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DEL.ICIO.USRoadside bomb kills two 48th members
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two members of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade were killed and another was seriously injured in Iraq when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb, U.S. Army officials said Friday.
Ssg. Robert Lee Hollar, 35, of Thomaston and Sgt. George Ray Draughn, 29, of Hiram died in Thursday’s attack. The name of the wounded soldier was not released.
All three were members of Griffin-based Echo Troop, 108th Armor Regiment.
“They were both great guys who gave 100 percent,” said Maj. Larry Deaton, a member of the Griffin-based Echo Troop, 108th Armor Regiment said of Hollar and Draughn. “They volunteered for this mission and served with honor.”
In a separate incident, two members of the 108th were seriously injured by another roadside bomb.
The 108th operates from three austere forward operating bases near Mahmudiyah, a mostly rural area in the so-called “Sunni triangle” south of Baghdad.
Four members of the 108th were killed in August. Sgt. Thomas Strickland, 27, of Douglasville, Spc. Joshua Dingler, 19, of Hiram and Sgt. Paul Saylor, 21, of Bremen, died when their Humvee left a narrow road and rolled into an irrigation canal. Sgt. Michael Stokely, 23, of Loganville, was killed when he stepped on a hidden explosive.
In civilian life, Hollar was a postal worker in Jonesboro. Draughn was a delivery driver for the Coca-Cola Co., said his sister, Charlene Demming, who lived with him in Hiram. Draughn grew up in Shreveport, La., and moved to metro Atlanta in 1999.
He spent eight years in the Guard and had never been deployed overseas before going to Iraq. When his unit was called up, “his first thought was it’s not going to be that bad,” said Demming, who is in the Air Force.
But Demming said her brother was upset recently about the death of a buddy in his unit, Stokely, who was killed Aug. 16.
Draughn was also injured in an IED attack on a vehicle he was riding in 3-4 weeks ago. He sent a text message to his sister’s cellphone saying that it wasn’t a direct hit â€â€? he suffered a concussion and bruising.
She talked to him Wednesday afternoon and he told her he was looking forward to coming home on leave in October.
Demming described her brother as the family clown. “He is the baby of the family and he is the only boy. Basically he was always joking.”
She said Draughn loved to spoil his son, Akeem, a first-grader who lives in Ft. Worth, Texas, and his nieces and nephews.
Draughn is also survived by his parents, George and Lucy, and sister Lessie White, all of Shreveport, and sister Stephanie Barfield of Douglasville.
Draughn will have a full military funeral and will be buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. Heavenly Gates Funeral Home in Shreveport is handling arrangements.
The 4,200-member 48th Brigade left Georgia in May for a year-long combat tour in Iraq. Eighteen of its soldiers have been killed in Iraq, 14 of them by roadside bombs.
As of Friday, at least 1,886 members of the U.S. military have died since the war began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
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By My Opinion
September 2, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this
It is with sadness that I read of the current deaths of our fine soldiers and the severe injury to the other. I pray that he is returned stateside very soon, that his family can be with him, and that he heals well.
I pray that God will comfort the families who have lost their loved ones and strengthen them and the family of our wounded.
By Pamela Rich
September 2, 2005 02:00 PM | Link to this
Each soldier has a special place in his or her family’s heart and so for me, they are individuals. I faithfully read each personal story and memorise it. They are real people, not numbers. I hope that each member of the public will keep this in mind.
By Penny
September 2, 2005 02:40 PM | Link to this
To the families of our fallen heroes.. my prayers go out to you.
((((((((((( Hugs )))))))))))))))
By Larry Roles
September 2, 2005 02:44 PM | Link to this
As a Army retiree, I take my hat off to our young men and women of our Armed Forces, who is serving our country in “harm’s way”. The state of Georgia especially has been hard hit, first the 3rd Infantry Division and now the 48th Infantry Brigade. The people of Georgia should always remember them.
By tommy barron
September 2, 2005 02:51 PM | Link to this
My prayers are with the 48th; it hurts a lot because I was a part of the 48th for 20 years, with many buddies still there. LORD keep them safe and bring them back. miss you all hang in there — Tommy Barron retired 48th HHC 48th bde macon, ga
By Mother of a Guardsmen with the 48ty in Iraq
September 2, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this
God Bless the familes of these men. God bless the 48th….Please keep them safe Father. In Jesus name ..AMEN
They are a part of my family as my son is a part of the 48th, 108th.
Tears flow again.
By Jeff
September 2, 2005 05:40 PM | Link to this
God bless our heroes!
