Freeman's Omega Services
As stated before, Bro. Golden, Arkansas District Director, will be coordinating the Omega Services (see below for additional details).
Please keep your schedules open from 4pm to 6pm on Sunday. We hope to have the exact time of the service nailed down by the end of day tomorrow. Also, please try to wear a black suit, white shirt, and tie for the Omega Services. If you do not have a black suit, try to wear a dark color. If you have any other questions about the dress for the ceremony, let me know -- we still want as many ZZ brothers as possible to participate, whether you have a black suit or not.
Chad
From: Golden, Marq
Sent: Thu 3/29/2007 2:54 PM To: Johnson, Varian C Subject: Brother Lost in Iraq- Omega Services
Brothers: This message serves as a call to participate in the Omega services for our fallen brother Sgt. Freeman Gardner. Brother Gardner was serving our country in Iraq at the time of his departure. As an alumni of Zeta Zeta chapter at Oklahoma University he served his chapter well. I have spoken to his wife Kara, who has allowed us to conduct services Sunday. Alumni of Zeta Zeta will also be in attendance to participate. Services will be held at Evangelist Temple Church located 5121 Baseline Road from 4:00-6:00 p.m. We look forward to your participation in a time of true fraternalism.I have also attached the link regarding Bro. Gardner and the services. http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=43665Fraternally,Golden Labels: FreemanGardner
Hotel Information for Freeman's funeral
From Bro. CaseyI have set up a block of 20 rooms at the Wingate Inn in Little Rock. It is about 10 minutes from where the services will be. Bro. Odom is also looking into a discounted rate at a hotel as well. This hotel is very central and they discounted the rate from $139 to $76. The number is 501.227.6800 and tell them you are coming for the Freeman Gardner memorial services. Its a reallly nice hotel. Thanks bruhs. Brad please forward this message to as many people as possible. Additionally, I would like for everyone to meet up the morning of the service for breakfast around 8:30 or 9am monday morning if possible.
CaseyLabels: FreemanGardner
Thoughts on Freeman: DeShun Casey
Man, I don't even know what to say about this; it might be the closest thing that summarized how most of us feel...The Translation, from Shun Casey - aka Caseyboy's blog
So I was cruising home on last Thursday as usual. Maxing and relaxing after a long day at one of my stores about 75 miles from home. Most of you get phone calls on those trips to the crib...mainly out of boredom...please dont be offended. Anyhow, I was on the phone when my line beeped. I was deep in conversation with my sister Quanita and did not get a chance to look at the incoming call until it was too late. After I ended the call with my sister I looked at the missed call and low and behold its Mr. Anthony Odom. I was thinking "what does this negro want?" I checked the message he left me and it simply said "give me a call when you get home". Me being who I am did not listen and called him immediately to find out why "when I get home". My thoughts even at this point were leading me to a weird and eery place. Anyhow, I called Bro. Odom back and when he answered I said "Whats up dawg" THE TRANSLATION "How are things?". He simply says "Are you driving?" I reply "Yea...what's up". He simply says "call me when you get home". At this time I'm thinking what the hell has happened to ZZ. Then I ask him "whats wrong?" He says that nothing is wrong, he is talking to Shawn Harris, and to call him when I got home. I was like hmmm. So what do I do. Call Brodney. "Wassup pimp" THE TRANSLATION "What is going on man" He simply says "Nothing mane just packing". I'm like "cool...have you talked to Anthony lately?". "He's like naa...why...whats up?" I went on to tell him that something weird has happened but I dont know what it could be. Then I asked the question "Have you talked to Freeman or heard anything about him?" STOP!!! Where did this come from? What made me think of that? Hmmm. Okay...lets continue. Brodney says no and says that he needs to call Anthony back from a missed call from earlier. "Cool...hit me back" I reply. I hang up the phone and immediately call Ronnie Thomas (Brodney And Ronnie are LB's with Free). "Sup Dawg?" I said. THE TRANSLATION "How are things?" Ronnie simply states that he is chilling and asks whats up with me. "Not a whole lot dawg...have you talked to Anthony?" I say. Ronnie tells me that he has not talked to Anthony in about a week. My next question "Have you talked to Free?" Ronnie says "Uhhh yea...I just talked to him over e-mail just yesterday". A sigh of relief falls over my body. My thought process was if something happened to him there is no way Anthony would know this soon. I end my conversation with Ronnie and say a quick prayer to myself as I continue driving down the interstate. My phone rings. Its Brodney. "Freeman is dead man". I cant believe I just typed those words. For those who know Free and I had that weird type relationship where I would say to him "Whats up man" and THE TRANSLATION would be "Man what is up...its been a while. What have you been up to?" All that wrapped into three words. I cant believe I am typing this blog. I had a lot more to say. I cant continue.Labels: FreemanGardner
Thoughts on Freeman: Kara Gardner Press Release
From: http://blog-ah.typepad.com/blogah/2007/03/statement_from_.html
Kara Gardner, his wife, released the following statement:
"Sgt. Freeman L. Gardner was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle and soldier and a friend to many. He was a quiet man with a gentle demeanor. Freeman loved going to the movies every Saturday with his wife and he loved listening to her colorful stories and impressions which always kept him laughing.
