Update: Burying Amanda
Continuing the moving story of one American soldier and her family:
UPDATE:
Sgt. Amanda N. Pinson, U.S. Army, paid the ultimate sacrifice while proudly serving her country in Iraq on Thursday March 16, 2006.
Sgt. Pinson was the beloved daughter of Christina Ehlen and Tony and Regina Pinson; Beloved sister of Bryan Pinson and of the late Michael and Matthew Pinson;
Dear grand-daughter of Bufford and Patty Nickles, Jimmy and Victoria Pinson and of the late Marlene Pinson;
Dear great-granddaughter of Alma Nickles;
Dear niece of Sandy (Rick) Campbell, Debbie (Mark) Ritter, David (Cindy) Nickles, Jeff (Tammy) Nickles, Cheryl Kohler, Joyce (Ken) Blank, James Harris, and Donna (Michael) Thompson;
Dear cousin of Jennifer, Stacy, Shaun, Stephanie, Jake, Seth, Kevin, Kyle, Melissa, Andrew, Amanda, Michael, and Laura; and special friend of Tara, Amy, and countless others.
Service at HOFFMEISTER SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL 1515 Lemay Ferry Rd. on Saturday March 25, 10:00 AM, with visitation on Friday, 2 until 9 PM. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
The family would like donations in the form of check or money order to be made to the Hancock Alumni Association – Amanda Pinson Memorial Scholarship, Attn: Sue Weber 2191 Lemay Ferry Rd. St. Louis, Mo. 63125
Services under the arrangement of HOFFMEISTER SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, St. Louis, MIssouri (314) 544-7100
Thank YOU for writing about her. I know it sounds pretty cliche to say things that are nice, endearing etc. after someone passes, but we’ve always said these things about her; long before her passing. She was truly an amazing person & always so entirely giving of herself. One would often wonder what it was she would accomplish or give next. I’ve attached a picture, that we have been using for everything as of lately. You are welcome to use it for your blog.
They brought her body back home, to St. Louis, this evening by plane from Dover, Delaware where she has been since early this week; from being brought back over from Iraq. It was quite a site. So much respect being given by so many complete strangers. They had 2 fire trucks that had a HUGE flag hanging between them for the hearse to drive through. As they did, everyone saluted her. It truly restores your faith in America, especially at a time like this.
Tomorrow we have visitation and on Saturday we have the Funeral & Burial. The Patriot Guards will be present to honor/protect us during this difficult time. They are an amazing organization! As well as extra military & the police, as her death has been highly publicized here.
Manda was always bound & determined to shine…but I keep smiling to myself as I know my cousin is sitting up there, shaking her head in disbelief and asking, “Really guys, all THIS for ME?”. [Jennifer]
Sgt. Amanda Pinson was killed, with a fellow soldier, by a mortar attack on March 16, 2006.
13 responses so far ↓
1 Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys.. // Mar 24, 2006 at
Sergeant Amanda Pinson
Chuck Simmins feels she is someone you should meet. Obviously, I agree. So, go meet Sergeant Amanda Pinson. Not a Medal winner, not a deserter, just an average soldier, doing what soldiers do. Don’t miss the update, which puts a…
2 Cricket // Mar 24, 2006 at
Rest in peace, Amanda. And thank you.
3 BillT // Mar 24, 2006 at
May you have skies as fair as your cousin and a breeze just as mild when you bid her farewell, and may the Patriot Guards be needed only to do her honor.
May God write your present sorrow in sand and carve the sweet memories of times past in stone…
4 Gina Overman // Mar 26, 2006 at
My name is Gina and I live in Lemay. I had the honor of observing Amanda’s precession as it passed one last time through her home town to her final resting place. Thank you Amanda for all that you did for us and God Bless you and your family.
5 Jessica // Mar 28, 2006 at
Sgt.Amanda Pinson played basketball with my sister Silvia. She went to school with my brother Jose. She was a great person. I’ll miss her.
R.I.P
Sgt.Amanda Pinson
6 John // Apr 5, 2006 at
Why in God’s name would an attractive woman waste her life on an empty and worthless cause such as Iraq? Why do parents raise their children to love armies and war and think less about consquences? I am sure parents are guilt ridden for not doing the impossible to convince her from going to Iraq to fight for the oil companies’ cause. Had she been my daughter, I’d have locked her up. Chained her people. Wake up folks! This war in not a threat to our nation, so ask yourselves why we’re there? Stop the killing. Bring these kids back. Impeach Bush.
