This blog is about valiant U.S. troops who do their duty - largely without media attention or fanfare – and how a nation at war cannot afford to stand idly by.
Image courtesy: Pfc. David Hauk, U.S. Army. Kandahar, Afghanistan, November 12, 2009
An award-winning journalist who worked in newsrooms for eight years, Tom Sileo is a nationally syndicated columnist. Tom's weekly newspaper column, also titled "The Unknown Soldiers," has been distributed by Creators Syndicate since its February 2011 launch. Previously, Tom spent almost five years as a copy editor for CNN's broadband news service. He also worked at the Travis Manion Foundation, USO, Associated Press, Tribune, WSPA-TV, and WTVM-TV. Tom has a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Media from Rutgers University.
When 19-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Zach Smith left for Afghanistan in December, the proud community of Hornell, New York, couldn't wait for him to finish his tour and get back home.
"When he went away, everybody said, 'C'mon back, we can't wait to get you back,'" [family friend Dennis] Canty said. "And when this happens, it's just devastating."
As WHEC-TV reports, hundreds of Hornell residents braved frigid temperatures to salute Smith's return to his hometown on Saturday night. Waving American flags and holding candles, the article said friends and family mourned the enormous loss of an exceptional young man, while also remembering the good times.
"Just his whole life he wanted to be a marine," Nik DeGaetano said.
"He's done so much and he's been through so much just for us," Colby DeGaetano said.
They also remembered the way he lit up their lives.
"He always had a smile in his eyes," Canty said. "Always a good word to say for people."
Everyone had so much to say about him.
"He was the funniest kid I ever met, honestly," [Meghan] Quinlan said.
According to a post on the Hornell Evening Tribune's website, Smith got married on July 25, 2009, and leaves behind his loving wife, Anne. His parents, grandparents, brother, sister, and many other relatives are also grieving at this hour.
Smith was a gifted golfer and a big sports fan, rooting for the Syracuse Orange, New York Yankees, and New York Giants. He sacrificed the things he loved to go over to Afghanistan to give that country hope and protect his own. The fallen hero will be laid to rest on Wednesday morning in Hornell with full military honors. Like the two Marines he died alongside, Zach Smith will never be forgotten.
The Pentagon just sent out a news release informing the public that Sgt. Carlos Gill, who was serving in Afghanistan, succumbed to an undisclosed illness at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.
According to the Defense Department, Sgt. Gill was flown out of Afghanistan from Kandahar Air Field on December 19, 2009. He was serving in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
The 25-year-old soldier lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and was stationed at Fort Lewis in the state of Washington before his deployment.
Further information is limited, but this site will certainly post more if it becomes available. In the meantime, let's all think about this fallen soldier's loved ones.
When Lance Cpl. Timothy Poole was just four years old, he told his dad he wanted to be a Marine. He graduated from high school, did the hard work, and realized his lifelong dream of serving his country.
"Lance Corporal" was his title, but his family called him "Bubba."
In one family photo, Poole is carrying his nieces; in another he is doing his favorite thing, skateboarding.
Poole Sr., who said he hasn't slept since Sunday morning when he was told of his son's death, returned from Delaware Wednesday night.
"When you see it on the news, you don't think about it. But when you see the casket in person, it hits you," said Poole Sr.
I noticed another quote from the grieving father:
"He died serving his country, he died [doing] what he loved to do."
That is almost identical to from this quote, from the mom of Sgt. Daniel Angus, one of the Marines killed in the IED attack.
"He died doing what he loved," Kathy Angus told The Tampa Tribune. "He loved the Marine Corps and he gave his life for it."
Lance Cpl. Poole and Sgt. Angus never would have met if it wasn't for the Marine Corps. Hopefully, in these dark hours, their families can be comforted by the fact that these two heroes, as well as Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith, shared such similar beliefs about service and sacrifice. They were Marines. They were men.
23-year-old Sgt. Justin Lubash could have been killed when he was struck by two grenades in Afghanistan on December 29, 2009. He survived the attack on his bunker, but lost some precious possessions: family photos, his Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins jersey, and a team banner.
Thursday, the Stanley Cup Champions took a time out to honor the wounded veteran after their morning practice. NHL.com reports that Sgt. Lubash, who has a metal plate in his arm, got a chance to meet Crosby and coach Dan Bylsma, who presented him with a brand new autographed #87 jersey and a replacement banner. The article gives a sense of how overwhelmed the former high school hockey player was to meet Penguins heroes, including the Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux, pictured above.
“Thank you so much,” he told Bylsma. “This is the best thing anyone’s done for me.”
“Well we can’t believe you had these things with you,” Bylsma replied.
Following the presentations, Lubash and Crosby returned to their conversation, this time with Lubash’s son, Jackson, joining them. Jackson quickly became enamored with Crosby’s stick, which the center gave to the young fan, who was sporting his blue jersey.
Lubash later called the exchange with Crosby one of the highlights of his life.
Justin's wife, Heather, will undoubtedly remember the moment her husband returned home from a difficult tour overseas as one of the highlights of her life. It is wonderful that this veteran, who put everything on the line for our freedom, got to share this moment with his young son today as well. We salute Sgt. Justin Lubash, and also the Pittsburgh Penguins for honoring him.
Sgt. Daniel Angus, pictured holding the red-sleeved commendation, was working in construction as the Iraq war began in 2003. Yet as his mother told The Tampa Tribune, he decided he wanted to accomplish more.
"He found himself," Kathy Angus said. "He was well-liked. He did whatever was asked of him and then some."
According to Jose Patino Girona's article, Sgt. Angus bravely served two tours in Iraq, earning several medals and a promotion. He left for a third tour, this time in Afghanistan, on December 17, 2009. He was killed on Sunday when an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists blew up near his patrol in Helmand Province. Two fellow Marines, Lance Cpl. Timothy Poole and Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith, were also killed in the attack.
"He died doing what he loved," his mother said of the 2000 Armwood High School graduate. "He loved the Marine Corps and he gave his life for it."
The 28-year-old Thonotosassa, Florida, resident had just gotten married before leaving for his tour of duty. He was killed just months before his beloved daughter's second birthday. According to the article, Bonnie and Kaitlyn Angus live in Tennessee. In addition to his family, the Marine's mom described what her son loved about life.
Outside of military life, Angus loved the outdoors, especially going to the mud hole. He had a big four wheeler that he drove in the woods and through the mud. He also owned a huge pickup that he used to cruise the town and to also go mudding, Kathy Angus said.
He liked to fish and hunt, too.
"He was my only son," Kathy Angus said. "I have a daughter, but he was my only son."
