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Dutch Cpl Cor Strik and U,S. Army Sgt Alexander Van Aalten , both 21
years-old, were killed in action while their respective units were
in combat together
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OPERATION
FURIOUS PURSUIT
April 2007
SANGIN, AFGHANISTAN
IN COMMEMORATION
OF THE SACRIFICES MADE BY THE U.S. PARATROOPERS OF 1ST BN. 508TH PIR
AND THE DUTCH AIR ASSAULT TROOPERS OF C (TIGER) COMPANY 11TH IN BN
GG&J WHO FOUGHT AND DIED SIDE BY SIDE IN THE DEFENSE OF FREEDOM\
DONATED BY THE FAMILY AND
FRIENDS OF THE 508TH PIR ASSOCIATION
2018
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 Commemorative
plaque donated by the F&F 508th PIR Association has been installed
in the Netherlands
Present day members of the "Tigers" pause to
salute and remember the fallen men. |
 Memorial
Plaque reads:" Sgt Alexander
Van Aalten was born September 2, 1985 in Monterey, Tennessee*.
He enlisted in the United States Army on June 10, 2004 and spent his
entire Army career in D Company, 1-508 where he served as gunner.
Assistant Gunner, Team Leader and Squad Leader.
Sgt Van Aalten was serving his second combat tour. He
served in Iraq from September 2005 to December 2006. Sgt Van
Aalten loved the Army and re-enlisted at Firebase Diablo, Ghorak
Valley,. Afghanistan on March 29, 2007 to serve an additional six
years. He was scheduled to move to the Battalion Scout Platoon
and wanted to go to Ranger School upon redeployment. His ultimate
goal was to become a Law Enforcement Officer.
Sgt Van Aalten's greatest example of leadership and true
heroism occurred when he volunteered as a member of a clear team to
recover the remains of a coalition soldier who had died in a
minefield on April 20, 2007 in Sangain**, Afghanistan. He understood
the hazards of entering the minefield and paid the ultimate price
for his fellow paratroopers."
Sgt Van Aalten is survived by his wife Shana; his mother Susan; his
father Edward; and his sister, Nicole, a Corporal in the Army.
Well done Sgt Van Aalten. Be thou at peace.
* though stated to have been born in Monterey,
Tennessee, his birthplace was actually Orlando, Florida. although
his family did move to Tennessee later.
** Sangain, Afghanistan is misspelled and should
be Sangin, Afghanistan. |
The anniversary of Sgt Van Aalten's death is observed with
"Workout of the Day)- (aka "WOD") which sets up a stringent series
of calisthenics for the Hq1st men at Fort Bragg,, . |
No one k\is exempt as is demonstrated by a Captain who has just
completed the requisite 20 pushups. Other men can be seen in
the background at differing stages of the WOD.. |
