Army Pfc. Shane M. Reifert
Death: Nov 06, 2010
of Cottrellville Mich.; assigned to 1st Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment 1st Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Fort Campbell Ky.; Died Nov. 6 in Kunar province Afghanistan of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire. His mother’s ‘little thinker’ Times Herald (Port Huron Mich.) Gary Reifert said his 23-year-old nephew was a quiet man. “His mom used to call him her little thinker” he said. The Defense Department says Pfc. Shane Reifert Died Nov. 6 in Kunar province of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment 1st Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell Ky. Gary Reifert said his family has been left reeling from the loss of the young man who had been inspired to join the military by his grandfather’s service in World War II. “[Being in the military] was everything to him” he said. He joined the Army in August 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in December 2009. His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; NATO Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Reifert is survived by this father Kurt A. Reifert and mother Kathleen M. Reifert both of Cottrellville Township. Community comes together to say goodbye By Angela Mullins Times Herald (Port Huron Mich.) MARINE CITY Mich. — Hundreds of American flags snapped in the wind Nov. 17 as Army Pfc. Shane Reifert’s body was carried through the front doors of Holy Cross Catholic Church. The nearly 1000 people gathered outside were silent as men wearing military uniforms lifted Reifert’s casket into a hearse and a priest recited a muffled prayer. Veterans and active military members saluted. Others ran their fingers or forearms across their faces wiping away tears. But for the most part people continued with what they had been doing for hours before and during Reifert’s funeral — standing reverently along South Water Street to honor a soldier many had never met. Reifert23 of Cottrellville Township represents all men and women willing to die for their country several said. He was killed Nov. 6 when his unit was attacked by insurgents in Afghanistan. “If it wasn’t for the soldiers fighting for us ... we wouldn’t have Freedom ” said Anna Slease18 of Marysville. People carrying American flags large and small began filing through downtown Marine City hours before the funeral started. Many of those who didn’t bring flags from home picked one up as they neared Holy Cross. Todd May was handing them out in front of his South Water Street business The Sweet Tooth. He started with 100 flags at 8:30 a.m. About 25 were left an hour later. “[I’m] here to give my support to the troops ... ” May said. “We’re paying respect.” By the time Reifert’s funeral started at 11 a.m. a human perimeter had formed around Holy Cross. The lineup started at Bridge Street and stretched along both sides of South Water Street for about three city blocks. “My heart just explodes to see all these people and all this support” said Barbara Shonk of East China Township hugging two American flags against her chest. “When push comes to shove these people will rally.” Most important some said was that the rally was peaceful. Police reported no problems and an area reserved for picketing was empty. “This is just how people are and how they should be” Cindy Collins of Marine City said. “It says ‘We care (and) we support each other.’ ” Information about memorial contributions can be found at myfallensoldier.blogspot.com. Operation Enduring Freedom