Family prepares for Afghan vet's funeral
By GENE ZALESKI, T&D Staff Writer Thursday, September 24, 2009A son, brother, friend, soldier and gentleman will be laid to rest with complete military honors Friday afternoon.
Specialist Demetrius Lamont Void, 20, died Sept. 15 at the Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan from injuries sustained when a military vehicle struck him during physical training.
His brother, Tacobi Void, expressed his appreciation for the support the family has received over the past week.
“It has shown me what a great person my brother was in his 20 short years of life,” Void said. “It shows not only was he a good person, but people appreciated what he did representing this country.”
Military families from Texas, Georgia and Afghanistan have reached out through cards, letters and phone calls. Also, a number of state officials including Gov. Mark Sanford have called the family offering their condolences.
“It has meant a lot,” Tacobi Void said.
Void was assigned in April 2008 to the 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas. He was in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
He was a decorated military man. His awards and recognitions included the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.
The military said the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation and could not provide any further comment.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in South Carolina State University’s Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. A public viewing will be held from noon until about 2 p.m.
Pastor Odell Simpson and Minister JoAnne Owens will officiate. Friends and family will have an opportunity to provide remarks and a eulogy will be offered. Ray Charles’ version of “America the Beautiful” will be sung.
Burial will be at Orangeburg’s Belleville Memorial Gardens Cemetery with military procession, a 21-gun salute and “Taps.”
Visitation will be held today from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home in St. George. A wake will be held at Orangeburg’s Simmons Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.
T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.
To subscribe to the print edition of The Times and Democrat, click here.
