26.2

Image courtesy: U.S. Marines

Thirty thousand participants from all 50 states and around the world, including wounded veterans from every branch of the military, are running and wheeling between Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., for the 35th Marine Corps Marathon.

Amid tight security in light of recent shootings targeting the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Pentagon, and a northern Virginia Marine recruiting station, the massive, sold-out race got underway without a hitch just after 8 a.m. Sunday morning.

You can watch live streaming coverage of the event by clicking here. You will see thousands of Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, veterans, and running enthusiasts making the 26.2 mile journey as a sea of military supporters line the streets of the nation's capital to support our troops. Good luck to all 30,000 participants and thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your service to our nation!

The media's forgotten war

Image courtesy: Sgt. Ricardo Branch

Coverage of the Iraq war has all but vanished from the national media narrative, as the declaration of major combat's end gave news executives another excuse to allocate resources elsewhere. Yet thousands of American troops are still risking their lives to ensure the country does not slide back into chaos, and they deserve recognition.

The 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division is conducting cache clearing operations with Iraqi police forces. On a recent mission in Balad, pictured above, soldiers spent five hours searching a field for weapons after Iraqis received a tip. Even though it was a long day, troops said recovering materials that could have harmed American service members or Iraqi civilians was well worth their efforts.

"When you’re on an operation like a cache sweep, you feel like you’re on a scavenger hunt or searching for buried treasure," said Pfc. Jeff Gruidl, 23, from Payette, Idaho. "It’s usually hot, and you’re getting real sweaty by the end of it, but when you find something, deep down you know, you’ve just saved someone’s life."

As U.S. forces continue to come home from Iraq, thousands are also preparing to deploy. On Wednesday, the Pentagon announced that the 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Calvary Division will leave for the war zone in January after three previous deployments to Iraq in 2004, 2007, and 2008. About 3,800 Fort Hood-based soldiers will focus on counterterrorism, protecting civilians, and working with Iraqis during rebuilding efforts. If you hear anyone say that the Iraq war is over, tell them about the almost 4,000 men and women deploying there just after spending Christmas with their families.

While Iraq is a much safer place than it used to be, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our military, we cannot afford to ignore the continuing sacrifices being made there. It takes guts to go out into a village and search for bombs and weapons, knowing that IED's or pockets of resistance could still pose threats. While Afghanistan was once labeled "the forgotten war" by the national press and some politicians, Iraq has now been largely cast aside. To me, that insults our troops, including many on their second or third deployments, as well as the military families spending painful time apart.

'Support our troops' is not just a slogan, nor is patriotism a matter of convenience. The American public and its valiant volunteer warriors deserve better from the national press.

Darkness and light

Image courtesy: Sgt. Derec Pierson

Receiving an e-mail notification from the Department of Defense about a casualty in Afghanistan or Iraq is something I always dread. Of course, the sadness I experience is nothing compared to the grief Gold Star families endure when military messengers knock on their doors to inform them that their son, daughter, husband, or wife is not coming home alive. Over the past week, we have learned that at least eleven families recently received that painful news.

Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Joshua Cullins, 28, Simi Valley, California
Spc. Steven Dupont, 20, Lafayette, Louisiana
Lance Cpl. Francisco Jackson, 24, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Spc. Gerald Jenkins, 19, Circleville, Ohio
Staff Sgt. Kenneth McAninch, 28, Logansport, Indiana
Spc. Thomas Moffitt, 21, Wichita, Kansas
Staff Sgt. Aracely Gonzalez O'Malley, 31, Brawley, California
Spc. Ronnie Pallares, 19, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Sgt. 1st Class Charles Sadell, 34, Columbia, Missouri

Kuwait

Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Tanner, 43, Sheridan, Wyoming

Iraq

Pfc. David Jones Jr., 21, Saint Johnsville, New York

The Marines and Soldiers listed above all have unique backgrounds and compelling personal stories. That's why I think it's important to highlight this article by Spc. Jennifer Spradlin, which details the painstaking measures the military takes inside war zones to honor the fallen. Spc. Spradlin spoke to members of the Army's 111th Quartermaster Company, which is currently overseeing the mortuary affairs operation at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. These soldiers are assigned some of the most trying emotional tasks in the military.

"What brings it home is going through the personal effects and seeing pictures of babies and young wives; that’s what tough," Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Davis said. "That’s the reason why you pay the respect that you do because of the sacrifice that they made, but it’s also the people they leave behind at home. It’s about their sacrifices too. They deserve the respect that we give them."

As the article references, the 111th Quartermaster Company recently received a letter from relatives of a servicemember killed in action, thanking soldiers for treating their fallen hero with dignity. While I can't imagine the strength it took to write that letter, it shows that every effort made to pay tribute to a Gold Star family's departed warrior is meaningful.

The list above represents so much more than names and towns. It is a collection of darkness and light; tragic, but also moving. It is very difficult to grasp that these warriors are gone, but also reassuring to know that good men and women still volunteer to keep us safe. Maybe America would be an even brighter beacon if we all made a conscious effort to live like we deserve to be fought for.

A matter of trust

If you relied solely on the national media for your news about the war in Afghanistan, you would probably be extremely confused. This morning, I picked up a copy of The Washington Post and immediately noticed a provocative front-page headline: "Taliban unscathed by U.S. strikes." While the Post has done a better job keeping the war on the front pages than most newspapers, I was shocked by the story, which directly contradicts a recent New York Times report that said NATO forces are routing the Taliban in the key front of Kandahar.

Greg Miller's October 27 report in The Post relies on anonymous sources inside the Pentagon, CIA, and Defense Intelligence Agency. Carlotta Gall's October 20 story in The Times quotes NATO commanders, a local Afghan police commander, and an anonymous Taliban fighter. To say the stories reach wildly different conclusions is an understatement.

"A series of civilian and military operations around the strategic southern province, made possible after a force of 12,000 American and NATO troops reached full strength here in the late summer, has persuaded Afghan and Western officials that the Taliban will have a hard time returning to areas they had controlled in the province that was their base," Gall wrote in the New York Times.

But Tuesday's Washington Post report indicates that repeatedly losing battles and fleeing critical strongholds like Kandahar is some sort of Taliban strategy.

"Among the troubling findings is that Taliban commanders who are captured or killed are often replaced in a matter of days. Insurgent groups that have ceded territory in Kandahar and elsewhere seem content to melt away temporarily, leaving behind operatives to carry out assassinations or to intimidate villagers while waiting for an opportunity to return," Miller reported.

It is instructive to contrast the national media's troubling track record of reporting during the war on terror with the accomplishments of the general now leading the effort in Afghanistan. Gen. David Petraeus overcame relentless press criticism and a vicious, unforgivable smear campaign led by MoveOn.org to lead U.S. troops to a stunning turnaround in Iraq. Positive developments being touted by our men and women on the ground were often buried on middle or back pages, or ignored altogether by journalists intent on pushing what had been become the accepted journalistic narrative: that Iraq was a hopeless disaster. I saw widespread media mistrust of the military first-hand during my eight years inside various newsrooms.

Gen. Petraeus recently said progress in Afghanistan was happening much faster than expected. He has repeatedly emphasized that our counterinsurgency strategy is working, and goes out of his way to recognize our troops for their extraordinary efforts on the ground. If an American hero like David Petraeus tells us that we are making progress, I have no reason to doubt him, especially since we have the greatest fighting force in the world following his orders.

This blog will continue to spotlight the individual stories of our heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan, instead of the politics surrounding both wars. I believe our military is a force for good in the world, filled with compassionate warriors who believe in each other and fight extremely hard. Even if you are against the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, it is indisputable that a lot is being asked of these men and women every day, and they are giving a lot in return. That's why the U.S. military is one of the most revered facets of American society. We can't exactly say the same about the national media.

An emotional journey

It was a gray, windy fall afternoon in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, where I spent part of my Tuesday after a meeting in Washington. While paying respects to several heroes I have had the honor of writing about on this blog, my emotions were all over the place. As someone who hasn't served in the military, walking among the spirits of my protectors made me question whether I've given all I can to my country. I also felt a strange mixture of grief, pride, resolve, and even panic. Are the greatest men and women of my generation getting the credit they deserve outside this cemetery's walls?

Please join me in looking back at the stories of five post-9/11 heroes resting peacefully at Arlington National Cemetery. Visiting their graves was a solemn, poignant experience that I will always cherish.

1st Lt. Scott Fleming, 24, made the ultimate sacrifice on September 17 while protecting Afghanistan's parliamentary election. He was a young man who took 9/11 personally as he watched the attacks on television from his high school classroom. The future Marine, who was known and respected for the grit he displayed on the basketball court, vowed to step up and fight so future generations wouldn't have to. And that's exactly what he did.

On October 11, I sat in his high school auditorium, learning about 1st Lt. Fleming from some of the people he touched in life. Just over two weeks later, I bowed my head at the volunteer warrior's grave. While his place of rest is currently marked with a temporary sign, the place this fallen Marine has in my heart is permanent. He was from my community in Georgia, and risked his life so others could vote. When I cast my ballot in next week's mid-term elections, what 1st Lt. Scott Fleming died for will be in the forefront of my mind.

Sgt. Joe Wrightsman, 23, jumped into the Helmand River on July 18 and attempted to save a drowning Afghan officer. Tragically, the Marine and his Afghan counterpart did not survive. A valiant warrior with a ferocious spirit and genuine commitment to those serving beside him, Sgt. Wrightsman "will stay forever in the history of Afghanistan," according to the governor of Nawa District. As I wrote in a follow up post, this story of selflessness is one that Americans and Afghans desperately need to hear.

Capt. David Wisniewski, 31, suffered devastating injuries in a June 9 southern Afghanistan helicopter crash that killed four fellow airmen, Tech Sgt. Michael Flores, 1st Lt. Joel Gentz, Staff Sgt. David Smith, and Senior Airman Benjamin White. He fought hard for three weeks, making it through a Purple Heart ceremony and his 31st birthday, before succumbing to his wounds on July 2 at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Capt. Wisniewski flew over 280 combat hours, including missions that saved the lives of fellow troops.

1st Lt. Travis Manion, 26, and Lt. Brendan Looney, 29, once roomed together at the United States Naval Academy. The former was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry displayed in Iraq, while the latter was an elite Navy SEAL warrior who lost his life in Afghanistan. They were also best friends. After emotionally shattering ceremonies on October 1 and October 4, respectively, the former Annapolis roommates are now spending eternity next to one another. The bond between 1st Lt. Manion and Lt. Looney is one of the most gripping, tragic stories of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

1st Lt. Manion, Lt. Looney, 1st. Lt. Fleming, and Capt. Wisniewski all rest in the same row of Section 60, with Sgt. Wrightsman not far away. They are five heroes buried among so many men and women that did not return alive to a country that desperately needs their honor, dignity, and patriotism. We can never replace these fallen warriors, but one way we can show our appreciation to their families is by helping keep their stories in the national consciousness. While I believe walking through Arlington National Cemetery is something every American should do at least once in a lifetime, we should already know that our brothers and sisters are dying overseas so we can live at home in peace.

Front page news

The war in Afghanistan was big news when Johnny Micheal Spann was killed in action on November 25, 2001. The Marine captain-turned-CIA paramilitary operations officer tragically became the first American combat casualty in Afghanistan when he was shot to death during a violent uprising at the Qala-i-Jangi prison. After the 32-year-old Winfield, Alabama, native's death was announced, the nation rightfully paused to honor his exceptional service, while also expressing outrage at the terrorists responsible.

Almost nine years later, national media coverage of the post-9/11 war effort is inconsistent and largely impersonal. Yet on Monday, we saw another powerful example of the exceptional dedication of America's volunteer warriors. Today, 158 U.S. soldiers re-enlisted in the middle of a war zone not to gain notoriety, but to make another commitment to their fellow troops and shared mission. As these courageous men and women swore another oath to defend the United States of America, the venue couldn't have been more appropriate. The ceremony took place at Camp Mike Spann.

Gen. David Petraeus was in northern Afghanistan to be with his soldiers on their special day. While thanking the 87th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Engineer Battalion and 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, the general emphasized how crucial their mission is to securing a troubled region and protecting the homeland.

"You remember that we are here because we cannot allow this country to become a sanctuary for transnational extremists once again, as it was when the 9-11 attacks were planned here," Petraeus said.

Nobody made these 158 soldiers re-enlist, yet they were willing to continue shouldering enormous responsibilities, risks, and personal sacrifices. As they raised their right hands, reaching ever so slightly closer to the souls of fallen heroes before them, we saw the same resolve as we did in the war on terrorism's opening moments. From Johnny Micheal Spann to Spc. Ronnie Pallares, the latest fallen hero to be identified from the war front, our men and women in uniform continue to display breathtaking passion and unequaled patriotism. And it belongs on the front page.

Image courtesy: Pfc. Cynthia Teears Van Cleve

Worthy of applause

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Ian Terry

Kandahar province is the second largest in Afghanistan, and the epicenter of a ferocious campaign by the U.S. and its allies to defeat the Taliban. Judging by recent news from the ground, Operation Dragon Strike is dealing a severe blow to the enemy that harbored Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda terrorists before and after the 9/11 attacks.

On Thursday, the governor of Kandahar, Tooryali Weesa, took an hour-long drive on a main highway from the city to a western village called Howz-e-Mdad. The British general in charge of coalition forces in the south noted that the meaning of the governor's safe journey goes far beyond symbolism.

"This has not been possible since 2004 - and would have led to catastrophe even three weeks ago," said Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, Regional Command-South commander. "The Afghans were ecstatic."

The progress could not come at a more critical time. As correspondent David Francis recently wrote in The Christian Science Monitor, "If the Kandahar offensive is successful, coalition forces will control the last and largest Taliban stronghold. If unsuccessful, the failure to win Kandahar could set back the faltering war effort." By all accounts, thousands of brave Americans and allied troops are fighting hard to seize this opportunity.

