Memorial dinner in Waycross for soldiers killed abroad

WAYCROSS, Georgia – The community of Waycross, Georgia hosted a memorial dinner Sunday in memory of fallen hero Sergeant Kennedy Sanders.

Sanders was one of three U.S. service members killed in a drone strike overseas on January 28. She was just 24 years old when she was killed and had been in the service since 2019.

In February, the mayor of Waycross declared June 30 as Kennedy L. Sanders Day to honor the young hero.

Hundreds of people gathered for a funeral procession that carried her remains 60 miles from Jacksonville International Airport back to her hometown of Waycross.

Leaders from all branches of the military attended her funeral and she was buried in Oakland Cemetery.

News from First Coast spoke to Sanders’ family in February about the young hero’s legacy.

“We want this to be something that lasts our entire lives so that Kennedy is never forgotten,” said Oneida Oliver-Sanders, Sanders’ mother.

Proceeds from the purchase of tickets to this memorial dinner will go to the Sgt. Kennedy L. Sanders Foundation, which was established in her honor.