Senate Honors Fallen Serviceman

The state Senate on Tuesday honored Army Staff Sergeant Chris Hake of Enid, who was one of four U.S. soldiers killed on Easter Sunday when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, Iraq.

Hake was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq with the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, where he served as a Squad Leader.

Senate Resolution 68 was authored by Sen. Patrick Anderson to honor Hake’s contributions to his country and the state of Oklahoma.

“We can never do enough to thank Chris Hake for all he meant to his country and the way he represented the state of Oklahoma,” said Anderson, R-Enid. “He carried a passion for serving his country and community that inspired everyone around him. His leadership and patriotism were an example to all of us.”

Hake joined the United States Army after graduating from Oklahoma Bible Academy in 2000. Anderson said Hake set an outstanding example of service to God, service to country and service to others. Hake married Kelli Short of Stillwater in 2004, and their son Gage was born on October 14, 2006. In a recent note to loved ones, Hake wrote: “if anything were to happen to me, Gage would always be able to know that his father died so that he could live in peace. I know Jesus did the same for me”.

“Chris Hake’s life was a living testimony to faith, both in his personal spirituality and his dedication to the mission of the United States Army,” Anderson said. “He possessed a unique passion to defend our country and our way of life. He was loved and respected by those who knew him and he will be greatly missed.”

Hake will be laid to rest as a true American hero with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on April 8, 2008. He was 27 years old. Sergeant Hake was the 65th Oklahoman to give his life in the Iraq war and the second from his hometown of Enid.