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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia soldiers mourn more comrades
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Striker, Iraq � Exactly one week ago Thursday, Sgt. 1st Class Victor Anderson paid his last respects to four fallen friends and recalled the horrific bomb attack that killed them.
See photos from memorial servicesAnderson had been out on a routine patrol with them when they died and he witnessed the devastation. At their memorial service, the Americus soldier remarked that it was “nice to see everyone come out” for his buddies.
“I’m taking a 24-hour break and then I’ll be back out,” he said at the time, determined to carry on with the task at hand.
But Anderson never came back from patrolling southwest Baghdad last Saturday night.
Thursday, it was Anderson and three of his comrades whom hundreds of their fellow soldiers gathered to remember.
“Exactly seven days ago, my platoon leader stood where I am standing today,” said Sgt. 1st Class Don Whitmire. “This is not supposed to happen. Four more of my boys have left Iraq on a C-130, heroes in flag-draped transports. Four more on their way home to their final resting place where their wives, children, mothers and fathers wait.”
Anderson, 39; Sgt. David Jones, 45, of Augusta; Spc. Ronnie “Rod” Shelley, 34, of Valdosta and Spc. Jonathon Haggin, 26, of Kingsland died after their Humvee ran over a massive bomb planted on Route Red Sox, just a few miles from Camp Striker.
In the span of a week, Alpha Company of the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment lost eight soldiers from one platoon. In the span of a week, Georgia’s citizen soldiers attended a second memorial service.
Now, a third service is planned Sunday evening for three more soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team. They died Wednesday in a car bomb attack at a traffic checkpoint. Three others were wounded in the incident, one seriously, said 2nd Lt. Selena Owens, a 48th Brigade spokeswoman.
The three have been identified as Staff Sgt. Charles Houghton Warren, 36, of Suwanee; Sgt. Jerry Lewis Ganey, 29, of Folkston; and Spc. Mathew Gibbs of Ambrose.
In Georgia, Gov. Sonny Perdue wept at a news conference as he announced he would hold a prayer vigil at the state Capitol on Aug. 18 to honor the fallen soldiers. He also said he would ask the entire state to participate in a moment of silence.
“They’re our neighbors, they’re part of our community. We go to church with them,” Perdue said, his face wet with tears and his voice breaking. “We see them at the grocery store. Our children play with theirs. They’re our neighbors, our fathers, our brothers, our sisters, our sons, and so their loss strikes deep in the heart.”
At Thursday’s service in Iraq, soldiers sat on wooden bleachers under a setting Baghdad sun for a rifle salute and the playing of taps. Some wept openly; others reflected on the tragedies of the last few days that have visibly shaken many of Georgia’s citizen soldiers.
Whitmire remembered his soldiers one by one. Jones was a former Navy man who liked to dip tobacco so much he sometimes fell asleep with it in his mouth. Shelley was excited about going home in a few days and made a deal with Whitmire, who asked him to drink a beer for him. “Dog, I’ll drink more than one for you,” Shelley replied.
When Haggin was sent to Germany to recuperate after three broken ribs suffered while out on patrol, Whitmire tried to phone him several times. One day he turned up at Camp Striker. Tired of resting in Germany, he found his way back to Iraq.
“Haggin’s first mission back turned out to be his last,” Whitmire said.
Then there was Anderson, who was deemed medically unfit for deployment because of diabetes. Determined to go to Iraq, he lost weight, stuck to his diet and hired an attorney to fight the Army’s medical board in time to make it to training in California.
“Sergeant First Class Anderson was a soldier I’ve known my whole career â€â€? 22 years,” said Lt. Col. Steve McCorkle, the battalion commander, fighting tears. “He was more than a soldier. He was a friend.”
McCorkle said the unit would press on despite the losses.
“Our future actions will not bring them back but will honor their memory,” he said. “Their sacrifice will not be in vain.”
Staff writer Jim Galloway in Atlanta contributed to this article.
Comments
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By SFC Carol J. Conley (Ret)
August 5, 2005 07:29 AM | Link to this
I recently retired from the Georgia Army National Guard, and I must say my heart goes out to the many soldiers and families. I have many friends in the 48th Infantry Bde and other units that are currently in Iraq. I hope they all make it home safe.
By Joe
August 5, 2005 08:56 AM | Link to this
Our prayers go out to the families of these brave soldiers. God Bless Them.
By Josh Emmett
August 5, 2005 09:42 AM | Link to this
Can anyone please advise me of any of the funeral dates for these soldiers? I am a Marine combat veteran from Fallujah, Iraq and I would like to help pay respects to these fallen heros. Please contact me asap.
By Shannen
August 5, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this
ROBERT LLOYD A Co 1/121 Inf… You have my SUPPORT and LOVE. I’ll keep you in my prayers…
By Kina
August 5, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this
I can’t imagine the hurt feelings, pain and frustration that our troops feel. My heart goes out to each family member and for those troops who are still in combat. My heart is sadden everytime that I hear about this particular brigade. I have a brother serving over there and my prayer is that he will make it home along with all of the other troops.
By Pamela West
August 5, 2005 11:17 AM | Link to this
My prayers go out to all of the Georgia Army National Guard members and their families. Know that your team members are with you aboard and here in the States, they and their family members are with you in spirit. If you have access to an Internet please go to www.godtoday.com. This is an AWESOME daily devotional. We are all in God’s hands. My love to you all.
By Elisha
August 6, 2005 12:58 AM | Link to this
My heart hurts so much for these families and fellow comrades!! I pray that EACH family knows how big of a hero their soldier is and how much they mean to each of us! I know there are no words to say that can ease the pain you must be feeling at this time… but please know that your are truly in my thoughts and prayers!!!!! God… Please send your angels to be with each of them and all of our soldiers in harms way! I LOVE YOU SSG MARTIN WITH ALL MY HEART!!!! Love, ~Elisha~
By christina
August 12, 2005 01:23 PM | Link to this
THIS IS ON JONATHON HAGGIN - ONE THING SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HE LOVED HIS DAUGHTER DEARLY. ANOTHER THING THAT THOSE OF US WHO KNEW HIM WILL NEVER FORGET, HE LOVED THE MARINES. HE WAS PROUD OF BEING A MARINE. EVEN THOUGH HE WAS IN AN ARMY UNIFORM HE HAD A MARINES MENTALITY. HE ALWAYS SAID, “IM JUST HERE HELPING OUT THE ARMY.” HE HAS DONE SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE KNOWN HIM.