Army Sgt. Shawna M. Morrison
Death: Sep 05, 2004
of Champaign Ill.; assigned to the 1544th Transportation Company Illinois Army National Guard Paris Ill.; killed Sept. 5 during a mortar attack in Baghdad. First female Illinois Guard member killed in Iraq eulogized Associated Press PARIS Ill. — School children lined the streets and bagpipes played Tuesday as the community paid its final respects to Sgt. Shawna Morrison the first female member of the Illinois National Guard to die in combat in Iraq. Morrison26 and another member of the 1544th Transportation Company Spc. Charles Lamb23 were killed Sept. 5 in a mortar attack on their base near Baghdad. Fifteen other soldiers from the Paris-based unit were injured. “Regardless of politics or opinions about war today we stand in the presence of honor duty love and sacrifice” the Rev. Kevin Huddleston told mourners in the east-central Illinois town of 9000. “Freedom has always come at a high price” he said. “She went to Iraq willingly and for the sake of others.” A National Guard honor guard attended Morrison’s flag-draped casket and she was buried with military honors. Adjutant Gen. Randall Thomas attended the service as did Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn who called Morrison “a special person who had a servant’s heart.” Morrison who specialized in communications was an integral part of the 1544th Thomas said. “She served with pride honor and distinction” he said. “We will never forget her and the ultimate sacrifice she gave her nation. We salute her.”