A soldier named Lucky

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Pictures from the life of Lucky Sands. Lucky came to the U.S. from Sri Lanka and graduated from SEMO. She joined the National Guard and then the Army in 2001 to serve the adopted country she loved so much. After her service in Iraq and a humanitarian mission to El Salvador, Lucky fell ill, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other illnesses. Her family blames the VA Hospital system for the negligence and poor care which resulted in her slow and painful death in 2010.

Lucky Sands with her daughter Ceylon. In 2001, Lucky joined the U.S. Army Reserve 348th Engineer Company in Cape Girardeau to serve her adopted country. Her military career included 15 months in Iraq from 2003-2005 and a humanitarian mission to El Salvador in 2006.
Lucky Sands with her daughter Ceylon
Lucky Sands, right, spends her final Christmas at home in 2009 with her daughter Ceylon, bottom, father Jawaharlal Herath, left, and mother Cynthia Herath, top.
Lucky Sands' mother, Cynthia Herath and daughter Ceylon pose at the family's home in Cape Girardeau. (Kristin Eberts)

Lucky Sands' mother, Cynthia Herath and daughter Ceylon pose at the family's home in Cape Girardeau. (Kristin Eberts)
Lucky Sands, left, grew up in Sri Lanka with her family. Pictured here are her brother Roshan Herath, center, and mother Cynthia Herath.
In 2001, Lucky Sands joined the U.S. Army Reserve 348th Engineer Company in Cape Girardeau to serve her adopted country. Her military career included 15 months in Iraq from 2003-2005 and a humanitarian mission to El Salvador in 2006.
In 2001, Lucky Sands joined the U.S. Army Reserve 348th Engineer Company in Cape Girardeau to serve her adopted country. Her military career included 15 months in Iraq from 2003-2005 and a humanitarian mission to El Salvador in 2006.
In 2001, Lucky Sands joined the U.S. Army Reserve 348th Engineer Company in Cape Girardeau to serve her adopted country. Her military career included 15 months in Iraq from 2003-2005 and a humanitarian mission to El Salvador in 2006.

In 2001, Lucky Sands joined the U.S. Army Reserve 348th Engineer Company in Cape Girardeau to serve her adopted country. Her military career included 15 months in Iraq from 2003-2005 and a humanitarian mission to El Salvador in 2006.
In 2001, Lucky Sands joined the U.S. Army Reserve 348th Engineer Company in Cape Girardeau to serve her adopted country. Her military career included 15 months in Iraq from 2003-2005 and a humanitarian mission to El Salvador in 2006.
In 2001, Lucky Sands joined the U.S. Army Reserve 348th Engineer Company in Cape Girardeau to serve her adopted country. Her military career included 15 months in Iraq from 2003-2005 and a humanitarian mission to El Salvador in 2006.
In 2001, Lucky Sands joined the U.S. Army Reserve 348th Engineer Company in Cape Girardeau to serve her adopted country. Her military career included 15 months in Iraq from 2003-2005 and a humanitarian mission to El Salvador in 2006.
Lucky Sands wore a variety of wigs after losing her hair due to her illness. Sands served 15 months in Iraq, returning in 2005. (Kit Doyle)
Lucky Sands eating dinner with her family on Monday, April 21, 2008, at her Cape Girardeau home. (Kit Doyle)
Lucky Sands watches for the water to turn murky with toxins pulled out of her system from an Ion Cleanse Monday, April 21, 2008, at the Center for Massage Therapy in Cape Girardeau. (Kit Doyle)
Lucky Sands serves dinner as her medications sit next to the stove at her Cape Girardeau home Monday, April 21, 2008. (Kit Doyle)
Cynthia Herath keeps a display case of her daughter Lucky Sands' medals and other military items.
Army veteran Lucky Sands left behind a 12-year-old daughter, Ceylon, when she passed away in February of 2010.
Lucky Sands, left, with her mother Cynthia Herath, daughter Ceylon Sands and brother Roshan Herath.
Army veteran Lucky Sands left behind a 12-year-old daughter, Ceylon, when she passed away in February of 2010.
Lucky Sands, center, often wore hats or wigs after losing her hair from her illness.