From the Miles City Star, Tuesday, September 11, 2007:
(for those of you who do not see the Star)

Staff Sgt. Yance T. Gray, a graduate of Plevna High School who joined the Army in 2000, died Monday in a non-hostile vehicle accident in Baghdad, Iraq.

Gray, 26, is the son of Richard and Karen Gray of Ismay. He leaves a wife, Jessica Erin Gray and a daughter of about four months, Ava Madison Gray, who live in North Carolina.

Gray was a member of the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division, attached to the 1st Infantry Division at the time of his death, according to public information officer Maj. Garth Scott of the Montana National Guard.

According to Sgt. 1st Class Steven Klang of Baker, who is serving as the casualty assistance officer, Gray was a passenger in an M-915 five-ton cargo truck when it rolled over. Klang said that as yet he has received no indication of what caused the accident.

Funeral arrangements at this point call for a funeral with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, according to Todd Stevenson of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A public memorial service is planned for a later date at Ismay Community Church.

Pat Linger, pastor of the Ismay Community Church, said a fund to help the Gray family with travel expenses has been set up at First Interstate Bank.

"They said if people came in and wanted to donate, they would have information to do that at each bank statewide," Linger said.

Gray's name appears amoung the yellow ribbons along Main Street, just outside of the Edward Jones Investments office.

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This thread is to let the Grays know that the community loves and supports them in their time of tragic loss. Please keep this in mind before posting any political ****. There is a time and place for those discussions. This is NOT it. Thank you.

The death of this young man is a tragedy. His family has my deepest sympathy.

That is soo sad. I feel terrible for his family. I knew him a little bit in high school and he was such a nice guy. My prayers are with his family.

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Gray,
my thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies.

To the family and friends of SSG Gray -
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.

[This message has been edited by Kate (edited 9/12/2007).]

To the Grey Family, so sorry for your loss...He must have been a fine young man...

To the Gray Family,

My family would like to extend our thought and prayers to you. As a retired member of the Military, I would like to thank you for the service your son gave to his country.

The Paff Family

Was very sad to hear about this. I grew up with Yance, although he was 4 years younger than me, and our families have been neighbors for generations. My deepest sympathies to Rich and Karen and the rest of his family, as well as his young wife and child. This is a real tragedy.

I would just like to thank the community for all of the love and support that they have shown us in this difficult time. We appreciate this more than words can truly express. Denise, thank you for reminding people to keep politics out of this. He was a father, husband, son, brother, and friend...not something to be used as political fodder for the pundits on both sides of the political arena. Most of us will never know the absolute courage, bravery, and honor that these men possessed. They loved this country and ultimatedly died doing the job the country asked them to do. It makes me angry to have the NY Times article brought up at a time like this, so that once again their honor is called into question. We are in Iraq to build a democracy for the Iraqi people and one vital part of any democracy is Freedom of Speech. I noticed that in the wake of the article's publication that many in this country would deny the very men and women who are fighting (and dying) to provide this right for others, the very same freedom. I am just thankful that we live in a community that has banded around us in our time of need and shown so much love and support. And I would just like to thank all of you so much for the calls, the cards, and the donations to the Memorial Fund. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Erica,

It is nice to see you on here. Love, thoughts and prayers to you and Borden from Murrey and I. Do you have travel plans yet to Arlington? Are you able to go with Borden? Tell him "hi" from us and wish the family the best!!

Thanks Denise, we are so grateful to all of you guys who are standing by us throught all of this. We are leaving next Sunday to go to Arlington, both of us will be going up there. My Mom is going to come down to stay with the kids, so that will nice to be able to go without having to worry about the kids. Well I better run but thanks again for everything.

What a tremendous loss. The Gray family is in our prayers.

Veteran's Park - Main Street Miles City

Erica-

I live in Arlington. If you need any assistance at all, please feel free to email me at [email protected] I graduated high school with Dax Muri.

Sarah Tribby

Update:

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City.

Funeral and Graveside Service will be Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, with full military rites and honors.