American Hero
SPC Shane W. Woods




Life long Palmer, Alaska resident Spc. Shane W. Woods died Aug 9th, 2006 while deployed to Iraq. He gave his life while serving his country in the cause of freedom during combat operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He was killed along with two other soldiers when an IED detonated directly underneath their HMMWV. He was assigned to the Army's 1st. Battalion 37th. Armor Regiment, 1st. Armored Division as a 19K M1A1 Armored Tank Crewman.






Spc. Woods was born 7/10/83 in Anchorage, Alaska. He lived in Palmer all his life. He attended Palmer High School, and was graduated in 2003. He was also enrolled in the Colony High JROTC program, where he excelled. In 2002 he was the recipient of the Alaska National Guard Adjutant General's Award; and in 2003 he was selected as the Commanding General, US Army Alaska JROTC Cadet of the Year. Spc. Woods military awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal,the National Defense Service Medal. the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. the Iraqi Campaign Medal, The Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon; and the Combat Action Badge.

Shane was involved with the family guiding business from a small boy, and grew up hunting and fishing in the Alaska wilds. He had a special love for climbing and hiking in the Taylor MTS of western Alaska, and the Chugach and Talkeetna MTS near his home. His family writes "Shane knew from an early age that he was called to be a soldier, and he was so proud to serve his God and country as a tanker with the 1st Armored Division. His fellow soldiers knew him to be a real warrior, putting duty and Honor above self. His strong belief in his mission to protect what we have at home; and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is a continued inspiration to those who knew him.



Shane loved his Alaska home. He was also a talented poet and photographer; and we are blessed to have had him in our lives. His outstanding character leaves a legacy of loving friends, family, and fellow soldiers who shall never forget the passion and enthusiasm with which he lived. He is a true hero.

To March Away


Pfc. Shane W. Woods

Dedicated to Mike Punch, a Soldier who marched away in WWII

To serve as a soldier, there is nothing more noble or more true,

To defend your home and ones you love, until your life is through

To live and die for your brothers, could not be more right,

To honor those who marched before, to carry on their fight

To protect the innocent and the fair, that they may know no strife,

To keep them safe at any cost, even if the price be thy own life

To sacrifice for liberty, ones youth, ones dreams and years,

To pay the price for others peace, with blood, with sweat and tears

To march away from mothers love, or fathers warming arm,

Away from children's longing eyes, or sweetheart's gentle charm

Away from land and home so sweet, maybe never again to see,

With pain so strong and hurt so deep, to march away that they be free

To give a life so fair and young, with so much living yet to do,

To trade it for a life of death, to uphold what is true

To sacrifice ones innocence, and all he could have done,

That no more in fields of flowers, but in fields of bodies run

To watch their friends with whom they laughed, fall and lie so still,

To learn what it truly means to hate, and for more than duty kill

To give apart of themselves they can't get back, though on they may live,

To see in drunk or dream the brother's faces, who all was called to give

Some to return with out their limbs, others their lives, some their very soul,

Of all the men to march to war, nobody, not one to come back whole

To lie in bed late at night, and wonder why not me,

To weep for a brother who didn't make it, his home never again to see

To wonder if anyone really understands, or even cares at all,

That they live because others died, that good men had to fall

To wonder if the banner, brave men saluted every day,

Is treated with rightful honor, in memory of those who marched away