Tonight we honor a young soldier who lost her life in Afghanistan.
Since 2001, 2103 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan; since 2003, 4486 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Iraq.
The IGTNT (I Got The News Today) series is a remembrance of U.S. servicemembers who will not be coming home from war.
~ Photo Credit Timroff
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pfc. Patricia L. Horne, 20, of Greenwood, Miss., died Aug. 24 in Bagram, Afghanistan. She was assigned to the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Please join me below for a remembrance of her life.
Pfc. Patricia L. Horne
Originally from Opelousas, LA, Pfc. Horne was a 2010 graduate of Greenwood High School. She joined the Army in August 2010. According to her Facebook page, she was a Human Resource Specialist. She had been deployed to Afghanistan for about a month.
The Army has not released the cause of her death, although it is not listed as combat-related or as under continuing investigation.
Her mother, Betty Horne, said Pfc. Horne loved the Army, and planned to re-enlist so she could pursue training to become a doctor. Pfc. Horne is also survived by five siblings.
A friend wrote on Pfc. Horne's Facebook page:
I love you so much you are my first love and my best friend. You have accomplished Soo much. I think about you everyday n my heart is broken but I have memories that I would never forget. I thank God for me being able to be apart of your life. I miss you and love you.. If you are a battle buddy of Patricia thank you I have the utmost respect.
Pfc. Horne is the second soldier from Mississippi to be lost in the line of duty in less than a week. She is the 25th military woman to lose her life in the Afghanistan war.
According to Army statistics, female soldiers now make up 14 percent of the total force. These females are now closer to combat than ever, carrying out essential roles stateside and overseas.
Gov. Steve Beshear has ordered that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Pfc. Horne’s interment.
Greenwood Ward 1 City Councilman Johnny Jennings said Horne's loss will be felt by the entire city:
"Our hearts go out to the family. I am sure the entire community shares my feelings about this loss of precious life..."We will be there for the care and love this family will need during this time."
An Army team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Army Pfc. Patricia L. Horne on Sunday at Dover Air Force Base, DE.
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Rest in peace, Pfc. Patricia L. Horne. You have served with honor.
About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Kestrel9000, TheFatLadySings, JaxDem, and me, Ekaterin. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them.
Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories. The US Department of Defense news releases are found at defense gov/releases. Icasualties lists the names of those killed, and shows the number of wounded. Published AP photos of the returning war fatalities are found on the Dover AFB site.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
If you would like to contribute to the series, even once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.