Tulsa World: Oklahoma soldier is killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan

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Oklahoma soldier is killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan

FATHER OF 3
Dennis Pratt: The soldier's children are all under the age of 10. Funeral arrangements for Pratt are pending.

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer
Published: 7/23/2009 2:34 AM
Last Modified: 11/12/2009 11:39 AM

Heroes of Oklahoma: View a memorial to the Oklahomans who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A soldier from Duncan was killed Monday in Afghanistan after the humvee he was in was struck by a roadside bomb, the military said Wednesday.

Army Pfc. Dennis Pratt, 34, was among four soldiers killed in the incident, the military said.

"I guess it just split their humvee in half," said Sinnamon Pratt, Dennis Pratt's mother.

Sinnamon Pratt and her husband, Jim, were notified Monday that their son had died, just 10 minutes after the Army notified Pratt's wife, Michelle.

"I asked if it was a mistake and they said no," Sinnamon Pratt said.

Funeral arrangements are still pending, but Sinnamon Pratt said her son's body will return to Oklahoma in three to five days and he will be buried at Fort Sill.

Pratt joined the Army two years ago and loved it, she said. He was stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y., where his wife and two sons live.

"He told us he finally found his niche. He was going to make a career out of it," she said. "He got in kind of late. They called him pops because he was the oldest."

What's the hardest, Sinnamon Pratt said, was her son would have left Wednesday for two weeks of rest and relaxation before his tour ended in December. He planned to continue in the Army as a military police officer.

Pratt was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) of Fort Drum, N.Y.

Also killed in Monday's incident was Sgt. Gregory Owens Jr., 24, of Garland, Texas; Spc. Anthony M. Lightfoot, 20, of Riverdale, Ga.; and Spc. Andrew J. Roughton, 21, of Houston.

The explosion near their vehicle followed an attack by enemy forces using small-arms and rocket-propelled grenades, the military said.

She and her husband supported their son in his decision to make the military his career, Sinnamon Pratt said.

"Jim was so proud of him. Right now he feels guilty, but we're a military family," she said. "We're not mad at the Army. We're just really upset."

Sinnamon Pratt's father served in World War II, Jim Pratt served in the Vietnam War, and her youngest son, Kyle, served in Iraq.

Dennis Pratt cared deeply for his family, including his 9-year-old daughter, and two sons ages 8 and 3, his mother said.

"He was very family oriented," she said. "He loved his kids, he loved Michelle."

Her son just loved his life, she said.

"He was fun to be around. He had a goofy smile and striking blue eyes," she said. "You couldn't want for a better person."

Sara Plummer 581-8465
sara.plummer@tulsaworld.com By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Oklahoma solider killed in Afghanistan," which was published on 7/22/2009.

