SOLDIER KILLED IN IRAQ ATTACK REMEMBERED AT MEMORIAL MASS.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

Christopher Hill, a soldier struck down by a land mine attack in Iraq, was honored Sunday during a memorial in which he was voted an honorary Eagle Scout.

The 26-year-old Moorpark native was remembered for his energy, infectious laughter, music and adoration of his family and fellow men.

``If he saw somebody struggling, he'd go help him - Chris would do anything for anybody,'' said Pat Bryan, Hill's former scoutmaster, during a eulogy at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Moorpark, during which four scoutmasters voted to make him an honorary Eagle Scout.

``His love of God he took with him wherever he went.''

Hill, who had enlisted in the reserves after spending more than three years in the military overseas and in Virginia, died March 11 as his Humvee exploded from a roadside bomb in Fallujah, Iraq.

He had looked forward to returning home last weekend for a round of golf with friends.

On Sunday, hundreds of family and friends filed past a table on which was laid Hill's fatigue cap, his Bronze Star and Purple Heart, his brilliantly shined shoes, his combat fatigues.

There were family mementos, too - a baseball glove, a Jimmy Buffett placard and a miniature muscle car from Hill's passion, ``The Dukes of Hazzard,'' inscribed, ``To Chris, a Good Ol' Boy.''

Family members joined Hill's father, Kenneth Hill, and mother, Adrienne Hill of Moorpark, who was dressed in stars and stripes as she hugged guests and sometimes burst into tears. Hill's wife, Cheryl Cope Hills of Charlotte, N.C., stood close by with their 1-year-old daughter, Cierra Nicole.

``He's in a much better place, a much better place,'' said a friend.

The funeral Mass was conducted by Monsignor Joseph Cosgrove, who said we should thank God for Hill's 26 years and focus on his blessings.

``Chris died in an accident; he died in Iraq,'' Cosgrove said. ``... Some people blame terrorists, others blame politicians. But we all fail to place the blame where it really belongs: in the hearts and souls of every human being.''

Hill was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kan. He had served in Korea and as a member of a military honor guard at Arlington National Cemetery before he re-enlisted in the active reserves and was deployed in Iraq last fall.

``He just felt he had to be there,'' said his best friend, Tim Bryan, 25, of Moorpark. ``He wanted to fight for the freedoms that he enjoyed.''

Hill was a graduate of Moorpark High School, where he played tuba. He was known throughout Moorpark for his VW bug and raucous 1966 Mustang.

He was buried in North Carolina.

``It's always sad. I know his mom,'' said Bruce Thomas, commander of American Legion Post 502 in Moorpark, which is working to inscribe Hill's name into a plaque for fallen veterans, the first since Vietnam. ``It's always tough when you see the good people go, so we hope to do right by him by honoring him on Memorial Day.''

Dana Bartholomew, [phone]

dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) A photo of Spc. Christopher Hill, who was killed in a roadside attack in Iraq, rests next to a flag and medals at the service.

(2) Adrienne Hill, left, the soldier's mother, gets a hug from friend Linda Demyan after the memorial service in Moorpark on Sunday.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer