The good ones

Image courtesy: U.S. Air Force/Lawrence Crespo

On December 4, 2009, a Purple Heart was pinned on the uniform of Senior Airman Michael Buras, pictured on the right in the above Air Force photograph. After making it home safely from his first deployment to Iraq, Senior Airman Buras was wounded by an improvised explosive device during his second combat tour, this time in Afghanistan. In July, he returned to Afghanistan as part of the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, based out of Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base.

On September 27 at Camp Myers Kandahar Airfield, fellow troops saluted a memorial, pictured below, in honor of their fallen brother in arms. According to the Pentagon, Senior Airman Buras, 23, did not survive his second encounter with a roadside bomb, which happened on September 21. According to The Las Vegas Review-Journal, two airmen were also wounded in the Kandahar attack.

"Airman Buras and his teammates are decorated war veterans. They are patriots, and they exemplify what it means to serve as part of our highly trained, tight-knit, elite team," [Lt. Col. Mark] McCloud said. "Their families and friends will be in our thoughts and prayers as we go through this difficult time."

Keith Rogers' article said Buras is the fourth Nellis Air Force base airman to be killed in Afghanistan this year. Before last week's tragedy, the most recent casualty was Capt. David Wisniewski, who died three weeks after suffering catastrophic injuries in a June 9 helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan. Four other airmen were killed in the crash, including 1st Lt. Joel Gentz and Staff Sgt. David Smith, who were stationed at Nellis.

Buras grew up more than 2,000 miles away from the Nevada Air Force Base in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Local news outlet WALB-TV has been doing an admirable job covering the loss of this hometown hero, who will be dearly missed in the community. Olive Butrica recalled the last time she saw her grandson.

"When I talked to him, he was actually taxing down the runway and he said I'm leaving and that's the last time I said goodbye," said his grandmother.

As troops in Kandahar saluted their departed friend, students at Fitzgerald High School, where Buras graduated from, heard an emotional morning announcement from one of the athletic coaches. Appropriately, kids were given a chance to experience the reality of war touching their hometown before the airman's flag-draped casket is brought home by his parents. Another child, Buras' one-year old daughter, will grow up learning about America's post-9/11 sacrifices in even more personal terms.

"They always say God takes the good ones first," Senior Airman Michael Buras' grandmother said. Fortunately for America, many good men and women who served alongside this fallen warrior are making sure his memory lives on.

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. E. Taylor Worley

Leaving no more behind

Image courtesy: U.S. Army/Tony Lindback

In January and June, I wrote about a serious issue occupying military leaders: suicide. Yet after reading this horrendous news from Fort Hood, I realized that this blog has failed to adequately spotlight the issue of suicide within military ranks. Service members or veterans, especially those who deploy to combat zones, deal with stress that civilians like me cannot imagine. Yet as Americans, it is our duty to reach out to the men and women who protect us and make sure they know how much we need them.

According to Larry Shaughnessy at CNN, who wrote a strong, detailed article, three volunteer warriors stationed at Fort Hood apparently committed suicide during the last seven days. All were decorated soldiers who served multiple combat tours.

Pvt. Antonio Heath, 24, Warren, New York
Master Sgt. Baldemar Gonzales, 39, Victoria, Texas
Sgt. Timothy Rinella, 29, Chester, Virginia

In a fourth incident, Michael Franklin, who was a sergeant, is believed to have shot his wife to death on Sunday before turning the gun on himself.

According to an Army media advisory, 14 confirmed and six suspected suicides have been reported at Fort Hood this year. The following statement by the Texas post's senior commander, Maj. Gen. William Grimsley, shows that he is in anguish over this continuing problem, but also focused on finding more solutions.

"The loss of each and every Soldier is tragic. And, while I am saddened that our best efforts and wealth of programs were unable to help our 14 confirmed suicides, I take to heart that thousands of Fort Hood Soldiers and many more Army-wide take advantage of the resources dedicated to this challenge and continue to accomplish their mission while proudly serving their nation."

While recently visiting Fort Jackson in South Carolina, the very first sign I saw after passing through a main gate checkpoint was about suicide prevention. The military knows this is an emergency and is taking major steps to put programs in place for troops and explain how to utilize them. Of course, Fort Hood has also had a particularly difficult year. Besides the strain of deployments, soldiers and military families are still dealing with the pain of last November's shocking massacre on post, which killed 12 people.

Suicide is also a serious problem in the U.S. civilian population. But the difference is that most of us don't watch our co-workers die, spend years apart from our families, or confront vicious, murderous enemies. Yet I believe it is very important for American civilians to be active and engaged as the military tackles this complex issue. We must show consistent, enthusiastic support for all who serve to show these men and women how much they are valued by our society. We can encourage our local representatives to speak about this issue publicly and keep it in the spotlight on Capitol Hill. And when you see someone in uniform at a coffee shop or airport, shaking his or her hand and simply asking "how are you doing?" can help a volunteer warrior cope with feelings of stress and despair.

After reading about this latest series of devastating events at Fort Hood and holding myself accountable for not doing enough to spotlight tragic losses of brave troops like Pvt. Heath, Master Sgt. Gonzales, and Sgt. Rinella, it is clear that spreading awareness about military suicide needs to be a central part of this site's mission. Men and women who help our country win battles for freedom, yet take their own lives as tragic final measures to defeat pain, are truly The Unknown Soldiers.

Into the fog

Image courtesy: Spc. Eric Cabral

The above Army photograph, taken from a C-5 Galaxy cargo aircraft just before it landed at Afghanistan's Kandahar Air Field, is both magnificent and ominous. The same can be said for what many of our troops overseas are experiencing at this hour.

For an American service member, going to war is a rare opportunity to defend your country and put your training to the test against the enemy. But it can also be a scarring, horrific experience that permanently alters your life. As someone who hasn't served in the military, I cannot speak to what these men and women are going through. I can only guess that for some, it won't be easy to sleep tonight beneath the shadow of tomorrow's unknowns.

Since Friday, the Pentagon has announced the deaths of six U.S. troops in Afghanistan. From Illinois to Guam, families have been notified that flag-draped caskets carrying their loved ones will soon be greeted with solemn salutes at Delaware's Dover Air Force Base.

Lance Cpl. Anthony Rosa, 20, Swanton, Vermont
Pfc. Clinton Springer II, 21, Sanford, Maine
Pfc. William Dawson, 20, Tunica, Mississippi
Pfc. Jaysine Petree, 19, Yigo, Guam
Sgt. Mark Simpson, 40, Peoria, Illinois
Spc. Donald Morrison, 23, Cincinnati, Ohio

The Department of Defense also released the names of three American soldiers killed in non-combat related incidents supporting Operation New Dawn. The first two departed warriors listed were killed in Iraq, while the third fallen hero lost his life in Kuwait.

Spc. John Carrillo Jr., 20, Stockton, California
Pfc. Gebrah Noonan, 26, Watertown, Connecticut
Spc. Marc Whisenant, 23, Holly Hill, Florida

The colors in the picture above are appropriate, as war's daily events can sometimes be portrayed in black and white, when reality is often more akin to shades of gray. At this moment in Afghanistan and Iraq, some troops are engaged in fierce combat and some are playing video games. Some are happy, some are at ease, some are melancholy, and some are battling feelings of desperation. All are putting their lives on the line for future American, Afghan, and Iraqi generations, and deserve our gratitude and respect.

'He never took the easy way out'

Images courtesy: U.S. Navy and The Travis Manion Foundation

Quitting wasn't in Lt. Brendan Looney's blood. As the Navy lacrosse team made an improbable journey to the NCAA national championship game in 2004, Looney inspired teammates, coaches, and fans with his rock-hard determination.

"I remember when we played Cornell in the quarterfinals. Brendan got blind-sided around midfield and practically knocked out, but somehow he got up and beat the ball back into the hole," [Midshipmen head coach Richie] Meade recalled. "When Brendan came off the field he collapsed because he'd been unable to breathe from the time he got hit."

As Bill Wagner explains in The Capital newspaper, Lt. Looney's fierce resolve only increased as he adjusted from lacrosse fields around the United States to the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Whenever I read about a Navy SEAL, I always think about what they go through to become one of America's elite warriors. As Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell chronicled in his must-read book, Lone Survivor, the intensity of the SEAL training program stretches the physical and emotional limits of even the toughest human being. When it came time for Looney to prove he was one of the best, he refused to let the opportunity pass.

"It was like a tryout and Brendan kicked their butts until he was asked to join," Meade said.

According to Navy Sports, Looney's first deployment was to Iraq as an intelligence officer in the summer of 2008, just a couple of days after marrying his wife, Amy. He would then deploy overseas three more times as a Navy SEAL, including a mission to Afghanistan that began on March 9.

On September 21, Lt. Looney jumped aboard a helicopter in southern Afghanistan with a group of sailors and soldiers. As you've been reading about on The Unknown Soldiers blog, the chopper crashed, killing Looney, three fellow SEALs, and five Army service members from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). As the families of these nine fallen patriots received official notifications from the Pentagon, devastation began to grip the U.S. Naval Academy, particularly inside the lacrosse community.

"A man who was in love with his wife and cherished his friendships, Brendan’s humble and easy-going personality will be missed by all who knew him," Lt. Matt Midura said of his fellow warrior and former teammate. "There was no task or goal that Brendan Looney could not accomplish. I would say, if God ever needed a warrior Himself, he would hand pick Brendan Looney."

As Looney's widow grieves in private alongside his parents and five siblings, including Lt. Stephen Looney and LTJG Billy Looney, who also played lacrosse at Navy, they still found the strength to issue a public statement about a man they will miss for the rest of their lives. "He never took the easy way out, nor was he given the easy way out" is a particular sentence that helped give me a strong sense of who this 29-year-old Owings, Maryland, native really was. He approached his duties as a SEAL, husband, son, brother, friend, and teammate with equal passion.

These admirable qualities led Scott Garceau of MASN, a Washington, D.C., cable sports network, to raise some thought-provoking points.

"While we were debating [Baltimore Ravens quarterback] Joe Flacco and [Philadelphia Eagles quarterback] Michael Vick and wondering where [Baltimore Orioles manager] Buck Showalter hides his magic wand, a story with a sports connection likely evaded many of us."

Later in the column, Garceau writes:

"It's upsetting to see well compensated grown men playing a kid's game and referring to themselves as warriors. Wrong - Tough football players, yes, warriors no!"

Lt. Brendan Looney wasn't serving in the military to be called a hero or become a star. "He was proud of serving his country and being where he was," his family said. He did not die alone inside the helicopter, nor will he rest alone at Arlington National Cemetery. The fallen warrior will be buried alongside 1st Lt. Travis Manion, a fellow Naval Academy graduate and roommate at Annapolis, who was killed in action on April 29, 2007 in Iraq's Al Anbar province.

According to an e-mail I received from The Travis Manion Foundation, 1st Lt. Manion is being moved from Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, to be buried at Arlington on October 1. Three days later, the Marine and his dear Navy SEAL friend will rest side-by-side after Lt. Looney's burial service. While these brothers in arms died two and a half years apart, they will spend eternity next to each other.

Note: In lieu of flowers, the Looney family asks for donations to be made in Brendan's name to either The Travis Manion Foundation or to DeMatha Catholic High School.

A bridge to somewhere

Images courtesy: Cpl. Eugenio Montanez

The 1st Marine Division needs no introduction. Written simply, the earliest and biggest active duty Division in the Marine Corps is one of the toughest, most reliable groups of warriors on the planet. More than 650 Marines made the ultimate sacrifice to secure America's critical World War II victory in the vicious Battle of Guadalcanal, and the Division was a central part of combat in Korea, Vietnam, and both Iraq wars. At this hour, the valiant 1st Marines are confronting the enemy and protecting civilians in Afghanistan's Helmand province, arguably the most dangerous active battlefield of the war on terror.

The above photo, taken by Cpl. Eugenio Montanez, caught my eye because it shows the immense difficulty of patrolling Afghanistan's rugged terrain. In his accompanying article, the Marine writes that every day, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion warriors are walking several miles through an IED-ridden, hot desert to protect the village of Shabu. Inside the small community, Marines are finding roadside bombs, seizing enemy weapons, and frequently meeting with local civilians.

"We sincerely ask the people how their day has been, or if they have any plans," said [Lance Cpl. Kyle] Bachman, from Virginia, Minnesota. "We also ask them if they like having us around and they always say they’re thankful for what we do."

