REMEMBERING THE LOSS OF A SON, BROTHER AND SOLDIER

Remembering a Veteran, Tamaqua American Legion, 5-25-2015 (13) — Tamaqua residents Jennifer Owen and father Leroy DeRonde Jr. hold a Purple Heart plaque made in honor of their loved one – PFC Leroy DeRonde III, who was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday, May 27, 2012.

Three years ago today (Wednesday, May 27, 2015), United States Army PFC Leroy DeRonde III, age 22, gave the ultimate sacrifice.
His father Leroy DeRonde Jr. and sister Jennifer Owen, both of Tamaqua, stood outside the Tamaqua American Legion while holding a plaque made in his honor during the recent Tamaqua Memorial Day Parade. His mother, Elizabeth, died of cancer in 2004.
DeRonde III, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, was one of two soldiers killed on May 27, 2012 in Chak-E Warkdak District, Afghanistan, after their unit was attacked by enemy forces. He was assigned to the 125th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
He was a 2009 graduate of William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Click HERE to view a webpage created for PFC DeRonde III on the NJRunForTheFallen.org website.

Click HERE to view a related story on NJ.com website.

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Below is a tribute slideshow on YouTube (courtesy of fireomie’s channel):