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DEL.ICIO.USHometowns cope with troop deaths
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rich Addicks/AJC
Members of the Thomson High School football team, led by line coach Rodney Garvin, say a prayer for the Kinlow family Wednesday after practice. Chauncey Kinlow, 15, a defensive lineman for the team, is the son of James Kinlow. More photos
Lincolnton � A single electric candle burns in the balcony of the Lincoln County Courthouse.
At first, commission Chairman Walker Norman was unsure what to do when he learned Monday that a native son had died in the Iraq war. It had been so long since someone from this out-of-the-way town on the South Carolina border had perished in combat. The last one Norman could remember was during the Vietnam War, when he was a boy.
But the habits of civic grief are enduring. Norman asked someone to go to the courthouse attic and find one of those white candles they put out at Christmas. Then he ordered the flags lowered to half-staff and called a funeral director to see about engraving a 29th name on the memorial out front: Sgt. James O. Kinlow.
Although Kinlow was 35 and the father of two, Norman and almost everyone else around here knew him as “Chester’s boy,” the son of longtime courthouse custodian Alchester Kinlow.
“The war in the Middle East,” The Lincoln Journal began its front-page story, “has come home.”
The deaths of Kinlow and three other Georgia Army National Guard soldiers last Sunday have indeed brought home the war in Iraq as nothing before. Four communities across the state are simultaneously dealing with the loss.
The men were killed during a patrol in Baghdad when their Humvee was destroyed by a roadside bomb. They became the first combat deaths among the 2,500 Georgians who were deployed to Iraq in May as part of the Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team.
Georgia toll at 45
While last Sunday was the deadliest day of the war for Georgia, the human cost of the conflict has registered across the state from the beginning.
Since fighting began more than two years ago, 45 Georgians have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to the independent Web site icasualties.org, which tracks coalition deaths in the war. Georgia’s war dead have come from 34 hometowns in every part of the state, from Mineral Bluff in the Blue Ridge Mountains to Blackshear near the Okefenokee Swamp. Twelve have come from metro Atlanta.
One town touched by the latest carnage had already suffered a war fatality. Thomson, where Kinlow moved from nearby Lincolnton seven years ago, mourned its first death in 2003.
The other victims of last Sunday’s blast came from three different parts of the state.
Staff Sgt. Carl Fuller, 44, lived in Covington, where he worked most recently as a warehouse supervisor. Family members gathered at his sister’s house to share memories and honor the man and the soldier.
Sgt. John Frank Thomas, 33, a former Marine, was raised in Valdosta by his grandparents. After the Army informed them of his death, a black and purple ribbon marked their mailbox.
Spc. Jacques “Gus” Brunson, 30, grew up in Sylvester, in the peanut country of southwest Georgia. The town rallied around his mother, Deputy Tax Commissioner Cathy Brunson. The Chamber of Commerce posted a memorial sign, and two black ribbons were affixed to doorknobs outside the tax office.
Kinlow was driving the Humvee that carried them all last Sunday. The reactions to his death in his hometown and in his adopted town have revealed something about the continuing shock and growing familiarity of this war.
In Thomson, most of the grieving has centered on Kinlow’s home, where he lived with his wife, Daphanie, and their two children, 15-year-old Chauncey and 10-year-old Chelsea. Chauncey’s high school football teammates said prayers for the family after practices, and his mother’s co-workers at the county Board of Education brought an ample supply of food. But outside the circle of family and friends, the mood of the town has been as subdued as Thursday’s moment of silence at the Rotary lunch.
Thomson’s emotions were more obvious two years ago when Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Wilson, a native son, was killed during an ambush in Iraq.
“People were depressed for weeks,” remembered DeWayne Patrick, a retired three-star general who spoke at the funeral, which drew an overflow crowd of 500 to Springfield Baptist Church. “Everyone here knew Jerry and his family.”
Patrick, who returned to his native Thomson after he left the Army, had lunch with Wilson during a leave not long before he was killed. The general warned him to vary his routines in Iraq to thwart would-be ambushers.
Mayor Robert Knox Jr. agreed that Kinlow’s death felt different. “We don’t know James Kinlow like we knew Jerry Wilson. This death brought those traumatic memories back.”
The city is developing a memorial park to be named for Wilson. The mayor said he would like to commemorate Kinlow there, too.
Twenty-five miles north, Lincolnton is taking Kinlow’s death as personally as Thomson took Wilson’s.
