Lane 3

Honoring Lt. Daniel Luckett

Peachtree Corners Neighbors

Please join in honoring Lt. Daniel Luckett, a 2002 Norcross High School graduate who was severely injured serving our country in Iraq, during pre-game ceremonies this Friday, September 12th at 7 pm at the NHS stadium.

LT DANIEL S. LUCKETT
101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION
1-502ND INFANTRY REGIMENT

Daniel grew up in the Norcross cluster of schools attending Peachtree Elementary, Pinckneyville Middle School, and graduated from Norcross High School in 2002. He participated in community and church sport leagues playing baseball, basketball, and football. He attended Norcross First Baptist Church with his family. He was a member of the Norcross High School Football program for all four years of high school.

Looking to enjoy SEC football games and college life in general Daniel entered Auburn University following in his parents’ footsteps to the loveliest village on the plains. As a freshman, Daniel joined the Army ROTC program and earned a position on the Ranger Challenge Team, a position he held his entire career in the ROTC program. During his sophomore year he joined the Alabama National Guard taking a semester off to complete Infantry Boot Camp at Fort Benning graduating December 15, 2004. Upon his return to campus as a junior, Daniel continued as a cadet in the Army ROTC program. The summer after his junior year Daniel attended Leadership School at Fort Lewis followed by Airborne School earning his wings at Fort Benning. He led the ROTC program as its executive Officer fall semester of his senior year. During spring semester he trained the junior cadets in preparation for their completion of Leadership School at Fort Lewis. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army and graduated from Auburn University December 15, 2006.

Lt. Luckett was deployed to Iraq October 16, 2007. He was assigned to Delta Company as the Fire Support Officer and Intel Cell OIC, where he excelled before being assigned as a Combat Platoon Leader in Alpha Company.

Daniel’s vehicle was struck by an IED on May 11, 2008 only a few weeks after taking charge of his platoon in Alpha Company. The blast from the IED took Daniel’s left foot and the toes of his right foot off. The injuries to his feet were dealt with immediately as his platoon began procedure for a medical helicopter evacuation. His own calmness in the situation gave his platoon the ability to care for him in the manner they were trained to do. The photographer that captured the thumbs-up gesture was not noticeable to the soldiers in a mission to save one of their own. It was a gesture that typified Daniel to all who know him. The gesture portrayed confidence in the midst of a horrifying situation. It offered strength and exemplifies the attitude of an American soldier.