Hi everyone, Shannon Thompson here, I hope you don't disreguard this letter as a meaningless forward or chainletter. Evan Minnear was a hero to all who met him and as close and over protective as the best older brotherly type, including myself. I hope that all of you take the time to read and hopefully put some thought into this, donations will really help out his family in this time of need. Merry Christmas everyone, make sure you let EVERY person you care for know it. Evan's 25th birthday would have been December 9th, a week and a day after his life was so thoughtlessly taken away.
http://www.ktuu.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3192341&at1=Video
Player&h1=Homicide victim was Iraq veteran
I know that money is tight for most people around the holidays guys but please remember that its Evans familys holiday season too and they have lost a loved one. Please dig in your pockets and donate whatever you can so his family can have as happy of a holiday as possible.
Thanks so much
Brittany and Star
Alaska USA FCU
Account Name:
Brittany Dodson
In Memeory of Evan Lee Minnear
Account
1431476
Thanks for all that you can do to help and I will check the account often and keep every one posted on how we are doing for his family.
PLEASE REPOST EVEN IF YOU DIDNT KNOW HIM PERSONALLY .... LETS HELP A FAMILY IN NEED!
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=9439302
Homicide victim was MP, Iraq veteran
by Jill Burke
Monday, December 1, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- This wasn't they way a soldier who had survived Iraq was supposed to die.
But Sgt. Evan Minnear is dead, gunned down outside an Anchorage bar near Third Avenue and F Street early Sunday morning. And a convicted violent felon is under arrest, charged with his murder.
Vongdevane Vongthongdy, 26, shot and killed Minnear near the Woodshed Lounge, police said.
It was an earlier shot fired that drew Minnear's attention, according to a witness.
"Someone came running out of the Woodshed and a girl came out after and said a name and said, 'What are you doing?' and I guess she was trying to stop him from coming over here, and that's the guy that got shot," Katie Lease said.
Minnear died at the hospital about four hours after the shooting.
You might wonder, why would anyone confront a guy with a gun?
Minnear's family says it's simple: He was a protector and being true to his nature.
"It's our upbringing," brother James Minnear said. "Basically, if you see someone in a squabble or someone down, you're going to try to lend a hand the best way you can."
Minnear's family describes him as a skinny boy who grew up to become a proud soldier. Originally from Anderson, Indiana, Minnear was a member of the 425 Military Police Company assigned to the Brigade Special Troops Battalion.
"He just loved it, the Army was his life," said Minnear's grandfather, Harry Evans.
When Minnear deployed to Iraq his family was on edge -- until his 15-month deployment ended early this year and he was safe and sound, back in Alaska on U.S. soil.
"We were scared to death when he left for Iraq and prayed every single night," aunt Joni Breeden said. "And he came home last February -- and I hate to say it, we kind of didn't worry anymore, 'cause we knew he was home."
No one could know that it was a night out with friends that would lead to his death.
On learning Minnear was in the military, police said, Vongthongdy became remorseful and blamed the night's events on being drunk.
Vongthongdy is a felon, convicted of assault in a prior case. A probation violation sent him back to jail -- a stay from which he was released just a few weeks ago.
And he admitted to nearly everything except shooting Minnear, police said. However, there is surveillance video of the shooting, from a security camera outside the bar.
All of that is little solace to a family that is hurting.
"I was so proud of him, I just can't tell you how much," an emotional Evans, Minnear's grandfather, said.
This wasn't how it was supposed to end.
"It's unfortunate," James Minnear said. "You know, you think of a soldier would go over to Iraq and die for his country in Iraq and not at some squabble outside of a base in Alaska.
"But that's what life gives you."
http://www.ktuu.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3192341&at1=Video
Player&h1=Homicide victim was Iraq veteran
I know that money is tight for most people around the holidays guys but please remember that its Evans familys holiday season too and they have lost a loved one. Please dig in your pockets and donate whatever you can so his family can have as happy of a holiday as possible.
Thanks so much
Brittany and Star
Alaska USA FCU
Account Name:
Brittany Dodson
In Memeory of Evan Lee Minnear
Account
1431476
Thanks for all that you can do to help and I will check the account often and keep every one posted on how we are doing for his family.
PLEASE REPOST EVEN IF YOU DIDNT KNOW HIM PERSONALLY .... LETS HELP A FAMILY IN NEED!
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=9439302
Homicide victim was MP, Iraq veteran
by Jill Burke
Monday, December 1, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- This wasn't they way a soldier who had survived Iraq was supposed to die.
But Sgt. Evan Minnear is dead, gunned down outside an Anchorage bar near Third Avenue and F Street early Sunday morning. And a convicted violent felon is under arrest, charged with his murder.
Vongdevane Vongthongdy, 26, shot and killed Minnear near the Woodshed Lounge, police said.
It was an earlier shot fired that drew Minnear's attention, according to a witness.
"Someone came running out of the Woodshed and a girl came out after and said a name and said, 'What are you doing?' and I guess she was trying to stop him from coming over here, and that's the guy that got shot," Katie Lease said.
Minnear died at the hospital about four hours after the shooting.
You might wonder, why would anyone confront a guy with a gun?
Minnear's family says it's simple: He was a protector and being true to his nature.
"It's our upbringing," brother James Minnear said. "Basically, if you see someone in a squabble or someone down, you're going to try to lend a hand the best way you can."
Minnear's family describes him as a skinny boy who grew up to become a proud soldier. Originally from Anderson, Indiana, Minnear was a member of the 425 Military Police Company assigned to the Brigade Special Troops Battalion.
"He just loved it, the Army was his life," said Minnear's grandfather, Harry Evans.
When Minnear deployed to Iraq his family was on edge -- until his 15-month deployment ended early this year and he was safe and sound, back in Alaska on U.S. soil.
"We were scared to death when he left for Iraq and prayed every single night," aunt Joni Breeden said. "And he came home last February -- and I hate to say it, we kind of didn't worry anymore, 'cause we knew he was home."
No one could know that it was a night out with friends that would lead to his death.
On learning Minnear was in the military, police said, Vongthongdy became remorseful and blamed the night's events on being drunk.
Vongthongdy is a felon, convicted of assault in a prior case. A probation violation sent him back to jail -- a stay from which he was released just a few weeks ago.
And he admitted to nearly everything except shooting Minnear, police said. However, there is surveillance video of the shooting, from a security camera outside the bar.
All of that is little solace to a family that is hurting.
"I was so proud of him, I just can't tell you how much," an emotional Evans, Minnear's grandfather, said.
This wasn't how it was supposed to end.
"It's unfortunate," James Minnear said. "You know, you think of a soldier would go over to Iraq and die for his country in Iraq and not at some squabble outside of a base in Alaska.
"But that's what life gives you."
VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
royal:
Thanks momma!
blade_d:
Sorry to comment on such an old posting or drudge up sad memories... I went to high school with Evan and he really was an awesome guy. It's a small world, and surprising to run across something about him so many years later... rest in peace bud.