Bishop - One year later: remembering an Owens Valley son

Cpl. Wayne Geiger died Oct. 18, 2007 while serving in Iraq. A U.S. Army Honor Guard carries Cpl. Geiger’s casket to a hearse at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport last year. Hundreds of residents, friends and family members gathered on the tarmac to greet Geiger with a hero’s welcome. Photo at right by Mike Gervais

One year after the news that Cpl. Wayne Marshall Geiger died in combat in Iraq began to spread across the Owens Valley like a cold autumn storm, the pain and heartache is still evident, especially among the young soldier’s family, friends and community members in Lone Pine.
With the one-year anniversary of Geiger’s untimely death also comes the chance for residents to reflect back on the life cut tragically short, the ultimate sacrifice this young man made in the name of country, honor and freedom and its impact on every community in the Eastern Sierra.
Today, perhaps, also marks an occasion to celebrate Wayne Geiger as one of Inyo County’s best and brightest, and to once again pay our respects to the family that raised him so well.
With pride and lingering grief, the Geiger family – father Randy, mother Kim and Wayne’s sister Jesse – will be opening their home to friends, family and neighbors today to remember Wayne as a son, brother and friend, and a true American hero.

“In a seemingly inadequate gesture to show our gratitude to everyone who offered a helping hand and to celebrate Wayne’s life, the Geiger family is holding an open house at our residence, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 from noon-6 p.m.” Randy said. “We will have a barbecue and potluck. Please stop by so we can say thank you in person and talk about Wayne.”
On Oct. 18, 2007, Geiger, 23, became the first Inyo County service member to be killed in combat in Iraq when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle while on patrol in Baghdad.
An all-star athlete with his ever-present smile, quick wit, uncanny ability to imitate people and most of all, his ability to make people laugh, Geiger is without doubt a local hero, and no matter how many years or decades pass, he will forever be missed in his home town.

Lone Pine residents line Main Street to honor Cpl. Wayne Geiger as a motorcade carries his casket to the 2007 memorial service. Hundreds of Inyo County residents attended the service, which included outdoor speakers to accommodate the over-flow crowd. Photo by Darcy Ellis

Geiger was born June 10, 1984 in Ridgecrest. Six months later, his family moved to Lone Pine, where Geiger grew up and attended Lone Pine High School, becoming a stand-out athlete.
While Geiger was gifted in all sports, his passion was on the basketball court. He and his teammates formed one of the best high school varsity basketball teams Lone Pine had seen in decades.
As the Eagles point guard on the court in 2003, Geiger led the squad to an undefeated league season.
Geiger “was the spark” that lit the team’s path that season, then-head coach Matt Kingsley said of his point guard. “Leadership was his biggest contribution” to that championship season, Kingsley said.
Lone Pine High School retired Geiger’s No. 4 jersey last year.
Following graduation Geiger attended Sierra Community College for two years before answering the call to serve his country.
He enlisted in the United States Army in October of 2005. Prior to joining the service he told his family that it had always been his intent to serve and that he was motivated to join after the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
After completing Advanced Infantry training in February 2006 at Fort Benning, Ga., Geiger was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Wash. He was attached to a Stryker Combat Brigade Team. During his tour of duty at Fort Lewis, Private Geiger was selected to receive training as a Combat Life Saver. In June of 2006 the Stryker Brigade Combat Team was re-flagged to the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Velsik, Germany.
While in Germany, Private Geiger was promoted to the rank of Private First Class, attended various training and earned his Expert Infantry Badge. Only 113 soldiers of 500 tested earned the coveted E.I.B. Private First Class Geiger was promoted to the rank of Specialist just prior to his deployment to Iraq in September, 2007.
About one month later, Oct. 18, 2007 while Geiger sat as gunner in a patrol vehicle in Iraq, an improvised explosive device was detonated, killing the 23-year-old Lone Pine native.
The young soldier was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star for valor, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Iraqi Freedom Combat Infantry Badge. Geiger was also promoted posthumously to the rank of Corporal, Oct. 22, 2007.
News about Geiger’s death spread through the communities of the Owens Valley within hours, touching the hearts of many who had never even met the young soldier.
When his body was flown home to the Eastern Sierra, hundreds of friends and family members, armed services veterans and strangers lined the tarmac at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport to welcome the hero home.
The following morning, as a motorcade guided Geiger’s flag-draped coffin from Bishop to Lone Pine for the memorial service, still more residents and even visitors lined U.S. 395, waving flags, saluting and weeping for the loss of the valley’s native son.
Once the motorcade passed, residents joined in the commute to Lone Pine for the memorial service at Lone Pine High School. The turnout for the service was so great that the school placed a sound-system in the school quad to accommodate an over-flow crowd that wished to pay its respects.
Though a full year has passed since Geiger was killed in action, many in Inyo County can’t help but think of him as they pass by the Lone Pine High School gym, or see the red, white and blue flag flying at half staff.
No doubt many minds will be on both Wayne and the Geiger family today.
“Our hearts were deeply touched by all of Wayne’s friends who rushed to our house and continue to visit us,” Randy Geiger wrote recently in an open thank you letter to the community at large. “We love your stories about Wayne and cherish the time all of you take out of your busy lives to spend with us.
“We also wanted to recognize the entire population of the Owens Valley and especially the community of Lone Pine who came out in overwhelming numbers to show support and honor our son’s service,” Randy said. “Wayne was truly a son of the Owens Valley.”