"He loved working on computers, playing video and strategy games, reading, and studying military and international history. He also loved watching college football games and could not be interrupted when the University of Oklahoma Sooners or University of Michigan Wolverines were playing.
"Freeman adored his mother and younger sister Darlene and he was enamored with his niece Chanel who he felt was the sweetest, caring and most respectful child he'd ever encountered.
"Freeman joined the Army in 2004 in order to obtain valuable work and leadership experience. He died serving his country and he was proud to have the opportunity to be a soldier. Freeman tried to prepare his wife in the best way he knew how for his departure from this life by pushing her everyday to be strong, assertive and resilient. Freeman was extraordinarily loved and will be missed every moment of every day."Labels: FreemanGardner
Details on Freeman's Funeral
Freeman’s services are now set for Monday, April 2nd at 11:00 AM (not Saturday, Match 30th). Services will be at:
Evangelist Temple Church of God in Christ
5121 Baseline Road
Little Rock, AR 72209
The graduate chapter in Little Rock has agreed to oversee the Omega Chapter ceremony for Freeman. There is a chance that this service will be on Sunday evening (as part of a separate service) instead of being held on Monday morning. I will update the website with details on the Omega service.
If you are planning to attend the funeral, please contact Bros. Chad Johnson (who is coordinating the Omega Service with Arkansas District Director), Anthony Odom (who is in contact with the family), and DeShun Casey (who is helping with logistics). Their contact information is below:
Chad Johnson (varian_j@yahoo.com)
Anthony Odom (aodom_98@yahoo.com)
DeShun Casey (woody1906@yahoo.com)Labels: FreemanGardner
Freeman's Memorial Fund, Memorial Service, and Funeral Details
Brothers,
Anthony Odom has been in contact with Kara Gardner and has some information about the funeral services in Little Rock; memorial services in Ft. Lewis, WA; and a memorial fund. Kara’s entire email messages can be read in earlier posts; in an effort to streamline the messages, I have summarized the major points below.
Little Rock Service:
Kara is tentatively planning to have Freeman’s funeral THIS SATURDAY (March 31st). She has not received confirmation from the US Army yet, but will let us know once she is certain. This is a very tight timetable; brothers who plan to attend the funeral should start making tentative plans now.
I’m going to ask Bros. Anthony Odom and DeShun Casey to head up this effort of coordinating our plans so that Brothers can attempt to reserve hotel rooms in the same location (and hopefully close to where the services will be). Please reply to Anthony (aodom_98@yahoo.com), DeShun (woody1906@hotmail.com), and myself (dbj1906@yahoo.com) if you plan to attend the funeral in Little Rock.
Freeman Gardner Memorial Fund
Kara has also asked that donations to a memorial fund be sent in lieu of flowers. This fund is for Freeman’s niece Chanel. It was Freeman’s desire that Chanel go to college and he always wanted to help her make that a reality. You may donate at any US Bank (there are none located in Oklahoma, but they are located in Texas, Arkansas and Washington). Checks should be made out to the Freeman Gardner Memorial Fund and the account number should be used as well (15355-888-5627). Donations can be mailed to the following address:
US Bank
Attn: Linda
9310 Bridgeport Way SW
Tacoma , WA 98499-1569
Ft. Lewis (WA) Memorial Service
Finally, there will be a memorial service for Freeman in Fort Lewis, WA for all of his colleagues and friends here who aren't able to go to Little Rock for the main services. The chaplain who will be leading the services at Fort Lewis did not know Freeman personally, but Kara sat with him for a few hours today and told him about Freeman. If you have any thoughts or stories you would like to share about Freeman for the memorial service you can call or email Chaplain Cieply at 253-967-1493 (office) or email him at cieply@aol.com.
Addresses to send cards and notes to the family:
If brothers want to send cards (again, no flowers), please contact me (dbjohnson@zzalphas.com) for their addresses.Labels: FreemanGardner
E-mail From Kara on Freeman's Memorial Service in Ft. Lewis
From Kara Gardner: I just want to thank you all again for your prayers and emails of support with regards to Freeman's passing. I still don't have any information on when his services will be in Little Rock, but I am working on it. There will be a memorial service for Freeman in Fort Lewis, WA for all of his colleagues and friends here who aren't able to go to Little Rock for the main services. The chaplain who will be leading the services at Fort Lewis did not know Freeman personally, but I sat with him for a few hours today and told him about Free. If you have any thoughts or stories you would like to share about Free for the memorial service you can call or email Chaplain Cieply at 253-967-1493 (office) or email him at cieply@aol.com. I know he would love to hear from some people that spent time with Free during college. Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who might want to share a thought about Free. Labels: FreemanGardner
E-Mail from Kara on Freeman's Memorial Fund
From Kara Gardner:A memorial fund has been set-up in Freeman’s name for his niece Chanel. It was Freeman’s desire that Chanel go to college and he always wanted to help her make that a reality. I have appreciated receiving flowers, but if you would like you may donate to the Freeman Gardner Memorial Fund in lieu of flowers. You may donate at any US Bank (there are none located in Oklahoma, but they are located in Texas, Arkansas and Washington). Checks should be made out to the Freeman Gardner Memorial Fund and the account number should be used as well (15355-888-5627). Donations can be mailed to the following address:
US Bank
Attn: Linda
9310 Bridgeport Way SW
Tacoma , WA 98499-1569Please feel free to circulate this email. Thanks again for all of your support. I would also like to get with Zeta Zeta at some point to discuss establishing a scholarship in Freeman's nameLabels: FreemanGardner
Details on Freeman's Death
 Here are some of the specifics on Freeman’s death:
Sgt. Freeman L. Gardner Jr., 26, of Little Rock, Ark., died Mar. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on combat patrol. He was assigned to the 18th Engineer Company, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
In the past week, elements from this MND-B unit have detained 16 suspected insurgents. These arrests, along with other operations, disrupt terrorist network activities, and diminish their capabilities to carry out attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces.
