Local family still mourning the loss of soldier in Iraq, will be remembered as a hero

U.S. Army Spc. Randy Lee Stevens, 21, of Flint Township will be remembered this Memorial Day by family members of the Onaway area as a caring young man who died a hero.

“He did what he could for everybody,” his aunt Florence Stevens said Wednesday.

Stevens was one of three soldiers killed April 16 by a roadside bomb near Camp Ramadi, about 70 miles west of Baghdad, Iraq’s capital. He had just returned to Iraq after a two-week leave at home.

Sally Shepherd, also of Onaway, said she will really miss him.

Two weeks prior to his death, he spent part of his leave visiting family in Onaway.

“He wanted to go horseback riding when he was here, but never got to do it,” said Shephard.

GAIL STEVENS of Onaway, who comes from a military family, said we should all remember those who served in the military this Memorial Day. “I think we should all give thanks,” said Gail, who is Randy’s aunt.

Randy Stevens had already earned a Purple Heart in the war in Iraq and had just re-enlisted for another six years in the military. He was going to use some of his enlistment bonus to open an auto body shop.

Instead, the Stevens family planned to use some of the money to support his young nephews and goddaughter.

Gail said Randy wasn’t even supposed to be on duty. He volunteered to serve for a friend, who wanted to play softball.

A DEFENSE DEPARTMENT news release said the attackers of Camp Ramadi fled into a nearby mosque, and the Iraqi security forces who pursued them couldn’t find any of them.

A military official told the family that Stevens, a heavy artillery specialist, was killed while in pursuit of the attackers.

Stevens, who had 90 days left to serve in Iraq, had been there since August 1, after serving in Korea for 1-1/2 years.

Family from the area said that while Randy had been a “pistol” and a “card,” and acted like a typical 21-year-old, he had a heart of gold. “If there was yard work that needed to be done, he was there,” Florence Stevens said.

“He was a good guy,” said Gail Stevens.

AUNT FLORENCE said Randy enjoyed serving in the military and that is one of the reasons he re-enlisted.

She was proud of her nephew because when he originally enlisted, the Iraq War already had been going on for some time and he knew full well what he was getting into.

Stevens earned a Purple Heart and a medal for an incident on November 2, 2004 when his Humvee was struck

by an improvised explosive device.

According to the family, Stevens and another solider escaped on foot. When they returned later to retrieve the damaged vehicle, they were caught in the blast of a suicide bomber’s car.

Stevens was struck in the head by the exploding car’s hood but managed to shield his companion from the blast.

“He is our hero,” said Shephard.

One of many heroes that should be honored Monday.

Randy leaves behind grandmother Hazel Stevens of Onaway, along with two uncles, Stanley (Sam) Stevens and Danny Stevens, both of Onaway.

He also leaves his mother Sherri Maxwell of Flint and father, David Stevens, who resides in Flint Township, as well as brothers and sisters.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.