Funeral held Wednesday for soldier with Miss. ties

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Army Staff Sgt. Robert L. Love Jr. of Livingston, Ala., was buried Wednesday in the tiny east Mississippi town of Russell.

At least 75 people, including family members, friends and a military contingent, attended a memorial service for Love earlier Wednesday in Meridian. Love was killed in Iraq on Dec. 1 when an explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

"There will be heartache and tears, but if you can trust in the Lord, He will wipe away the tears. You might not see it right now, but He will wipe them away," eulogist Keith Tisdale said in the Meridian Star.

"This is a sad occasion, when someone loses a loved one, but we thank God anyway, because with Him all things are possible."

Love's wife, Staff Sgt. Brianna K. Love, and his parents were presented with the soldier's medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star awarded posthumously.

Love was a 1996 graduate of Livingston High School in west Alabama. Some of his relatives live in the Meridian area.

The 28-year-old soldier was assigned to the 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division based in Giessen, Germany. He died Dec. 1 in the explosion at Ar Ramadi.

Love's mother, Mary Love, said earlier that her son and his wife met when they were transferred to Germany at the same time.

Mary Love said her son, one of five children, played in the band at Livingston High. She said he immediately enlisted in the Army after graduation and served eight years.

"He was quiet, but he got along with everyone, and everyone with him. He was a very serious person, but still very loving," Mary Love said in Tuesday's Meridian Star.

Among other survivors is the soldier's father, Robert Love Sr., and his daughters, Brianna and Tenessa.