“You see this happen on TV, but it’s always some other person and some other place,” said the Rev. Dennis Joe Quinn, pastor of First Baptist Church. “It’s never this close to home. We’re awfully hurt.”
Lincolnton, population 1,566, is one-fourth the size of Thomson but feels even smaller. Located on the banks of Clark Hill Lake, it’s best known for outdoor recreation and for the championship football teams of the Lincoln County High School Red Devils. Kinlow grew up here, finished school here, married and began a family here. Everyone seems to know his family, if only because of his father’s job at the courthouse.
“This is Mayberry,” said Lincoln Journal news editor Jacquelyn Johnson. “Everyone knows everyone.”
After news of Kinlow’s death spread early in the week, expressions of sympathy started appearing across town. The flags in front of the courthouse, library and City Hall were all lowered to half-staff. Tribute signs went up in front of the Huddle House restaurant and the Farm Bureau Insurance office, where the message struck notes of condolence and resolve. One side of the sign read, “Our Prayers Go Out to the Kinlow Family.” The other said, “Thanks to All Our Soldiers. Remember: Freedom Isn’t Free.”
There would have been another tribute, but no one has been able to kindle the eternal flame at the war memorial in front of the courthouse. It was last lit after the space shuttle disaster in 1986.
“We tried to light it the other day,” said commission chairman Norman. “We could hear some gas coming out, but we couldn’t get it going.”
The final tribute will come early this week at First Baptist, where Kinlow and his parents were members. Pastor Quinn knew the soldier well, not only as the son of one of his deacons, but as a spirited opponent in pickup basketball games.
“I’m pretty tall, and he couldn’t drive on me,” Quinn recalled, with a smile, “so he started backing away and knocking down those long-range shots.”
Twelve years ago, the minister conducted Kinlow’s wedding service. Now he’ll be leading his funeral.
Daphanie Kinlow wanted her husband to be buried in Savannah Valley Memorial Gardens, on the highway he drove so often between Lincolnton and Thomson. It’s the same cemetery where Jerry Wilson, the area’s first fatality, rests under the soil of home.
Staff writers Rosalind Bentley, Shelia M. Poole in Covington, Anna Varela in Valdosta and Charles Yoo in Sylvester contributed to this article.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Mary F. Johnson
July 30, 2005 08:58 PM | Link to this
To all of the families, you have my deepest sympathy. It is such a shamae that we are losing so many men in such a senseless war. I thank all of the soldiers who are fighting this war. Maybe we will learn to stay out of other peoples business and take care of America and the families here.
By THOMAS D. KENNEDY
July 31, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this
I lament the deaths of the brave folks that are caught in this insanity.”War,what is it good for”.Pure insanity i must say.
By Brian Schintzius
July 31, 2005 08:49 AM | Link to this
It is with tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart that I offer my condolences. My family says our prayers every night for all our soldiers. It is because of them that we are able to live and enjoy our freedom.
By cindy
July 31, 2005 09:15 AM | Link to this
Mary, this blog is not for politics…take them somewhere else. This is for the families of these proud soldiers
By George Richerson
July 31, 2005 10:56 AM | Link to this
To Mary F. Johnson. Your comments provide no comfort to the families who have lost loved ones during their military service and only serve to futher your personal political agenda. The shame resides solely with you. How do you think it makes the mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, children or friends of those who have perished feel when you refer to their service of a “senseless war”? All war is senseless, but at times is necessary. Further, how can you say that you “thank all the soldiers who are fighting this war” and then cheapen their lives and their service to our country through your comments. These are not people who are senselessly killed by a drunken driver or a stray bolt of lightening but are individuals who daily have an enemy of our, and your, way of life who want nothing more than to kill them. Whether during war or peace time, these men and women…and their families at home…live each day wondering if they will see tomorrow. But maybe you have forgotten that. What do you plan next, to write each family and tell them their loved ones died for nothing because they fought for a cause, or a President, you do not support?
By Karen Small
July 31, 2005 11:54 AM | Link to this
To Ms. Johnson:
Shame? Senseless? Stay out of other people’s business? Send your message to the terrorists who attacked our country. Send your message to those who attacked the subways of London; and let’s not forget the World Trade Center bombing either. Don’t use the war as an excuse to vilify this country for taking the position that protecting its citizens is a priority. I would prefer they be at war protecting us than wringing our hands waiting to be the next target.
