Spc. Jeremiah Huges, non-combat death of a "Patriot"

Friends, family recall soldier as a 'real patriot'


The Army specialist from Jacksonville dies in Iraq from non-combat injuries.




By Jim Schoettler, The Times-Union


Jeremiah "Jere" Hughes died fulfilling a dream he'd had since he was a boy in Jacksonville: serving and protecting his country.


The Army specialist from a family of military men died Wednesday after suffering injuries in a noncombat incident in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, U.S. Department of Defense officials said. No other details were given.

Childhood friend Jonathan Story said Hughes, 26, had always wanted to join the military and practiced martial arts, bodybuilding and other training to reach that goal. The 1999 graduate of Sandalwood High School was active in the school's ROTC program and joined the Army shortly after graduating, Story said.

"He was a real patriot, the kind of guy who just wanted to go out there and do what he could," said Story, 27. "I think he would have been at least proud to know that he died trying to make a difference."
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