This is not the end

Image courtesy: Spc. Mahlet Tesfaye

On June 24, with Hawaii's magnificent palm trees and mountains as a backdrop, soldiers from the 2nd 'Warrior' Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, gathered in front of fellow troops and family members at Sills Field. Six subordinate battalions were departing for a year-long deployment to a war zone, which meant trading tropical paradise for sandstorms and brutal desert heat. As an article by Spc. Jesus Aranda helps us visualize, family members flooded the field to hug and kiss their loved ones heading overseas after the ceremony ended.

"I am ready for this deployment, but it is going to be hard leaving my three daughters and my wife, even though I know my family will be taken care of while I am away," said Spc. Brandon Cabalar, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

Given the intense combat in Afghanistan, where 19 U.S. troops have been killed in the past four days, as well as what you hear from politicians and media pundits, you might think these soldiers were leaving for that war-torn country. Yet these troops now make up the almost 50,000 U.S. forces in Iraq, as President Obama will talk about tonight in his speech declaring the end of combat operations in the seven and a half year conflict. As the story of one soldier who participated in that Hawaii ceremony shows, we cannot afford to take the safety of these remaining volunteer warriors for granted, nor should we stop paying attention to events on the ground in Iraq.

"I just pray and ask God for strength and keep me safe," then-Spc. Jamal Rhett wrote in a June 29 Facebook post from his Blackberry. "I look forward to seeing my mother family and friends again. I ask that [people] continue to pray for me."

Rhett had already been to Iraq once, and judging by his writings, the soldier wanted to do his job, get his second deployment over with, and come back home. But putting his family first should not disguise the fact that Rhett was fully committed to his duty and fellow troops. In fact, according to The Bucks County Courier Times, the soldier was in line for a promotion to the rank of sergeant. He was simply waiting for the necessary paperwork to be approved.

According to David Levinsky's article, the 24-year-old Army medic wound up getting that promotion. But in a tragic turn of events, it would come posthumously. A Pentagon press release said Rhett was killed on August 15 in Ba Qubah, Iraq, when terrorists threw grenades at his vehicle. A soldier who served with Sgt. Rhett, Spc. David Vega, flew all the way to Philadelphia to attend his friend's memorial service in the south Jersey suburb of Palmyra.

"A lot of soldiers under him are doing a lot of great things because of the knowledge Jamal instilled in them," Vega said. "It's a shame all the soldiers aren't able to be here. If they could, we'd need about 40 more benches."

On July 23, another soldier stationed at Hawaii's Schofield Barracks, 1st Lt. Michael Runyan, was killed in combat in Balad, Iraq. The Unknown Soldiers recently brought you the stories of fallen heroes like Spc. Faith Hinkley, who died in Iskandariya on August 7, and Sgt. Brandon Maggart, who was killed near Basrah on August 22. These personal stories have not gotten much attention from the national press.

As you've read on this site since my departure from CNN in December, consistent, daily coverage from the war fronts is no longer something the American public can expect from its media. Despite some isolated examples of excellent reporting, which this blog always tries to spotlight and credit, coverage usually increases only when prominent politicians call attention to the conflicts, which will happen Tuesday evening. Otherwise, media executives will continue their neverending quest for ratings with stories about Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Tiger Woods, or beltway bickering.

Sgt. Jamal Rhett, who was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions in Iraq, leaves behind his mother, father, and many more grieving relatives, fellow soldiers, and friends.

"My heart hurts sooooooo bad right now," Natalie Prospere posted on the fallen soldier's Facebook wall. "R.I.P. to one of the most loyal friends I've ever had. I love you Jamal Rhett."

As long as thousands of troops are in harm's way and families at home are staying up at night worrying, the war in Iraq is not over. While we should celebrate the incredible victories the U.S. military won and remember more than 4,400 American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure victory on the battlefield, our attention must not waver.

Image courtesy: Facebook

Born on September 11

Image courtesy: Bock family/KMTV-TV

September 11, 2001 is a day that Americans will always remember. For Staff Sgt. Michael Bock, it was also the day he became a man. As terrorist attacks rocked New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, shattering the innocence of younger Americans who grew up surrounded by peace, Bock was supposed to be celebrating his 18th birthday. While watching in horror as innocent victims jumped from the World Trade Center, bodies were carried out of the Pentagon, and smoke rose above silent farmland in Shanksville, Bock knew he was making the right choice by becoming a United States Marine.

"He was born on September 11 and was in the Marines. The incident on 9/11 sealed the deal for him enlisting," father David Bock told Action 3 News in Omaha, Nebraska.

During a more than eight year military career, Staff Sgt. Bock distinguished himself as an exemplary volunteer warrior who always answered the call to crush America's enemies with his fist and extend a helping hand to civilians trapped in the middle of war and chaos. During two combat tours each in Iraq and Afghanistan, Bock earned a Purple Heart and many other military decorations. Yet he also stepped up to help victims of the devastating 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, which killed over 200,000 people.

On August 13, Staff Sgt. Bock was supporting combat operations in the volatile Helmand province when, according to the Pentagon, he was killed in battle. The Marine was assigned to the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.

One of the first public officials to honor the departed warrior was California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who Bock undoubtedly watched on the big screen as a young boy.

"Staff Sergeant Michael Bock worked hard in the line of duty, defending our nation with pride and honor. The loss of his life is a terrible loss for our country. Maria and I offer our most sincere condolences to Michael’s family, friends and fellow Marines during their time of mourning."

As flags flew at half-staff at California's state capitol, relatives in Nebraska, where Bock grew up, and Florida, where the Marine's family moved, remembered someone who made the most of his 26 years on earth. Reporter Hannah Pickett spoke to the Marine's widow about how the tragedy will affect their little boy, Zander.

"He's going to be starting preschool soon and if anyone starts talking about their daddies and what their daddies do, I told him, 'you tell everyone, you be proud and say my daddy's an angel. My daddy has the best job. He's an angel,'" Tiffany [Bock] said.

Despite all the contributions this Marine made to the United States, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Indonesia since 9/11, Staff Sgt. Bock's death went mostly unnoticed by the national press until a series of unfortunate events at his Saturday funeral in Omaha. As members of the hateful Westboro 'Baptist Church' showed up to protest this Marine's sacrifice, police said a 62-year-old suspect drove by and sprayed tear gas near the First United Methodist Church. While authorities believe his target was the protesters, mourners paying their respects were also put in danger by the suspect's alleged actions.

While violence against Fred Phelps and his Westboro hate group cannot be condoned, I believe their presence, which includes signs like 'thank God for dead soldiers,' intentionally disturbs the peace of families, friends, and communities honoring the dead. In my opinion, that sort of incitement is criminal behavior. As many discussed on The Unknown Soldiers Facebook page over the weekend, violence, while not acceptable, was inevitable because of Westboro's despicable actions.