I don’t say this as a bystander without ties to the war. My son is with the 48th - Alpha 1/121. My heart lurched upon the initial news. I waited with agonizing hope to hear that he was safe.
His own words echo the words of many of our soldiers in Iraq. “We’re fighting to protect our country.” “What we see is what you don’t. The people want us here. They are petrified that we will leave them too soon.”
I would prefer to remember the legacy of these fallen soldiers as those who served well, with honor and courage, willing to leave love, family and comfort behind for me to enjoy life and liberty.
It takes more than you’ll ever know sitting in the comfort of your home to face the lonliness of battle tinged with the constant threat of death.
My heartfelt sympathies and deepest thanks go out to the Kinlow family and every other family who has experienced the death of a loved one in war. If it is to be reciprocated, then may it be by those who understand the cause and have felt the costs.
By Gracie V.
July 31, 2005 03:09 PM | Link to this
I would first like to express my deepest sympathy to all of the families that have lost a love one to this tragic act of violence towards humanity. My prayers go out to the innocent Iraqi people , I hope and pray that one day this blood shed will come to an end…SOON . I think that everyone is subjected to their own opinion , but know this is just not the time nor place.
By Dot Calhoun
July 31, 2005 03:51 PM | Link to this
So soon to be again offering my deepest sympathy to these wonderful men and their families. My son Rick Hopkins knows them and has been with them all daily since they joined together as a group at Fort Stewart. His grief comes through in his email for these great soldiers and as we and the rest of his family prays for you all I know my son will remember them forever and keep them in his heart.God Bless all our military. It is so hard to stay behind and watch them go through this but I know that they have God on their side.
By Don McNeill, Jr.
July 31, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this
Prayers are with the Kinlows. I’ll be watching for Chauncey in the upcoming Thomson football season.
By Geneva Reed
July 31, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this
The entire 248th and 48th MICO and their families and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. I am a friend of Captain Josie Hobbs from Rex, GA who is serving our country. Geneva Reed
By larry ingram
July 31, 2005 05:09 PM | Link to this
deepest sympathy to all who perished.Who knows if it is a good war or bad war-those who serve do it for honor and sense of duty,that’s why you won’t see any politicians or wealthy folks children getting in harms way-they will never have the internal fortitude it takes to lay it on the line for someone else.When it’s all over, there is one constant about all conflicts ever fought and that is “It’s a rich mans war,but it’s a poor mans fight”
By john o skipper
July 31, 2005 05:18 PM | Link to this
to mrs kinlow:i spent a good bit of time with your husband up at ft.bragg. we became good friends up there. i know you miss him as a husband & father and i will miss him as a good friend.i am down here in mississippi training now to go to iraqi.i will keep you and your family in my prayers.i am with c btry 1/214th in waynesboro,ga.it will be a year before i get home again too pay my respect to him so until then take care of yourself and your family. from john skipper c btry 1/214th
By W
July 31, 2005 05:32 PM | Link to this
This morning when I accessed the internet I saw where 5 soldiers were killed yesterday in Iraq and I cried. Later in the day I accessed the AJC and saw 4 of them are 48th and I cried some more and prayed for five more families four that are our own 48th. I have not heard from Soldier nor his wife so I am sure that he is fine.
If you can’t be supportive of our troops stay silent. Address your negative comments towards Washington, DC but not on this blog. How can anyone express sympathy and then degrade those who gave their all for a noble cause - fighting to stop terrorism and to establish freedom for others - freedom we take for granted because of others sacrifice.
God bless our military. May God grant solace to the comrades-in-arms of these Soldiers and to their familes and friends.
By Darrell Bowman
July 31, 2005 06:40 PM | Link to this
God bless the families of these brave men
By Airforce Vet. Kimberly Thompson
July 31, 2005 08:27 PM | Link to this
Much too soon to be hurting so much again ! To the brave souls that are protecting our lives With Godspeed, will each of you return to the arms of your families! I honor and respect each and everyone of our soldiers.Hooyah!
By AF Vet. Kimberly Thompson
July 31, 2005 08:46 PM | Link to this
It is times like these that seem so senseless and so hard to comprehend. We are not in control and every moment was already known by ONE ! FOr those that have fallen they are the lucky ones for they have gone home to paradise it is us those who are still living we are the ones in hell ! Though this may not comfort many it has allowed me solice to know that their pain is no longer they are where we all strive to be.
