West Point and he simply commented that he thought he would try this (serving as an enlisted soldier) first,” Sims said.
Board, who is also survived by his mother, Melissa, and brothers Aaron and Tyler, went about his duties in Afghanistan with exemplary skill, Sims said.
“All the while he was the most humble of men,” he said. “Cody Board accomplished more in his nearly 20 years than most will in a lifetime. Honoring him means returning to the fight he started and seeing it through.”
Board’s company commander, Capt. Matthew Piosa, said the first thing Board’s parents asked when he spoke to them was: “How are the guys?”
“Of all the things they could have asked, their first concern was the welfare of Board’s fellow soldiers and friends,” he said.
Lt. Col. Bryan Denny, commander of Prentler’s unit — 3rd Squadron, 2nd SCR — described Prentler in his written remarks as, “outgoing and full of life.”
He had a message for Prentler’s parents, Joseph and Tammy, who traveled to Germany to attend the memorial.
“Know that when your son left this earth he was with people who knew him as a soldier and a professional,” Denny said. “We knew and accepted him as a member of our family.”
Prentler’s company commander, Capt. Mark Ross, said he shared a strong bond with the fallen soldier, who had been his driver for almost 14 months. He said Prentler got his nickname, “Twinkie,” by chowing down on the snacks during predeployment exercises in Germany.
Joseph Prentler said after the memorial service that his family was concerned, not just for his lost son, but for all the soldiers in his son’s unit. He added that his son would want his comrades to complete their mission.
“We came [to Germany] to pay our respects to the other men and women who are over [in Afghanistan],” he said.
Tammy Prentler said her son loved his job and being on the family farm in Michigan hunting with his father. She said her son loved the other members of his unit and would want them to continue the fight.
“Don’t wallow and moan,” she said. “He wants the mission done.”
