Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Rada Morales, 32, of Naranjito, Puerto Rico.
SFC Morales was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 29, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his vehicle rolled into a canal. Also killed were Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons and Sgt. James M. Treber.
USASOC -- Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Rada Morales, 32, died as a result of a nonbattle accident onJune28, near KhosrowE Sofla, in the Arghandab District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in May 2008 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force– Afghanistan.
This was his second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and second deployment to Afghanistan. Rada Morales, a native of Naranjito, Puerto Rico, volunteered for military service and entered the Army inApril1995 as an animal care specialist.
He was initially assigned as a veterinary technician at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., where he served for 14 months.
In 1996 he moved to the 248th Medical Detachment at Fort Bragg, N.C., then, in 1999, he went to Aberdeen Proving Grounds for three years.
He moved back to Fort Bragg, to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, in 2002, first to be an animal care instructor, then as a student; training as a Special Forces medical sergeant. In 2007 he earned the coveted “Green Beret” and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces Operational DetachmentAlpha senior medical sergeant.
Rada Morales’ military education includes; the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Air Assault Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Instructor Training Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, seven Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Rada Morales is survived by his wife, Amanda, stepson, Andrew and daughter, Jessica, of Fayetteville, N.C.; and mother Virginia Morales, of Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Rada Morales was killed in a vehicle accident on 6/29/08.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Army Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons
Remember Our Heroes
Army Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons, 39, of Ashland, Mass.
MSgt. Simmons was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 29, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his vehicle rolled into a canal. Also killed were Sgt. James M. Treber and Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Rada Morales.
Boston Globe -- A soldier from Ashland drowned in a noncombat accident in Afghanistan Saturday along with two others, according to a statement from the US Army Special Forces Command.
Master Sergeant Shawn E. Simmons, 38, who was with the Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team, drowned after the vehicle he was in rolled into a riverbed near Khosrow-E Sofla, in the Arghandab District, Kandahar province.
Sergeant First Class Jeffrey M. Radamorales, 32, of Puerto Rico and Sergeant James M. Treber, 24, of San Diego also died. All three were assigned to Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C., and were conducting a patrol at the time. The accident is under investigation.
Simmons deployed with Operation Enduring Freedom in May as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan.
Simmons entered the army in February 1992 as a power generation equipment repairer. He was then assigned in 1995 to the 307th Forward Maintenance Company at Fort Bragg, and in May 1997 began the Special Forces Qualification Course. Simmons, who earned a Green Beret in 1999, was then assigned to Fort Bragg as a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha engineer sergeant.
He left in 2005 to become an instructor at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg but returned to the Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha in 2007.
Simmons was qualified in several courses including the Military Freefall Jumpmaster Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course. He also received several awards and decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Infantryman Badge, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and two Army Commendation medals.
Simmons lived most recently in Hope Mills, N.C. He leaves his wife, Tricia; a daughter, Erin; a son, Justin; and his mother, Alberta of Tallahassee, Fla.
His family had no comment when reached last night.
Army Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons was killed in a vehicle accident on 6/29/08.
Army Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons, 39, of Ashland, Mass.
MSgt. Simmons was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 29, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his vehicle rolled into a canal. Also killed were Sgt. James M. Treber and Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Rada Morales.
Boston Globe -- A soldier from Ashland drowned in a noncombat accident in Afghanistan Saturday along with two others, according to a statement from the US Army Special Forces Command.
Master Sergeant Shawn E. Simmons, 38, who was with the Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team, drowned after the vehicle he was in rolled into a riverbed near Khosrow-E Sofla, in the Arghandab District, Kandahar province.
Sergeant First Class Jeffrey M. Radamorales, 32, of Puerto Rico and Sergeant James M. Treber, 24, of San Diego also died. All three were assigned to Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C., and were conducting a patrol at the time. The accident is under investigation.
Simmons deployed with Operation Enduring Freedom in May as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan.
Simmons entered the army in February 1992 as a power generation equipment repairer. He was then assigned in 1995 to the 307th Forward Maintenance Company at Fort Bragg, and in May 1997 began the Special Forces Qualification Course. Simmons, who earned a Green Beret in 1999, was then assigned to Fort Bragg as a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha engineer sergeant.
He left in 2005 to become an instructor at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg but returned to the Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha in 2007.
Simmons was qualified in several courses including the Military Freefall Jumpmaster Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course. He also received several awards and decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Infantryman Badge, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and two Army Commendation medals.
Simmons lived most recently in Hope Mills, N.C. He leaves his wife, Tricia; a daughter, Erin; a son, Justin; and his mother, Alberta of Tallahassee, Fla.
His family had no comment when reached last night.
Army Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons was killed in a vehicle accident on 6/29/08.
Army Sgt. James M. Treber
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. James M. Treber, 24, of Imperial Beach, Calif.
Sgt. Treber was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 29, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his vehicle rolled into a canal. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Rada Morales and Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons.
USASOC -- Sgt. James M. Treber, 24, died as a result of a nonbattle accident on June29, near KhosrowE Sofla, in the Arghandab District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in May 2008 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force– Afghanistan.
This was his first deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.
Treber, a native of San Diego, Calif., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in November 2005 as a Special Forces candidate. In 2007 he earned the coveted “Green Beret” and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., in Sept. 2006 as a Special Forces Operational DetachmentAlpha weapons sergeant.
Treber’s military education includes; the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Treber is survived by his wife, Tamila, of Aberdeen, N.C.; father, Gordon Treber, of Astoria, Ore.; mother, Laurie Treber, of Mohave, Ariz.; and brother, Gordon Treber, Jr., of National City, Calif.
Army Sgt. James M. Treber was killed in a vehicle accident on 6/29/08.
Army Sgt. James M. Treber, 24, of Imperial Beach, Calif.
Sgt. Treber was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 29, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his vehicle rolled into a canal. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Rada Morales and Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons.
USASOC -- Sgt. James M. Treber, 24, died as a result of a nonbattle accident on June29, near KhosrowE Sofla, in the Arghandab District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in May 2008 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force– Afghanistan.
This was his first deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.
Treber, a native of San Diego, Calif., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in November 2005 as a Special Forces candidate. In 2007 he earned the coveted “Green Beret” and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., in Sept. 2006 as a Special Forces Operational DetachmentAlpha weapons sergeant.
Treber’s military education includes; the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Treber is survived by his wife, Tamila, of Aberdeen, N.C.; father, Gordon Treber, of Astoria, Ore.; mother, Laurie Treber, of Mohave, Ariz.; and brother, Gordon Treber, Jr., of National City, Calif.
Army Sgt. James M. Treber was killed in a vehicle accident on 6/29/08.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Army Spc. Joseph P. Dwyer
Remember Our Heroes
Medic in famous photo dies after PTSD struggle
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jul 8, 2008 6:35:20 EDT
During the first week of the war in Iraq, a Military Times photographer captured the arresting image of Army Spc. Joseph Patrick Dwyer as he raced through a battle zone clutching a tiny Iraqi boy named Ali.
The photo was hailed as a portrait of the heart behind the U.S. military machine, and Doc Dwyer’s concerned face graced the pages of newspapers across the country.
But rather than going on to enjoy the public affection for his act of heroism, he was consumed by the demons of combat stress he could not exorcise. For the medic who cared for the wounds of his combat buddies as they pushed toward Baghdad, the battle for his own health proved too much to bear.
On June 28, Dwyer, 31, died of an accidental overdose in his home in Pinehurst, N.C., after years of struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. During that time, his marriage fell apart as he spiraled into substance abuse and depression. He found himself constantly struggling with the law, even as friends, Veterans Affairs personnel and the Army tried to help him.
“Of course he was looked on as a hero here,” said Capt. Floyd Thomas of the Pinehurst Police Department. Still, “we’ve been dealing with him for over a year.”
The day he died, Dwyer apparently took pills and inhaled the fumes of an aerosol can in an act known as “huffing.” Thomas said Dwyer then called a taxi company for a ride to the hospital. When the driver arrived, “they had a conversation through the door [of Dwyer’s home],” Thomas said, but Dwyer could not let the driver in. The driver asked Dwyer if he should call the police. Dwyer said yes. When the police arrived, they asked him if they should break down the door. He again said yes.
“It was down in one kick,” Thomas said. “They loaded him up onto a gurney, and that’s when he went code.”
Dwyer served in Iraq with 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment as the unit headed into Baghdad at the beginning of the war. As they pushed forward for 21 days in March 2003, only four of those days lacked gunfire, he later told Newsday. The day before Warren Zinn snapped his photo for Military Times, Dwyer’s Humvee had been hit by a rocket.
About 500 Iraqis were killed during those days, and Dwyer watched as Ali’s family near the village of al Faysaliyah was caught in the crossfire. he grabbed the 4-year-old boy from his father and sprinted with him to safety. Zinn grabbed the moment on his camera. The image went nationwide and Dwyer found himself hailed as a hero.
