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DEL.ICIO.USRonnie ‘Rod’ Shelley: ‘Needed to do his part’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sgt. Ronnie “Rod” Shelley wanted to escort the body of his best friend back to their hometown of Valdosta.
Ronnie “Rod” ShelleyShelley was riding in a three-vehicle convoy in Iraq on July 24 when a bomb in the road tore apart the Humvee carrying his buddy, Sgt. John Frank Thomas, killing him and three others from his platoon.
Shelley was devastated, but determined to keep doing his job in Iraq, and to serve as a pallbearer at his friend’s funeral.
But Saturday night, Shelley and three other Georgia Army National Guard soldiers met the same fate, killed by another large bomb detonated by insurgents on a road outside Baghdad. Tuesday, as the Thomas family continued to wait for John’s body to return for burial, Shelley’s wife, Heidi, began her wait, too.
Her husband could have gotten a medical exemption from serving in Iraq because he had severe problems with his teeth, she said. A doctor offered to sign a letter that would let him stay home.
“Rod said ‘No. Pull them all so I can go,’ ” Heidi Shelley said. “He needed to go. He needed to do his part.”
Shelley, 34, served in the Marines for eight years and saw combat in the first Gulf War, his wife said. He signed up for the Guard about three years ago, mostly for the retirement pay. He and his wife dreamed of someday selling their house, buying a motor home and sending postcards from the road to their three children, who are now 4, 8 and 13 years old.
Shelley was a graduate of Lowndes County High School. In civilian life, he was the overnight maintenance supervisor at a bakery. He enjoyed bass fishing, camping, four-wheeling, and spending time with his family.
“He thought we were supposed to have a barbecue every Sunday,” said Heidi Shelley, 25. “He was the grill master.”
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By Pat
August 3, 2005 09:37 AM | Link to this
Shelly was reguarly the gunner in the humvee my nephew drove. I just wanted the family to know they are in our prayers. I will always remember Shelly the last night we got to spend with the guys at Ft. Stewart before they were deployed. He told me the thing he hated most was having to leave his son. He really loved his family.
May God be with you.
By Kathy
August 3, 2005 04:47 PM | Link to this
Just wanting to let everybody know that we ALL Loved Rod, he was the best, he was there when ever anybody needed him, he will be missed very much. when we needed someone to talk to he was there,just to listen. just want Rod to know thanks for being in our lives we love you and we love your family, and we will keep our promise that we promised you. And let Heidi know we will always be here for her and the kids LOVE YOU GUYS, AUNT KATHY, UNCLE MIKE, AND GIRLS
By Philip E. Schlesinger Sr., Commander, VFW Post 5978 Nashville, Georgia 31639
August 5, 2005 09:09 AM | Link to this
Thanks to you for giving your “ALL” for your country. My comrads at Post 5978, Veterans of Foreign Wars join me in saluting you and extending our deepest sympathies to your family. Rest in Peace. You have earned it.
By Alex
August 9, 2005 08:02 PM | Link to this
I did not know this man. I am a former Marine who served in the Gulf War. These soldiers and thier families are in our thoughts and prayers. Whenever I hear about this Georgia based unit taking casualties it hits hard. I just wanted to let the family know that unknown to them, across the state, former soldiers, Marines sailors and airmen shed tears for thier loved ones and though they never knew them they knew many like them and will never, ever, forget thier sacrifice.