Griffin Soldier Jeremy Faulkner Killed in Afghanistan

ATLANTA - A soldier who grew up in the Griffin area has died in Afghanistan. A family member said Wednesday that 23-year-old Jeremy Faulkner was serving with the 101st Airboe and was in the eleventh month of his deployment.

Jeremy Faulkner's family said the Griffin High School graduate had hoped to make a career of his military service.

Faulkner's family said he was just days away from a promotion to Private First Class and was excited about becoming an uncle in a few short months.

The harsh reality of war reverberated in Nadine Faulkner's voice as she explained to a friend that her only grandson, Private Jeremy Faulkner, was killed in Afghanistan.

"He was a remarkable young man who loved Christ and attended Liberty Baptist Church," said Faulkner.

The 23-year-old from Griffin is described as a happy kid who loved life and took pride in serving in the military.

Pvt. Faulkner was a paratrooper assigned to the 101st Airboe and was on track, according to family, to become a Ranger. Pvt. Faulkner had already eaed a combat ribbon and was an expert marksman.

"My first impression is it can't be good," said Pvt. Faulkner's stepfather, Tony Berry.

Berry he had hoped for the best, but feared the worst when representatives from the Army rang his family's Griffin doorbell Tuesday.

"All they could tell us was his vehicle was hit by small arms fire," said Berry.

Pvt. Faulkner's family said the Griffin High graduate was a true patriot who had given his life to Christ and died serving the country he loved.

"Jeremy was a unique person he might have made you mad at some point time, but you couldn't but love him when he walked away," said Berry.

Private Faulkner was very close to his mother, Judy and he had talked with her on the phone as recently as Sunday. Faulkner's mother received an e-mail from him Monday, just hours before he was killed.