On Sunday, a senior Taliban leader was captured by coalition troops. According to an ISAF Joint Command article, he was telling other terrorists where to place improvised explosive devices that kill and maim our troops and innocent civilians. According to NATO, he was captured in Panjwa'i district without a single shot being fired.

In Shah Wali Kot district, two insurgents were captured and several killed after coalition troops and Afghan forces raided a weapons cache after receiving tips from local villagers. NATO said that numerous weapons were seized, including rocket-propelled grenades.

Of course, these successful operations are not possible without the extraordinary efforts of our men and women in uniform, who stare into the face of danger and risk their lives on a daily basis. On Wednesday, Spc. Gerald Jenkins was tragically killed in the Zhari district of Kandahar province when an improvised explosive device blew up near his unit's foot patrol. The 19-year-old 101st Airborne Division paratrooper leaves behind a grieving mother and father in Circleville, Ohio.

I wrote the majority of this post from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. At about 12:35 p.m., I heard some clapping, and looked up to see about 40 U.S. troops being led through the terminal by a flag-waving USO volunteer. For about two minutes, applause echoed throughout the atrium, as everyone from elderly folks to children stopped eating their lunches and talking on their cell phones to stand and salute the heroes in our midst. I don't know where those volunteer warriors are headed at this hour, but whether they end up in Kandahar, Baghdad, or here on the homefront, the applause should never stop.

Image courtesy: Spc. Jesse LaMorte

'I will do this'

Image courtesy: Cpl. Ned Johnson

When Marines in 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (Forward) gathered in Afghanistan to discuss the legacy of Sgt. Jose Saenz III on October 1, there was a recurring theme in their tributes.

"It’s important that we remember Saenz because he was all about sacrifice," Capt. Richard Robinson, commanding officer of Bravo Battery, said. "He was the kind of Marine who always said ‘I will do this’ when no one else would."

After reading an article by Cpl. Ned Johnson about this fallen warrior, I wanted to explore the roots of Sgt. Saenz's admirable traits. According to a column in The San Antonio Express-News, the 30-year-old Texan was "fearless" and believed the Marines, which he joined in 2002, was his true calling in life. Before deploying to Afghanistan, the motor transport maintenance chief also served in Iraq and Okinawa, and thoroughly enjoyed his work overseas. Yet as his twin sister explained to reporter Vianna Davila, the Marine's voice was different during one of his final phone calls home in August.

"He was more stern than joking," [Bettina] said, remembering his tense call from last week, a rare indication the he was under stress. "He wasn't joking around."

By all accounts, Saenz cared deeply for his family, especially his wife, Christy, and his little boy, Jose IV. While I would never presume to know what is going through a warrior's mind while in the middle of a war zone, he may have been worried about not seeing his loved ones again as violence around him increased.

On August 12, the Pentagon confirmed that Sgt. Saenz was killed three days earlier while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province. Family members solemnly greeted his flag-draped casket at Delaware's Dover Air Force Base before the Marine was laid to rest in Pleasanton, Texas, on August 16. "Joey," as family, friends, and fellow Marines called him, had sacrificed his future so his five-year-old son could grow up in a safer world.

While Sgt. Saenz's death didn't receive much media coverage outside of south Texas, the fallen Marine's brothers in arms ensured that his memory will not fade into the Afghan night. The reason they gathered on October 1 was to name a firebase after their friend and fellow warrior. According to the military, Firebase Saenz is located in northern Helmand province, sporting three M777 Lightweight Howitzer cannons.

"When I found out about the name, it was the best news I have received this deployment," said Sgt. Alex Gibson, a 25-year-old native of Ocala, Fla. "His passing hurt a lot, but it felt good to hear we are honoring him."

The pain will never fade for the Saenz family, including his young niece, who still sends text messages to her uncle's phone pleading for his return. Yet as a sign is erected half a world away, bearing the name of Sgt. Jose Saenz III, it is clear that he died so others could live. "I will do this," he said, so his son wouldn't have to.

Image courtesy: U.S. Marines

Emotions

Images courtesy: Facebook

I learned so much about the war in Afghanistan by recently reading dozens of messages on a Facebook page set up by the family of Pfc. Ryane Clark, originally established so the soldier could keep in touch with his loved ones back home. The Army combat engineer arrived in Afghanistan in December 2009, took some R & R in March, and returned to the war zone later that same month. Comparing the New London, Minnesota, soldier's pre-vacation posts to the ones after he returned, the latter seem to strike a more ominous tone.

"It is starting to heat up over here, things are becoming more and dangerous every time we go out," Pfc. Clark wrote on May 7. "But the good thing is when the enemy sees our over powered convoy they tuck tail and run."

The soldier's thoughts, posted from half a world away, offer unabashed glimpses at the emotions of modern warfare: adrenaline, pain, boredom, and sometimes even humor.

"Just finished my camping trip through one of the most dangerous places in Afghanland, and pissing off a lot of insurgents along the way," he wrote on June 28. "They really need to lighten up."

According to an article by Minnesota Public Radio's Ambar Espinoza, Clark grew up wanting to serve in the military, and was fully committed to his mission in Afghanistan. But naturally, like any normal human being spending months apart from his loved ones in a dangerous place, he missed the comforts of home.

"You know you have been deployed for a long time when your flipflops, running shoes, and combat boots are held together by superglue," the soldier posted on September 5, prompting a quick response from his concerned mom:

"When you get the new address and let us know we can send you what ever you need!"

Clark had moved to a different part of Afghanistan by late September, which he did not identify on Facebook in order to protect his unit. But he seemed happier not having to trudge through brutal terrain wearing worn out footwear.

"All settled in my new home in Afghanland and running a bunch of new missions in a new and sandy place," he wrote on September 21. "The change of scenery is nice."

Clark seemed to be in a good mood on October 3, when he joked about "grenades, more fun to throw than to catch." Yet just a few hours later, the 22-year-old soldier's quip became both ironic and tragic.

According to the Pentagon, Pfc. Clark was killed on October 4 in Shekhabad, Afghanistan, when his unit was attacked with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. He was assigned to the 27th Combat Engineer Battalion (Airborne), 20th Combat Engineer Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Suddenly, the "keep in touch" Facebook page became a solemn outlet for friends and family to post their condolences and memories.

"Ryane, You will always be a great soldier, a wonderful man and a true friend," Jessica Pattison Olson wrote on October 5. "I will miss you greatly!"

"My Fallen Hero, My son," his grieving mother posted on October 13. "He will be arriving in Willmar at the Airport at 12:30pm on Thursday Oct. 14th. He will be brought to New London, where he will be finally HOME!!!!"

The Minnesota community honored its hero with a public procession and an October 17 funeral service at New London-Spicer High School. Not long before those solemn events began, the soldier's sister, Aleah Clark Auge, told MPR that knowing her brother died doing something he truly believed in gives her comfort.

"It's where he wanted to be. It's what he wanted to do and you always want to go doing something you want to be doing," she said. "He knew the consequences as everybody does when you go off to war. And the fact that he did something for his country is amazing."