Sgt. Daniel Angus will be laid to rest on February 6 in Florida.
When writing columns about men and women who sacrificed everything for our country, I always do so with a heavy heart. Telling the story of Lance Cpl. Jeremy Kane is particularly difficult and emotional, because he attended my alma mater, Rutgers University, before his deployment and death.
Kane recently lost his father to cancer, and according to an article in The-Star Ledger, initially had serious concerns when his Marine reserve unit was called up to active duty last year. He knew his mom and siblings needed him during a difficult time, and also was trying to complete his studies on the Camden campus of Rutgers. Yet as NBC Philadelphia was told by his grieving, but strong mother, Melinda, the young man went to Afghanistan with bravery, pride, and purpose.
Kane, who is from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, was majoring in criminology and political science. Rutgers, which has over 54,000 students, wasted no time in issuing a statement honoring the fallen Marine and Scarlet Knight, and prominently displayed the tribute, written by Rutgers-Camden Dean Margaret Marsh, on the university website.
Although I did not have the opportunity to know him well, I am told that Jeremy was a bright, dedicated student who was passionate about his studies. Media reports indicate that Jeremy was equally focused on his family, his friends, and his commitment to serving our nation. The entire Rutgers-Camden community mourns the loss of a friend, a classmate, a student, and an individual with such great potential. Our nation is the poorer for the loss of such a courageous and dedicated citizen and member of our armed forces.
The 22-year-old Marine died Saturday when a terrorist blew himself up near Kane's patrol in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, which continues to be one of the most dangerous areas in the war zone. Rutgers student Bryan Adams, a former Army sniper who I became acquainted with about six months ago, is one of many friends of Kane grieving this enormous loss. Adams and Kane worked together to raise money for Veterans For Education, which promotes a positive image and educational opportunities for returning war heroes. Adams, who is the organization's president, wrote the following on Facebook:
"Jeremy Kane was a Marine Reservist, member of Veterans for Education and one of the funniest guys I ever met. Rest in Peace brother."
The Star-Ledger article says Kane, who had a penchant for exercise just like his late father, liked to play airsoft (similar to paintball), study, and spend time with his beautiful and vibrant girlfriend, Julia. By all accounts, he wasn't just a Marine, he was a young man who loved life and the people he lived among.
There is a traditional song at my alma mater called "Nobody Ever Died for Dear Old Rutgers." While Kane died for more than his university, he sacrificed everything so that one day, children in Afghanistan might be able to attend college like he did, without the fear of being kidnapped or attacked by terrorists. I am proud of many former Rutgers students, especially my grandfather, father, mother, brother, uncle, and two cousins. But when I talk to fellow Rutgers graduates in the coming weeks, months, and years, I will always make sure to tell them the story of Jeremy Kane. He embodied everything the state university of New Jersey, and America, is all about.
The earthquake in Haiti, Senator-elect Scott Brown's upset victory in Massachusetts, and the debate over health care are all big stories. The crisis in the Caribbean, where U.S. troops are now stationed to help, is particularly important due to human suffering at a scale the world has not witnessed since the 2004 Asian tsunami. Still, even in the face of these challenging stories, there is no excuse for the media all but abandoning the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which do not pause because of other world events.
The Haiti story deserved to get the most media coverage during that period, so I have no argument there. But failing to give two wars with real human consequences anywhere near the same level of attention is a deriliction of duty by the national media. Between the dates this survey was compiled, the Pentagon identified eight casualties from the war zones. That means eight different families and a countless number of friends and fellow troops lost someone close to them during America's continuing post-9/11 struggle. Did that not merit at least a measurable amount of media attention?
Pfc. Gifford Hurt, who gave his life in Iraq on January 20, did not join the military to become a national celebrity. But that doesn't mean 24-hour cable news networks don't have time to honor his sacrifice, even while covering other important news. Having corresponded with his grieving mother last week, I know that even a few moments devoted by one of the big networks would have meant the world to her.
Many folks in the media, who I worked with for almost nine years, are great at making excuses. When I questioned the lack of Iraq and Afghanistan coverage supposedly due to a "big story," almost none of which had the impact of a true catastrophe like Haiti, I was often told things like "we'll get back to covering the wars soon." The problem is that the fighting continues, and troops in Afghanistan and Iraq can't take a timeout. The way I see it, the media ran out of timeouts a long time ago.
The Pentagon has just announced the deaths of three Marines, who were killed Saturday in Afghanistan's violent Helmand Province. Officials say they died supporting combat operations.
Sgt. Daniel Angus, 28, of Thonotosassa, FL
Lance Cpl. Timothy Poole, 22, of Bowling Green, KY
Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith, 19, of Hornell, NY
The Unknown Soldiers will have more on the lives of these three departed warriors in the days to come. Please keep their families and many friends in your thoughts tonight.
He went overseas to fight for his country, and give medical care to fellow troops in need if somebody in his unit was injured. Saturday, Petty Officer 2nd Class Xin Qi was killed during his first deployment to Afghanistan.
"If you go into a World War II or Korean War Museum, you'll see that corpsmen have been fighting right alongside the Marines for 60 or 70 years," [Maj. Paul] Greenberg said. "It's not uncommon for a corpsman to lose his life. They're right there, they just have their bag and kit alongside."
Greenberg said that Navy corpsmen who go into Marine units receive additional training.
"It's a tougher life," the major said, "but they get to be with the Marines."
Qi's family is requesting privacy during this very painful time. All we can do now is pray, and thank them for the 25-year-old hero's sacrifice.
Image courtesy: Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young, U.S. Air Force. Baghdad, Iraq, September 18, 2008.
Terrorists bombed three Baghdad hotels at almost exactly the same moment yesterday, killing at least 37 people in the chaotic rampage. But as the Los Angeles Times explains, a gun battle between terrorists and guards accounted for many of the casualties. The attacks hit the Hamra, Sheraton, and Babylon hotels in broad daylight, and in at least two cases, began with gunfire before suicide bombers blew themselves up in vehicles.
In this AFP article, the top U.S. Army officer in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, is quoted saying the pattern of the attacks marks a new tactic that the military must quickly learn from.
Odierno said U.S. forces were immediately called on by Iraqi security forces to help investigate evidence at the scenes of Monday's attacks, and more time was needed to complete their findings.
He said all intelligence information received by U.S. and Iraqi forces was being shared, however, the hotel bombings signalled insurgents are becoming more "creative."
"They are doing a lot less attacks but they are trying to get the biggest outcome," he said. "They are trying to get the most attention they can, do the most damage they can so that people question the government.
"We don't have proof yet but I believe this was al-Qaeda."
