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Clifford E. Beattie
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Age:
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37
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Hometown:
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Medical Lake, WA
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Date of Death:
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5/22/2011
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Incident Location:
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Baghdad, Iraq
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Branch of Military:
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Army
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Rank:
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SFC
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Unit:
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1st Battalion, 63rd Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf.
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Unit's Base:
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Fort Riley, Kan.
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Army Sgt. 1st Class Clifford E. Beattie was remembered Saturday morning as a leader dedicated to serving his family and his country, a courageous man and an avid fisherman who had an infectious smile and, often, a joke up his sleeve.
He was deployed to Haiti to support Operation Uphold Democracy; Sinai, Egypt, in support of a mission to facilitate the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt; Mosul and Ad Dujayl, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and, finally, Baghdad, to support Operation New Dawn.
Beattie was an infantry platoon sergeant and had served more than 17 years in the Army, including three tours in Iraq. A 1992 graduate of Medical Lake High School, Beattie was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Beattie’s family also was presented with Gold Star Lapel Buttons to identify them as family members of a fallen soldier.
“My dad was an energetic, funny person,” said Jaydean Hamilton, Beattie’s daughter, who will graduate this spring from high school. “Any of you who know him, he’d be up here sticking his tongue out at us.” He was serious, though, about taking care of his family.
“He’s now fighting in God’s army and we all know he’s in a safe place. My dad would be so happy to see the turnout and know there are all these people here to support him,” she said.