Homepage / Atlanta News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Oconee Soldier Killed Day After Son Was Born

Officials: Soldier Killed By Bomb

POSTED: 2:32 pm EDT September 24, 2007
UPDATED: 11:20 am EDT September 25, 2007

The Defense Department has confirmed the death of a soldier in Iraq one day after his wife gave birth to their first child, a son.

Spc. Joshua Reeves died Saturday when an improvised bomb exploded as the Humvee he was in traveled a street in Baghdad.

His wife, Leslie Reeves, had returned to Hendersonville, Tn., to be with her parents while she had the baby. She gave birth on Friday and named her son Joshua Jackson Reeves. Both mother and child are doing fine, according to friends of the family.

“A tremendous joy came into the family and then all of a sudden we got the sad news,” said family friend Lynn Joyner. “No family would love to have a baby born and then have the father or the mother taken away from them. We don't know why.”

The soldier's parents also were told on Saturday of the death of the oldest of their five children. James and Jean Reeves live in Watkinsville, Georgia, about 60 miles east of Atlanta.

The family says Joshua Reeves was scheduled to come home on two weeks' leave in November.

He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kan.

Reeves’ father also served in the Army.

Sunday, James Reeves wrote a letter to President Bush. "Please do not let anyone leave Baghdad until the mission is complete,” the letter said. “The lives of our young men will be wasted. Please do not let this be another Vietnam."


Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Find out which triggers are under your control. The answers could prevent migraines, and keep you off the sidelines. More

A great bedroom is designed to be a sanctuary where you can relax and get a good night’s sleep. Find out how to create the perfect bedroom. More

Make your dreams of a college education come true and take advantage of over 4 million tuition-free scholarships available to real people just like you! More

Now more than ever, job security is priority number one with most job seekers. Here are 10 jobs with great job security that employers are actually struggling to fill. More

Health Topics & Information

While it’s the government’s responsibility to ensure that food sold in the U.S. is safe, a few simple precautions can help you protect yourself and your family from foodborne disease. More