On March 16, 2006, American lost one of its best. Sgt. Amanda Pinson was killed in a mortar attack.

We are deeply saddened for the loss of SGT Amanda Pinson. We are all still in shock. Amanda was a great soldier and an even better person. We all know where Amanda must be now. Amanda was already an angel and loved by all who knew her. We who knew Amanda are all devastated and heartbroken and she will never be forgotten.

I knew Amanda personally. Amanda was a 98C Signals Intelligence Analyst. Although I am the Senior 98C working in the same unit Amanda did not work directly for me yet I still often spoke with her and she often came to me for advice on many different matters. Although all of our soldiers are precious to us Amanda was like a daughter to me and she will always be loved and remain in my thoughts, prayers, and in my heart. I will forever miss hearing Amanda calling me Old Man.

Amanda will always be loved and missed by those who knew her. Amanda was always funny, full of laughter, and quite the jokester too. She always made everyone’s day a better day. Amanda set the example for all to live by. If only all people conducted themselves in this manner we would all be in a better place. We who knew Amanda are all truly blessed to have known her and all hope to one day be good enough to see her again.

I along with many other Rear Detachment soldiers from Amanda’s unit went to St. Louis to meet Amanda’s family, pay our respects, and attend her funeral. It was the saddest moment in my life yet the most rewarding. The attendance by those who loved and knew her and the support of the local community were truly amazing and emotional. I would like to thank Amanda’s family for their hospitality and their graciousness that they showed us in their own time of mourning. They are truly wonderful loving people just like Amanda.

V/R,
Stuart K. Bailey
101st ABN DIV

Read all the posts about this remarkable young American at this link.

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.