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View Full Version : Havasu youth is killed in Iraq last week.



Keith E. Sayre
04-22-2006, 01:50 PM
Sadly, a young man who grew up in Havasu gave his life in Iraq this past week. I hope that our city pays proper respect when it comes time for the
funeral etc. This hits close to home. I'll post whatever the public is invited
to. I'd like to go put some flowers at the home of his mother but I don't dare
call the listed phone number to get an address. Here's what is in the paper.
Keith Sayre
On patrol, suicide bomb kills Tinnell
By Sara Bisker
When Patrick Tinnell told his mother he was joining the United States Army, she never thought he'd do it.
“He said he wanted to fight for his country. I didn't believe him, it sounded too cliché. But when he got over there, when he saw the camaraderie and the friendship and how those boys were over there fighting, he wanted to be a part of what those boys were doing. He wanted to serve his country and he was proud of the Army,” Debbie Tinnell said.
When Patrick Tinnell told his mother he was joining the United States Army, she never thought he'd do it.
“He said he wanted to fight for his country. I didn't believe him, it sounded too cliché. But when he got over there, when he saw the camaraderie and the friendship and how those boys were over there fighting, he wanted to be a part of what those boys were doing. He wanted to serve his country and he was proud of the Army,” Debbie Tinnell said.
Pfc. Patrick Allen Tinnell, 25, died at 5:24 a.m. Wednesday when the humvee he was riding in was blown up by a suicide bomber in Siniyah, Iraq. He was positioned as a scout leading a troupe of vehicles when the car bomb detonated. He was the only military personnel killed, according to Tinnell's grandmother, Dorothy “Dottie” Tinnell. The Humvee's driver, L.J. Youngquest was severely injured.
Patrick Tinnell was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky. He joined the Army in September 2005; this was his first tour of Iraq.
“He could have done anything he wanted but he chose infantry,” Debbie Tinnell said. His last assignment was to train the new Iraqi army.
He is the first known Havasuvian to be killed in Iraq. According to the Associated Press, at least 2,383 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003.
A mother's soldier
Patrick Tinnell was a dedicated soldier. He will be awarded posthumously with a Bronze Medal, Silver Star and Purple Heart, according to his mother.
When Debbie Tinnell spoke with her son's squad leader, she was told, “You should be proud of your son. He gave his life for all. Because he was the first truck that took the impact of the bomber, he saved the lives of all of us.”
“He would like us to celebrate his life. I want to tell his story,” she said. “When we sent him off to go to war, we partied with him and he would like us to party with him now.”
He graduated from Lake Havasu High School in 2000. In the period between graduating and joining the Army he worked for a Havasu pest control company and also as a BMX rider for MBK Bikes.
“His bike was like his purse. He had to take it everywhere with him. BMX riding was his sport,” Debbie Tinnell said.
He would volunteer his time at Teen Break, a Park and Rec alternative for spring break students.
“He was a great kid. We were proud of him. He set a good example,” said Donna Carlton, recreation management specialist for Parks and Rec.
He was the first person to jump his bike over an elephant during Teen Break 1999.
“The kids still remember. Those kids who weren't even at Teen Break had heard of it. They were the boys all the kids wanted to be,” she said.
Debbie Tinnell said her son would be remembered most for his meticulously clean habits and also as a comedian.
“I purposefully sat him next to my desk because he would come to class and entertain me. He was always out for the comedic edge,” said Tania Gray, Patrick Tinnell's senior English teacher at LHHS.
“He was one of those types of kids who had a jokey front but his journal questions were heartfelt and loving for his girlfriend. I was surprised by the real feelings he expressed compared to the outward jokey appearance he gave off,” she said.
His cleanliness - to the point where he would use a toothbrush and Windex to clean his tennis shoes on a daily basis - earned him a “neat freak” reputation in Iraq.
“He was a whiner. He was critical. They teased him in Iraq for sweeping all the time. He would say, ‘When I come home, I'll show you girls how to clean,'” Debbie Tinnell said.
Patrick Tinnell was an anchor for his mother. She said in every letter he wrote home and in every phone call she received, he ended conversations with “I love you” and never stopped providing for her.
“Pat acted like he was distant, but he loved me. I know in my heart he loved me the most. He was my anchor,” Debbie Tinnell said. “He had a different way with me. He told me every day he loved me and he's not like that - he's very private.
“It was a catch 22. Even if it was him who caused my grief, I could turn to him for support. He would make me laugh. I always knew in my heart and soul he would take care of me, even if he didn't have two nickels to rub together,” she said.
He is survived by his parents, mother Debbie Tinnell and father James Tinnell Jr.; brother Phillip Tinnell, grandmother, aunts and uncles Brian and Donna O'Conner and Susan and Tom Rawlinson, many cousins and his adoptive family, the Manlay's.
The family expects Patrick Tinnell's body to return to the United States within the next two weeks. Funeral services are pending.
You may contact the reporter at bisker@havasunews.com.