By Mom of Spc McCaslin (48th 2/121)
September 2, 2005 06:18 PM | Link to this
My heart goes out to these families. Please know that we all will remember your sons as our heroes. I know that many of us will keep the names of the fallen, and speak them throughout our lives. They will not move on in our hearts but will remain there forever. We thank you for giving us someone to look up to…..and we live and breathe your pain. May God rest their souls, and cover each of you in his loving embrace today and always.
By Lynn
September 2, 2005 06:43 PM | Link to this
We read weekly about soldiers in Iraq being mindlessly killed by horrible fanatics. But this time it is someone I know. This time I know the wife and little boy who have had their lives forever changed. This time all this has hit home and my heart is aching for the family of this brave soldier. My profound sympathy to them now and in the days to come.
By Ruth
September 2, 2005 08:22 PM | Link to this
Once again we read this blog with heavy hearts. I know that I speak for everyone when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost. I have another comment that I feel needs to be said. We have lost far too many soldiers from the 48th in a very short time. I think our troops are considered expendable and they are being given mission after mission in grave danger. I don’t know where the tactics being used are coming from, maybe higher up than the 48th command but something needs to change and soon. It seems crystal clear that the IEDs are continuing to be planted no matter the number of patrols per day. How many will we have to lose before someone finally says enough?
By Grandma and Grandpap
September 2, 2005 09:22 PM | Link to this
We are praying every day for your safe return. We hope you enjoy the cookies we sent—-Love from Grandpa and Grandma
By lavon harvey
September 2, 2005 10:07 PM | Link to this
just wanted to say that i’m praying for our troops overseas.May God be with them. hope they will be able to come home soon.
By JLO
September 2, 2005 11:48 PM | Link to this
As these two fallen heroes of E Troop 108th CAVALRY rest at Fiddler’s Green, we grieve with the families. We also pray for a complete recovery for our other CAV and Armor soldiers wounded in these attacks. Our CAV families and others in the 48th will again come together to help, comfort and grieve with the families to honor our lost heroes while our brave soldiers carry on their mission. These men will be missed but never forgotten and their sacrifice will not be in vain. To my CAV SCOUT I am proud of you and all your “brothers”. Be safe.
By please_send_prayers
September 3, 2005 12:09 AM | Link to this
I have family currently in the 48th Brigade and they NEED YOUR PRAYERS. Please pray for their safety and a quick return. Thanks
By Melissa Floyd
September 3, 2005 09:41 AM | Link to this
To the families of Ssg. Robert Lee Hollar, and Sgt. George Ray Draughn, You are all in my prayers, I to know what you are going through as I recently had a loved one in the 48th killed in Iraq. It is a hard time for anyone, but the power of prayers will see you through. I am so sorry for your loss.
By Sgt Allen F. Gaskill C CO/108AR/48thBCT
September 3, 2005 01:36 PM | Link to this
To the families ,friends and LOVED ones of the 48th,,,,TODAY is a sad day but, the fight continues,,,We are PROUD fighting men and women ,that will not give up or give in until our mission here is finished… Your LOVE and Support is greatly received ,,AND PLEASE HELP THOSE AT HOME,,,As we help and work together here…..
By holly sutton
September 3, 2005 03:00 PM | Link to this
MAY GOD GIVE EACH AND EVERY FAMILY MEMBER THE COMFORT THEY NEED IN THEIR TIME OF SORROW. GOD PLEASE KEEP SSG RODERICK SUTTON AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN COVERED WITH YOUR SAFETY.WE LOVE YOU HONEY.BE STRONG AND KEEP USING YOUR OIL TO ANOINT YOURSELF EVERYDAY. LOVE, HOLLY
By Sonya
September 3, 2005 03:37 PM | Link to this
To the families of these Fallen Heroes. You and your hero will be in my prayers as my husband and the rest of the 48th. May God give you the strength to find your way.
By Deana Thompson
September 3, 2005 07:23 PM | Link to this
Thanks so much to JLO i to would like to say my prayers are with the CAVALRY TROOPS of the 108.My husband is in 1st plt. 108 CAVALRY.GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU STRONG GUYS WE LOVE YOU AND ARE PROUD OF YOU ALL!!!And to the reporters please before you write a story about our brave wounded and lost heroes PLEASE PLEASE get your facts clear on units because you cause alot of confusion and grief with one little mistake.E Troop 108 cavalry is Griffin based NOT the 108th Armor,yes they are all our brave heroes but they are two seperate units together at that FOB working together.Please just be more careful accuracy does make a difference in alot of lives!!!
