Written by Shirley Thomas   

RELATIVES of Private Errol ‘Elijah’ Duran Aster Milliard, 18, a United States (U.S.) Army combat engineer, have reported that the Guyanese-born man was killed in Afghanistan last Thursday.     Milliard, of Guyanese and Jamaican parentage, died on July 4, when his unit was attacked with a rocket-propelled grenade, in the city of Shewan, Farah Province, according to the U.S. Department of Defence.
It had been his first deployment, said a Kelsey Stein news story that appeared in the Alabama Times of July 6.
Milliard is survived by his parents, Zuwena Milliard of the U.S. and Evan Gibson of Guyana, grandparents Claudette and Walter Payne, both also of Guyanese birth and residing in the U.S. and other relations.
A 2012 graduate of the Carver High School, Alabama, Milliard, ever since he was a child, had a yearning to join the U.S. Army, where he looked forward to serving that country with pride, his father Evan said.

Active duty  
Soon after graduating, he was drafted into active duty in 2012 and that, for him, marked the beginning of a fulfilling, though short-lived career in the military.
Milliard was, initially, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, where he graduated with 18 others. In February, he deployed from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 595th Sapper Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade.
A decorated young soldier, who applied himself with diligence, he derived the satisfaction of serving with distinction and making his family proud.  
In recognition of his selfless and exemplary service, Milliard was, posthumously, promoted from PV2 to Private First Class and awarded the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal.  His other awards and decorations include Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
His relatives, speaking by telephone, told the Guyana Chronicle, they gratefully acknowledged the words of sympathy and other kind sentiments expressed by White Sands Missile Range Commander, Brigadier General Gwen Bingham following Milliard’s death.   
The Alabama News quoted the Military Commander as having requested prayers for Milliard's family and the 2nd Engineer leaders, soldiers and families as they cope with his death.

Deeply saddened
Said Bingham:”We are deeply saddened and hurt by the loss of Pfc. Milliard.  Without a doubt, we owe him and all of our brave men and women a deep debt of gratitude for their outstanding commitment, dedication and selfless service, each and every day, they risked their lives in the fulfillment of their missions.”
On a positive note of reassurance, she concluded:“I want Pfc. Milliard's family to know that our comrade, Errol, made a positive difference daily; that we value his service and ultimate sacrifice and that we will never forget him or his family."
A memorial ceremony honouring Milliard is being coordinated in the U.S., the Kelsey Stein news report said, adding that arrangements are in train for the interment of his body there, as well.
Meanwhile, Milliard’s father, Gibson, who is, currently, working in Guyana’s gold mining interior, is devastated but hopes to be able to make it back to the U.S. for his son’s funeral. Trying to be strong, he, yesterday, painfully recalled how he learnt about the death.
“It was the 4th of July and, as is customary for us, we greet each other on that day. So, I called up my mom’s home in New York and extended greetings for the family and my son.
“She wasn’t there and from the tone of my stepfather’s voice, I realised something horrible had to have happened. My stepfather then explained that they were trying to get me earlier but could not reach into the gold mining interior. He broke the news to me and I really can’t recall what happened after that…” Gibson said.
He and his son had spent their last moments together in 2010, when the former was seriously ill and hospitalised here. Errol had travelled to Guyana to visit him, fell in love with the place and planned on returning this Christmas to spend some quality time. But, pathetically, that plan cannot now materialise.
“Once in the army, my son and I kept contact and I prayed for him, asking that he would come home safely and longing for us to be together this Christmas. I longed for the day when he would get married and have at least one child and I would cherish him/her forever. But right now, it seems my world is caving in…,” the man said forlornly.