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What else is there to say! This was our local boy who was murdered by afghani savages:
Air Force Lt. Col. John Darin Loftis died serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
The Paducah Sun
Mar 04, 2012 | 988 views | 0 | 0 | | February 22, 1968-
February 25, 2012
With a heart for people and a skilled mind for language, John Darin Loftis, 44, of Murray, Ky., lived a full life of service. After studying engineering at Vanderbilt University, Darin joined the Peace Corps in 1992 with his bride, Holly. They served two years in Papua New Guinea with the Duna Tribe, where they spoke Melanesian Pidgin.
His life of service continued when he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1996, receiving his commission through Officer Training School. Darin was a space and missile officer who studied to become a regional affairs strategist. Through his studies, he earned three masters degrees.
In 2009, he volunteered for a deployment where he directly communicated with local Afghans. He spoke Pashto proficiently and had limited skills in Dari and Arabic. So highly respected, he was given a Pashto name: Esan, meaning the quality of being generous.
He died Feb. 25 from wounds received during an attack at the Interior Ministry, Kabul, Afghanistan. Before he was killed, Lt. Col. J.D. Loftis helped bridge the Afghan and American cultures while deployed in support of OPERATION Enduring Freedom. He was working with AfPak Hands, a program of specially trained U.S. service members skilled in Afghan and Pakistani culture and language.
Darin was previously awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal. Posthumously, he was awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal and Purple Heart.
His greatest achievements though are his two beloved daughters, who he especially loved more than anything.
He is survived by his wife, Holly Brewer Loftis, and children: Alison and Camille, of Navarre, Fla. He is also survived by his parents, mother Chris Janne and husband Randall, of Paducah, Ky.; father John M. Loftis and wife Peggy, of New Concord, Ky.; paternal grandmother, Inez Worthington of Cadiz, Ky.; and maternal grandfather, James Brooks of Paducah, Ky., who is also a Bronze Star recipient.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Margaret Brooks, and his paternal grandfather, Ed Loftis.
A memorial will be held Monday, March 5, at the base chapel on Hurlburt Field, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the USO (Donate | USrg), Fisher House (Donate online to the Fisher House Foundation | Fisher House Foundation) and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (Make a Donation - Special Operations Warrior Foundation).
To donate to the Lt. Col. Darin Loftis Memorial Fund, send donations to the Austin Bank at P.O. Box 951, Jacksonville, Texas, 75766.
Read more: The Paducah Sun - Air Force Lt Col John Darin Loftis died serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
