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Sgt. 1st Class Eric Emond |
A United States Army Special Forces soldier from Massachusetts who died in Afghanistan last month has been identified as the son-in-law of Barry Feldman, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry and director of Psychiatry Programs in Public Safety.
Sgt. 1st Class Eric Emond, 39, was one of three American soldiers killed in action Nov. 27 by an improvised explosive device. Emond had served in the United States military for more than two decades and was on his seventh deployment at the time of his death. He leaves behind his wife, Dr. Feldman’s daughter Allie, and their three young daughters.
“Eric was a beloved member of our family and a consummate soldier who aimed, through his military service and through all of his personal interactions, to make a positive impact in the world,” Feldman said. “This is how we will choose to remember him and honor his legacy.”
A memorial service for Emond was held Dec. 15 in Southern Pines, N. C. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in January.
Emond began his military career as a Marine and, most recently, served in the 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, N.C. A highly decorated serviceman, he had received three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
Students at UMMS may recall learning about Emond, as Feldman routinely shared and reflected upon the military experience of his son-in-law as well as that of Feldman’s father, a 94-year-old World War II veteran, as he participated in the Veterans Health Clerkship.
“Eric loved his fellow soldiers and loved serving his country, yet he also saw very clearly how military service impacts soldiers’ spouses, children and extended family,” Feldman said. “He was such a proud father and husband and it was a privilege to witness how he came to serve those closest to him just as he served the United States.”
Emond was a co-founder of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, an organization dedicated to memorializing the fallen and providing programs and services to honor them, empower veterans, support Gold Star Families and educate communities about military service. His critically important contributions to the organization were highlighted in a recent Boston Globe column.
Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor of Medical Education, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the School of Medicine, offered sincere condolences on behalf of the UMMS community.
“We are grateful for the supreme sacrifice made by Sgt. Emond on behalf of our nation and we mourn the loss of a beloved father, husband, friend and soldier,” Dr. Flotte said. “Our thoughts are with the Emond and Feldman families during this difficult time.”
