By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
April 11, 2007

Last Thursday, Kathleen Shaffer of Hood River received the news that her husband, a soldier, had been killed in Iraq.

Army Cpl. Jason Shaffer, 28, died on April 5 while on patrol as a scout in Baqubah. He sustained fatal injuries after an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Shaffer was on his second tour of duty in Iraq and assigned to the 1st Calvary Division out of Fort Hood, Texas.

He was a native of Derry, Penn., and married Kathleen, a longtime friend, after returning home from his first tour of duty in March of 2005. He had been scheduled to make a trip to Oregon to see her and his 2-year-old stepson, Caden, later this month.

Kathleen’s co-workers at Embarq in Hood River have decided to show their support with several fund-raising efforts. They are hosting a nacho feed tomorrow and a bake sale on Friday. An account has also been set up in her name at Cascade Central Credit Union, 1206 12th St.

“Our Embarq employees have a very strong sense of ‘family’ toward each other, no matter where they live or work, and are always quick to lend their support,” said Mary Haskins, a supervisor.

Sub Shop #15 and a local Mexican restaurant, which preferred to remain unnamed, have donated meals for Shaffer’s family members who have flown in from the East Coast.