| 2nd Lt. Tracy Lynn Alger United States Army KIA 01 November 2007, Iraq |
| Tributes Memorial Page Established by-Tanya Leo Tracy Lynn Alger was born June 21, 1977 to Pauline Symbal of Stanley, Wisconsin. She was a 1995 graduate of Chetek High School and continued to further her education at UW-River Falls, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and marketing. She worked as a graphic designer and certified nursing assistant before enlisting in the United States Army in January 2006. Tracy was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), also known as the Rakkasans, based at Fort Campbell, KY. She graduated from The United States Army Air Assault School in 2007 prior to her departure to Iraq. Originally stationed in Fort Story, VA, Tracy requested to be transferred to the 101st Airborne Division where she served as a distribution platoon leader for her battalion. Tracy was killed in action on Thursday, 01 Nov 07, in Shubayshen, Iraq of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near her vehicle. Tracy's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service ribbon, and Weapons Qualification, M4, Expert. May 26, 2010 SGT Jess Starks Tracy was my college roommate for 2 years. She was on the Rodeo Team, a die-hard barrel racer and she helped me with my mare Timex when I had issues- she even rode her for the end of the summer one year so Timex would be ready for me to run at the beginning of the rodeo season. I still have Timex and run barrels on her every few years and she jumps right back into it with gusto, probably due mostly to Tracy's training. My heart was always way more in the breakaway roping than the barrel racing. Tracy was a huge neat freak, and was always on me to clean up my messes and piles in the apartment. One of the things I smile about was when I would hear my alarm go off first and I would reset it, and then hers would go off (we shared a room) and I would jump up and get in the shower quick before she did. She took forever in the bathroom. Then she would accuse me of jumping in there on purpose and I would deny it. Every day this happened. She didn't really get too upset with me because she knew she took forever in there. We would jam out to Kid Rock while we got ready for class. She was the Polish girl who would make the Perogies (cabbage rolls) and I was the Irish girl who would make the Corned Beef 'n' Cabbage, and we would stink up the house with our cooked cabbage smells. The other 2 roommates would hate it but we would laugh and make it anyway. I traveled with Tracy and her mom, Pauline, to a barrel racing jackpot or two. Her mom was always calling for her and they would talk for hours on the phone every week. It was really nice to see such a close relationship between mother and daughter. They were good buddies. I met Tanya once or twice and she was really nice, too. A great family of women. I always wished I had seen or talked to her before her deployment but I had no idea she had joined the military. I actually swore into the Army National Guard the day after she was killed. Weird. I heard about it the night before I shipped to Basic. It was very unnerving and I couldn't tell anyone in my family about it because I thought it was a really bad omen. I couldn't go to the memorial service because I was in Basic. She was a really hard worker. A natural leader, president of the Rodeo Club in college, other organizations later. People listened when she spoke. We didn't always get along because our styles were different, but she was always there for me with a shirt for me to borrow or a makeup tip, or a pointer for running barrels. A very good person. I think of Tracy often, and since I just returned from a deployment to Iraq this spring, she is even more on my mind this Memorial Day. I send her mother, sister, and other loved ones the very strongest wishes for their peace. Whenever I am at a rodeo and I hear a family member scream at their barrel racer, "PUSH!!!!!!" I think of Tracy and smile. She was ALWAYS pushing. -Jess Starks March 14, 2010 pedro garay USMC 1972 1976 God be you may the lord forever be your everlasting light R.I.P November 03, 2009 Joe Martin I attended Transportation School in a class alongside Tracy's. Since then I transferred my commission to the Navy, where I just made Lieutenant (O-3). Since the first two promotions of officers are done based on time in service, there is sayings of how you only have to "fog the mirror" to get promoted. Tracy's passing made me think differently about that, and what follows is an email I sent to my classmates at the Navy Supply Corps School before my wetting down--a party to celebrate one's promotion: Foxtrot, Concerning the whole “fogging the mirror” thing… It may be all you have to do to get promoted, but the responsibility--and the pay--increases anyway. Tonight we will celebrate my “automatic” promotion. But don’t ever take those for granted. I don’t want to make a speech, because I’d choke up, but this is what I’ll be thinking about tonight. In Iraq I learned that knowing your job and being good at it, certainly tips the scales in your favor. That said, at the end of the day, the difference between who gets to laugh at what a bad shot the enemy is, and who does not make it home, is sometimes just a matter of luck or fate. While an Army second lieutenant, I had the honor of participating in a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery for Brig. Gen. Walter Titus, a retired officer that I’d known in California. Walking through the “garden of stone” in my Army dress blues in the