Aaron C. Elandt
Sergeant, United States Army
November 13, 1980 – May 30, 2004
Age – 24
Lowell, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany
Killed May 30 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in Musayyib, Iraq
Sgt. Aaron C. Elandt, 23, of Lowell, Michigan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
He was the youngest of four children who joined the military in April 2000 following a family tradition started by his father, Paul Elandt, who served two years in Vietnam. His older sister and two older brothers also served in the Army. He was a member of the Harbor Beach High School Class of 1999 and the Port Hope AmVets Post No. 115. He served in the U.S. Army since April of 2000, arriving in Iraq in April of 2003.
He was a solid young man as a student and as a citizen and didn’t like much fuss made about him. Rather, he enjoyed the simple things in life, such as fishing and spending time with the family and friends he cherished most.
Elandt was a cavalry scout with the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division and had been in Iraq for about 14 months.
He followed a family tradition started by his father, Paul Elandt, who served two years in Vietnam. His older sister and two older brothers also served in the Army.
Paul Elandt said he encouraged his son to travel and broaden his horizons. I told them get out of Huron County and see a bit of the world. His mother said her favorite word for him was irreverent. He did his own thing.
Harbor Beach Community Schools Superintendent Ron Kraft called Elandt “a courageous young man” dedicated to serving his country. He was a solid young man as a student and as a citizen. That’s what he wanted to do and he gave it his all. He was a good kid. He never got into trouble. He just said, ‘It’s my time to go and serve my country.’