Hernando County soldier killed in Afghanistan

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

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Justin Coleman, 21, was killed when his Army unit was ambushed.

HERNANDO COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A U.S. Army soldier from Hernando County was killed Friday in Afghanistan.

The Army said Justin Coleman's unit was ambushed when they were looking for a captured U.S. soldier. Three other soldiers were also killed in the attack.

"It's an incredible loss," said Coleman's father, Dean Coleman. "I was not supposed to outlive my son. It's always in the back of your mind that something could happen, but you hope it won't happen to your son."

Coleman's wife, Nicole, said she didn't want him to join the Army.

"I told him my opinion on it, but what it came down to was what he wanted to do," she said.

There will be a viewing on Sunday and Coleman, who was 21, will be buried Monday at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

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