Of course, the Helmand province mission comes with extraordinary risk for each American volunteer. Between March 20 and September 16, the 1st Marine Division lost 83 troops in Afghanistan, according to a recent article by Gunnery Sgt. William Price. Earlier this week, The Unknown Soldiers profiled Cpl. John Bishop, the most recent fallen hero from the 1st Marines.

I find it extraordinary that these men and women are carrying heavy gear and weapons through the heat of a war zone and the Afghan sun in order to protect our nation from another terrorist attack. After Marines cross canals like the one displayed above, they will usually secure Shabu each day by searching vehicles and asking locals about any new threats to their safety.

Even though enemy fighters are hiding in the area, many Marines will still take time to hand out candy and toys to kids in the village. While running this blog for the past nine months and writing about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq inside newsrooms for the previous eight years, it never ceases to amaze me how many U.S. service members make the extra effort, despite risks, to give children caught in war zones a bright spot in their difficult days. However, I'm beginning to understand that many volunteer warriors don't see this as an additional burden of their deployments. They believe showing kindness and compassion to innocent people oppressed by totalitarianism and terror is part of their duty.

Rising souls

Image courtesy: Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Burden

For nine American families and the close-knit Navy SEAL and 101st Airborne communities, the last 48 hours have been filled with devastation and grief. Since Tuesday's tragic helicopter crash in Afghanistan's Zabul province, the Department of Defense has been delivering official casualty notifications to loved ones of the fallen. All nine departed warriors hailed from different states, and leave behind powerful legacies of service and sacrifice.

According to the Pentagon, four Navy SEALs were killed in the crash.

Lt. Brendan Looney, 29, Owings, Maryland
Senior Chief Petty Officer David McLendon, 30, Thomasville, Georgia
Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Smith, 26, Hurland, Missouri
Petty Officer 3rd Class Denis Miranda, 24, Toms River, New Jersey

Five U.S. soldiers assigned to 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died alongside the SEALs.

Lt. Col. Robert Baldwin, 39, Muscatine, Iowa
Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Wagstaff, 34, Orem, Utah
Chief Warrant Officer Jonah McClellan, 26, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Staff Sgt. Joshua Powell, 25, Pleasant Plains, Illinois
Sgt. Marvin Calhoun Jr., 23, Elkhart, Indiana

The Unknown Soldiers will have much more on the lives of these patriots in the days and weeks ahead. In the meantime, as Gold Star families fly American flags at half-staff from Owings, Maryland, to Orem, Utah, we share their pain. Years of rigorous training and personal sacrifices preceded these nine men climbing aboard a Black Hawk helicopter in the middle of a rugged war zone on September 21. While one chopper may have gone down, nine courageous souls did not.

Awakenings

Images courtesy: Sgt. Giancarlo Casem

What did you do this morning after you woke up? Perhaps you gave your husband or wife a hug, fed your dog or cat, or dropped your son or daughter off at school. Our lives are full of these "little things" that we can't help but take for granted on occasion. Yet for the past year, many soldiers in the 2nd Transportation Company (Heavy Equipment Transporter) intensely missed the privileges of family life. They were busy moving military equipment from Iraq to Kuwait as part of the drawdown in U.S. forces.

To grasp what Tuesday's welcome home ceremony at California's Fort Irwin meant for 107 returning volunteer warriors and their families, Sgt. Giancarlo Casem's photos make up quite a collection of stories. While the above picture shows the raw emotion of a couple reunited after a year of challenges and uncertainty, the below photo shows jubilation in the Freedom Fitness Center. Even though the Company moved more than 100,000 tons of equipment through hostile territory, every soldier made it home safely. Aaron Dome of The Desert Dispatch spoke to returning troops inside the gym.

"I’m glad we all made it," [Spc. Dorothy] Jarman said. "I brought the equipment out there and now we’re bringing it back, that’s a mission accomplished."

The article notes that troops were attacked by the enemy more than 32 times while logging more than three million miles of travel back and forth between Iraq and Kuwait. But instead of telling war stories, one soldier told his wife they had to hurry back to Texas so he could see their kids and satisfy his craving for a cheeseburger from a local burger joint. For these combat veterans, it's time to enjoy being back in the country they fought for.

This morning at Fort Irwin and beyond, 107 men and women woke up thousands of miles closer to the people they love. And I'd be willing to bet they aren't taking it for granted.

Day of tragedy

File image courtesy: Capt. Mindy Yu

On Tuesday, Americans woke up to tragic news from southern Afghanistan, where U.S. troops are taking the fight to al Qaeda and the Taliban. According to numerous media reports, nine American service members were killed in a helicopter crash in the Daychopan district of Zabul province. Tuesday's tragedy marks the deadliest coalition chopper disaster since the spring of 2006.

Predictably, the Taliban is claiming it shot down the helicopter. As this Fox News article notes, terrorists notoriously try to claim involvement in any incident that takes the lives of our troops, even if it is potentially accidental. NATO said there were no reports of enemy fire in the area before the crash.

Also over the last 24 hours, the names of eight fallen heroes killed in Afghanistan over the last few days have been released by the Pentagon.

1st Lt. Scott Fleming, 24, Marietta, Georgia
Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Grider, 30, Brighton, Illinois
1st Lt. Eric Yates, 26, Rineyville, Kentucky
Staff Sgt. Jaime Newman, 27, Richmond, Virginia
Spc. Timothy Johnson, 24, Randolph, New York
Pfc. Barbara Vieyra, 22, Mesa, Arizona
Maj. Paul Carron, 33, Missouri
Spc. Joshua Harton, 23, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

From Pennsylvania to Arizona, these families are grieving incomprehensible losses. In the coming days, they will be joined by loved ones of the nine volunteer warriors lost in Tuesday's helicopter crash. Even though the war in Afghanistan is more than 3,200 days old, it is difficult to ever be prepared for this devastating form of news from the front. As we hope the relatives, friends, and fellow troops of the departed already know, they do not grieve alone at this tragic hour.

'Thank you is not enough'

Image courtesy: U.S. Marines/Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home

Cpl. John Bishop knew the impact a combat deployment would have on his loved ones when he left for Afghanistan in July. Having already served in Iraq from June 2004 to January 2005 and September 2005 to March 2006, the Marine expected that his mission in Afghanistan would be tough. But he was especially worried about leaving behind his wife, a fellow Marine who is expecting the couple's first child, at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune.