He did not see it that way.
“Really, I was just one of a group of guys,” he later told Military Times. “I wasn’t standing out more than anyone else.”
According to Dwyer, he was just one of many who wanted to help after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He’d grown up in New York, and when the towers came crashing down, he went to see a recruiter.
“I knew I had to do something,” he said. Just before he left for Iraq, he got married.
But when he returned from war after three months in Iraq, he developed the classic, treatable symptoms of PTSD. like so many other combat vets, he didn’t seek help. In restaurants, he sat with his back to the wall. He avoided crowds. He stayed away from friends. He abused inhalants, he told Newsday. In 2005, he and his family talked with Newsday to try to help other service members who might need help. He talked with the paper from a psychiatric ward at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was committed after his first run-in with the police.
In October 2005, he thought there were Iraqis outside his window in El Paso, Texas. When he heard a noise, he started shooting. Three hours later, police enticed him to come out and no one was injured.
Dwyer promised to go to counseling, and promised to tell the truth. He seemed excited about his wife’s pregnancy.
But the day he died, he and his wife had not been together for at least a year, Thomas said.
And almost exactly a year ago — June 26, 2007 — Dwyer had again been committed to a psychiatric ward. Thomas said police received a 911 call that Dwyer was “having mental problems relating to PTSD.” “We responded and took him in,” Thomas said. “He’s been in and out.”
Military Times could not reach Dwyer’s family, but his wife, Matina Dwyer, told the Pinehurst Pilot, “He was a very good and caring person. He was just never the same when he came back, because of all the things he saw. He tried to seek treatment, but it didn’t work.”
She told the paper she hoped his death would bring more awareness about PTSD.
In 2003, Dwyer was still hopeful about the future, and about his place in the war.
“I know that people are going to be better for it,” he told Military Times. “The whole world will be. I hope being here is positive, because we’re a caring group of people out here.”
Larger Images
Medic in famous photo dies after PTSD struggle
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jul 8, 2008 6:35:20 EDT
During the first week of the war in Iraq, a Military Times photographer captured the arresting image of Army Spc. Joseph Patrick Dwyer as he raced through a battle zone clutching a tiny Iraqi boy named Ali.
The photo was hailed as a portrait of the heart behind the U.S. military machine, and Doc Dwyer’s concerned face graced the pages of newspapers across the country.
But rather than going on to enjoy the public affection for his act of heroism, he was consumed by the demons of combat stress he could not exorcise. For the medic who cared for the wounds of his combat buddies as they pushed toward Baghdad, the battle for his own health proved too much to bear.
On June 28, Dwyer, 31, died of an accidental overdose in his home in Pinehurst, N.C., after years of struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. During that time, his marriage fell apart as he spiraled into substance abuse and depression. He found himself constantly struggling with the law, even as friends, Veterans Affairs personnel and the Army tried to help him.
“Of course he was looked on as a hero here,” said Capt. Floyd Thomas of the Pinehurst Police Department. Still, “we’ve been dealing with him for over a year.”
The day he died, Dwyer apparently took pills and inhaled the fumes of an aerosol can in an act known as “huffing.” Thomas said Dwyer then called a taxi company for a ride to the hospital. When the driver arrived, “they had a conversation through the door [of Dwyer’s home],” Thomas said, but Dwyer could not let the driver in. The driver asked Dwyer if he should call the police. Dwyer said yes. When the police arrived, they asked him if they should break down the door. He again said yes.
“It was down in one kick,” Thomas said. “They loaded him up onto a gurney, and that’s when he went code.”
Dwyer served in Iraq with 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment as the unit headed into Baghdad at the beginning of the war. As they pushed forward for 21 days in March 2003, only four of those days lacked gunfire, he later told Newsday. The day before Warren Zinn snapped his photo for Military Times, Dwyer’s Humvee had been hit by a rocket.
About 500 Iraqis were killed during those days, and Dwyer watched as Ali’s family near the village of al Faysaliyah was caught in the crossfire. he grabbed the 4-year-old boy from his father and sprinted with him to safety. Zinn grabbed the moment on his camera. The image went nationwide and Dwyer found himself hailed as a hero.
He did not see it that way.
“Really, I was just one of a group of guys,” he later told Military Times. “I wasn’t standing out more than anyone else.”
According to Dwyer, he was just one of many who wanted to help after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He’d grown up in New York, and when the towers came crashing down, he went to see a recruiter.
“I knew I had to do something,” he said. Just before he left for Iraq, he got married.
But when he returned from war after three months in Iraq, he developed the classic, treatable symptoms of PTSD. like so many other combat vets, he didn’t seek help. In restaurants, he sat with his back to the wall. He avoided crowds. He stayed away from friends. He abused inhalants, he told Newsday. In 2005, he and his family talked with Newsday to try to help other service members who might need help. He talked with the paper from a psychiatric ward at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was committed after his first run-in with the police.
In October 2005, he thought there were Iraqis outside his window in El Paso, Texas. When he heard a noise, he started shooting. Three hours later, police enticed him to come out and no one was injured.
Dwyer promised to go to counseling, and promised to tell the truth. He seemed excited about his wife’s pregnancy.
But the day he died, he and his wife had not been together for at least a year, Thomas said.
And almost exactly a year ago — June 26, 2007 — Dwyer had again been committed to a psychiatric ward. Thomas said police received a 911 call that Dwyer was “having mental problems relating to PTSD.” “We responded and took him in,” Thomas said. “He’s been in and out.”
Military Times could not reach Dwyer’s family, but his wife, Matina Dwyer, told the Pinehurst Pilot, “He was a very good and caring person. He was just never the same when he came back, because of all the things he saw. He tried to seek treatment, but it didn’t work.”
She told the paper she hoped his death would bring more awareness about PTSD.
In 2003, Dwyer was still hopeful about the future, and about his place in the war.
“I know that people are going to be better for it,” he told Military Times. “The whole world will be. I hope being here is positive, because we’re a caring group of people out here.”
Larger Images
Friday, June 27, 2008
Army Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger
Remember Our Heroes
Army Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger, 24, of Goshen, Ind.
SSgt. Hunsberger was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died on June 27, 2008 of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device while on combat patrol near Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Fort Bragg-based soldier killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
GOSHEN, Ind. — A North Carolina-based Special Forces soldier was killed when he stepped on a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, the military said.
Army Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger, 24, of Goshen, died Friday near Tarin Kowt, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command said. Hunsberger was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, N.C., and left on his second deployment to Afghanistan in May.
He is survived by his wife, Hannah Hunsberger, of Fort Bragg; his parents, Steve and Ronda Hunsberger; a brother, Kyle Hunsberger, and a sister Kelsey Hunsberger, all of Goshen.
“He loved his family with his whole heart,” Ronda Hunsberger said.
The 2002 Northwood High School graduate enlisted just over four years ago after two years at Ball State University, his mother said. She said he had been injured twice during his deployments.
Hunsberger joined the Army in 2004 and entered Special Forces two years later.
Hunsberger had been married for less than two years. He had his wife invited his parents to Fort Bragg last Christmas to witness a re-enactment of their wedding. Travis and Hannah Hunsberger had a small private wedding before his first deployment.
Hunsberger was remembered Sunday during services at Wakarusa Missionary Church. Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
Army Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger was killed in action on 6/27/08.
Army Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger, 24, of Goshen, Ind.
SSgt. Hunsberger was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died on June 27, 2008 of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device while on combat patrol near Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
Fort Bragg-based soldier killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
GOSHEN, Ind. — A North Carolina-based Special Forces soldier was killed when he stepped on a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, the military said.
Army Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger, 24, of Goshen, died Friday near Tarin Kowt, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command said. Hunsberger was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, N.C., and left on his second deployment to Afghanistan in May.
He is survived by his wife, Hannah Hunsberger, of Fort Bragg; his parents, Steve and Ronda Hunsberger; a brother, Kyle Hunsberger, and a sister Kelsey Hunsberger, all of Goshen.
“He loved his family with his whole heart,” Ronda Hunsberger said.
The 2002 Northwood High School graduate enlisted just over four years ago after two years at Ball State University, his mother said. She said he had been injured twice during his deployments.
Hunsberger joined the Army in 2004 and entered Special Forces two years later.
Hunsberger had been married for less than two years. He had his wife invited his parents to Fort Bragg last Christmas to witness a re-enactment of their wedding. Travis and Hannah Hunsberger had a small private wedding before his first deployment.
Hunsberger was remembered Sunday during services at Wakarusa Missionary Church. Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
Army Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger was killed in action on 6/27/08.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Marine Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, of Pago Pago, American Samoa
Lt. Col. Galeai was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died June 26, 2008 while supporting combat operations in Karmah, Iraq. Also killed were Capt. Philip J. Dykeman and Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme.
Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines at Kaneohe’s Marine Corps Base Hawaii, is believed to have been killed in the town of Karmah in Anbar province, about 30 miles west of Baghdad, in a suicide bomb attack.
Also killed in the attack were Capt. Phil Dykeman, 38, of New York, the leader of the battalion’s Fox Company, and 23-year-old Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme, of North Miami Beach, Fla.
Friends yesterday remembered Galeai, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, as a dedicated family man, a natural leader and a caring buddy who would never burden others with his problems. Just last week, in the midst of his deployment in Iraq, he sent e-mails to friends with jokes about the hot weather and friendly queries about how they were doing.
“I’m trying to cope with the fact that he’s no longer with us,” said Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Taumaoe Gaoteote, of California, a longtime friend.
“I didn’t know how to react when I heard. I never thought it would actually happen to him.”
In a newsletter for families of Kaneohe-based Marines, Galeai wrote in February that during the deployment, battalion members would be “working with Iraqi police, Iraqi army and other(s) ... as we help the Iraqi people establish the conditions necessary for them to assume responsibility for their own security and local governance.”
One of Galeai’s friends, Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Paul Moniz, of New York, said he heard from Galeai about a week ago in an e-mail. Galeai didn’t talk much about what he was doing in Iraq, but made sure to ask Moniz about how he was holding up.
“He was a friend, mentor, bigger than life, extremely bright, just one of those guys,” Moniz said.
Moniz, who used to work under Galeai, said the officer always “sunk his teeth into his work” and expected a lot from people, but also praised them when they delivered. “He was definitely an inspirational guy. He was caring, compassionate.”
Master Sgt. Brett W. Beard, of California, also used to work under Galeai and quickly befriended him.
“He just made it super easy to go out there to work day after day,” Galeai said. “His first love was always leading Marines.”
This was Galeai’s second deployment to Iraq.
Galeai graduated from Oregon State University in 1988, and joined the Marines out of college.
Before coming to the Islands in 2007, he served in Virginia, California, Okinawa and elsewhere. His service awards include two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart and five Meritorious Service Medals.
Gaoteote said Galeai is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and four children.
Marine Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai was killed on 6/26/08.
Marine Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, of Pago Pago, American Samoa
Lt. Col. Galeai was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died June 26, 2008 while supporting combat operations in Karmah, Iraq. Also killed were Capt. Philip J. Dykeman and Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme.
Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines at Kaneohe’s Marine Corps Base Hawaii, is believed to have been killed in the town of Karmah in Anbar province, about 30 miles west of Baghdad, in a suicide bomb attack.
Also killed in the attack were Capt. Phil Dykeman, 38, of New York, the leader of the battalion’s Fox Company, and 23-year-old Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme, of North Miami Beach, Fla.
Friends yesterday remembered Galeai, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, as a dedicated family man, a natural leader and a caring buddy who would never burden others with his problems. Just last week, in the midst of his deployment in Iraq, he sent e-mails to friends with jokes about the hot weather and friendly queries about how they were doing.
“I’m trying to cope with the fact that he’s no longer with us,” said Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Taumaoe Gaoteote, of California, a longtime friend.
“I didn’t know how to react when I heard. I never thought it would actually happen to him.”
In a newsletter for families of Kaneohe-based Marines, Galeai wrote in February that during the deployment, battalion members would be “working with Iraqi police, Iraqi army and other(s) ... as we help the Iraqi people establish the conditions necessary for them to assume responsibility for their own security and local governance.”
One of Galeai’s friends, Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Paul Moniz, of New York, said he heard from Galeai about a week ago in an e-mail. Galeai didn’t talk much about what he was doing in Iraq, but made sure to ask Moniz about how he was holding up.
“He was a friend, mentor, bigger than life, extremely bright, just one of those guys,” Moniz said.
Moniz, who used to work under Galeai, said the officer always “sunk his teeth into his work” and expected a lot from people, but also praised them when they delivered. “He was definitely an inspirational guy. He was caring, compassionate.”
Master Sgt. Brett W. Beard, of California, also used to work under Galeai and quickly befriended him.
“He just made it super easy to go out there to work day after day,” Galeai said. “His first love was always leading Marines.”
This was Galeai’s second deployment to Iraq.
Galeai graduated from Oregon State University in 1988, and joined the Marines out of college.
Before coming to the Islands in 2007, he served in Virginia, California, Okinawa and elsewhere. His service awards include two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart and five Meritorious Service Medals.
Gaoteote said Galeai is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and four children.
Marine Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai was killed on 6/26/08.
Marine Sgt. Marcus W. Preud'homme
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Sgt. Marcus W. Preud'homme, 23, of North Miami Beach, Fla.
Cpl. Preudhomme was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died June 26, 2008 while supporting combat operations in Balad, Iraq. Also killed were Capt. Philip J. Dykeman and Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai.
Hundreds Gather To Honor Fallen Marine
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The body of a local Marine killed last week in a bombing in Iraq's Anbar province was returned home to NAS Jacksonville on Wednesday.
Cpl. Marcus Preud'homme was one of three Marines and about 20 other people killed in the suicide attack.
The body of Preud'homme was returned home to NAS Jax as his family, several Marines and hundreds of Navy personnel gathered to honor the fallen Marine.
Marching in formation, standing tall and choking back tears, members of the community and the military joined Preud'homme's family, both biological and Marine Corps, in paying respects to a fallen hero.
Preud'homme's family members were on the tarmac as the coffin was brought off the plane.
The 23-year-old was from Jacksonville Beach. Family friends told Channel 4 the 2004 Fletcher High School graduate was in his second tour in Iraq and was due home in September.
The Marines said Preud'homme joined the Marines in 2005. Friends said Preud'homme was recently promoted to sergeant, but the Defense Department identified him as a corporal.
His awards include the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon.
"One thing about Marines is they never leave anybody. For the Marines, the funeral for a fallen Marine is about a high an honor as there is," said Dan Mcarthy, of the Department of Military Affairs. "In a lot of ways, everyone of these kids are our son. They may be biologically linked to certain people but they come right from our community. We have a bunch of Marine League members … It really is a full city, military, community effort to reach out to this family."
In addition to Preud'homme, Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, and Capt. Phil Dykeman, 38, were also killed. Galeai was the battalion's commander.
"They were all outstanding Marines and heroes to us all," said Lt. Binford Strickland, spokesman for the base in Kaneohe. "Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families."
Preud'homme is the second Jacksonville Beach man to die in Iraq this month. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gerard Reed died June 11 in Baghdad.
Preud'homme will be laid to rest on Thursday in a private ceremony.
Marine Sgt. Marcus W. Preud'homme was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Marine Sgt. Marcus W. Preud'homme, 23, of North Miami Beach, Fla.
Cpl. Preudhomme was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died June 26, 2008 while supporting combat operations in Balad, Iraq. Also killed were Capt. Philip J. Dykeman and Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai.
Hundreds Gather To Honor Fallen Marine
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The body of a local Marine killed last week in a bombing in Iraq's Anbar province was returned home to NAS Jacksonville on Wednesday.
Cpl. Marcus Preud'homme was one of three Marines and about 20 other people killed in the suicide attack.
The body of Preud'homme was returned home to NAS Jax as his family, several Marines and hundreds of Navy personnel gathered to honor the fallen Marine.
Marching in formation, standing tall and choking back tears, members of the community and the military joined Preud'homme's family, both biological and Marine Corps, in paying respects to a fallen hero.
Preud'homme's family members were on the tarmac as the coffin was brought off the plane.
The 23-year-old was from Jacksonville Beach. Family friends told Channel 4 the 2004 Fletcher High School graduate was in his second tour in Iraq and was due home in September.
The Marines said Preud'homme joined the Marines in 2005. Friends said Preud'homme was recently promoted to sergeant, but the Defense Department identified him as a corporal.
His awards include the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon.
"One thing about Marines is they never leave anybody. For the Marines, the funeral for a fallen Marine is about a high an honor as there is," said Dan Mcarthy, of the Department of Military Affairs. "In a lot of ways, everyone of these kids are our son. They may be biologically linked to certain people but they come right from our community. We have a bunch of Marine League members … It really is a full city, military, community effort to reach out to this family."
In addition to Preud'homme, Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, and Capt. Phil Dykeman, 38, were also killed. Galeai was the battalion's commander.
"They were all outstanding Marines and heroes to us all," said Lt. Binford Strickland, spokesman for the base in Kaneohe. "Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families."
Preud'homme is the second Jacksonville Beach man to die in Iraq this month. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gerard Reed died June 11 in Baghdad.
Preud'homme will be laid to rest on Thursday in a private ceremony.
Marine Sgt. Marcus W. Preud'homme was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Marine Capt. Philip J. Dykeman
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Capt. Philip J. Dykeman, 38, of Brockport, N.Y.
Capt. Dykeman was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died June 26, 2008 while supporting combat operations in Karmah, Iraq. Also killed were Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai and Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme.
