Saluting
member’s friendship, service, ultimate sacrificeBy DEBORAH A. MILES
PEF members who work at the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in White Plains are stunned and saddened by the loss of Chirasak Vidhyarkorn, a co-worker and soldier who lost his life on September 29 while serving in Iraq.
Vidhyarkorn was a specialist with the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment at Camp Adder on Tallil Air Force Base. It was his second tour of duty and he was scheduled to come back to the states for a two-week visit on October 5.
The 32-year-old National Guard soldier was part of a team that escorted convoys between Baghdad and points south of Baghdad. He was killed in a non-hostile accident in Diwaniyah that is still under investigation.
“We called him Chris,” said Elizabeth Zicca, an environmental program specialist 1 who worked with Vidhyarkorn at the Division of Water. He was an environmental engineer 1 who joined the small office in November 2005.
“Everyone liked him. He was just a real nice guy. It’s still not sinking in that he’s not coming back. There are tears, quiet times, and you just feel numb,” Zicca said.
Vidhyarkorn worked at DEC a little more than a year before he was deployed a second time. In those months, the tall and friendly man who was born in America but grew up in Thailand won the hearts of his co-workers. He was an extended family member who called them frequently while overseas.
“We sent him care packages. He had a thick accent and sometimes it was difficult to understand him, especially on the phone. In one conversation, there was a mix-up. We thought he asked us to send noodles, so we shipped a large box of Ramen Noodles to him. What he was really saying was send me No Doze, referring to the long days with little sleep,” Zicca said.
“Chris was a brave, dedicated person,” said Denny Escarpeta, an environmental engineer 2 and PEF Division 169 steward.
“He knew there was danger with this tour, and he went ahead. He was a true American. He was a person who took his job very seriously in all matters. He wanted to learn everything,” Escarpeta said.
“Many of our members have been called to serve in this war,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “This is the first time one of ours isn’t coming back. I can empathize with Chris’ co-workers, as my own son, Al, served a tour of duty in Iraq. He returned home safely but suffered injuries as a result of exposure to toxic elements.
“I’ve been told Chris was an exceptional human being. On behalf of PEF, I send our sincere condolences to his parents, relatives and co-workers.”
A service was scheduled for Vidhyarkorn in October. His parents planned to fly here from Thailand and visit his worksite, as they wanted to see where their son spent his time and to meet the people he talked about.
The DEC staff erected a memorial to Vidhyarkorn in the lobby, and will plant a sugar maple tree with a plaque commemorating his service to his country and the agency. Vidhyarkorn was also promoted to sergeant posthumously.