Comments on: KBR Employee Lucas Trent Vinson Shot Dead On US Base In Iraq

By: Equus

Equus — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:13:39 +0000

Just stumbled on this today…Robert Vinson was the camp manager at G4 (Charlie, al-Hillah) when I was the medic there. Does anyone know if he’s related to Trent.

What a mess. Was there ever an update on what set the soldier off? Most links above are 404 now.

–Equusz

By: DevilDog-KBR

DevilDog-KBR — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:35:05 +0000

I worked for KBR (B sites) as a TTM Driver/Foreman/TransOps for over three years, and my sincerest condolences go out to the family of this fine individual.

Tragic as this incident is, it serves as a sobering reminder just where contractors are serving and under what conditions and who they serve.

All too often, I had seen the “Me, Myself and I” syndrome displayed in front of battle-tested Soldiers and Marines, often veterans of multiple deployments. Their animosity towards contractors sometimes will reach the point where their anger is truly palatable. The most important thing I learned early on over there was to be “seen and not heard” and to employ a certain amount of discipline and tact when dealing with an “armed” military.There are so many KBR civilians over there over-consumed by their supposed self-importance that it is truly alarming…

I have no idea whether this individual was targeted because of a personal dispute, or because he was a KBR contractor, or simply he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I had seen stupid stuff happen outside the wire and even dumber stuff happen inside the wire…I was universally HATED as someone who enforced safety rules and one who actually cared about the welfare of those under me.I wasn’t there to make friends; I can truly say no one died or was seriously injured on my watch and for that I am TRULY thankful….

Again, my sincere condolences to this fine patriot’s family…

By: jj

jj — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:28:44 +0000

This man sounds like a great young man. I commend him for keeping a smile for so many others throughout his long stint with KBR.
I worked for KBR in Baghdad for a year and did another year with them at Camp Anaconda, a very rough place, starting in 2003 also.
Although we would certainly like more info on the reason why a contractor was shot, we simply can’t speculate at this point. But, one thing is for sure. KBR CARES NOTHING ABOUT THEIR EMPLOYEES. If you go there, and you are severly injured, you are left out in the cold. When you come back home, you are ostricized. There are countless employees who were hurt and KBR would not even provide an answer or help with medical treatment upon arrival home,,,,that is a fact. I am not a KBR hater, I worked for them for 2 years, but do the reasearch yourself. This man’s family deserves answers, upfront, regardless of the fact that the investigation is being conducted by the army.This case has a higher profile due to the circumstances, but there are hundreds of others that you have probably never heard of, from explosions and job-related injuries.
I offer my condolences to the familiy. May he rest in peace.

By: jm7

jm7 — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:22:58 +0000

JB … do you have AIM?

By: humminbird

humminbird — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:27:20 +0000

My boyfriend grew up with trent, they grew yp in a small town and were very close. Althought I have not meet him, we got in the news early Sunday morning. I could here the hurt and sorrow from Trents friends and family. I know for a fact that they are having a really hard time. I have heard nothing but good and positive things about Trent, I wish I could have met him. This will be a very emotional cerimony. I know that the Visions and the family friends appriciate your kind words

By: dirtymedic

dirtymedic — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:52:35 +0000

Trent was a wonderful guy he will never be forgotten. I have some pictures of us and of just him being the clown he can be. He will be missed. I am so sad this has happened. I worked with him at the G sites as well. I was the a medic there.

By: Ms Sparky

Ms Sparky — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:06:26 +0000

I am getting much communication about two additional soldiers who MAY have been victims in this tragedy. This is certainly just rumor at this point because the DoD flatly denies any additional victims.

I would like to hear it from someone who is at Speicher. Also, can someone tell me the name of the soldier and the Unit the soldier belonged to who shot Lucas.

Please don’t leave any of that information as a comment. Click the CONTACT US tap above or click this link to send me an email.

http://mssparky.com/contact-us/

By: msj

msj — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:22:11 +0000

My condolensces go out to the family and friends of the victim and also the soldier.I cant imagine what he’s going through. My husband is a contractor thru KBR and they are out there risking their lives to support our troops. Really when something happens to these hard workers what does the army or KBR do for them. No acknowledgement what so ever. Just a see you later, BYE….

By: .....

..... — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:58:03 +0000

lsufan74 said,on September 15th, 2009 at 8:13 am I want to apologize to ALL posters on this board. I confused this blog with Huffington Post, which has some pretty harsh things being said. Sincere apologies to all.
——————–
Not a problem lsufan74, believe it or not most of the folks that comment on Ms Sparky’s blog are trying to do the right thing. The frustration is not with the KBR people that are trying to do a good job. The anger is with management and the people that are causing everyone affiliated with KBR to be perceived as bad.

I am sorry for your loss, I know from experience how devastating a time this is for you and your family.

By: lsufan74

lsufan74 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:13:18 +0000

I want to apologize to ALL posters on this board. I confused this blog with Huffington Post, which has some pretty harsh things being said. Sincere apologies to all.

