Fallen Heros In Georgia
102 Georgians Have Died as of May 28,2007
(click here for printable version)

Army Spc. Christopher K. Boone 2007-02-17 34, of Augusta, Ga.; assigned to the 121st Infantry (Long Range
Surveillance), Georgia Army National Guard, Fort Gillem, Ga.; died Feb. 17 in Balad, Iraq, of a non-combat related
injury.

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Army Capt. Hayes Clayton 2006-12-25 29, of Georgia; assigned to the 842nd Military Training and Transition team,
1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died Dec. 25 of wounds sustained when an
improvised explosive device detonated while he was conducting combat operations in Balad, Iraq.

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Army Spc. Channing G. Singletary 2006-06-23 30, of Sylvester, Ga.; assigned to the 122nd Support Center, Georgia
Army National Guard, Savannah, Ga.; died June 23 from a non-combat-related cause in Baghdad.

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Army Sgt. 1st Class Amos C. Edwards Jr. 2006-02-17 41, of Savannah, Ga.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 118th Field
Artillery Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, Savannah, Ga.; died Feb. 17 from a
non-combat-related cause in Rutbah, Iraq.

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Army Spc. Marcus S. Futrell 2005-12-02 20, of Macon, Ga.; assigned to the 148th Forward Support Battalion, 48th
Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, Forsyth, Ga.; died Dec. 2 of injuries sustained earlier that day
when his truck accidentally rolled over at Tallil Air Base, Iraq. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Philip L. Travis and Sgt.
Philip A. Dodson, Jr.

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Army Sgt. Philip A. Dodson, Jr. 2005-12-02 42, of Forsyth, Ga.; assigned to the 148th Forward Support Battalion,
48th Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, Forsyth, Ga.; died Dec. 2 of injuries sustained earlier
that day when his truck accidentally rolled over at Tallil Air Base, Iraq. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Philip L. Travis
and Spc. Marcus S. Futrell.  

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Army Staff Sgt. Philip L. Travis 2005-12-02 41, of Snellville, Ga.; assigned to the 148th Forward Support Battalion,
48th Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, Forsyth, Ga.; died Dec. 2 of injuries sustained earlier
that day when his truck accidentally rolled over at Tallil Air Base, Iraq. Also killed were Sgt. Philip A. Dodson, Jr.
and Spc. Marcus S. Futrell.  

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Army Sgt. George R. Draughn Jr. 2005-09-01 29, of Decatur, Ga.; assigned to the 108th Cavalry Regiment, 48th
Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Griffin, Ga.; killed Sept. 1 when an improvised explosive device
detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations in Baghdad.  

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Army Staff Sgt. Robert L. Hollar Jr. 2005-09-01 35, of Griffin, Ga.; assigned to the 108th Cavalry Regiment, 48th
Infantry Brigade, Georgia National Guard, Griffin, Ga.; killed Sept. 1 when an improvised explosive device
detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations in Baghdad.  

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Army Spc. Michael J. Stokely 2005-08-16 23, of Sharpsburg, Ga.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor
Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, Griffin Ga.; killed Aug. 16 when an improvised
explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol in Baghdad.

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Army Sgt. Paul A. Saylor 2005-08-15 21, of Norcross, Ga.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment,
Georgia Army National Guard, Calhoun, Ga.; killed Aug. 15 when his Humvee accidentally rolled over into a canal in
Mahmudiyah, Iraq. Also killed were Sgt. Thomas J. Strickland and Spc. Joshua P. Dingler.


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Army Spc. Joshua P. Dingler 2005-08-15 19, of Hiram, Ga.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment,
Georgia Army National Guard, Calhoun, Ga.; killed Aug. 15 when his Humvee accidentally rolled over into a canal in
Mahmudiyah, Iraq. Also killed were Sgt. Thomas J. Strickland and Sgt. Paul A. Saylor.
* * * * *

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Army Sgt. Thomas J. Strickland 2005-08-15 27, of Douglasville, Ga.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor
Regiment, Georgia Army National Guard, Calhoun, Ga.; killed Aug. 15 when his Humvee accidentally rolled over
into a canal in Mahmudiyah, Iraq. Also killed were Spc. Joshua P. Dingler and Sgt. Paul A. Saylor.

