Aiexpress – Two Army Reserve soldiers who formed a strong bond during their time in the military were laid to rest in southeast Georgia over the weekend. The funerals took place almost three weeks after their tragic deaths in a drone attack while serving in the Middle East.
On January 28, an attack on a U.S. base in Jordan near the Syrian border tragically claimed the lives of three members of their Army Reserve unit. Among those who lost their lives were 24-year-old Sgt. Kennedy Sanders and 23-year-old Sgt. Breonna Moffett. The funeral service for Staff Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, was held on Tuesday in Carrollton, Georgia.
The auditorium of Ware County Middle School in Waycross was filled to capacity as the service for Sanders took place.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, fellow soldiers remember Sanders for her bravery, warm personality, and her readiness to take on challenging tasks that others were hesitant to do. They specifically mentioned her eagerness to learn how to operate earth-moving equipment in order to contribute to the construction of roads and shelters.
During the service, Col. Jeffrey Dulgarian spoke about her unwavering determination, concealed beneath her smile. He emphasized her commitment and expertise in fulfilling her responsibilities.
Mandy Lingenfelter, Sanders’ former basketball coach, fondly recalls her time as a point guard for the Lady Gators at Ware County High School.
Lingenfelter shared that he found it difficult to raise his voice at her due to her constant cheerful demeanor. He described her as someone who radiated pure happiness and had a sincere devotion to prioritizing Jesus, others, and herself.
The final homecoming for Moffett in Savannah was also met with a warm welcome. Moffett’s funeral took place at a Baptist church, coinciding with Sanders’ service that was happening 100 miles away. In respect of the family’s wishes, the media was asked not to be present during Moffett’s funeral.
The deaths of the three Georgia reservists mark the first U.S. fatalities attributed to Iran-backed militia groups. These attacks have been escalating on American forces in the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.
The drone attack at Tower 22, a covert U.S. military desert outpost facilitating U.S. forces’ infiltration and discreet exit from Syria, resulted in over 40 troops sustaining injuries. The Department of Defense reports that approximately 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel are stationed at Tower 22.
According to Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, the attack that occurred on Jan. 28 was unique compared to previous attacks. This was primarily due to the location and timing of the incident, as it took place in living quarters during the early morning hours.
“At the time, she mentioned that individuals were actually in their beds when the drone made an impact.”
The suicide bombing in Kabul while the U.S. was withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2021 remains the deadliest attack on U.S. service members since 13 Americans were killed.
The three soldiers who lost their lives in Jordan were posthumously promoted in rank. They were part of the 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, stationed at Fort Moore in west Georgia.
Moffett and Sanders, both enlisted in 2019 as construction engineers in the Army Reserve. They specialize in using bulldozers and other heavy equipment to clear roads and construction sites.
When they were deployed to the Middle East last year, Moffett and Sanders had developed a strong friendship. According to Francine Moffett, Moffett’s mother, whenever the family contacted her daughter, they would often hear from Sanders as well.
When Moffett wasn’t in her uniform, she dedicated her time to serving the community in Savannah. She worked for United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia, where she played a vital role in teaching individuals with disabilities various skills, including cooking. Moffett’s passion for helping others led her to join the Army Reserve after completing her education at Windsor Forest High School. During her time in high school, she had been a drum major and a JROTC cadet. Tragically, Moffett’s life was cut short just a few days after celebrating her 23rd birthday.
Sanders hailed from Waycross, a town situated on the outskirts of the captivating Okefenokee Swamp. By day, she dedicated her skills at a nearby pharmacy, but her true passion lay in guiding and coaching young minds. As an ex-high school athlete, she generously shared her sporting expertise by coaching basketball and soccer teams for children in her spare time. Oneida Oliver-Sanders, her mother, fondly recalls their last conversation, in which Sanders eagerly expressed her desire to purchase a motorcycle upon her return.
On February 3rd, the United States launched retaliatory airstrikes on numerous targets in Syria and Iraq in response to the drone attack in Jordan. The airstrikes specifically targeted locations linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its affiliated militias.
In the aftermath of October 7th, Iranian-backed Houthi militants operating in Yemen have been carrying out assaults on both commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea.
In the past month, the United States and its allies have commenced launching counterattacks on Houthi targets in Yemen.
