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David Collins Obituary
News Obituary Article
Pickens County soldier among fatalities in Iraq
By MIKE MORRIS
A soldier from Pickens County was among three members of the 101st Airborne Division killed this week in Iraq.
Specialist David S. Collins, 24, of Jasper and Sgt. First Class Randall L. Lamberson of Springfield, Mo., were fatally injured when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle during combat operations in Al Anbar Province on Sunday, officials at Fort Campbell, Ky., said Wednesday.
Collins died following the attack, and Lamberson died Monday from his injuries. A third soldier from Fort Campbell, Spec. James W. Gardner of Glasgow, Ky., died in Tal Afar of a non-combat-related gunshot wound on Monday, according to Army officials.
Collins' father, Jack Collins of Talking Rock, said his son, who enlisted in the Army in 2002, was on his second tour in Iraq.
"Though it is natural to look forward to rejoining your loved ones at home, David felt that his service in the Army was critically important --- so important that he re-enlisted during his first tour there," Jack Collins said in a statement released by the Army on Wednesday. "We are devastated by his loss, but extremely proud of his courage and bravery."
Tommy Qualls, principal at Pickens County High School in Jasper, said David Collins was in the school's band and vocational agriculture program.
"He was just a good kid; nobody had anything bad to say about him," Qualls said. "He was just one of our boys."
David Collins also is survived by his wife, Mara; and children, Elizabeth and James, of Fort Campbell; and his mother, Marsha Dean of Jasper.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
© 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Memories and Condolences
for David Collins
Peggy Childers
April 9, 2012
To the family and friends of Spc. David S. Collins:
Always remembering David. "Some gave all."
Bill Gaskin
May 27, 2011
Memorial Day is about more than long weekends, cookouts and auto racing... but if you are reading this, you already know that. This weekend, my thoughts are with the family of David Collins. I will not forget... that is a promise.
Peggy Childers
April 14, 2011
April 9, 2011
To the family and friends of Spc. David S. Collins:
Please accept my remembrance of David on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
L Neal
April 7, 2011
To the family of Spc. David S. Collins:
Please know that just as your loved one remains in your hearts and minds; his sacrifice, and that of your family, remains with the people he died defending. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for his bravery and selflessness, or the heartache we feel for your loss. God bless and keep you always.
November 29, 2010
David you are so missed. You were a great friend to me while serving at Ft. Campbell. My heart was SO hurt when I got the news that you had left us. You may be gone but are certainly NOT forgotten.
Your friend,
Maryanne Bequette
Peggy Childers
April 10, 2010
To the family and friends of Spc. David S. Collins:
Remembering David on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Kenna Larra
April 20, 2009
”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,450 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna
Peggy Childers
April 10, 2009
To the family of Spc. David S. Collins:
David gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
May 28, 2008
You are remembered and respected. Thank you Spc Collins!
April 9, 2008
Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers today.
The Wind on The Downs
“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”
(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )
Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….
“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”
Please contact me and I will email you
back a copy of the Angel drawing I have
posted here.
I did not know David, but he is my hero.
xo xo
Debra Estep - Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom and MIL
Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55
November 13, 2007
he was a good man thankyou!
Ron Witt
September 30, 2007
May God bless the family of David. Give you the strength to carry on and the love to know that David lives with God now. He isn't gone, he is just absent, and you'll be reunited with him .
KIMBERLY HERNDON
September 29, 2007
YOU ARE SORELY MISSED AND YOUR MOM SO DEARLY MISSES YOU. YOU BECAME SOMETHING WE NEVER WILL BE AND THAT WILL BE A LEGACY TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND CHILDREN WE LOVE YOU AND MIS YOU DAVID,REST WITH GOD.
August 16, 2007
There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.
Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.
I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.
REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!
PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)
July 27, 2007
Thank you for the sacrifice made by Spc Collins and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!
May 29, 2007
love to you all...
Pat Lyons
May 25, 2007
THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD IN CUMMING, GA. WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW AN ENGRAVED BRICK WITH DAVID'S NAME, RANK AND DATE OF DEATH WAS PLACED IN OUR COURTYARD OF REMEMBRANCE LAST YEAR.