In addition to his relatives, friends, and fellow troops, one of the people missing Pfc. Ryane Clark the most is his sister's little boy, who is just five years old. The soldier had taken a special interest in his nephew, often talking to him over the telephone and Skype. When young Conner is old enough to fully grasp the scope of this tragedy, the Facebook messages that taught me so much about what our troops really go through in Afghanistan will serve as a testament to his uncle's sacrifice. We owe this soldier our gratitude for not only putting his life on the line to serve, but for giving us a first-hand glimpse at the emotions of war.

Fathers, daughters, mothers, and sons

Images courtesy: Capt. Efrem Gibson

When we think about the parents of troops deployed overseas, we often picture moms and dads on the homefront, writing letters or e-mails and occasionally talking over the phone to their sons and daughters. Yet as you may have read before on this blog, that is not always the case. Sometimes, parents and children both serve.

A moving article by Staff Sgt. Edward Daileg tells the special story of the Jacksons. Pfc. Brooke Jackson hadn't seen her father, Master Sgt. Lawrence Jackson, since January, despite them both being in Iraq at the same time. Yet on October 1, a mission took her to Camp Victory in Baghdad, where her dad is stationed. After their emotional reunion, Pfc. Jackson talked about her decision to join the military, which came as a shock to her father, who didn't push her toward following his path.

"I would always watch videos of my dad jumping out of planes and fast-roping down towers," said Brooke. "How cool is that? When you see your dad doing all these things like a super hero."

The daughter is a combat medic, while the dad is a communication and information systems noncommissioned officer. The article says Master Sgt. Lawrence Jackson will return home in a few months, while Pfc. Brooke Jackson will be in Iraq until summer.

Capt. Kenieth Mayweather gets to see his mom, Sgt. Maj. Rue Mayweather, a bit more often. They are spending some time together on Camp Adder in Tallil, Iraq, where they recently got to share a very special moment. On October 7, a mother got to watch her son get promoted to captain. Capt. Efrem Gibson writes that Master Sgt. Mayweather had never missed one of her son's promotion ceremonies, and wasn't about to skip this one just because it was in Iraq.

"Kenieth always expressed a desire to excel," she said. "I am happy for him today like I was when he first enlisted in the Army, and also commissioned as an officer."

Master Sgt. Mayweather, who will retire next year, took her son out to dinner on base to celebrate his accomplishment. She said his career as an Apache attack helicopter pilot, battle captain, and eventually a platoon leader gives her both pride and comfort as her time in the military winds down.

Not all the news is positive in Iraq, where Pfc. Dylan Reid, 24, died in a non-combat incident on October 16 in Amarah. Yet the unbreakable bonds between these troops, through family and the uniforms they proudly wear, reveals a deep commitment to the country that asked them to fight. Most mothers and fathers don't envision hugging their sons or daughters in a war zone one day. But for these patriots, service is a beautiful thing.

Living an oath

Image courtesy: Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms

Shortly after graduating high school in Yucca Valley, California, and completing Navy boot camp on Lake Michigan, Petty Officer 3rd Class James Michael Swink took The Corpsman's Oath.

"I dedicate my heart, mind, and strength to the work before me," the oath reads in part. "I shall do all within my power to show in myself an example of all that is honorable and good throughout my Navy career."

According to Brandi Mullins, who wrote a tribute to her brother-in-law in the Hi-Desert Star, 'Mike,' as he was known to friends and relatives, spent about three years in the military, including six weeks in Afghanistan, living that oath.

"He was there to protect and defend the country he so deeply loved," Mullins wrote. "He loved the Navy as if it was the very blood that ran through his veins. It gave him life."

Petty Officer 3rd Class Swink also loved the Marines. As an FMF Corpsman attached to the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Forces, caring for injured or sick Marines was his job. As an article by Lance Cpl. William Jackson explains, he embraced his responsibilities, especially while deployed to Afghanistan.

"He was full of life, he could get you to do anything," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Critelli, a shipmate and friend of Swink.

On August 27, Petty Officer 3rd Class Swink was killed while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to the Pentagon. As Sailors, Marines, friends, and family members mourned, his sister-in-law gave us a glimpse at how the fallen warrior would prefer to be remembered.

"James would not want us to shed a tear, he’d want us to be proud of the man he was, and that was and is a hero," Mullins wrote. "He’d want his fellow men to continue the mission at hand and not let his death be in vain."

While the mission to kill and capture terrorists, defeat the Taliban, and protect Afghans certainly continues, Yucca Valley High School paused on September 24 to honor a graduate who fully dedicated himself to an important cause. Brandi Mullins is pictured above with her husband, Brian, who delivered remarks at the solemn ceremony. He spoke of his brother's volunteer work with Project Ride, and his true belief in American virtues.

"August 27, 2010, is the day my brother, James Michael Swink, laid down his life for the country he loved," Mullins said.

September 8, 2010, is the day Swink's family and country laid an American hero to rest. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on what would have been his 21st birthday. The volunteer warrior's life may have been short, but few accomplish more in two decades. Even before he took The Corpsman's Oath, Petty Officer 3rd Class James Michael Swink was caring for the people beside him.

Image courtesy: U.S. Navy

Weekend at war

Image courtesy: Cpl. Logan Riddle

Amid another fall weekend in the United States, the latest news from the war on terrorism is grim. NATO confirmed 17 allied casualties in Afghanistan between October 13 and October 15, including three on Friday. While the nationalities of all these fallen heroes have not been announced, the Pentagon confirms that 14 U.S. Soldiers and Marines were killed on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Nine of these tragic deaths occurred in Helmand province, where combat is fierce and the danger of improvised explosive attacks by terrorists is high.

Lance Cpl. James Boelk, 24, Oceanside, California
Sgt. Carlos Benitez, 24, Carrollton, Texas
Spc. Rafael Martinez Jr., 36, Spring Valley, California
Pfc. Tramaine Billingsley, 20, Portsmouth, Virginia
Sgt. Eric Newman, 30, Waynesboro, Mississippi
Lance Cpl. Alec Catherwood, 19, Byron, Illinois
Lance Cpl. Joseph Lopez, 26, Rosamond, California
Lance Cpl. Irvin Ceniceros, 21, Clarksville, Arkansas
Pfc. Jordan Byrd, 19, Grantsville, Utah
Cpl. Justin Cain, 22, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Lance Cpl. Phillip Vinnedge, 19, Saint Charles, Missouri
Lance Cpl. Joseph Rodewald, 21, Albany, Oregon
Pfc. Victor Dew, 20, Granite Bay, California
Lance Cpl. Raymon Johnson, 22, Midland, Georgia

I recently received a kind message from a fan of The Unknown Soldiers on Facebook, who told me that his son recently lost two brothers in arms in Iraq and Afghanistan. Grasping how deeply these losses affect our troops, especially those who are still deployed, gives us a more accurate understanding of the emotional burdens our men and women in uniform carry with them. In the above photo taken by Cpl. Logan Riddle in Marjah, Afghanistan, Marines in the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment are saluting Lance. Cpl Scott Lynch and Sgt. Anthony Matteoni. Both lost their lives in Helmand province earlier this month while supporting combat operations.

"Sgt. Matteoni and Lance Cpl. Lynch were patriots that paid the ultimate sacrifice to give back to a nation that had given so much to them," said [Lt. Col. Kyle] Ellison. "So that is why they did what they did and why you do what you do.”

As Sgt. Jesse Stence noted in his article about the October 13 ceremony, Lt. Col. Ellison, the commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, added this important order to his Marines.

"Mourn these men now in private," said Ellison. "But when you leave the wire, remember them through your honorable actions on the battlefield."

As combat continues on Saturday and Sunday in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is clear that our troops and their families need our utmost support during these trying times. War, and the grief inevitably associated with it, never pauses. Neither should our curiosity or awareness about what our volunteer warriors are going through each and every day.

The Unknown Soldiers will continue updating this post over the weekend as more casualty information is released.

Note: This post was edited at 9:05 p.m. EDT on Saturday, October 16 to include new data provided by the Pentagon.

'Very historic stuff'

Image courtesy: Cpl. Skyler Tooker

It goes without saying that there's a lot happening in Afghanistan, even though it's often missing from the national news. On Monday, Shirin Agha, a terrorist leader with the Taliban, was taken out in a Kunduz province airstrike. According to ISAF Joint Command, Agha was behind several attacks against coalition and Afghan troops in northern Afghanistan.

In the southeast, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment captured an insurgent who was terrorizing parts of Paktya province by planting improvised explosive devices in villages.

"Getting this guy off the street will certainly make Zormat District a safer place, not just for us, but also for the civilians who travel the same roads we do. IEDs are not just a danger for coalition forces, they also hurt innocent civilians," said Capt. Dan Newman, C Co. commander, from Merrimack, New Hampshire.

In the volatile south, the 1st Marine Division (Forward) gathered at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province to salute 96 departed warriors killed in action. Thirteen dog tags, including those of allies who lost their lives, were added to a monument that now displays 96 sacred mementos of fallen heroes dedicated to security and peace.

Over the past 48 hours, the Pentagon has released the names of five U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan. These latest tragedies further demonstrate that America's post-9/11 struggle against terrorism is affecting communities large and small, from major cities like Chicago all the way to small towns like Ruskin, Florida.

Lance Cpl. John Sparks, 23, Chicago, Illinois
Sgt. Frank Zaehringer III, 23, Reno, Nevada
Staff Sgt. Dave Weigle, 29, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spc. David Hess, 25, Ruskin, Florida
Spc. Matthew Powell, 20, Slidell, Louisiana

The sacrifices of the war in Afghanistan are certainly not lost on Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of our forces in the war theater. This week, the general sat down with a military journalist, Petty Officer 1st Class Liz Murray, to discuss progress in Afghanistan. In part one of the discussion, embedded below, Gen. Petraeus passionately points out the importance of spotlighting the extraordinary men and women carrying out difficult, complex, and dangerous missions.

"One of the efforts that I think we need to do better, frankly, is to recognize some of our real heroes out there," Petraeus said. "There's such a pace of operations, there's such a high tempo, that the last thing that our great Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines out there want to do when they come back from a mission is write each other up for awards. But we need to do that better, we need to capture the history of our operations better. This is really very historic stuff..."

As Americans, we must bear witness to the sacrifices of this post-9/11 generation of heroes, no matter how painful. Without our undivided attention, the selfless contributions of volunteer warriors like Lance Cpl. Sparks, Sgt. Zaehringer, Staff Sgt. Weigle, Spc. Hess, and Spc. Powell could someday vanish. It is our patriotic duty to ensure that never happens.

A walk to remember

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Desiree Palacios

Staff Sgt. Tim Davis had already deployed to Afghanistan once as a joint terminal attack controller when he learned that his services were again needed overseas. The 23rd Special Tactics Squadron from Hurlburt Field, Florida, would be heading back to Afghanistan, which would mean more time away from his family.

"Tim was one of the first squadron members to volunteer for this recent deployment, despite just getting back from one less than a year ago," Maj. Travis Woodworth, acting commander of the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, said. "He was the epitome of the quiet professional that we in the Special Operations community strive to be."

Fellow airmen were devastated when Staff Sgt. Davis, 28, was killed by a terrorist-planted improvised explosive device in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan, on February, 20, 2009. As the Air Force honored the Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, his wife, Meagan, spoke of being in shock as she absorbed the tragic news and cared for the couple's one-year-old son, Timmy Jr. As Maj. Woodworth promised, however, her husband's sacrifice would not be forgotten, nor would she grieve alone.

On October 9, an 860-mile walk began at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. 15 special tactics airmen are pounding pavement across five states, all in an effort to salute 14 fallen special tactics airmen from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The second annual journey, which passed through the Houston area on Tuesday and will conclude at Florida's Hurlburt Field on October 22, has been named the Tim Davis Special Tactics Memorial March.

Sadly, the 15 airmen making this special trip aren't just carrying heavy backpacks. They are trying to keep going despite heavy hearts, after two more special tactics airmen were killed in Afghanistan over the past month. As an article by David Roberts notes, Senior Airman Mark Forester was killed on September 29, and Senior Airman Daniel Sanchez died on September 16. They were killed in the same Afghan province as Staff Sgt. Davis.

"These past three weeks have been a hard three weeks for us," Master Sgt. Kenneth Huhman, march coordinator and the chief of the combat control selection course at Lackland Air Force Base, said. "We've actually lost two gentlemen overseas -- combat controllers in Afghanistan -- in a week and a half to two-week period. So, it's been a little bit of a challenge, but this year's walk is going to be for them. It's still the Tim Davis Special Tactics Memorial March, but we're carrying their batons, all the fallen from last year, to include the two we've currently lost this year."

Maj. Huhman notes that this year's walk is meant to be a bit slower than last year's, "Forrest Gump style," in fact, so the meaning of the mission can be emphasized. It is intended to remember the fallen, while also raising much-needed awareness about the Air Force's contributions on the battlefields of the war on terror. The Unknown Soldiers has been reporting on those incredible sacrifices, as we saw in the aftermath of the tragic June 9 HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crash in Afghanistan's Helmand province, which killed five airmen and seriously injured two others.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has set up a website where you can follow the walk's day-by-day progress and donate to support the children of fallen Special Operations personnel. Thinking of little Timmy Davis Jr., who didn't get to spend much time with his father before the volunteer warrior was killed in action, shows the worthiness of this important cause.

In the poignant scene where Forrest Gump talks to Jenny on her deathbed, he says he "couldn't tell where heaven stopped and the earth began" during his run across our beautiful country. Jenny says "I wish I could have been there with you."

"You were," Forrest replies.

As 15 airmen walk from the dusty plains of Texas to the palm trees of Florida, their 14 fallen brothers, including Staff Sgt. Tim Davis, pictured below, are with them.

Image courtesy: U.S. Air Force

The bell still rings

File image courtesy: Seaman Christopher Okula

This morning in Virginia, the clanging of a ship's bell could be heard on a solemn, subdued Naval Station Norfolk. It rang 17 times, each with significance, representing the American lives lost ten years ago today in the terrorist attack on the USS Cole.

Hull Maintenance Technician Second Class Kenneth Clodfelter, 21
Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, 35
Mess Management Specialist Seaman Lakeina Francis, 19
Information Systems Technician Timothy Gauna, 21
Signalman Seaman Cherone Gunn, 22
Seaman James McDaniels, 19
Engineman Second Class Marc Nieto, 24
Electronics Warfare Technician Second Class Ronald Owens, 24
Seaman Lakiba Palmer, 22
Engineman Fireman Joshua Parlett, 19
Fireman Patrick Roy, 19
Electronics Warfare Technician First Class Kevin Rux, 30
Mess Management Specialist Third Class Ronchester Santiago, 22
Operations Specialist Second Class Timothy Saunders, 32
Fireman Gary Swenchonis Jr., 26
Ensign Andrew Triplett, 31
Seaman Craig Wibberley, 19

WAVY-TV has some excellent coverage of the Navy ceremony in Norfolk, which included a speech by Adm. J.C. Harvey Jr., the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

For the loved ones of these fallen sailors, every single day of the past decade has been different than it should have been. Family barbeques are always missing one person. Birthday parties and holiday visits have been replaced by annual treks to Norfolk and Arlington, Virginia, to mourn. Despite vows of a ferocious worldwide pursuit of the terrorists responsible for the cowardly al Qaeda attack on our Navy, the Clinton administration ultimately declined to respond with military force. Even as Osama bin Laden taunted America about the attack using various propaganda outlets, the Bush administration also failed to take military action when it took power just over three months after the Cole bombing. Many loved ones of the 17 victims remain understandably perplexed by tepid politicians who failed to back up their genuine patriotism with decisive action.

"I just felt, for sure, you know, they’re not going to go ahead and just kiss off the lives of 17 U.S. sailors," John Clodfelter, who lost his son, Kenneth, in the attack, told NBC News. "In fact, they didn’t do anything … to go after those that attacked the Cole."

While those in the Armed Forces largely understood the threat posed by bin Laden and his bloodthirsty followers, it took the attacks of September 11, 2001, for America to commit to a worldwide war aimed at dismantling al Qaeda. And despite massive human and structural damage suffered ten years ago in Yemen's Gulf of Aden, the USS Cole has become both an important weapon and enduring symbol of our military's unbreakable commitment to fighting terrorism. On November 29, 2003, the repaired destroyer, complete with 17 gold stars and a beautiful plaque in tribute to its fallen heroes, redeployed in defense of the United States. It has returned to the Gulf of Aden several times since, and on each occasion, those aboard honor the 17 fellow sailors killed and 39 wounded.

I was visiting a friend in Clemson, South Carolina, the day the USS Cole was attacked. I remember first hearing the news and saying "that's huge." I was certainly no college-aged foreign policy expert, but it didn't take Nostradamus to foresee the long war terrorists would wage against us. Yet ten years after an attack that failed to wake up our country, there are warning signs of drifting back to sleep. The national media fails to consistently cover the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and heaps praise on self-absorbed celebrities while often ignoring America's true heroes. Some pundits have also dismissed attacks on Fort Hood, Times Square, and Northwest Airlines Flight 253 as isolated incidents, despite apparent links to al Qaeda in Yemen.

This morning in Norfolk, a bell sounded 17 times. It painfully reminded us of the senseless slaughter of brave Americans ambushed by brainwashed fundamentalists in Yemen. And as usually prompted by the bell of an alarm clock, we should jump out of bed and widen our eyes. Yet despite the tragic nature of this anniversary, it also gives us enormous pride in our military. Every morning on the USS Cole, the American flag is raised with conviction. As al Qaeda would later attempt in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, terrorists tried to deliver a crushing blow to the United States with a sneak attack. They failed. The mighty ship still sails, and America still remains the world's brightest beacon of freedom.

Image courtesy: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julie Matyascik

'There has to be somebody'

Homecoming weekend is a large annual celebration at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. 'Welcome back alumni' signs, tents, and ribbons in the school's yellow and green colors lined roads as I drove through the Roswell, Georgia, campus on Saturday, October 9. Yet while approaching the school itself, it became clear that Homecoming 2010 would be different. Patriotic displays lined sidewalks near the entrance, and flags flew at half-staff against a bright, blue sky. On this warm southern fall day, citizens would unite to honor a humble protector.

I wanted to write about 1st Lt. Scott Fleming, who was from my community of Marietta, Georgia, since receiving a September 20 Pentagon release about his tragic death three days earlier. Instead, I set out to learn more about why this 24-year-old man joined the Marines and how he felt about deploying to Afghanistan. A poignant, deeply affecting celebration of the Marine's life inside the Blessed Trinity auditorium provided those answers, starting with why his high school was such an appropriate venue for the Memorial Mass.

"From the fiction of G.I. Joe to reality, we remember the day, time, and moment that we were attacked in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and of course, New York," Rev. Ricardo Xavier-Zawtown Bailey, the high school's chaplain, said to mourners. "It was an enemy that many of us thought never existed. We knew about terrorists, but surely they wouldn't have the gall to attack us."

"This young man was so moved by that single event, that on that day, as a Blessed Trinity student, he resolved to stand up."

As a smart, popular, tall basketball player nicknamed "Scottie Too Hottie" by adoring females, why would Fleming strive to spend part of his early adulthood in Afghanistan, one of the most desperate countries on the planet? As I listened to the grief and pride in the voice of his high school basketball coach, who stood at a podium in front of a gigantic American flag and cross, it started to make more sense.

"It was his self-sacrifice and determination that led to the turnaround of our basketball team," assistant principal Brian Marks said. "He earned the respect of all of his teammates and coaches."

Blessed Trinity had a terrible basketball team when Fleming arrived, but by the end of his senior year, the team had won its first-ever playoff game in an unlikely upset. By fully dedicating himself to a cause he cared deeply about, the young man believed victory was possible, no matter the odds.

"He will be remembered as a leader who took initiative to change things for the better," Marks said.

The overflowing crowd, including respectful mourners in suits and dresses sitting in the huge auditorium's aisles, left no doubt about the impact Fleming had on his community. Half a world away, the raw emotion on display at a September 25 remembrance ceremony at Patrol Base Jaker in Afghanistan showed how much he meant to his fellow Marines.

Image courtesy: Sgt. Mark Fayloga

"As a Marine officer and friend, he made a big impact on our lives," said Sgt. Jorge Diaz, a squad leader with Kilo Company. "He died doing something he cared about."

When an American service member is killed in Afghanistan or Iraq, we often hear that they died protecting freedom. 1st Lt. Fleming was doing exactly that when he was hit by small arms fire and killed. Just over nine years after watching the Twin Towers fall on television from his high school classroom, Fleming was guarding a polling station in Afghanistan's Helmand province as citizens braved threats from insurgents and terrorists to vote. I recently forgot to vote in a local primary election here in Georgia, but after hearing about what Fleming and fellow Marines in the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force did on September 17 to give civilians a chance to cast ballots in a war zone, I will never fail to exercise my right to vote again.