Even with extraordinary emotional burdens that would weigh heavily on the shoulders of the toughest warrior, Cpl. Bishop's mother told the The Cincinnati Enquirer that her son summoned up all his willpower to soldier on.

"It was the Marine in him," Sarah Thomas said.

Eileen Kelley's article offers a touching, painful portrait of a 25-year-old volunteer who cared deeply about his family and country. Picturing Bishop spending the July 4th holiday with his friends and family fishing on the Ohio River, as the piece mentions, makes the reality of war even harder to accept.

On September 8, Cpl. Bishop was killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province, according to the Department of Defense. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While the Pentagon said only that his death occurred while supporting combat operations, the Enquirer article said he suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.

As a squad leader who was promoted to corporal in the spring of 2007, Bishop was a seasoned combat veteran who fellow Marines could depend on. He had also spent his life preparing for the Marine Corps, after watching as a child when his big brother, Tyson Bishop, signed up to serve his country. Yet after a solid seven-year career in the Marines, the younger Bishop was ready to focus on raising his children, including a four-year-old son from a previous marriage, and going to college. Instead, he returned to the United States from Afghanistan in a flag-draped casket, where he was greeted by his older brother and other grieving family members.

This is the tragedy of war. This is the cost of defending our nation from terrorists who attacked us on September 11, 2001. In a society often more interested in the trials of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton or upcoming elections, it is important to always remember the men and women putting everything they know and love on the line to prevent their sons and daughters from one day having to take up arms against al Qaeda. Perhaps that is why a sign displayed in Bishop's hometown of Columbus, Indiana, which is at the 2:30 mark of the YouTube video embedded below, touched me so deeply.

The sign, which appears to be either outside a church or a school, reads "In memory of Cpl. John Bishop. Thank you is not enough." In my opinion, the message is both compelling and accurate. We should certainly thank fellow Americans who volunteer to risk everything in the middle of a multiple front war against a vicious enemy, but we can also do more. The Bishop family is accepting memorials through the Stratton-Karsteter funeral home, which will benefit the Marine's two children. That's an excellent way to help. Another way to support our men and women in uniform is to not let their stories disappear amid the endless 21st century stream of news and information. That will remain this site's solemn mission.

Cpl. John Bishop gave many years of smiles to his family and many years of sacrifice to his fellow Marines, including his widow. Today, his memory inspires us to give back.

Election Day

Image courtesy: Capt. Tristan Hinderliter

The polls have opened in Afghanistan, where about 2,500 Afghan politicians are on ballots for 249 parliamentary seats. As al Qaeda and the Taliban's totalitarian zealots fume in anger, Afghans will enter voting booths hoping for a smooth, legitimate outcome.

While Voice Of America reports that an apparent rocket attack hit Kabul early Saturday morning, terrorist efforts to derail the elections have failed due to the sacrifices of Americans, Afghans, and coalition partners determined to give citizens clear paths to polling places.

Of course, the road has not been easy. U.S. troops helped Afghans fend off the enemy while delivering ballots, and even recovered voting materials from a vehicle damaged by a roadside bomb attack. While it is not clear what this election will ultimately mean for the future of Afghanistan, it is undeniable that blood has been shed to achieve this goal. As an American, that makes me extraordinarily proud of our troops.

2010 has been the most difficult year of the war in Afghanistan for U.S. service members. Hopefully, Saturday will be remembered as a turning point. Instead of listening to the usual media pundits bloviate over the weekend, I will be listening to our commanders on the ground, like Col. James Johnson.

"We can't fix the problems of 30 years, or more than that, in seven or eight years," he said. "We have to be patient. We are making progress."

The wall

Image courtesy: Spc. Jessica Luhrs

Over the past 24 hours, the Pentagon has identified two U.S. troops killed during Operation New Dawn in Iraq. Senior Airman James Hansen, 25, of Athens, Michigan, was killed Wednesday during the controlled detonation of an explosive device at Joint Base Balad. Sgt. John Burner III, 32, of Baltimore, Maryland, died on Thursday in a non-combat related incident in Iskandariya.

As you've been reading about on this blog, the declaration of combat's end in Iraq, which changed the mission's name from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn, has not meant the end of danger for American troops. Improvised explosive devices are still buried beside roads and terrorists still hide behind the civilian population. As the national media largely moves on from the conflict, it is important for the American public to stay focused and support the thousands of military families with loved ones overseas.

On September 11, a 280-foot, dark-colored wall was dedicated in Kirkuk, Iraq. In yellow lettering, the names of over 4,000 fallen American warriors stand out, touched only by desert dust and the hands of grieving fellow troops. As Spc. Jessica Luhrs reports, the joint Army-Air Force and civilian project is very important to the men and women who have served and continue to serve in Iraq.

"These men and women made the ultimate sacrifice. It was an honor to do something to remember them," said Staff Sgt. [Ruben] McDowell, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-1 AATF.

"There are not too many people here who do not know someone on that wall so it really hits home for all of us," he said.

Even though this monument stands 6,000 miles from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, departed heroes from the war in Iraq, before and after the end of major combat operations, deserve a prominent place in our national consciousness. Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen selflessly answered our country's call to fight in Iraq, and continue to do so today. We will always remember their sacrifices.

Rendezvous with destiny

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

On August 19, 1942, Maj. Gen. William C. Lee issued General Order number five to recruits of a four-day old division.

"The 101st Airborne Division, activated at Camp Claiborne, has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny. Like the early American pioneers whose invincible courage was the foundation stone of this nation, we have broken with the past and its traditions in order to establish our claim to the future."

From its legendary D-Day heroism all the way to becoming the first deployed conventional unit of the war on terrorism, the Screaming Eagles are still making history. According to numerous reports from the front, the 101st is leading the charge deep into Zhari District in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. As a recent Defense Department story detailed, soldiers face a dangerous mission on a challenging southern Afghan landscape filled with mountains and Taliban fighters.

"It will be tough ... but it is not impossible to accomplish because we have all these great troops," [Lt. Gen. David] Rodriguez said. "They know what they are doing and can make a difference in any security situation.

"Every time we go out we learn more and more," Rodriguez continued. "And we adapt our tactics and we have to learn from the people, the terrain and our Afghan partners. We have to be the ones who adjust faster than the enemy."

Led by Lt. Col. Peter Benchoff, pictured here with an Afghan commander, American-led forces hope to root terrorists out of a Taliban stronghold and clear numerous areas of improvised explosive devices. As Gen. David Petraeus recently told ABC News, progress in Afghanistan can sometimes seem painfully slow. Many military experts believe this Kandahar province operation, while critically important, will likely be no different due to extraordinary logistical challenges that are hard for many of us to comprehend.

As our troops navigate brutal terrain and search for an enemy that often lurks in the shadows, there is no set timetable for the conclusion of this operation. What is clear, however, is that a storied group of American warriors are leading the fight into the birthplace of the Taliban, which harbored Osama bin Laden and other terrorists before and after the 9/11 attacks. Our men and women in uniform will disable bombs that kill and maim innocent children and confront terrorists who, if permitted to operate freely, could once again make Afghanistan a launching pad for attacks against the United States.

The dedication of this volunteer force would undoubtedly make the 101st's first commander proud, more than 68 years after he wrote the following conclusion to his General Order.

"It is, therefore, not too much to say that the future itself, in whose molding we expect to have our share, is in the hands of the Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division."

Image courtesy: General William C. Lee Airborne Museum

Reflections

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Benjamin Crilly

Over the past week, the Department of Defense has released the names of eight Americans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The news is not only a painful reminder of the sacrifices being made overseas as we go about our daily lives, but also a call to action. If you live near any of the towns listed below, perhaps you could attend a public memorial event or search your local newspapers to see if the departed warrior's family is asking for assistance. As always, The Unknown Soldiers will also relay this information, when available, in individual profiles of fallen heroes.

Among the names are the first two casualties of Operation New Dawn in Iraq. As reported last week, both soldiers were killed in a shooting incident on an Iraqi army commando base about 130 miles north of Baghdad, which also wounded nine other U.S. service members. Clearly, a new dawn in Iraq, made possible by the blood, sweat, and tears of the United States military and its allies, does not mean danger has faded for our troops.

Sgt. Philip Jenkins, 26, Decatur, Indiana
Pvt. James McClamrock, 22, Huntersville, North Carolina

In Afghanistan, the capture of a key Taliban terrorist was one of many accomplishments by our armed forces in recent days. Yet tragedy has also struck several units on the war on terror's battlefields, as well as six families in different states.

1st Lt. Todd Weaver, 26, Hampton, Virginia
Cpl. John Bishop, 25, Columbus, Indiana
Sgt. Jesse Balthaser, 23, Columbus, Ohio
Cpl. Philip Charte, 22, Goffstown, New Hampshire
Lance Cpl. Ross Carver, 21, Rocky Point, North Carolina
Capt. Jason McMahon, 35, Mulvane, Kansas

On Saturday, September 11, America paused to reflect on the terrorist attacks that forced us to confront al Qaeda's violence, hatred, and intolerance. For every family member and close acquaintance of these eight fallen heroes, those reflections will continue in the days, months, and years ahead. To support these fellow Americans, let's join together and show them they do not grieve alone.

'We will defend the country'

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Benjamin Crilly

When a platoon commander for Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment held the identification tags of Sgt. Jason Calo in his hands on September 5, he was embracing a fallen brother. As Marines learned during the solemn ceremony at Patrol Base Beirut, one of the volunteer warrior's final acts was putting his arms around them.

Sgt. Travis Henderson, who called Sgt. Calo a "friend" and "mentor," told grieving Marines that the joint-terminal attack controller extended his contract in order to deploy to Afghanistan with them. Despite the deep love Calo held for his wife and, as he said on his MySpace page, "the two best looking kids in the world," Calo couldn't stand by and watch his fellow Marines go into harm's way without being by their side. On August 22, Sgt. Calo, 23, was killed in the volatile Helmand province while supporting combat operations.

During the Afghanistan memorial service, which also paid tribute to fallen Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Schultz, 19, Marines reflected on the pain of losing two young men so dear to their hearts.

“We know firsthand the nature of war, as it has touched the nature of our being, of your being,” said Lt. Col. Kyle Ellison, the commanding officer of 2/6. “The way we overcome adversity is through cohesion.”

On August 27 at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan, Sgt. Calo's flag-draped casket arrived in the area he called home. Though his military career forced him and his family to move around, he always stuck to his Mancelona roots. Alex Piazza of The Traverse City Record-Eagle spoke with a childhood friend who remembers Calo constantly talking about joining the Marines.

"I'm kind of still in shock about it all, so I'm just going with the flow," [Ron] Szeve said. "Somebody I grew up with isn't here anymore. He did what he set out to do. He served his country well."

Calo played football at Mancelona High School, which held an emotional tribute to the hometown hero before their August 27 opening game.



The ceremony was powerful not only for its symbolism, but for the money it helped raise for the Calo family. While many mourn the loss of this Marine from Michigan, North Carolina, and Kentucky all the way to Afghanistan, nobody is feeling more pain at this hour than his wife. The community's efforts to immediately come together and support her as she begins the difficult task of raising their two children on her own is what America is all about. Our country will always step up to help the loved ones of our fallen warriors.

Even though he is no longer physically with his family, friends, and fellow Marines, the quote on Sgt. Jason Calo's MySpace profile still stands proud. "Don't worry people of America, we we will defend the country, USMC!" With bravery and conviction, this Marine did everything he could to leave a better United States of America behind for his kids.

Image courtesy: MySpace

Born Free

During 2007 and 2008 USO tours to Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, Spain, Kosovo, and Afghanistan, Kid Rock was contemplating the true meaning of freedom. Whether performing in the freezing cold at Camp Phoenix in Afghanistan or singing during a sandstorm at Contingency Operating Base Speicher in Iraq, the performer saw the toughness of our men and women in uniform first-hand.

On September 11, 2010, Kid Rock held a special concert at South Carolina's Fort Jackson to honor the American military. Joined by southern rockers Blackberry Smoke, the Jim Beam and Operation Homefront-sponsored event was free to anyone with a military ID. Before launching into the title track off his forthcoming album, 'Born Free,' Kid Rock reflected on what it means to be an American.

"When I was in Iraq and Afghanistan, I really thought about how lucky we are to be born -- by the grace of God -- free," he told the audience.

