This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/8459 Message Board Post: Rockdale Reporter, Thur., 10 Mar 2005 "Grandson of longtime local resident killed in Iraq" The war in Iraq has reached closer to Rockdale than ever before as the 19-year-old grandson of a longtime resident was killed in a Baghdad suburb. Army Pvt . 2nd Class Landon Scott Giles, grandson of Alyne Yoakum, died Feb. 26 when a homemade bomb went off while he was on patrol. Giles, a resident of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and Pfc. Min Choi, 21, of River GilesVale, New Jersey, were killed in the blast. Giles was the son of former Rockdale resident Kim (Todd) Giles of Gurdon, Arkansas. “Landon always took up for the underdog,” his mother said in a news conference, held at an Arkansas National Guard Armory. “I believe that’s why he was in Iraq.” = = = = = KATV - Little Rock, AR "Arkansas Soldier Killed in Weekend Blast" Gurdon, AR - Family and friends are mourning the loss of an Arkansas soldier who was killed in Iraq. Private Landon Giles of Gurdon served with the army. He was based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. His family lives in Gurdon in Clark County. While everyone is looking forward to our troops coming home soon, the loss hits home in Clark County. Nineteen-year-old Private Landon Scott Giles was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was among two U.S. soldiers killed in a bomb blast over the weekend in Iraq. Military officials say a U.S. patrol was hit by homemade bombs, similar to the attacks that have been happening all over the region. Private Giles graduated from Arkadelphia High School last May. The news of his death was unbelievable to those who knew him. He is remembered as a good student and a courageous young man. Here at the Clark County Courthouse, flags are flying at half-staff in Private Giles' Honor. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized.