Dane R. Balcon
Military Branch: Army; Rank: SPC
Summary:
SPC Dane R. Balcon was just three years old the first time he said to his Mother that he wanted to join the United States Army.
Dane could not wait until he was old enough to join the Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC). At the beginning of the ninth grade Dane was finally able to join, but did not make the cut for the Drill Team due to his small stature. He worked hard all year to compensate for his size, and by the end of the ninth grade, Dane was spinning that rifle as a member of the Silver Guards Armed Drill Team in San Antonio, Texas.
By his Sophomore year, Dane was a strong member of the Drill Team and won first place at the National JROTC Competition held at the United States Air Force Academy. Dane's Junior and Senior years in high school were spent at Sand Creek High School in Colorado Springs, where he was the AFJROTC Drill Team Commander.
In his senior year of high school, Dane wrote an essay where his AFJROTC instructor asked his greatest fear… Dane prophetically wrote:
"When I go, I hope they remember me and what I did. Like Alexander the Great who conquered much of the known world before he died at age 33. His name is in every history book on the planet, and I'm sure that's what he wanted the most. Not to have statues in his likeness, or the wealth of the world, but to be remembered as a Titan. My Chief once asked me what my fear was and I said that mine was a failure, which is true. But my greatest fear, the thing I fear most is being forgotten, because I will never forget what I have done. I will never forget those days in the sun… thriving in my moments with my brothers in hard earned glory".
Dane graduated from Sand Creek High School in 2007. Following high school, Dane enlisted in the Army in 2007 as a Fire Support Specialist. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery Regiment, at Fort Sill, OK. Upon graduation from AIT, SPC Balcon received his first assignment to 3rd Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regt., 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Balad, Iraq, on 7 July 2007, and on 5 September 2007, he completed his mission doing what he loved… serving his country.
Dane was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
On September 5, 2007, at the age of 19, Dane was killed by an IED in Balad, Iraq.
Life Achievements/ Recognitions:
The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Weapons Qualification Badge – Expert w/Rifle.
He had a love for playing the snare drum, despite not knowing how to read sheet music. "He didn’t make anyone seem like an outsider. He liked to crack jokes, and if anyone was in a bad mood, he’d crack more jokes. Dane was just a person that brought a smile to your face." said Harrison, a senior at Sand Creek"