On Sept. 11, 2009, the lives of Ashley Angell and her 2-year-old daughter Skylie were changed forever. One would think being married to a green beret, you might prepare yourself for the worst, especially after two tours in Iraq. However, nothing could have prepared Ashley for when she lost her husband Shane and Skylie lost her daddy less than a few miles from where they lived on Hwy. 100 outside of Russellville.

"You do deployments to Iraq, you expect it (can happen)," said Staff Sgt. Eugene "Gunny" Watson, Shane's best friend and teammate on an Operational Detachment-Alpha in 5th Special Forces Group.

The accident was roughly six weeks after Shane returned from his second tour in Iraq. He was riding his motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle killing him instantly.

“I knew right away,” said Ashley who recalls sitting on her couch at home and all of a sudden getting an overwhelming feeling something had happened to Shane. “It was very strange but I knew … less than two minutes after he was killed I was on my neighbors porch crying and telling her something had happened to him.”

Shane’s death shook not only his family’s very foundation but shook his service family as well. He was a good soldier and a good friend. He was the son of a Green Beret and grew up knowing the sacrifices that life brings with it and still wanted to do nothing but follow in his father’s footsteps.

Although Shane is gone here on earth his memory will live on through his little girl Skylie and loving wife Ashley and with Americans who may not of known Shane personally, his sacrifice and duty to this great country has been etched in the fabric of our freedom.

Shane is also being preserved in a special event held in his memory on Sept. 25. The Memorial Ride in Honor of SSG Shane J. Angell will be held at the Logan County Humane Society 1230 Morgantown Road

Russellville. Ky. with registration beginning at 10 a.m. The ride will start: 12 p.m./noon.

Organizers are hoping motorcyclists will come from all over to honor this fallen soldier by riding a scenic 70 mile course through the rich agricultural farms of Logan County.

The ride is $25 per person. There will be food, t-shirts, a corn hole

tournament, music and raffle tickets for sale for a helicopter ride. For more information: call 270-725-6508 or email at lcas2@bellsouth.net.

All proceeds will be donated to the Logan County Humane Society to help save the lives of unwanted animals.

“My entire life I have loved and been extremely passionate about animals,” said Ashley Angell adding, “This last year I realized, even more, how important animals are to us. Since my husband was killed last year my dog as been my rock. To this day he reads my emotions, knows how to make me feel better, and is always there to snuggle with me the instant I get upset.”

“There are so many animals in this country that are being abandoned and abused and it pains me to think about them. Animals can not control their situations, they don’t choose where to be born, and they need our help to live and prosper. It is up to us as responsible owners and as humans to take step to prevent these atrocities. We need to protect the animals that can not protect themselves.

“I hope that this memorial ride can raise enough money to not only help the shelter with much needed supplies and money to cover the cost of vet care but to also help raise awareness for the responsibility we as owners have to spay/neuter our pets. Spaying and neutering can help put a stop to the epidemic of homeless and neglected animals.

“I appreciate the outpouring of support in organizing this event. It is heartwarming to know that, together, we can raise money for such and important cause. I am proud to be able to honor the memory of my late husband with such an amazing fundraiser.”

The Logan County Humane Society wants to deeply thank Ashley Angell for donating all proceeds from this day to our shelter in honor of her late husband SSG Shane J. Angell.