Back at Blessed Trinity, the priest delivered a fiery, passionate sermon, challenging anyone who complains about being an American to think long and hard about the fallen hero's sacrifice. He even led mourners in the singing of 'God Bless America,' which led me to recall the famous scene at the end of 'The Deer Hunter,' when working class characters stunned by the horror of losing their friend in Vietnam spontaneously sing the song in earnest. Yet the most personal, unforgettable moment of the dignified two hour ceremony came when Rev. Xavier-Zawtown Bailey walked to the middle of the auditorium, stood in front of Fleming's grieving family, and spoke to them one by one.

"The love you and Scott shared will sustain you for many, many days," the priest told Fleming's widow, Brandi, whose sunglass-shielded eyes still managed to meet the chaplain's.

"He is proud of you and he wants you to continue being a good young woman," he said to the fallen Marine's younger sister, Andrea, who clearly had a special place in her sibling's heart.

"There is nothing more difficult than to see parents who lost a child," he said to Joseph and Joanne Fleming, who stood proudly to honor their son. "You raised a good one, you raised a brave one, you raised a good Christian."

As Van Morrison played softly over the loudspeakers while mourners quietly exited and wiped their eyes, a refrain the priest repeated was already in my head. "There has to be somebody." When America was attacked, this young man didn't hope that strangers would hunt down the terrorists responsible or protect his loved ones. He decided to spend the next few years educating, training and preparing to do it himself.

1st Lt. Scott Fleming was buried on October 7 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors, in what was undoubtedly a painful ceremony. Yet the brilliant blue sky two days later, above the place where he first decided to serve his country, makes the following passage on the last page of his Memorial Mass program ring true.

There will be no more darkness.
There is no more night, no more night.
There will be no more sadness,
only joy and light, joy and light.

Risk and reward

Image courtesy: Spc. Scott Davis

On October 3, 121 U.S. service members stood in formation at Bagram Air Field for a visit from their commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus. The general took time out of his busy schedule to pin Humanitarian Service Medals on the uniforms of his volunteer warriors, while praising their efforts to help civilians in Pakistan during the summer flood catastrophe.

"We are about to do something we probably need to do more of and that is recognize those have gone above and beyond," Gen. Petraeus said. "Today, we are going to recognize those who have done so in a humanitarian mission. We are honoring those in front of us for their hard work and selfless service to the Pakistani people as they faced one of the greatest natural disasters of recent history."

An airman who served in the Pakistan relief operation spoke to Spc. Scott Davis about the mission.

"I was part of the weather support for aviation assets, meaning we were forecasting the weather so the helicopters could navigate through the terrain safely and get supplies to people and conduct rescue missions," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Broady, a Newnan, Georgia, native with the 19th Expeditionary Weather Squadron. "It feels great knowing we were able to help the Pakistani people and I’m honored to receive my medal."

Two days later at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, soldiers with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-1 Special Troops Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Armored Division gathered in Kirkuk, Iraq. Senior military officers saluted the Fort Bliss-based "Diamondbacks" for their bravery and hard work during the Iraq war, presenting Bronze Star Medals to 25 soldiers.

"Thank you for all you have done during this deployment," Command Sgt. Maj. James Daniels said. "Now that we are getting ready to go home remember to take care of one another and stay safe. You have done a great job."

The Diamondbacks deployed to Iraq in November of 2009 and will be returning home next month. According to an article by Spc. Jessica Luhrs, five troops honored with awards were also recognized as Outstanding Soldiers: Capt. John Lee, 1st Lt. Adam Ramos, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Barron, Sgt. Jonathan Cameron, and Spc. Erick Correa.

Gen. Petraeus was right when he said the military should probably spend more time recognizing service members who go above and beyond. While the men and women serving in combat undoubtedly recognize and appreciate the bravery they see their fellow troops display every day in the field, most Americans at home are oblivious to this heroism because journalists at the national level often fail to inform them. The annual MTV Video Music Awards fiasco gets more media attention than any military awards ceremony, including the Medal Of Honor. While ratings-obsessed executives will never alter that sad trend, we can all use blogs and social media to spread these important stories of sacrifice.

Something to talk about

Image courtesy: Cpl. Derek Carlson

Every single day, important events on the ground in Afghanistan are missed by the national press. From clearing roads of improvised explosive devices and capturing or killing insurgents, to protecting innocent children and making the ultimate sacrifice, American troops are doing their jobs with humility and diligence.

On October 6, coalition troops killed three insurgents and detained three more during an IED-sweep in southern Afghanistan. According to an ISAF Joint Command article, an Afghan civilian said the terrorists demanded food and water from her, threatening to harm her family if she didn't surrender her belongings.

On October 1, men and women fighting on the ground helped get an injured ten-year-old out of the Qadis District of Baghdid province after he was wounded by shrapnel from insurgent-launched mortar fire. A Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force release said that after the boy was hurt, the child's uncle rushed the child to a coalition base to try to save his life. Hopefully, more and more Afghans are realizing who they can turn to during times of crisis. It isn't the Taliban.

As airmen continue flying long, grueling missions through terrible weather and American service members continue training Afghan police cadets, there are many positive developments from Afghanistan to report. Tragically, fallen American heroes continue returning to Delaware's Dover Air Force Base in flag-draped caskets after volunteering to fight in America's post-9/11 conflicts. Over the last three days, the Pentagon released the identities of seven departed warriors, all killed in action in Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Scott Lynch, 22, Greenwood Lake, New York
Spc. Joseph Prentler, 20, Fenwick, Michigan
Sgt. Brian Pedro, 27, Rosamond, California
Pfc. Ryane Clark, 22, New London, Minnesota
Sgt. Karl Campbell, 34, Chiefland, Florida
Pfc. Cody Board, 19, McKinney, Texas
Senior Airman Daniel Johnson, 23, Schiller Park, Illinois

The loved ones of the fallen Airman, Marine, and five Soldiers killed in action have seen their lives altered forever over the last 72 hours. We grieve for them, and also recognize that our lives are also deeply affected by the sacrifices being made every day by valiant men and women willing to risk everything to give us a chance at the American dream. If you ask me, that's worth talking about.

The best of the best

Image courtesy: Capt. Thomas Cieslak

On January 25, 2008, thousands of Americans were out skiing. Half a world away, a close-knit group of Green Berets was trudging through the cold, treacherous terrain of eastern Afghanistan.

"It has been said that courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point," President Obama said Wednesday afternoon at the White House. "For Rob Miller, the testing point came nearly three years ago, deep in a snowy Afghan valley. But the courage he displayed that day reflects every virtue that defined his life."

Leading Afghan soldiers through Konar province was something Staff Sgt. Rob Miller and A Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, had done before. But something was different about the snow that day.

"It was freezing cold and silent, except for the crackle of their radios and the crunch of snow under their boots," the president said. "Like so many times before, Rob was up front."