spectratoad
04-22-2006, 02:02 PM
:frown: :frown: Godspeed to his family. Their pain is felt by all and their sons sacrifice will never be forgotten. He joins a long legacy of warriors that keep us safe and make this country the strongest and proudest. Kids like him make my chest swell with pride and make the words, "I'm proud to be an American." boom even louder across the skies. :)

Keith E. Sayre
04-22-2006, 02:11 PM
I wish I could get an address. I'm feeling helpless and there's a mom out there who I hope is feeling the love of her fellow countrymen. I can't even
imagine what goes through a parents mind right now.
Keith Sayre

piper
04-22-2006, 02:16 PM
My condolenances to the Family. Godspeed Patrick. You'll never be forgotten...

GHT
04-22-2006, 02:23 PM
I wish I could put into words, the feelings I have for all of our fallen troops. Patrick Tinnel, those before him and those that will make the ultimate sacrifice for all FREE AMERICANS will NEVER be forgotten by me or ANY of my family members..........
Prayers for Patrick, and....... THANK YOU, you are loved by all in this great nation.... :(

spectratoad
04-22-2006, 02:24 PM
I can't even imagine what goes through a parents mind right now. Keith Sayre
Yeah, I hope my kids go into the military but I hope i never have to find out how that feels.
:confused:

HocusPocus
04-22-2006, 02:28 PM
i don't want to flood the reporter with emails, so i was wondering if anyone from here has contacted him to see if he would be able to give out the address of the family?

Biglue
04-22-2006, 02:38 PM
God Bless the Tinnell Family.
That was a touching story. Even as perfect strangers I am saddened by our fallen soldier's passing.
Prayers from the Lue family.

Keith E. Sayre
04-24-2006, 09:07 AM
Saturday afternoon I get the address. thanks to an anonymous LE friend.I go buy some flowers, Candy here at work writes up a card/note to Debbie the mom and I drive up to the house. I'm fine until I see about 20 cars out
front and a small note on the front door, saying- walk in-- so I do, everyone
in the room is fine, noone is crying, except I lose it. I handed mom the flowers and the note, tell her "god bless you" and tell her I have to go.
I bolt for the door, and his aunt chases me down to make sure that I was
OK and that was really the killer. I turned into total blubber. You see, I
believe in another life after this one, I am of Christian beliefs so I don't really
mourn for the young man although I recognize that he got ripped off in alot
of ways but I feel for the mom who will most likely be agonizing inside for
the next several months or years or who can say how long? That's where
my pain comes from. Nice lady by the way.
For those wanting to send flowers, her address is 3565 North Palo Verde.
Keith Sayre

spectratoad
04-24-2006, 09:16 AM
Thanks for taking the time to do that. I am sure it was appreciated by the family.

MR HARLEY
04-24-2006, 09:18 AM
R.I.P. Solider.

pixilatedpussy
04-24-2006, 09:20 AM
God rest his soul! Prayers being sent!