late summer of 2007, I realized two things: First, people in uniform there become a sort of weird tourist attraction. As I walked past, people touring the cemetery would stop what they were doing and start taking pictures of me. More ominously, the further I walked, the more I was struck by the number of second lieutenants there are resting in Arlington. When it comes to officers dying in combat, Army and Marine second lieutenants seem to have the market cornered. Being a month away from making first lieutenant, it made an impression on me. Many “butter bars” never live long enough to enjoy even one automatic promotion. The next month, October 2007, I got my silver bar, my wife arranged for a cake, and we hosted a wet down at the Officers Club in Ft. Eustis, VA. With what I’d seen in Arlington fresh in my mind, I told my friends that we were not only celebrating an automatic promotion for me, but having a party for all those second lieutenants, ensigns, first lieutenants and lieutenants junior grade whose ultimate sacrifice precluded them from enjoying their own promotion party. Two weeks later, I learned of the combat death of a classmate from Transportation Officer Basic Course, Second Lieutenant Tracy Lynn Alger. She had been in Iraq two weeks at the time of her death. My official date of rank, November 1, 2009, falls on the second anniversary of Tracy’s death, and tonight I will toast her, and celebrate her life and the lives of all those who never got to see their automatic promotion. I pray that my you may enjoy all your promotions, automatic and otherwise, and that we all do well with the added responsibility that comes with them. R/ LT Joe Martin July 21, 2009 Frank Bay In Honor Of Tracey Lynn Alger I didn't see any comments on your page in the Chippewa Valley press so I thought I would add this but I was directed here, It doesn't where I say it it only matters that it's said. AIRBORNE Mam! A soldier isn't dead unless they are forgotten, you will not be. You will forever have your knees in the Breeze and you will join God on the right side as Paratroopers are Gods Honor Guards. AIRBORNE!! An old Paratrooper Vietnam 1965 to 1968! July 19, 2009 Penny In Honor Of Tracy Lynn Alger I never met you. I never spoke to you. I never watched you laugh or saw you cry. But you protected me, my family, my freedom. You put on the uniform so I wouldn't have to. You never met me, never spoke to me, never watched me laugh or saw me cry;yet you fought for me. I will meet you in heaven, I will speak your name, I will laugh for you and I will cry for your loved ones. March 23, 2008 Shannon Mattner (Brown) There are so many wonderful memories that I have from growing up with Tracy. Family Weddings, and running around Uncle Teddy and Aunt Bernice's farm. Those are memories that I will hold on to forever. I'm so very proud of my cousin Tracy. You are greatly missed. Jan 25, 2008 SFC Rod Brewer Christmas in Arlington... Rest easy, sleep well my brothers and sisters. Know the line has held, you job is done. Rest easy, sleep well. Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held. Peace, peace, and farewell. From Arlington National Cemetery. Tracy, You Will Not Be Forgotten... Rod. Jan 22, 2008 1LT Jeremy Haynes LT Alger and I attended Air Assault School together shortly before our deployment. I can recall slowing down on Mile 8 of the 12 mile road march at Air Assault School and hearing Tracy saying, "Keep it moving Rakkasan." She was extremely physically fit and was full of motivation. Tracy & I joked with one another occasionally as well as offered each other advice. We spoke briefly before deployment and we told one another to be safe. I am deeply saddened for her lost & my sympathy and prayers goes out to her family, friends, and Soldiers. Tracy was a great Soldier and an outstanding person. LT Jeremy Haynes Jan 7, 2008 Lynn Craig, Whiskey Blue Farms For those that knew Tracy, how lucky we are. I bought Gettum from her a few years ago and every month or so she would send me emails of jokes, causes and just nice little notes about her progress in the military. She never complained and always was more worried about me and those wonderful horses. I'm riding this year with Gettum for Tracy taught me another lesson. Hold on to your dreams and do what you feel you must. We will never forget her. And Tracey's mom, thank you for bringing up such a wonderful person, I will think of you often and hope you will find peace. Nov 24, 2007 Zac Johnson Tracy I didn't know you all that well, but from what I did you were a extraordinary person. I have to say I am very proud of you and thank you for serving our country. I know you are gone, but it is great to know that an angle like you is watching over all of us and would do whatever you needed to help out and be there for any of us. You will be greatly missed! Love, Zac Tanya Leo Tracy was not only a dedicated soldier but the best sister that anyone could ask for. Words cannot describe the respect and love I have for my sister. Although she has been called home, she will live on in the hearts of those she touched here on earth. I anxiously look forward to the day that I can see her once again. I love you Tracetta! Nov 23, 2007 Steve and Lil Tracy was a very dedicated soldier and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country for our freedom. You'll be missed. Love |
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A New Auburn native whose passion was barrel-racing died when an improvised explosive device exploded
near her Humvee in Iraq, her mother said Nov. 3.