By Clarence Anthony Tutt
July 31, 2005 09:32 PM | Link to this
Coming from your Brother, Kinlow , I love you man and my prayers will be with the entire family. Love you Man
By 11B Claxton
July 31, 2005 09:40 PM | Link to this
I am proud of Georgia’s 48th, I served with the 121st Infantry in Iraq in 2003. All of the troops and family are in my prayers.
“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse.
The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
-John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)
By Maribeth Price
August 1, 2005 08:51 AM | Link to this
I want to say how sorry I am. I really don’t know what to say except that and as a citizen of this country, at war, I feel so grieved at these families loss. I am sorry for the children who will grow up without a parent. My deepest sympathy.
By Charles Cross
August 1, 2005 09:02 AM | Link to this
I am proudly retired from the 48th Brigade. I have nothing but praise and admiration for the fine soldiers serving our nation overseas. My heart goes out to the families of the recent casualties. I have nothing but disgust for people who in any way cast shadows on these soldiers and their mission. I feel that some comments I’ve read border on treason.
Thank You to the AJC for it’s coverage.
By Chad A Vicknair
August 1, 2005 10:58 AM | Link to this
As a former soilder in the Infantry that fought in the first Gulf war. I am deeply saddened that other soilders have to die To defend us (yes I mean US, ALL US IN THE USa). I would like evryone who reads this with there own personal opinion to remember, Because of the brave and professional soilder, YOU CAN HAVE AN OPINION. May your god bless you in the way you need.
By Sean Dullaghan
August 1, 2005 12:16 PM | Link to this
To the families of the fallen 48th soldiers, know that you and your fallen loved ones will ever be in the prayers of my family. So too will you ever have our gratitude. They served us all, they were good and faithful servants. My sons will know their names, and what they did for us. May God bless you and keep you.
By Leticia Richardson
August 1, 2005 01:02 PM | Link to this
For all the families who have lost a loved one in Iraq. I want to first say I’m sorry and give thanks to those brave men and women who have lost there lives fighting for our freedom and liberty. It’s not easy sitting back on the sidelines. My husband is currently serving in Iraq and is apart of the 48th Brigade A 1/121. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I lost him. I pray every night for him and his brothers(fellow soldiers) that are with him. God Bless
By Willie H. Williams
August 1, 2005 03:47 PM | Link to this
I am almost at a loss for words.I like a lot of people here in Georgia has relatives over there. I can honestly say that the only thing i’ve seen come out of this war is broken families and a lot of unexplained deaths. I just a moment ago heard about the most recent attack on our troops of the 48th and my heart really shutters for my nephew and the rest of the soldiers there. WILLIE H. WILLIAMS
By Claudine
August 1, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this
God help us all. Pray for peace for everyone.
By Randy
August 1, 2005 06:09 PM | Link to this
Does any member of the U.S. CONGRESS or the PRESIDENT have any children or relatives fighting in the middle east? Last time I checked, the number was ZERO……
Really easy to send the children of others of to die.
By Jeff
August 1, 2005 09:39 PM | Link to this
God bless each and every one of our troops that have served and continue to serve with honor in Iraq. One cannot imagine the grief that the families endure when they lose a family member. Know that they fought for an honorable cause. They have liberated millions of God’s children in Iraq. God bless our Commander-in-Chief, as he made a decision that wasn’t an easy one when he rightfully led us into a battle that was long overdue. I am a retired U.S. Air Force MSgt and I fully support the liberation of the Iraqi people. Know that MOST of the country feels this is a JUST cause. God Bless America and the families of fallen heroes.
By Connie
August 2, 2005 08:08 AM | Link to this
I would like to say that I am very proud of our men and women that are over in Iraq fighting for our freedom. I am very sorry for the men and the women that we have lost in this war. My heart goes out to each and every family member. The lost is so grand that I am sure that our words is not enough, but our god is greater he will see you through this hard time of your loss. May god bless everyone. Connie
By Valerie
August 2, 2005 10:06 AM | Link to this
God Bless The USA and all the men and women who serve in our military and in this war!! My heartfelt prayers are with the families of these latest deaths in Iraq. I am so deeply saddened for their loss. God bless each one of them for this ultimate sacrifice!! I pray each day for world peace for everyone!!!
