SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The country is mourning the loss of three U.S. soldiers from Georgia after their housing unit in Jordan was attacked by a drone Sunday.
One U.S. Army Reserve soldier, 23-year-old Spc. Breonna Moffett, was from Savannah and based out of Ft. Moore.
Her parents and friends showed resilience while speaking to News 3 about Breonna’s legacy and willingness to serve.
They also talked about the moment they found out about Breonna’s passing on Sunday, Jan. 28.
“The only thing I can say is it’s not my baby, it just can’t be my baby,” said Francine Moffett, Breonna’s mother, of the moment she was notified by two U.S. uniformed soldiers at her doorstep.
“They stood there, and they told me that my baby was gone,” said Mrs. Moffett.
“They were very respectful, and stayed here for a while,” said Breonna’s father, Percell Moffett.
“They were very respectful, but when you hear it, it just takes your soul, it just takes your heart,” continued Mrs. Moffett.
Mr. Moffett tells News 3 that Breonna turned 23 eight days before her death, and Mrs. Moffett says she was eager to come home and planned on celebrating by going to a Nicki Minaj concert.
Breonna’s parents say they find comfort in knowing Breonna knew she was loved.
“There’s nothing you can do, just knowing that I wasn’t there to protect her or trade places with her,” said Mrs. Moffett. “We weren’t there, but she knew we loved her. She knew we loved her so much because we talked all the time, sometimes twice a day, about literally nothing sometimes.”
Loved she was, by not just her parents and three younger siblings, but by everyone she encountered, says her best friend of 18 years, 22-year-old Sarya Truell.
“She was just that person who would light up a room,” said Truell. “She would walk in and get everybody out of their shell. If you were the reserved and shy type, she would get you out of your shell.”
Breonna was a Mighty Marching Knights drum major at Windsor Forest High School, and Mrs. Moffett says during that time, she knew wanted to serve her country.
“I was 17 when I joined the military, and when she came to me and said ‘Mom, I wanna join the military,’ and I said, ‘If that’s your decision, I am behind you 100%,’ because I know at that age I joined the military,” said Mrs. Moffett.
Breonna’s parents and Sarya Truell, who was accompanied by her mother Kenya Truell, say they are faith-filled people as Breonna was and have relied on their faith in God to get them through this difficult time.
“We believe in God wholeheartedly, we always have,” said Mrs. Moffett. “We’ve always raised our kids to believe in God, to always put God first, and I would always say [to Breonna], ‘Make sure you put God first,’ and she would say, ‘You don’t have to tell me that because I do it every single day.'”
Breonna’s loved ones say they find peace in knowing she lived a life of service, faith and love.
“Just enjoy this life. Have peace and joy,” said Kenya Truell. “Breonna lived a life that was just that.”
Percell and Francine Moffett tell News 3 they want the public to respect their privacy.
They also say they spoke with President Joe Biden Tuesday morning and that he was compassionate and reassuring.
Meanwhile, Breonna was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant by the U.S. Army Reserve Center.