Staff Sgt. Kirk A. Owen, 37, of Sapulpa, Okla., died Aug. 2 in Paktia province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard.
Owen was leading his men on a mission of mine sweeping. He was in the front passenger seat of a Route Control Package sweeper unit when his unit ran over an IED. The bomb exploded, fatally wounding him. Owen's family and friends said they will miss his loving presence, strong faith, as well as his incredible sense of duty and honor. Owen believed that his position in the military was a God-given calling on his life, and those of us who know him are honored today to be associated with one of the heroes who have put himself in harm's way to insure the fight does not come here.
Owen was a full-time employee with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. He previously deployed to Iraq in 2007. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Staff Sgt. Owen's family and friends," said Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, adjutant general for Oklahoma. "He was an outstanding non-commissioned officer, dedicated to loyally serving his Country and fellow Soldiers. His loss is being felt across the State and he will be greatly missed."
Owen was leading his men on a mission of mine sweeping. He was in the front passenger seat of a Route Control Package sweeper unit when his unit ran over an IED. The bomb exploded, fatally wounding him. Owen's family and friends said they will miss his loving presence, strong faith, as well as his incredible sense of duty and honor. Owen believed that his position in the military was a God-given calling on his life, and those of us who know him are honored today to be associated with one of the heroes who have put himself in harm's way to insure the fight does not come here.
Owen was a full-time employee with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. He previously deployed to Iraq in 2007. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Staff Sgt. Owen's family and friends," said Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, adjutant general for Oklahoma. "He was an outstanding non-commissioned officer, dedicated to loyally serving his Country and fellow Soldiers. His loss is being felt across the State and he will be greatly missed."
Staff Sgt. Kirk A. Owen, 37, of Sapulpa, Okla., died Aug. 2 in Paktia province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard.
Owen was leading his men on a mission of mine sweeping. He was in the front passenger seat of a Route Control Package sweeper unit when his unit ran over an IED. The bomb exploded, fatally wounding him. Owen's family and friends said they will miss his loving presence, strong faith, as well as his incredible sense of duty and honor. Owen believed that his position in the military was a God-given calling on his life, and those of us who know him are honored today to be associated with one of the heroes who have put himself in harm's way to insure the fight does not come here.
Owen was a full-time employee with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. He previously deployed to Iraq in 2007. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Staff Sgt. Owen's family and friends," said Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, adjutant general for Oklahoma. "He was an outstanding non-commissioned officer, dedicated to loyally serving his Country and fellow Soldiers. His loss is being felt across the State and he will be greatly missed."
Owen was leading his men on a mission of mine sweeping. He was in the front passenger seat of a Route Control Package sweeper unit when his unit ran over an IED. The bomb exploded, fatally wounding him. Owen's family and friends said they will miss his loving presence, strong faith, as well as his incredible sense of duty and honor. Owen believed that his position in the military was a God-given calling on his life, and those of us who know him are honored today to be associated with one of the heroes who have put himself in harm's way to insure the fight does not come here.
Owen was a full-time employee with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. He previously deployed to Iraq in 2007. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Staff Sgt. Owen's family and friends," said Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, adjutant general for Oklahoma. "He was an outstanding non-commissioned officer, dedicated to loyally serving his Country and fellow Soldiers. His loss is being felt across the State and he will be greatly missed."
