A Portal National Guardsman killed last week in Afghanistan is being remembered as well-liked and respected.

Col. (ret.) Phil Turner, the JROTC instructor for the Bulloch County schools, remembered Sgt. Brock Henry Chavers Sr. mostly for his ambition and respectability. Chavers and another soldier from the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade were killed near Kunduz, Afghanistan, on July 6 when an improvised explosive device detonated near their Humvee.

“He had seven brothers and sisters, and a single mother,” Turner said. “All the kids were in JROTC and all achieved the highest rank. All have done well, and she (mother Lois Chavers) did a fantastic job with all seven.”

Chavers has three brothers in the military in Afghanistan, Iraq and Honduras, said Master Sgt. Bill Rogers, who also taught Chavers in JROTC at Portal High School.

“I taught Brock for four years,” he said. “He was a good man, always motivated, and to my knowledge was a good soldier,” he said. “It really saddened me (hearing of his death.)”

Portal Mayor Larry Motes and other community leaders met last week to discuss a memorial service or similar recognition honoring Chavers. Plans regarding the event will be released later after they are finalized, he said.