Lula soldier one of 3 Ga. guardsmen killed

WASHINGTON - An Army National guardsman from Lula was one of three Georgia guardsmen killed Thursday in action in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon said late Friday Maj. Kevin M. Jenrette, 37, of Lula; Staff Sgt. John C. Beale, 39, of Riverdale; and Spc. Jeffrey W. Jordan, 21, of Rome, died near Kapisa,Afghanistan of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard in Calhoun.

"Today's news that Major Kevin Jenrette, SSG John Beale and SPC Jeffrey
Jordan died serving in Afghanistan is a sobering reminder of the dangers our
citizen soldiers face there everyday," Gov. Sonny Perdue said. "I know the families' of these Guardsmen have broken hearts and though we can not comprehend the loss they are feeling, Mary and I join them in mourning. I have personally visited with our troops both here and over seas and I am always deeply moved by their dedication to serve others. These men and women go where they are asked on a moment's notice, leaving behind families and communities that miss them dearly. It is our responsibly to do all that we can to comfort these families and all of the families with a loved one in the line of duty."

"The recent death of three Georgia Guardsman is very traumatic to our Georgia
National Guard family," said Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant
General. "Their deaths occurring so early in the deployment of the 48th
Brigade underscores the very real challenges facing our Soldiers and the
inherent risks of the mission. We extend our heartfelt condolences and
support to the families of these brave Guardsmen."