PICAYUNE — An American soldier with ties to Picayune was killed Wednesday in Balad, Iraq.
The incident occurred while U.S. Army Sgt. Carl Leonard Seigart, 32, was conducting a tank recovery mission in the area, according an Associated Press story.
John Moeller, Seigart’s friend and stepson-in-law, said the time of death in Balad, Iraq was reported to be about 3:45 p.m. or 6:45 a.m. central standard on Wednesday, which was Valentine’s day. Moeller said Seigart died from an Improvised Explosive Device, IED.
Seigart was born in California and lived in Killeen, Texas before he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. For a time, the couple lived in Picayune and even ran paper routes for the Picayune Item, Seigart’s wife Suzanne said. The couple have been married for six years and he took on her family in as his own, she said.
“He was a very dedicated solider who believed in his job,” Suzanne Seigart said. “He truly loved life, and he truly loved me.”
Seigart had been in the Army man for 14 years. He was serving in Iraq with the First Calvary, ECO 215 Third Battalion out of Fort Hood where the unite was trying to recover stranded tanks, wreckers, Humvees and bulldozers. He also worked as a tank mechanic.
While Seigart was serving his time near Baghdad, Suzanne Seigart has been staying with her daughter Jessica Moeller, John Moeller’s wife. Carl Seigart was deployed in October, 2006 and was scheduled for a one-year tour, Suzanne Seigart said.
Suzanne and Carl Seigart were introduced by a mutual friend, and Carl Seigart used to repair Suzanne’s vehicles.
To help after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, Carl Seigart packed a bunch of supplies and headed to the Picayune area from Fort Hood with Suzanne so she could be with her family.
“He was someone you could call on,” John Moeller said.
“Everyone around here loves him,” Jessica Moeller said. “We all think he’s a hero. We all know where he is and we’re thankful he’s with Jesus.”
The Associated Press report states that Carl Seigart’s remains will not be returned to the U.S. for about a week. When they arrive in the United States, the family plans to hold services in Picayune.
Suzanne Seigart said Carl Seigart’s mother lives in California.
Local News
Related Photos
Local soldier killed in action
- Local News
-
-
School board approves step raises
Picayune teachers and other staff members should receive step pay increases next year, following some debate on the matter during Tuesday’s meeting of the Picayune Municipal Separate School District.
-
PRC GRADUATION
PRC GRADUATION — At left, Pearl River Central High School Valedictorian Layton Spiers addresses the PRC Senior Class of 2012. At right, PRC Salutatorian Hayden Skantz addresses the graduating class. PRC High School held its graduation exercises Monday night in the school’s football stadium.
-
PMHS GRADUATION SPEAKERS
PMHS GRADUATION SPEAKERS — From left valedictorian Jared Christopher Bates and salutatorian Bryce Austin Warden will lead Picayune Memorial High School’s graduation ceremonies at 7 p.m. Thursday at the football stadium.
-
POPLARVILLE GRADUATION SPEAKERS
POPLARVILLE GRADUATION SPEAKERS — From left, valedictorian Rebecca Starke and salutatorian Meagan Whitworth are the main speakers at Thursday’s 7 p.m. graduation ceremonies at the Poplarville High School stadium.
-
DEMOLITION
Pearl River County employees were out on Old Hwy. 11 tearing down four dilapidated mobile homes after many attempts to have the owners cleanup the property failed.
-
Picayune woman charged in fatal accident
An accident early Sunday morning led to the death of a Hammond, La., woman and the arrest of a Picayune woman.
According to a release from Troop L of the Louisiana State Police, the accident occurred at about 1 a.m. Sunday in the northbound lanes of Interstate 59 about a half mile south of the Louisiana Highway 1090/U.S. Highway 11 Pearl River exit in St. Tammany Parish.
Arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving is 51-year-old Carol Henley of Picayune. -
Former State Sen. Ezell Lee dies
Former state Sen. Ezell Lee passed away Monday, at the age of 78.
-
Doggies heading north for a new home
Twenty-eight dogs and puppies will be heading north for the summer in the hopes of finding new homes.
The canines won’t be boarding a Greyhound bus, rather they will become part of the Rescue Waggin program through PetSmart Charities. -
STAR PROGRAM
Picayune Jr. High students in the STAR program and students in the school’s Security Council went to Jack Read Park on Friday to have hot dogs.
-
PRC GRADUATION SPEAKERS
From left valedictorian Layton Evan Spiers and salutatorian Hayden Avery Skantz will lead Pearl River Central graduates in graduation ceremonies on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Kenneth L. Hendrix Memorial Stadium in Carriere.
- More Local News Headlines
-
School board approves step raises
Secret Service Boss: 'I Apologize'
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
