MARIA, Siquijor –The United States military is giving full honors to a female Military Police Sergeant who was killed in a homemade bomb attack by insurgents in Kandahar, Afghanistan last January 12. The body of Sgt. Zainah C. Creamer, 28, of Texarcana, Arkansas, was brought to Siquijor province Monday by US government representatives and some relatives.
Lutchie Daug Castleman, Creamer’s aunt who accompanied the body from the United States, said she was returning her niece’s body to her mother Carlyn Daug Brown, who has since moved back to Maria, Siquijor upon retirement.
“I had a talk with Zainah before she left for Afghanistan and I asked her if she had any special instructions for me in the event that something happened to her. She replied ‘you can do whatever you want with my body.’ That’s why I am bringing Zainah’s body back to Siquijor. I will not take this moment away from my sister,” Castleman said.
Creamer, who was single, was assigned to the 212th Military Police Detachment, Headquarters Battalion at Fort Belvoir. she was deployed to Afghanistan in October last year upon completion of the Military Working Dog Handler Course at the Lackland Air force Base in Texas, according to an article about Creamer by her unit, printed for the memorial ceremony at Fort Belvoir.
Creamer’s dog, Jofa, was not injured in the January 12 attack and will be returned to the unit.
Creamer, a recipient of several medals for bravery and good conduct, will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, NATO Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
The interment has been scheduled for Thursday at the Maria Municipal Cemetery.
The US government escorts of Sgt. Zainah Creamer’s body, led by Albert McFarland (right), director for mortuary affairs of the US Forces Korea, before boaring the chartered boat in Dumaguete for Siquijor province. (photo by Alex Pal)