Carroll County Prepares to Honor Fallen Georgia Soldier Sgt. William Jerome Rivers

 

By Rohit Mehta

Published on January 31, 2024

Tributes are being organized in Carroll County for Army reservist Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, one of the three Georgia soldiers tragically killed in a recent drone strike in Jordan. Sgt. Rivers, along with Specialist Kennedy Sanders of Waycross, and Specialist Breonna Moffett from Savannah, lost their lives during a strike on a U.S. base near the Syrian border, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The community is set to inscribe Sgt. Rivers’ name is on the wall at the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park, honoring those who fell in service.

Speaking to WJCL, retired US Army Lt. Col. Barry Gardner, president of the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Association, expressed his commitment to commemorating the fallen soldier. "Our hearts are broken," Gardner said, indicating the association will add Sgt. Rivers's name to their wall honoring the fallen. He added, "The term brotherhood, sisterhood is probably overused, but it's a fact. And Sgt. Rivers' name will be approximately in this area down here under a new title."

Sgt. Rivers had been part of the 718th Engineering Company at Fort Moore, joining the Army Reserve in 2011 and completing a 9-month tour in Iraq. The Department of Defense confirms his significant contributions to the nation’s military efforts. According to FOX 5, a dedication ceremony in the park will fully honor Sgt. Rivers for his service and sacrifice.

A date for the dedication ceremony is yet to be announced, as the organizers remain in communication with the Rivers' family, taking their readiness into account. The expected ceremony will likely attract a large gathering including community members, the American Legion's rifle squad, and a contingent from Fort Moore as per details shared with FOX 5. Lt. Col. Gardner conveyed his personal connection to the losses faced in combat, stating, "I'm 25 year active duty in the Army, myself. Vietnam, in the beginning. A few of my friends were killed in action, and any time a service member dies in action it hits home for me."

Uniformed military officers reportedly delivered the somber news to Sgt. Rivers' family in Carrollton, and local police have been providing privacy support. Gardner expressed that the soldiers’ families made the ultimate sacrifice. "My condolences to the family of all three soldiers. They've given the ultimate sacrifice, and we're here to honor them," he told FOX 5.

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The arrangements for SSG William Jerome Rivers are incomplete at this time and will be announced in the coming days by Martin & Hightower Funeral Home. The family asks for your continued prayers during this difficult time.

 

Messages of condolences can be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.