Every Hand's A Winner, And Every Hand's A Loser

HAVELOCK - David "Little Dave" Bradley White, 38, formerly of Kinston, died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004, in Afghanistan. Little Dave formerly worked with U Save Auto in Havelock. He was the owner of Blondie's Auto in Havelock. Most recently he worked in Afghanistan with an independent contractor. Funeral services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, in the chapel of Cotton Funeral Home. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at Hampstead Sea Lawn Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Jenny White of Havelock; daughter Britnie Miranda White of the home; three sons, Brandon Nicholas White of Springfield, Ill., and Steven Anthony White and Christopher Donovan White, both of the home; sister Cathy White of Enterprise, Ala.; and three brothers, Glenn White of Havelock, Brian White of Norfolk, Va., and Ricky Royal of Surf City. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7: 30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to David White Fund c/o BB&T of Havelock. Arrangements by Cotton Funeral Home.

He had been here 35 days. His tent mates found him dead in his hooch around 0630 local. Cause of death unknown. Still haven't been told what killed him. Must not be catching.

His fellow employee's raised $21,000 to send to his widow. That will go pretty fast. He was a long time in no pay status waiting to get here. If you can spare an Alexander Hamilton, send it to Jenny.

A whole bunch of people turned out to see him put on the C-17 taking his body to Dover. His Honors Detail performed their duty with notable precision and military bearing for a bunch of civilians. Most were prior service, I suspect. All were dressed in black The North Face fleece jackets and khaki pants and looked sharp.

Somewhere in the darkness of the Afghan pre-dawn, Little Dave broke even. Everybody else lost.