Michigan family of soldier wants Iraq war to end

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Family members of a 29-year-old Fort Bliss, Texas, soldier with ties to Michigan who died after a vehicle rollover while serving in Iraq said Friday that they hope the U.S. can soon end the war.

Family of Staff Sgt. Richard J. Jordan held a news conference in Macomb County's Harrison Township, where he lived with his 26-year-old wife, Jennifer. She said she wants "all our troops to come home" safely.

"I don't want another wife, another mom and dad, another brother to go through this," she said.

The soldier's parents, Richard and Kimberly Jordan of New Boston, agreed.

"We don't want to see any more troops coming home in a box," Richard Jordan said. "This is the most devastating experience I've had."

The Defense Department said Jordan died Tuesday of his injuries from the crash in Mosul. The agency listed a hometown of Tyler, Texas, but his family said he had been an Army recruiter in Detroit before going to Iraq.

As a recruiter, he was not required to deploy to Iraq but volunteered to do so to make a contribution for his country, The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens reported. He left for Iraq in November.

"He loved being in the Army," his father said. "That was his life."

Richard Jordan had two daughters, ages 9 and 2.

"He had an infectious smile," his sister-in-law, Carin Poole told The Detroit News on Thursday. "He was loving, fun and kind."

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss.