Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA (WACH) -- "I still remember what I was eating for dinner when the news came,” says Jan Dunkin of learning the news that her son, Army Sgt. Shawn M. Dunkin had been killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007.

Sgt. Dunkin’s Military career started in January, 2001.  Jan Dunkin remembers how she found out that her then 19 year old son had enlisted.  Sgt. Duncan called his mother on the phone, told her the news, and then said “Can you tell Dad?”

It was from that moment that the Dunkin’s felt nothing but pride for their son, and his decision to defend the Country.  Sgt. Dunkin went through basic training at Fort Knox, and trained as a cavalry scout.

Sgt. Dunkin deployed to Iraq in 2003, and when his first enlistment was over, without hesitation, he reenlisted, and was assigned to the 10^th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY in 2005.

On February 19, 2007, while on a patrol in Iraq, Sgt. Dunkin, along with Pfc. Matthew C. Bowie and Pfc. Adare W. Cleveland were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) struck their vehicle.

Since that day, the Dunkins remember their son as a hero, and although grieve their loss, they feel an overwhelming pride for his service to the country, knowing that there was no other place he would have been.  Jan Dunkin remembers a statement her son made during a Skype chat shortly before he was killed.  “Either I will fight here, and I am trained, or you will fight it at home, and you’re not.”

Sgt. Shawn M. Dunkin is one of 47 Midlands First Responders who will be honored and memorialized on the First Responders Memorial being unveiled on September 11, 2011.  The memorial will bear the names of those it honors, who have given their lives in service since September 11, 2001.

The unveiling ceremony will begin at 3:00 pm, and include comments by Governor Nikki Haley, fly overs by Military F-16s and J Hawks, and a presentation to the families of the 47 First Responders. 

You can find out more about the project by logging onto www.SCRemembers911.com.