Al Snyder, who lost his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, has been battling Phelps in court after the group disrupted his son's funeral in 2006. Even though the pain Westboro causes to military families makes us all very angry, let's follow Snyder's example and support his cause to defeat the Westboro 'Baptist Church' in court. We should also stand behind the Patriot Guard Riders for repeatedly showing up to shield grieving relatives from outside disturbances.

As shown by this Marine's bravery, service, and the family he left behind, Staff Sgt. Michael Bock was much bigger than the people who tried to cause distractions at his funeral. While September 11, 2001, was a very dark day for our nation, the young men and women who stood up that day in defense of our country are beacons of light. On the upcoming 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Tribute In Light will once again illuminate lower Manhattan. As those twin beams shine into the evening clouds, a Marine will celebrate his 27th birthday in heaven.

Image courtesy: U.S. Air Force

72 painful hours

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Sadie Bleistein

On Monday, America woke up to more solemn news from Afghanistan's southern front. According to NATO's International Security Assistance Force, seven coalition troops were killed in two improvised explosive device attacks. The Associated Press reports that all seven fallen service members are Americans.

The tragic developments come just hours after we learned that seven volunteer warriors, also Americans, were killed over the weekend in southern and eastern Afghanistan. After losing 14 American troops in the last three days, the unofficial August U.S. casualty total in Afghanistan now stands at 49.

Of course, the men and women we've lost this month are not statistics. Marines, soldiers, airmen, and sailors fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq signed up to defend our nation and are willing to give their lives for causes greater than themselves. While the national media often has more interest in prying into the lives of celebrities and sports figures, The Unknown Soldiers was created to tell the personal stories of these valiant warriors. As the last 72 hours show, the time to recognize and honor our heroes is now.

A show of Force

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Josh Clendenen

If you are visiting New York for a late summer vacation or live in the Big Apple, you've likely run into someone serving with the United States Air Force over the last few days. It's Air Force Week in the tri-state area, and from midtown Manhattan to Staten Island, all the way down to Atlantic City, large and small events are increasing awareness about the fine work our nation's airmen are doing at home and abroad.

Thursday in Times Square, Staff Sgt. Bryan Rivera and Staff Sgt. Kathleen Pena were busy passing out leaflets and patriotic stickers to thousands of pedestrians. At Citi Field in Flushing, 28,640 fans were treated to a flyover and Air National Guard Band performance before the New York Mets squared off against the Florida Marlins. In The Bronx, airmen and cadets helped clean up Memorial Grove in Van Cortlandt Park, which honors local heroes from World War II and the Korean War. Considering that our nation's current conflict erupted because of unprovoked terrorist attacks that killed thousands of innocent people and destroyed two Manhattan landmarks, it seems particularly appropriate for the Air Force to be flexing its muscles and also showing compassion in the region.

"Air Force Week is creating awareness in different communities and different boroughs," Staff Sgt. Rivera said. "People who've never had any knowledge about the Air Force are getting the opportunity to see what we are about and ask questions. This helps us get out the message about what the Air Force does for the country. It's definitely allowing us to get more and more people to come into the office and find out about how they can be a part of the world's greatest Air Force."

There are more festivities planned over the weekend, including events with the minor league Yankees affiliate on Staten Island, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey on Coney Island, and the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey. For a full schedule of events and information about how to attend, please visit the official Air Force Week website.

One of the most important events of Air Force Week happened Thursday in Times Square. About five miles from Ground Zero, several Air Force recruits raised their right hands and swore an oath to defend America in Times Square. As they went about their days, the New Yorkers and tourists walking by received a critical, real-life reminder. National security is not a buzz phrase, it's ordinary people volunteering to do something extraordinary on behalf of their fellow citizens. As men and women of the Air Force continue making sacrifices in Iraq and Afghanistan, we thank them for taking the time to give us a closer look.

Image courtesy: Tech Sgt. Bennie Davis III

United in love

Image courtesy: Facebook

On August 21, Teresa Maggart spoke to her husband, Sgt. Brandon Maggart, via Skype. The 24-year-old soldier was on his second deployment to Iraq after arriving there in January. He was a part of history during his tour of duty, which included the departure of the last American combat unit from Iraq on August 18. Sgt. Maggart was also looking forward to seeing his wife, Teresa, and their three-year-old son, Blake, when he returned home for leave in September.

The Maggarts did not realize that their chat over a computer screen would be their last conversation. According to the Pentagon, the soldier was killed on Sunday near Basrah, Iraq, "when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire." Sgt. Maggart was assigned to 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.

"On behalf of the entire Joint Base Lewis-McChord military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sgt. Maggart," a Joint Base Lewis-McChord press release said.

KMOV-TV, which has told more of Maggart's personal story more than any other media outlet, spoke with the principal of the soldier's high school in Kirksville, Missouri.

“With Brandon I always figured he would be successful if he had a chance to get out, get a hands on experience, so when I’d heard that, and I don't pretend to know all the levels, but when I heard he had moved up the ranks rather quickly, that didn't necessarily surprise me at all, he was that type of person, I think if he found something of interest he was going to be successful,” Mikel said.

The comment section of another KMOV article has dozens of moving tributes to the departed warrior.

"I met you as a young Soldier. I took a major part in training you. I watched you grow over the years into a fine Noncommissioned Officer. You became my good friend," Sgt. Tyler Webber wrote. "To my disbelief, you are gone. I will miss you always little brother. May God bring you to him. Rest in peace."

President Obama will declare the end of combat operations in Iraq in an oval office speech on August 31. While the administration and military officials have consistently said that danger still remains for the approximately 50,000 troops stationed in the country, Americans must make sure to keep these service members and their families in our thoughts. While the U.S. military fought brilliantly to accomplish its combat mission, the war in Iraq is not over until every volunteer warrior is out of harm's way.

The next time the Maggarts are together, the soldier's wife will be resting her hand on her husband's flag-draped casket. Yet as we see in the below photo, which has a devastating emotional impact given Sunday's tragic events, the couple will always be united through their little boy. As he grows up, there is no doubt that those around him will explain that his father was a hero who helped make history. Sgt. Brandon Maggart wasn't just the first American soldier to die since the last combat unit left Iraq. He was a dad.

Image courtesy: Maggart family/KMOV

The guns of August

Image courtesy: Cpl. Skyler Tooker

During the course of this month, I have heard numerous cable news pundits say things like "it's August, there's nothing going on" or "it's a slow news month." I remember this myth being perpetuated during summer months inside newsrooms, where some producers trying to fill show rundowns would lament over the lack of Washington speeches while politicians took vacations. When appropriate, I would politely remind those colleagues that America is at war. Therefore, a "slow news month" is impossible.

This summer, there are almost 200,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. As their families know all too well, these men and women are not on vacation. They are facing difficult missions full of danger, tragedy, and (as noted earlier this month) extreme heat. Despite these challenges, our men and women in uniform have spent August capturing and killing terrorists, opening schools, providing medical care, and protecting Afghans and Iraqis. That is important news that should be on our televisions and computer screens every single day, not just when dates set by politicians arrive on the calendar.

The high volume of Pentagon casualty updates over the last 36 hours is tragic evidence of an especially urgent period in Afghanistan. Coalition troops are fighting hard, particularly in the south, and trying to prevail in battles that the world cannot afford to lose. Across the United States and around the world, families, friends, and fellow service members are mourning the loss of fine Americans tragically lost on the battlefield.

Spc. Christopher Wright, 23, Tollesboro, Kentucky
Pfc. Alexis Maldonado, 20, Wichita Falls, Texas
Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Schultz, 19, Safety Harbor, Florida
Sgt. Steven Deluzio, 25, South Glastonbury, Connecticut
Spc. Tristan Southworth, 21, West Danville, Vermont
Spc. Pedro Millet Meletiche, 20, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Sgt. Jason Calo, 23, Lexington, Kentucky
Sgt. Ronald Rodriguez, 26, Falls Church, Virginia
Lance Cpl. Robert Newton, 21, Creve Coeur, Illinois

America has been at war for almost nine years. The national media may be used to it, but for hundreds of thousands of Americans with loved ones in combat, every single waking moment is clouded by the reality of war. Despite some scattered examples of good reporting in August, many journalists in national newsrooms are still asleep at the wheel, using the quest for Nielsen ratings as an excuse for choosing celebrity gossip over real news. 30 years from now, Lindsay Lohan will be a 54-year-old woman who contributed little to society. "Jersey Shore" and its cast will be forgotten. Yet the nine volunteer warriors listed above will still be remembered for living and dying for a cause bigger than themselves. That's the power of service and sacrifice.

Defending freedom

Image courtesy: Facebook

Approximately one month ago, Lance. Cpl. Cody Childers' loved ones got some troubling news. While serving in Afghanistan, the Marine suffered a concussion in a roadside bomb explosion. As he nursed his injuries, which also included shrapnel wounds and a dislocated shoulder, all Lance Cpl. Childers wanted to do was get back out on the battlefield.

Hattie Brown Garrow of The Virginian-Pilot recently spoke to the Childers family about the Marine's life. Despite his daily duties as a machine gunner in a war zone filled with danger, Childers is described as calm and patient. The 19-year-old Marine's Facebook page lists fishing, hunting, and watching history programs as some of his favorite activities. Yet another interest on his profile particularly stands out: "Defending Freedom."

According to the Pentagon, Childers died in a hostile incident on August 20 in Afghanistan's Helmand province while supporting combat operations. The Marine was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. A Marine Corps press release said Childers joined the Marines about a year ago, and deployed to Afghanistan in June.

"He died because he loved his country and he wanted to make a difference," aunt Jayme Montague of Chesapeake said [on August 21].

In addition to his parents, siblings, and grandparents, Childers leaves behind his fiancee, Megan, who he planned to marry in May. The Marine was scheduled to return to Chesapeake, Virginia, from Afghanistan in February. In addition to helping plan his wedding, Childers was excited to get back to work on his 20-year-old pickup truck, which The Virginian-Pilot article said he affectionately called "Old Red and White."

Even after a terrorist's bomb nearly killed him, this young volunteer shook off serious injuries and returned to action. That brand of selfless resolve is not common among today's teenagers, and should not be overlooked. When thinking of the many years in front of him and the loved ones he left behind, wishing that he never left his hospital bed after the first attack is perfectly understandable. But Lance Cpl. Cody Childers was a Marine, and for this brave warrior, quitting was not an option.

The adventurer

Image courtesy: U.S. Marines

Cpl. Paul Miller was 13 years old when terrorists attacked the United States on September 11, 2001. Had he been allowed, he would have joined the Marines on September 12.

"Upon Paul graduating high school, there was no hesitation to join the Marines," Gavaldon said. "He didn't seem to even toss around the idea of doing anything else. He was adventurous and anxious of his deployment to Iraq, as well as Afghanistan."

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that Cpl. Miller thrived under pressure. While playing baseball growing up, he wanted to step in the batter's box with the game on the line. Most people avoid danger, but Miller would often seek it out. But instead of speeding around Traverse City, Michigan, in his car, which sometimes got him in trouble with his parents and the local cops, he would deploy to some of the world's most dangerous areas. Instead of worrying about the outcome, the combat engineer revelled in the excitement of the battlefield.

According to the Pentagon, the 22-year-old Marine was killed on July 19 while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan's Helmand province. He was assigned to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. Reporter Alex Piazza covered the fallen Marine's July 29 funeral in Lake Ann, Michigan.

"Our family is devastated by his death, but feel very proud of how brave he was," said his sister, Ashley Gavaldon.

Thousands of miles away on Camp Delaram II in Afghanistan, dozens of Marines gathered on August 10 to say goodbye to one of their own. While honoring Miller and noting that he was awarded a Purple Heart, it was the heart he showed every day on deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq that moved his brothers in arms. Marines spoke of their fallen comrade's character before a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.

Back in Michigan, where flags recently flew at half-staff in honor of the Marine's service and sacrifice, the Miller family, including his wife, sister, and parents, are sharing stories and looking at pictures of their departed hero. After seeing the outpouring of support from the Great Lakes all the way to Afghanistan, no doubts remain about how much Cpl. Paul Miller meant to the people around him. Yet his loved ones can also be comforted by what the Marine did for himself. He saw evil during the 9/11 attacks, and promised himself that he would do everything in his power to defend our nation's honor. Today, that personal mission is accomplished.

Image courtesy: Sgt. Dorian Gardner

Legends of the fall

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Andrew Johnston

Despite real examples of progress, it has been a difficult summer for U.S. forces inside Afghanistan. According to a senior military officer, the season ahead will be even more challenging.

"It will be a tough fall. But what we're gaining is, we're clearing these areas that never have been cleared," a senior U.S. military officer who serves in Afghanistan said during a background interview with Pentagon reporters.

An article by Lisa Daniel provides another important detail. By the end of August, all of the 30,000 American troops ordered to the war zone in President Obama's troop surge will be in Afghanistan. While combat is taking place around the country, the southern and eastern fronts still contain the most critical battlefields.

Several enemy fighters were captured Thursday in Patika province, most notably a commander of Taliban operations. A NATO news release said the terrorist helped execute numerous attacks against our troops using machine guns, grenades, and improvised explosive devices.

"We suspect this operation will significantly reduce insurgent morale within the Mota Khan district," Col. Rafael Torres said in a written statement. "Afghan and coalition forces will continue to pursue and capture those standing in the way of peace and stability in Afghanistan."

As the nature of war dictates, there has also been a steady stream of tragic news from Afghanistan. Over the past week, nine fallen U.S. troops from nine different states have been identified by the Pentagon.

