COB Speicher Family,

On behalf of the Camp Manager, I am informing you all of the Memorial Service being held for Mr. Lucas “Trent” Vinson tomorrow, 16 Sep 2009, at 1400 hours in the Main Gymnasium. Additionally, I would request that everyone please Pause for a moment of silence at (10 am) and remember what a pleasure it was to know such a humble, always caring, and lovable young man. Trent, you will always be remembered by the KBR COB Speicher Family.

V/R

Feel free to leave your thoughts and condolences for Lucas “Trent” Vinson’s friends and family. Please show respect and compassion for all involved.

For other posts on this tragedy click HERE, HERE and HERE

My most sincere condolences to the friends, family and co-workers of Lucas “Trent” Vinson.

Ms Sparky

Update: US Soldier charged in death of Lucas Vinson.

Blue Border Communications Bulletin #9
Death of Employee Lucas ‘Trent’ Vinson – 14 Sep 2009

LOGCAP III Employees:

As many of you have heard, a KBR LOGCAP III employee was shot and killed at COB Speicher. This is a tragic situation, and the death of an employee is one of my greatest fears as the Principal Program Manager.

At approximately 08:30 yesterday, September 13, Lucas “Trent” Vinson, a Client Owned Equipment Specialist at COB Speicher, was shot by an unidentified person while operating a motor vehicle outside of the project management office. He later died during emergency surgery. The media is reporting that a soldier has been detained in connection with the incident, and you will probably hear many stories on how this happened.

Because the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division is currently conducting an investigation, at this time I can not comment further on what has happened. I can say our Security Department and project management are conducting inquiries in an attempt to determine what happened, and how to keep our employees safer on the project.

Mr. Vinson has relatives on this project, including his father. We have been in contact with the family, and our heartfelt condolences go out to them and everyone who has been affected by this tragedy. We have sent Employee Assistance Program experts to the C Sites to not only support the family, but those co-workers who need someone to talk to. There were several witnesses to the event, and there will be a lot of healing that will need to take place. If you feel you need to talk with someone about this event, please contact your Human Resources or EAP representative, they are here to help.

There is the possibility members of the media will ask our employees questions about the event, and I remind everyone of our policy requiring prior approval before talking to the media. If a member of the media, including military Public Affairs officers, approach you, please refer them to your Project Manager.

This is a time of mourning, and I ask that you join with me in remembering Mr. Vinson and his family with kind thoughts or prayer. Because this happened, I can think of no better way to honor Trent than to continue with the mission he was on – and that is to deliver an excellent product to the military we support.

We Deliver,

(SIGNATURE)

GUY LaBOA
Principal Program Manager
LOGCAP III Middle East/Central Asia

Click HERE to view the original .PDF of the Communication

Update: US soldier charged in Vinson death.

Civilian contractor shot dead on US base in Iraq

(AP) – BAGHDAD — A civilian contractor was shot and killed Sunday on an American military base in the Iraqi city of Tikrit and a U.S. soldier has been detained in connection with the incident, the military said.

The contractor was shot at 8:30 a.m. at Camp Speicher, the military said in a statement.

Houston-based KBR confirmed in a short statement that the man killed was one of its employees, 27-year-old Lucas Vinson.

“As the Army is leading the investigation of the incident, KBR is not providing further comment at this time,” spokeswoman Heather Browne said in an e-mailed statement. “We are of course fully cooperating with the Army on its continued investigation.”

Maj. Derrick Cheng, a public affairs officer, said a soldier had been detained in connection with the incident, but that he could not divulge any more information while the investigation is ongoing.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the family of the individual,” he said.

The U.S. military makes wide use of contractors in Iraq for security, technical support and supply functions.

KBR is the primary support contractor in Iraq, providing troops with essential services, including housing, meals, mail delivery and laundry.

As of June 30, 1,395 civilian employees of U.S. government contractors had been killed in Iraq, according to an AP count. (click HERE for the original article)

Now that the Associated Press has confirmed and released the name of KBR employee Lucas Vinson, I will allow comments. Please keep them respectful on all levels.

My most sincere condolences to the friends, family and co-workers of Lucas Vinson. My prayers are with you.

My prayers are also with this soldier, his family and his entire unit.

Ms Sparky