Brockport Marine dies in suicide blast in Iraq
By Lorinda Toledo
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
A decorated Marine from Brockport was killed Thursday in Iraq, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Capt. Philip J. Dykeman, 38, was the leader of Fox Company in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
His dozens of awards include the Purple Heart Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal and two National Defense Service Medals.
Along with his commanding officer and another Marine, Dykeman died during a suicide attack in Anbar province, the military said.
Also killed were Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, the commanding officer of the Hawaii-based battalion of more than 1,000 Marines and sailors; and 23-year-old Sgt. Marcus Preudhomme of North Miami Beach, Fla., an administrative clerk with the battalion. More than 17 Iraqis also died in the attack.
The three were killed in the town of Karmah, about 30 miles west of Baghdad in a suicide bomb attack. A man dressed in a police uniform reportedly detonated an explosive belt during a meeting of tribal sheiks and community leaders opposed to al-Qaeda in Iraq, The Associated Press said.
The bombing occurred just two days before U.S. officials planned to formally hand over security responsibility for Anbar to the Iraqis, marking a major milestone in the transformation of a province that had been the most violent in Iraq.
The handover was postponed Saturday — but because of weather, not the attack, officials said. Dykeman and the other two Marines are the battalion’s first fatalities in this deployment, which started in February. The battalion is set to return in August.
Dykeman joined the Marines in June 1991 and came to Hawaii in May 2007. He was apparently not affiliated with Brockport veteran’s groups, but area veterans expressed their sadness at hearing of his death.
“I hate to see anybody killed in Iraq,” said Roy McCloud, commander of the Brockport Area Veteran’s Club.
According to a posting on the U.S. Central Command Web site, he was a native of Central Square in Oswego County.
Marine Capt. Philip J. Dykeman was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Marine Capt. Philip J. Dykeman, 38, of Brockport, N.Y.
Capt. Dykeman was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died June 26, 2008 while supporting combat operations in Karmah, Iraq. Also killed were Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai and Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme.
Brockport Marine dies in suicide blast in Iraq
By Lorinda Toledo
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
A decorated Marine from Brockport was killed Thursday in Iraq, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Capt. Philip J. Dykeman, 38, was the leader of Fox Company in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
His dozens of awards include the Purple Heart Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal and two National Defense Service Medals.
Along with his commanding officer and another Marine, Dykeman died during a suicide attack in Anbar province, the military said.
Also killed were Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, the commanding officer of the Hawaii-based battalion of more than 1,000 Marines and sailors; and 23-year-old Sgt. Marcus Preudhomme of North Miami Beach, Fla., an administrative clerk with the battalion. More than 17 Iraqis also died in the attack.
The three were killed in the town of Karmah, about 30 miles west of Baghdad in a suicide bomb attack. A man dressed in a police uniform reportedly detonated an explosive belt during a meeting of tribal sheiks and community leaders opposed to al-Qaeda in Iraq, The Associated Press said.
The bombing occurred just two days before U.S. officials planned to formally hand over security responsibility for Anbar to the Iraqis, marking a major milestone in the transformation of a province that had been the most violent in Iraq.
The handover was postponed Saturday — but because of weather, not the attack, officials said. Dykeman and the other two Marines are the battalion’s first fatalities in this deployment, which started in February. The battalion is set to return in August.
Dykeman joined the Marines in June 1991 and came to Hawaii in May 2007. He was apparently not affiliated with Brockport veteran’s groups, but area veterans expressed their sadness at hearing of his death.
“I hate to see anybody killed in Iraq,” said Roy McCloud, commander of the Brockport Area Veteran’s Club.
According to a posting on the U.S. Central Command Web site, he was a native of Central Square in Oswego County.
Marine Capt. Philip J. Dykeman was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Marine Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia, 28, of Houston
SSgt. Heredia was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command; died June 26, 2008 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.
Spec ops Marine killed in Afghanistan
Staff report
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A special operations staff noncommissioned officer has died in Afghanistan, Marine officials said Monday.
Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia, 28, of Houston died Thursday of wounds he sustained in combat in Farah province, according to a statement from Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Heredia joined the Corps on July 20, 1998, and was trained as a reconnaissance man, according to the statement. He was promoted to staff sergeant Jan. 1, 2007. His list of decorations includes the Purple Heart medal.
Marine Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Marine Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia, 28, of Houston
SSgt. Heredia was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command; died June 26, 2008 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.
Spec ops Marine killed in Afghanistan
Staff report
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A special operations staff noncommissioned officer has died in Afghanistan, Marine officials said Monday.
Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia, 28, of Houston died Thursday of wounds he sustained in combat in Farah province, according to a statement from Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Heredia joined the Corps on July 20, 1998, and was trained as a reconnaissance man, according to the statement. He was promoted to staff sergeant Jan. 1, 2007. His list of decorations includes the Purple Heart medal.
Marine Staff Sgt. Edgar A. Heredia was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Army Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Sgt. Palmateer was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.; died from wounds sustained June 26, 2008 near Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton and Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay.
Family recalls soldier killed in Afghanistan
By Greg Marano and Jenny Lee
Poughkeepsie Journal
As Stephanie Palmateer turns 20 years old Tuesday, her thoughts will not be of the milestone of her young life, but of the sudden loss of her father Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer, killed in an attack in Afghanistan.
“It’s going to be hard,” said Stephanie Palmateer, of North Creek, Warren County. “I’m going to try to think of all the good memories I have of him.”
The Hughsonville native was killed in Afghanistan Thursday. The 38-year-old was the first Dutchess County man to be killed in action in that country.
Stephanie Palmateer said her father was a really happy-go-lucky person.
“He made the best out of every situation,” Stephanie Palmateer said. “I just thought about how much he loved me and loved his family and everybody around him.”
He also had eight brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews dealing with the tragic loss.
“He was ‘Uncle Mark’ to all the kids,” his daughter said.
Mark Palmateer was always there for everybody, his daughter said.
Mark Palmateer and his father had a close relationship, just as Stephanie Palmateer had with her father, she said.
“The distance didn’t come into our relationship,” she recalled.
Others remember him for his dedication to his family and country.
In a phone interview from her home in Denham Springs, La., Mark Palmateer’s sister, Cathy Roule, recalled how he had talked for a while about joining the National Guard, then made a final decision shortly before he enlisted at age 33.
“When he told everybody, we were just so proud of him,” she said. “He’s my hero.”
He and two other soldiers died from wounds suffered near Forward Operating Base Shank in the rural Logar Province in eastern Afghanistan, when their convoy was hit with improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Defense.
It reached 95 degrees that day in Logar Province, an area known for its farming.
Gov. David Paterson directed that flags on state government buildings should be flown at half-staff Thursday in honor of Mark Palmateer, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay, 51, of Cambria Heights, Queens, and a Monroe County Marine who was killed in Iraq.
McKay was the other New York soldier who was killed alongside Mark Palmateer.
Mark Palmateer was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, Chautauqua County.
Sgt. Patrick Donovan said he and Palmateer became friends in the National Guard in 2004. He said he was struck by Palmateer’s decision to join the National Guard as a response to the Sept. 11 attacks.
“He just wanted to do his part,” Donovan said. “He wasn’t eager to go to war, but he said, ‘If they need me, I’ll go.’”
Donovan said he and Mark Palmateer shared a bond because they were much older than the other recruits.
“It was always a dream of his to join the Army,” Donovan said.
Donovan called Mark Palmateer’s daughter, Stephanie, “his biggest motivation.”
“He was just always very proud of her,” Donovan said. “He talked about her all the time.”
Roule said the family hopes to hold funeral arrangements July 10 or 11 in Wappingers Falls or Poughkeepsie, but won’t be able to set firm plans yet.
He was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the New York State Aid to Civil Authorities.
Posthumously, he was promoted to sergeant, and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.
“My heart goes out to the family. That knock on the door is life-shattering. When you have two officers at your door, you don’t need to ask, ‘Why are you here?’ “ said LaGrangeville resident Paula Zwillinger, founder of Semper Fi Parents of the Hudson Valley, a support group for parents of soldiers overseas.
Zwillinger’s son, Lance Cpl. Robert T. Mininger, a U.S. Marine, was killed June 6, 2005, during combat in Iraq.
“Having somebody local die really brings the war home to all of us,” Zwillinger said. “We take so much for granted every day. We get caught up in the realm of politics and forget there’s a war going on. We’ve been second-page news for the longest time. It’s only when something like this happens we get moved to the front page. It should be front-page news all the time.”
Terry Jones, who was Palmateer’s boss at Dunmore Corp. in Brewster, said Palmateer was an outstanding employee who was loved by everyone.
“He can make anyone smile,” he said. “He will be sorely missed by the Dunmore family.”
According to the military, Palmateer’s unit was assigned to a command responsible for training the Afghan National Army.