Fort Jackson's massive Hilton Field, where graduation ceremonies are often held, was divided into separate sections for troops and civilians. As I enjoyed the show from the civilian area, I kept looking over at the neverending stream of men and women in uniform. As folks in my section had a few beers and got a bit rowdy as the night progressed, the intensity and enthusiam on the civilian side never came close to matching the troops. The soldiers, especially in the front, were jumping up and down, chanting, and waving their hands in the air for Kid Rock's entire two hours on stage.

While Kid Rock belted out hard rocking tunes like 'American Bad Ass,' 'Bawitaba,' 'All Summer Long,' 'So Hott,' and 'Lowlife,' the show took a particularly thoughtful turn during 'Amen,' which contains a passage that undoubtedly hit home for many in the audience.

"And as we sit free and well another soldier has to yell 'tell my wife and children I love them' with his last breath."

During the song, Kid Rock encouraged members of the audience to shake hands or slap five with people around them who they may not know. From my vantage point, I could see hundreds of civilians waving at the troops, mouthing the words 'thank you' and 'we love you' while waving their flags. There were many other poignant moments during the evening, especially when Kid Rock and Blackberry Smoke asked concertgoers to pause and remember the innocent victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The only musical challenge Kid Rock had to overcome during the evening was making sure his voice was loud enough to eclipse the chants from the military side and the constant "U-S-A" refrain from the civilian area. Hilton Field erupted in cheers when Kid Rock said he has no patience for those who dismiss all the good America does in the world.

"To go around and fight for not only our freedoms -- but for other people's freedoms -- our country has done that unselfishly," he said.

After a raucous encore which included his National Guard theme song 'Warrior,' civilians began filing out of Hilton Field into the parking lot. Yet as I walked toward my car, I noticed the thousands of troops who attended the show all standing in formation. They were chanting into the dark sky, clearly overjoyed after getting a much-deserved break from their duties.

Right in front of me, a young group of men and women in uniform, perhaps in basic training, listened to instructions from their superior. As dozens of concertgoers paused to honor our military, a woman yelled "thank you" to the group. A volunteer warrior turned his head and said, with a smile, "you're welcome."

I have nothing but gratitude for Kid Rock, Blackberry Smoke, Jim Beam, Operation Homefront, and Fort Jackson for giving these troops a fun, free, safe night to relax. Like Spc. Trampus Miller, the wounded soldier who received an all-expense VIP trip to South Carolina for the event, these service members got a chance to enjoy a unique, first-rate concert experience in familiar surroundings. As Americans, we are extraordinarily fortunate to be born free. Let's always take time to appreciate the men and women who sacrifice to give us that privilege.

Born on September 11

Note: This is a re-post from August 30, 2010. May God bless the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and all the men and women in uniform protecting our nation.

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 August 28 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, 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 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.

Images courtesy: Bock family/KMTV-TV and U.S. Air Force

Patriot Day

Image courtesy: Jim Beam/Operation Homefront

In December 2008, Spc. Trampus Miller returned home to Kentucky for the first time in over a year. As the soldier and ex-firefighter was embraced by loved ones, friends, and former co-workers, he knew he was lucky to be home for Christmas before returning to Washington to receive more care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. About six months earlier, he suffered devastating wounds to his lower leg when his tank rolled over a roadside bomb planted by terrorists in Iraq. In a few confusing seconds, the life of every soldier in the vehicle changed.

"I didn't even know I was injured," Miller told WKYT-TV in 2008.

According to an article by Noisecreep's Amy Sciarretto, Spc. Miller wound up losing his leg. But on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, this American patriot will be on cloud nine, along with thousands of fellow soldiers. On Saturday night, Kid Rock is honoring the military with a special concert at South Carolina's Fort Jackson. Admission to the Hilton Field show is free to anyone with a Department of Defense ID. The Unknown Soldiers will be on-location to cover this event, where I fully expect the smiles on the faces of our men and women in uniform to shine even brighter than the flashing lights on stage.

For Spc. Miller, this isn't just another rock concert. Thanks to Jim Beam and Operation Homefront, as well as the efforts of his wife to secretly enter him into a contest, the wounded warrior will be shaking hands with Kid Rock before the show and rocking all night as a special guest of honor.

"Before her phone call, I knew nothing about the contest," Miller told Noisecreep. "When she told me some of the details of the contest, I was stoked to do it. I have been a big Kid Rock fan for many years."

While the concert will certainly be a raucous event, Miller is also very much looking forward to visiting with an area soldier injured in the same roadside bomb attack in Iraq.

"He was with me when our vehicle was hit with the IED. He and I both came out of this missing a leg," Miller told Sciaretto. "He is now stationed there in South Carolina and we have been in contact so we don't miss each other."

I have written before about Kid Rock's involvement with the USO and unwavering support for our troops, and putting on a concert that is free to American service members shows the deep connection the artist is making with the military community. I was proud to buy a ticket to this event, and can't wait to raise the American flag and sing along with volunteer warriors who signed up to protect us before and after September 11, 2001. While Kid Rock is a rock and roll celebrity, there's no doubt who the star of the show will be on Saturday night in Columbia, South Carolina. Spc. Trampus Miller, who stands tall with no regrets after putting his life on the line for our nation, earned his VIP ticket.

'The warrior everyone wanted'

Image courtesy: 1st Lt. Barry Morris

On September 3 at Camp Delaram II in Afghanistan, Marines gathered, knelt, and wept for a fallen comrade. The man they saluted was not someone who was on the battlefield to seek individual glory. As he demonstrated in May, when he volunteered to go back to Afghanistan a month after finishing a previous combat tour, this Marine was part of a close-knit team.

Cpl. Christopher Boyd was not the greatest athlete in the history of Illinois high school athletics. But as far as heart was concerned, he belongs in the hall of fame. Former Palatine High School quarterback Brett Chidester remembers the future Marine replacing an injured offensive lineman in 2006.

"I played behind him," Chidester said. "What a fighter. He played tough, I always knew I was protected."

A few months after that game, Boyd signed up for the Marines, which wasn't a surprise to those who knew him best. The Daily Herald reports that while he enjoyed high school football and wrestling, the most important reason behind his intense daily workout regimen was preparing for his future military career. Eileen Daday's article, which includes a nice photo gallery, leaves no doubt that Boyd grew up wanting to serve his country.

