Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle on April 11, 2013

Graham Woody(1986 - 2013)
GRAHAM WOODY, was born June 25, 1986 in Austin, Texas, and moved with his mom and brother to Houston in 1989. He graduated from the Engineering Academy at Hightower High School in Missouri City, Texas, in 2003.
After acceptance to Texas A&M University, Graham joined the Corp of Cadets, where he became an N-1 Knight. He graduated with a Degree from the A&M School of Engineering in 2010. Although able to enlist as an officer in the United States Army upon graduation, his moral character told him to start at the bottom and work his way up. After completing a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2012, he was stationed at Ft. Bliss Texas. Graham was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the NCO Professional Development Medal, an Overseas Service Ribbon, and a Combat Infantry Badge.
Graham died way too young, but doing what he loved. He loved his country and was very proud of his April 1, 2013 promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
In a recent facebook posting Graham said, "I realize I have experienced more things and accomplished more things than most ever will be able to accomplish or experience in their entire life….I love all my friends. (I am) a Texas Aggie and Texan till I die and living for something greater than myself in the United States Army."
This is what Graham was all about. He had numerous friends he loved dearly and in return had so many people who loved him deeply.
Graham is survived by his mother, Maddi Woody; father, Tony Woody; brothers, Erik and Jason; sister, Heather; his "Mema", Barbara Grisar; grandfather, (like his father) Dan McLaughlin; uncle, David Feldstein; and close friends, (who were his 2nd parents) Mark and Michelle Horowitz.
Graveside Services will be held at 11:30 AM, Friday, April 12, 2013, at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, with full military honors.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donation's in Graham's name be made to Help Our Military Hero's "HOMH" @http://www.helpourmilitaryheroes.org/
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From examiner.com
April 8, 2013
By: Susy Raybon

Spc. Graham Woody killed in rollover accident at Ft. Bliss

Today, Fort Bliss released the name of a soldier who was killed in a training accident Friday afternoon.

Spc. Graham Woody, 27, died of severe head trauma when the armed vehicle he was in rolled over at the Ana Dona range complex.

Two other soldiers who were in the vehicle with Spc. Woody were treated and released.

Spc. Woody is from the Third Brigade, First Armored Division.

The Army is investigating this fatal incident with a special team from Alabama.

This year has been deadly for U.S. troops in involved in training incidents, including seven Marines killed in a mortar incident at the Hawthorne Army Depot last month, the crash of an electronic warfare plane in Washington State, and the death of a Marine, in February who died during a training exercise when his chute failed to deploy. A member of SEAL Team 6 also died in a parachute accident in late March.

Rollover deaths have been a longstanding problem in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. MRAPS and other tactical vehicles are notoriously difficult to maneuver.

A memorial service for Spc. Woody will be held at Fort Bliss next week.