Islander Terrence Crowe remembered at town's Memorial Day ceremony

Story and Photos by Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

On June 7, 2005, Lt. Col. Terrence Crowe was killed by Iraqi insurgents in Tal Afar, Iraq. He was 44 years old at the time and was the only Islander to be killed in the Iraq war, also known as Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Prior to his deployment in 2005, Crowe, who had grown up on Grand Island, had the opportunity to retire from military service, explained guest speaker Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kirk Holmes at Grand Island’s Memorial Day ceremony, held on May 25 at DeGlopper Memorial Park.

Crowe, who chose not to retire at that time, “said it was time for him to pay his dues,” Holmes explained. “During his deployment, he was assigned to help train Iraqi security forces. Every time you saw him, he was leading from the front.”

Members of VFW Post 9249’s honor guard fire a three-volley salute in Maple Grove Cemetery on Stony Point Road. Maple Grove Cemetery is the final resting place of Medal of Honor recipient Charles N. DeGlopper.

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Holmes recounted the events of June 7, when Crowe and Sgt. First Class Gary Villalobos led their Iraqi counterparts in a planned raid. Holmes described the ambush that occurred on that day. He said enemy forces were using hand grenades, improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire during their attack.

“Lt. Col. Crowe was hit numerous times and fell in the alley, approximately 10 meters in front of Villalobos,” Holmes said.

“As the engagement continued and Sgt. First Class Villalobos called for armored support, he threw a well-placed grenade onto the enemy position, killing and defeating the enemy. Thereafter, posthumously, Lt. Col. Crowe was evacuated in a Bradley fighting vehicle. The body of Lt. Col. Crowe could have been captured by the enemy if it had not been for Sgt. First Class Villalobos’ Silver Star actions, a true display of the warrior’s ethos to never leave a fallen comrade.”

Holmes also shared his memories of his friendship with Crowe that grew during their time in Iraq together.

“Prior to Terry’s death, I got to know Terry in a manner that lives on today,” he said. “I lived with Terry in the dust storms of Iraq through countless combat patrols and missions in northwestern Iraq. We served in an area of Iraq, where Al Qaeda was utilizing suicide bombers, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and IEDs against U.S. forces on a daily basis. Although our days were consumed by daily combat missions, we gained knowledge of one another in other ways. I learned about Terry’s family, how he thought, his likes, his interests. Terry had a very supportive family. He was raised by his parents, George and Mary Ann Crowe. He received several care packages from his family. That was always a great day in Iraq, when a Crowe care package arrived. One of his care packages had Bruce Springsteen’s greatest hits. I was a big fan of ‘Born in the USA.’ Terry gave me that CD. He also indirectly helped me build a love for hockey.”

Holmes talked about hockey as a way for the two men to build their friendship.

“Every week, I received a hockey update on his son, Jeremiah,” Holmes said. “Terry told me, ‘Kirk, Jeremiah’s going to make it to Division I hockey.’ Honestly, at that time, I knew nothing about hockey. I think Terry knew that, and I think he made it his mission to teach me hockey. So, we talked hockey. Through Jeremiah’s stories, I learned about the Buffalo Junior Sabres, the tough journeys one has to take through junior hockey to make it into Division I hockey. When I came home, my wife, Kim, and I saw Jeremiah’s last collegiate hockey game in RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute). We followed his progress in Buffalo, USA Hockey and, currently, Buffalo Sabres.”

Jeremiah Crowe works as director of professional scouting for the Buffalo Sabres.

“Through Terry’s love for hockey, I fell in love with the sport,” Holmes said. “My son, Gage, plays bantam hockey in Central New York. My daughter wears Buffalo Sabres hockey hoodies. My wife, Kim, knows the rules of hockey as well as I do. Terry’s spirit is always talking to me.

“You see, Terry never passed away. He lives in us every day.”

A member of the Grand Island High School wind ensemble narrates as the wind ensemble plays “United States Armed Forces Medley,” a musical compilation of the anthems of all military branches.

Director John Reed conducts the Grand Island High School wind ensemble.