LHS Graduate Killed by Suicide Bomb in Afghanistan
Condolences are streaming in on the Facebook Page of Maj. W. David Gray, a 1992 Loganville High School graduate, killed in action in Afghanistan on Aug. 8, 2012.
Update: The U.S. Department of Defense has put out the following official release.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Maj. Walter D. Gray, 38, of Conyers, Ga., died Aug. 8 from injuries suffered during a suicide bomb attack in Kunar province, Afghanistan. Gray was assigned to the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Carson, Colo.
Condolences are streaming in on the Facebook page of Maj. W. David Gray, a member of the USAF killed in action in Afghanistan. The Public Affairs Office out of Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. has confirmed that Maj. Walter D. Gray, 38, was KIA in Afghanistan on Aug. 8, 2012 as a result of a suicide bomb. According to the Public Affairs office out of Peterson Air Force Base, Gray was attached to Moody Air Force Base out of Georgia.
Patch columnist, Jeff Allen, a former classmate of Gray, said he heard the news last night, but was unable to officially confirm it at the time. This morning, Gray’s facebook page lit up as condolences began pouring in from all over the country, including from many of Gray’s former classmates from Loganville High School. He was known to his friends by his middle name, David.
Allen wrote on his Facebook page, “Bad news out of Afghanistan this morning. Looks like Loganville might have lost one of its finest sons to a coward with an IED. Please pray for the family of USAF Maj. David Gray.”
On his Facebook page, Gray lists his hometown as Loganville, Ga. The military has his home listed as Conyers, Ga. Gray leaves a wife and three young children.
Carolyn Feldkamp Woods, another of Gray’s LHS classmates, wrote the following prayer on Gray's Facebook page:
Dear Lord, Thank you for our men and women in our US troops serving our country! Please reward the ones that are with you, that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and peace. Lord, Please comfort the family and friends of David Gray today so that they may know that he is with you! Give them love and peace for their loss here. I ask one thing - that his wife, Heather, and their 3 children be loved, cared for, and to surround them with love and heavenly angels of peace. Thank you Lord for allowing those who knew David to have the time with such a wonderful, spirited man for the time that we had with him. Bless his family now and until they meet again.
In YOUR Heavenly Name - Amen
LHS - Class of 1992 thankful for a member of our class, remembering him today - W. David Gray
Gray is the second LHS graduate to die in action. In 2005, Sgt. Michael Stokely was killed by an IED in Iraq.
Patch will follow-up as more information becomes available.
Tim
5:54 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
My Condolences to the family who lost this Hero. I pray that God will surround them with His Love and Comfort in this very sad time.
Sally Conig
6:03 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Please let us know as a community what we can do to show our support.
Maverick Pirtle
7:31 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
I am certain that the angels in Heaven gave David a hero's welcome.
Laura Woody
8:50 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Gray family. David gave his life for his country and Loganville has lost another great solider!
Joe Wright
9:10 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Words can not begin to describe what a devasting loss this is. Please keep David's family in your prayers. I miss my friend.
Jennifer Crane
9:47 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Much love given to the whole Gray family. A heavy heart today with many thoughts of his family. We have lost a wonderful man as heaven has gained a wonderful angel.
Cyndicadyd
10:14 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
My heart is breaking for his family, friends and military comrades. My prayers are with them at this terrible time.
Bill greene
10:21 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
John15:12-14 This is my commandment That ye love one another,as I have loved you.Greater love hath no man than this,that a man lay down his life for his friends.Ye are my friends,if ye do whatsoever I command you. David you gave your life willingly so that I could live my life free to do what so ever I choose to. Jesus gave his life for us and you gave yours for your God , your Country , and Your Family You fought and died for us , for what you believed in , to make the world a better place . I salute you sir and thank you from the bottom of my heart , The world has lost a great man and you will be missed for a long time to come , may God richly bless your wife and children and comfort them as only he can, guard , guide, and protect them along with your fellow service men and women.until we meet again on Gods celestial shore, thanks for the memories, you will never be forgotten, my friend!!!!!
Chris Saldana
10:34 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
I love you David! I will never forget you! I will honor your name! CSU Det 772 class of 2002.
James Allen Laudermilk
11:21 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
A great man taken from the world way to soon. RIP David
Jill Robertson
9:24 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Thoughts and prayers to this family.
Kevin
11:39 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
May god be with the family and friends of David. A great man taking away too early. God bless them.
Kevin Lovern
Chris Langston
11:57 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Thank you David for your contribution and service to our country. Your memory will live on and you will not be forgotten.
Looking forward to seeing you again in Heaven when it’s my turn.
My prayers are for your family to find some type of comfort during this time of tragedy.
Love,
Chris Langston
Five Spot Frozen Yogurt
12:34 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Five Spot Frozen Yogurt is saddened to hear about the recent death of Loganville High School graduate Maj. Walter D. Gray who was killed by a suicide bomb in Afghanistan on Aug. 8. At our Grayson location on Wednesday, August 15 from 4 PM-8 PM, we will donate 20% of our sales to his wife and three young children. We hope to see you on Wednesday!
Jeffrey Allen
9:53 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Five Spot, Where are you located in Grayson? Please provide a telephone number that I can contact you at for more information! Thanks, Jeff
Sharon Swanepoel
1:04 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
That is a great gesture Five Spot. I know you have made a point of supporting our military. I will pass this information on to his classmates in the community. I know they are looking to do some things in his honor too!
soretoe
1:08 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Each and every breath of fresh air that we take for granted is made possible because of the sacrifices of heroes like Maj Walter D Gray. Our most sincere condolences are sent from our Douglasville Georgia home to the family and friends of this American Hero. It is because of his willingness serve in harms way that allow us to live free. He served as a defender of our freedom, may he now rest in peace with God, his mission is complete. The stars of heaven are brighter because Walter is in Heaven standing watch over all of us. We pray that the Lord above lay his healing hands on the family and friends of this Hero and comfort them during this emotional time. Give them the strength to carry on while remembering their fallen Hero evermore.
MamaKat Orr
10:50 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
This is so heartbreaking...LHS, our community, the world, has lost yet another Hero.... my heart and prayers go out to the family and friends........ ((((hugs))))) and much love to all...:(
Peggy Beck
10:04 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Thank you David for all you did to make us safe . My heart breaks for your family. I Pray that through God they can find the comfort they need. God bless you and your family and God Bless America You will never be forgotton.
Naomi Ketcher
10:29 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Online Fundraiser for family of Maj David Gray http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=7611&url=majorgraysfamily
Kevin
5:17 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Our prayers go out to your family, and a heart felt thank you, as you sir, have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect OUR freedom. The United States thanks you, Loganville thanks you, myself, and my family thank you for your service. Peace be with your family.
Canty
9:41 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
This is 1 man I respected in the Military. We were together in a unit and we were the only minority. He made me feel comfortable and always was willing to help. He was always HIGH SPEED! He was not only a good Airman; he was a good man!
Karen Lawrence
2:16 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Marine Corps League #1311 from Woodstock, GA was on a trip to Washington, D.C. taking WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veterans to the memorials they had never seen last weekend. Three members of the detachment decided to also make the 30 minute walk across Arlington National Cemetery to pay their respects to General Johnson's grave, for which we are named. It was then that we were invited to stand with the Patriot Guard to pay final respects to Major Gray. What an honor to stand and salute this hero on these hallowed grounds. What sadness is in our hearts for his wife and children. Our prayers go out to all.