	Report Comment Bodean, Tulsa (7/22/2009 5:16:15 PM) Honor the memory of Pfc. Dennis J. Pratt as he has honored our country. May we all find peace soon.
	Report Comment ProdigalTulsan, Tulsa (7/22/2009 5:25:53 PM) God bless this brave soldier & his family.
	Report Comment Bud Green, No (7/22/2009 5:34:07 PM) RIP soldier, thanks for your service.
	Report Comment ForWhatIt'sWorth, (7/22/2009 6:37:23 PM) Thoughts and prayers.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (7/22/2009 6:41:55 PM) My condolences to all four families. I feel for them.
	Report Comment Check It out, Tulsa (7/22/2009 6:44:07 PM) He will be missed! Thank you for raising such a fine young man. His children have a father they can be proud of. I only wish he could be here to raise them. Our prayers are with your family while you grieve and heal and know that all of Oklahoma grieves with you.
	Report Comment Rocketman, Tulsa (7/22/2009 8:18:05 PM) Prodigal Tulsan, I don't know how you do it. To the family of Dennis Pratt, I'm very sorry for your loss.
	Report Comment cath3, (7/22/2009 8:27:37 PM) My son is serving in Iraq on his second tour of duty. My heart goes out to you. There are no words that can express the gratitude I have in my heart for these young men and women that have given their lives for our freedom. They are an elite group of people that understood the costs their actions were going to take by joining the military, and were still willing to pay the ultimate price of their life. May we never forget our fallen soldiers memories and honor them, as they deserve the highest praises. My son looked at me when he was home on leave in June and said' Mom, remember this, if something happens to me, I chose this life." May God comfort you as only he can.
	Report Comment okierose, Glenpool (7/22/2009 11:13:48 PM) Thanks for your service, soldier. Peace and prayers to the family.
	Report Comment God Bless our Troops, Small town (7/23/2009 2:56:05 AM) Absolutely heart wrenching that 3 babies will grow up with out their Dad. My thought and prayers are with the family of this fallen hero. God bless our troops.
	Report Comment Iamwatchingu, Broken Arrow (7/23/2009 6:26:39 AM) My heart goes out to the family of this brave soldier. My GOD look over you and protect you. GOD SPEED PFC Pratt. Semper Fi from a Marine
	Report Comment scooter2, (7/23/2009 8:09:54 AM) cath3, what a beautiful post, thank you so much for sharing that with us.... My sympathies to the Pratt family. I too have lost a son, and I can tell you that is the worst call you'll ever recieve. May God Bless you with the Peace and Love He has helped me with...
	Report Comment R U 4 Real?, BFE (7/23/2009 9:19:32 AM) To the Daughter and Sons of PFC Pratt, your Father is a HERO to many people of our Great Nation. I am truly sorry for your loss. I pray that God will provide you comfort quickly.
	Report Comment R U 4 Real?, BFE (7/23/2009 9:21:37 AM) Mrs Pratt and the Parents of PFC Pratt, No words can or will ever be said that will take away your pain. As a Soldier and from my famly we are forever in the debt to your husband and your son. May God be with you and help you heal.
	Report Comment fostermom, (7/23/2009 9:40:15 AM) God bless this young man. He is one of our heroes.
	Report Comment What the ?, Tulsa (7/23/2009 10:37:50 AM) My son is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan in April. My heart breaks for this family.
	Report Comment Delta_501, (7/23/2009 10:56:24 AM) God Bless you Dennis and many prayers of comfort for your family & friends...
	Report Comment Few Clothes, Austin, TX (7/23/2009 11:14:02 AM) Mt heartfelf condolences to the families and friends of Dennis Pratt.
	Report Comment SeaBreeze, Portland (7/23/2009 11:23:05 AM) Losing Pfc.Dennis Pratt and the other soldiers that have fought for this country and what we believe in, truely saddens me deeply. You soldiers showed incredible strength and courage for a job EXCEPTIONALLY done. May you soldiers rest in peace. For the families of these couragous men/women, may you find peace, comfort, and strength in knowing that your son/daughter fought a good fight, and that they will ALWAYS be remembered. May God Bless~~~
	Report Comment Bedazzled, (7/24/2009 12:20:05 AM) Prayers for the family.
	Report Comment SeaBreeze, Portland (7/26/2009 9:45:27 PM) ~~~cath3; As I was reading your post, I felt the tears down my cheeks; especially what your son had told you at the end of your comment. It was extremely touching because eventho I do not have family members in the Military, I put myself in the shoes of the many that does. I deeply HONOR and RESPECT (ALL) of our soldiers and pray for their safety & return. Saddens me to hear whenever one falls. May God Bless you and your family~~~
	Report Comment sharlene74, Bristol (7/27/2009 9:06:12 AM) My son's father, Aaron, was best friends with Dennis. They were like brothers; he is the godfather of his daughter. Aaron and Dennis you couldn't separate them growing up. They've known each other since High School. Dennis was the life of the party...The moment you met him, you instantly liked him. He was so full of life and he smiled with his eyes and he had a warped sense of humor but you loved that about him. He was the funniest man you would ever meet and if you were his friend, you were lucky. I had the pleasure of knowing Dennis and the first time I met him, I couldn't stop laughing. He made you feel comfortable. Aaron has many recordings of the two jamming or goofing off and you could not stop laughing. It breaks my heart to know that he is gone. Words cannot express the sadness I feel for his brother, Jim and wife Stacey and their kids, Dennis' wife Michelle and her two sons, his father and stepmother, close friends, family and his unit, and most of all, his Daughter. She adored her father (Dennis). And he was a great father to Michelle’s sons. I will continue to pray for peace for the family and friends and also the soldiers who are fighting for our country and pray for their safe return. Dennis, you are with your Mom now and know that everyone loves you and misses you very much!
	Report Comment sharlene74, Bristol (7/28/2009 11:17:15 AM) There is a huge parade for Dennis Pratt in Oklahoma today 7.28.09. The strip is covered with signs and the shops are closing down for an hour. Thank you to all who support him.
	Report Comment sharlene74, Bristol (7/29/2009 7:50:01 AM) I apologize, the parade is on Friday of this week.

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