Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Soldier From Omaha Killed In Iraq
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Omaha, NE -- An Omaha native dies in Iraq just days before she was scheduled to come home. Staff Sergeant Lillian Clamens served in the Army reserve for more than 15 years. An enemy mortar attack in Iraq killed Sergeant Clamens Wednesday.
The wife and mother of three, grew up in Omaha. Family and friends close to Clamens grieve together, knowing a special person in their life will never be coming home.
With her tour in Iraq scheduled to end today, Army Reservist, Sgt. Lillian Clamens couldn't wait to see her family.
"She was in Baghdad in the dining room and she sent my grandmother a text message and she said mom I am in Baghdad getting closer to home. Love you and that was it," says Sierra Cobbin, Lillian's niece.
Clamens life taken by enemy fire; memories left in family pictures and stories keep Clamens legacy alive.
"She'd wake you up at four o'clock in the morning and then if you didn't make your bed right she'd make you do it again until the quarter bounce off it," says Dana Cobbin, Lillian's sister.
It's the hard work, structure and athletic lifestyle that drew Clamens to the military. Always proud to serve her country. Never worried about her own life, only the ones she loved.
"This was her life. There is nothing else I could picture her doing other than being in the army."
Most recently Sergeant Clamens called Florida home where she lived with her husband two daughters and son. She graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1990.
She had just reenlisted in the reserves for another six years.
Reported by: Dave Roberts, dgroberts@action3news.com
