Army Staff Sgt. Robin L. Towns Sr., 52, of Upper Marlboro, Md., died Oct 24 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations. He was assigned to the 275th Military Police Company, 372nd Military Police Battalion, Washington, D.C. National Guard.
HE LOVED GOD, HIS FAMILY, AND HIS FRIENDS
Besides his wife, Sheila, and their blended family of six children, there were few things that Staff Sgt. Robin L. Towns Sr. of Upper Marlboro loved more than entertaining, watching football and barbecuing.
He was known for his cookouts. During games between the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles, Towns, 52, delighted in donning his Eagles jersey and serving guests his signature barbecued chicken and ribs. Family members and friends said they couldn't stand it when he rooted for the Eagles, but they loved his barbecue so much they never complained.
On Wednesday, Towns was killed in Iraq, nine days after he was deployed there as a member of the D.C. National Guard's 275th Military Police Company.
Towns was the second member of the D.C. National Guard killed in Iraq. D.C. National Guard spokeswoman 1st Lt. Loneshia Reed was in shock Friday after learning of Towns' death. Towns was her squad leader.
"He was wonderful man, a wonderful leader, and a wonderful friend," Reed said.
At a gathering yesterday at Sanctuary at Kingdom Square in Capitol Heights, family and friends remembered Towns, who had worked as a corrections officer from December to May, when he left for training. He also worked as a security guard and armored car driver for Dunbar Armored.
Jeff Logan, assistant chief of the Prince George's Department of Corrections, said that though he had been at the department for a short time, "he was on his way to be an asset to the department."
His sister-in-law Joyce Wise said, "He was passionate about everything that he did."
The Rev. Anthony Maclin, pastor of Sanctuary at Kingdom Square, said Towns "loved to serve God, and he had a passion for his brothers and sisters, especially those who serve in the military."
As a guardsman, Towns worked several natural disasters, including hurricanes Katrina and Isabel. He received the Maryland State Active Duty Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) called Towns's death "a senseless tragedy."
"It reaffirms that it is time to bring our troops home," he said. "While President Bush says that the violence is decreasing, for this family the violence is very real."
Saturday, October 27, 2007
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