In the rural expanse of Waycross, Georgia, a solemn commemoration unfolded on Saturday, marking the departure of two young comrades-in-arms from the earthly realm. The poignant ceremonies, separated by 161 kilometers, paid homage to Sgt. Kennedy Sanders and Sgt. Breonna Moffett, who met their untimely demise in a drone strike during their deployment to the Middle East, an event that transpired almost three weeks prior.
The reverential gathering for 24-year-old Sgt. Kennedy Sanders transpired within the confines of the capacious 1,200-seat auditorium at Ware County Middle School. As the congregation mourned, fellow soldiers reminisced about Sanders’ valiance, her affectionate disposition, and her unwavering readiness to undertake arduous assignments. Tasks that found few takers, such as mastering the operation of earth-moving machinery for the construction of roads and shelters, were willingly shouldered by Sanders, as reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Colonel Jeffrey Dulgarian, delivering poignant words during the service, remarked that beneath Sanders’ amiable countenance lay a resolute determination. Her duties were approached with not only vigor but also with consummate skill. Mandy Lingenfelter, Sanders’ former basketball coach, recollected her as a formidable point guard for Ware County High’s Lady Gators. Lingenfelter confessed the difficulty of reprimanding her, owing to Sanders’ perpetual smile and pure exuberance. A devotion to faith, prioritizing others above oneself, defined Sanders’ character.
Simultaneously, in Savannah, a parallel farewell unfolded for Sgt. Breonna Moffett at a Baptist church. The intimate ceremony, attended by family, was deliberately shielded from media presence at the family’s behest.
The destinies of Sanders and Moffett intersected tragically on January 28, succumbing to a drone strike alongside Staff Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, near the Syrian border at a US base in Jordan. The trio, members of the 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, based at Fort Moore in west Georgia, posthumously received promotions.
Both Sanders and Moffett enlisted in 2019 as construction engineers, deploying their skills with bulldozers and heavy equipment for infrastructure development. Their camaraderie deepened during their Middle East deployment, transcending the bounds of duty.
Moffett, outside her military service, contributed to society by working in Savannah for United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia, aiding individuals with disabilities in acquiring life skills, including cooking. A graduate of Windsor Forest High School, where she excelled as a drum major and JROTC cadet, Moffett’s commitment extended beyond the military realm. Her life was cut short just days after celebrating her 23rd birthday.
Sanders, hailing from Waycross, found purpose not only in her military role but also in local community engagement. Employed at a pharmacy, the former high school athlete dedicated spare moments to coaching children’s basketball and soccer teams. In a poignant conversation with her mother, Sanders expressed aspirations of acquiring a motorcycle upon her return.
The demise of these three Georgia reservists marked a somber milestone, attributing the fatalities to Iran-backed militia groups. This tragedy unfolded after months of heightened attacks on US forces in the region following the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October. The drone strike, occurring at Tower 22, a clandestine US military outpost facilitating entry and exit from Syria, resulted in the loss of lives and injuries to over 40 troops.