Sgt. Martin Lugo, 24, Tucson, Arizona
Chief Petty Officer Collin Thomas, 33, Morehead, Kentucky
Lance Cpl. Kevin Oratowski, 23, Wheaton, Illinois
Sgt. 1st Class Edgar Roberts, 39, Hinesville, Georgia
Pfc. Benjamen Chisholm, 24, Fort Worth, Texas
Pvt. Charles High IV, 21, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Staff Sgt. Derek Farley, 24, Nassau, New York
Staff Sgt. Michael Bock, 26, Leesburg, Florida
Cpl. Kristopher Greer, 25, Ashland City, Tennessee

As we mourn for the families of these departed warriors and reflect on this summer, which is by far the deadliest period of the almost nine-year war in Afghanistan, it's hard to imagine losing even more fine Americans this fall. Yet if one fighting force has distinguished itself for unbreakable resilience, it is the United States military. They will not give up, and neither should we.

They did it

Image courtesy: Spc. Luisito Brooks

On Wednesday evening, significant news began reaching the United States. American soldiers in the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division had crossed into Kuwait. Almost seven and a half years after the war in Iraq began, the last U.S. combat brigade is out of the country.

"To be a part of this historic last brigade combat team in Iraq is like getting closure, because I was one of the first in and now one of the last ones out," Staff Sgt. Matthew Pankey, who was on his first of three deployments to Iraq in the spring of 2003, told Sgt. Kimberly Johnson.

The most important aspect of this story will likely be missing from most coverage you'll see on television and read in newspapers. Despite honest disagreements at home over the war's merits and dishonest reporting from the mainstream media, which rushed to judgment against our troops by trumpeting an alleged "massacre" in Haditha, the brave men and women of the United States military persevered and achieved great things. Saddam Hussein is dead, his regime has fallen, and terrorists who tried to seize control of Iraq by brutalizing civilians have been killed, captured, or forced into hiding. The U.S. military was ordered to carry out these goals, and they did it.

Starting with Gen. David Petraeus, who is now being asked to lead our military to victory in Afghanistan, there are many heroes of the war in Iraq who should be recognized by all Americans, regardless of what polls say about who is for or against against the Iraq conflict. While the coming end of combat operations in a war some declared hopeless is a time for pride and patriotism, our hearts break for the more than 4,000 military families who have lost loved ones during this conflict. Many more troops were injured, and the wounded must receive the very best emotional and financial support. We should accept nothing less.

For the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the last year in Iraq was successful, but also bittersweet. On May 5, The Unknown Soldiers brought you the story of Staff Sgt. Christopher Worrell, who died on April 22 in Baghdad in a non-combat related incident. The highly decorated automated logistical specialist served for 13 years, repeatedly re-enlisted, and deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His two sons will grow up without their dad, but they should also know that he died alongside fellow heroes.

For the Iraq war's first six and a half years, I was inside various newsrooms. Considering that nearly every journalist I worked with opposed the war in Iraq, with most doing so openly, it does not surprise me that Wednesday's events are getting a mostly lukewarm reception from reporters and commentators. Yet I truly believe the heroic actions of our troops on the battlefield will speak louder into history's megaphone than any media pundit. As the recent death of Spc. Faith Hinkley in Iskandariya, Iraq, shows, danger has not fully passed for the 56,000 U.S. troops still inside the country. Conditions in Iraq are not perfect. But let's make no mistake: the reason Operation Iraqi Freedom will soon become Operation New Dawn is because of the service and sacrifice of the United States military and America's allies. We cannot thank these men and women enough, and we must always remember those who didn't make it home.

March of the penguins

Image courtesy: Sgt. Heidi Agostini

In the fall of 2006, Maj. Megan McClung called home and asked her parents for an item not typically included in care packages for Marines in Iraq. The 34-year-old volunteer warrior wanted a stuffed animal doll, and it had to be a penguin. Maj. McClung was captivated by the writing of John Bingham, a bestselling author and columnist who aims to inspire runners around the world. Bingham, a slow runner who nicknamed himself "the penguin," believes that finishing a race is more important than winning. He has written several famous passages about his favorite pastime.

"As an athlete, when you least expect it, you may find yourself standing on the threshold of an accomplishment so monumental that it strikes fear into your soul. You must stand ready, at any moment, to face the unknown. You must be ready to walk boldly thru the wall of uncertainty."

Walking boldly was part of McClung's personality long before she read Bingham's words. After all, she had been busy instructing public affairs officers to "be bold, be brief, be gone" when dealing with the media. Yet as she helped plan a satellite run of the Marine Corps Marathon in Iraq, McClung was also facing the unknown. The ambitious 34-year-old did not know death was just three months away, or that her accomplishments, as well as the motto she recited, would one day be remembered as monumental. She also did not realize the stuffed penguin toy she awarded to the last runner of the 2006 satellite Marine Corps Marathon at Camp Al Asad would become a tradition.

On August 14 at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan, more than 425 runners participated in the first-ever satellite version of the Maj. Megan McClung Memorial Run. American service members took a brief break from combat to run a 5k in memory of their fallen comrade on the same day as the 4th annual Memorial Run on Whidbey Island in Washington state.

"She was a very low-key person and anybody who knew her saw the balance of energy that she had, but she didn't try to draw a lot of attention to herself, so part of it is you wonder if she would wonder what all the fuss was about over one woman," Master Sgt. Mark Oliva told 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) Public Affairs. "But part of it, I think she'd be very humbled to know that these people are coming out and racing in her memory and racing in her honor."

As Marines behind him stretched before a run through the Afghan sand, Master Sgt. Oliva had an important message for McClung's parents.

"Meg's always going to be a part of us," he said. "It was an honor that they shared their daughter with us, that we got to have a piece of their lives that's forever going to be within our hearts and that we're going to be able to carry that memory with us. They just raised an amazing daughter, raised an amazing woman, and I feel like me personally, I was blessed to have known her."

McClung was killed by a roadside bomb on December 6, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq, alongside Army Capt. Travis Patriquin and Spc. Vincent Pomante. As I quickly learned after visiting her grave at Arlington National Cemetery in January, she is the highest-ranking female Marine to be killed in the Iraq war and the first female graduate of the United States Naval Academy to die in combat. Yet as her father, Dr. Mike McClung, has told me in the past, she is also recognized for her career-long efforts to assist wounded warriors. It's precisely why proceeds from the annual runs go to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

“What we get to do with this race is keep her memory alive,” Dr. Re McClung, Megan's mother, told Sgt. Heidi Agostini. "We’re carrying out the things she wanted to do, which was contribute to the health and welfare of her fellow Marines."

Sgt. Agostini's article also quotes Maj. William Conner, who attended the Naval Academy with McClung and organized the satellite race. McClung served with the I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) in Iraq, which is now deployed in Afghanistan. Despite the demands of war, Maj. Conner believes pausing to salute Maj. McClung is highly appropriate during a demanding summer on the Afghan front.

"Our operational tempo is very high right now, and we’re all very busy," Conner said. "But there’s always time to honor one of our fallen comrades, in my case a friend. Megan gave her all to the Marine Corps and to her country. It’s important for us to remember her."