Army 2nd Lt. Tracy Alger, 30, died Nov. 1, according to her mother Pauline Knutson, of New Auburn.
Alger grew up in New Auburn, went to Chetek High School and then studied graphic design at the University
of Wisconsin-River Falls.
“Serving her country was what she wanted,” Knutson said. “We had a conversation before she left that she
might not be coming back, so we spent as much time together as we could.” Knutson said her daughter
started considering the service after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
After college, she worked as a graphic artist and then a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home before
signing up for the National Guard.
She moved to Fort Campbell, Ky. within the last year, she said. Alger was in charge of convoys that
transported supplies, her mother said. “She was a very considerate officer,” Knutson said. “She didn’t have
to go on a lot of the convoys, but she wanted to serve alongside her people. She was not a stay-back-at-
camp kind of person.”
Knutson said Alger wrote her aunt a letter, which arrived Oct. 28.
“She wrote a letter that they were going into a big mission and they were concerned about it,” she said.
Alger spent many years barrel-racing, a rodeo-like event in which horse and rider are timed as they
maneuver around large barrels, she said. Her horse, Tango, is boarded at Knutson’s home. She was on the
rodeo team at River Falls, and before she left she was president of the Wisconsin Girls Barrel Racing
Association, Knutson said.
“She was such a good daughter,” Knutson said. “We spent a lot of time together traveling to barrel races.
She was my right-hand person. We did everything together.”
Alger’s younger sister, Tanya Leo, served in the Air Force. Tanya’s husband also was in the service, and
Knutson was a member of the National Guard.
The family planned to wait for her body to return home before setting up the funeral, she said. Family and
friends were putting up a memorial in her yard Nov. 3 that included a flag pole. She said it was a bright spot
in her day. “She would want that,” she said. reprinted from MilitaryCity
near her Humvee in Iraq, her mother said Nov. 3.
Army 2nd Lt. Tracy Alger, 30, died Nov. 1, according to her mother Pauline Knutson, of New Auburn.
Alger grew up in New Auburn, went to Chetek High School and then studied graphic design at the University
of Wisconsin-River Falls.
“Serving her country was what she wanted,” Knutson said. “We had a conversation before she left that she
might not be coming back, so we spent as much time together as we could.” Knutson said her daughter
started considering the service after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
After college, she worked as a graphic artist and then a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home before
signing up for the National Guard.
She moved to Fort Campbell, Ky. within the last year, she said. Alger was in charge of convoys that
transported supplies, her mother said. “She was a very considerate officer,” Knutson said. “She didn’t have
to go on a lot of the convoys, but she wanted to serve alongside her people. She was not a stay-back-at-
camp kind of person.”
Knutson said Alger wrote her aunt a letter, which arrived Oct. 28.
“She wrote a letter that they were going into a big mission and they were concerned about it,” she said.
Alger spent many years barrel-racing, a rodeo-like event in which horse and rider are timed as they
maneuver around large barrels, she said. Her horse, Tango, is boarded at Knutson’s home. She was on the
rodeo team at River Falls, and before she left she was president of the Wisconsin Girls Barrel Racing
Association, Knutson said.
“She was such a good daughter,” Knutson said. “We spent a lot of time together traveling to barrel races.
She was my right-hand person. We did everything together.”
Alger’s younger sister, Tanya Leo, served in the Air Force. Tanya’s husband also was in the service, and
Knutson was a member of the National Guard.
The family planned to wait for her body to return home before setting up the funeral, she said. Family and
friends were putting up a memorial in her yard Nov. 3 that included a flag pole. She said it was a bright spot
in her day. “She would want that,” she said. reprinted from MilitaryCity