By: kacee

kacee — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:25:54 +0000

iIloved Trent i left the office working with him on April 7th , He was the one who got me in the gym everyday and ,he loved his LSU , You couldn’t say anything about LSU.LOL He was like no other i have ever met.
Trent was never moody he was always , always in a good mood and never let anyone down. I have been crying for two days now , he was going home on October 22nd. His last blog on face Book was something like 61 days till i go home who is coming with. Sad that an American Soilder did this. If he was unhappy he should have took his crazy butt home. bottom line. Why take someone elses life. i Loved his spirit and wished sometimes i could be as crazy and full of life as him.

By: lsufan74

lsufan74 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:54:23 +0000

Sgt-Mayhem,
First of all, thank you for your service to our country.I can assure you that I am a valid source, and this is not the same Lucas Vinson that served with you in the Marines in 2003. Trent did have an uncle that served in the Marines in Vietnam, but he was never in the service.
While I do not want to comment about my relation to Trent, I do want to comment on how hurtful and dreadful some of the above comments are. When the truth comes out, some of the above posters will realize they have opened mouth and inserted their foot. I am appalled at the level of total disrespect for human kind. This country has people so quick to draw conclusions without even having a CLUE as to what really took place.
That being said, I think any comments “GUESSING” or “Making” accusations about this tragedy should not be made, and the people with the urge to do so should practice what I would call “holding your tongue.”

Ms Sparky’s Response:
I have read some of the comments on other blogs and you are correct they are disgusting. I think MsSparky.com readers have been very respectful, restrained and informative. You must have this blog confused with one of the others that allows that kind of crap. So….how is “MC” anyway?

By: Tracy Lexington,Ky

Tracy Lexington,Ky — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:32:14 +0000

Although I never had the pleasure of knowing Trent Vinson I do know his Mother and Grandmother, my heart goes out to both of them, to loose a child is such a tragedy.
My deepest sympathies to the Smith-Vinson families

By: Ms Sparky

Ms Sparky — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:59:33 +0000

Here is another article that just came out with family statements.

http://www.kansascity.com/437/story/1445754.html

By: Joan

Joan — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:48:33 +0000

The soldiers startle easily out there which I can understand !! My source told me, that a soldier went AWOL and this young man may God rest his soul,and comfort his family died as an indirect result of him going AWOL..will update you later.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks. Not to condone this shooting in any way, I just want to say this….we have no idea what this or any other soldier experiences. I don’t know if the DoD will come forward officially with ALL facts that are coming out, but I hope so.

By: Ms Sparky

Ms Sparky — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:20:20 +0000

Here is an updated AP article.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jHQLdOgbcwUVIhSGta0xbERXd-ugD9AMRRM00

By: Sgt- Mayhem

Sgt- Mayhem — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:03:09 +0000

I am wondering if this is the same Vinson that I served with in the Marine Corps… He was the same age and from louisiana… Does anyone know his background?? I left the Marines in 2003 after a tour in Iraq where I was Vinsons squad leader… I would appreciate any info about Lucas Vinson past military service so I can verify if it is him or not… Thank you…

By: InSpeicher

InSpeicher — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:37:05 +0000

Yesterday was a very tragic day for all involved. We got the news a couple hours after the shooting and while they still had the shooter surrounded in the LSA. The negotiating went on for hours, not ending until after 9 pm. Trent lost his life for no good reason at all. We are all grieving, and i can not imagine how his father is feeling as he is here on the same camp with us. They were supposed to leave on R&R together today to go home. A lot of rumors are going to fly about what happened out here. Trent was not flown to Baghdad. He was here on Speicher when he passed. He was rushed to the CSH, but not flown from our site. Trent will be missed by family state side and abroad. We are all family members out here. We watch out for one another. Today Trent may have saved the lives of many by being the person that he was. May God put his loving arms around both families and help them to understand this tragic event.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thank you for your comment. My condolences to the friends, family and co-workers of both sides of this tragedy.

By: TM

TM — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:43:39 +0000

I would just like to say I personally worked with Trent while assigned to the C Sites (in the same office until June 09). I can not even describe to your readers how much he will be missed. He would greet everyone in the morning with “Good Morning Buddy” and go through the halls yelling Whodeewhoo! He was full of charisma and spirit. He was obsessed with the gym and was a great cook on the BBQ. He loved LSU and last Christmas our office gave him all presents with LSU Logos (which he just loved). He was a great worker and took great pride in his work. He was…. a great friend… It is the greatest lost for all who knew him and I am completely heartbroken…Please pray for his family.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
I’m sorry for your loss.

By: Ksniper777

Ksniper777 — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:15:55 +0000

Let us not start to speculate on what happen or who is going to cover up what. Two family are now in great pain. I believe we should keep them in our prayers and not speculate on what happen in the LSA or DFAC or wherever is the root cause to this event.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Again…we agree. I have deleted and edited more comments than I have approved.