Randy Evans took the time to compile a list of Georgia soldiers who lost their lives in the execution of their duty.
Soldiers - Thank You!
J. Randolph Evans
Column No. 1048 (12/21/10)
The two most underused words in the world are "thank you." So often, in
the whirl of current events and the frantic pace of nonstop lifestyles,
there never seems to be enough time to stop and recognize the truly
priceless gifts from the few. Yet, they ask so little and give so much.
Thank you Marine Pfc. Jason H. Estopinal who died while serving his
country on February 15, 2010. He was 21. He died while supporting
combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Thank you Army Spc. Matthew D. Huston of Athens, Georgia. He was killed
on March 1, 2010 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked
his unit using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. He was 24.
Thank you Army Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey who died on March 8, 2010. She
was 23 and from Columbus, Georgia. One of her fellow servicemen
described her this way, "when I say tough, she would take grown men down
to the ground."
Thank you Army 1st Lt. Robert W. Collins from Tyrone, Georgia. He was
24. He was killed on April 7, 2010 in Mosul, Iraq, when enemy forces
attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Thank you Army Staff Sgt. James R. Patton from Fort Benning, Georgia.
He died on April 18, 2010 in Tikrit, Iraq, from injuries he sustained as
the result of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash. Jim Patton is
survived by his wife, Beatriz, his daughter, Cecilia, and his parents.
Thank you Army Sgt. Jonathan K. Peney who died on June 01, 2010. He was
22 and from Marietta, Georgia. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th
Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. He was shot by enemy forces
in Zhari district, Afghanistan.
Thank you Army Spc. David A. Holmes. He was from Tennille, Georgia. He
died on June 26, 2010 from wounds suffered during an attack on his unit
at Sayed Abad, Afghanistan.
Thank you Marine Lance Cpl. William T. Richards. He died on June 26,
2010. He was 20 and from Trenton, Georgia. He was killed at Camp
Bastion, Afghanistan while supporting combat operations in Helmand
province. He was a banjo player.
Thank you Army Sgt. Johnny W. Lumpkin who died on July 2, 2010 while
serving in Balad, Iraq. He was 38 and from Columbus, Georgia.
Thank you Army Pfc. Jacob A. Dennis. He was from Powder Springs,
Georgia. He died on July 3, 2010 from injuries at Forward Operating
Base Lane, Afghanistan. He was 22.
Thank you Army Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate. He was 27. He was from
Hinesville, Georgia. He suffered fatal wounds when the enemy attacked
his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
Thank you Army Sgt. 1st Class Edgar N. Roberts who was also from
Hinesville, Georgia. He died on August 17, 2010 from wounds suffered
during an attack in Sayed Abad, Afghanistan.
Thank you Army Pfc. Chad D. Coleman who died on August 27, 2010. He was
20 and from Moreland, Georgia. He died from wounds suffered in the
Paktiya province.
Thank you Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher B. Rodgers. He was 20 and from
Griffin, Georgia. He died on September 1, 2010 during combat operations
in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Thank you Marine 1st Lt. Scott J. Fleming who died on September 17, 2010
while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He
was 24 and from Marietta, Georgia.
Thank you Air Force Senior Airman Michael J. Buras. He was 23 and from
Fitzgerald, Georgia. He died on September 21, 2010 from wounds suffered
as the result of an improvised explosive device detonation in Kandahar,
Afghanistan. Airman Buras was on his third deployment and had received a
Purple Heart.
Thank you Marine Cpl. Stephen C. Sockalosky who died on October 6,
2010. He was from Cordele, Georgia. He died in Helmand province,
Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.
Thank you Marine Lance Cpl. Raymon L. A. Johnson. He was from Midland,
Georgia. He died on October 13, 2010 while conducting combat operations
in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Thank you Spc. Shannon Chihuahua who died November 12, 2010 from wounds
sustained during a small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade attack.
He was 25 and from Thomasville, Georgia.
Thank you Army Pfc. Austin G. Staggs who was killed on November 29, 2010
in Afghanistan. He was from Senoia, Georgia and just 19.
In 2010, these fine Georgians all made the ultimate sacrifice for our
country while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They, and those serving
with them, left their families, homes and jobs to preserve and protect
the United States of America.
None will see home again. They will never feel the warm embrace of moms
and dads and wives and children again. Their last Christmas was their
last Christmas. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten nor overlooked.
Words are never enough to express a nation's gratitude to those who have
given so much. But there are two simple words that are a good start:
THANK YOU!
.
You're Almost Done!
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