Soldier from Tucson is killed in Afghanistan
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 09/28/2012
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By: Associated Press
TUCSON, AZ - The Department of Defense says a soldier from Tucson has been killed while serving in Afghanistan.
Pentagon officials said Friday that 29-year-old Staff Sgt. Orion N. Sparks and another soldier were killed Wednesday in Logar Province, Afghanistan, when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest near their patrol.
Sparks was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team at Schweinfurt, Germany.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer ordered that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Friday in honor of Sparks.
Statement by Governor Jan Brewer
Lowering Flags for a Fallen Soldier
"My heart aches as we learn that an Arizona soldier this week lost his life in the line of duty. Army Staff Sgt. Orion N. Sparks, 29, of Tucson, was killed Wednesday in Logar Province, Afghanistan, when an insurgent wearing a suicide vest detonated the device near Staff Sgt. Sparks' dismounted patrol. A second American serviceman was also killed in the attack: Sgt. Jonathan A. Gollnitz, 28, of Lakehurst, N.J.
"Staff Sgt. Sparks was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, and based in Schweinfurt, Germany. Please join me in extending Arizona's sincerest condolences and prayers for the families and loved ones of both Staff Sgt. Sparks and Sgt. Gollnitz.
"As always, let us keep close to our hearts each of the uniformed men and women who defend our Nation on American soil and abroad. We can never repay these heroes for their service and sacrifice. May we offer our deepest gratitude and respect so that they always feel our heartfelt appreciation for all that they do to keep us safe and our Nation free.
"In honor of Arizona's fallen hero - Staff Sgt. Orion N. Sparks - I have ordered that flags at all State buildings be flown at half-staff today, September 28, from sunrise to sunset. State flags will again be lowered on the day of his interment, for which services are pending."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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