THE DONOR WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS BUT WE HOPE YOU WILL COME BY AND SEE HIS BRICK, LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH, IF YOU ARE EVER IN THE AREA.
josh winemiller
May 16, 2007
david trained me to be the best of everything i do n wouldnt let me slack at anything being a member of his squad! and today i am a important part of the reaper platoon! we lost a member of our squad on dec 29th 05 my roommate teewia and then david in april 06! it hit me so hard cause one my last memories were of us in the guard tower together and he said to me" i just want to go home and be with my kid and wife". i was one of the 4 that carried davids body to the chopper for our last time together! i got alot of closure for that ! david lose is felt deep down in our stomaches and i proud to have his initial on my arm inside a tattoo in his memory and with the other 2 fallen reapers in our platoon!
MSG Bill Gaskin, USAF
April 23, 2007
David, you have not been forgotten, my Brother. I thank you for my freedom, for my family's freedom. We will remember. Always.
Garnet Jenkins
April 9, 2007
Please know how Deeply Sorry I was to learn of the loss of Spc. David S. Collins, one year ago.
The price this Brave Young Soldier and his family have paid for this country and for freedom, Will Never Be Forgotten.
May David rest safely in the Loving Care of God and know that he is a True American Hero.
May the Grace and Comfort of the Lord continue to be with the Collins family.
There will Never be Enough Ways to Humbly Thank these Young Heroes for their Sacrifices, my brother among them. Killed in action in Vietnam, 1967.
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord,
and He shall sustain thee."
~ Psalm 55:22 ~
May the Peace of God and your memories of David, remain in your heart always.
May this give you comfort and strength through the difficult days. Hope is not only the light we carry within, it is also what often carries us through...
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Stephanie Barfield
October 30, 2006
Be Still
Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.
Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.
If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.
May God Bless your family during this time. I Lost my brother 9/1/05
in Iraq (Ssgt. George R. Drauhn Jr.)I promise the days will get easier!
Vito Cross
July 5, 2006
May God grant him journey mercy
Sara Fowler
May 8, 2006
To the Family of David,
Please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss of your son / husband. No words can comfort, only time and faith. You are in my prayers.
Jacob Edwards
April 27, 2006
Thank you David Collins for all you have done for this country. To His Family Thank you all and may god bless you
7th grade Louisburg Middle School
April 26, 2006
We care and share in your sorrow
Jonathan Rolfe
April 23, 2006
I did not know Specialist Collins, but I want to express my deepest thanks for his service. He served his country well and my heart goes out to Mara, Elizabeth and James. My thoughts and prayers are with you and we will not forget SPC Collin's sacrifice.
John Shimp
April 23, 2006
Collins family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I was his platoon leader for his first deployment. As a matter of fact, I re-enlisted him. He was a good soldier. He kept the spirits up in the platoon when morale was down. To his wife, I am hurting for you. I will be praying for you, stay strong, if you ever need anything do not be afraid to email or call. Again I am so sorry.
CPT John Shimp
ROBYN GARSIDE
April 22, 2006
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH WORDS ON THIS EARTH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO YOU. HOLD ON TIGHT TO YOUR PRECIOUS MEMORIES THAT YOU WILL KEEP HIS SHINING SMILE ALIVE. KNOW THAT DADDY WAS A HERO. HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. I HOPE PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL. SEMPER FI
Stephanie Duncan
April 21, 2006
Collins family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. David will forever be remembered by his community and his country as a hero for the ultimate sacrifice he has made for his country. Having a two year old of my own and having grown up in the same community as David, his loss quickly reminds us of the war that is so easily forgotten in our daily routine. May God bless you all, especially David's children. Time will only make his loss bearable and may you find comfort in the arms of God, your family, and your friends.
Jill Logan
April 20, 2006
Mara, Elizabeth,and James
Nakia and I knew your daddy very well. He is loved and will be deeply missed. Mara you know if you ever need anything just let us know. David will be watching over everybody that he loved. We will really miss him.
