25, of Owensboro, Ky.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; killed April 19 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Taji, Iraq.
McLean native had two weeks left in Iraq
OWENSBORO, Ky. — A soldier who was two weeks away from coming home on furlough was killed in Iraq this week when an explosive struck his Humvee, his family said.
Army Pvt. Robert Jason Settle, 25, was killed Wednesday, but his family wasn’t sure where he was patrolling when he died.
The Pentagon had not confirmed the death on Thursday.
Settle grew up in McLean County but moved to Owensboro before joining the military in May 2004.
He had served in Iraq for five months, his family said.
“He was wonderful,” his mother, Sharon Settle of Maceo, told the Messenger-Inquirer of Owensboro. “He loved everybody. He was happy with life. ... You could not ask for a better kid.”
His father, Barry Settle of McLean County, said, “He loved his country.”
The Settles were against their son joining the military, the newspaper said.
“He got nothing accomplished (in Iraq). And he’s dead,” Sharon Settle said.
Settle’s survivors include a 5-year-old daughter.
— Associated Press / Information from: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Prayers & Condolences For: Robert J. Settle BY Anonymous on Oct 27, 2006
To the Settle Family:
Please think of this when the pain of loss becomes too much to bear.
I Did Not Die
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow; I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain; I am the gentle Autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush. I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there; I did not die.
Prayers & Condolences For: Robert J. Settle BY DONNYDO on May 05, 2006
Dear Lord, please bless the soul of this brave soldier and hold him in Your loving Arms.
Please keep Your Shining Light over his family and loved ones.
He has proudly served his country.
Now, he proudly serves with angel's wings. My sincere heartfelt condolences to Robert's family