By Associated Press
Fort Rucker, AL – Army helicopter pilot Keith Yoakum is remembered as a model for others who fly choppers in combat, protecting ground troops, as well as a loving father who looked forward to teaching his daughters to fly. A memorial service and funeral for the chief warrant officer who died in Iraq is scheduled for today (Tuesday) at Fort Rucker. Yoakum, who was 41, lived in Coffee Springs in Geneva County and had moved to the Wiregrass region from Hemet, California, to be near his two brothers. The family bought property and had begun to build a hangar and grass landing strip. His twin brother, Kevin Yoakum, said he has received e-mails from soldiers around the world expressing condolences and sharing memories. Keith Yoakum died of wounds suffered on February second when he was forced down in combat operations at Taji, Iraq. Also killed was 34-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Jason Defrenn of Barnwell, South Carolina. The two soldiers were assigned to 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Cavalry Regiment, 1st Division, at Fort Hood, Texas. Yoakum's family said he died doing what he loved.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)