Journal-News.com

MORGAN TWP. — Since hearing the news of his death almost a year ago, Janette Kress said she spends a lot of time looking at pictures and remembering time spent with her only grandson — Spc. Anthony Vinnedge.

"He was my only grandson and very precious to me ... I miss him ... I miss his hugs and his 'I love you mamaw,' " Kress said.

The 24-year-old Okeana resident died July 5, 2007, while serving in Iraq with Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 107th Armor Cavalry Regiment of the Ohio Army National Guard based in Greenville.

When Anthony was 5 minutes old, Kress said she got her first look at her grandson.

They were very close, she said.

On a table by her front door, the 71-year-old Morgan Twp. resident has set up a memorial with an angel Vinnedge gave her, and photos of him and her husband, Delbert Kress, who died in December.

"Delbert was sick," Kress said. "And his death didn't come as a surprise. But Tony ... I was shocked. I talked to him three days before he died.

"When he called, he said he only had 16 minutes and he picked me to call. I won't ever forget that ... 16 minutes and he called his mamaw.

"He told me he was OK and would be home for my 71st birthday, which was July 10," she added. He also told her when he came home, he wanted " 'mamaw's mashed potatoes, salmon patties and peas.' "

Now she has her memories, his letters and pictures.

In one of the last letters he wrote her in early 2007, Vinnedge said he was hoping to be home sometime during the summer.

"I'm hoping right around your birthday," he wrote. "We'll have to go out and have some dinner. You pick ... I'll pay ... sound good?"

And even though there are photos of Vinnedge at all ages — as a young child, playing basketball, at his high school prom and as a soldier in Iraq — throughout her house, Kress said he said she doesn't really need the pictures to remember him.

"I can still see him playing in the yard, mowing the grass, playing basketball and sitting on the couch watching TV like we used to do — sometimes almost all night."

"I don't think anyone can get used to losing anyone like that," she said. "Tony was special ... I won't ever forget him. I am doing a lot of praying and I am surviving ... and I know now he is up in heaven and he and my husband are watching over me."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2158 or lebbing@coxohio.com.