More than a game

Staff Sgt. John Stanz loves hockey, his hometown Buffalo Sabres, and the United States of America. Last year, after previous tours in Africa and Iraq, he left upstate New York for the third time, this time to serve his country in Afghanistan.

On August 15, 2009, an improvised explosive device blew up near Staff Sgt. Stanz during a terrorist ambush, leaving him badly injured. According to a tribute site, the Marine suffered severe head and facial injuries, as well as fractures in an arm and foot. After difficult hospitalizations in Germany and Maryland, which included a medically-induced coma, the warrior was able to pull through and return to western New York.

As millions around the world watch today's North American showdown for the gold medal, Team USA hockey players will have a special group of fans, including John Stanz, rooting for them. Thanks to Operation Homefront, each American hockey Olympian has been paired with a wounded veteran from the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. Each player has been sent a memento from their adopted hero, and have spent time learning each other's stories during the Winter Games.

Team USA goalie Ryan Miller, the quiet Buffalo Sabres netminder who has become an international superstar during the Olympics, was recently sent a bracelet with an attached bullet from his adopted veteran, John Stanz. According to local affiliate WIVB-TV, Miller has also been given a hat from Stanz's unit, as well as a coin with the wounded warrior's name. Miller will send the Marine several items after he returns from Vancouver. Stanz reacted to being paired with his hometown favorite with humility and honor.

"I don't really understand why all this great stuff is happening to me, but definitely appreciate it, you know?" said Stanz.'

As we get ready to watch the gold medal game in a few hours, we thank this heroic Marine and all the U.S. troops serving overseas at this very moment. As we Americans root hard for the gold, we should also keep in mind that many Canadian soldiers are serving bravely in the same war zones. It's because of these shared sacrifices on ancient deserts that we can all enjoy today's friendly rivalry on the ice.

Youthful inspiration

Image courtesy: Facebook

Lance Cpl. Kielin Dunn wanted to serve his country since elementary school. Yet despite a military upbringing, becoming a Marine wasn't as easy as signing a piece of paper. It took selfless dedication and extra effort, including graduating high school early, to realize his dream.

According to the Pentagon, Lance Cpl. Dunn, 19, was killed February 18 in Afghanistan's Helmand province while supporting combat operations. Specific details about his death have not been released, but his battalion is part of the NATO force taking control of Marja from the Taliban during Operation Moshtarak.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that Dunn grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia, and was a role model to many young people around him. While home from training or on leave, he would visit an area youth shelter that once helped him in a time of need.

"He was an inspiration to the residents here," [Seton Youth Shelter director of street outreach programs David Mount] said. "He inspired them and gave them hope that they could actually overcome their life challenges."

Mount described Dunn as intelligent, honest, driven and focused.

"He was a good person, and he was a straight arrow," he said. "That's a reflection of his family."

Dunn's father, Gary Campbell, serves in the Navy. His mother, Terri Campbell, is an Army veteran, and gave a tearful interview to affiliate WVEC-TV. She saluted the son who followed in her footsteps, and took it upon himself to answer his generation's call to service.

Iraq: Improved, but still dangerous

Image courtesy: Chief Petty Officer Michael Heckman

I recently had the privilege of interviewing retired 1st Lt. Jim Kirchner for a recent USO piece. During our conversation, I was struck by the vast differences between Kirchner's 2005 combat tour and his late 2009 return with Operation Proper Exit, which is funded by the USO and executed by the Troops First Foundation. The wounded veteran explained that Iraq is a much safer place because of the sacrifices of U.S. troops, and also a change in mindset among many Iraqis. Many are sick of violence and division, and are coming together to make their country a better place.

Of course, thousands of Americans are still serving there and face danger on a daily basis ahead of the March 7 national elections. The Pentagon has announced two casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom, which is being renamed Operation New Dawn, over the past 24 hours:

Sgt. William C. Spencer, 40, Tacoma, Washington
Cpl. Daniel O'Leary, 23, Youngsville, North Carolina

The two soldiers were killed in separate incidents. Sgt. Spencer died Thursday at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany after being wounded at Combat Outpost Marez on February 20. Cpl. O'Leary was killed Tuesday in a Fallujah vehicle crash. We thank both of these brave American warriors for their service.

'Good luck'

Image courtesy: Pfc. Nathan Booth

While Operation Moshtarak has been difficult and costly, the hard-earned battlefield victories by American and coalition forces are already producing clear results. However, the battle for Marja does not mark the end of American's post-9/11 struggle in Afghanistan.

CBS News reports that President Obama is working with the military to plan a major offensive in Kandahar, which many call "the Taliban capital," later this year. The report also says the administration's Afghanistan policy will be reviewed again in December.

For loved ones of troops currently stationed in Afghanistan, news of another dangerous mission will undoubtedly cause some anxiety. But in every encounter I've had with military families, I continue to believe they are among the most resilient people on the planet. They will come together and endure, and all Americans must prepare themselves for the difficult months ahead. While sensationalism, tabloid journalism, and political bickering continue to dominate national airwaves, ordinary Americans can do their part to support the troops and military families by staying focused on what they are going through. The men and women performing these seemingly impossible tasks overseas aren't statistics, they are our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands, and wives.

Perhaps they will be inspired by these immortal words written by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, shortly before the allied invasion of Europe.

The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.

The famous letter concluded:

Good Luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

While it is important to note that not everyone supports the escalation of the current war in Afghanistan, and that responsible dissent is the hallmark of a free society, we can all put aside our political views to wish our troops the best of luck.

A man for all seasons

Image courtesy: U.S. Marines

Lance Cpl. Larry Johnson loved to be outside, regardless of the calendar. According to The Citizens Voice in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, he liked to ski, camp, snowboard, and ride all-terrain vehicles. He also loved animals, and wanted to work as a veterinarian at some point in his life. First, however, he would tackle the extraordinary challenge of becoming a United States Marine. After making it through basic training and maturing into a man who would call his parents "sir" and "ma'am," Lance Cpl. Johnson took on one of the world's most dangerous jobs: finding and disabling improvised explosive devices.

On February 18, Johnson was killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province during Operation Moshtarak. While the Pentagon news release announcing his death says only that he was killed "supporting combat operations," the newspaper quotes family members as saying he was in fact struck by an IED explosion. Reporter Borys Krawczeniuk brings us a harrowing account of the moment his family learned of the tragic incident.

Ashley, 21, Larry Johnson's older sister, heard the knock on the door from the bathroom.

It was a hard knock, she remembered.

"Is your mom home?" one Marine asked.

"I went to turn away and I was like, 'Wait, did something happen to my brother?'" Ashley Johnson asked.

They never actually said Larry Michael Johnson was dead.

"I just knew," Ashley said. "I saw the look in their face that he was dead. I didn't even have to ask the question."

She broke down. She chokes up re-telling the story.

Johnson is from Scranton, the same city where my grandfather, a World War II veteran, grew up. This post's headline originally came to mind because "A Man For All Seasons," about Sir Thomas More, is one of my grandpa's favorite films. Yet after reading more and more about this fallen Marine, I realized the headline perfectly fit Johnson's life. A skinny Pennsylvania boy grew into a robust man of many interests: his family, friends, the outdoors, animals, and his country. While Lance Cpl. Larry Johnson was only with us for 19 years, his loved ones will fondly remember every one of them, especially as he is laid to rest Saturday morning.

Stolen memories: Second suspect arrested

Image courtesy: El Paso County Sheriff's Office

The Unknown Soldiers has been closely following a sad, unfortunate case in Colorado involving the grieving relatives of Senior Airman Bradley Smith, who gave his life in Afghanistan on January 3. The day before his Fort Carson memorial service, thieves stole his dog tags and other precious items from his wife and mother's shared rental vehicle.

While one suspect was already in custody, The Air Force Times reports the second suspected thief, Dwain Boyd, 22, was arrested on Tuesday. According to the article, Boyd, pictured above, has been charged with theft, trespassing, conspiracy, and obstruction. Along with the dog tags, a digital camera, watch, and two laptops are also missing.

Sadly, the stolen items have not been recovered. SrA Smith's widow, Tiffany, has pleaded for them to be returned. This blog will continue to follow this tragic case and hope that police are able to locate these irreplaceable mementos for the fallen hero's family.

Moshtarak: Afghan flag flies over Marja

The city of Marja, for which many American, Canadian, British, French, and Afghan troops have bled to seize from the Taliban's iron fist, is now officially led by the government of Afghanistan. In a ceremony today, hundreds of citizens came together to watch the flag-raising ceremony, which you can watch raw footage of below.

A Fox News article quotes Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, who is leading the U.S. Marine push in Helmand province.

"It's a very historical day, a new beginning," Nicholson, the commander of the U.S. Marines in southern Afghanistan, told the crowd as U.S. snipers stationed on the roofs of surrounding buildings watched over.

In what had characteristics of a victory celebration, Nicholson said of the assembly: "I am so moved by this, so very thrilled by the turnout ... They are voting with their eyes, and they believe there is a fresh start for Marja under the government of Afghanistan."

Of course, the struggle in Helmand province is far from over, and many brave young men and women continue to sacrifice to rid the region of the Taliban, which sheltered Osama bin Laden and his top terrorist lieutenants before and after the 9/11 attacks. The danger remains high for troops and civilians. But for the people of Afghanistan, today's events mark progress, which is something we can all salute our military for helping bring about.

'God asked for a hero'

Images courtesy: Facebook

Pfc. Kyle Coutu wanted to be a Marine since he was a little boy. He had an all-American childhood, filled with fun, friendship, and sports in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He played hockey and football, wrestled, and ran track. Yet according to multiple accounts, he managed to stay focused on his goal of becoming a Marine. He accomplished his personal mission and set out to do the same for the country he loved.

Pfc. Coutu, 20, was killed on Thursday in Afghanistan's Helmand province, fighting bravely during the early moments of Operation Moshtarak. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of North Carolina's Camp Lejeune.

On Wednesday, Coutu's flag-draped casket returned home. The Providence Journal reports that dozens waited in the cold rain to salute the hometown hero.

Among those watching in solemn silence behind a gate were friends of Coutu from high school, his and his mother's former landlady, and Dorothy Furlong, a woman who shares a house with Coutu's mother, Melissa A. Coutu, while both their sons were serving in the military. Furlong's son is in the Navy, she said after the motorcade left, on the Eisenhower in the Arabian Sea.

"On the 17th of February, God asked for a hero and Kyle took the call, because he wanted to serve his country, from when he was 4," Furlong said.

Coutu will be buried on Friday in his home state with full military honors. Flags at government buildings in Rhode Island are flying at half-staff in the fallen Marine's honor. As The Pawtucket Times reports, there are also poignant tributes to the Marine occurring across the state. The article recounts a stirring pre-game salute on the Tolman High School ice, where Kyle once skated with his trademark competitive spirit and enthusiasm.

It should be noted Coutu had never laced up a pair of skates prior to last season.

"I commend him for coming out and giving the effort," said [coach Steve]Reynolds. "He came out to be our backup goaltender, and, just being the type of kid he was, he wanted to skate out and hit people. He was a tough kid."

"A lot of people say things in light of (such a tragic turn of events). With Kyle, it’s all true," added Reynolds. "He was the epitome of what people talk about. My heart goes out to his family."

Respecting sacrifice

The solemn voyage to Delaware's Dover Air Force Base is one no military family ever wants to make. Dignified transfer ceremonies for U.S. troops killed in action overseas are held at Dover, and are probably the most delicate moments, along with military funerals, that loved ones can experience in war.

This site is honored to be friendly with the USO, which kindly published an article I wrote about Operation Proper Exit last week. There is no better example of the organization's compassionate mission than its two USO centers at Dover, which are set up to give families a quiet atmosphere to reflect and grieve, before and after witnessing the return of their fallen heroes to American soil.



While we all wish these centers weren't necessary, it is encouraging to know an organization is thinking ahead about how to support relatives dealing with devastating news. As the video notes, volunteers are present whenever a dignified transfer ceremony takes place, which can sometimes be at 3 or 4 a.m. This selfless sacrifice on the homefront is what our troops and their families deserve. Thank you, USO.

Pride of a nation

Lance Cpl. Alejandro Yazzie, 23, loved spending time with his grandmother, Minnie. He enjoyed her traditional Navajo cooking as he grew up, and spent time telling stories around the table with his brothers and sister. A Navajo Nation press release also says he took a particular guiding interest in those younger than him, advising them to work hard stay in school.

Lance Cpl. Yazzie, of Rock Point, Arizona, was killed in Afghanistan on February 16 by a Taliban sniper's bullet. In a stunning NPR broadcast that is difficult to listen to, the chaotic moments that led to Yazzie's death are vividly reported by correspondent Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson, who accompanied Marines from India Company of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment on patrol. While the entire report is compelling, the tragic incident involving Yazzie is at the four-minute mark.



Yazzie had planned to use the NPR correspondent's phone to call his wife, Kalandra Rae Lonehorse-Yazzie, later that evening. Instead of speaking to her husband, the widow is watching flags in her Navajo community being lowered in his honor. She is also anxiously awaiting an unfortunate paperwork issue, reported by the Associated Press, to be resolved by the military so relatives can bring his flag-draped casket home from Delaware.

In addition to his wife, Lance Cpl. Alejandro Yazzie is survived by his mother, father, three brothers, and a sister. Not to be forgotten is the brave Marine's grandmother, who would probably give anything for one last chance to cook her beloved Alejandro his favorite meal.

Tennessee mourns Iraq helicopter tragedy

Two Tennessee families, along with hundreds of friends, relatives, and fellow troops, are grieving the loss of two volunteer warriors who can never be replaced. According to a Pentagon release, Capt. Marcus Alford and Chief Warrant Officer Billie Grinder were killed Sunday in Qayyarah, Iraq, when their helicopter made a hard landing. Above is a file photo of a similar OH-58D Kiowa Warrior chopper.

The Knoxville News reports that Capt. Alford, 28, leaves behind a son and a daughter. His family travelled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to receive the hero pilot's flag-draped casket. Alford is from Knoxville.

According to to The Tennessean, Chief Warrant Officer Grinder, 25, grew up in Smyrna and lived in Gallatin. Her Facebook page shows a vibrant young woman who was enjoying life. She loved the Twilight books, The Knot wedding website, and her country. Particularly striking is her 684 Facebook friends, showing she touched many lives, and that many will miss her smile.

One person clearly in anguish is Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee's adjutant general.

"Words cannot express my extreme sorrow at the loss of these outstanding soldiers, and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families and friends of these valiant warriors. Tennessee has lost two brave volunteers who truly believed in what they were doing to ensure a free Iraq. We are still a nation at war and we must continue to keep our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in our daily thoughts and prayers."

More heroes of Helmand identified

Image courtesy: Sgt. Aubree Rundle

The Pentagon has announced new casualties from the fighting in Helmand province. All six are fallen Marines.



Lance Cpl. Eric Ward, 19, Redmond, Washington
Lance Cpl. Matthias Hanson, 20, Buffalo, Kentucky
Cpl. Gregory Stultz, 22, Brazil, Indiana
Lance Cpl. Adam Peak, 25, Florence, Kentucky
Staff Sgt. Christopher Eckard, 30, Hickory, North Carolina

As Gen. David Petraeus said, Operation Moshtarak will be difficult and the loss of life almost too much to bear. Regardless of how you feel about the war in Afghanistan, it is clear that the troops fighting it need our support at home more than ever. You can volunteer at your local USO outlet, get on board with your church, school, or community center to send letters to soldiers, or even just shake a passing servicemember's hand and say thanks. During a time of war, everything counts.

A Marine's peaceful sunset

Lance Cpl. Noah Pier couldn't wait to get back to Hawaii in June. After his deployment in Afghanistan, he would marry his sweetheart amid summer's beauty. Tragically, those plans were derailed on Tuesday, when Lance Cpl. Pier was killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

The Charlotte Observer has a nice report on the Marine's life. Reporter David Perlmutt writes that Pier also served in Iraq, and was well-respected by his company, which gave him the nickname of "big brother." Pier was also revered by the Queen City, which is coming together to honor the fallen hero.

Pier's body will be flown to Wilson Air Center near Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. It will be given a motorcycle escort to McEwen by N.C. members of the Patriot Guard Riders. They'll set up a "flag line" with American flags at the funeral home and at Forest Hill.

"We stand in honor of those who've given the ultimate sacrifice to maintain our freedom," said Keith Arbuckle of Concord, a Vietnam veteran and the guard's assistant N.C. captain. "They are due that respect."

Since childhood, when he'd play war with his five siblings, Pier wanted to serve in the military. But as his mother noted, he also wanted to join a cause he believed in. America's post-9/11 struggle gave him the opportunity to live his dream.

Before his deployment to Afghanistan, Noah Pier got to experience the paradise of Hawaii, which included many gorgeous sunsets over its clear waters. Worlds apart, Afghan and Iraqi children will be free to witness future sunsets, thanks to the sacrifice of brave Americans who helped bring peace to their ancient lands.

'He didn't let fear guide him'

Images courtesy: Facebook

Pfc. Jason Estopinal never seemed to be afraid. Growing up in Dallas, Georgia, he chose to celebrate his 18th birthday by jumping out of a plane with a parachute. About a year later, he was a Marine. A report by WAGA-TV lets those closest to Pfc. Estopinal tell his story.

"He didn't let fear guide him he was quite a person," said Estopinal's fater, Jason Estopinal, Sr.

Family members said Marine Private First Class Jason Estopinal was the point man, the first Marine in front of others, as part of a security force on patrol in a rural part of Afghanistan when he was killed.

"He died stepping on an IED and whether or not he was looking for an IED so his brothers wouldn't have something to step on, I don't know but I know he had intentions of making sure his other brothers were safe," said Estopinal's brother, Parker.

Hundreds lined the streets to welcome Estopinal back home to Georgia, in an exceptional outpouring of patriotism and grief. Since his February 15 death in Afghanistan's Helmand province, a Facebook tribute group has been set up to honor the 21-year-old fallen Marine. At last check, more than 550 people had already joined "In Loving Memory of PFC Jason Estopinal."

WAGA-TV's article reports that the Estopinal family is taking solace by reading poems. Thankfully, the support of the Paulding County community must also be helping them cope.

"I'm going to remember him as an amazing Marine, a good person," said Parker Estopinal.

So will we.

Moshtarak: Petraeus warns of 'tough fight'

Image courtesy: Senior Airman Brian Ybarbo

Gen. David Petraeus, Iraq war hero and now the head of U.S. Central Command, does not seem to be spinning Operation Moshtarak or the war in Afghanistan. The general, who says he is a "realist," predicts another 12 to 18 months of difficult fighting to clear Helmand province of Taliban and other terrorists. But make no mistake, Petraeus told NBC's Meet The Press that the American public should brace for heavy casualties.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

We already know that Petraeus' somber words ring true, as a high volume of new casualties have been released by the Pentagon. Yet as the general reminds us, we all must remember why we are in Afghanistan, and that Osama bin Laden, Mullah Omar, and other terrorists who threaten the world still may be there.

"We're in Afghanistan to ensure it cannot once again be a sanctuary for the kinds of attacks that were carried out on 9/11."

Brave hearts

Image courtesy: Facebook

Spc. Bobby Pagan couldn't wait to get home from Afghanistan in two weeks. Not only did he miss his family of eight in Austin, Texas, he wanted to spend more time with his fiancee, Diana Soriano, who was serving in Iraq.

Spc. Pagan was killed in a February 13 terrorist attack in Zhari province, Afghanistan. He died alongside two fellow distinguished servicemembers, Sgt. Jeremiah Wittman and Staff Sgt. John Reiners. News 8 Austin reports that Pagan was planning to propose to Soriano in person when they saw each other.

"He actually proposed to me through a letter and then later on after I told him 'Yes' over the phone, he said he wanted to do it in person," Soriano said.

It was not to be, however. Soriano said he was killed by a suicide bomber on a motorbike, while on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan.

Soriano had to make the journey to meet his family for the first time, alone.

"He was supposed to be traveling with me, so I just, I was just alone for too long. When I finally seen them, I mean they are the only thing that I have that's a part of him," Soriano said.

According to the News 8 article, Pagan's brother is serving in the Army as well. Like his fiancee, he will be able to attend Bobby's funeral. While Soriano has already said she will dedicate the remainder of her service in Iraq to her fallen love, his brother will undoubtedly carry on with bravery as well.

While the city of Austin is understandably in shock after a plane attack on the IRS building by a crazed pilot earlier this week, let's hope the city's residents also take notice of the incredible sacrifice of Bobby Pagan, his brother, and his fiancee. Cities across America are filled with these extraordinary people, and we shouldn't take it for granted.

Hockey night in Afghanistan

As North America prepares for tonight's Olympic showdown between the United States and Canada, troops serving in Afghanistan decided to get a head start. The Canadian Press reports that soldiers decided to stage the ball hockey event for fun, ignoring Kandahar's unrelenting heat.

They crowded around the boards and stood on the bleachers. Some sat atop two sand-coloured armoured trucks that had a giant Canadian flag tethered between their antennas. Others sat on a pair of yellow cherry pickers bedecked with familiar red-and-white flags, or on a white sea container where the players store their gear.

The fans were so into the game that, for once, there wasn't a line at Tim Hortons. The only other time people aren't waiting for their double-doubles is when the shop is closed.

The Canadian troops won easily, 16-2. Hopefully, the results in Afghanistan will give solace to our northern neighbors tonight after the ice version of Team USA pulls off the upset in Vancouver.

Stolen memories: Suspect arrested, second at large

The Unknown Soldiers has been following the story of Senior Airman Bradley Smith since the hero was killed in Afghanistan on January 3. Unfortunately, this important story of battlefield sacrifice took an unthinkable turn the day before SrA Smith's Fort Carson memorial service, when his dog tags and other irreplaceable items were stolen from his wife and mother's shared rental car outside a Colorado restaurant.

Thanks to attention from newspapers, local TV stations, and blogs, police have announced an arrest in the case. While this news is certainly positive, another suspect is on the run, and the stolen mementos have still not been returned to grieving widow Tiffany Smith. KRDO-TV reports that Denard Thompson, 29, is accused of trespassing and conspiracy to commit theft. According to the article, alleged accomplice Dwain Boyd, 22, is wanted by police on charges of felony theft, first degree criminal trespass and conspiracy. Anyone with information is urged to call 719-390-5555.

Let's all pray the dog tags Senior Airman Bradley Smith wore while he gave his life for his country are returned to his mourning family, especially so his young daughter, Chloe, can hold them in the palm of her hand as she grows up.

Answering the call

Image courtesy: Wittman family/WSPA-TV

For three consecutive days before Sgt. Jeremiah Wittman was killed in Afghanistan, he text messaged his wife, Karyn, and said he would try to call whenever he could. The last words he typed to his wife mentioned how much he wanted to speak to their three-year-old child, Miah. While daddy and daughter never got to have that final conversation, the little girl knows who her father was, and where he is now.

"At Heaven," said Miah.

Miah grabbed her photo album and showed [WYFF-TV] News4's Mike McCormick pictures of her father.

"My daddy's a soldier," she said.

Sgt. Wittman was killed on February 13 in Zhari province, alongside Staff Sgt. John Reiners and Spc. Bobby Pagan. Wittman's wife preferred not to discuss the circumstances of his death in an interview with Greenville, South Carolina, affiliate WYFF-TV. She wanted to focus on his life.

"He was a family man," Karyn said.

Wittman was expected to end his deployment in the next few months. He planned to leave the Army for good in November.

"He wanted to be with his family," Karyn said.

He'd already been on one deployment to Iraq.

"He wanted to do what he did so his family wouldn't have to or no one else would have to," Karyn said.

The grieving widow told WSPA-TV, where I worked for two years, that Miah is named after her dad. While Jeremiah was not able to speak with his little girl one last time, it is clear that the call he answered to serve his country will live on through young Miah and a second daughter in Wyoming. Whenever they need advice during childhood and beyond, the phone lines to heaven will always be open.

Moshtarak: The darkness

Image courtesy: Sgt. Aubree Rundle

Since Tuesday, when the Pentagon announced the death of Marine Cpl. Jacob Turbett, notices of military casualties in Afghanistan's Helmand province have been released at an alarming rate. Since I first subscribed to the Pentagon e-mail list while working at CNN, I cannot remember a volume of e-mails this high in one short period, all from Afghanistan, in the same province.

With Operation Moshtarak well underway in the region, a spike in coalition casualties was inevitable. This is not to say the anti-Taliban offensive is going poorly from a military standpoint; most analysts say it has been very successful, and one cannot evaluate an armed conflict based only on casualty figures.

But the below names are not statistics. They are real people with families, friends, and futures that will never be realized. We mourn these American patriots, as well as British, Canadian, Afghan, and other coalition forces who have bled alongside them. No matter how long it takes, this website will make every effort to bring all these important stories to you in the coming weeks and months.

Sgt. Jeremy McQueary, 27, Columbus, Indiana
Lance Cpl. Kielin Dunn, 19, Chesapeake, Virginia
Lance Cpl. Larry Johnson, 19, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Pfc. Kyle Coutu, 20, Providence, Rhode Island
Pfc. Eric Currier, 21, Londonderry, New Hampshire
Lance Cpl. Alejandro Yazzie, 23, Rock Point, Arizona
Lance Cpl. Noah Pier, 25, Charlotte, North Carolina
Pfc. Jason Estopinal, 21, Dallas, Georgia

During World War II and beyond, first lady Eleanor Roosevelt carried a prayer in her purse.

"Dear Lord, lest I continue in my complacent ways, help me to remember that someone died for me today. And if there be war, help me to remember to ask and to answer, 'am I worth dying for?'"

'To know him was to love him'

Images courtesy: Reiners family/The News Chief

As Operation Moshtarak continues in Helmand province, it is important to remember that fighting has not paused in other parts of Afghanistan. Earlier this week, The Unknown Soldiers told you about a terrorist attack in Zhari province, which killed three American soldiers, including 24-year-old Staff Sgt. John Reiners.

As the photo at the bottom of this post shows, Staff Sgt. Reiners pursued a life of military service since boyhood. His half-sister, Glennette Jackson, told The News Chief in Florida that he wore camouflage from a very young age, and made the military one of his life's greatest passions.

Kara Phelps' powerful, beautifully written article paints a loving portrait of this brave man, who will be dearly missed, along with his two comrades also killed in the attack, Sgt. Jeremiah Wittman and Spc. Bobby Pagan.

Growing up in Lake Hamilton, [Reiners] played Little League Baseball for years. He was a Boy Scout and a member of the national Young Astronauts program.

He also had a streak of mischief; he loved pulling pranks on his siblings, said his mother, Rhonna Jackson.

"To know him was to love him," she said.

Few soldiers have seen more of America's post-9/11 struggle. Reiners, who was highly decorated and well-respected, completed two tours in Iraq, and was wounded twice in bomb attacks. Not long after his third wedding anniversary, he left for Afghanistan. Casey Reiners, who fell in love and had a child with the husband she met in first grade, was with his parents when his flag-draped casket returned to Delaware's Dover Air Force Base. While few of us can comprehend the emotions she is experiencing, hopefully she is comforted that the American hero's legacy will live on through their two-year-old, Lex.

Near the conclusion of the article is an extraordinary, devastating line written by the fallen soldier's grieving mother.

"I carried him for nine months. I raised him for 18 years," Rhonna Jackson wrote. "And he repaid me by giving his life for my freedom."

New uniforms for war in Afghanistan, new name for war in Iraq

Image courtesy: Maj. Deanna Bague

There are two interesting items from the Pentagon this afternoon to report. First, according to a Department of Defense news release, all soldiers deploying to Afghanistan will be given new uniforms, beginning this summer. The new digs are in the "multicam" pattern, pictured above, and are said to be fire resistant. The Pentagon said a rigorous four month process determined the new camouflage pattern would help soldiers blend in more effectively, while also providing better protection against fires and explosions.

While this change seems to make sense, it is extremely important that money is also being spent to give our troops proper weapons and armor on the battlefield. According to the news release, the uniform changes will be accompanied by "associated equipment including body armor, rucksacks, and helmet covers." This is positive news, as a servicemember should never be deployed without the necessary equipment.

As for Iraq, ABC News reports that President Obama has decided that Operation Iraqi Freedom will be renamed Operation New Dawn. A memo from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Gen. David Petraeus says the September 1 name change "sends a strong signal that Operation Iraqi Freedom has ended and our forces are operating under a new mission."

Of course, the Bush administration named the conflict Operation Iraqi Freedom, so the Obama administration's decision to change the name is raising some eyebrows since the current president was against his predecessor's decision to invade. As ABC News notes, Brian Wise, the executive director of Military Families United, is criticizing the move.

"You cannot end a war simply by changing its name. Despite the Administration’s efforts to spin realities on the ground, their efforts do not change the situation at hand in Iraq.

Operational military decisions should not be made for purposes of public relations, as the Secretary of Defense cites, but should be made in the best interests of our nation, the troops on the ground and their families back home."

I understand the criticism and think good Americans can disagree on this subject. I also hope that the directive to change the name was reached with careful consideration to all troops who have served in Iraq. Tombstones of fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery and around the country say "Operation Iraqi Freedom," so it is important that their sacrifice is always remembered and respected, and never clouded by politics.

USO, Troops First Foundation bring peace to aching heart

Editor's note: This is a reprint of an article I wrote for the USO, which was posted Friday. Please click on the article, and support both the USO and Troops First Foundation with donations.

Finally back home after a difficult combat tour in Iraq, 1st Lt. Jim Kirchner sat in a busy TGI Friday's restaurant with his wife. While the wounded veteran was happy to be spending time with his family, something was clearly bothering him. Sissy Kirchner offered a penny for her husband's thoughts.

"I have to get healed up so I can get back over there," Jim responded.

Shocked by his answer, Sissy took a moment to regain composure. Why would her husband want to return to the war-torn country that he barely escaped alive? After all, Jim still carried a piece of Iraq with him, in the form of shrapnel embedded inside his heart. 1st Lt. Kirchner said that in order to be sure his ordeal had true meaning, he had to see it for himself.

"I wanted to leave the war back in Iraq and not bring it home with me," he said, while explaining his post-deployment mindset.

A few months later, Sissy read an online article about Operation Proper Exit, the new program funded by the USO and executed by the Troops First Foundation. The idea was both powerful and creative: give wounded heroes a chance at closure by taking them back to war zones that have left physical and emotional scars. She immediately forwarded the story to Jim, knowing he would jump at the opportunity. After speaking with Rick Kell, the program mastermind and Troops First Foundation president, Kirchner later found out he would be returning to Iraq in December 2009, with the third group of wounded veterans to make the emotional voyage.

A little over four years earlier, 1st Lt. Kirchner sat in a guard tower at Forward Operating Base St. Michael, during one of the most difficult periods of the Iraq war. He was in Mahmudiyah, an area south of Baghdad commonly referred to by troops serving there as the "triangle of death." There was intelligence indicating an imminent attack by terrorists, and the soldier was ready for action. Worried about his safety but driven by his sense of duty, Jim put his fears aside and manned his post.

"If it wasn't me in that tower, it would have been somebody else," Kirchner said. "You serve for the men or women beside you."

Jim was moderately surprised that there were no attacks, and retired to an Army tent to get some sleep before a patrol set to begin in a few hours. As he tossed and turned while trying to shake off the adrenaline that built up in the guard tower, the soldier flipped over his pillow and reversed his position on the bed. A few moments later, Kirchner heard a massive booming sound, then felt a strange numbness. He knew he had been hit.

Shrapnel from a mortar had torn into Jim's back, from his head all the way down to his knees. A shoulder and elbow were blown out, and he later found out a lung had collapsed. There was damage to his liver, pancreas, and heart, and prospects of survival seemed dim. Due to incredibly dangerous conditions on the ground, flying the badly injured soldier out of FOB St. Michael would be next to impossible, so a risky ambulance ride to the nearest hospital was the only option. Kirchner, knowing that terrorists would not hesitate to attack a medical caravan, thought he and everyone else in the ambulance would surely be killed.

When Jim miraculously arrived at Camp Anaconda, doctors told him he "probably wasn't going to make it." Before losing consciousness, he remembers being asked if he would like to be read his last rites, while "surrounded by guys pumping blood" into his weakening body. After pulling through in Iraq, Kirchner was flown to Germany, where he said the process was repeated all over again after his condition worsened. After several surgeries at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and then Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the wounded veteran was told he would survive. He was left with scars, no feeling in half an arm, constant pain, and a permanent reminder of his near-death experience whenever he saw an x-ray of his heart.

The way Rick Kell saw it, Kirchner was a perfect candidate for Operation Proper Exit. While retired from the Army and still struggling with the demons of war, Jim had demonstrated that he wanted to move forward as a husband, father, and private American citizen. Kell, his Troops First Foundation, the USO, and top military officials like Gen. Ray Odierno and Col. David Sutherland had worked tirelessly to give heroes like Jim this unique chance at closure.

"On these trips, I have seen 18 people change physically in front of my eyes," Kell said. "To simply tell you that does not do it justice."

1st Lt. Kirchner travelled back to Iraq along with retired Master Sgt. Tom Carpenter, retired Sgt. Bill Congleton, Sgt. 1st Class Josh Olson, Sgt. 1st Class Mike Schlitz, and Capt. Sam Brown. Meeting Brown was a unique experience for Kirchner, who had his first face-to-face conversation with a severe burn victim. The two immediately developed a bond, and Capt. Brown, who was injured in Afghanistan in September 2008, would later get to spend time with his wife, Capt. Amy Brown, during the group's visit to a Baghdad palace, where the military rolled out the red carpet for the returning heroes.

Despite the serious nature of their wounds and the grief associated with visiting areas where comrades had fallen, the five combat veterans developed a friendly rapport. They joked around and even teased each other about their injuries.

"It may surprise people that wounded guys pick on each other," Kirchner said. "But it helps us all."

Everywhere the group traveled, U.S. troops of all ranks and backgrounds saluted them and wanted to hear their war stories. The conversations were positive not just for the participants of Operation Proper Exit, but for morale of the troops on the ground.

"It was phenomenal," Kirchner explained. "It didn't matter where we were, every branch was supporting us."

While the enthusiasm inside the military meant the world to Kirchner, seeing the changes to daily life in Iraq since he served there is what finally gave Jim's aching heart peace.

"Going back and being able to talk to the Iraqis had made a difference," Kirchner said. "The Iraqi people are now reporting al Qaeda. They don't want them there. That never would have happened back in 2005."

With his vastly different second trip to Iraq complete, Jim relaxed at home during a wintry day in Douglasville, Georgia. Now a health physicist for the CDC, Jim is helping Sissy raise their four children and watching his son, Pvt. Dustin Carney, finish training at Fort Gordon. Carney has made his dad proud, but Kirchner's real-life war experience has also left him concerned.

"I'm not sure if it's harder to be deployed yourself or see a loved one get sent overseas," Jim said. "I now realize what my wife was going through."

The chilly February weather makes Kirchner's constant pain a bit worse, and the shrapnel in his heart isn't going anywhere. But unlike many of his fellow wounded warriors, he was able to confront his past so he could have a brighter future, thanks to the Troops First Foundation, USO, and the United States military. Instead of dwelling on the past, Jim says he cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.

"A lot of guys want to go back," Kirchner said. "I absolutely cherish that I got the chance."

Possible terror threat at Fort Jackson investigated

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

The U.S. Army is probing a possible threat of terrorism at South Carolina's Fort Jackson, where a small group of translators has been accused of plotting to poison the post's food supply. While The Christian Science Monitor reports five Muslim soldiers were arrested in December, an Army Times story confirms only that the matter has been under investigation for two months.

“Allegations were made and the command took it very seriously,” [Fort Jackson spokesman Patrick] Jones said, adding that Army Criminal Investigation Command was conducting the investigation, which is still ongoing.

“Two months of investigation, there has been no credible evidence to support the allegations,” Jones said.

According to the Army Times, the accused translators, who are "native speakers of a Middle Eastern language," have not been detained. Other reports have said it is not clear whether the soldiers are being held.

Clearly, there is conflicting information on this story, but The Unknown Soldiers will continue to follow it for you.

Moshtarak: Quietly doing their duty

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. James Clark

The American media won't be talking very much about Operation Moshtarak the next 36 hours. That's because Tiger Woods is holding an 'apology' news conference on Friday, which many news executives see as ratings gold. U.S. troops, who are busy fighting terrorists and helping Afghans like the little boy pictured above, will once again take a back seat to the celebrity flavor of the week.

Across the pond, the BBC has a very helpful map and timeline to help its readers keep track of the day-by-day events of this crucial joint mission. Today's report says U.S. Marines are facing stiff challenges, like heavy machine gun fire and a brutal enemy that uses civilians as human shields. Yet despite the resistance, U.S., British, and Afghan forces continue to advance in Marja and Nad Ali.

The below video, produced by Tech Sgt. Rodolfo Castro, shows soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Bravo Company, First Platoon in Helmand province. Seeing this raw footage from the ground, which includes the unit taking machine gun fire, yields valuable perspective. No matter what Tiger Woods says to America, the war to protect it won't pause.

Three soldiers killed in Zhari province attack

The Pentagon just announced the deaths of three American troops in Zhari province, Afghanistan. The three men were killed when an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists exploded near their patrol on Saturday. All were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. They were based out of Colorado's Fort Carson.

Staff Sgt. John Reiners, 24, Lakeland, Florida

Sgt. Jeremiah Wittman, 26, of Darby, Montana

Spc. Bobby Pagan, 23, of Austin, Texas

The Unknown Soldiers will have more on the lives of these three fallen heroes in the coming days. Please keep their families in your thoughts.

Image courtesy: The Colorado Connection

A life worth celebrating

Image courtesy: Facebook

Sitting in class at Canton High School in Michigan, Cpl. Jacob Turbett knew where his life was headed. He wanted to fight for his country, help others, and follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, uncles, and cousin. The fact that he accomplished all of his goals may explain why Cpl. Turbett's wife insists that his life is celebrated, even amidst the shock of his tragic death on Saturday.

"I want just everyone to know that he was a great person," Crystal Turbett told WXYZ-TV. "I want everyone to celebrate his life, not mourn it so much as celebrate it."

Tributes for the 21-year-old fallen Marine, who the Pentagon said was killed while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, are pouring in from all over the nation. A Facebook group, "Show love for Jacob Turbett," has many moving tributes, including one from his cousin.

"You woke this morning to fight for your country, and this afternoon you gave your life for it," Jennifer Jackson wrote. "Jake, your family loves you and you will missed. You will always be in our hearts, always a HERO. God be with you."

Turbett's flag-draped casket was returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware over the weekend in the dignified transfer ceremony pictured above. His wife told WXYZ that his cousin, also a Marine, is escorting the coffin back to Michigan for a memorial service. According to the Detroit Free Press, Turbett will rest for eternity alongside thousands of fellow patriots at Arlington National Cemetery. His funeral is scheduled for March 9. The Free Press article quotes Jacob's mother, Sheila, talking about her son's life.

In his spare time, Turbett – Jake to his friends, Jakey to his mom – enjoyed playing video games, learning about airplanes and squirrel hunting.

“He was a quiet boy, kind of, but he was a jokester,” Sheila Turbett recalled. “He would be poking me – ‘Cut it out. Quit it. Leave me alone.’ He’d keep egging you on. He wouldn’t stop. He liked to see you laugh. He was a big family guy.”

Cpl. Jacob Turbett clearly inspired others. According to the article, his sister, Jaime Turbett, started Naval basic training on February 3. After she is done celebrating her brother's life, she will have the opportunity to keep his stellar legacy alive.

USA goalie told to remove 'Support Our Troops' from helmet

Image courtesy: Team USA

I was just about to start watching Team USA hockey take on Switzerland at 3 p.m. eastern when I came across this insane story, which has left a bad taste in my mouth about the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. According to Reuters, Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick has offended the International Ice Hockey Federation and International Olympic Committee by painting a "Support Our Troops" tribute on his helmet. He has been told to remove it, because it somehow falls under the ridiculous banner of "political propaganda."

The Reuters report, which includes a picture of Quick's helmet, said starting goalie Ryan Miller and backup Tim Thomas had already agreed to cover up unrelated slogans on their helmets. But it is not yet clear if Quick, who did a noble thing by remembering those sacrificing their lives for our freedom, intends to cooperate.

Here is my message to the International Olympic Committee. Were it not for the actions of the U.S. military following the 9/11 attacks, it is quite possible that it would not be safe enough to hold a large, global gathering like the Olympics without a terrorist attack on the event. You may choose to view that as a "political statement," but many others view it as simple reality. Regardless, there is nothing political about a country supporting its Armed Forces. Instead of trying to censor a patriot like Jon Quick, you should be thanking him, and his country, for keeping you safe.

Now, it's time to watch Team USA begin its march to the gold medal.

Moshtarak: Taking it slow

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. James W. Clark

"We know what we have to do. But who can tell the good ones from the bad ones? It's tough."

That quote, obtained by the Los Angeles Times, is from Lance Cpl. Raymond Walker. The Marine sums up the delicacy of Operation Moshtarak, which began on Friday in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. Clear the area and take Marja, but make sure civilians are protected.

Like the incredible picture to the left shows, the military is overwhelming Marja with force. Yet when civilians are accidentally killed, which enemy forces are quick to exaggerate, it undermines the entire purpose of the mission. So, coalition forces are proceeding slowly and carefully during Operation Moshtarak. The Los Angeles Times has a solid account from the ground:

Inching their way forward Monday through dusty streets, muddy fields and walled compounds, coalition troops periodically encountered firefights. Many were what the Marines call "spray-and-pray" episodes, in which Taliban fighters fire their AK-47 assault rifles and quickly flee.

But insurgents also mounted more sustained and complex attacks. Afghan officials recounted one particularly audacious Taliban bid Sunday to overrun a position held by Marines and Afghans, in which a trio of would-be suicide bombers descended simultaneously on a newly established outpost. All were shot and killed before they could detonate their explosives, Helmand Gov. Gulab Mangal told journalists in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

There have been at least two publicized incidents that have tragically resulted in civilian casualties thus far. One of the incidents, which reportedly killed 12 Afghans, was all over front pages of American newspapers and websites on Sunday, which this site criticized. Now, more details are emerging:

Interior Minister Mohammed Hanif Atmar told reporters a preliminary inquiry suggested that as many as three of those killed might have been insurgents who forced the family to let them into the compound.

As my Sunday post said, the Taliban and al Qaeda routinely use civilians as human shields, which we now know may have happened in this case. Yet journalists continue to put these incidents on front pages, often ahead of the many positive accomplishments of U.S. troops in the battlefield, before all the facts have been gathered. During the past eight years in newsrooms, I heard a lot of talk from fellow journalists about "America's image in the world." If the media truly cared about our country's reputation, it would not rush to spotlight accidental deaths of civilians, which the enemy then frames as intentional and uses as a rallying force against the United States. Will there be more front page stories today with headlines like "Taliban may have caused civilian deaths." Of course not.

Wounded soldiers salute hero dogs

File image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Michael Neri

On Thursday, The Unknown Soldiers told you about five Americans being injured in a terrorist attack on an American base in Dand aw Patan, eastern Afghanistan. According to The Times-Herald in Newnan, Georgia, all five soldiers were part of Bravo 2-121, a unit of the 48th Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard.

The newspaper relays an extraordinary account of the suicide bombing by Sgt. Devin Shaner. The soldier said his five comrades wounded in the attack, Sgt. Chris Duke, Staff Sgt. Charles Lancaster, Staff Sgt. Tony Davis, Staff Sgt. Marty Brownlee, and Spc. 1st Class Garry Ware, all believe two dogs may have helped stop the terrorist from reaching his target. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which was carried about by an assailant disguised as an Afghan police officer. Sgt. Shaner e-mailed his unit's story to The Times-Herald:

After the five casualties had been medevaced to another base, secondary assessments of the area began. During that check, Rufus was found lying outside of the building.

Witnesses said they saw Rufus and Sasha biting the leg of the attacker as if they were trying to keep him from entering the building. Because of their efforts, the attacker was only able to make it to the building entrance. Had the dogs not tried to stop him, no one knows what the outcome would have been or how many more casualties we would have taken.

Plain and simple, Rufus saved countless lives.

Some people say they have read or heard stories of dogs with another sense in which they can detect danger. It was clear that Rufus sensed danger that night.

The next day, medics treated Rufus for his injuries sustained in the blast. Unfortunately, Sasha did not survive the attack.

One of the five injured soldiers was evacuated from Afghanistan for further treatment. The other four are reportedly doing fine, and three have already been cleared to return to duty. Thankfully, none of the injuries are thought to be life threatening. One of the fortunate soldiers may have Rufus by his side back home, as the troops are now organizing an effort to adopt the exceptional dog that helped protect them and many other brave Americans.

It is often said that you never know how people will react in combat. Yet had an Afghan dog and little puppy not taken action, these men may never have lived to tell this amazing story to their family, friends, and countrymen. Rufus is going to make one heck of an American citizen.

Taliban's top commander captured

As Operation Moshtarak roars ahead in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, there is word of a major victory in the war on terror. According to a report filed moments ago by The New York Times, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was recently captured across the border in Karachi, Pakistan, by U.S. and Pakistani intelligence units.

The Times describes Baradar as ranking second behind the elusive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, who the U.S. has been hunting for ever since invading Afghanistan in 2001. A July profile of Baradar by Newsweek is full of politically correct language ("Baradar is consistently described as more open, more consultative, more consensus-oriented, and more patient than Omar"), but anyone reading between the lines can see he is a ruthless terrorist. Since taking operational command of the Taliban, Baradar has been busy instructing lieutenants on how and where to bury bombs that are killing and maiming U.S. troops and innocent civilians almost daily in Afghanistan. It is a relief that he has been stopped, and the Times article hints that his capture could give new hope to the coalition war effort.

It was unclear whether he was talking, but the officials said his capture had provided a window into the Taliban and could lead to other senior officials. Most immediately, they hope he will provide the whereabouts of Mullah Omar, the one-eyed cleric who is the group’s spiritual leader.

The article continues:

His capture could cripple the Taliban’s military operations, at least in the short term, said Bruce O. Riedel, a C.I.A. veteran who last spring led the Obama administration’s Afghanistan and Pakistan policy review.

While we are carefully watching events in southern Afghanistan, where thousands of U.S. troops are putting their lives on the line for a critical mission, this is clearly a fantastic development that we can all celebrate. A vicious terrorist, behind many of the IED's which have killed brave soldiers you read about every day on this site, is now in U.S. and Pakistani custody. Hopefully, Mullah Omar and Osama bin Laden are next.

'A champion among men'

Image courtesy: MySpace

Sgt. Adam Ray was a funny guy. He was always smiling or making a face in pictures, and pretended to be a fan of archrival schools just to rile up his family, who loves the hometown Louisville Cardinals. But his humor didn't come at the expense of realism: Sgt. Ray was keenly aware that his deployment to Afghanistan could end in tragedy.

“Adam knew this could happen,” Donna Ray, said of her son’s death. “He planned for it last time he was home. He wanted to make sure his brothers and sisters were taken care of.…He loved them, and he loved God. He never stopped loving God and he never stopped loving his family.”

On Tuesday, the 23-year-old soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan. In a news release, the Pentagon said terrorists attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Ever since, the fallen warrior's MySpace page has been filled with emotional tributes from fellow soldiers, friends, family, and complete strangers. "I just heard the news," a friend wrote on Wednesday. "You were a champion among men. I'll never forget you."

