Army Staff Sgt Booker was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, Fort Stewart, Georgia. Stevon was born in Detroit, and then moved with his family to the mining town of Redtown, Pennsylvania, and then to Apollo. He was a happy-go-lucky kid who made good grades, enjoyed shooting pool and adored the 10-year-old nephew who shared his middle name, Alexander. Even though he had no children of his own, Stevon was a family man. "I don't think he ever had any girlfriends who didn't have kids," his mother, Freddie Jackson, said, laughing. "He just loved people, and wanted to help in any way he could." Stevon joined the Army after graduating from Apollo-Ridge High School in 1988. He became a staff sergeant and tank commander and received the Army Achievement Medal for his service in the 1991 Gulf War. He was a strong believer in what he did. Stevon, who was 5-10 and 180 pounds, kept himself fit and looked dashing in his uniform. He was remembered as a strict soldier who cared for his family and enjoyed playing video games, basketball and darts. In the months he had been stationed in the Persian Gulf, Stevon requested turkey jerky, cupcakes, boxers and many baby wipes. The last e-mail his mom received was on Feb. 17. He talked about miles and miles of sand. He was tired and he wanted to get the job done so he could come home. Booker was leading one of the initial charges into Baghdad when he was shot and killed by enemy fire. Three weeks later, he finally came home. "One thing that hurt me was all the waiting, and then I couldn't even see him," Jackson said. "My son was shot in the face, so we couldn't have an open casket."
Army Staff Sgt Booker was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, Fort Stewart, Georgia. Stevon was born in Detroit, and then moved with his family to the mining town of Redtown, Pennsylvania, and then to Apollo. He was a happy-go-lucky kid who made good grades, enjoyed shooting pool and adored the 10-year-old nephew who shared his middle name, Alexander. Even though he had no children of his own, Stevon was a family man. "I don't think he ever had any girlfriends who didn't have kids," his mother, Freddie Jackson, said, laughing. "He just loved people, and wanted to help in any way he could." Stevon joined the Army after graduating from Apollo-Ridge High School in 1988. He became a staff sergeant and tank commander and received the Army Achievement Medal for his service in the 1991 Gulf War. He was a strong believer in what he did. Stevon, who was 5-10 and 180 pounds, kept himself fit and looked dashing in his uniform. He was remembered as a strict soldier who cared for his family and enjoyed playing video games, basketball and darts. In the months he had been stationed in the Persian Gulf, Stevon requested turkey jerky, cupcakes, boxers and many baby wipes. The last e-mail his mom received was on Feb. 17. He talked about miles and miles of sand. He was tired and he wanted to get the job done so he could come home. Booker was leading one of the initial charges into Baghdad when he was shot and killed by enemy fire. Three weeks later, he finally came home. "One thing that hurt me was all the waiting, and then I couldn't even see him," Jackson said. "My son was shot in the face, so we couldn't have an open casket."
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