"Army First Lieutenant Robert Collins, 24, died April 7 in Iraq when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device near Mosul in northern Iraq, military officials said.
Lt. Collins, a 2004 graduate of Sandy Creek High School and a 2008 graduate of West Point Military Academy, is expected to be flown into Peachtree City’s Falcon Field Airport sometime Thursday. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville.
Citizens are encouraged to participate in Thursday’s procession by lining the route and waving flags to honor Lt. Collins as the motorcade passes by.
Besides Lt. Collins, who was the platoon commander, the roadside explosion also killed the vehicle’s driver, Pfc. William A. Blount, 21, of Petal, Miss., according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Defense.
The incident happened near Tall Abtah, northern Iraq (near Mosul) on April 7. Collins and Blount were both assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Lt. Collins’ unit was based in Tall Abtah and among its tasks were operations to improve security and the quality of life for the Iraqi people, he wrote on a recent update to his platoon’s Facebook page. The 2nd platoon also helped provide security for the recent national election in Iraq.
In the note, Collins wrote proudly of his soldiers’ accomplishments and expressed thanks for the continuing support from those stateside."
There is also this flyer that tells some more about him and gives details for anyone wishes to donate to the memorial fund established in his name.
LT Collins will be sorely and truly missed by all who knew him, please keep his family in your prayers.
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