ARVADA — A staff sergeant from Arvada died while serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
Staff Sgt. Kennith Mayne, 29, spent 11 years in the military and was involved in the initial phase of the war, Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to his mother, Michelle Benavidez.
Benavidez said her son was proud to be a soldier and that he believed in the work that he and the military were doing. She added that he felt strongly about the mission and knew that he was helping the people of Iraq, regardless of why the United States went to war.
He had recently requested a transfer from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Hood, Texas, to the 4th Infantry Division, which will be stationed at Fort Carson upon its return.
Mayne, who attended Arvada West High School, was killed Thursday by an improvised explosive device, or IED.
