Army Sgt. Thomas D. Robbins

Died February 9, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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27, Schenectady, N.Y.; assigned to Troop A, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment (Stryker), Fort Lewis, Wash.; killed Feb. 9 when a collection of unexploded ordinance, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar rounds detonated while being moved to a demolition point in Sinjar, Iraq.

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Thomas D. Robbins loved the outdoors, and after camping and hiking in the woods, always returned home with trash he picked up on the trail. His mother said Robbins was a talented artist and had been in Iraq less than three months when he died. "He believed he was helping people and was working at learning the Iraqi language, just as he had learned Korean and studied the culture when he was stationed in Korea," said Charlene Robbins. Sgt. Robbins, 27, of Schenectady, N.Y., died Feb. 9 when rocket-propelled grenades and mortar rounds blew up while being moved to a detonation site in Sinjar, Iraq. He was assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash. Robbins earned an associate degree in environmental sciences at Morrisville State College. In the Army, he resumed his college studies and was two credits short of a bachelor's degree. Robbins is survived by his wife, Gina, and their infant daughter, Marisa.

— Associated Press