5 soldiers from Fort Drum, 10th Mountain killed in Afghanistan IED blast

Uncle of fallen Bradenton soldier, Specialist Patrick Lay, speaks out
11:33 PM, Aug 13, 2011

Written by
Althea Paul
BRADENTON, Fla. - A local family is mourning the loss of a Bradenton soldier who died during combat in Afghanistan.

Army Specialist Patrick Lay died Thursday when an improvised explosive device hit the armored vehicle he was in. He was just 21 years old.

"The last 24 hours have been a very big roller coaster ride of emotions. Anger, because of the conditions, yet so proud because he represented his country," said Lay's uncle, Dale Eason.

Lay was engaged to be married to his high school sweetheart. He graduated from Braden River High School in 2008, where he played football. At the summer graduation ceremony on Saturday, there was a moment of silence in his honor. School officials describe Lay as a fine young man who had character and dedication.

Lay's family says while it is tough to deal with his death, they are so proud of how he died.
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Army identifies 5 soldiers killed in Kandahar
Staff report
Posted : Sunday Aug 14, 2011 11:22:38 EDT
The Army on Sunday identified the five soldiers who died Thursday in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, in an improvised explosive device blast.

The soldiers were:

• Sgt. Edward J. Frank II, 26, of Yonkers, N.Y.

• Spc. Jameel T. Freeman, 26, of Baltimore.

• Spc. Patrick L. Lay II, 21, of Fletcher, N.C.

• Spc. Jordan M. Morris, 23, of Stillwater, Okla.

• Pfc. Rueben J. Lopez, 27, of Williams, Calif.

They were assigned to the Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
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12 minutes ago
DOD identifies five U.S. troops killed in IED blast in Afghanistan
By LAURA RAUCH
Stars and Stripes
Published: August 14, 2011

COMBAT OUTPOST NALGHAM, Afghanistan — A quiet solemnity has settled in here, and a profound sadness hangs like a fog. The gym that usually blasts with music and clangs with the sound of weights is silent. A painful emptiness pervades the post.

For those in Company C, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Thursday was the worst of days. Five of its soldiers, all from 3rd Platoon’s 1st Squad, were killed when their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle rolled over an improvised explosive device on a desolate road in southern Kandahar province.

“It’s like your family just got ripped out of your heart,” Pfc. Thadius Deloatch said.

On Sunday, the Department of Defense identified those killed in the explosion: Sgt. Edward J. Frank II, 26, of Yonkers, N.Y.; Spc. Jameel T. Freeman, 26, of Baltimore, Md.; Spc. Patrick L. Lay II, 21, of Fletcher, N.C.; Spc. Jordan M. Morris, 23, of Stillwater, Okla.; Pfc. Rueben J. Lopez, 27, of Williams, Calif.

After the explosion Thursday, the battalion chaplain couldn’t get here soon enough. A line of soldiers needing him waited late into the night, and early the next morning. For many, the tears pushed out in waves. For others, solace came in the form of a quiet stoicism.

“I don’t know what to do right now. My whole squad is gone,” Pfc. Jeremy Urzua said. His squad leader, Frank, was among the soldiers killed in the blast and had given him a rare day off Thursday.
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