Life of hero remembered at golf tournament
Published 8:58 am Monday, June 29, 2009
American flags lined the tee boxes and golf carts Saturday at Green Lea Golf Course. A 21-gun salute and color guard were on hand and the national anthem was sung, in honor of Corey Goodnature.
People honor him on an annual basis with the Corey Goodnature Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament it’s their way of saying thank you. And though it can never compare to what he did for others on June 28, 2005, it’s done in his spirit for things he valued.
Goodnature, who graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1988, served as a Chief Warrant Officer Three in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, which is also known as the Night Stalkers. He was killed on June 28, 2005 when his Chinook CH-47 helicopter was shot down as he led a group trying rescue a group of Navy SEALs under attack in eastern Afghanistan.
Sixteen special operations soldiers were killed in the attack, which is the deadliest single blow to American forces in Afghanistan.
Goodnature, who had flown the night before, volunteered to go on the rescue mission. It was his nature to help in moments of crisis.
“Corey’s one of those guys who you could always call, regardless of the time, regardless of the place,” said classmate and Corey Goodnature Memorial Scholarship board member Jade Sherman. “If you needed help Corey would come.”
It was Goodnature’s dream to become a pilot and he served 14 years in the military. He was on his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.
On Saturday at Green Lea Golf Course 188 people participated in the nine-hole golf tournament while many others came pay tribute.
Tim Denton, who served with Goodnature in Afghanistan was supposed to make the trip, but due to another commitment he was unable. Don Goodnature, Corey’s father, read a letter from Denton that conveyed Corey’s character.
“Being in the military and away from home a lot made our little time at home very sacred,” his father read. “Even so, Corey was generous with his time when it came to a friend in need. In 2004 my wife, Lisa, had emergency surgery that was followed by many days of bed rest. Needless to say, we needed all the help we could get in this time. I still remember Corey showing up at our door, unannounced, bearing homemade lasagna, salad and bread for dinner. That wasn’t the first time, nor was it the last Corey spent his sacred time, home serving people he cared about.”
Stories like those are the norm with Corey and his father continues to hear new ones frequently.
“It’s kind of overwhelming to hear stuff like that, because he was so unassuming,” Don said. “You never knew what he was doing and things that he did. It’s amazing when your son ends up doing the things that he’s done. You never expected when he was young.”
Corey was a man who others he served with described as the most honorable man they’ve ever met. He was also a man who valued education. He worked on completing his master’s degree while overseas.
The money raised from the event funds the Corey Goodnature Memorial Scholarship. Each year the scholarship awards eight area students a $1,000 scholarship and four other scholarships to people associated with the Night Stalkers.
The 2009 scholarship award winners from Albert Lea were Sarah Barickman, Laura Gaudian, Stephen Piper, and Lila Walther. The winners from Alden-Conger were Evan Guether and Megan Miller, and the winners from Glenville-Emmons were Jessi Nelson and Tasha Belshan.
In three years the scholarship has donated $36,000 and is well on its way to becoming self-sustaining. Last year the tournament raised approximately $40,000.
“Freedom is not free and Corey paid the ultimate price for our freedom and we want to thank God for the American soldiers,” said Corey’s uncle, Larry Goodnature.