The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that Ray promised his mom he wouldn't be a hero in Afghanistan.

“He just called and said his unit was on its way back, and that he loved us all, and promised he would not be a hero,” said Donna Ray, from the family’s home in North Dakota. “But he was a hero.”

Reporter Nancy Rodriguez explains that Ray grew up in a military family in Louisville. While his family lives in North Dakota, they will return to Kentucky to bury their beloved son, brother, and friend. Ray's father, Jim, is a Christian minister. A memorial service will also be held in Washington state, where Ray was stationed before his deployment with the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

The already highly-decorated soldier, who was posthumously promoted to Sergeant, will also receive the Bronze Star for his actions in Afghanistan. Like his mom said, Sgt. Adam Ray is a hero after all.

National media trumpets civilian casualties

Image courtesy: Screenshot, NYTimes.com, February 14, 2010

Civilian casualties are the most unfortunate, tragic aspect of war. In order for good to defeat evil, we must often confront our enemies on their soil, and in every conflict, innocent people are caught in the crossfire. The U.S. military takes every precaution to prevent the deaths of Afghans and Iraqis, and that's not just "spin" or press release talk. America demonstrated it in the leadup to Operation Moshtarak, which is now underway in Afghanistan's dangerous Helmand Province. Civilians were warned for weeks about the operation, and Taliban forces were given an ultimatum to leave the district of Marja. Top commanders, as well as the president himself, have said repeatedly that this mission is aimed at protecting civilians from the Taliban and al Qaeda, and that extreme measures would be taken to prevent local residents from being killed during the fighting.

Twelve Afghan civilians reportedly lost their lives in the early moments of Operation Moshtarak when American rockets aimed at terrorist targets went astray. This is, of course, extremely tragic and clearly unintentional. Instead of simply reporting the story, the national media is once again trumpeting civilian deaths, which has been a pattern ever since the war on terror began. While U.S. military triumps and the personal stories of heroism by our troops are given scattered coverage on an inconsistent basis, any incident where civilians are harmed, even without all the facts in place, are often given front page or lead story treatment by national media outlets.

The picture above shows the 12 civilian deaths are currently the top story on the website of The New York Times. As of 3:00 p.m. eastern Sunday, the story also leads the online coverage of CNN, and is given prominent placement on the websites of The Washington Post, ABC News, and MSNBC. CBS News and Fox News do not give the civilian deaths top billing at this time, instead reporting on Operation Moshtarak as a whole.

This site is not trying to minimize the deaths of these 12 civilians, or the many more tragic deaths that happen in wars every day. What this blog tries to do, unlike some journalists, is try to put them in the proper context. Al Qaeda and the Taliban have a long history of using civilians as human shields, as well as murdering or kidnapping them under the banner of their extreme ideology. The reason we are in Afghanistan is because terrorists planned an attack on innocent American civilians New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The planning took place mostly on Afghan soil, with support of the Taliban regime, which harbored Osama bin Laden and other known killers. While there has been intense political debate over this war, and even more over Iraq, the enemy's despicable war crimes are documented and indisputable, as well as the false reports put out by the enemy claiming American troops are targeting civilians. Why does the national media continually choose to focus on accidental deaths, instead of the many specific instances of U.S. troops saving the lives of Afghans and Iraqis?

I have read and written several stories about fallen U.S. troops, like 1st Lt. Tyler Parten and 1st Lt. Brian Bradshaw, who went out into villages to hand out candy and other small gifts to Afghan children during their deployments. Unfortunately, these are seen as 'small' gestures, and the media routinely ignores them, despite the risks involved. From a soldier's point of view, any pile of garbage or piece of land can have a bomb under it. Any individual can walk up to them with a bomb strapped under his or her clothes. Yet American troops consistently brave these undetectable threats to commit acts of kindness. And when there is an accident on the battlefield that takes an innocent person's life, they have to come home and live with it. For bizarre reasons, many reporters cannot see this reality, and instead jump at the opportunity portray the military as incompetent, or sometimes, like in the case of the civilian 'massacre' that wasn't in Haditha, Iraq, as monsters.

Let's continue to call on the national press to give, at the very least, equal time to the extraordinary stories of sacrifice in war. Comment on stories or write in to newspapers, television networks, and websites, and demand a more comprehensive, complete picture be given to the American people during wartime. No American man or woman volunteers to serve in order to kill civilians in a foreign land. They sign up to protect them.

Just cause

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

Pfc. Adriana Alvarez didn't have to serve her country. In fact, her family tried to talk her out of it, and encouraged her to stay in San Benito, Texas, to pursue a career in criminal justice at home. Yet Pfc. Alvarez felt the best place to seek justice was overseas, while proudly wearing an Army uniform.

Today, KRGV-TV reports flags in San Benito are lowered to half-staff. According to the Pentagon, Alvarez was killed Wednesday in Baghdad, Iraq, while supporting combat operations. The exact circumstances of the military police officer's death are not clear.

KRGV-TV's article describes the emotions the Alvarez family is now going through.

"We were counting the days [until a visit home this summer] and it just happened.... It's very devastating, shocking," says the sister of 20-year-old Private First Class Adriana Alvarez.

A casualty assistance officer knocked on the family's door Wednesday evening to deliver the news.

"Every time I have to give a notification... it's very difficult. Each one of them is very difficult," says Master Sgt. John Garcia.

The city's Mayor Pro-Tem said San Benito will offer to escort the fallen soldier to her memorial service and burial when she returns home. Pfc. Adriana Alvarez was 20 years old.

Moshtarak: Dozens of Taliban killed, Marine dies

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde

NATO, British, and U.S. commanders all say Operation Moshtarak is going as well as possible in its early hours. Still, the progress has not come without a price, as at least one U.S. Marine and one British soldier have reportedly sacrificed their lives in the assault on the Afghan city of Marja. The Times Online cites officials as saying the Marine was killed by small arms fire.

According to the report, "at least 20 Taliban fighters were killed and 11 arrested as troops seized 11 of the 13 target locations."

Major General Gordon Messenger, the chief of the [British] defense staff’s spokesman, said Operation Moshtarak had already secured its "key objectives". “There’s a real sense that the job last night went as well as it could have done,” he said.

At a briefing on Saturday at the Ministry of Defense’s Whitehall headquarters, Messenger added: “There’s no complacency - everyone understands this is the easy bit.

“The hard bit is what comes next in reassuring the public. This is all about winning the allegiance of the population. The allegiance is not won in a day it must be won over time. It cannot be forced.”

American commanders are making similar statements. It's important that the public realizes this battle, and the war, are not going to be easy. Regardless of our various opinions on the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, we have a duty as Americans to back our troops fighting in both countries, as well as their families at home. While we won't know which family is mourning the first U.S. Marine killed in this historic operation in southern Afghanistan until the Pentagon releases the fallen hero's name, we can start our prayers now.