By Tammie Weathers
August 2, 2005 10:10 AM | Link to this
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We say so many prayers for our soldiers. Keep your kids close, hug and hold them often, for this to is hard on them, be proud and let them know “dad” is our hero.
By Stephanie E. Belton
August 2, 2005 10:14 AM | Link to this
Daphanie The “Wrecking Crew Diva’s” of McDuffie County would like to express our Sincere Love to you, Chaunt, and Chelt at this time. The one thing we would like to say to the family on Holt Street is that are here for you and we want you to know we love you. With much love the “Diva’s”. Debbie, Nett, and Step
By Donald Charobee
August 2, 2005 11:47 AM | Link to this
It is with deepest sympathy that I offer my condolences to the families of Kinlow, Thomas, Fuller and Brunson. I too have lost a friend in the fighting in Iraq. While I hope it is of some comfort that these men perished while doing something they believed in, your strength will come from the place you hold them in your heart.
The reasons that we are sending our fathers, sons and friends to that place are lost somewhere in the words of our politicians and their detractors. What matters most for those who remain is that we finish the job and then come home. To do anything less would dishonor their sacrifice.
By Mike Carrington
August 2, 2005 12:18 PM | Link to this
I am a former member of the 48th Brigade and city councilman in Thomson, Georgia. My son plays footaball with Chaucey for Thomson High. Ralph Starling and I thought it would be nice to honor Sgt Kinlow, so I contacted Bg Rodeheaver and ask if we could put the 48th Bde patch on our team football helmet to honor our fallen hero. Stewart said it would be greatly appriciated by him and the 48th. This will take place August 19th at the first home game.
By Dora Velasquez
August 2, 2005 03:18 PM | Link to this
To Sgt. J.Maisonet From: his auntie, Dora
My dear nephew, I hope you are feeling better after the terrible incidents. I want to let you know that I keep you in my heart and I know that you’ll be back soon. Keep in mind that all your family is waiting for you, especially the craziest: Jillian Alexa, your little princess. Love
Dora
By Sonya Farrell
August 3, 2005 08:07 AM | Link to this
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God keep his hand upon you and give you the power to heal. Keep your faith and know that your loved one is a HERO.
SSG B. Farrell and Family
By Wayne Hale
August 3, 2005 08:41 PM | Link to this
I am also proud to say I am retired from the 48th. I am so very proud of all the men and women of the 48th and what they are doing to serve our country. I pray for safe return all of them and for the strength and wisdon of BG Rodeheaver and all the leaders of the Brigade.
By Jill Turner
August 4, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this
I Cried myself to sleep last night, my heart heavy. I prayed to God to help ease the pain of the families And Soldiers out there fighting and sacrificing for our country. And to bring thier hearts peace, knowing the fallen will be with him in heaven. And I asked God to Keep those soldiers safe, and I asked him to bring my son “the greatest gift he ever gave me” home safe and sound. I will admit I have had selfish thoughts, and just wanted this to be over so the constant worry and turmoil, of wondering if my sons ok, or thinking of the suffering those familys are going through. I know I can not begin to feel thier pain. But I can think of how I would feel if it were my Son and it rips me a part.
My Son speaks of the “unitedness” of the 48th and how together as a whole they stand tall and proud. and they all stand for the same thing Freedom. He said Mom we are here so that the ones we love can be free there. I have noticed a common thread these days. and have realized our nation is divided on alot of things, and expecially on the war. It makes me sad, I don’t want my son,or any of those soldiers, in harms way. but I understand, and I support him, and them all. And I choose to stand tall beside him and all our soldiers. We should all link our hands hearts minds and souls to form a solid force.
Our Men and Women fighting over there need all the support they can get!! I would like to say to my Son, Spc James Ammons III. I might be almost 7000 miles away,But in my heart,I am right there holding your hand, Proud and Tall Son! I love you Always! A special thank you to all the soldiers and to the soldiers family’s God Bless you all, and Thank you for all you do, and endure daily. My heart goes out to you all.
Barbara (Jill) Turner Ammons Momma to a very amazing soldier!
By Mary-Ellen Maier
August 4, 2005 01:17 PM | Link to this
Dear Kinlow Family,
Just a note to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. My son, Sgt. Pete Schneider is with the 48th. May the Lord give you the strenght that you need to get through this.
By Lena
August 6, 2005 01:45 PM | Link to this
I am going to miss you Kinlow.. You were my Family and my classmate.