A U.S. Army soldier initially from St. Augustine was killed on base in Alaska by a brown bear.
He was recognized by his household as Workers Sgt. Seth Plant. He was 30 years outdated.
In line with a information launch from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the soldier was coaching with a small group when the assault occurred Tuesday.
A spokesperson with Alaska Wildlife Troopers stated one other soldier was additionally damage however is predicted to be OK.
News4JAX spoke with Plant’s household on Thursday. They had been devastated. They stated that Workers Sgt. Plant had rather a lot mates in St. Augustine and that his father traveled to Alaska to convey him house.
“Undoubtedly our hero,” stated Workers Sgt. Plant’s mom, Pleasure Plant, stated of her son.
Pleasure Plant can’t assist however smile when she speaks about her son.
“He would let you know he’s the favourite little one,” she stated.
The one boy and the youngest of three, his household stated, he knew simply how a lot he was cherished.
Advert
“He was the lifetime of the get together,” Pleasure Plant stated. “He’s cherished by all people in the neighborhood, in his household, within the army.”
Workers Sgt. Plant’s uncle, Army veteran Barry Carlton, stated his nephew at all times knew he needed to serve his nation.
“He needed to do the whole lot I did. He adopted in my footsteps and joined the Army, grew to become a paratrooper,” he stated. “Ten years after I used to be in Afghanistan, he went to Afghanistan, and he served honorably.”
His household stated he spent 12 years within the Army, serving a 12 months in Afghanistan and spending the higher a part of the previous 12 months in Alaska. His sister stated he was an outdoorsman who cherished spending time within the Final Frontier.
“Simply being exterior on a regular basis,” stated Workers Sgt. Plant’s sister, Gini Solano. “He’d sit exterior and simply sit round, have a glass of bourbon.”
Carlton stated his nephew dreamed of turning into a member of the elite Special Forces — the Inexperienced Berets — and was nicely on his method.
Advert
“He was a real patriot,” Carlton stated.
However then the household bought the information each cherished one dreads.
“You by no means know what that feeling is like till you see these army males standing in entrance of you and telling you issues that you simply don’t need to hear,” Workers Sgt. Plant’s mom stated.
She’s now becoming a member of the ranks of these whose family members have made the last word sacrifice.
“I do know what different dad and mom have gone by way of. I do know what spouses have gone by way of,” she stated. “I really feel their ache now, and it’s very devastating.”
Workers Sgt. Plant leaves behind a legacy of service, many mates and his household — a sacrifice made doing what he cherished and within the service of others.
“He has so many brothers that we couldn’t rely all of them,” his mom stated. “He cherished his household.”
The household stated that he might be buried in full army honors and that they need him introduced house to St. Augustine and laid to relaxation in St. Augustine Nationwide Cemetary. They stated they’ve heard the cemetery is full, however they’re hoping somebody would possibly be capable of assist discover a place for him there.
Advert
Alaska Division of Fish and Recreation investigating
In line with investigators, a den was situated close by the realm the place the assault passed off, with two brown bear cubs current.
The world the place the attacked occurred is alleged to be a distant portion of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. It has been closed to the general public for all leisure exercise.
“From the whole lot we all know thus far, based mostly on the scene investigation and data from different responding companies, this seems to be a defensive assault by a feminine bear defending her cubs,” Cyndi Wardlow, southcentral regional supervisor, stated in a ready assertion.
Because the assault, efforts have continued to find the bear, the division says.
Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
