Published: March 19, 2008 12:47 pm         

Iraq war claims local soldier

POPLARVILLE — The impact of the Iraq war hit home Wednesday with news that Sgt. Lerando Brown, Jr., of Poplarville had been killed in action at Balad, Iraq last Friday.

Brown and his wife Candice, who is a first grade assistant at Poplarville Lower Elementary School, have made a home in Poplarville for themselves since their marriage almost a year ago. The couple each have a child from a previous marriage.

The Rev. Jimmy Richardson, Candice’s father who had performed their wedding ceremony, now will conduct the funeral service of his son-in-law. He said his daughter was in fair condition, “under the circumstances.”

Richardson said the couple met while attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston. Candice was a 1998 graduate of Poplarville High School.

“It’s a tragic death,” Richarrdson said. “All of the fallen soldiers are heroes to put their lives on the line for their county.”

Brown, a sergeant in the 288th Sapper Company, Mississippi National Guard based in Houston on his first tour of duty, was killed around 6:40 a.m. last Friday when he received a single gunshot to his chest, Richardson said. According to recent information from the Associated Press, Brown’s death puts the number of U.S. war dead near 3,990.

Funeral services are scheduled for noon Wednesday, March 26, at Harts Chapel Baptist Church in Poplarville. Visitation is 10 a.m.-12 noon at the church prior to the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Owens-Ramsey Funeral Home in Wiggins.