Reported by: Deborah Haas
Web produced by: Mark Sickmiller
Photographed by: 9News
First posted: 1/3/2006 11:41:34 AM
Last updated: 1/3/2006 5:24:38 PM
For the 20th time, a local soldier has been killed in Iraq.
Army Sergeant First Class Jason Lee Bishop, 31, died on New Year's Eve when a suicide attack blew up the humvee he was riding in, his family told 9News.
Six other soldiers died with him.
Jason Bishop's parents learned New Year's Day their only son been killed.
On Tuesday, his friends and family, including his young daughter, wanted us to tell the Tri-State all about him.
They say he felt born to wear a military uniform.
"Ever since he graduated, that's all he wanted to do was join the Army," said Jason's sister, Lacey Bishop.
Jason joined about 12 years ago and was sent to Iraq just three months ago.
He sent his nine-year-old daughter Morgan emails, always keeping in touch.
"[It was] really special. It just shows me that he loved me," Morgan told 9News.
Morgan lives with Jason's ex-wife. He's remarried and also leaves a baby boy.
It's crushing to his family.
"He was only 31 and has a year old son that'll never know," said Lacey Bishop.
At Holmes High School Tuesday, flags were lowered to half staff in Sergeant Bishop's honor.
Teachers who remember him are taking his death hard.
"He was never a problem. Never do i remember Jason being in trouble. He was a great kid. It is a sad day," said teacher Irene Sullivan.
It's a day that too many military families must face.
"You know it can happen but you don't expect it to happen. You hear it on the news all the time, but it's always somebody else. Unfortunately this time it was for us," said family friend Teresa Frost.
Bishop's wife and young son live at Fort Campbell.
His sisters and parents say services will likely be held both there and in Northern Kentucky.