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Army Spc. Mathew V. Gibbs 2005-08-03 21, of Ambrose, Ga.; assigned to the 648th Engineer Battalion, 48th Infantry
Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Statesboro, Ga.; killed Aug. 3 when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive
device detonated near the armored personnel carrier in which he was riding in Baghdad. Also killed were Spc.
Jerry L. Ganey Jr. and Sgt. 1st Class Charles H. Warren.
* * * * *



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Army Spc. Jerry L. Ganey Jr. 2005-08-03 29, of Folkston, Ga.; assigned to the 648th Engineer Battalion, 48th Infantry
Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Statesboro, Ga.; killed Aug. 3 when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive
device detonated near his armored personnel carrier as he was conducting a dismounted security patrol in
Baghdad. Also killed were Spc. Mathew V. Gibbs and Sgt. 1st Class Charles H. Warren.
* * * * *


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Army Sgt. Jonathon C. Haggin 2005-07-30 26, of Kingsland, Ga.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry
Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Albany, Ga.; killed July 30 when an improvised
explosive device detonated near his Humvee while he was on patrol in Baghdad. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class
Victor A. Anderson, Sgt. Ronnie L. Shelley Sr. and Sgt. David R. Jones Sr.
* * * * *

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Army Staff Sgt. David R. Jones Sr. 2005-07-30 45, of Augusta, Ga.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry
Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Albany, Ga.; killed July 30 when an improvised
explosive device detonated near his Humvee while he was on patrol in Baghdad. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class
Victor A. Anderson, Sgt. Ronnie L. Shelley Sr. and Sgt. Jonathon C. Haggin.

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Army Sgt. Ronnie L. Shelley Sr. 2005-07-30 34, of Valdosta, Ga.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry
Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Albany, Ga.; killed July 30 when an improvised
explosive device detonated near his Humvee while he was on patrol in Baghdad. Also killed were Staff Sgt. David
R. Jones Sr., Sgt. 1st Class Victor A. Anderson and Sgt. Jonathon C. Haggin.

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Army Sgt. 1st Class Victor A. Anderson 2005-07-30 39, of Ellaville, Ga.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry
Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Albany, Ga.; killed July 30 when an improvised
explosive device detonated near his Humvee while he was on patrol in Baghdad. Also killed were Staff Sgt. David
R. Jones Sr., Sgt. Ronnie L. Shelley Sr. and Sgt. Jonathon C. Haggin.
* * * * *

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Army Spc. Jacques E. Brunson 2005-07-24 30, of Americus, Ga.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry
Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Albany, Ga.; killed July 24 when an improvised
explosive device detonated near his Humvee while he was on patrol in Baghdad. Also killed were Army Staff Sgt.
Carl R. Fuller, Army Sgt. James O. Kinlow and Army Sgt. John F. Thomas.

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Army Staff Sgt. Carl R. Fuller 2005-07-24 44, of Covington, Ga.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry
Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Albany, Ga.; killed July 24 when an improvised
explosive device detonated near his Humvee while he was on patrol in Baghdad. Also killed were Army Spc.
Jacques E. Brunson, Army Sgt. James O. Kinlow and Army Sgt. John F. Thomas.

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Army Sgt. James O. Kinlow 2005-07-24 35, of Thomson, Ga.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment,
48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Albany, Ga.; killed July 24 when an improvised explosive
device detonated near his Humvee while he was on patrol in Baghdad. Also killed were Army Spc. Jacques E.
Brunson, Army Staff Sgt. Carl R. Fuller and Army Sgt. John F. Thomas.