Her454
04-24-2006, 09:22 AM
Saturday afternoon I get the address. thanks to an anonymous LE friend.I go buy some flowers, Candy here at work writes up a card/note to Debbie the mom and I drive up to the house. I'm fine until I see about 20 cars out
front and a small note on the front door, saying- walk in-- so I do, everyone
in the room is fine, noone is crying, except I lose it. I handed mom the flowers and the note, tell her "god bless you" and tell her I have to go.
I bolt for the door, and his aunt chases me down to make sure that I was
OK and that was really the killer. I turned into total blubber. You see, I
believe in another life after this one, I am of Christian beliefs so I don't really
mourn for the young man although I recognize that he got ripped off in alot
of ways but I feel for the mom who will most likely be agonizing inside for
the next several months or years or who can say how long? That's where
my pain comes from. Nice lady by the way.
For those wanting to send flowers, her address is 3565 North Palo Verde.
Keith Sayre
Keith, thanks for bringing that closer to home for the rest of us. Awsome thing you did. This post made me cry,
GOD BLESS our Military -

NOTALENT
04-24-2006, 09:30 AM
I was at a house party on Sat...some locals...turns out I new the guy...he was way cool....everyone there pretty much just found out that night...Sad news. My condolances go out to his family.

Caribbean Jet
04-24-2006, 09:46 AM
Very sad news. everytime we see someone who is in the military and risking their lives to keep us safe and free we should thank them. He gave everything he could to die for us. He will be in my family prayers.

TheLurker
04-24-2006, 10:01 AM
Pfc. Patrick Allen Tinnell, sounded like a courageous kid who wanted to step up and do his part to defend our country.
My condolences to his family

Stoneman
04-24-2006, 10:09 AM
Very Sad, heart felt condolenses for him and his family. And the biggest THANK YOU possible to PFC Tinnell for doing way more than his share to keep us free!!
And hats off to you Keith, I would not of been able to walk through the door without losing it.

Hallett
04-24-2006, 10:44 PM
Way to go keith, if people where even half the person you are
what a great world we would have. your a good man i know
the young man that lost his life thanks you to.

RVRGIRL
04-24-2006, 11:23 PM
I work with his grandmother at my work. She works the night shift. I will let everyone know that you are all in the families prayers and thoughts.

shadow
04-27-2006, 12:30 PM
My wife works with Patrick Tinnell's mom.I was just told that tonight between 6:00 & 6:30 they will be bringing his body in to town via HWY95.
There will people linning the Hwy in support at HWY 95 & Palo Verde No.
Hopefully this will be a huge showing of support.We will definately be there.

Her454
04-27-2006, 12:33 PM
My wife works with Patrick Tinnell's mom.I was just told that tonight between 6:00 & 6:30 they will be bringing his body in to town via HWY95.
There will people linning the Hwy in support at HWY 95 & Palo Verde No.
Hopefully this will be a huge showing of support.We will definately be there.
THAT IS AWSOME! I wish I could be there.

NeedlesNut
04-27-2006, 12:48 PM
great that the town recognizes one of our fallen in such a way. Wish I could be there. My brother is currently in Iraq also and the worry that a family carries having a loved one there is immense. This brought me to tears and pray that my family never has to endure such a thing.

SummitKarl
04-27-2006, 12:51 PM
OMG.. :frown: :( .we competed with each other in the Havasu Happening Burn out contest for the last 3 yrs.
This was a GOOD YOUNG MAN, I will make sure he is reconized at my Next car show, May 13th 11am-2pm at Chuys

Keith E. Sayre
04-27-2006, 01:01 PM
I hope that I don't sound redundant but I've said this before. I am never
surprised at the quality of people that are here on this website and on the
river. I've been proud to be a boater all my life and I'll be proud to come on
this website and run my mouth as long as they'll have me. What got me going is the response of Huffpower to offer up $100 for a beginning of a
memorial for someone that he doesn't even know. Very Thoughtful and I'm
proud to count you as a friend. Equally as important was the response to
the injured people from the Topock accident loast weekend. Those people
will feel overwhelmed by the love and support that they got right here on
Hot boat .com. Sure we all sit here and boast about whos boat does what
and whose doesn't, but when the girl got hurt last week with the others, I
must have counted 250 people who committed to praying to God to help her and others offering to drive to vegas or wherever to make sure that all of
her affairs were being taken care of. that' what a family is all about. and
frankly, I'd take the hot boat family over alot of real families by blood anyday. I'm going up there at 6 pm to show my support at the highway.
god bless our soldiers and their families.
Keith Sayre

shippingguy
04-27-2006, 01:03 PM
God Bless Patrick, his family and all the other brave men and women fighting for our freedom!

