Perry Hall Soldier Memorialized With Ceremony

PERRY HALL, MD — Days after a Perry Hall soldier died serving in Afghanistan, community members gathered to memorialize him.

Sgt. Eric M. Houck 25, was killed Saturday in the Peka Valley of the Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan. Defense officials said Houck was one of three U.S. soldiers shot and killed in the attack.

Houck was a graduate of Perry Hall High School. He joined the Army in May 2013 and was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in March 2016, defense officials say. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

"He meant everything to me," wife Samantha Houck told Stars and Stripes. According to the paper, the couple began their relationship as teens.

Growing up, they lived off Manorfield Road and attended Joppa View, Perry Hall Middle and Perry Hall High School, where he graduated in 2009, The Baltimore Sun reported.

• Perry Hall Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

"While our hearts are broken for Samantha, EJ, Violet and their extended families, we also humbly offer our thanks and praise for the life of Sgt. Eric Houck who honorably served his country and laid down his life that we might live," Pastor John Mohan of St. Michael Lutheran Church said at Thursday morning's wreath laying ceremony at Perry Hall Elementary School. The Perry Hall Veterans Memorial is located at the high school.

A GoFundMe campaign set up for the Houck family has raised more than $23,000 in three days.

Once he joined the military, Houck ascended through the ranks. At the time of his death, he was on the front lines guiding missile and mortar strikes as an artilleryman, according to Stars and Stripes.

Defense officials said he had previously received the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Air Assault Badge.

Posthumously, he earned the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge and Army Commendation Medal with a second oak leaf cluster.

His body was transferred to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday.

Pictured above, the remains of Army Sgt. Eric Houck were transferred on June 12, 2017, at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Photo by Senior Airman Aaron J. Jenne. Main photo of Sgt. Eric Houck courtesy of the 101st Airborne Division.