Jeffrey Jordan, 21, a soldier who once called Rome his home, was killed in an incident involving an IED (improvised explosive device) during his deployment in Afghanistan on June 4, 2009.

Members of the Calhoun-based 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment honored the soldier’s widow, Lacey Jordan, with a commemorative military print at the Calhoun Armory Friday afternoon.

The print, entitled “Closing the Distance,” by artist Larry Selman, was framed by the 108th unit. It depicts a small group of soldiers in action in the battle during which Jeffrey died.

“Jeffrey was a great hero, great military man, and his family will always love and miss him every day,” Lacey Jordan said.

When Lacey first heard the news of her husband’s death, she said, she was told Jeffrey was killed instantly by an IED and the rest of the details became a blur. She said that day was also the birthday of their son two-year-old son, Tailor Jordan.

She remembers Jeffrey being right beside her in the hospital when she delivered Tailor — now, that date, that time, that memory will continue to resonate as one of the most important times in her life.

Lacey and Jeffrey were married on Sept. 22, 2007 and they lived in Cave Spring. He is buried at Oak Knoll Memorial Garden Cemetery in Rome.

Remembering a Hero

Joining Lacey during the portrait ceremony were her son, Tailor, and her mother, Renee Lambert, of Cave Spring.

“Our hearts are certainly saddened, but our spirits are grateful for the willingness to serve our nation and defend our liberty and freedom,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger.

Soldiers with the 108th Cavalry remembered Jordan and others as dedicated.

“These brothers-in-arms that lived, fought and gave all for a cause much greater than themselves will never be forgotten,” Capt. Christopher Burton said during the presentation.

According to Burton, there were a total of eight soldiers killed during the 108th's deployment in Afghanistan, and a total of 49 were wounded during the spring of 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In the future, Burton said that other fallen soldier’s loved ones here and from across Georgia will be given commemorative portraits to commemorate their sacrifices.

Remembering the fallen

The members of the 108th and 48th Brigade were deployed from April 2009 to March 2010. The soldiers, who served during that tour, were spread out across Georgia and were deployed at different times throughout the spring.

The first three soldiers in the 108th Cavalry unit killed in Afghanistan were Maj. Kevin M. Jenrette of Lula, Ga.; SFC John C. Beale of Riverdale, Ga.; and Jordan. They all died in the June 4, 2009, attack.

1st Sgt. John D. Blair of Calhoun, with the 1-121st Infantry Regiment, was killed in action on June 20, 2009, by a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle in Mado Zayi, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Brock Henry Chavers Sr. of Statesboro and Sgt. Isaac L. Johnson Jr. of Columbus, with the 2-121st Infantry, died from wounds received in a July 2, 2009, IED attack near their vehicle in Konduz, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Raymundo P. Morales of Dalton, with the 1-108th Cavalry, was killed in action on July 21, 2009.

Staff Sgt. Alex French IV, of Milledgeville, was killed in action on Sept. 30, 2009 in the Khowst province of Afghanistan.