Allen B. Jaynes dies of injuries from I.E.D.

Private First Class Allen Jaynes was the oldest of three children. Born to 16 year old Carissa in 1985, she says she and her son grew up together.

When Carissa and her husband divorced years later, his sister Stephanie says an inseparable bond was forged.

"He and I stuck together, and my brother went with my dad, so we're battle buddies, because we stayed through it all," says Stephanie.

Looking at a lifetime of old photos and home videos, the two remember life before Allen shipped off to the Middle East. They say the 2005 Brownsboro High School graduate loved theater, and marched to the beat of his own drum in very colorful converse sneakers.

"He's fun, you know? He's a good person to have around; horrible taste in shoes though," says Stephanie, smiling at the memory.

Carissa says Allen always wanted to join the military. A picture taken just after basic training graduation captures the sense of pride she felt watching her son realize his dream.

"I cried through the whole thing. I was so proud," says Carissa.

For the last three months, Carissa says she prayed every night for her Allen's safe return from Iraq. Now, facing the tragic reality of war, Carissa says she doesn't believe it's worth the fight anymore.

"They need to bring our babies home. Allen would say something different. He would say, 'Finish the job.' He would say, 'We're over there. Finish it.' But are we really going to be able to do that? That's my question," says Stephanie.

Carissa says it could be ten days before her sons body is returned from Iraq. Until then, she says a funeral date cannot be set.

From KLTV 7