7 robert smith // Apr 5, 2006 at
AS A DISABLED VET I TRULY KNOW THE SACRIFICES THAT OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL EMCOUNTER EVERY SINGLE DAY JUST SO PEOPLE LIKE THE ONES DISAGREEING WITH THE WAR ARE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO SPEAK THEIR MINDS. BUT THE ONE THING THAT TRULY UPSETS ME IS WE GIVE YOU TYHE RESPECT NOW GIVE HER SOME RESPECT AND LET HER REST IN PEACE AND SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO THE RIGHT FORUM. AMANDA HEAVEN AWAITS YOUR TRUE BEAUTY AND COURAGE. MAY YOUR FAMILY REALIZE EVEN THOUGH YOUR LIFE WAS SHORT ON THIS SIDE YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OUR HEAVENLY ANGEL. WE LOVE YOU!
8 Mike Amato // Apr 6, 2006 at
I’m a New Yorker. I happened upon this site while purusing the list of U.S. & Coalition/Casualties on CNN.com. I came across Amanda’s picture, and was struck by what a 21st century phenomenon it is to see female war casualties. I googled her name to find out more about her.
I just want the Pinsons to know that someone in NYC is thinking of Amanda in this difficult time, and wishing them the best.
9 Joan // Apr 6, 2006 at
I didn’t know Amanda but I heard about what happened to her from my nephew that called her a good friend while they were in Iraq. He sent me a picture of the memorial that they had for her. I looked at her beautiful face with that wonderful smile and knew that I had to let her family know that her untimely death has taken a toll on more people then you know. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
10 Timothy Jacques // Apr 9, 2006 at
God Bless you Amanda. May you be in the loving arms of Jesus.
11 marc // Apr 11, 2006 at
What a disgrace. As a combat veteran myself I understand the sacrifices that are made for duty, honor, country, but that we have sunk to this level, where beautiful women, daughters of our soil are killed to wage immoral and illegal wars based on lies makes me sick to my stomach.
I am very, very sorry for your loss, and as a father I cannot imagine your grief. I offer my sincerest sympathies to her family who will miss her every day for the rest of their lives, but for those who try to “honor” her by pretending that there was any reason for her senseless death, I feel only pity.
This has to stop.
Not one more loving child should be sacrificed for these criminals.
12 michael // Apr 14, 2006 at
Just want to say it hit the whole community that she belonged to pretty hard. I was in AIT with her back in 2003 in Texas, along with some other friends of mine and hers. I’m sorry this happened to your family and so many others.
13 Jennifer Shipley // Apr 15, 2006 at
Dear John,
I’m Amanda’s cousin, as you should know, from reading her articles on here & I have a few things I’d like to say to you - directly to you or anyone who feels the need to turn this into a political debate.
This woman, Sgt. Amanda Pinson, did not WASTE her life on ANYTHING. This is not about Iraq. This is about a SOLDIER; who, like many, over 100’s of years have fought so you could have your freedom of speech that you have chosen to use so disrespectfully here.
Yes, you’re absolutely right, she was attractive (we appreciate the compliment); but she was also EXTREMELY intelligent. Perhaps the fact that she was so intelligent would give most (including someone like yourself) the idea that she thought out her decision for a year before she made the final commitment to PROUDLY join the ranks of many in the United States Army.
Assuming, as you have so blatantly done, that her parents raised her to “love armies & war and think less of the consequences” will sadly teach you a fact; assuming only makes an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’. Amanda was a grown woman. Her Mother did not want her to join (had you done your research, you would have known this before you brought your disrespectful debate to this forum), but her thoughts were not to join the Army to FIGHT a WAR. Her intentions were to gain experience so she could join the CIA or FBI to help, once again, protect people like yourself. And this is how you repay her? You should be ashamed.
So, in theory, had you known her and not generalized her as JUST A SOLDIER FIGHTING SOME “NEEDLESS” WAR (which so many people are guilty of) AND done more research to back up any disrespectful theorized debates you have brought to this internet podium, you would have a different opinion. That I can promise you.
If you feel you can lock or chain your own child up, perhaps you need to refer back to the laws that this Country has. Perhaps you should also take into consideration that is precisely the types of things that were going on in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was their leader. That is not freedom; freedom is what was given to my cousin, Sgt. Amanda Pinson, by her Parents as a form of respect because she was a humane being; not a barnyard animal.
Once again, this is not about a war, this is about HER. My hopes are that you will take your opinions to a podium where they might not only be more accepted, but more appropriate and please, learn some manners. There is a time & place for everything; this is not the time nor the place.
Regards,
Jennifer Shipley
PROUD COUSIN OF SGT AMANDA PINSON
If you’d like to “debate” this any further; please contact me at jenn@allthingsmetal.net. I will hope that Chuck does not allow anymore disrespectful posts to be posted here in the future.
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Dear Marc -
Your comment, “but for those who try to “honor” her by pretending that there was any reason for her senseless death, I feel only pity.”…
Pity me. I will be honoring her for the rest of my life, as will countless others & we will be proud in doing so. She deserved as much.
Regards,
Jennifer Shipley
PROUDLY HONORING SGT AMANDA PINSON
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For the rest of you? Thank you. Your words are taken into heart and immortalized in our own very souls for eternity.