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Army Sgt. John F. Thomas 2005-07-24 33, of Valdosta, Ga.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment,
48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, Albany, Ga.; killed July 24 when an improvised explosive
device detonated near his Humvee while he was on patrol in Baghdad. Also killed were Army Spc. Jacques E.
Brunson, Army Staff Sgt. Carl R. Fuller and Army Sgt. James O. Kinlow.
* * * * *

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Army Sgt. Chad M. Mercer 2005-06-30 25, of Waycross, Ga.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment,
Georgia Army National Guard, Fitzgerald, Ga.; killed June 30 when his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle rolled over
while conducting combat operations in Baghdad.

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Army Sgt. Foster Pinkston 2004-09-16 47, of Warrenton, Ga.; assigned to the 878th Engineer Battalion, Georgia
Army National Guard, Augusta, Ga.; died Sept. 16 in Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta, Ga., from a
non-combat related illness
Click on thumbnails to enlarge
Jason Harkins
Clarkesville, GA.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (March 2, 2006)
Karla Comfort received a lot of looks & even some salutes from people when she drove from Benton, Ark., to Camp
Pendleton, Calif., in her newly-painted,custom Hummer H3 March 2.
The vehicle is adorned with the likeness of her son, 20-year-old Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason,  & nine other Marines with
F Company,2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division who where all killed by the same improvised
explosive device blast in Fallujah , Iraq , in December.
For Karla Comfort, having the vehicle air brushed with the image of the 10 Marines was a way to pay homage to her hero
and his fellow comrades who fell on Iraq 's urban battlefield.
"I wanted to let people know (Marines) are doing their jobs honorably, & some of them die," said the 39-year-old from
Portland , OR "I don't want people to forget the sacrifices that my son & the other Marines made.
Leading up to her son's death, Karla Comfort had received several letters from him prior to his return. He had been
deployed for five months, & Comfort "worried everyday he was gone until she got the letters & found out the date he was
coming home," she said.
Marines knocked on the front door of her home in Farmington,Mich.,at 3am with the dreadful news.
"I let my guard down when I found out he was coming home," she said. "There are times that I still cannot believe it
happened. It's very hard to deal with." Karla Comfort came up with the idea for the rolling memorial when she & her two
other sons attended John's funeral in Portland, Ore.
"I saw a Vietnam (War) memorial on a car, &  I said to my son Josh, 'we should do something like that for John,' she
recalled. "He loved Hummers."
She purchased the vehicle in January & immediately took it to Airbrush Guy &Co. in Benton, Ark., where artist Robert
Powell went to work on changing the plain, black vehicle into a decorative, mobile, art piece.
"I only had the vehicle for two days before we took it in," she joked. Two hundred and fifty man-hours later, Powell had
completed the vehicle. The custom job would have cost $25,000 Out of respect for Karla Comfort's loss & the sacrifices
the Marines made, AirbrushGuy &Co. did it for free. Comfort only had to purchase the paint, which cost $3,000.
"I love it," she said. "I'm really impressed with it, and I think John would be happy with the vehicle. He would have a big
smile on his face because he loved Hummers." Karla Comfort gave Powell basic instructions on what to include in the
paint job. But in addition to the image of her son in Dress Blues & the faces of the nine other Marines, there were several
surprises. "He put a lot more on than I expected," she said "I think my favorite part is the heaven scene."
On the left side of the vehicle, a detail of Marines are depicted carrying their fallen comrades through the clouds to their
final resting place. The American flag drapes across the hood, the words, "Semper Fi" crown the front windshield & the
spare tire cover carries the same Eagle Globe & Anchor design that her son had tattooed on his back.
"All the support I have been getting is wonderful," she said.
Karla Comfort decided to move back to her hometown of Portland, & making the cross-country trip from Arkansas was a
way for her to share her son's story. It's also her way of coping with the loss.
"Along the way I got nothing but positive feedback from people," she said "What got to me was when people would salute
the guys (Marines). It's hard to look at his picture. I still cry and try to get used to the idea, but it's hard to grasp the idea
that he's really gone."
The petition for LEX

