Memorial Day Hero

From The Sedalia Observer, May 2013

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea, 33, of Kansas City, Mo., died May 15 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was a member of the 603rd Military Police Company, in Belton. He deployed under Operation Enduring Freedom.
He is survived by his wife, Leah Reid Rhea, his daughters, Autumn, Joanna and Abigail, his father Marshall, his mother Rebecca, twin brother Travis, sister Samantha Repshire, step-mother Julie, step-brother Jody Kruse, step-sister Jade Kruse, grandmother Eileen Rhea, grandfather Kenny Breeden, and his in-laws, Harlan and Lynn Reid.

According to his family, Rhea was an amazing father, husband, brother, and son who loved his family and God. He was a great leader who led by example and considered his soldiers as family. His family said Rhea was a very caring, sincere man who put others first. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was “the nicest guy you would ever meet,” according to his wife, Leah. Rhea’s hobbies were spending time with his family and studying history.

Rhea was an Army Reserve Military Policeman who deployed three times overseas to United States Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan, plus a stateside assignment at Fort Riley, Kan. In Afghanistan, his mission was to train the Afghan Police Force, which Rhea considered very important as it benefited the Afghan people. He has been awarded several military honors, to include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious  Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.

Rhea’s civilian employment was with the Human Terrain System at Fort Leavenworth.

The Rhea’s are members of the First Baptist Church of Platte City. Mrs. Rhea stated her husband was a devoted man whose desire was to raise a strong Christian family.