By Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Washington Post News Service
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon on Thursday identified the two U.S. soldiers killed Wednesday in southern Afghanistan when their convoy was hit by a vehicle packed with explosives. The two men were paratroopers and on their first deployment.
Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), the representative of Fort Bragg, released the following statement on the deaths of Specialist Christopher M. Harris of Jackson Springs and Sergeant Jonathon M. Hunter of Columbus, Indiana, both infantrymen assigned to 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division who were killed in an attack in Afghanistan:
“When Americans hear the news that a soldier has died, we all grieve together. Unfortunately, with the death of Chris Harris, it hits too close to home. My wife Renee and I join our community in mourning this overwhelming loss. Chris’s death has left a void for his family that can’t be filled, but we pray that God brings them peace and comfort. We also pray for the family of Jonathan Hunter and all of our Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division.
“Chris and Jonathan gave their lives protecting our country, and for that we are eternally grateful. This is a grave reminder of the dangers our men and women in uniform face every day in the ongoing fight to defeat terrorism and protect the United States. We will never forget them or their sacrifice.”
