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by Nick Delgado KUAM

Guam - 19-year-old Jaysine Petree from the village of Yigo marks the latest Guam soldier to die while serving our country. 

"She's a very short, petite young lady, but she had a big heart and a very strong and driven desire to succeed," U.S. Army Captain Ignus Susiuco, the senior instructor of the JROTC battalion at Simon Sanchez High School, recalled.    

The private first class, known by many as "Jen" was killed while serving in Afghanistan after she came in contact with an improvised explosive device. According to her father, Herbert Petree, she had only been in the army for about 19 months and while stationed in Alaska was sent on her very first deployment.  "Jaysine was a very outgoing and loving female," Cpt Susuico added.  "She enjoyed her family and friends."

He added, "She was a very strong individual - she liked to be outdoors, she liked to take care of her family and friends and she enjoyed different kind of things, sports and stuff like that."    

Petree graduated from Sanchez High in 2009. Although she was not in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, Susuico says Oetree definitely showed an interest in the military.  He explained, "She was always curious about the military and I always wore my uniform and she always asked me about what was it like and what my experience was...she told me that she went to the Army recruiter and that she was interested in getting bonuses and help pay her way through college, and that was one of the goals she wanted to do with her life."

The military also says that it will be releasing more details surrounding the incident that resulted in Petree's death at a later time.

Meanwhile, a rosary will be held this evening at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Yigo for PFC Petree.

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo also issued a statement, saying, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of PFC Jaysine Petree.  She made the ultimate sacrifice in answering the call of duty, and I join our island in mourning the loss of PFC Petree. I extend my most sincere sympathies and prayers to her family, friends, and loved ones."


From PDN

I feel your pain and sorrowful dear family of Jaysine. My only son was deployed for the first time at age 19, right out of basic training; and thankfully to God, that he had recently completed his second tour of deployment, and has returned safely home without a scratch. The good Lord rest Jaysine's soul...and God bless her soul for her ultimate sacrifice with her life to give others theirs...for our country's freedom and world peace. From my family to yours...our condolences during this difficult-time.
9/27/2010 4:15:45 PM

whynai wrote:
To the Family of Jaysine, my condolences to you on a great soilder, for such a young woman to do the right thing and fight for all our freedom, folks let's not forget all that has paid the ultimate sacrifice, my prayers to the family. I too have a sister (youngest sibling) station in Afganistan.
9/27/2010 10:39:54 AM