Neal (Raymond N.) Mitchell slain by sniper

A Mid-South community is mourning the loss of a soldier in Iraq. Private First Class Raymond Neal Mitchell was shot while on patrol in Baghdad Saturday, January 6, 2007.

The West Memphis, Arkansas native was just 21 years old and a 2004 graduate of West Memphis Christian School.

Two teachers who knew Mitchell well, Lynette Bankston and Jane Swain, knew their former student could die in Iraq. They say he had a dangerous job, running guns on a Humvee.

The young soldier, known by friends as Neal was sent to Iraq in August and served four months before coming home for the holidays on a quick leave. Then five days after his 21st birthday, Mitchell was shot while patrolling the streets in Baghdad.

Now these women and the rest of their community look to our country's leader for a clear direction of what's to come in Iraq. President Bush admits he made a mistake by not sending enough troops overseas in the beginning, so now he plans on sending 20,000 more.

"I wish this had all conspired earlier because maybe it would have helped Neal and some of the other men and women over there," says Jane Swain.

“Neal gave his life for that cause, the war. To the powers that be I hope they see his face and think about all those other young men and women over there and what their lives mean to us back home before they make those decisions," says Bankston.

The teachers told Eyewitness News Mitchell will receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Award for his service in Iraq. Those at his high school plan to make a memorial in his name.

From ABC 24