Michigan
For soldier killed in Iraq, serving was about ‘doing something good’
A Michigan minister whose son was killed in Iraq recalls the 24-year-old Army officer as devoted to God and country.
An insurgent attack in Baghdad on Aug. 17 claimed the life of 1st Lt. Jonathan Edds of White Pigeon, Mich.
Barry Edds, minister at the White Pigeon church, described his son as a faithful church member who was active at the West Point, N.Y., church while attending the U.S. Military Academy.
“If you went to the church at West Point, you found John leading the song service or serving communion or, on occasion or two, even doing the message,” Barry Edds said.
While at West Point, Jonathan Edds met Laura, his wife of two years, through an instructor who attended the West Point church.
The soldier was training for his new job as the scout platoon leaderwhen his vehicle was attacked just four days after his transfer fromYusifiah, Iraq.
Edds’ family described him as humble and caring.
“Jonathan was a loving person, but he was a strong person,” said Julia Edds, his mother. “Jonathan loved people, and he wanted the best for everybody.”
After a five-hour funeral visitation that drew hundreds of mourners, his parents said they realized just how many lives he had touched.
Julia Edds recalled that the funeral director told the family, “In all the years that I’ve been here … I’ve never seen that many people come to this place for something like this.”
Barry Edds said his son’s dream was to be governor of Michigan, but his military service and political ambitions were not about himself.
Rather, “it was about doing something good,” his father said.
The parents said they’re leaning on God at this difficult time.
“Our prayer has been that the Lord might be glorified in John’s death the same as he was glorified in his life,” Barry Edds said.
An insurgent attack in Baghdad on Aug. 17 claimed the life of 1st Lt. Jonathan Edds of White Pigeon, Mich.
Barry Edds, minister at the White Pigeon church, described his son as a faithful church member who was active at the West Point, N.Y., church while attending the U.S. Military Academy.
“If you went to the church at West Point, you found John leading the song service or serving communion or, on occasion or two, even doing the message,” Barry Edds said.
While at West Point, Jonathan Edds met Laura, his wife of two years, through an instructor who attended the West Point church.
The soldier was training for his new job as the scout platoon leaderwhen his vehicle was attacked just four days after his transfer fromYusifiah, Iraq.
Edds’ family described him as humble and caring.
“Jonathan was a loving person, but he was a strong person,” said Julia Edds, his mother. “Jonathan loved people, and he wanted the best for everybody.”
After a five-hour funeral visitation that drew hundreds of mourners, his parents said they realized just how many lives he had touched.
Julia Edds recalled that the funeral director told the family, “In all the years that I’ve been here … I’ve never seen that many people come to this place for something like this.”
Barry Edds said his son’s dream was to be governor of Michigan, but his military service and political ambitions were not about himself.
Rather, “it was about doing something good,” his father said.
The parents said they’re leaning on God at this difficult time.
“Our prayer has been that the Lord might be glorified in John’s death the same as he was glorified in his life,” Barry Edds said.
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