Autumn Jordan
April 19, 2006
MARA & Elizabeth,
hello I heard what happend David was a really cool guy and I can't ever thank you enough for letting me stay at your house. The church and I are praying for all of you. Elizabeth you have grown up so big and tall you are such a beautiful little girl maybe one day when where in town you and my little girl can play she is only 5 1/2 months old she'll be 6 months on the 28th.James I never got to meet you but just to let you know your father was an awsome guy he always new the good jokes. mara stay strong and if you need anything e-mail me at [email protected] I'll write back send your address to that e-mail the church and I would like to send you and the kids some gifts
If you wouldn't mind that is.
Tom Gugliuzza-Smith
April 18, 2006
My heartfelt sympathy to the Collins family in the loss of David. I did not know David, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers.David my heart was touched by the things I read about you. You are a hero and you will never be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom
To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"
~Robert Orr~
Tarah Cupit
April 18, 2006
Dear Lynn, Sammy and Tammy: I'm sorry for your loss. You raised a wonderful man. Your son is loved and missed by so many.
Elizabeth and James: know that your father loved you, and take comfort knowing that he is watching over you every day.
Mara, my friend: know that you are not alone. Your husband is still with you in your heart and watches over you still.
The Tabin Family
April 18, 2006
Our thoughts are with you now and always at this really hard time. SPC Collins will really be missed by his mortar family. He is an angel watching over his precious children. God bless you now and always.
christy holt
April 18, 2006
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
April 17, 2006
To the Family of Spc. David S. Collins:
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courgeous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guestbook for the rest of my life. We lost a son 12/1/05.
I know first hand there are no words right now that will bring you the comfort and peace you need. Just know that you are not alone. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all as you mourn this loss. We don't know each other, will probably never meet, but will forever be united in the loss of our Heroes. We have, unfortunately joined a group none of us wanted to join, an ever-growing group of families in this situation. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and be able once again to smile at a memory rather than have only the tears that flow so easily now. To be so proud of your loved one and so saddened at the same time is a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with. I am sorry that I never knew your soldier personally, but none of these courageous men and women will be forgotten. They will never be able to be replaced, but sometime, someday your loving memories will help to sustain you. This courageous soldier will forever now be your Angel watching over you all for the rest of your lives. It's what brings me some measure of peace and comfort and I hope it will you as well. To his family and friends in pain, I offer this comfort. When you find yourself in that dark sorrowful place, think not only of how you will miss him, but instead recall the years, days, hours and minutes gifted to you by his presence. If you ever want to talk, I'm only an e:mail away and would love for you to tell me more about your Hero. God Bless this courageous soldier and family.
Pam Adams (SFC Brent Adams, KIA 12/1/05 Ramadi, Iraq)
[email protected]
(Millersville, PA )
Karen Wyman
April 16, 2006
Mara,
My heart just aches for you, Elizabeth and James. David was a hero, and we are so proud of him. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Katherine Pentek Milosevich
April 15, 2006
Dear Dave Collins and Family, we have never met but our connections are deep. May you find peace and solice in the Lord, and God Bless you for defending our freedom. My nephew Zach is in the 1 506 right now in Ramadi with you. Our prayers are with you forever and you will never be forgotten. Thank you for your strength, honor and being so valiant. You are our hero.
Henryk Zaleski (USN-Ret)
April 15, 2006
Rest in peace at your last post in paradise.
Pat Canfall
April 15, 2006
My condolences to the Collins family. David may you rest in peace. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. You have earned your golden halo and wings. May you continue to soar in the heavenly clouds up above.
Debra Michaud
April 13, 2006
To the family of Spc. David Collins
My deepest sympathy to you. I lost my son in-law, Lcpl Nickolas Schiavoni on 11/15/06 and I feel your pain. They are gone but never forgotten. May they rest in peace.
Dianne Werner
April 13, 2006
To the family of Spc. David S. Collins--I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and peace in Jesus' loving arms
A Proud 172 Stryker Mom
Dianne Werner
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