Unlike the family, friends, and fellow Marines quoted above, I didn't know Megan McClung. Yet since January 21, she has never been absent from my thoughts. I was leaving Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery when "be bold, be brief, be gone," which is engraved on her majestic headstone, happened to catch the corner of my eye. Writing and speaking about this American hero, as well as corresponding with her father, continues to be an immeasurable honor and driving force behind this site and its mission. And when I jump on the treadmill, the BeBoldM3 hat on my head always stops me from quitting early.

At the end of each Marine Corps Marathon, which I am looking forward to witnessing in October, the McClungs present a stuffed penguin doll to the race's final competitor. Just as John "The Penguin" Bingham's most famous quote struck the heart of Maj. Megan McClung, more than 650 runners from Washington state all the way to Afghanistan demonstrated how her bold, selfless legacy is pushing them toward the finish line, no matter how long it takes.

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

Note: To learn more about the life and legacy of Maj. Megan McClung, please visit the Memorial Run website.

The threat

Image courtesy: U.S. Navy

As this propaganda poster seized by American troops in Afghanistan shows, terrorists have been determined for years to strike at U.S. interests around the world. Were it not for the efforts of our men and women in uniform since the attacks of September 11, 2001, our lives would be very different.

On Tuesday, Americans, Afghans, and Iraqis witnessed the danger still posed by al Qaeda and the Taliban. In Iraq, al Qaeda is blamed for a cowardly attack at an Army recruiting center in Baghdad that killed at least 60 people and wounded over 100 more. As The Unknown Soldiers recently conveyed while profiling Spc. Faith Hinkley, coalition troops and civilians still face daily threats in Iraq, regardless of various benchmark dates negotiated by politicians. Even as thousands of American troops return in victory from the country, flags flying at half-staff in Monte Vista, Colorado, on Tuesday remind us that brave volunteers like Spc. Hinkley are still paying the ultimate price in Iraq.

In Afghanistan, Voice Of America reports that three coalition troops were killed Tuesday in two separate bombings on the eastern and western fronts. The nationalities of the fallen service members have not yet been released.

While this news is tragic, another positive development from Afghanistan has been almost completely ignored by the American media. On Monday, a terrorist known as Bilal was killed by coalition and Afghan troops in Logar province. As an ISAF press release notes, Bilal was notorious for his involvement in many roadside bomb attacks that have killed and maimed innocent Afghans. He also had known ties to the Taliban wing that abducted and murdered two Navy sailors, Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McNeley and Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarod Newlove.

"We are happy to announce the results of this successful operation. This man was a known criminal who regularly facilitated rocket attacks against Afghan and coalition forces," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "Bilal was also associated with a violent network directly responsible in the kidnapping and vicious killing of two American sailors."

It is always difficult to hear and read about deaths and injuries of U.S. service members and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet the successful operation to kill Bilal leaves no doubt as to whether America is still on the offense against terrorism overseas. Nobody said this fight would be easy, but with the best military in the world constantly at work defending our country, Americans should be more supportive than ever of its proud volunteer warriors.

Wings

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

Being a paratrooper was in Sgt. Christopher Karch's blood. Raised by an 82nd Airborne Division veteran, Sgt. Karch followed those proud footsteps so closely that he once slept in the same barracks his father stayed in during a stretch of his military career. To show his paratrooper pride, he displayed a tattoo of a pair of wings on his back.

Despite his honorable service and love for the 82nd Airborne, WTHR-TV reports that the 23-year-old high school graduate planned to leave the military to pursue some new challenges after returning from his second combat deployment later this month. Yet Jeremy Brilliant's article also said Karch recently had a chance to leave his fellow soldiers in Afghanistan, return home, and start planning his life's next chapter. He refused, saying that as a team leader, he couldn't leave his Army brothers and sisters in harm's way.

On August 11, with 20 days remaining in his extended deployment, the Pentagon said Karch was killed in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. The Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

"SGT Karch was the epitome of an airborne paratrooper," 1st. Lt. Matthew Hernandez, Karch's platoon leader, said in a written statement. "He was full of life, highly motivated, extremely competent and always gave it his all. He will always be a hero in my book."

As moving messages full of prayers and condolences fill the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division's Facebook group, the Karch family, including the soldier's mother, father, and many close relatives, are grieving around Indianapolis.

"It's been rough. You know if I get talking about it, it's really rough cause I break down and cry," Norman Karch, Christopher's grandfather, told WTHR.

"Oh goodness, it's just a loss. I couldn't imagine it cause he had 20 days to go."

The fallen soldier's father, Pat Karch, spoke with WISH-TV in the video embedded below about his emotional experience meeting his son's flag-draped casket in Dover, Delaware. While the entire phone conversation is powerful, one particular quote stands out.

"They assured me several times that he will never be left alone until he's in Indianapolis. That he will never be left alone on this trip all the way to Indianapolis. Since we were close and I raised him, I had to be here."

As a veteran, Pat Karch clearly imparted an important value to his son. You never leave those important to you behind, regardless of the consequences. As nothing could have kept a father from Delaware on that painful day, nobody could have persuaded a son to leave soldiers on the battlefield just so he could get a head start on his personal goals. Instead of random body art, his tattoo of wings served as a symbol to his fellow volunteer warriors. No matter what, Sgt. Christopher Karch would always have their backs.

Gates to step down in 2011

Image courtesy: Samantha Quigley

In an interview with Foreign Policy Magazine, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he intends to leave the Pentagon before the end of 2011. Gates, who took over for Donald Rumsfeld in December 2006, is the only secretary of defense in American history to serve under both a Republican and Democratic commander-in-chief.

When Gates took over at the Pentagon, the atmosphere surrounding the Iraq war was politically poisonous at home and very dangerous overseas for our men and women in uniform. In two weeks, the combat mission in Iraq will end after a successful surge of American troops that was ordered by President George W. Bush shortly after Gates was confirmed as defense secretary. In Afghanistan, Gates has implemented another troop surge, on the orders of President Barack Obama. Secretary Gates is known for his pragmatic, non-partisan style and calm demeanor.

Considering that Gates will soon have served longer than all but four of his predecessors and that America has been at war during every waking moment of his tenure, it becomes easier to understand why he is choosing to step down. While any public official can be second-guessed or criticized, I believe Robert Gates ia a patriot who did his very best under a particularly difficult set of circumstances. We should thank him for his long career of public service.

Reaching out

Image courtesy: Layne Murdoch/USO

The look on the returning soldier's face above says it all: U.S. troops flying through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Wednesday were shocked when former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush were waiting to greet them. Standing at a USO station, the Bushes shook hands, gave hugs, and posed for pictures with returning volunteer warriors.

"My son is presently serving in Afghanistan. It moves me so much to see his former Commander in Chief welcoming our troops home," Barbara Thomas wrote on the USO Dallas/Fort Worth Facebook page. "I can really see just how much the Bushes sincerely appreciate our military."