“When you lose a local guy, your heart really breaks. God be with that family,” Zwillinger said.
Army Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Army Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Sgt. Palmateer was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.; died from wounds sustained June 26, 2008 near Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton and Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay.
Family recalls soldier killed in Afghanistan
By Greg Marano and Jenny Lee
Poughkeepsie Journal
As Stephanie Palmateer turns 20 years old Tuesday, her thoughts will not be of the milestone of her young life, but of the sudden loss of her father Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer, killed in an attack in Afghanistan.
“It’s going to be hard,” said Stephanie Palmateer, of North Creek, Warren County. “I’m going to try to think of all the good memories I have of him.”
The Hughsonville native was killed in Afghanistan Thursday. The 38-year-old was the first Dutchess County man to be killed in action in that country.
Stephanie Palmateer said her father was a really happy-go-lucky person.
“He made the best out of every situation,” Stephanie Palmateer said. “I just thought about how much he loved me and loved his family and everybody around him.”
He also had eight brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews dealing with the tragic loss.
“He was ‘Uncle Mark’ to all the kids,” his daughter said.
Mark Palmateer was always there for everybody, his daughter said.
Mark Palmateer and his father had a close relationship, just as Stephanie Palmateer had with her father, she said.
“The distance didn’t come into our relationship,” she recalled.
Others remember him for his dedication to his family and country.
In a phone interview from her home in Denham Springs, La., Mark Palmateer’s sister, Cathy Roule, recalled how he had talked for a while about joining the National Guard, then made a final decision shortly before he enlisted at age 33.
“When he told everybody, we were just so proud of him,” she said. “He’s my hero.”
He and two other soldiers died from wounds suffered near Forward Operating Base Shank in the rural Logar Province in eastern Afghanistan, when their convoy was hit with improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Defense.
It reached 95 degrees that day in Logar Province, an area known for its farming.
Gov. David Paterson directed that flags on state government buildings should be flown at half-staff Thursday in honor of Mark Palmateer, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay, 51, of Cambria Heights, Queens, and a Monroe County Marine who was killed in Iraq.
McKay was the other New York soldier who was killed alongside Mark Palmateer.
Mark Palmateer was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, Chautauqua County.
Sgt. Patrick Donovan said he and Palmateer became friends in the National Guard in 2004. He said he was struck by Palmateer’s decision to join the National Guard as a response to the Sept. 11 attacks.
“He just wanted to do his part,” Donovan said. “He wasn’t eager to go to war, but he said, ‘If they need me, I’ll go.’”
Donovan said he and Mark Palmateer shared a bond because they were much older than the other recruits.
“It was always a dream of his to join the Army,” Donovan said.
Donovan called Mark Palmateer’s daughter, Stephanie, “his biggest motivation.”
“He was just always very proud of her,” Donovan said. “He talked about her all the time.”
Roule said the family hopes to hold funeral arrangements July 10 or 11 in Wappingers Falls or Poughkeepsie, but won’t be able to set firm plans yet.
He was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the New York State Aid to Civil Authorities.
Posthumously, he was promoted to sergeant, and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.
“My heart goes out to the family. That knock on the door is life-shattering. When you have two officers at your door, you don’t need to ask, ‘Why are you here?’ “ said LaGrangeville resident Paula Zwillinger, founder of Semper Fi Parents of the Hudson Valley, a support group for parents of soldiers overseas.
Zwillinger’s son, Lance Cpl. Robert T. Mininger, a U.S. Marine, was killed June 6, 2005, during combat in Iraq.
“Having somebody local die really brings the war home to all of us,” Zwillinger said. “We take so much for granted every day. We get caught up in the realm of politics and forget there’s a war going on. We’ve been second-page news for the longest time. It’s only when something like this happens we get moved to the front page. It should be front-page news all the time.”
Terry Jones, who was Palmateer’s boss at Dunmore Corp. in Brewster, said Palmateer was an outstanding employee who was loved by everyone.
“He can make anyone smile,” he said. “He will be sorely missed by the Dunmore family.”
According to the military, Palmateer’s unit was assigned to a command responsible for training the Afghan National Army.
“When you lose a local guy, your heart really breaks. God be with that family,” Zwillinger said.
Army Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay, 51, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
SFC McKay was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.; died from wounds sustained June 26, 2008 near Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton and Spc. Mark C. Palmateer.
Daily News -- Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay would have celebrated his 52nd birthday on the Fourth of July.
Instead, heartbroken relatives will be planning to bury the Queens soldier after he was killed in Afghanistan, Defense Department officials said Sunday.
"I told him, 'Try to get back home. Don't be a hero,' " said McKay's best friend, Newton Baptiste, 58.
Baptiste said his buddy loved celebrating his birthday on Independence Day.
"He always said, on his birthday, everybody celebrates," Baptiste said outside McKay's home in Cambria Heights. "The last Fourth of July I enjoyed here with him."
McKay, who leaves behind a wife, a daughter and two sons, was due home on leave next month.
"Everybody is saying it can't be true," said McKay's sister-in-law Diana Coleman. "Nobody can accept it."
McKay and Spec. Mark Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., were killed when a roadside bomb hit their convoy on Thursday.
Their convoy was also hit with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire, military officials said. Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich., was also killed in the attack.
The men were serving with B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, based in Jamestown, N.Y., which is helping train the Afghan Army.
Five New Yorkers have now been killed in Afghanistan in a week. Just days ago, three New York National Guardsmen died.
McKay, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 1977, signed up full-time after Sept. 11. He guarded Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station in the days following the attack, earning a New York State Defense of Liberty Medal.
Coleman said her brother-in-law would give his Army meals to homeless people in the rail stations, prompting one homeless man to send him a Christmas card.
"It was truly heartrending," Coleman said.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay, 51, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
SFC McKay was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.; died from wounds sustained June 26, 2008 near Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton and Spc. Mark C. Palmateer.
Daily News -- Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay would have celebrated his 52nd birthday on the Fourth of July.
Instead, heartbroken relatives will be planning to bury the Queens soldier after he was killed in Afghanistan, Defense Department officials said Sunday.
"I told him, 'Try to get back home. Don't be a hero,' " said McKay's best friend, Newton Baptiste, 58.
Baptiste said his buddy loved celebrating his birthday on Independence Day.
"He always said, on his birthday, everybody celebrates," Baptiste said outside McKay's home in Cambria Heights. "The last Fourth of July I enjoyed here with him."
McKay, who leaves behind a wife, a daughter and two sons, was due home on leave next month.
"Everybody is saying it can't be true," said McKay's sister-in-law Diana Coleman. "Nobody can accept it."
McKay and Spec. Mark Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., were killed when a roadside bomb hit their convoy on Thursday.
Their convoy was also hit with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire, military officials said. Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich., was also killed in the attack.
The men were serving with B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, based in Jamestown, N.Y., which is helping train the Afghan Army.
Five New Yorkers have now been killed in Afghanistan in a week. Just days ago, three New York National Guardsmen died.
McKay, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 1977, signed up full-time after Sept. 11. He guarded Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station in the days following the attack, earning a New York State Defense of Liberty Medal.
Coleman said her brother-in-law would give his Army meals to homeless people in the rail stations, prompting one homeless man to send him a Christmas card.
"It was truly heartrending," Coleman said.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich.
SFC Hilton was assigned to the 425th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, Selfridge, Mich.; died from wounds sustained June 26, 2008 near Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay and Spc. Mark C. Palmateer.
MLive.com -- LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) — The Department of Defense has confirmed the death of Michigan soldier in Afghanistan along with two others from New York.
The military says Sunday that 37-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton of Livonia died Thursday after his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
Hilton's death was reported Friday by the Lathrup Village police chief. Hilton joined the Lathrup Village department in 2001.
Hilton was assigned to the 425th Infantry Regiment of the Michigan Army National Guard at Selfridge Air National Guard base near Mount Clemens.
The military says 51-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay of Brooklyn, N.Y. and 38-year-old Spc. Mark C. Palmateer of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. also died in the attack.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich.
SFC Hilton was assigned to the 425th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, Selfridge, Mich.; died from wounds sustained June 26, 2008 near Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay and Spc. Mark C. Palmateer.
MLive.com -- LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) — The Department of Defense has confirmed the death of Michigan soldier in Afghanistan along with two others from New York.
The military says Sunday that 37-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton of Livonia died Thursday after his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
Hilton's death was reported Friday by the Lathrup Village police chief. Hilton joined the Lathrup Village department in 2001.
Hilton was assigned to the 425th Infantry Regiment of the Michigan Army National Guard at Selfridge Air National Guard base near Mount Clemens.
The military says 51-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay of Brooklyn, N.Y. and 38-year-old Spc. Mark C. Palmateer of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. also died in the attack.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton was killed in action on 6/26/08.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Army Spc. Joshua L. Plocica
Remember Our Heroes
Army Spc. Joshua L. Plocica, 20, of Clarksville, Tenn.
