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Scholarship fund to honor Georgia soldier killed in Iraq

By Tom Regan, WSB-TV
By Tom Regan, WSB-TV

Gov. Nathan Deal ordered flags to fly half-staff at all state buildings, calling it a mark of respect for a Georgia soldier killed in action.

First Lt. Weston Lee, 25, of Bluffton, Georgia, died while on patrol in Mosul, Iraq. The body of the 25-year-old paratrooper arrived home Friday morning.

His close friend told Channel 2's Tom Regan the loss is hard to put into words.

Joshua Walker told Regan he's proud to speak about his selfless, courageous friend. The two were fraternity brothers and both served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Walker recalls his shock and profound sadness on learning his friend was killed by a bomb while on patrol in Mosul in April.

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“He was your ideal army officer, so it just kinda ripped my heart wide open,” Walker said. “I had to immediately go to my friends who were also close to him for support."

Both men attended the officer's training program at the University of North Georgia.

Walker said Weston deployed to Iraq a couple of months ago as a paratrooper platoon leader who supervised security patrols and training. They exchanged messages the day before he was killed.

"Iraq is not a safe place," Walker said. "But's that exactly what he wanted to do. And he was dedicated to every aspect of his life to be an army officer. He was right where he wanted to be."

He said Weston worked hard, trained and demonstrated the character of a true leader.

"A great friend," Walker said. "He would do anything if you called him up."

"I honestly believe if he made a career of the army, 20 plus years, you would be reading about his leadership," Walker said.

Walker and others have established a scholarship fund at the University of North Georgia in memory of Weston.

You can donate to the fund HERE. 

A memorial service will take place Saturday in the Mangham Auditorium at Early County High School at 2 p.m.

Cox Media Group

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