SummitKarl
04-27-2006, 01:10 PM
Keith..empty your PM's please
I want to find out if Conquest boats would like to get in on the Charity fund raiser this weekend
Thanks
Karl

shadow
04-27-2006, 06:17 PM
Here's a few pic's.Hopefully keiths turned out better.None the less a tear jerker when they drove by escorted by police,a group of Harleys and fire truck.
Sorry i'm having a hard time with the pic's.Hopefully Keith will put some up and i'll try later.
Patrick Tinnell Rest in peace and thank you!

Not So Fast
04-27-2006, 07:00 PM
My wife works with Patrick Tinnell's mom.I was just told that tonight between 6:00 & 6:30 they will be bringing his body in to town via HWY95.
There will people linning the Hwy in support at HWY 95 & Palo Verde No.
Hopefully this will be a huge showing of support.We will definately be there.
I wish they would have made this more known and me and my wife would have been there for sure. We saw and heard them as we were riding around in the golf cart but we didnt know what it was for. Yes, RIP NSF

UncleLarry
04-27-2006, 07:13 PM
Jokers WIld Promotions - Drager Development and others has started to work on a memorial for Pat. We are working with the city to get a new skate park built in his honor - he was here when our current skate park was built and he thought it was kinda cheesy...
So the city owns some land right next to the Aquatic Center on Hwy 95 and a group is working very hard to to get a new skate park build thier in honor of Mr. Tinnell..
If you want to send a card to the family please send it to:
Attn: Pat Tinnell
C/o Jokers Wild Promotions
1642 McCulloch Blvd N. #164
Lake Havasu City, Az. 86403
We will take them to the family....
If we need help with the memorial we will get on on line to let you all know what we need.
When the body was returned to Lake Havasu late today over 800 people lined the road waving American Flags...
Thanks to all for the kind words - they will be passed on to the family

shadow
04-27-2006, 07:47 PM
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1502DSCF1836.JPG

shadow
04-27-2006, 07:51 PM
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1502DSCF1838.JPG

shadow
04-27-2006, 07:53 PM
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1502DSCF1839.JPG

shadow
04-27-2006, 07:56 PM
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1502DSCF1841.JPG

Her454
04-28-2006, 11:43 AM
Todays News-Herald
Friends, relatives and tourists joined Lake Havasu City residents in lining the streets Thursday evening to meet the body of fallen soldier Patrick A. Tinnell.
Members of Lake Havasu City Police Department, Fire Department and an Arizona chapter of the Patriot Guard escorted his body. Local veteran and civic groups also lined State Route 95 to watch the procession drive by at about 6:40 p.m.
The white hearse was guided by police cars and followed by less than 20 other cars. The procession wound up Swanson Avenue and ended at Lietz-Frase Funeral Home and Crematory. Tinnell's remains came from an airport in Las Vegas earlier in the afternoon.
Pfc. Tinnell, 25, died at 5:24 a.m. April 19, when the humvee he was in was blown up by a suicide bomber in the town of As Siniyah, Iraq, 155 miles north of Baghdad. He was reportedly positioned as a scout leading a troop of vehicles when the car bomb detonated. He is the first known casualty from the War in Iraq from Lake Havasu City.
Kristy Jordan and her daughter Amanda showed support at the procession because they said they felt he needed to be honored.
“He deserves our respect,” Kristy Jordan said. “He's one of our soldiers.”
Nicole Grohomann, who used to ride BMX bikes with Tinnell joined about 100 others at the procession.
“Pat used to ride with all of us and he used to push us like no other,” she said.
Funeral services for Tinnell will be at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lake Havasu City Recreation/Aquatic Center, 100 Park Ave. Burial will follow at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens with full military honors.