Spc. Plocica was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 25, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Tenn. soldier followed family’s military service
The Associated Press
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — A Clarksville soldier was following in the footsteps of his family members when he enlisted in the Army, his family said.
Spc. Joshua Lee Plocica died Wednesday in Baghdad of wounds sustained when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb. The 20-year-old graduated from Rossview High School just a few months before he enlisted in August 2006.
Lisa Thompson, his mother, said he wanted to follow his grandfather, Army retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael T. True, and his uncle, Master Sgt. William C. Clark II, in serving his country.
Plocica was assigned to 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He had only been deployed three months when he died.
Thompson said he would want his friends and family to celebrate, not mourn, his death.
Plocica is also survived by his father, David Corbin of Elizabethtown, Ky., and sister, Brenna Corbin.
Army Spc. Joshua L. Plocica was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Army Spc. Joshua L. Plocica, 20, of Clarksville, Tenn.
Spc. Plocica was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 25, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Tenn. soldier followed family’s military service
The Associated Press
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — A Clarksville soldier was following in the footsteps of his family members when he enlisted in the Army, his family said.
Spc. Joshua Lee Plocica died Wednesday in Baghdad of wounds sustained when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb. The 20-year-old graduated from Rossview High School just a few months before he enlisted in August 2006.
Lisa Thompson, his mother, said he wanted to follow his grandfather, Army retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael T. True, and his uncle, Master Sgt. William C. Clark II, in serving his country.
Plocica was assigned to 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He had only been deployed three months when he died.
Thompson said he would want his friends and family to celebrate, not mourn, his death.
Plocica is also survived by his father, David Corbin of Elizabethtown, Ky., and sister, Brenna Corbin.
Army Spc. Joshua L. Plocica was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Army Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez, 24, of San Diego
Sgt. Dominguez was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 25, 2008 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device on June 24. Also killed were Spc. Joel A. Taylor and Pfc. James M. Yohn.
San Diego Union Tribune -- Alejandro A. Dominguez loved the Army so much that he listed “my tank manual” as his favorite book on his MySpace page.
The Army came in second only to his love for his family. The 2002 Southwest High School graduate's home page featured a photo of his baby daughter and wrote that “without my wife or my daughter all I do would be for nothing.”
In a matter of days, the 24-year-old sergeant would be headed home to reunite with his wife and daughter in Texas, where he was stationed, and to see about buying a house during his mid-tour visit from Iraq.
Instead, the Army announced yesterday that Dominguez, along with Spc. Joel A. Taylor, 20, of Pinetown, N.C., and Pfc. James M. Yohn, 25, of Highspire, Pa., were killed. The Fort Hood soldiers died Wednesday when their vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb.
Dominguez's funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Dominguez, also from San Diego; a year-old daughter, Alexia; and a 3-year-old son, Isaiah, from a previous relationship. Several other relatives live in the San Diego area, including his parents, Antonio and Elia, and a younger sister, Alejandra.
“The first time the military called, I hung up,” said Antonio Dominguez, who owns a silk-screening print business in Chula Vista.
“I thought it was the Marine Corps trying to get information about something,” he said of the call Wednesday. “I told my wife, and she said that as long as it wasn't the Army, we were all right. But then five minutes later, the Army arrived at my shop.”
Antonio Dominguez said Army officials told him his son was leading a mission in Mosul when his truck ran over an explosive device.
Fred Lobello, Alejandro's uncle and a World War II veteran who fought in Italy, recalled a fearless boy who loved racing through the desert on anything with wheels and an engine.
“He loved motorcycles. He loved to ride quads. He loved cars. He would liked to have my 1965 Mustang,” recalled Lobello, who lives in San Diego. “He and his father would go riding in Ensenada.”
But in recent years, Dominguez stopped racing through the desert, saying it was too dangerous and that he couldn't risk getting hurt.
Dominguez, who was on his second combat tour in Iraq, never talked about about joining the military before telling his family in the summer of 2002 that he had already signed up.
“I was surprised. I asked him why. We were at war and he was joining the military,” his father said. He just said, 'I just feel that I want to do this.' ”
The choice of the military as a career wasn't entirely surprising in hindsight.
“He was the type of guy who was always taking care of someone. He was always protecting someone,” Antonio Dominguez said.
“The military was second only to his family. He was a happy man,” said Alejandra, 19, a nurse at Sharp Coronado Hospital.
Father and son last talked five days ago.
“He said he had just worked for 22 hours and that he was getting a few hours' sleep before going on another mission. He said, 'I love you and I'll call you soon.' ”
Army Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Larger Images
Army Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez, 24, of San Diego
Sgt. Dominguez was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 25, 2008 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device on June 24. Also killed were Spc. Joel A. Taylor and Pfc. James M. Yohn.
San Diego Union Tribune -- Alejandro A. Dominguez loved the Army so much that he listed “my tank manual” as his favorite book on his MySpace page.
The Army came in second only to his love for his family. The 2002 Southwest High School graduate's home page featured a photo of his baby daughter and wrote that “without my wife or my daughter all I do would be for nothing.”
In a matter of days, the 24-year-old sergeant would be headed home to reunite with his wife and daughter in Texas, where he was stationed, and to see about buying a house during his mid-tour visit from Iraq.
Instead, the Army announced yesterday that Dominguez, along with Spc. Joel A. Taylor, 20, of Pinetown, N.C., and Pfc. James M. Yohn, 25, of Highspire, Pa., were killed. The Fort Hood soldiers died Wednesday when their vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb.
Dominguez's funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Dominguez, also from San Diego; a year-old daughter, Alexia; and a 3-year-old son, Isaiah, from a previous relationship. Several other relatives live in the San Diego area, including his parents, Antonio and Elia, and a younger sister, Alejandra.
“The first time the military called, I hung up,” said Antonio Dominguez, who owns a silk-screening print business in Chula Vista.
“I thought it was the Marine Corps trying to get information about something,” he said of the call Wednesday. “I told my wife, and she said that as long as it wasn't the Army, we were all right. But then five minutes later, the Army arrived at my shop.”
Antonio Dominguez said Army officials told him his son was leading a mission in Mosul when his truck ran over an explosive device.
Fred Lobello, Alejandro's uncle and a World War II veteran who fought in Italy, recalled a fearless boy who loved racing through the desert on anything with wheels and an engine.
“He loved motorcycles. He loved to ride quads. He loved cars. He would liked to have my 1965 Mustang,” recalled Lobello, who lives in San Diego. “He and his father would go riding in Ensenada.”
But in recent years, Dominguez stopped racing through the desert, saying it was too dangerous and that he couldn't risk getting hurt.
Dominguez, who was on his second combat tour in Iraq, never talked about about joining the military before telling his family in the summer of 2002 that he had already signed up.
“I was surprised. I asked him why. We were at war and he was joining the military,” his father said. He just said, 'I just feel that I want to do this.' ”
The choice of the military as a career wasn't entirely surprising in hindsight.
“He was the type of guy who was always taking care of someone. He was always protecting someone,” Antonio Dominguez said.
“The military was second only to his family. He was a happy man,” said Alejandra, 19, a nurse at Sharp Coronado Hospital.
Father and son last talked five days ago.
“He said he had just worked for 22 hours and that he was getting a few hours' sleep before going on another mission. He said, 'I love you and I'll call you soon.' ”
Army Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Larger Images
Army Pfc. James M. Yohn
Remember Our Heroes
Army Pfc. James M. Yohn, 25, of Highspire, Pa.
Pfc. Yohn was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 25, 2008 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device on June 24. Also killed were Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez and Spc. Joel A. Taylor.
Soldier killed in Iraq gets firefighter’s sendoff
The Associated Press
HIGHSPIRE, Pa. — Firefighter friends of a Dauphin County soldier killed in Iraq gave him a sendoff on the 1978 Mack pumper that he loved to ride.
Highspire Fire Department Engine 55-1 carried 25-year-old Army Pfc. James Yohn’s body to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery as part of a funeral July 3 that combined solemn military rites and fire department tradition.
Four months earlier Yohn jumped on the truck with friends and headed to a fire call while on his last leave from Iraq. Yohn got married while home in February, and his wife, Amber, is expecting their first child.
At the Neill Funeral Home in Paxtang, the flag-draped casket was flanked by American and Army flags, Yohn’s fire department and Army uniforms and military honors including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Hundreds filed by, many offering condolences to his parents, Judy Yohn and Bob Fisher. Fisher says, “When I get up in the morning, I cry.”
Army Pfc. James M. Yohn was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Larger Images
Army Pfc. James M. Yohn, 25, of Highspire, Pa.
Pfc. Yohn was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 25, 2008 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device on June 24. Also killed were Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez and Spc. Joel A. Taylor.
Soldier killed in Iraq gets firefighter’s sendoff
The Associated Press
HIGHSPIRE, Pa. — Firefighter friends of a Dauphin County soldier killed in Iraq gave him a sendoff on the 1978 Mack pumper that he loved to ride.
Highspire Fire Department Engine 55-1 carried 25-year-old Army Pfc. James Yohn’s body to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery as part of a funeral July 3 that combined solemn military rites and fire department tradition.
Four months earlier Yohn jumped on the truck with friends and headed to a fire call while on his last leave from Iraq. Yohn got married while home in February, and his wife, Amber, is expecting their first child.
At the Neill Funeral Home in Paxtang, the flag-draped casket was flanked by American and Army flags, Yohn’s fire department and Army uniforms and military honors including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Hundreds filed by, many offering condolences to his parents, Judy Yohn and Bob Fisher. Fisher says, “When I get up in the morning, I cry.”
Army Pfc. James M. Yohn was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Larger Images
Army Spc. Joel A. Taylor
Remember Our Heroes
Army Spc. Joel A. Taylor, 20, of Pinetown, N.C.
Spc. Taylor was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 25, 2008 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device on June 24. Also killed were Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez and Pfc. James M. Yohn.
The Defense Department says Spc. Joel Taylor died Wednesday after the vehicle he was in encountered an improvised explosive device.
The DOD says two other soldiers in the vehicle with Taylor were also killed. The attack happened Tuesday in Mosul.
The 20-year-old Taylor was a member of the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas. Family members tell WITN News that this was Taylor's first deployment to Iraq.
Taylor's family says they were notified this morning of the death.
The 20-year-old Taylor was a 2006 graduate from Northside High School and his family tells WITN News that he was on his first deployment to Iraq.
Army Spc. Joel A. Taylor was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Army Spc. Joel A. Taylor, 20, of Pinetown, N.C.
Spc. Taylor was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 25, 2008 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device on June 24. Also killed were Sgt. Alejandro A. Dominguez and Pfc. James M. Yohn.
The Defense Department says Spc. Joel Taylor died Wednesday after the vehicle he was in encountered an improvised explosive device.
The DOD says two other soldiers in the vehicle with Taylor were also killed. The attack happened Tuesday in Mosul.
The 20-year-old Taylor was a member of the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas. Family members tell WITN News that this was Taylor's first deployment to Iraq.
Taylor's family says they were notified this morning of the death.
The 20-year-old Taylor was a 2006 graduate from Northside High School and his family tells WITN News that he was on his first deployment to Iraq.
Army Spc. Joel A. Taylor was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Strickland
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Strickland, 25, of Labelle, Fla.
SSgt. Strickland was assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died June 25, 2008 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.
LaBelle Marine, soldier killed within the same week
By Gabriella Souza
The (Fort Myers) News-Press
Christopher Strickland wasted no time joining the Marines.
Strickland, 25, signed commitment papers when he was a high school junior, seeing it as a way he could leave his hometown of LaBelle to experience the world.
“To him, to tell people he was a Marine was one of the proudest things to roll off his tongue,” said his high school friend, Whitney Chapman.
Strickland was killed by an explosion Wednesday in Afghanistan. He’d been working as an explosives technician in the 7th Engineer Support Battalion with the 1st Marine Logistics Group of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
During his time in the military, Strickland reached the rank of staff sergeant, and had previously done two tours in Iraq. He leaves behind a wife and a 3-year-old son, who live in California, as well as a mother and two sisters.
He is the second soldier from LaBelle to be killed this week.
On Tuesday, LaBelle native Chief Warrant Officer Robert Hammett Jr., 39, of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colo., was killed in a bomb blast in Kabul, Iraq. He was on his third deployment to Iraq.
Hammett lived in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his wife and five daughters. He will be buried in Tucson, where his mother and his wife’s family lives.
As of Thursday, at least 4,113 U.S. soldiers had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, and 461 had died as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. At least 20 soldiers with ties to Southwest Florida have been killed in action.
Strickland’s mother, Beth Church of LaBelle, was at work Wednesday morning when she got the call. She and Strickland had been e-mailing back and forth, planning a visit.
She never got a chance to reply to his last e-mail, which she received Tuesday.
“He was probably the greatest kid in the whole wide world,” Church said.
Strickland told Chapman he joined the Marines to meet girls.
“But it kind of evolved into wanting to better himself,” said Chapman, who became friends with Strickland in their freshman honors biology class.
Strickland graduated from LaBelle High School in 2000. During his time there, he wrestled, played football and played the saxophone and bass drum in the marching band.
Ron Dunbar, who coached Strickland in football, said he had a tremendous work ethic and was a good example for teammates.
“Chris really just stood out as a young man that was always willing to do whatever it took to help others,” he said.
Church will remember her son as a protector, someone willing to stick his neck out for others.
“He wanted to make everyone proud and look up to him,” she said.
Hammett joined the Army 18 years ago.
“It was just a big adventure,” said Hammett’s father, Robert Hammett Sr., who lives in LaBelle.
The elder Hammett said an officer and a sergeant came to his house Tuesday to tell him of his son’s death.
“He excelled in about everything he did because he put a lot of effort into everything he did,” the senior Hammett said.
Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Strickland was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Strickland, 25, of Labelle, Fla.
SSgt. Strickland was assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died June 25, 2008 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.
LaBelle Marine, soldier killed within the same week
By Gabriella Souza
The (Fort Myers) News-Press
Christopher Strickland wasted no time joining the Marines.
Strickland, 25, signed commitment papers when he was a high school junior, seeing it as a way he could leave his hometown of LaBelle to experience the world.
“To him, to tell people he was a Marine was one of the proudest things to roll off his tongue,” said his high school friend, Whitney Chapman.
Strickland was killed by an explosion Wednesday in Afghanistan. He’d been working as an explosives technician in the 7th Engineer Support Battalion with the 1st Marine Logistics Group of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
During his time in the military, Strickland reached the rank of staff sergeant, and had previously done two tours in Iraq. He leaves behind a wife and a 3-year-old son, who live in California, as well as a mother and two sisters.
He is the second soldier from LaBelle to be killed this week.
On Tuesday, LaBelle native Chief Warrant Officer Robert Hammett Jr., 39, of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colo., was killed in a bomb blast in Kabul, Iraq. He was on his third deployment to Iraq.
Hammett lived in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his wife and five daughters. He will be buried in Tucson, where his mother and his wife’s family lives.
As of Thursday, at least 4,113 U.S. soldiers had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, and 461 had died as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. At least 20 soldiers with ties to Southwest Florida have been killed in action.
Strickland’s mother, Beth Church of LaBelle, was at work Wednesday morning when she got the call. She and Strickland had been e-mailing back and forth, planning a visit.
She never got a chance to reply to his last e-mail, which she received Tuesday.
“He was probably the greatest kid in the whole wide world,” Church said.
Strickland told Chapman he joined the Marines to meet girls.
“But it kind of evolved into wanting to better himself,” said Chapman, who became friends with Strickland in their freshman honors biology class.
Strickland graduated from LaBelle High School in 2000. During his time there, he wrestled, played football and played the saxophone and bass drum in the marching band.
Ron Dunbar, who coached Strickland in football, said he had a tremendous work ethic and was a good example for teammates.
“Chris really just stood out as a young man that was always willing to do whatever it took to help others,” he said.
Church will remember her son as a protector, someone willing to stick his neck out for others.
“He wanted to make everyone proud and look up to him,” she said.
Hammett joined the Army 18 years ago.
“It was just a big adventure,” said Hammett’s father, Robert Hammett Sr., who lives in LaBelle.
The elder Hammett said an officer and a sergeant came to his house Tuesday to tell him of his son’s death.
“He excelled in about everything he did because he put a lot of effort into everything he did,” the senior Hammett said.
Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Strickland was killed in action on 6/25/08.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Army Sgt. Ryan J. Connolly
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. Ryan J. Connolly, 24, of Vacaville, Calif.
Sgt. Connolly was assigned to 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany; died June 24, 2008 in Khogyani, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck a suspected landmine.
Santa Rosa paratrooper buried with honors
The Associated Press
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — A 24-year-old Army paratrooper who grew up in Santa Rosa and died last month in Afghanistan was buried Monday with full military honors.
Ryan James Connolly had recently been promoted to sergeant and had 14 days left in his tour in Afghanistan when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb on June 24, according to the Department of Defense. He was riding with four other troops when the bomb went off in the town of Khogyani near the border of Pakistan, killing him and another soldier.
Connolly served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Italy with units in Germany. His widow and 1-year-old daughter were brought to California on a military flight from Germany.
San Francisco Chronicle -- Ryan James Connolly, a 24-year-old Army medic who grew up in Santa Rosa, was killed by a plastic land mine in a remote area of Afghanistan, family members said Wednesday.
Connolly, who was promoted recently to the rank of sergeant, served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade based outside the town of Khogyani in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border.