One similarity in tactics is clear. Once again, terrorists targeted unarmed civilians staying at hotels. This is the ruthless enemy we are fighting, which has no regard for innocent civilians or the rules of war. Even in the face of difficult moments like Monday's tragic events, I am glad the U.S. military continues its commitment to stop terrorism around the world.
In the wake of the terrorist attack on Fort Hood and plot against Fort Dix, it is clear al Qaeda is targeting U.S. military installations in the homeland. This morning, an alarming story is coming to light about a northern Virginia man arrested in central New Jersey wearing a bulletproof vest. While the FBI has not found any apparent links to terrorism, police said the suspect had an arsenal of weapons and ammunition, as well as the map of an unidentified U.S. military installation.
CNN reports 43-year-old Lloyd Woodson also had a police scanner, grenade launcher, and Middle Eastern-style headdress in his Branchburg, New Jersey, hotel room. While we do not know if Woodson is a terrorist caught planning to attack our troops on a military base, I don't know anyone who would have all those items in his possession other than The Terminator.
Police officers caught Woodson in a wooded area near a Quick Chek store, where a clerk had reported he was acting suspiciously. He was wearing the aforementioned body armor and also had an assault rifle on him, according to Somerset police.
WRC-TV in Washington has more on this troubling story.
A smart, well-behaved student is every teacher's dream. Maybe that's why those who helped educate Capt. Paul Pena are pouring their hearts out after his tragic death last week in Afghanistan.
"He was just a diligent, well-behaved kid," [San Marcos Baptist Academy communications director Shelley] Henry said. "He was one of the bright stars of his class."
Max Smith, a math and physics teacher at the academy, said it came as a surprise to no one when Peña was selected to go to West Point.
"He was the ideal student, from a teacher's perspective," said Smith, a retired Army colonel. "He always came back here and let you know he was OK and that he appreciated all you'd done for him."
According to various media reports, Pena, 27, was killed alongside Tech Sgt. Adam Ginett, 29, not far from Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan. The reports say an improvised explosive device detonated near the troops while they were on patrol. The terrorist-planted roadside bomb wounded several other servicemembers.
Pena was a brave leader who attended West Point and worked hard to rise through the military ranks. He will be buried on Friday in San Antonio. KVUE-TV has more on the soldier's sacrifice:
Staff Sgt. Thaddeus Montgomery loved being outside. Whether it was the beauty of Yellowstone National Park, the raw desert heat of Iraq, or the rugged mountain terrain of Afghanistan, Montgomery felt at home in the wild.
The Colorado Springs Gazette, which always does a fine job telling the stories of fallen soldiers once stationed at Fort Carson, reports on the 29-year-old warrior's life, which ended Wednesday at "Camp Vegas," located at the Korengal Outpost in Afghanistan. According to the Pentagon, the circumstances of his death are under investigation. His family is eagerly seeking answers from the military about the incident.
Reporter Bill Vogrin spoke to Montgomery's mother, Debra Hays, about how her son lived life to the fullest.
“He’s one of those dreamers,” Hays said of her son. “He always wanted to go explore the world.”
That itch to see the world, combined with his love of the outdoors, explained why he adapted so well to life in the Army, she said.
“He loved the outdoors,” she said Saturday from her home in Florence, Ky. “He liked roughing it. Working in the outdoors. He never complained about how rough it was in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
Montgomery being away from him mom, three-year-old son, and other loved ones on many overseas deployments was always tough for the family, but Hays got to see her son on television in December, when Phoenix affiliate KTVK aired a segment with him and two other soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. The discussion was spurred by a letter he wrote to Arizona Highways editor Robert Stieve, requesting some copies of his magazine to read over in Afghanistan. Stieve, who developed a close bond with Montgomery in the soldier's last months, wrote a moving, beautifully worded tribute to his friend on Thursday:
He had no interest in the spotlight that we were shining on him. All he wanted was some magazines. What he didn’t realize was that in the process of reaching out to us, he was connecting an otherwise disconnected group of Americans with a world that seemed a million miles away. Through Sergeant Montgomery, our staff and many of our readers gained a new perspective on the war, and also some degree of enlightenment. Of course, that perspective and enlightenment came with an overwhelming cost. Without Sergeant Montgomery’s face and his name and our personal relationship, the news of his death wouldn’t have felt any different than the thousands of deaths that preceded his in Iraq and Afghanistan and Vietnam and all the rest. But as it is, the shocking reality of his death is hard to comprehend. For us, Thaddeus Montgomery isn’t just a name in a newspaper. Thaddeus Montgomery is a human being, and more importantly, he’s a part of our family.
The KTVK-TV segment about the interview Stieve conducted with Montgomery, who will be buried February 4 at Arlington National Cemetery, is embedded below. Montgomery's television appearance was the last time the soldier's mother got to see her son's smiling face. The Unknown Soldiers sends its deepest condolences to everyone acquainted with this American hero, who lived a life of indelible consequence in the great outdoors.
I do not believe simply listing a fallen servicemember's name in a newspaper, TV graphic, or website sufficiently honors their sacrifice. It is important to learn more about every person who volunteers to fight for our great country, so we can understand these extraordinary men and women who lay everything on the line so future generations can be free.
Pfc. Gifford Hurt was just starting his career in the military, as this coming Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the young man's enlistment. Tragically, it is also the day Hurt's family plans to bury the beloved 19-year-old soldier, who was killed on January 20 in Mosul, Iraq. An official news release said he was killed in a "non-combat incident" being investigated by the Pentagon. His grieving mother, Lisa Davis, said in an e-mail that she was told her son was the passenger in a Humvee that overturned when the unidentified driver, who is expected to survive, lost control. Even through her grief, Davis, who I have been honored to exchange messages with these last two days, has beautiful memories of her departed child.
"My son was a strong willed individual that loved honor," Davis wrote. "He was a hard worker, loving friend. He would do anything in the world for anyone that needed it. We have lost a remarkable young man and potentially wonderful leader for the U.S. Army."
Davis said Hurt joined the military straight out of high school, fulfilling a lifelong dream to serve his country. While she said Gifford was already well-mannered, nine weeks of basic training at Oklahoma's Fort Sill enhanced his values even further. She recalls many conversations with her son, including some late night and early morning Skype calls while he was in Iraq.
"I wouldn't close my eyes until he called me on Skype and said the same words that he said all the time: 'hey ma,' with his beautiful husky voice," Davis poignantly recalled.
Hurt wanted to serve many years in the Armed Forces, perhaps hoping to follow in his mom's footsteps. Davis served 22 years in the military, retiring in 2007. While Gifford never got the opportunity because of the apparent accident, it is clear that he touched many lives in his brief time on earth.
"I have recieved numerous e-mails from soldiers that he served with, and friends from around the world that knew my son," Davis wrote.
The young hero from Yonkers, New York, also leaves behind his siblings, who relocated to the south. His mom, who is asking for our prayers and will certainly receive them, will undoubtedly miss those late-night Skype conversations in the coming weeks, months, and years. But she knows he can still see her from a much better place than Iraq -- without an internet connection.
"He is probably smiling down on me now, knowing that his memory will never, ever be forgotten."
It has been 12 days since Maj. Ken Bourland went missing during the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, only minutes after e-mailing his family after arriving for a disaster relief event. Despite day after day of pain, shock, and anxiety, those closest to the Air Force major are still showing unflappable courage. In an update posted Sunday on Facebook, purportedly from Ken's loving wife, Peggy, one can grasp how faith is keeping the family strong during this emotionally devastating ordeal:
"I didn't get a phone call this morning, but I know they are working very hard. I can't explain it, I'm not sure anyone will understand what I am gonna say: I still have faith that my husband is still alive. I know him, he is strong and smart, and I feel it in my heart. I have no other reason to believe otherwise. God is in control. [Ken's mother, Adrienne] and I still believe."
A Facebook group started shortly after the Haiti disaster, "Praying for the rescue of Ken Bourland," already has 4,518 members at last check. The page is filled with prayers, tributes, and messages of encouragement. Here is one, posted by a fellow soldier currently serving in a war zone:
"Our church service at HQ ISAF, Kabul, Afghanistan, prayed for you this morning. God bless you and your family and all of us who have faith. Peace be with you."
Hope for Ken Bourland and his family truly stretches around the world.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas famously shows us that justice can take many years of pain and suffering to emerge from the darkness. But if you believe in God, as I do, you likely have confidence that the world's most vicious, heartless villains will eventually be held to account for their crimes against humanity.
Like the coward he is, Osama bin Laden is purportedly taunting Americans from whatever cave he's hiding in, likely somewhere along the Afghan-Pakistani border. He doesn't have the guts to fight U.S. troops hunting for him head on, instead sending troubled youths to strap on bombs or use children as human shields, so the doomed terrorist issues crackling, propaganda-filled audiotapes.
This time, bin Laden claims responsibility for the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack on a Detroit-bound airliner, according to various media reports.
"The message delivered to you through the plane of the heroic warrior Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a confirmation of the previous messages sent by the heroes of the Sept. 11," the terrorist purportedly said. "America will never dream of security unless we will have it in reality in Palestine," he added.
How's this for security, Osama? I am posting this message from an airplane on a blog dedicated to the U.S. troops who are going to take you down. I feel completely secure on this flight, thanks to the brave men and women who have captured and killed the misguided followers of your murderous ideology before they ever reach our shores. America wins, you lose, and the families of the thousands of innocent people you have ordered to death will see you brought to justice.
The Pentagon has announced four more casualties over the past week from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am hesitant to simply list their names, even while information about their lives is being gathered, because it's important to remember all four of these men are worth much more than that. In Montana, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania, their families are weeping. All around the nation, people who knew these U.S. troops are also dealing with this crushing news that will forever alter their lives. The Unknown Soldiers will be telling the stories of these American heroes in the coming days.
Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt, 19, died in Mosul, Iraq, January 20.
Staff Sgt. Thaddeus S. Montgomery, 29, killed at Korengal Outpost, Afghanistan, January 20.
Capt. Paul Pena, 27, killed in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, January 19.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon, 52, died in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 17.
Earlier this afternoon, I stood at the grave of Marine Maj. Megan McClung in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. Even on a chilly January afternoon, sunlight glistened off the noble headstone, which is flanked on both sides by beautiful floral arrangements. Like other fallen heroes' names, McClung's was familiar, as I wrote hundreds of scripts during my time at CNN.com Live about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But what struck me deeply was the extraordinary inscription engraved on her headstone: "Be bold. Be brief. Be gone."
There is a good reason her name rang a bell. McClung was the first female U.S. Marine officer killed in action during the Iraq war. Yet, as I'm sure those closest to her would testify, there are many appropriate ways to fondly remember Megan. In just 34 years, the Hawaii-born daughter of military parents excelled as a triathlete, gymnast, marathon runner, student, Marine, private contractor, and advocate for wounded veterans. McClung graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and held a master's degree in criminology from Boston University. Tireless energy and a warm smile drew people around the world to this amazing woman of many talents.
According to an archived Associated Press article, McClung had only one month left in her deployment to Iraq when she was killed on December 6, 2006, in Ramadi. Working in a public affairs capacity, she was escorting an embedded crew of Newsweek journalists when her Humvee hit a massive roadside bomb, which detonated and killed her instantly, as well as Army Spc. Vincent Pomante and Army Capt. Travis Patriquin. The journalists were not injured.
While grieving an enormous loss, McClung's parents honored their daughter by staying true to her mantra. They were bold.
"Please don't portray this as a tragedy," the Marine's mother said. "It is for us, but Megan died doing what she believed in, and that's a great gift.... She believed in the mission there -- that the Iraqi people should have freedom."
I entered Arlington National Cemetery today through the main gate. After walking through the visitor's center, most signs direct you to President John F. Kennedy's grave and other well-known sites. Yet I walked straight down Eisenhower Drive to Section 60, a quiet, somewhat secluded area where heroes from the war on terrorism are buried alongside fallen warriors from previous conflicts. While trudging through the damp grass and seeing name after name, as well as moving mementos left by loved ones, I heard the booming sound of a 21-gun salute. Another fine American was gone.
When I woke up this morning, I did not know all I should about the life and legacy of Megan McClung, who now has a memorial run to benefit wounded Marines named in her honor. Saved in my cell phone is a picture of her headstone, which I will not publish here out of respect for her family. But when I travel down difficult roads in the future, I will pause for a moment and look at the image instead of giving in to depression or despair. "Be bold. Be brief. Be gone." Thank you for your bravery, sacrifice, and inspiration, Megan McClung.
The Pentagon sent out this news release moments ago:
Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett, 29, of Knightdale, N.C., died Jan. 19 near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy.
Ginett is pictured above on the right, being presented the Bronze Star for exceptional service as an explosive ordnance team leader in August 2007. In May 2009, Ginett was promoted to technical sergeant, according to the Air Force Times.
An Air Force newsletter published in Iraq mentions Ginett being deployed at Tallil Air Base in 2004. Speaking about how he planned to spend that Christmas, Ginett said: "Probably just working a regular shift -- but I'll make sure to call my family back home."
Tonight, his family mourns. We grieve along with them, as a great American who spent the last years of his life defending our nation is no longer with us.
Image courtesy: Senior Airman Holly MacDonald/U.S. Air Force
Sgt. Maj. Jean Chouloute has spent the last five months in Kabul, Afghanistan, making sure the ISAF Joint Operations Center is safe and secure. Yet his tour in the war zone is wrapping up quicker than expected, so he can head to Haiti to help his native land.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Craig Strawserinterviewed Chouloute about his upcoming mission, which is very close to his heart. The soldier was born in Port-au-Prince, and the article says he lived in Saint Marc until moving to the United States at age 11. His loved ones in Haiti are safe, but an entire family living next door was killed in the earthquake.
Chouloute thinks serving as a translator and using his experience in Afghanistan will be very valuable to the relief effort.
"We will show the people of Haiti what the U.S. military and the U.S. people are all about," he said. "It's important for me to do this on a couple different fronts. I am helping to show the diversity of the Army, and I will be able to help serve as a bridge between the folks who need help and those who are going there to help. I know the culture, language, area, and people."
Other Haitian-American troops like Lt. Ramses Brunache, who is also serving in Afghanistan, are waiting for their transfer requests to be approved by superior officers. While leaving one of the world's most dangerous countries to deploy to another may not seem appealing on the surface, the dedication of these soldiers to spreading America's message to their homelands is admirable, to say the least.
"The relationship of the Haitian people with the U.S. is important," Chouloute said. "If we weren't there, there would be more hunger, and more looting. It would be a lot worse than it is right now."
"Most people don't get to do what they want to do in life. Most people don't get to die doing what they want to do in life, and he did what he wanted to do."
That quote, obtained by Memphis TV station WPTY-TV, comes from Pamela Finnie. She is grieving the death of her son, Staff Sgt. Daniel Merriweather, who gave his life on Wednesday at Combat Outpost McClain in Afghanistan. A fellow soldier, 21-year-old Pfc. Geoffrey Whitsitt, was also killed in the IED attack.
In the Eyewitness News story, Finnie recalls a conversation she had with her 25-year-old son during his third deployment to a war zone.
"We were talking and he told me, he wasn't going to make it back this time,” she said. “It was different. He just knew. He just knew that he wasn't going to make it back."
A roadside bomb hit his humvee, killing him instantly.
“Daniel's not the kind to stand still and suffer,” Finnie said. “He's gone on to his next mission.”
Merriweather, who is originally from Collierville, Tennessee, leaves behind a wife and two little boys, who live near North Carolina's Fort Bragg. Let's make sure this brave soldier's story is told so there is no doubt those two children grow up knowing their father was an American hero.
American troops are on the ground in Haiti today. True to form, the military is performing brilliantly in securing the reeling nation and making relief efforts possible. It's frightening to think how much worse things could be on the already devastated island without the unparalleled sacrifices being made by the United States.
The Navy Times reports on the Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, which landed in helicopters this morning and created a water distribution area near Port-au-Prince. About 120 of America's finest men and women have already linked up with the U.N. and Haitian authorities to ensure a smooth operation.
“We were warmly welcomed by the locals. They were supportive, and exchanged greetings. We provided them with food and water. Indeed the maritime relief support to Haiti is now well underway,” said Capt. Thomas Negus, commanding officer of the Bataan ARG, on the ship’s official Facebook page.
Seeing American forces help people in Haiti, Iraq, and Afghanistan makes me immensely proud of my country.
One week ago, Maj. Ken Bourland arrived in Haiti to help represent the Air Force at a disaster relief conference. He checked into his hotel, then sent an e-mail to his wife and three children, shortly before a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake struck the island nation. His loved ones have not heard from him since.
“Ken is the only one of his group still missing,” Adrienne Bourland said Monday afternoon.
She said the other four members of his group are alive, although some are injured.
Adrienne Bourland said the family was hoping to hear news of her son’s rescue Monday.
“We have not had any word today,” she said Monday afternoon. “But we always look at it as if we haven’t heard any bad news, there is hope. We have never given up hope.”
A statement released by Ken Bourland's wife, Peggy, says the family is convinced he was likely in his hotel room when the earthquake struck, due to the time his e-mail was sent. The Air Force has assured them everything possible is being done to search the rubble at the Hotel Montana. Even in one of the most difficult times a family can experience, Peggy Bourland also made sure to thank the rescue teams working to find her husband and many other missing people.
After serving a tour in Iraq, Ken Bourland's family believes he can use that experience to survive.
“Those things are useful in the situation he is in now,” she said. “It is my belief that he will remain calm and conserve his energy. He is a pretty smart fellow.”
Adrienne Bourland said the family is aware of the thoughts and prayers of the people of St. Clair County.
“We want to send our appreciation to all those who are thinking of us and praying for us,” she said.
Those prayers extend all around the country. Let's all hope Maj. Ken Bourland, who was already set to be awarded a promotion to lieutenant colonel, returns to his loving family very soon.
As planes struck the World Trade Center, a boy began his transformation into a soldier. Not long after the 9/11 attacks, Spc. Kyle Wright started training for a life of service. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Army and threw himself into studying Arabic. By the age of 22, Wright was fluent in the language and performing critical missions in Afghanistan. He hunted down weapons used by insurgents, and seized drugs sold to finance their brutal campaign of terror.
The Daily Herald reports on the Romeoville, Illinois, soldier, who was killed by a massive improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday. The article quotes his father, Richard Wright, talking about his son's many achievements.
Shortly before his death, Wright e-mailed his parents to share stories about a 6,000-pound drug and weapons seizure his team completed, which was reported on CNN.
"His message said 'This was us, on our own, with a couple of helicopters,'" Richard Wright said. "He was on the front, cutting edge of this whole war effort."
The father continued:
"I don't know what people's stereotypes are of a quote/unquote grunt soldier, but he was the toughest, smartest, bravest man, and I don't just say that because he's my son," said Wright. "He was the very, very best."
An article in the Chicago Sun-Times, which also quotes Richard Wright calling his son "a hell of a stand-up kid," has another interesting note. It says his son-in-law, Sgt. Zachary Greene, is also deployed in Afghanistan. He is escorting Kyle's body home, for a full honors burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Nobody forced Kyle Wright to join the military. He was deeply affected by the terrorist attacks on America and decided to dedicate his life not only to defending his country, but bringing freedom to the Afghan people. That's not a cliche, as his father explains to the Sun-Times, it's the truth:
"He had a sense of honor," Rich Wright said of his son. "His main motivation was the way they treat their women ... like farm animals. He wouldn't have it. He has three sisters, two mothers and a grandmother."
Lt. Ramses Brunache is fighting for the United States in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Yet he was born in Haiti, and feels he could be more valuable to his native and adopted lands by serving in the earthquake-ravaged streets of Port-au-Prince. Brunache, who believes his sister and three nieces were killed in the disaster, is asking his superiors for a transfer.
The Associated Press reports on Brunache's request in this article linked by The Washington Post. The 40-year-old soldier, who has been in the U.S. military for 11 years, has been following the devastation of his homeland mostly from an internet cafe on base. Brunache tells the AP he can help in many ways if his superior officers grant his request:
[Brunache] hopes he can help by serving as a translator, but says he'll do whatever is needed.
"I would like to help as many people as possible," he said. "If I have to pick up debris, I can do that." He has a brother who is also based in Afghanistan who is trying to get reassigned as well.
Brunache answered the call to help in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and has served overseas in Kuwait and Afghanistan. While it is important to understand the military has critical war zone needs that must be filled, I hope Brunache gets a chance to carry the banner of both America and Haiti as a force of compassion in his homeland.
Sgt. Chris Hrbek knew he wanted to serve others all the way back in high school. Growing up in Westwood, New Jersey, he began volunteering for the local fire department at age 16. About seven months after graduation, he embarked on one of the most difficult mental and physical challenges known to man: Marine Corps basic training on South Carolina's Parris Island.
Hrbek's career as a Marine was stellar, to say the least. The Star-Ledger reports he served an incredible three tours in Iraq before leaving for Afghanistan in November. One of his most significant achievements came on his final deployment:
On Christmas Day, Marine Sgt. Christopher Hrbek called home to Bergen County from Afghanistan with the news he had been nominated for a Bronze Star.
A fellow Marine, a master sergeant, had been gravely injured by a bomb buried in the dirt. Under heavy enemy fire, Hrbek and a Navy corpsman had rushed to the man’s aid, applying tourniquets to the stumps of his severed legs and carrying him to safety.
Only weeks after helping save a fellow servicemember's life, the 25-year-old Marine was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand Province on Thursday. The article says the Hrbek family will be presented the Bronze Star he courageously earned.
While his stepbrother said Hrbek "was born a Marine," his grieving wife, Jamie, explained how their relationship flourished despite the difficulties of overseas deployments.
When they first saw each other three years ago, it was only for a few seconds, she said. She was a waitress in a local restaurant. He was a customer. Hrbek was about to talk to her when he was summoned to a fire scene. It would be a month before he got her number from a friend.
“We could have said we loved each other without really seeing each other,” she said.
They talked for six hours in that first phone conversation. Late in 2007, they married.
“I could say a thousand things about him,” she said. “He was filled with a sense of adventure.”
Kudos to The Star-Ledger for filing such a detailed report about one of New Jersey's finest citizens.
Jamie Beachnaw became worried when her younger brother didn't reply to a Facebook message. She had kept in close contact with him during his second deployment to Afghanistan. Soon after her concerns surfaced, she would learn Sgt. Lucas Beachnaw was killed Wednesday in a firefight.
The Grand Rapids Press reports the 23-year-old squad leader was on patrol in Darya Ya when a battle with insurgents broke out. The article quotes the fallen hero's father, Kevin:
"Being from a military family, I knew ...," he said, choking up.
The [U.S. Army representative] told him his 23-year-old son, Sgt. Lucas Beachnaw with the 173rd Airborne Infantry, had been killed Wednesday in Afghanistan in small arms fire.
"I can't stop crying," the father said Thursday from his Charlotte area home. "I feel like my eyes are burning."
Another sister, Terra DeLong, told the newspaper the Lowell, Michigan, soldier's final visit to his country was in July for her wedding. DeLong said she moved the date so her brother could attend.
Embedded below is Jamie Beachnaw's heartbreaking interview with WOOD-TV, where she shows the locket she wears to always keep her little brother close to her heart. I found this quote particularly moving:
"Appreciate the sacrifice," Beachnaw said. "Realize that it's not just a name in the paper or a face somewhere, it's an actual son, brother, uncle, or friend."
The Pentagon sent out four separate news releases on Friday and Saturday, naming more U.S. troops who lost their lives this week in attacks by insurgents and terrorists in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Daniel Merriweather, 25, Collierville, TN (Combat Outpost McClain, Jan. 13) Pfc. Geoffrey Whitsitt, 21, Taylors, SC (Combat Outpost McClain, Jan. 13) Spc. Kyle Wright, 22, Romeoville, IL (Kandahar, Jan. 13) Sgt. Christopher Hrbek, 25, Westwood, NJ (Helmand Province, Jan. 14) Sgt. Lucas Beachnaw, 23, Lowell, MI (Darya Ya, Jan. 13)
As many Americans start their weekends, let's keep these fallen troops and their grieving families in our thoughts. The Unknown Soldiers will post more details on all five of these fallen heroes when they become available.
Image courtesy: Sgt. Ashleigh Bryant, U.S. Marine Corps. Kandahar, Afghanistan, July 2009.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Ingham was deeply affected by the September 11, 2001, attacks on America. He joined the Marine Corps and achieved great things in Djibouti, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on the 25-year-old Marine's life, which ended Monday in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand Province. He died beside two fellow heroes: Cpl. Nick Uzenski and Cpl. Jamie Lowe.
The Post-Gazette article cites multiple accounts of the bravery displayed by all three Marines. Under fire from insurgents, the group still managed to call in air support, which saved 12 fellow servicemembers. Reporter Jon Schmitz talks to Ingham's mother-in-law about what the fallen Marine stood for:
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hiking, kayaking and camping, and romping with the couple's two chocolate Labs, said Ms. Rajpar, a librarian at Mount Aloysius College in Cambria County.
He loved to ride his dirt bike, and was spotted in Japan by members of a professional racing team who recruited him to take part in a motocross event, she said. He finished second.
Ingham will be buried in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where his parents still live. He leaves behind a loving wife who, according to her mother, "has lost her best friend in the world."
On December 12, this blog asked you, the readers, this question:
Do you think the American media devotes enough time to U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan?
The poll results are staggering. 99% of respondents, or 109 of you, answered no. One person voted yes. While this poll is of course unscientific, a result this lopsided spotlights an obvious disconnect between journalists and the public, which other scientific surveys have backed up. A 2009 Sacred Heart University poll found only 17.4% trusted the news media to report news honestly. That percentage was down a substantial margin from 2003, the year U.S. forces invaded Iraq.
Several scientific surveys have also found viewers think the national media covers too much celebrity news. As someone who worked in newsrooms for over eight years, I can tell you there is a huge push among management to focus on entertainment. It's silly, irresponsible, and wrong, and many of the individual stories of sacrifice you see on this blog don't get covered as a result. In the wake of a real human tragedy in Haiti, as well as the continuing violence in Afghanistan and Iraq, there is no better time for the media to confront this issue.
Thanks to everyone who voted in the poll, and a new one will be posted shortly.
With an unimaginable catastrophe in Haiti dominating headlines and over 2,200 U.S. troops on their way to help the reeling island nation, it is important to remember that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq will not pause. It's a fact the quiet community of Franklin, New York, knows all too well.
Cpl. Nick Uzenski is one of three Marines killed Monday in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. The Marines were a part of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Expeditionary Force. While Uzenski lived briefly in Texas with his father, who also served in the Marine Corps, his mother and several loved ones still live in upstate New York, where Uzenski grew up. The Daily Star paints the picture of a grieving, patriotic community:
Uzenski's mother, Lisa Uzenski, was notified of her son's death in person by military officials Tuesday. Her mother, Audrey Archibald, is a bus driver for the Franklin Central School District. Archibald informed school officials of Uzenski's death, which has shocked the school community, Superintendent Gordon Daniels said.
"A lot of my staff are just trying to hold it together," Daniels said. "He was such a positive young man."
Although Uzenski graduated 3 1/2 years ago, students also were affected by his death.
"A lot of the kids really did know him," Daniels said.
"Nick was very special in so many different ways, he was the young man that you want your son to grow up to be, he was respectful, he worked hard at everything he did, he just, he had zest for life," says Franklin Athletic Director and Basketball Coach Matt Campbell.
"I remember his smile, he always was a happy kid, and we're just going to miss him," says Franklin Varsity Baseball Coach Steve DeCarlo.
The fallen Marine's flaged-draped casket arrived just over an hour ago in Dover, Delaware, and was greeted by his strong, courageous parents. At the same time, the sound of bells rang through Franklin's frigid air. A hometown hero who gave his life thousands of miles away is back in the country he fought for.
Lance Cpl. Jake Meinert is pictured above, showing the note he wrote to his family in December. A few weeks later, he stepped on a land mine in Afghanistan's Helmand Province and lost his life.
The Journal Times in Meinert's home state of Wisconsin reports on Meinert's life and death. While his family is foremost on my mind, my head is also shaking in disbelief that the national media has not noticed this stunning story.
Standing in front of a mirror, wearing a "Jay and Silent Bob" T-shirt, Meinert snapped a picture. It's likely the last picture he ever took of himself.
In one hand he held a note, written backwards. In the other hand he held a digital camera, a Christmas present for his brother back in Wisconsin.
Meinert sent the camera, and the picture, with the rest of his personal belongings, back home to his family in Fort Atkinson, just before he shipped out to Afghanistan, where he died Sunday.
The 20-year-old Marine lived in Wisconsin, where friends and family across the state now grieve his loss. The article says joining the military was a lifelong dream for Meinert, who followed in the footsteps of his beloved grandfather. He even wrote in his elementary school yearbook that he hoped to someday be stationed in Hawaii, which came true.
Meinert's heartbreaking final note to his family should not overshadow his accomplishments as a Marine. He was a highly-decorated Purple Heart recipient who also served a tour of duty in Iraq. All before he could legally have a beer.
An e-mail was just sent out by the Department of Defense, confirming the deaths of three U.S. Marines on Monday in Helmand Province. Here are their names:
Staff Sgt. Matthew Ingham, 25, of Altoona, Pennsylvania
Cpl. Jamie Lowe, 21, of Johnsonville, Illinois
Cpl. Nicholas Uzenski, 21, of Tomball, Texas
The Unknown Soldiers will be working in the coming days to bring you the compelling individual stories of each of these Marines. Simply listing their names and moving on is not enough.
Jake Rademacher grew up with five brothers in Decatur, Illinois, thinking he would one day be a soldier. Had life worked out the way he planned, he would have almost certainly deployed to Iraq as a young man.
God's plan was different. Jake's poor eyesight kept him outside the military ranks; a disappointment he struggled to overcome. But after the tragic death of one brother and the departure of two more to Iraq, he eventually wound up in the same war-torn country his initial path was taking him.
In "Brothers At War," the critically-acclaimed documentary now available on DVD that's executive produced by Gary Sinise, Jake sets out to learn more about why two brothers choose to spend months at a time away from his family in foreign lands. While embedding with their units and filming his experiences at home and abroad, he accomplishes his mission, while also producing a valuable historical document of U.S. soldiers completing theirs. But in two separate trips to Iraq, Jake also learns being related by blood does not solely define the brotherly bond.
In the film, we see Maj. Isaac Rademacher and Sgt. Joe Rademacher deploy to Iraq. We are given a difficult glimpse into the pain of a wife, girlfriend, mother, father, and a beautiful little girl who may never know her father. While Jake's embedded footage in the war zone is important, the scenes shot on the homefront are a revelation. At one point, Isaac, who his younger sister lovingly lauds as "Superman," actually reveals he is fighting a "two front war" in Iraq and North Carolina, where he is shown with his family between deployments. Adjusting to life back home after a year in Iraq is taking its toll, just like it is on Joe. Going to Wal-Mart and hearing people complain about phone bills and other trivial problems is actually more difficult for the Long Range Surveillance Company commander than kicking the door in of an insurgent hideout. As he puts it, "nobody understands."
The film's unglamorous realism leads to its greatest achievements. Instead of seeing soldiers triumph daily in Iraq, we see them digging makeshift toilet holes in the desert. We see them playing video games, and in a hysterical segment, gathering around to watch "The O.C." on a rare night off in Iraq, after reluctantly admitting to each other that they all love the show. We see the brutal sandstorms, treacherous heat, and painful boredom of a five-day desert mission that produces almost no tangible results. "We're not here to blow things up," Sgt. Ben Fischer explains, offering the filmmaker what seems to be a semi-apology for the lack of action to record on the mission.
What the young filmmaker does best, though, is finally bring the military's almost mythical camaraderie to the big screen. This is what makes "Brothers At War" reality TV that's actually worth watching. We don't just hear troops talking about putting buddies ahead of their own welfare: we see it. In one of the movie's most powerful scenes, American and Iraqi soldiers put their lives on the line for each other in a way we never thought possible when 1990's America was captivated by smart-bomb footage during the first Gulf War. The film does not endorse the 2003 invasion of Iraq, since the troops fighting the war did not make the decision to invade. What it does endorse is hope. If American and Iraqi forces can become brothers in arms, can't we all learn from their example?