Gardner, the 94th service member from Fort Lewis to die in the Iraq war, received several awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
References:
From Department of Defense Press Release No. 336-07 http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10656
From Multi-National Force – Iraq Press Release No. 20070324-04 http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10865&Itemid=21
KOMO News Website http://www.komotv.com/news/local/6694517.htmlLabels: FreemanGardner
Thoughts on Freeman: More Blogs
Freeman's Hill
 An old e-mail from Freeman (Sept 1, 2006):"I just got done briefing the top general of the coalition forces in Iraq, Gen. Casey and about 12 other U.S., Italian, British and Iraqi generals whenthey came to my hill. They wanted to know about the Battle of Gaugamela btw Alexander the Great and King Darius of Persia. The battle happened in 331 B.C. Theres alot of historical sites around this area. I have a few pics but this satellite internet is slow so I 'll just send one or two."  Labels: FreemanGardner
Thoughs on Freeman: Chad Johnson
From Chad Johnson's blogYesterday, I found out that a very good college friend - my fraternity brother - died in Iraq.I held it together as I talked to one of my co-workers right after I found out. The co-worker mistakenly started off our conversation by calling me a "tree-hugging liberal." Usually I just laugh when he says things like that. Yesterday, I didn't laugh.I held it together while I talked to numerous fraternity brothers about what had happened. Details are still sketchy. Most of us are still a little numb. I know I am.I held it together...until I had to tell my wife. And that's when I lost it. I don't know if Crystal's ever seen me cry before yesterday.Yesterday, Freeman Gardner, my fraternity brother, my friend, died in Iraq.Today is a very bad day.Tomorrow, I will go buy the first suit I've bought in 8 years. It will be black.Labels: FreemanGardner
Thoughs on Freeman: Shawn Harris
From Freeman's Line Brother, Shawn Harris:
It is never an easy time to have to bury your link, your lb your friend. Freeman was the man we all knew to be that sarcastically funny, yet strong-minded individual. Just reading some of his e-mails last night that he sent us from over there, didn't make me only shed some tears, but made me smile. We are so proud Free of his courage and strength to fight this controversial war. Even if he didn't fully agree with the motivation to sacrfice US military troops lives for four years, he made a commitment to serve and he stood by it. Just like he made a commitment to his line brothers, to Zeta Zeta, and to Alpha as a whole.
Free will always be in my memories, thoughts and prayers. We love you FREE!!Labels: FreemanGardner
Death of Bro. Freeman Gardner
 Brothers, Bro. Freeman Gardner (Fall 1999) passed into Omega Chapter on Thursday, March 22nd, 2007. Bro. Gardner was serving in Iraq as a member of the US Army; additional details are unknown at this time.
Please keep Freeman’s widow Kara and the rest of his family in your prayers.
I will communicate funeral arrangements and additional details as we learn more (right now, all we know is that Freeman will be laid to rest in Little Rock, Arkansas). Please continue to monitor the ZZAlphas.com weblog for details.
This is a difficult message for me to write, as Freeman was one of the guys that I helped to initiate into the chapter. I saw him grow from a quiet neophyte to the strong leader that he ultimately became. “Dot Com” (as we came to know him) will be missed.
I’ll leave you with the e-mail that Freeman sent to his line brothers on our 100th anniversary.
From: freeman.gardnerjr@...Sent: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 10:05 AMSubject: Happy Centennial
Happy Centennial to the first collegiate fraternity founded by black men. I
hope everyone is doing fine. All my turkish "friends" over here in Baghdad wish you all blessings from Allah or something. I took some pictures of the base and the city here since we moved from Mosul to the glorious capital of Iraq. I can't really send them yet b/c of opsec but when I get back I'll send it to you guys if you want. All I got to say is that this base is freaking huge and we're banging heads w/ these "insurgents" every freaking day. Holla.
Free
“Ichi, Ni, San, Shi” (Freeman’s contribution to the Spring 2000 Stompdown show)- DBJLabels: FreemanGardner
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