KNOX COUNTY, INDIANA, Ind. — More than three decades after an Indiana soldier was killed in action, he's finally getting the promotion that was earned just before his death.
Jeff Reel joined the Army after graduating from South Knox High School in 1987. He had already served a few years when the United States invaded Iraq. His siblings said he then volunteered to serve in Desert Storm.
"My mom said, 'I'm not watching the news.' She goes, 'I can't do it,' and I told her, 'That's fine,'" his sister, April Strange, told WTWO.
Reel's mother's fears for her son's safety were, unfortunately, well-founded.
Her son was the first Indiana service member killed in Desert Storm when he died Feb. 20, 1991.
"My mom and dad went through a rough time for a really long time. It was tough," Strange said.
The night before his death, Reel had called home to tell his parents he had earned a promotion. But since it was so close to the time of the crash that claimed his life, Reel's promotion ceremony never happened — until now.
Nearly 33 years after his death, the rank on Reel's grave marker is being changed from "private" to "specialist," an important honor for the fallen soldier.
"Specialist Reel gave the ultimate sacrifice," said Martin Quakenbush, with the Veterans Affairs office in Knox County.
Quakenbush helped Reel's family track down the promotion and make the change possible. The ceremony will take place Saturday, with some of Reel's Army buddies in attendance.
"The chance to meet some of the guys he served with and some of the guys that were with him during his last moments of life, that's pretty exciting for me," said Reel's brother, Fred.
The fallen soldier's siblings said they wish their parents were still alive to see the ceremony, too.