Go to the website below and sign the petition for Dustin Lee's family to be able to adopt Lex (Dustin's dog) from the Marine Corp. This would mean
so much to the Lee family and won't take but a minute of your time. You can read all about the details on the following website. Thank
You!http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/retire-military-working-dog-lex
Most of you probably know by now who CPl Dustin Jerome Lee is. For those of you who do not, please take the time to read a little more about him
and view photos of him at www.remembercpldustinlee.blogspot.com....., www.myspace.com/psc349
In a nutshell-
Dustin was a K9 War Dog Handler and MP who was killed in Iraq on March 21 2007. His K9 Lex survived but with injuries.
He received shrapnel wounds to his body, almost lost his tail, and to this day still has shrapnel lodged near his spine. The Veterinarians opted to
leave this shrapnel in place as to not risk damage to Lex's spine.
Since Dustin's death the family has tried diligently to get Lex adopted to them so that they may care for him. Lex was of course the last (person) to
see Dustin alive.
Even before the incident of the RPG that killed Dustin, Lex was destined to retire upon returing from this tour in Iraq. The family has waited
patiently for the last remaining part of Dustin to arrive home...and they are still waiting.
It is seven months after the incident and no Lex. I know there is government bureaucracy and paperwork, but all that was done...finished and
turned over the proper personnel. They feverishly worked around the clock, made phone calls, sent emails, contacted all the right people....Lex is
still not home. They jumped through all the right hoops and answered all the right questions to be able to adobt Lex.
Instead the Marine Corps has decided that Lex did not need to retire and is instead located at the kennels at MCLB Albany, Georgia, back in
training.
Can you imagine how heart broken and distraught this made the family once they found out they where not getting Lex for possibly 2 more years
or until they where done with him? Rachel and Jerome can not have their son back, they gave him up to the Marine Corps and he was killed in the
fight against terrorism during Operation Iraqi Freeedom. Why not retire Lex to Dustin's family? I think its the least the Marine Corp could offer.
They do not want to replace Dustin, they just want the last piece of his life that is still alive. And by adopting Lex it will bring back a small part of
Dustin and maybe a smile and laugh that they have not had in months.
They say that Lex is needed to train other K9s and handlers there at MCLB Albany. As far I know that shrapnel is still located in his back while he
trains.. We can all understand that Lex may be an asset to the Kennel in training, and is a great, obedient companion, but how long until the
damage that he sustained in the blast catches up with him. Lex desreves a nice home to retire to and a family that will love and take care of him.

Dustin's family are not strangers to handling K9s. Rachel, herself trained with Search and Rescue K9s. So its not like the family is unfamiliar in
having to deal with trained K9s....Dustin recieved his love of dogs from somewhere right?

So I am asking everyone that knows of Dustin and Lex's story to send your comments to me. Write them here on the blog, email me, how ever you
can....Give me your thoughts and opinions and we will do our best to get Lex to Dustin's parents.

A letter from Lex, written by John Burnam
I'm a U.S. Marine and the primary element of a two-member team trained to hunt and locate explosives. My partner and I trained as a team for
many months honing our expertise to save American lives in the War on Terrorism in Iraq.

The date is March 21, 2007 and I was on the job in Fallujah, Iraq when an enemy fired Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) exploded in our midst. I
was blasted to the ground. I'm Stunned. My head is ringing and my body feels numb. My eyes can't quite focus on anything.

My partner is lying next to me severely wounded and bleeding. I move to him and touch him but he's not responding. I feel sharp pains in my side
and back. I'm bleeding but deal with it and concentrate on comforting my partner and protecting him from further harm.

Everything happened so fast that it caused disorientation and confusion. My senses pick up the lingering smell of burnt powder and smoke from
the explosion. I hear lots of American voices and heavy boot-steps hurrying all around us. They reach our location and immediately attend to my
partner. And then they carry him away. I'm separated from my partner for the first time. I'm not clear of thought and then I too am carried way but to
a different hospital.

