Senior Airman Mark Forester

Senior Airman

Mark Forester

September 29, 2010

Senior Airman Mark Andrew Forester, 29, died in the Uruzgan province of Afghanistan Sept. 29, 2010, while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 at the Haleyville High School Gymnasium.  Burial was in Winston County Memorial Cemetery with full military honors.  Pinkard Funeral Home in Haleyville assisted the family.

Mark was a 1999 graduate of Haleyville High School and a 2006 graduate of the University of Alabama.  He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served a two year mission in Oakland, Calif.

He is survived by his parents, Ray and Pat Forester, of Haleyville; sister, Terri; brothers, David, Joseph and Thad; and twelve nieces and nephews.  Mark is the grandson of Jim and Dorothy Colvin, of Hamilton, and the late Joe and Lottie Forester, of Haleyville.

Mark joined the Air Force in 2007 and began the rigorous training to become a Combat Controller.  Upon completion of this training, he was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron of Pope Air Force Base, N.C.  He was deployed to Afghanistan in April 2010.  Mark has been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his heroic actions during a previous battle and a Purple Heart for him paying the ultimate price for freedom.

In lieu of flowers a fund has been set up in Mark’s name at www.specialops.org.  Donations will be used to help families of fallen Special Operations Warriors.