Army Reserve Spc. Daniel L. Elliott, 21, of Youngsville, N.C.
Spc. Elliott was assigned to the 290th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command, U.S. Army Reserve, Cary, N.C.; died July 15, 2011 in Basra, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Spc Elliott was riding in a vehicle when it was hit by an IED. Four other soldiers were injured. He had served five years and this was second deployment to Iraq as an Army Reserve military police specialist.
Known as "Lucas" by his family, he would have celebrated his 22nd birthday on the 18th, three days after being killed. The family celebrated his homecoming and birthday with his favorite meal and celebrated his life.
"He's back in the U.S., home for his birthday and that's important to us," mother, Patty Elliott said. "His favorite meal was barbeque ribs, so we will have that today and celebrate his life. "I still worry and I want everyone to pray for his brothers and sisters who witnessed his death and have to carry on with the mission."
Mother, Patti, said, "Lucas is not in pain. Lucas doesn't need anything right now, but the kids who are still over there who are in his unit, those boys and girls need our prayers."
Patti had dedicated herself to helping families grieve over loved ones who were killed while fighting overseas.
"I know what to say to families in situations like this. I know how to help them through. I know what resources to refer them too. It's hard to take your own medicine," said Patti.
She was featured in an ABC 11 Armed Forces Salute, December last year. She was interviewed while she and volunteers stuffed care packages for troops. "All of these kids are my kids, you know, whether they're 19 and in uniform or 49 and in uniform, they're somebody's kids and as a military mom, they're my kids."
Elliott's mother and brother, Patti and Bradley Elliott, remember him as a hero called to serve his country after America was attacked nearly 10 years ago.
"He look at the TV as we watched everything happen, and said 'I want to be a soldier, I want to serve my country. I don't want this to happen again,'" Elliott's mother Patti said.
Spc Lucas is the son of a North Carolina Patriot Guard Riders member. They participated in a memorial service on Saturday, July 23rd.
Spc Lucas was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Spc Elliott is survived by his parents, Patti and Ed; wife, Trisha; and brother, Brad.
Army Reserve Spc. Daniel L. Elliott was killed in action on 7/15/11.
No comments:
Post a Comment