Gestures of kindness to our troops are not political, and President Barack Obama has also went to significant lengths to thank our brave men and women in uniform since taking office. On August 7, the commander-in-chief brought several current and former NBA stars, including LeBron James and Magic Johnson, to play an All-Star basketball game for an audience of wounded veterans at Fort McNair. The event was not a photo-op, as media coverage inside the gym was not allowed.

Back in November 2009, President Obama hosted a group of wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The heroes played a wheelchair basketball game for the commander-in-chief, who stayed the entire game and met personally with the veterans after its conclusion.

"On behalf of the Wounded Warriors Regiment, the colonel and sergeant major here and all of the wounded warriors we have here, I would like to present you a plaque," Sgt. Marcus Wilson said after the game. "We appreciate you having us here and taking your time."

While the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will continue to have supporters and detractors, it is refreshing to see both post-9/11 presidents taking such an active role in publicly recognizing the extraordinary men and women of the U.S. military. It sets a good example for the rest of the country and helps boost morale for troops assigned to difficult missions. Most importantly, it's the right thing to do.

A new hope

Image courtesy: 1-178th Field Artillery Battalion

As reporters chase a JetBlue flight attendant and even debate whether he is a "hero," another worthy story from Afghanistan has been ignored by the mainstream press. On August 10, the U.S. Army joined with Afghan military and government officials to dedicate a new school building that will give over 9,000 young Afghans a chance at better lives. Despite being surrounded by the chaos of war, American soldiers and Afghan officials completed The Mehrabudin School project in Kabul province in less than six months.

Soldiers from Camp Phoenix, which is located on the outskirts of Afghanistan's capital city, teamed up with Operation Outreach Afghanistan, an organization made up of U.S. troops volunteering their time to help civilians in local villages. Judith's Reading Room also jumped on board to help The Mehrabudin School, donating dozens of boxes of books to help create the learning center's first-ever library.

It is tragic that the children of Afghanistan have grown up in a war zone for the past nine years. While Al Qaeda's evil ideology and the Taliban's efforts to harbor terrorists gave the U.S. no choice but to act after the September 11 attacks, kids like the ones pictured below did nothing wrong. As an American, it makes me immensely proud to know our troops are working hard to build schools and provide humanitarian assistance, even as their lives remain on the line in these villages at every moment. It's a big story, regardless of whether the American media chooses to notice.

Image courtesy: Capt. Chris Neeley

Keeping Faith

Images courtesy: Facebook

Spc. Faith Hinkley often had a smile on her face, but last week, her well-defined grin was even wider than usual. She was calling and e-mailing relatives and close friends to let them know she might be coming home from Iraq a bit earlier than originally planned. As U.S. troop levels are drawn down before the end of combat operations is declared on August 31, the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, deployed to Iraq since September 2009, is just about finished with its mission.

Instead of greeting Spc. Hinkley at a welcome home ceremony, her parents, grandparents, friends, and fellow soldiers are awaiting the solemn opportunity to touch, kiss, and salute her flag-draped casket. On Saturday in Iskandariya, Iraq, terrorists ended the 23-year-old woman's life by firing a rocket at an office building. The Valley Courier reports that Hinkley was pronounced dead of severe stomach wounds at a Baghdad hospital. Two more U.S. soldiers were reportedly wounded in the attack and are expected to survive.

News of the volunteer warrior's death has stunned hundreds of people eagerly awaiting her return.

"This is still so difficult to grasp. I cannot believe this happened," Jim Bowsher posted in the 'In Memory of Faith Hinkley...she's in God's care now' Facebook group. "You were like one of our own - Chelsea's sister. I will never forget the 'Oh my gosh' you would say when you guys were laughing and having a good time. You will always be in our hearts!"

While Sylvia Lobato's article doesn't reveal exactly why Hinkley chose a military career, it leaves no doubt that she spent her life being involved. From playing the clarinet and cheerleading to being active in the Future Business Leaders of America and Rainbow For Girls, Hinkley loved working with others toward worthy goals.

"You were one of the sweetest and most caring people I have ever had the privilege of knowing," Kelly McNeil posted. "I had to break out the high school cheerleading pictures...such fun memories. I remember when you accidently ended up with my cheerleading sweatshirt, and after almost two years returned it to me, just because that is the kind of person you were."

Leaving Colorado and becoming an Army Human Intelligence Collector did not mean Faith was done touching lives. After enlisting in the summer of 2007 and training at South Carolina's Fort Jackson and Arizona's Fort Huachuca, Hinkley began her journey to Iraq. A fellow soldier named Tim Hilton vividly recalls meeting the optimistic young fighter.

"Hinkley was right behind me in line the whole way into Iraq. In that long two day trip, I got to know a lot about her. It was the first time and the last time I spoke to her. Even though I only knew her for a brief period she was a memorable person. It will be a long trip home. My condolences to your family and friends."

After her tragic death, the soldier's impact on her comrades only grew.

"I had the honor of flying Faith on her journey back home to her final resting place," Genna Smith wrote. "It was an honor and she was well taken care of and well respected by all personnel involved. It's people like her who keep our freedom protected. My heart goes out to Faith's family."

Regardless of the Iraq war's politics, there is no debate about what the U.S. military has accomplished since the spring of 2003. The determination and skill of hundreds of thousands of American men and women have our country on the verge of a great victory in a war that some once feared was lost. While you may not have heard about Hinkley on national newscasts, we now know she was in Iraq to help complete the mission the right way. Her duty overseas was almost finished when the enemy struck. Yet as an outpouring of sympathy over the last few dark days makes clear, Spc. Faith Hinkley isn't done yet. As Nick Carinci reminded loved ones on Facebook, she will remain deeply embedded in many hearts, minds, and souls for generations to come:

"Death ends a life, not a friendship."

Flashes of freedom

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Gary Witte

American troops in Afghanistan are busy manning observation posts, sweeping for roadside bombs, digging canals, hunting terrorists, and coordinating with local officials. For instance, over the weekend, NATO said coalition forces dismantled a key tunnel system, destroyed numerous improvised explosive devices, and killed insurgents near Diwar in Zharay District. The area is known as a staging ground for terrorists fighting our troops and murdering civilians in Kandahar, where the overall success of the war in Afghanistan may be determined.

It is sometimes difficult for Americans at home to recognize the progress being made on the ground. But while painful, it is also essential to appreciate the sacrifices of our fallen troops and the needs of their families. Over the past 24 hours, the Pentagon has released the names of six volunteer warriors killed while supporting combat operations around the war zone.

Lance Cpl. Kevin Cornelius, 20, Ashtabula, Ohio
Pfc. Vincent Gammone III, 19, Christiana, Tennessee
Pfc. Paul Cuzzupe, 23, Plant City, Florida
Sgt. Andrew Nicol, 23, Kensington, New Hampshire
Pfc. Bradley Rappuhn, 24, Grand Ledge, Michigan
Cpl. Max Donahue, 23, Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Fox News reports that two U.S. Marines were killed over the weekend when a terrorist tried to escape from an undisclosed prison in southern Afghanistan. NATO said the prisoner was being given time to pray when he seized a guard's rifle and began firing. The Marines were killed in the ensuing chaos before the terrorist was shot dead. It is not clear if Lance Cpl. Cornelius and Pfc. Gammone, who both died in Helmand province on Saturday, were the Marines killed in the prison.

Soldiers and Marines who served with these departed warriors will always remember their accomplishments on the battlefield and treasure their friendship for years to come. The Unknown Soldiers will continue to relay the personal stories of our nation's true heroes in the difficult weeks and months ahead, while also noting the extraordinary accomplishments of our brave forces in harm's way. Thank you to all the brave men and women in uniform serving around the world with honor, dignity, and patriotism.

Note: This post was edited several times to reflect new casualty reports.

The Helmand River hero

Images courtesy: Sgt. Mark Fayloga

July 30 was a sad day at Patrol Base Jaker in the Nawa district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. With a raw mixture of dust and tears on their faces, Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force gathered to bid farewell to Sgt. Joe Wrightsman. Marines like Lance Cpl. Michael Barnhouse, who said Sgt. Wrightsman, 23, "was like a dad to us," spoke repeatedly of the volunteer warrior's ferocious commitment to the men and women serving beside him.

While Sgt. Mark Fayloga's report has many moving quotes from Wrightsman's fellow Marines, the presence and words of Nawa's district governor strike me as extremely important. As you may have read on The Unknown Soldiers last month, Wrightsman reportedly drowned trying to save an Afghan officer from the raging Helmand River.

"His dedication will stay forever in the history of Afghanistan and will be remembered forever by the people of Nawa," said Haji Abdul Manaf, the Nawa District governor, during the memorial service.

Americans certainly need to hear Sgt. Wrightsman's story, especially since crushing Taliban remnants and protecting civilians in the volatile Helmand province is a major key to securing the south and winning the war in Afghanistan. But for civilians being brutalized by the Taliban, blown up by al Qaeda, and fed misinformation by Afghanistan's enemies, hearing this story is essential. Despite barely being able to swim, this Marine dove into the Helmand River to save an Afghan in need. Even though both men tragically drowned, the hand Wrightsman extended is a symbol of America's nine-year effort to defeat terrorism and help Afghans protect themselves after our mission is complete. Hopefully, Abdul Manaf and other local leaders use every means at their disposal to spread word of this hero's actions.

At home, the national media predictably failed to pick up on the importance of Wrightsman's deeds or a military career that included two previous deployments to Iraq, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and a posthumous promotion to sergeant. Yet KOMO-TV in Seattle has set a shining example for journalists around the nation struggling to cover the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. After learning that John Wrightsman could not afford to attend a memorial service for his son in Jonesboro, Louisiana, where the Marine's mother lives, the station began raising money for the trip. In about a week, generous viewers donated over $4,000, which will help the elder Wrightsman and four additional family members make the long journey. The grieving father told KOMO that instead of only being able to take a government-paid trip to the Washington, D.C. area for his son's burial at Arlington National Cemetery, he can now mourn alongside more friends and relatives in Louisiana.

"I'm sorry that anything had to come out like this, but it's a huge relief," said John.

Like Haji Abdul Manaf, who is pictured below at the Patrol Base Jaker ceremony, John Wrightsman will soon salute this Marine in person. Thankfully, a local news outlet and its compassionate viewers stepped up to help his family reunite during difficult times. If journalists at the national level abandoned their unspoken competition to see which news program can most closely resemble Entertainment Tonight, we might be on to something as a wartime nation. Like the drowning Afghan officer, Gold Star military families often need someone they barely know to reach out during their time of crisis. KOMO's efforts live up to the example set by this selfless Marine.

When I make my next visit to Arlington National Cemetery in the fall, my first stop will be the resting spot of Sgt. Joe Wrightsman. I will then kneel beside the grave of Maj. Megan McClung to make sure she hears about this fellow Marine resting nearby. It's painful to think about all the talent, intelligence, and potential America has left on foreign battlefields since September 11, 2001. Hopefully, the story of the Helmand River hero convinces some Afghans that they can trust American troops and feel comfortable asking for help.

The wrestlers

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

During the winter of 1992-93, two talented young athletes could often be seen walking through the parking lot of New Hampshire's Plymouth Regional High School. The Bobcats wrestlers, usually bundled up in the bone-chilling cold after intense practices, shared a common goal of victory. Almost 15 years later, they were still teammates, albeit in support of a much more important cause. From Plymouth, New Hampshire, to Baghdad, Iraq, and Kunduz province, Afghanistan, Master Sgt. Jared Van Aalst (pictured left) and Capt. Douglas DiCenzo (pictured below) painted a vivid American portrait of resolve, gallantry, and sacrifice.

With a population of just under 6,000, "there aren't too many people here who haven't heard of Doug DiCenzo," New Hampshire Public Radio's Shannon Mullen reported from Plymouth in May 2006. While not a particularly imposing figure at about 5'7", DiCenzo also stood out on a championship football team. Mullen's article said the accomplished student was also elected president of his senior class in 1995 and voted 'mostly likely to succeed.'

"After high school, Doug attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, fulfilling a long time interest in the Army and service for his country," a profile by the The Captain Douglas DiCenzo Camp Fund said. He graduated in 1999, got married, moved to Alaska and later deployed to Germany. In mid-2005, DiCenzo learned a deployment to Iraq was on the horizon. Other than missing his wife and son, the company commander couldn't wait to get to work, and later showed the same enthusiasm when he called home from the front.

"He'd say we're doing so much good over here, he goes, you should see it, what's been built, and he felt they were making a difference with the kids, that the kids are the future of Iraq," mother Cathy Crane told NHPR.

"And he said most of Iraq is not what you see in the news. He says that's Baghdad, the slums of Baghdad. Most people are supportive, they like the troops," stepfather Mark Burzynski said.

Capt. DiCenzo was killed in Baghdad on May 25, 2006, by an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists. The 30-year-old soldier was commanding C Company in the 1st Armored Division, 2nd Brigade based in Baumholder, Germany, at the time of his death. As the fallen soldier's legacy grows around Plymouth, his son is now old enough to understand tapes his father recorded in case he didn't return from overseas.

Master Sgt. Jared Van Aalst was deploying to Afghanistan when his former wrestling teammate was tragically killed in Iraq, which he had fought in three times by that point. After being recognized with a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and many more military honors, Sgt. Van Aalst was chosen as a Special Operations team member in 2008. Like DiCenzo, The Union-Leader reports that Van Aalst did not become an American soldier by accident. Years earlier on the wrestling mat, he showed a refusal to quit that he would later bring to the battlefield.

"Basically, he spent three years with the J.V. team. Not too many guys stay with it for that long," said [former wrestling coach] Cam Sinclair. "By the time he was a senior, he had developed physically and was one of the top wrestlers (160-pound class) in the state."