On August 19, Cpl. Boyd was killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province while supporting combat operations, according to a Pentagon release. An article by 1st Lt. Barry Morris said the 22-year-old Marine spent more than four years -- his entire adult life -- as an infantry rifleman and an instructor for foreign military units. Boyd's fearless dedication clearly made an impact on the Marines around him, including a superior officer.

"Cpl. Boyd was a wealth of knowledge, and played a key role in the platoon’s success. Couple his natural leadership with his unselfish attitude, and he was the warrior everyone wanted," said 1st Lt. John Somers, the platoon commander for Company F, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. "He was the epitome of a warrior and was ready to do whatever it took in order to help his team, squad or platoon against the enemy."

A few days before the Afghanistan memorial service, the fallen Marine's parents celebrated their son's life with hundreds of mourners in the Chicago area. The family Boyd left behind, which includes his wife and two sons, are thanking the local community and the military for supporting them during this difficult time.

Since America was attacked almost nine years ago, 1,170 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan, according to U.S. government casualty figures. As President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Adm. Mike Mullen join families of 9/11 victims at the Pentagon for a private remembrance on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks, America has a lot of pain to reflect on. Yet as the resolve of Cpl. Christopher Boyd shows us, the most talented, dedicated volunteer warriors in the world are on our team. That's something Americans can all be thankful for.

"Chris was truly a great and unique individual," said Cpl. Daniel Pereira, a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Bn., 4th Marines. "He was the kind of man you wanted on your side."

Image courtesy: U.S. Air Force/Roland Balik

Becoming the enemy

Image courtesy: Electronic Arts

If you could play a game that allows you to simulate fighting in the war on terrorism, which side would you choose?

Of course, most Americans would consider that a stupid and offensive question. Yet for the past few weeks, a debate has been raging over the newest version of the blockbuster 'Medal of Honor' video game series, which lets players take control of Taliban terrorists trying to kill U.S. service members during fictional battles against each other. The Electronic Arts game is set to be released on October 12, but as The Associated Press is reporting, its potential customer base just got smaller. Just over a month before its release, American military bases are banning the controversial game from its shelves.

The AP article quotes Maj. Gen. Bruce Casella as saying the game is being banned by the Army & Air Force Exchange service because of "the sensitivity to the life-and-death scenarios this product presents as entertainment." Even as someone who grew up in the video game culture and owns several games today -- including some that allow me to control unsavory characters -- I completely agree with Maj. Gen. Casella's decision. Most parents don't know the contents of the video games played by their children. Could you imagine the spouse of a volunteer warrior deployed to Afghanistan coming home from work to find their child playing a game that allows them to simulate shooting at American troops? As The Mercury News' Patrick May reported on August 24, that idea disgusts Karen Meredith, who lost her son in combat.

"I don't see how shooting soldiers based on real Americans is entertainment while people are dying every day for this country," said Meredith, whose son, Army Lt. Ken Ballard, was killed in Iraq in 2004. "How can they say it's OK for someone to play the Taliban? You'll have people sitting at home, drinking beer, shooting at American soldiers, maybe missing, then starting over. Well, Ken didn't have a chance to start over."

Most articles I've read on national media websites, including The New York Times, have been defending EA, which is sticking to its its decision to allow players to control the Taliban in multi-player mode. This rationalization by Times video game guru Seth Schiesel is downright silly.

"Medal of Honor allows you to play as the Taliban only during multiplayer matches. In such matches there is no story — and no presumption of success. And there is no sense of character development. The job is to match wits with the other humans on the other end of the Internet and defeat them through coordination, tactics and execution under pressure. The actual identities of the combatants are no more meaningful than the choice of black and white in a chess game."

Is he kidding? On the same day Schiesel's column was published, the Pentagon released the names of seven U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan, including Capt. Dale Goetz, the first military chaplain to die in combat since the war in Vietnam. Defending the game is one thing, but comparing this provocative feature to chess is quite another when there are Americans dying on the battlefield at the hands of terrorists. While the writer makes valid points by bringing up titles that allow video gamers to fight for the Japanese or Germans in World War II settings, surely he must realize that any game about an active conflict stirs up unique emotions, especially considering the stunning realism and advanced graphics of today's video games.

Video games are very popular among U.S. troops, and I can guarantee you that some will be disappointed that they can't buy this title at base exchange shops. That's because video game wars are an outlet for stress and an escape from the dangers of real battlefields. However, I think if most people step back and think of the aforementioned scenario involving a service member's spouse accidentally buying this game for their child, especially since it has such a patriotic title, I think this debate becomes pretty simple.

EA can make an important statement to the $10 billion video game industry by removing the Taliban control feature from 'Medal of Honor' before October 12. Americans want to defeat the people who attacked us almost nine years ago, and brave volunteers have been signing up to take the fight to the enemy ever since. Let's not cause any more pain or stress to their loved ones by handing kids controllers that let them fill the virtual shoes of terrorists.

Dawn of war

Image courtesy: Senior Airman Perry Aston

As the sun rose on the second week of Operation New Dawn, reports from the ground indicated what many military experts said last week after President Obama's speech. U.S. troops have made incredible progress in Iraq, which should be recognized and celebrated by all Americans. But no slogans offered by Washington politicians, regardless of political party, should ever trump realities on the ground. Clearly, Iraq is a much safer place than it was in early 2007 for U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians. But as we saw on Tuesday, almost 50,000 Americans are still serving in an unpredictable, hazardous environment.

The Wall Street Journal reports that two U.S. troops were killed and nine wounded in Tuz Khurmato, Iraq, when an assailant wearing an Iraqi army outfit began shooting at a group of Americans. Maj. Lee Peters told the newspaper that the gunman was eventually shot and killed by a valiant U.S. soldier. It is hard to imagine what this brave American went through on the Iraqi army commando base 130 miles north of Baghdad, but it is also clear that he or she is a hero. Even as fellow troops were being tragically killed and wounded during Tuesday's chaos, this volunteer warrior acted quickly and bravely to stop the killer's rampage.

