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Service Held for Soldier Killed During Flight Training

Posted on: Monday, 19 June 2006, 09:00 CDT

By The Idaho Statesman, Boise

Jun. 19--Relatives and friends of Army Sgt. Christopher Erberich, who died in a flight-training accident, gathered at a local church for a weekend memorial service.

Erberich, who grew up in Nampa before moving out of state, died June 1 when the Chinook Special Operations helicopter he was in crashed near Doerun, Ga. Three other soldiers also died in the crash. Erberich was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment in Georgia.

Friends and family members at Saturday's service remembered Erberich as a practical joker who was outgoing, humble and committed to doing a job right.

"He always had a smile on his face," said Ruben Garcia, assistant pastor at Treasure Valley Baptist Church. "He was always willing to help."

During his Army career, Erberich completed seven combat deployments and earned awards and medals including the Air Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Aviation Badge, Iraqi Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Idaho Statesman, Boise

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Idaho Statesman, Boise

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