Area river searched for soldier from Iraq (Wewahitchka, FL)

[DoYouEverWonder]

Dec. 04, 2004

WEWAHITCHKA - Searchers dragged a Panhandle river bottom Friday for a missing Florida National Guard soldier who disappeared while on leave from Iraq.

Strong currents, high water and debris in the Chipola River hampered efforts to find Sgt. Jeffrey Walter Holmes, 29, of Wewahitchka. He has been missing since Tuesday, when his boat was found along the bank, said Don Minchew, head of Wewahitchka Search and Rescue.

Three dives were conducted before they had to be discontinued because of treacherous conditions at a spot located by a cadaver dog about 30 feet from where the boat was found, Minchew said.

Holmes had gone on a hunting and fishing trip during his 14-day leave. He is assigned to the Guard's 144th Transportation Company in Marianna. The unit was mobilized in June for an 18-month deployment.

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/local/10335990.htm

[fishface]

1. I'm willing to bet this guy didn't want to go back to Iraq

and 'disappeared' himself.

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Went of a hunting and fishing trip?

Sounds like he took his survival gear with him?

[Stinky The Clown]

3. I bet he turns up ....... in Canada

[ragin_acadian]

4. I don't think he will

this is really a heartbreaking story, but he came back from Iraq, spent one night visiting his mom and sister, and the next day he was gone.
The search dog keeps going back to the same place, so I think he really did drown.
When I spoke to his sister yesterday, she said that it's better that he died here, and not in Iraq.

[sweetladybug]

5. ragin_acadian are you from Wewahitchka, FL? I just sold some property

there.

[ragin_acadian]

6. i'm further west

Walton County.

how about you?

I've never actually been to Wewa, but I heard it's pretty. Is there any beachfront left in Gulf County? Panama City Beach is starting to look like Miami Vice re-runs.

[sweetladybug]

7. ragin_acadian, there's still some beachfront property in Gulf County, but

you would pay dearly for it. We recently sold 2 acres with a cabin and a travel trailer on it and we made a good profit off of the sale. We lived there for about 1 1/2 yrs while my husband recuperated from a serious injury. We came back to our home here in TN after his health improved. He really enjoyed the good fishing in Wewa and the beach in Mexico Beach is beautiful. Port St Joe is a nice little town too. This area is a lot more laid back than Panama City,driving into Panama City was a nightmare at times.