By Alvetta Freeman
September 3, 2005 09:14 PM | Link to this
Members of 48th, Your sacrifice is remembered here at home. You and your families are being prayed for relentlessly. The citizens of Georgia look forward to welcoming you home with the job well done. Reginald Jones, your Aunt Vette stands in the gap with Deborah, David and Lil Reg’. All of you have much to be proud of. Father God, You promised to never leave or forsake us. In Your Son’s Name we continue to pray.
By Chief
September 3, 2005 10:29 PM | Link to this
My deepest sympathy to the families of these soldiers. I pray that something positive will come from their loss.
On the previous article about the new PX at Stryker, I can only wonder that if we have the manpower and materials to build them this new PX why is that a higher priority than hot showers and a real latrine for our soldiers at FOB Joe? This is not about the haves or have nots it is about the priority of taking care of all of the men under your command, yes even a handful as opposed to the majority. If there are soldiers at Stryker doing construction, maybe they could be used to fill slots in the 108th caused by the loss of life, wounded and leave. C Co. 108th Armor is now down to about a dozen men so our Alabama Company and E Troop 108th Cav have to pick up their slack. Did these engineers at Stryker go to basic combat training? Then put them at Joe and build showers and latrines or if not, let them pull guard duty or man checkpoints or go on patrol with our weary soldiers then come in to MRE meals and crap in a bucket. Once you get some of these thngs taken care of at all our bases, then go build new PX’s in locations that have access to one on the other end of the runway. Perhaps some officers should stop writing their memoirs or book and get out and take care of their men. We here in the States can learn a lot from our guys home on leave. They will tell you things that they are afraid to say on the phone or email because the Army monitors them. Bottom line is fill the empty slots, improve the conditions when you can, get promotions done more timely and take this war to the enemy with every resource we can muster. May God Bless all our soldiersand give their commanders the wisdom and strength to do what is right without being afraid of retribution or politics.
By Spc. Rex D. Laney
September 4, 2005 03:51 PM | Link to this
I’m Spc. Rex D. Laney,a member with C Co. 1stBn.108thAr. with the 48th.Bde.I just wanted to say THANKS to all the folks back home for the letters and mostly the prayers!!It’s folks like y’all that keeps our hopes alive and helps us to realize that there are people that cares about us over here.Again I say Thanks!!
By Lionheart
September 4, 2005 11:42 PM | Link to this
Why haven’t you posted any comments in over 24 hours? Are you censoring anything critical of the 48th ‘brass’ and denying 1st Amendment rights?
By 1LT Bailey
September 5, 2005 11:09 AM | Link to this
RIP Brothers. 1LT Bailey Southern, Afghanistan
By My Opinion
September 5, 2005 06:15 PM | Link to this
ILT Bailey - thank you for expressing so clearly from that side of the ‘pond’ what I have tried time and again to convey. The slogan may be ‘An Army Of One’ but don’t kid yourselves - it takes a lot of soldiers to create that Army of One’! It takes every soldier in every MOS at every base and those left stateside as support to make a well-oil, cohesive organization.
May God bless each member of our military everywhere and especially protect our soldiers who are in harms’ way - even in the rear support units.
Again, thanks to you 1LT Bailey, thank you to each soldier and God bless each of you and America.
By Thoghts on Freedom
September 5, 2005 06:29 PM | Link to this
Lionheart, always remember that with freedom comes responsibility. Freedom isn’t free - it was paid for with blood, sweat and tears. It isn’t censorship by the ‘brass’ that the AJC might be protecting it may be concern for the families of the 48th soldiers. The first amendment does not give the media carte blanche to report items that should be kept confidential until families are notified if there has been death or injury and the time is proper for release. They are being sensitive to the feelings and fears of those of us left here to worry and wonder and pray. Thank you AJC.
However, I, too, wonder when the articles are the same for several days if there is going to be a sad announcement and pray that isn’t the case.
Just my thoughts.
By Anabasis
September 5, 2005 07:15 PM | Link to this
Lionheart, only the government can deny 1st Amendment rights. A private publisher can not be forced to print everything any idiot wants to say. You can pick up a free copy of the Constitution at the library (if Bush hasn’t burned all the books yet(sarcasm)).
By David
September 5, 2005 08:41 PM | Link to this
My heart goes out to you for the loss of your comrades in arms. I keep you all in my prayers as my best friend is there. I do respect the 1st amendment rights as I fought for you to have them but I do not feel this is an appropriate forum. The families seeking solace, the soldiers looking for support do not need to hear a ——load of whining negativistic complaining. By the way , I have a right to talk as I volunteered to go to Nam as a combat medic and remained as a LRRP.
By Teresa
September 9, 2005 02:56 PM | Link to this
My heart sincerly goes out to all the families during this tragedy…I hope my prayers , comforts your hearts… Remember your lostloved ones are all of our heros….May God Bless