Area river searched for soldier from Iraq (Wewahitchka, FL)

[DoYouEverWonder]

Dec. 04, 2004

WEWAHITCHKA - Searchers dragged a Panhandle river bottom Friday for a missing Florida National Guard soldier who disappeared while on leave from Iraq.

Strong currents, high water and debris in the Chipola River hampered efforts to find Sgt. Jeffrey Walter Holmes, 29, of Wewahitchka. He has been missing since Tuesday, when his boat was found along the bank, said Don Minchew, head of Wewahitchka Search and Rescue.

Three dives were conducted before they had to be discontinued because of treacherous conditions at a spot located by a cadaver dog about 30 feet from where the boat was found, Minchew said.

Holmes had gone on a hunting and fishing trip during his 14-day leave. He is assigned to the Guard's 144th Transportation Company in Marianna. The unit was mobilized in June for an 18-month deployment.

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/local/10335990.htm