FORT SILL Okla_ The Joint Fires
Observer facility on post has a new name. It's now called Domeij Hall in honor
of fallen soldier Kristoffer B. Domeij.
Sergeant First Class
Domeij was killed in Afghanistan
back in October, when his assault force accidentally triggered a bomb. Now, his
impressive legacy will live on forever. A ceremony was held in front of the
newly-named building this afternoon, where family, friends and fellow soldiers
paid their respects to a man gave it all.
Domeij's
mother, Scoti Domeij took the podium today and gave an incredible speech about
her son's life, his work and how she copes with his loss. She said the newly
named building is a way for her to make her son's legacy something tangible
that will last forever.
Staff Sergeant Matthew
Cooke, a friend and fellow soldier believes Domeij made the ultimate sacrifice so
someone else won't have to.
"I broke
my leg just prior to deploying," Cooke said. "So, I stayed home and Kris actually
took my spot in my platoon. He was on that mission that night, because I
wasn't."
Scoti Domeij
said it was about 11 PM when the bad news came knocking at her door.
"When I
opened the door, they didn't have to tell me. All I said was 'Is my son dead?',
and of course, they said 'Well, may we come in ma'am?' My brain felt like a
rubber band that's been stretched too tight."
Today, Scoti Domeij
took the podium and delivered a speech that brought tears to people's eyes and created
some laughs. She told us how she's found peace in her son's passing.
"God
numbers our days," Scoti said. "That really gave me comfort. Even though I
don't understand and I'm not thrilled with the days that God gave my son, he
has a purpose. I trust Him. I don't understand, but I don't have to."
Other speakers
today listed achievements, awards and honors Domeij received. He was and still
is a highly respected soldier. After 14 deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, Domeij had honed his
craft. Staff Sergeant Cooke said Domeij taught him everything he knows.
"When I
was a young Private coming to 2nd Ranger Battalion, he was the guy who taught
me everything: how to shoot artillery and mortars to how to attack aviation,
all the way up to a 9-line off of a fixed-wing aircraft."
The building
will serve as a reminder as to who Domeij was and the lives he saved.
"Kris's
legacy is living on," Cooke said. A lot of people didn't know what he did and
never will, but this is a way to be able to see that. That guy was important
enough and did enough to get his name put on a building."
"America forgets
too quickly," Scoti said. "I feel that every son or daughter that has fought
for our freedom deserves to be remembered. For me, this is a tangible reminder
and I'm very grateful for it."
Scoti Domeij said her son would have been completely embarrassed by the
building and the ceremony honoring him today. She described him as a quiet
professional and a humble man.
The Joint Fires Observer facility trains soldiers on the ground to
communicate and give direction to soldiers in the air. Domeij was one of the
first JFOs here at Fort
Sill. He graduated in
2005.