I'm in a building lying on a table with lights above and people talking. Still dazed and confused I hear a strange voice say my name, Lex! I gesture a
slight reflex of acknowledgement. Lex! You are going to be okay buddy! Just lay still. We are going to take care of your hurts, so stay calm okay,
Lex. My eyes dart around the room searching for your partner, but he's not there and no one can interpret my thoughts. I'm released from the
hospital and well enough to travel so they transfer me from Iraq to a U.S. Marine Corp base in Albany, Georgia. I really miss my partner, Dusty. I
know something has happened to him because he would never have left me alone for so long.

Yes, my name is Lex. I'm a seven year old German shepherd Military Working Dog. My master and loyal partner is Corporal Dustin Jerome Lee,
U.S. Marine Corps canine handler from Mississippi. I'm well disciplined to my master's commands and expertly trained to sniff out bombs and
explosives. Where's my master, Dusty? Where's Dusty, my partner? No one can understand me but Dusty. Where's Dusty?

Iraq was to be my last combat tour before retirement. Dusty talked to me all the time about going home and adopting me. I sure do miss my Dusty.
He is the best friend I've ever had. I love that crazy Marine from Mississippi!

No one can measure the love and unconditional loyalty I have for Dusty. I'd sacrifice my own life for him and he knows it. I just wish I could have
stopped that RPG or pushed Dusty away from that powerful blast. It all happened in a blink of an eye and I didn't see it coming until it was too late.
Now I sit alone in my kennel-run waiting for the day Dusty shows up.

The U.S. Marines are treating me very well. I get enough food and water and exercise each day. And the Veterinarian comes by to examine my
wounds on a regular basis. I just can't sleep well at night. I wake up to every little noise and I think about Dusty. Where can that Marine be?

The nights are long. The days turn into weeks. Still no Dusty! My wounds are healing and the hair is growing back. The pain still resides in my
back but I can walk okay. I have a piece of shrapnel near my spine that the Veterinarians avoided removing for fear of further health complications.
I've been fortunate to be declared physically unable to perform in a combat zone.
One of the dog handlers gave me a real good bath and grooming. I felt so refreshed because I was on my way to meet Dusty'9s family. Maybe
Dusty will be there waiting for me. When I arrived I sensed something was not quite right. Dusty wasn't there and everyone was sad, but very
happy to greet me. I then realized that I was attending Dusty's funeral. Everyone showed up to pay their respects.

Dusty is a real American hero and he was buried with full military honors. I was so proud to have been his last best friend and partner. At one
particular moment of total silence during the ceremony, I sniffed a slight scent in the air that was very familiar. It smelled like Dusty. I figured he
sent me a signal that he knew I was there! I moaned a sigh of grief that he would only hear and understand.

I was greeted by the Lee family with joy in their hearts. It felt so warm and comfortable to be with my partner's loving family. I wanted to stay but I
was escorted away after the funeral and back to Albany, Georgia. What is going to happen to me now?

Wait a minute! I was due for retirement, right? Why did the military take me to see Dusty's family and not leave me there? I belong with them in
Mississippi not here in Georgia. There is something very wrong with this picture!

The Lee family adopting me would not be too much to ask considering they will never again see their son, grandson, brother, nephew and friend.
Adopting me will keep a big part of Dusty's life alive for them and for me. It will enable Dusty's family to experience what he already knew about me.
I loved and protected him everywhere we went and even on the battlefield in Iraq. It's time the U.S. Marine Corps allowed Dustin's family to adopt
me. I'm not a young pup anymore, you know! I'9m of retirement age and I want to spend the rest of my life with the Lee family. It's where I now
belong!   So please help the Lee family adopt me!

Lex
German Shepherd Dog
Military Working Dog
U.S. Marine Corps
***In MEMORY OF JAMES CATHY, U.S.M.C. 1980-2005***--  The night the
casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made
a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep,
she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of
'Cat', and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing
watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you if kept doing it," she
said. "I think that's what he would have wanted."...........