Staff sergeant remembered as a jokester
The Associated Press
Staff Sgt. Anthony L. Mason’s brother, Wesley, and his sister, Annette Cihak, remember their brother as a “good ol’ boy” who loved nothing more than to rile folks for a laugh.
“He made a career out of making my life miserable,” Cihak said. “There was a lot of fun at my expense.”
Mason, 37, of Springtown, Texas, was killed Sept. 18 in a helicopter crash near Tallil. He was assigned to Grand Prairie, Texas, and served two tours in Iraq.
Wesley said Luke was always interested in doing mechanical work and ended up working for his father-in-law, who had served in the Air Force. He later decided he could serve his country by applying his mechanical knowledge to helicopters.
Mason is survived by his wife, Melanie Laree, and daughters, Ashley Nicole, Jamie Rosalee and Megan Irene.
Always mechanically-minded, Luke seemed able to make anything run. Wesley recalled that when Luke worked at a bowling alley, his car got stolen at least three times. Each time, he’d find it, take it back and get it running again.
When he traded it in, the dealer asked for the keys. Mason handed him a screwdriver.