A Tribute to Honor a Life Well Lived
Aram J. Bass
Aram J. Bass was born in Niagara Falls, New York on November 9, 1980, the son of Deborah Johnson and William V. Bass.
To say Aram was born to be a soldier would be an understatement. He grew up in a military family long before he went off to boot camp. As a boy growing up, he spent hours playing with GI Joes and he made “helmets” for all his stuffed animals out of duct tape.
In his teen years, he grew up in the LaSalle area. He had his first “navy seal” experience when he became a certified diver at the age of 15. He experienced his first "cold weather training" at Doe’s hill and at the Reservoir. He experienced his first “jungle warfare” in the wooded lot on the Island dressed in camouflage with his face painted playing paintball with his friends. He experienced his first “at sea deployment” when he came home on a very cold and windy April day without his families canoe. He decided to go wave jumping in the canoe and capsized in the Niagara River fully dressed with a heavy sweater and boots on.
He attended Niagara Catholic High School where he played basketball and football. His school guidance counselor tried to guide him into Forestry after his aptitude test revealed he was a natural leader, he liked working in a group setting and enjoyed the outdoors. What his apptitude did not reveal was his true love for country and his patriot heart. One week after graduating in 1999, he enlisted into the US Marine Corp. where he served for four years.
His leadership skills emitted during his very first training in the military. On graduation day from Marine boot camp, as the graduate in charge, he led the ceremony with the guide-on. Right after graduation from boot camp, he enrolled in the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune where he continued to enroll in military training and schooling throughout his Military career. Some of these schools included, Security Forces School in Chesapeake, VA, Mountain Warfare School in Bridgeport, CA, Infantry Squad Leader School in San Diego, CA and Cold Weather Training in Northern Japan. Without question, Military schooling is both mentally and physically challenging. Not only are the physical requirements a must, but personnel is required to learn and memorize startling amounts of information. Aram always mastered both spectrums of his training and education.
He spent his Marine years serving in Seattle, Hawaii, Okinawa, and the Philippines. During his service he touched many lives around the world. Once he left the Marines, as a Staff Sergeant and with the utmost honors, he re-enlisted into the US Army attending the 101st Airborne Air Assault School. Shortly after his enlistment, Aram was deployed to Iraq, upon his own request.
On November 23rd, 2005, two weeks after his 25th birthday, Aram was KIA in Baghdad. Aram sacrificed his life to save one of his brother’s in arms. On that Thanksgiving day, Aram and several other soldiers were under attack. During this attack, their commanding officer, Lieutenant Matt Ripka, was critically wounded, and in the attempt to get his officer in command to US grounds, SSG. Aram J. Bass became the first casualty of Niagara Falls during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the end, Aram’s attempt to save his brother was successful; Lieutenant Ripka survived.
On his final day on earth, his character was portrayed in full. He was always looking out for the other person. He was a great leader, intelligent, kind, gentle, thoughtful and loyal. Aram accomplished and contributed more in his 25 years of life than most will do given 100 years.
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