While he never says it, Jake's visits to Iraq help him realize that Joe, Isaac, Claus, and the late Thad are not his only brothers. He speaks to U.S. troops who were putting their lives on the line for him before they ever met.
"If you have kids, if anybody else has kids, we're out there for them," Spc. Christopher Mackey says.
Jake then poignantly asks: "Is it worth it if it costs you your life?"
"Yeah, it'd be worth it," Mackey answers after a brief pause. "That's why I'm here; I'd give my life for America any day. Wouldn't think twice."
The Unknown Soldiers primarily focuses on the U.S. military, the war on terror, and the media. Yet it is impossible to overlook the earthquake catastrophe in Haiti, which has killed thousands of innocent people. This natural disaster is certainly on the same level, if not even worse, than the Asian tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
It turns out America's bravest may get another chance to show the world that our country's elite fighting force also shows unparalled compassion. CBS News reports that President Obama may send U.S. troops to Haiti for humanitarian purposes. The article quotes Gen. Douglas Fraser of U.S. Southern Command:
"We have put various forces around the armed forces on alert, so that as we get the assessments in we are postured to move those forces in an expeditious manner," he said. "So we have put a brigade on alert just in the circumstance."
Fraser said the military is considering "sending a large-deck amphibious ship that will have a Marine expeditionary unit embarked on that."
The U.S. Coast Guard already has ships moving toward the devastated island nation. The Navy is also sending the U.S.S. Carl Vinson, pictured above, to the Caribbean. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti, along with the U.S. troops who may get a chance to lend a hand during the country's darkest hours.
The story of Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hickman's life and death is important.
The 35-year-old soldier was killed on Thursday in Afghanistan when the paratrooper's unit was attacked at Combat Outpost Bowri Tana. Hickman had already served in Iraq before his tour in Afghanistan, which began in February, and was scheduled to end next month.
[J.D.] Hickman last spoke to his son about two weeks before Christmas. Hickman was sharing plans of traveling in April to Alaska, where he would reunite with his son, daughter-in-law Tiffany and three grandchildren; all boys, ages 6, 4 and 2.
They also acknowledged the perils at hand.
“Let me put it this way: It was two military guys talking,” said Hickman of his final conversation with Jason. “A lot of things were discussed that I really wouldn’t want in the newspaper. Going into a war zone, we both understood what the possibilities were.”
Kingsport is about 100 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville News Sentinel picked up the well-written Times-News story about Hickman's death. Yet above it sits a "Breaking News" banner that says "Lane Kiffin stuns UT by taking USC job." The site's homepage has the sports story as its lead, with another can't-miss item about what will happen to t-shirts featuring the former Volunteers coach. The story of Hickman's nine years in the military and sacrifice in Afghanistan is nowhere to be found on the front page, apparently not nearly as important as a college football coach breaking a multi-million dollar contract to sign another multi-million dollar contract somewhere else.
It's a real shame many good people in Knoxville won't see this story, especially since three young children are now without a loving father who died for their freedom. Rain Smith's article features this moving passage at its conclusion:
When asked if there’s anything else he’d like to share regarding his son, Hickman is quiet for a moment. Then his voice cracks, “John 15:13.”
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Some sad news from Afghanistan today, where NATO confirms that 2 U.S. soldiers died in an explosion in the eastern part of the country.
CBC News reports the troops were killed in a bomb attack. No further details have been released, and as always, names of the fallen will be withheld until their families are given the tragic news in person by U.S. military messengers. To learn more about this delicate notification process, I highly recommend seeing the new critically-acclaimed movie "The Messenger," starring Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster.
The CBC report says 28 NATO soldiers have been killed so far in 2010. According to an unofficial analysis of Pentagon statistics, today's two deaths will be the ninth and tenth, respectively, for U.S. forces in January. We mourn each and every fallen hero.
While the story has not gotten much airtime on CNN in the United States, embedded international correspondent Atia Abawi does an admirable job reporting on how the military's largest helicopters are being used in Afghanistan.
Abawi did a nice job letting the troops on the ground (or in this case, in the air) tell the story for the viewers. I was also surprised to learn that choppers are moving more material in Afghanistan than Iraq.
Good job here, CNN. Now all you have to do is give these stories the airtime they deserve, as well as prominent placement on your website, and do it on a consistent basis.
The Pentagon announced the death of Pfc. Michael Jarrett last night. The North Platte, Nebraska, soldier was 20 years old and was killed on January 6 in Balad, Iraq. The military said the tragedy was a "non-combat" incident. Jarrett's death is under investigation.
According to the Lincoln Journal Star, Jarrett was based in Illesheim, Germany, before his deployment to Iraq. His flag-draped casket returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Thursday.
58 U.S. troops with ties to the Cornhusker State have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
You may remember reading about Staff Sgt. David Gutierrez on this blog. The 35-year-old San Francisco resident was killed on Christmas Day when terrorists attacked his unit in Afghanistan. He is the father of three young boys and also leaves behind a loving wife.
Monday, Fort Lewis, where Gutierrez was stationed before his deployment, held a memorial service for the beloved soldier, who enlisted back in 1998. The News-Tribune in Tacoma, Washington, reports on how family, friends, and brothers in arms honored "Gutie."
Gutierrez was eulogized as a committed husband and father whose positive attitude and beaming smile complemented an iron will and never-quit attitude, even in the face of daunting hardship. He was described as an inspiration to his men either while playing fullback for the Lacey-based South Sound Shockers of the Washington Football League or leading them as a weapons squad leader in his platoon.
Resting next to the traditional battlefield memorial of combat boots, rifle, helmet and dog tags at the memorial was a miniature football helmet.
“He loved being part of a team that was capable of doing something bigger than any one individual,” wrote Lt. Col. Jeffrey French, the commander of Gutierrez’s battalion, in remarks read at the memorial. “He was a master of building teams because he didn’t leave them on the field. ”
The article says Gutierrez, who also spent 13 months in Iraq, was set to receive an award from his amateur football team during scheduled leave from Afghanistan. Instead, the plaque was given to his grieving wife, Patty, after the Fort Lewis ceremony.
While his amateur gridiron squad will miss seeing "Gutie" cook them barbequed hot dogs and ribs after games, three young boys will grow up without a father to throw the football around with in the backyard. The pain some military families are forced to go through is unimaginable and unfair. But you almost never hear them complain.
Image courtesy: Hornell Evening Tribune
