Honoring the Black Sheep

On Jan. 6, 2005, as the Iraq War raged on, a roadside bomb destroyed a Bradley fighting vehicle on a routine patrol near Baghdad, immediately sending the vehicle into flames. 

Occupying the vehicle were six members of the Louisiana Army National Guard’s Second Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade. The deaths of these six members blindsided residents of the Bayou Region. 

At the Regional Military Museum, visitors can view a display honoring the brigade known as the Black Sheep. 

Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Comeaux of Raceland, Staff Sgt. Christopher Babin of Houma, Sgt. Bradley Bergeron of Chauvin, Sgt. Huey Fassbender III of LaPlace, Sgt. Armand “Luke” Frickey of Houma, Sgt. Warren Murphy of Marerro and Sgt. Kenneth Vonronn, a medic from the New York National Guard, gave their lives in service of the United States that day. 

In months that followed, two other soldiers from the Black Sheep were also killed in Iraq. Sgt. Paul Heltzel of Baton Rouge was killed March 15, 2005 and Sgt. 1st Class Peter Hahn of Kenner was killed on May 25, 2005.

Citizens come together in remembrance of the “the Black Sheep” by honoring them for what they lost to give others their freedom. 

The War in Iraq started in March of 2003, when President George Bush announced in a televised address, “At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.” 

The war lasted until December of 2011, when the United States officially withdrew its presence from Iraq.

At the Regional Military Museum, the fallen heroes of the Black Sheep are honored through a display featuring a flag framed with a newspaper showcasing ‘Those who paid the ultimate price…we remember,’ with the names and photos of the fallen heroes listed, as well as a metal with the inscription “Welcome Home Black Sheep 6/5/11” hanging from the corner. 

The display also contains a hat honoring the Black Sheep, a sticker, and a replica of the Bradley fighting vehicle. 

To honor our fallen heroes, visit the Regional Military Museum to view the Black Sheep exhibit.