Honor your hero with thoughts, memories, images and stories.
Remember Me Memorial Day Tribute 2015
Remember Me
Memorial Day Tribute 2015
A soldier gives his life in battle his spirit is set free.
His body finds a grave his soul cries remember me.
Remembering this moment that I first met my doom.
Remember me, a baby forming in my mothers womb.
Remembering first steps I took remember times I fell.
Recall my dreams of heaven and each moment spent in hell.
Remember mountains that I faced before I answered duty's call.
Climbing trees and skinned up knees I dreamed I'd climb them all.
Remember times of courage lessons learned and lessons taught.
Remember me for good times before my last fight was fought.
Remembering your freedom and that freedom don't come free.
I ask so little in return when asking you remember me.
Not a body in a grave somewhere, a wooden cross stuck in the dirt.
A sister or a brother too with U.S.A. stitched on my shirt.
Remember so it's not in vain the life that now is through.
Remembering the blood that spilled still runs red white and blue.
Edwin C Hofert
What do you say about a man that you didn't get enough time with. In the short 10 years God gave us, I learned how brave and selfless my husband was. After several oversea tours, he didn't focus on the awards he received, but on the proud fact he brought home every single one of his soldiers. Once back in the states, he was determined to make each Cadet into the best soldier he can make them. His took pride in his family and showed it with his enormous heart everyday, from staying up late to help our oldest with history homework, to leaving work early to make a soccer or cheer game or orchestra concert, to rushing home from work to go roller skating with our youngest. He complimented me on anything I put on or anything I cooked, even when I knew it was awful. And even in the end he sacrificed himself save another. He is a hero to many who had the pleasure to know him, he is a hero to our country, and he is a hero to us. We miss you and love you. More
Steven Patrick Blass was born April 1, 1985, in Estherville, Iowa, the son of Randy and Carol (Erickson) Blass. He grew up in Estherville where he attended Estherville Lincoln Central Schools from Kindergarten through graduation in May 2003. He then continued his education at Iowa Lakes Community College before joining the Army.
Steve's passion since he was a young boy was flying, taking flying lessons in his teen years. Star Wars and paint ball activities were two of his favorites along with golf and playing football in high school. With his family, he enjoyed collector cars, spectator racing, Minneapolis-Moline tractors, working and playing at the farm and just being together. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Estherville. Steve worked at Fishermen's Factory Outlet in Spirit Lake, Iowa for several years before leaving to begin his career with the United States Army on March 13, 2006.
Upon finishing his basic training at Fort Jackson, SC and his AIT training at Fort Eustis, VA, Steve was stationed at Fort Campbell, KT and Clarksville, TN. On May 15, 2009, Steve was united in marriage to Tricia Anne Stayer in Tennessee. After their marriage Steve was deployed to Camp Humphreys, Korea. Tricia joined him there in February 2010. From there they were stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA in August 2011. Steve and Tricia were blessed with their son, Hayden Cole, born November 1, 2011. Steve was deployed with the Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation to Kandahar, Afghanistan on December 14, 2012. He returned to United States soil as a fallen hero on March 13, 2013, exactly 7 years from the day he left for basic training.
Staff Sergeant Steve Blass died Monday, March 11, 2013 at the age of 27 in a Black Hawk, Black Hat 14, UH-60L #270 Helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan which also killed four other members of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
His military honors include Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal,
Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star (3), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Basic Aviation Badge, Parachutist Badge, Basic Combat and Special Skill Badge, Basic Marksmanship Badge and Bar. Rank: SSG, Weapon: Rifle Expert
Left to celebrate Steve's life are his Wife, Tricia, and Son, Hayden, Savannah, GA, Parents Randy and Carol (Erickson) Blass of Estherville, Brother Matthew Blass and Niece Jaycee Blass, Estherville, Grandmother Elberta Erickson, Terril, Mother and Father's-in-Law, Patricia and Carl Rogers, and James Stayer, and Sister-in-law Rachel Stayer, all of Tennessee, Uncle and Aunt, Larry and Karen (Erickson) Stoller, Uncle Chris Blass, Aunt Coleen Blass, Cousins Lyndsi (Jesse) Logan, Missy Heisler, Kristi (Seth) Hudgins, Jay (Wendy) Blass, and many other family members and friends throughout the world.
Steve was preceded in death by his Grandfathers, C. Don Erickson and Norman Blass, Grandmother Dorothy Blass, Uncle Michael Blass, Uncle Gary Ridenour and Cousin Katie Ridenour.