WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Orangeburg soldier killed in Afghanistan laid to rest

Orangeburg soldier killed in Afghanistan laid to rest

By Jack Kuenzie - bio | email

ORANGEBURG, SC (WIS) - One of South Carolina's bravest has been laid to rest. Family and friends gathered Friday to remember 20-year-old Army Sergeant Demetrius Void.

He was killed in a hit and run accident in southern Afghanistan last week. Void follows a long line of military men, but he's the first in his family to go to war and not come home

Those who knew and loved Demetrius Void say he was smart, funny and a gentleman, a young man who realized early on he wanted to be a soldier.

Friday afternoon on the South Carolina State University campus they remembered Sgt. Void, who died a week and a half ago during a training accident in Afghanistan.

"This young man truly, truly held his own," said Vernon Stephens of Bowman. "And his own was to give back to his country. Give back to his community."

"Demetrius is known for being a gentleman, his hard work and dedication to whatever he tried," said former Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School Principal Rodney Zimmerman. "He had a goal. He knew exactly where he was going."

"SGT Void was the best of the best," said Lt. Colonel James BeNardo, Void's battalion commander. "It was my pleasure to know this fine young man in close proximity."

Void was just 20 years old, but only two years after graduating from Orangeburg-Wilkinson, he'd already made sergeant and earned a half dozen commendations.

As his family and community laid him to rest, many noted Void's potential for even greater achievements, and the Army presented his mother with one more medal, the Bronze Star.

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