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Fort Lewis soldier lost in Iraq laid to rest

Apr-16-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

[Link to Full Article] Includes a picture.
The Associated Press

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Army Spc. Tyanna Avery-Felder, a Fort Lewis soldier killed during the war in Iraq, was remembered Thursday as a fighter, a friend and a hero.

"Although we are sad at her passing, we are exceptionally proud of her and of her service," Gov. John Rowland told those gathered for her funeral inside Mount Aery Baptist Church. "Our world is a better and safer place because of individuals like Tyanna. We are forever in her debt."

Family, friends and clergy members filled every pew at the church. Her parents, Ray and Ilene Avery, and husband, Army Spc. Adrian Felder, sat quietly and listened as mourners spoke of her strength, infectious smile and kind heart.

"Tyanna was my soldier and I knew her very well," said Sgt. Thomas Smith Jr., who was stationed with Avery-Felder at Fort Lewis. "She was a daughter to me. She even called me Dad.

"I can tell you she was a joy to be around," he said, fighting back tears. "She was respected and loved by her military family."

Avery-Felder, 22, who grew up in Bridgeport, was killed April 7 when the truck she was in hit a makeshift bomb a week before she was scheduled to go on leave to visit her family in back home.


Comments For "Fort Lewis soldier lost in Iraq laid to rest":

God comfort her family. I am so sorry for their loss.

Posted by: Sherrie | April 16, 2004 11:54 AM

SPC Felder was quite a squared away soldier who brought smiles to many of our faces.. She was one of my Husbands Soldiers when he was here and he was tore up by her Death.. He said she was a wonderful soldier with alot of ambition and she was going places.. She was wonderful to my 4 yo daughter and she always smiled even when she was mad or upset... May she rest in Eternal Peace..
Jen And SGT Wiedemann

Posted by: Jennifer Wiedemann | April 16, 2004 6:22 PM

(HI Mrs. Weidemann!) my hubby, SSG Anderson is pretty upset, too- He had been on the same team as Felder until just before he went overseas.
He would have been out there with them....

Posted by: Jocelyn Anderson | April 16, 2004 11:02 PM

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