In just a few seconds, everything exploded. The sounds of gunfire, rocket propelled grenades, and yelling pierced the seemingly calm valley. More than 100 terrorists were attacking the much smaller group of Special Forces and Afghan soldiers, and everyone knew the odds for survival were low. While all the Americans under fire showed courage, Staff Sgt. Miller, 24, showed a stunning level of composure.

"As the only Pashto speaker on his team, he organized the Afghan soldiers around him. But the incoming fire, in the words of one soldier, was simply astounding," the commander-in-chief explained. "Rob made a decision. He called for his team to fall back and then he did something extraordinary. Rob moved in the other direction, toward the enemy, drawing their guns away from his team and bringing the fire of all those insurgents down upon himself."

While admiring his bravery under almost incomprehensible pressure, his fellow soldiers were concerned for his safety.

"And then, over the radio, they heard his voice. He had been hit. But still, he kept calling out enemy positions. Still, he kept firing. Still, he kept throwing his grenades. And then they heard it. Rob’s weapon fell silent."

Judging from the live telecast, similar silence was evident in a White House audience that included Miller's parents, seven siblings, relatives, friends, and dignitaries including Vice President Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Adm. Mike Mullen, and the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, Adm. Eric Olson.

"Two of his teammates braved the bullets and rushed to Rob’s aid. In those final moments, they were there at Rob’s side," President Obama said in a rigid, solemn tone. "American soldiers, there for each other. The relentless fire forced them back, but they refused to leave their fallen comrade."

At this point, the incredible story of battlefield already made clear why Staff Sgt. Robert James Miller is the seventh volunteer warrior who fought in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts to be awarded the Medal Of Honor. Yet the next passage was key.

"Five members of his patrol has been wounded, but his team had survived," the president said. "And one of his teammates surely spoke for all of them when he said of Rob, 'I would not be alive today if not for his ultimate sacrifice.' This is the valor that America honors today.”

Because of Staff Sgt. Miller's heroism, seven Green Berets were able to stand up, on the orders of the commander-in-chief, to receive well-deserved applause from military leaders, politicians, and most importantly, the Miller family. 15 Afghan soldiers were also able to return to their families and friends. After the applause, the president turned to the grieving parents of this fallen hero.

"Phil and Maureen, you raised a remarkable son," President Obama said, looking directly at the grieving Gold Star parents. "Today, and in the years to come, may you find some comfort in knowing Rob gave his life doing what he loved: protecting his friends and defending his country. You gave your oldest son to America, and America is forever in your debt."

President Obama also mentioned one of the Medal of Honor recipient's siblings, Tom Miller, who is now training to be a Green Beret. Like his brother, who you can read more about in a recent Army story, this American patriot will humbly do his duty without significant attention from a national media-driven culture that is clearly more interested in 'Dancing With The Stars.' To my great surprise, President Obama pointed out this glaring void in our national consciousness, in which the men and women protecting our nation take a back seat to the likes of Paris Hilton and the cast of 'Jersey Shore.'

"In the finest military the world has ever known, these warriors are the best of the best. In an era that prizes celebrity and status, they are quiet professionals, never seeking the spotlight."

Today, Staff Sgt. Miller has the spotlight, even though he never wanted it. Yet he deserves every moment of this praise, as does his family and fellow warriors. As the snow begins to fall across America this coming winter, consistent coverage of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq will be mostly missing from national newscasts and front pages, which has been the case for several years. Yet for the families of the Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors protecting our way of life in cold mountains and hot deserts, it will be another worrying winter of discontent. Sometimes, it's easy to forget why we can go out skiing and enjoy time with our loved ones. The story of what Staff Sgt. Robert James Miller did that day in the snow helps us remember.

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Corey Dennis

Beyond baseball

Images courtesy: Facebook

When 21-year-old Pvt. Branden Haunert was killed by an improvised explosive device in Tikrit, Iraq on May 18, 2008, one of his Sycamore High School friends was on the fence about joining the military. As the solemn news reached Cincinnati a few days later, the answer to an important decision facing Spc. Scott Morrison became a little bit clearer. While mourning the loss of a former classmate, he decided to spend the next few years giving something back to his country.

I learned about this connection through a story in The Cincinnati Enquirer. Carrie Whitaker's article also mentions Morrison's love for sports, which earned him a reputation as one of the most fanatical supporters of his high school's athletic programs. A 2008 WKRC-TV article said Haunert played third base for the Sycamore baseball team, meaning that Morrison was often in the stands cheering on a friend he once played alongside in youth leagues. The above photo shows the Haunert family behind those very bleachers, thanking the community for their support, as the community thanked them for raising a hero.

On September 26, a tragic explosion thousands of miles away would forge an even more significant bond between two Cincinnati men. Spc. Morrison, 23, was killed by an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Another brave volunteer warrior in the Fort Hood-based 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Sgt. Mark Simpson, 40, died in the same attack. Morrison will forever be linked to the soldier he rode with that day in Kandahar, as well as the fallen brother in arms he graduated high school with back home. News of Morrison's death was quickly posted in a Facebook group dedicated to Haunert's memory.

"B- Miss you more every day. Just got the news we lost another hero from our area Scott Morrison in which you played ball with," Nicholas Haunert wrote on September 27. "Please with the grace of god help watch over his family through the hard times. Love you, wish you were here."

A Facebook group has also been set up to honor Morrison, the son of a local firefighter and a respected nurse. He is the fifth Sycamore High School graduate to be killed in America's post-9/11 conflicts.

"Thank you Scottie for fighting for my Freedom. Rest in Peace," Jen Shokroon wrote on October 2. "God Bless America and those military personnel and civilians who have perished and for those who continue to fight the battle. Please continue to support our troops and give them the respect that they deserve. Help us God to understand."

It's hard to understand why Pvt. Branden Haunert won't play any more games on baseball diamonds in the northeast Cincinnati suburbs, as Pfc. Scott Morrison cheers him on. But hopefully, their relatives and friends can be comforted while thinking about the two buddies having a catch together on a different ballfield.

In the middle of it all

Image courtesy: Sgt. Mark Fayloga

Over the last five days, the Department of Defense has released the names of nine American service members killed in action in Afghanistan. The fallen warriors hail from eight different states.

Sgt. 1st Class Lance Vogeler, 29, Frederick, Maryland
Sgt. Anthony Matteoni, 22, Union City, Michigan
Staff Sgt. Willie Harley Jr., 48, Aiken, South Carolina
Spc. Luther Rabon Jr., 32, Lexington, South Carolina
Lance Cpl. Ralph Fabbri, 20, Gallitzin, Pennsylvania
Senior Airman Mark Forester, 29, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Lance Cpl. Timothy Jackson, 22, Corbin, Kentucky
Sgt. 1st Class Calvin Harrison, 31, San Antonio, Texas
Sgt. Justin Officer, 26, Wichita, Kansas

As an extraordinary terror alert grips countries in Europe and beyond, we can take some time to appreciate what these men fought for in the country where the 9/11 attacks were planned and the terrorists responsible were harbored. Because of the bravery of volunteers who have stepped up since September 11, 2001, America is not sitting on the sidelines while al Qaeda threatens the world.