The two U.S. soldiers killed on Tuesday mark the first American deaths in Iraq since the end of major combat operations was declared. As we pray for these two families, the nine service members injured in the attack, along with their relatives, will also be in our thoughts. The continuing war in Iraq's perils are very real to our nation's military families, which shoulder difficult emotional burdens. While a loved one is in harm's way, nothing is certain except for uncertainty.

Also on Tuesday, CNN reported that a grenade was thrown at a convoy in Salaheddin province, injuring an American soldier and several Iraqis. The U.S. military said that the terrorist who threw the grenade was killed by American forces during an ensuing battle. In western Baghdad, an al-Iraqiya TV reporter was shot to death outside her home, and a police officer and at least one other Iraqi were killed in a roadside bomb attack. To the north, a husband, wife, and relative were found murdered inside a house in Samarra.

Terrorists will not stop burying bombs, attacking convoys, kidnapping contractors, or using innocent civilians as human shields because of a calendar's date or a mission's new name. Even during intense combat in Afghanistan and economic difficulties on the home front, Americans cannot afford to dismiss events on the ground in Iraq. While our men and women in uniform have accomplished amazing things on the country's numerous battlefields, the sun has not set on the war in Iraq.

Worth dying for

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

"Have you ever had something that you were so devoted to that you would be willing to die for it?"

That question was posed by Capt. Dale Goetz to readers of an independent local newspaper almost two years ago. As noted by Mark Thompson of TIME, the Army chaplain wrote an article about his reaction to the 9/11 attacks and how his experiences over the last seven years, on and off the battlefield, helped him gain a greater understanding of the war on terrorism.

"Freedom is that precious to many of us. Our love for freedom is worth dying for and many have gone before us to preserve this freedom," Capt. Goetz wrote. "Some love their spouse or kids enough that they would die for them. Do you love anything that much?"

Chaplain Goetz highlighted a lengthy conversation he had with a Muslim man on September 10, 2001, just hours before America was attacked by terrorists. After passionately discussing their respective faiths, the chaplain believed he had a tighter grasp on Islamic principles, and why violent fanatics try to hijack the religion using terrorism and murder.

"It was the first time I had really encountered a Muslim man theologically and we had an open religious dialogue," Capt. Goetz explained. "I learned much from him about his belief system. No, I didn’t convince him to convert to Christianity. However, I learned more about Islam and that education helped me to understand why those men flew those planes to their deaths."

Goetz explained some fundamental differences he saw between Christianity and Islam, especially when it comes to the basis of forgiveness. Yet as a minister and soldier, he believed it was very important to educate himself about other religions, particularly during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. To those who served alongside the chaplain, his sincerity came as no surprise.

"Chaplain Goetz was completely committed to God, his Family and taking care of Soldiers," said Maj. Greg Nardi, 1-66 Executive Officer. "From the moment he touched down in Afghanistan, Dale fought to get out to remote locations to visit with, and minister to the Soldiers. From assisting with carpentry on the base, to rewiring [generators] and air conditioners, his great attitude and work ethic caused him to help out wherever he saw a need."

According to the Pentagon, Capt. Goetz was one of five American soldiers killed in a roadside bomb attack on August 30 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan. The 43-year-old chaplain died alongside Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante, 30, Staff Sgt. Kevin Kessler, 32, Staff Sgt. Matthew West, 36, and Pfc. Chad Clements, 26. According to an article by the 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Goetz had been in Afghanistan for just over a month. While it is impossible to know what went through the chaplain's mind during his final moments, people who knew Goetz say his instincts were to comfort those around him.

"Dale's passion for taking care of Soldiers was undeniable and his faith in God unshakable," said Cpt. John Acosta, battalion signal officer for 1-66. "Whether it was taking time out of his schedule to personally consult a troubled Soldier, or just patting you on the back and telling you everything would be alright, Dale never backed down from helping others."

From the battlefield to his hometown of White, South Dakota, and his church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the enormous loss of this deeply respected volunteer is being felt. A sentence of a touching statement issued by Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, the Army's chief of chaplains, helps us understand the importance of Goetz's legacy.

"Dale was a selfless servant of God, a devoted husband and father, a strong American patriot, and a compassionate spiritual leader whose love for soldiers was only surpassed by his firm commitment to living his calling as a United States Army Chaplain."

Capt. Dale Goetz, who leaves behind his wife and three children, is the first military chaplain to be killed in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. Not since the Vietnam War has America lost an Army chaplain in this tragic manner. Yet as he wrote in his 2008 column, the goal of his decade-long military career was not martyrdom. It was helping fellow troops and spreading the word of God.

"I believe Christ died for my sin and I do not need to become a martyr for salvation and forgiveness. Because of my conversation on the night before, I was better able to process and understand the why of 9-11 and it continues to help me understand the on going struggles in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world."

Petraeus speaks out against Koran burning

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Bradley Lail

On the upcoming ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pastor Terry Jones plans to leads his World Outreach Center in an event the group brands 'International Burn A Koran Day.' Word of the Gainesville, Florida, stunt is quickly spreading, as protests have already erupted in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Kabul, Afghanistan. Sensing the anger in the Muslim world, Gen. David Petraeus is responding with leadership. He's speaking up on behalf of U.S. troops in harm's way.

"Images of the burning of a Koran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan -- and around the world -- to inflame public opinion and incite violence," Gen. Petraeus said in a written statement. "Were the actual burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be put in jeopardy and accomplishment of the mission would be made more difficult."

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued the following statement.

"The United States government in no way condones such acts of disrespect against the religion of Islam, and is deeply concerned about deliberate attempts to offend members of religious or ethnic groups.

The embassy wants to emphasize that we strongly condemn the offensive messages, which are contrary to U.S. government policy and deeply offensive to Muslims especially during the month of Ramadan."

This website was not created to debate politics or the virtues of Islam. However, when the actions of a small group in Florida could potentially harm our service members overseas, they cannot be ignored. We have all seen the horrific images and sounds of Americans being beheaded by terrorists. Publicly burning the Koran will only increase that type of brutal violence against our citizens and troops. It will also help the enemy spread more false propaganda amongst Afghan and Iraqi civilians about a supposed American-led war against their religion.

Pastor Jones, nobody is disputing your First Amendment rights. You have made your point and generated more publicity than you could have imagined. Now, the general responsible for over 100,000 American lives in Afghanistan says you are putting the men and women he commands in even more danger. It's time to put your country first and immediately cancel this event.