Bomb kills Citrus soldier in Iraq
Sgt. Dennis Flanagan wanted to be a history professor but refocused his life after 9/11.
By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published January 24, 2006
INVERNESS - Dennis J. Flanagan graduated from Lecanto High School in spring 2001 and went to college. He wanted to be a history professor.
Then came the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. Within a week, Flanagan enlisted in the Army.
"It was his life and we weren't going to stop him," said his mother, Patricia Flanagan. "We just wanted to be sure that was what was in his heart. There's no doubt. In fact, we would have been surprised if he hadn't joined."
Sgt. Dennis James Flanagan, 22, was killed Friday along with three other soldiers when their vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb in Hawijah, Iraq.
On Monday, an American flag flew at half staff in the front yard of the family's home in rural Citrus County. Local services are planned for later this week; a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery will be Jan. 31.
Sgt. Flanagan was born in Rhode Island but grew up in Citrus. He had wanted to be a soldier since age 6. He attended his grandfather's military funeral that year, which played a part, his mother said.
Sgt. Flanagan played soccer and ran cross-country at Lecanto High. He also was cadet commander of the Civil Air Patrol squadron of the school and a military historian who had a keen interest in the Civil War. He enjoyed speaking with veterans about their military experiences, said his father, Dennis Flanagan.
Florida State University accepted him, but he changed his mind before classes started and enrolled at Central Florida Community College.
Then came 9/11 - and a big change of heart.
"I went with him to the recruiter's office," Patricia Flanagan said. "We had talked about it a lot. He knew that it meant he was going to war and he joined the infantry."
Sgt. Flanagan was part of the air assault infantry that invaded Iraq in 2003. He returned to Iraq in September for his second tour of duty, patrolling the streets in an armored Humvee. In March, he was scheduled to come home on leave.
He served in the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, the Army said.
Army officials told the Flanagans their son was wearing full body armor and was riding in a heavily armored vehicle. The bomb was just too powerful.
"We last heard from him around the first of the year, although he tried to call us last week but we weren't home," Patricia Flanagan said.
"He was a true patriot," said his maternal grandmother, Barbara Bolognese.
Visitation will be Thursday at Fero Funeral Home, 5955 N Lecanto Highway. Plans are for a memorial service Friday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church, 1460 W St. Elizabeth Place, Citrus Springs.
--Jorge Sanchez can be reached at 352 860-7313 or e-mail at sanchez@sptimes.com