BLANDING — The Navy on Thursday conveyed a statement from the family of Utahn Jason Workman, one of the Navy SEAL Team 6 members killed when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan on Saturday.
The community where Workman grew up is also anticipating a memorial service while plans for a funeral and burial in Arlington National Cemetery are also pending.
Blanding City Manager Chris Webb said a memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 22. He said the hometown memorial will likely take place before the Arlington burial.
Workman's family, which has asked that media not contact them directly, issued a statement that says:
"It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Jason — a devoted husband, father, son, brother, friend and patriot. It was Jason's request that we all honor his wish to remain a quiet professional by keeping his likeness, military duties and his family out of the media."
The family did release a photo with the statement.
On Saturday, Workman, 32, a petty officer first class, was among the 31 Americans killed, including 22 members of SEAL Team 6, when their helicopter was shot down by insurgents in Afghanistan.
Members of the SEAL Team 6 were responsible for killing Osama bin Laden.
Taylorsville sailor Jared William Day, 28, who worked with the SEAL team, was also killed in the Chinook crash. The Department of Defense indicated he was an expeditionary warfare specialist/freefall parachutist.
Taylorsville Mayor Russ Wall Thursday ordered flags in the city to be flown at half-staff until after his funeral.
"The city of Taylorsville mourns the loss of Jared William Day, who lost his life defending freedom in Afghanistan," Wall said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to this family."
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