A Tribute in Honor of:
Sgt Steven Checo
  Sergeant Steven Checo, known to his family as "Steven" was born in Queens, New York on 24 May 1980. He grew up in the Inwood section of Manhattan. He was part of the St. Barnabas Hospital Naval Cadets Warriors.

   Sergeant Checo entered the United States Army on 19 August 1999 as an 11B Infantryman at Fort Benning, GA. During this initial training period, he qualified as a Grenadier, Expert Rifleman (M16), Heavy Anti-Armor Specialist (11H), and Weapons Crewman (11N). His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with V Device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal
(with three oak leaf clusters), the National Defense Service medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB), the 82nd Airborne Division Combat Patch, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
  
After completing the rigorous US Army Airborne Course, SGT Checo served with Headquaters & Headquaters Company, 2nd Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, NC. Subsequent to a one-year tour in the Republic of Korea (ROK), he returned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC - Returning to active jump status, which he enjoyed. This time he served proudly as a member of D CO, 2nd Battalion/504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

  SGT Steven Checo, 22, died as a result of gunshot wounds received during a firefight in Ivo Shkin, Afganistan in the early dawn of December 21st, 2002. SGT Checo was returning to base from a mounted surveillance mission when enemy forces fired upon his unit.
  
   SGT Steven Checo is survived by his mother(Ms. Arelis Perez), his father (Mr. Nelson Checo), a brother (Erik-24), and a sister (Jennifer-19). His family remembers him as being funny, courageous, hardheaded, ambitious, and most of all loving.

Written by
Major Darryl Cureton
Posted by Erik Checo
LINKS:
Army
82nd Airborne Division
Veterans & Friends
Pictures of Sgt Steven Checo and friends