Army Cpl. Jeremiah S. Cole

Remember Our Heroes

Army Cpl. Jeremiah S. Cole, 26, of Hiawatha, Kan.

Cpl. Cole was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Aug. 16 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Bermel, Afghanistan.

Cpl. Jeremiah S. Cole, 26, a fire support noncommissioned officer assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, was killed in August 18 when his vehicle was struck by a mine near Bermel, Afghanistan.

Cole was a passenger in a vehicle convoy when a mine, suspected to be remnants of the Soviet incursion in Afghanistan in the 1980s, detonated under his vehicle.

A native of Hiawatha, Kan., Cole enlisted in the Army in May 2004 and trained at Fort Sill, Okla., to be an indirect fire specialist. Upon completion of basic and advanced training, he was assigned to Fort Drum in September 2004.

Army Specialist Jeremiah Scott Cole is remembered by his family and friends as a hero.

The Cole family says they are holding on to their happy memories of Scottie Cole.
They say he was proud to serve and protect not only his country but also his town.

"Pride, we`re so proud of that boy, a lot of people look at it like anger. And yeah that's a normal reaction, we`re shocked, hurt, that's a chunk of our heart gone," said Tom Jimeson.

Jimeson is remembering his nephew, 26-year-old Army Specialist, Jeremiah "Scottie" Cole who was serving with the 10th Mountain Division, and was station in Fort Drum, New York.

Cole and three other soldiers were riding in a humvee in Afghanistan on August 16th, when it hit an IED or a land mine. Cole was the only one to die.

"He was doing what he wanted, he loved his wife, he loved his boy he loved his country and he loved his town," said his mother, Candice Cole.

In May of this year, he shipped out for his first tour of duty and left behind his new wife, Andrea and his now five-and-a half month old son, Nicholas.

"They had their goals and it was get her thru school, get him thru school, he wanted to be a history teacher and a coach," she said.

His family has found strength in each other and the Hiawatha community. They all want to honor and remember the happy memories that Scottie created when alive.

"He had the best heart; in every situation and would go the extra mile, to make sure that things were fair if it was something he could fix," his mother said.

Cole came from a strong military background, his father and uncles all served their country.

His family says Cole always fought for the underdog and was loved by everyone he befriended.

He made a big impression on everybody and he expected nothing in return,Candice said.
His family says the small town of Hiawatha that he loved so much, will for ever remember his giving heart and smile.

Specialist Cole's funeral arrangements are still pending. But his family says the Hiawatha community is invited to pay their respects.

His awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

He is survived by his wife, son and parents.

Army Cpl. Jeremiah S. Cole was killed in action on 08/16/06.