Published: March 04, 2009 12:26 pm      

Bravo soldier remembered

MATTOON — In a different world, Scott Stream might have been celebrating his 40th birthday today with his wife and daughter at their home in Mattoon.

In this world, however, about 300 mourners were celebrating Sgt. Stream’s life Tuesday on what would have been the day before his 40th birthday. A memorial service for Stream was held Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon.

Stream was killed Feb. 24 when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb near Kandahar, Afghanistan. The Illinois Army National Guard sergeant had been a member of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry — popularly known as Bravo Company, based in Effingham.

The Rev. Dennis Kollross said Stream’s death created “questions that have no answers.

“So where do we turn?” Kollross asked. “Even God stands by silent. Ultimately, what we have is faith.”

Kollross said Stream had developed wisdom and maturity in his later years.

“He realized he had to lean upon the Lord,” Kollross said. “This requires a certain wisdom and level of maturity to come to that understanding. Scott knew he faced danger, but I think he truly believed the Bible when it said ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’”

Several of Stream’s friends added their thoughts.

Matt Stead of Effingham said he met the sergeant through his son Tom, one of two Stead boys who served in Bravo Company.

“We hit it off really well,” the elder Stead said, adding he worked with Stream on several electrical jobs between deployments.

Stead said Stream was the sort who never met a stranger.

“The first thing I noticed about him is that he could talk,” he said, adding he loved to talk about a variety of subjects, including politics.

“He was an avid fan of Rush Limbaugh and G. Gordon Liddy,” Stead said. “He was a patriot and a Christian, not only in words, but actions.”

Former Bravo Company soldier Jason Willenborg of Teutopolis said he loved talking with Stream.

“Every time he came up with one of his crazy ideas, I’d find his Achilles heel,” Willenborg said. “He was a man of genius, and I severely miss him.”

Former college roommate Tom Schwinke said he was amazed at how quickly Stream could make friends.

“We’d ride into a small town to eat, but we wouldn’t leave without Scott knowing the history of the town,” Schwinke said.

“Scott just loved life,” Schwinke added. “He loved being an athlete and a scholar.

“There’s now a huge void in my life that will never be filled by anybody else,” he said. “There’s not a day I read the news that I don’t set something aside because I want to talk to Scott about it.”

Several people from Effingham County attended Tuesday’s service.

“He had a loving smile for everybody,” said Nancy Stead of Effingham after the service. Stead said her sons, Tom and Eric, both served in Bravo Company with Stream.

Kathy Willenborg of Teutopolis said Stream served as a mentor for many of the younger soldiers, including her son Jason.

“He was a good influence on the boys,” Willenborg said. “I think that’s why they became good friends.”

Mourners were able to view a photo display at the back of the church, as well as sign a memorial book. In addition, the Patriot Guard provided flag support outside the church.

Stream will be buried sometime in the future at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville, Ky.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 132 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.