Deerfield Family Remembers Handsome Hero Dad
South Florida soldier killed in Afghanistan leaves behind wife, three kids
By JEFF BURNSIDE and BRIAN HAMACHER
Updated 12:15 PM EST, Tue, Oct 20, 2009
The family of a Deerfield Beach soldier killed in Afghanistan last week remembered him last night as the ultimate family man and a great dad.
Army Specialist Daniel Lawson left behind a wife and three children when he died last Thursday, Oct. 15, in Kandahar Provice, the victim along with four other soldiers of a roadside attack.
"All I could say was wow. It was shocking to me, it took me by force," said widow Latoria Lawson of that terrible day last week when the military knocked on her door.
Daniel Lawson, 33, had just joined the army in January 2008 and after a short stint in Iraq, was sent to Afghanistan in May.
He was in Afghanistan to help rebuild the infrastructure -- roads, bridges and schools -- and now his three children, all under 11 years old, are left without a father.
"I'm doing fine but I'm sad, in my soul, I'm sad," said Kiara Lawson, 10. "I've been crying a lot but I'm trying to keep it together."
"He was handsome. He was funny and he played with us," said a smiling Kourtney, 8.
Also left behind is Kevon, just 5 years old.
Mom Latoria said she hasn't been able to cry yet.
"It's like it won't come out, it's not coming out," Latoria said. "I think it will come out once everything is finally over and me putting it together, eventually I'll have a very good cry."
As President Obama dwells on whether to pull out or build up forces in Afghanistan, the newest widow from South Florida had a message for him.
"He can send them all home! It'd be nice, so no one would have to go through all this pain again. Espcially if they have kids," Latoria said.
Now, all the children have is memories of their brave father.
"Everytime I'm dreaming I think about him and what he has done in the army for us," said Kiara.
First Published: Oct 20, 2009 10:59 AM EST
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