Falcon community comes together to honor life of fallen Fort Carson soldier
Hundreds of flags were placed along the streets of Falcon to honor the life of a Fort Carson soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Sergeant Major James “Ryan” Sartor lived in Falcon with his family. When residents learned about his death in Afghanistan over the weekend, they decided to do something to show their support.
It all started on Facebook when someone recommended planting flags along the streets that lead to his home. Many commenting saying they wanted to get involved too.
Someone bought 160 flags for the occasion and Melinda Walters, one of the people helping out, says they aren’t stopping there.
“We’ve already bought out all the flags at Walmart, Costco, Party City just all the local places trying to get as many flags as possible,” she says.
Sartor, a U.S. Army Special Operations soldier from Teague, Texas was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He joined the Army in June 2001 and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division as an infantryman. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned to the 10th SFG (A) in 2005.
He deployed to Iraq as an infantryman in 2002, and as a Green Beret assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th SFG (A) in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. He also deployed to Afghanistan with 10th SFG (A) in 2017 and 2019.
Sartor was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal.
Sartor was a highly decorated soldier during life as well, and his many awards include the Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with six knots, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 4 Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 5, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Special Operations Diver Badge.
