-
Mar 28, 2008 6:24 am US/Central
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
North St. Paul Soldier Killed By Sniper In Iraq
NORTH ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) ―
A soldier from North St. Paul has died in Iraq, relatives announced Thursday night. Army Spec. Gregory B. Rundell, 21, was killed by a sniper Wednesday while manning a guard tower at a base just north of Baghdad, they said.
Rundell was part of a striker brigade and left for Iraq in December. Now his family is grieving but also remembering him as a son, a fighter and now their hero.
According to his family, Rundell was inside a guard tower at a U.S. military base North of Baghdad when he was hit by sniper fire and died.
His family said he just wanted to be a police officer when he grew up and thought fighting the war in Iraq would make him a better one. Instead, it ended up costing him his life.
Rundell was a graduate of North St. Paul High School and had been in Iraq for about three months. His mother said he joined the Army in 2005.
"I would like you all to know that Greg was a good kid," said Joann Richardson, Rundell's mother.
The news of her son's death is still so fresh, her emotions so raw and the memories of her son are still vivid in her mind.
"He had a smile and gentle spirit that drew many people to him," said Richardson.
Rundell was a helper, she said, who just wanted to make his family proud and his country proud too. That's why he went to war.
"When he told me about his decision to join the Army, it broke my heart because I knew this day might come," said his mother.
Rundell's family said there was nothing he could do to stop from getting hit, but they believe there is something they can do now to honor him.
"I want all our troops to be supported," said Richardson.
That's why his mother and family spoke on Thursday night, even before the Department of Defense officially released information about her son's death.
"I believe Greg gave the ultimate sacrifice. He is a hero in my heart and life. I stand tall and brave, because my son stood tall and brave," Richardson said.
Sgt. Kyle Richardson of the Minnesota National Guard, who recently returned from Iraq, was among four of Rundell's siblings who also attended the news conference at the St. Paul National Guard Armory.
"He knew what the risks were. He believed in a cause that was greater than his own," Kyle Richardson said.
Rundell was due to serve about another year in Iraq. His family said he planned to go to college after he got out of the Army to become a police officer.
Funeral arrangements were still being planned.
Rundell was the 72nd person with strong Minnesota ties to die in connection with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
His family has set up a memorial fund in his name. People can donate to the fund at any Postal Credit Union in care of Specialist Gregory B. Rundell.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)