MSG Jared Neville Van Aalst

MSG Jared Neville Van Aalst August 4, 2010 LACONIA, NH— Master Sergeant Jared Neville Van Aalst, 34, a native of Laconia, NH, was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 4, 2010, during his sixth combat deployment. Visitation will be Friday, August 20, 2010 at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd., Columbus, GA from 9 a.m to noon and from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday August 21, 2010 at Edgewood Baptist Church, 3564 Forrest Rd., Columbus, GA. He will be laid to rest amongst his brothers-in-arms at Arlington National Cemetery on August 25, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Katie of Pinehurst, NC, and daughters Kaylie and Ava; his parents Neville and Nancy Van Aalst of Hawthorne, FL; sister Lynn Durant of Franklin, NH; brother Kurt Van Aalst of Plymouth, NH; brother Keith Van Aalst of Anaheim, CA; and maternal grandmother Pauline Metevier of Santa Monica, CA. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Charles Van Aalst, his paternal grandmother and step-grandfather Clarene and George Churchill, and his maternal grandfather, Homer J. Metevier. MSG Van Aalst was a special operations team member stationed at Fort Bragg, NC with U. S. Army Special Operations Command. He served with the 75th Ranger Regiment as a signal support systems specialist, an infantryman, sniper team leader and platoon sergeant. He also served with the US Army Marksmanship Unit and was the Chief Instructor of US Army Sniper School. A highly decorated Soldier, he posthumously received his third Purple Heart Medal, a Bronze Star Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. His full biography can be found at http://news.soc.mil, under the archived press releases for August. Condolences or flowers may be offered at friendsofjva@gmail.com ">www.shcolumbus.com. To share stories and photos, email friendsofjva@gmail.com