As Kevin Gray and Shawne Wickham's article notes, Van Aalst was captain of the wrestling team when DiCenzo, who would captain the team two years later, was a sophomore. Van Aalst joined the military in 1995 and attended Ranger School and Army Sniper School at Georgia's Fort Benning. In 2003, as the war in Iraq began and the war in Afghanistan was just two years old, Van Aalst helped complete critical missions on both battlefields.

"He's doing about as high-risk a job as you can do in that part of the world. He's on the front line," Sinclair said. "Looking back, it doesn't surprise me because I do remember him always talking about going in the military when he got out of high school."

According to the Pentagon, Van Aalst died of wounds suffered while his unit was conducting combat operations on August 4 in Afghanistan's Kunduz province. The 34-year-old soldier, who has been posthumously decorated with another Bronze Star and Purple Heart, was assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. More than four years after burying Capt. DiCenzo, Plymouth and nearby Laconia are again mourning the loss of a local hero.

"My thoughts and prayers, and those of my wife Susan, are with the family of Sergeant Jared Van Aalst," Gov. John Lynch said in a written statement. "Sergeant Van Aalst served this nation with courage, dignity and honor. He sacrificed for all of us. On behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire, our deepest sympathies go out to his family."

Gov. Lynch knows the pain this area of his state has felt. On May 26, 2008, he was on hand as hundreds turned out to dedicate a new bridge connecting Plymouth and Holderness to DiCenzo.

"Doug was a true leader and it's here in Plymouth that those seeds were planted. Today we are naming this bridge for a hero ... our hero," he said during the dedication.

As Plymouth and Laconia honor another hero, the wrestling mat at Plymouth Regional High School is empty. Yet this year's team will undoubtedly be told about two former captains who once stalked opponents in the same gym, and hear more about the tenacious grit Capt. Douglas DiCenzo and Master Sgt. Jared Van Aalst always displayed. Unlike the entertainment of the sport's professional level, the style of wrestling mastered by these warriors is very real.

Image courtesy: The Captain Douglas DiCenzo Camp Fund

Unbroken strings

Image courtesy: U.S. Marines

As an estimated 5,000 people paid respects to Lance Cpl. Abram Howard on Thursday in a Williamsport, Pennsylvania, auditorium, a guitar sat silently near an aisle. As songs enjoyed by the Marine played gently over the loud speaker, mourners got a unique, musical glimpse at his life.

The Sun Gazette reports that the visitation, which also included a moving tribute video, deeply affected folks who came to show support for the Howard family.

"I would have stood for 10 hours," said Steve Berger, who was with his wife, Elaine, and their sons.

Mark Maroney's article said Lance Cpl. Howard had an all-American childhood that included the Cub Scouts, football, wrestling, and orchestra. During his high school years, he also displayed a genuine respect for authority that is uncommon among today's teens. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps almost immediately after graduation in 2007, and later deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After attaining the rank of Lance Corporal, Howard would deploy overseas again with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve.

According to the Pentagon, the 21-year-old Marine was killed on July 27 in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province. An obituary said Lance Cpl. Howard died at Bastion Medical Center after being wounded while supporting combat operations.

Judging by comments left in an online tribute group that accompanies the obituary, fellow Marines are still coming to grips with the loss of their well-liked brother in arms.

"Our son LCPL Jason Sestina was serving in Afghanistan with Abe. When Jason called to tell us what happened to Abe, we could hear the sadness in his voice," Don and Ricki Sestina posted. "Jason and Abe had attended MP School and MCT together. Jason had only positive things to say of your son. Your family and that of the Unit serving from North Versailles have suffered a great loss. May our dear Lord bless and comfort you and grant you His peace."

Lance Cpl. Howard is survived by his parents, brother, sister, and maternal grandparents. As the fallen hero is buried today in Williamsport, fellow Marines carry his memory on the battlefield.

"We are so incredibly sorry for your loss. My husband, CPL Shane Weyant, continues to serve with Company Bravo in Afghanistan," Krissa Weyant wrote. "He was honored to serve beside your son, and his life has been forever touched by Abram. Please accept our most sincere condolences and know that you will remain in our thoughts and prayers."

At the end of Thursday's five-hour visitation, the guitar once played by the brave Marine was still quiet. Yet its strings remained intact, with no signs of breaking anytime soon. As his father and brother strum the instrument in years to come, music that filled the life of Lance Cpl. Abram Howard will be loud, unmistakable, and impossible to forget.



Note: The Howard family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Abram L. Howard Scholarship for an outstanding student at Williamsport Area High School, made payable to WASD Education Foundation, 201 W. Third St. Williamsport, PA 17701.

The heat is on

Image courtesy: Tech. Sgt. Caycee Cook

Thousands of Americans endured 116 degree heat on Thursday afternoon. Yet you likely didn't hear about it on the news, as the almost unfathomable conditions were affecting Baghdad. While Thursday's high is well above the August average, temperatures in Iraq can even climb to 120 degrees and beyond.

Despite intensive military training, extreme temperatures are never easy to deal with. As The Unknown Soldiers noted on Tuesday, Spc. Michael Stansbery was asking friends and relatives for care packages of headbands for his unit before he was tragically killed on Friday by an improvised explosive device. The temperature in Kandahar, Afghanistan, is expected to reach 109 degrees on Sunday.

Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs office recently wrote a story about how extreme heat is also affecting the all-important bomb-sniffing dogs in Iraq. The soldier spoke with Sgt. Jared Wall about how he keeps Staff Sgt. Robbie, the dog he is assigned to work with, on brutally hot days like Thursday.

"Their temperature can change dramatically when we’re working," he said. "Once he starts getting to 105, you have to start cooling him down, because if you let him get to 108, his brain starts cookin’. I’ve seen dogs go from 100 to 108 in ten minutes, so it’s definitely something you’ve got to be constantly aware of."

As the story of Sgt. Chris Duke shows, canines are critical for many U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. As this blog relayed back in February, three dogs alerted American forces to a terrorist trying to infiltrate their base in Dand aw Patan, Afghanistan. While five soldiers were injured in the attack, including Sgt. Duke, the volunteer warriors have no doubt they are alive because of warning barks that gave them a few extra moments to prepare.

On Friday, Sgt. Duke was reunited with Rufus and Target, two of the dogs that helped save his life. As WXIA-TV reported, the third dog, Sasha, was killed in the attack. Rufus was badly wounded, but was given medical treatment and eventually adopted by soldiers in Bravo 2-121, a unit of the 48th Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard.

As someone who hasn't had the honor of serving in the United States military, completing missions in full combat gear in 110-120 degree heat is hard to imagine. Even moments that are supposed to be simple, like getting to sleep at night, must be difficult for many of our men and women enduring these high temperatures. As we fiddle with our air conditioning units at home and slap on sunscreen at the pool, let's take an extra moment to think about what many Americans are enduring half a world away on our behalf.