He was riding in a vehicle with four other troops when the mine exploded Tuesday afternoon (Afghanistan time). One other soldier was killed and three were wounded, said his stepfather, Robert Nelson of Vacaville.
The combat medic had just two weeks left on his one-year deployment to Afghanistan, with orders to report to the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey.
Improvised explosive devices, including plastic mines that are virtually undetectable, have become a constant source of bloodshed in Afghanistan.
According to the Associated Press, nearly 2,000 people have died in insurgency-related violence this year in Afghanistan - many of them killed by mines and bombs detonated next to convoys.
"He was a really strong young man - strong physically, mentally and morally, heart and soul - and a loving father," Nelson said.
He said Connolly's wife, Stephi, lives in Bamberg, Germany, with their 1-year-daughter, Kayla.
Connolly graduated from Piner High School in Santa Rosa, and joined the Army in 2005.
He had survived multiple firefights in Afghanistan. Just a few days ago, he phoned his father, mortgage broker Jim Connolly of Santa Rosa, and described being ambushed. His unit was pinned down in a firefight for hours after they walked into a village.
Connolly had taken a leave in April, bringing his family to Santa Rosa. During that trip, he bought a 1970 Chevy Nova and began to restore it. He had a passion for baseball, classic muscle cars, NASCAR racing and all things mechanical.
"He was in good spirits then," Nelson said, "and looking forward to finishing the last three months and coming back home."
Soon after Connolly returned to Afghanistan, Nelson said, a 10-year-old boy with a bomb blew himself up in a crowded square. Connolly was among the first medics on the scene - rescuing about 20 Afghans.
Nelson said his stepson had grown weary of the abject poverty and violence in Afghanistan, which Connolly described as "11th century with cars and cell phones. He hated the way women and children were treated there as chattel. He was a good man."
The medic apparently never tired of practicing his trade.
"He loved helping out in Afghanistan, sewing up the kids," Nelson said. "It broke his heart when he didn't have enough medicine for a whole village."
Connolly's mother, Robin Nelson, lives in Vacaville. His brother, Mike Connolly, lives in Santa Rosa, and his sister, Kelly Connolly, lives in San Francisco.
"He was the best brother anyone could have," Kelly Connolly said. "Very protective, always looking out for my best interest. He was a great husband and father. He loved his daughter."
Army Sgt. Ryan J. Connolly was killed in action on 6/24/08.
Larger Images
Army Sgt. Ryan J. Connolly, 24, of Vacaville, Calif.
Sgt. Connolly was assigned to 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany; died June 24, 2008 in Khogyani, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck a suspected landmine.
Santa Rosa paratrooper buried with honors
The Associated Press
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — A 24-year-old Army paratrooper who grew up in Santa Rosa and died last month in Afghanistan was buried Monday with full military honors.
Ryan James Connolly had recently been promoted to sergeant and had 14 days left in his tour in Afghanistan when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb on June 24, according to the Department of Defense. He was riding with four other troops when the bomb went off in the town of Khogyani near the border of Pakistan, killing him and another soldier.
Connolly served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Italy with units in Germany. His widow and 1-year-old daughter were brought to California on a military flight from Germany.
San Francisco Chronicle -- Ryan James Connolly, a 24-year-old Army medic who grew up in Santa Rosa, was killed by a plastic land mine in a remote area of Afghanistan, family members said Wednesday.
Connolly, who was promoted recently to the rank of sergeant, served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade based outside the town of Khogyani in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border.
He was riding in a vehicle with four other troops when the mine exploded Tuesday afternoon (Afghanistan time). One other soldier was killed and three were wounded, said his stepfather, Robert Nelson of Vacaville.
The combat medic had just two weeks left on his one-year deployment to Afghanistan, with orders to report to the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey.
Improvised explosive devices, including plastic mines that are virtually undetectable, have become a constant source of bloodshed in Afghanistan.
According to the Associated Press, nearly 2,000 people have died in insurgency-related violence this year in Afghanistan - many of them killed by mines and bombs detonated next to convoys.
"He was a really strong young man - strong physically, mentally and morally, heart and soul - and a loving father," Nelson said.
He said Connolly's wife, Stephi, lives in Bamberg, Germany, with their 1-year-daughter, Kayla.
Connolly graduated from Piner High School in Santa Rosa, and joined the Army in 2005.
He had survived multiple firefights in Afghanistan. Just a few days ago, he phoned his father, mortgage broker Jim Connolly of Santa Rosa, and described being ambushed. His unit was pinned down in a firefight for hours after they walked into a village.
Connolly had taken a leave in April, bringing his family to Santa Rosa. During that trip, he bought a 1970 Chevy Nova and began to restore it. He had a passion for baseball, classic muscle cars, NASCAR racing and all things mechanical.
"He was in good spirits then," Nelson said, "and looking forward to finishing the last three months and coming back home."
Soon after Connolly returned to Afghanistan, Nelson said, a 10-year-old boy with a bomb blew himself up in a crowded square. Connolly was among the first medics on the scene - rescuing about 20 Afghans.
Nelson said his stepson had grown weary of the abject poverty and violence in Afghanistan, which Connolly described as "11th century with cars and cell phones. He hated the way women and children were treated there as chattel. He was a good man."
The medic apparently never tired of practicing his trade.
"He loved helping out in Afghanistan, sewing up the kids," Nelson said. "It broke his heart when he didn't have enough medicine for a whole village."
Connolly's mother, Robin Nelson, lives in Vacaville. His brother, Mike Connolly, lives in Santa Rosa, and his sister, Kelly Connolly, lives in San Francisco.
"He was the best brother anyone could have," Kelly Connolly said. "Very protective, always looking out for my best interest. He was a great husband and father. He loved his daughter."
Army Sgt. Ryan J. Connolly was killed in action on 6/24/08.
Larger Images
Army Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett
Remember Our Heroes
Army Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett, 39, of Tucson, Ariz.
CWO Hammett was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died June 24, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from a bomb blast. Also killed was Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley.
Tucson soldier killed by bomb in Iraq
The Associated Press
TUCSON, Ariz. — A soldier from Tucson has been killed by a bomb in Iraq, according to the Defense Department.
The military said Friday that Army Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett died Tuesday in Baghdad.
Hammett, 39, was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based in Fort Carson, Colo.
Hammett was a command and control technician on his second deployment to Iraq. He also served in Kuwait in 2002 and 2003.
Hammett joined the Army in 1990 and had been awarded the Bronze Star and other medals. He is the 239th soldier from Fort Carson killed in the Iraq war.
Also killed in the explosion was Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley, of Willingboro, N.J. The 48-year-old was assigned to the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion of Green Bay, Wis.
Hammett leaves behind his wife, Leanna, and five daughters. The couple’s oldest child is 16 and the youngest was born in March 2007, family members said.
Hammett, who lived in Tucson in the late 1980s and met his wife there, planned to retire from the Army in two years with 20 years of service, said his sister, Kit Wolfe of Tucson.
“He loved his girls — his wife — very much,” Wolfe said. “Every time he had to leave them, it just broke a little piece of his heart. He was courageous and brave to keep going over there and doing what he did.”
Wolfe said her brother worked at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson before joining the Army in 1990.
He served his first tour in Iraq from November 2005 to November 2006. His second tour in Iraq began in December.
Hammett’s body was being flown to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base here. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday in Tucson.
Tucsonan killed in Iraq an example of ‘quality soldiering’
By Sheryl Kornman
Tucson Citizen
Army Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett, 39, who will be buried in Tucson next week, became the 239th soldier from Fort Carson, Colo., to die in the Global War on Terrorism.
He was a command and control systems technician with 18 years of Army service.
His job was “very high tech,” said his sister, Kit Wolfe, of Tucson, who called him “a wonderful person, very athletic and highly intelligent.”
“He was responsible for going out on Humvees and making clear satellite connections for communications purposes,” Wolfe said.
“Recently he had switched jobs into the job he had when he was killed — PR. He did things that we just didn’t know about. He was connected probably alot deeper to things than he could ever say to us.”
The Army’s account of his death placed him inside the civic center in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, when a bomb that had been planted inside the building exploded, killing an Iraqi and also Army Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley, 48, a New Jersey native, who was fluent in Arabic.
A U.S. Army spokesman, Maj. Nathan Banks, said from Washington on Friday that he is a friend of Kelley. He said Kelley and Hammett had more than 50 years of military service between them and the men were helping in the effort to rebuild Iraq when they died.
“That’s quality soldiering. They are going to be missed by all. The Army mourns with their families,” Banks said.
Wolfe said she got the news of her brother’s death Tuesday by cell phone.
“My husband called me while I was (in a grocery store) and asked, ‘Is there a place where you can sit down?’“
Banks said the bodies arrived at Dover (Del.) Air Field Thursday night. Hammett’s body was being flown to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Hammett was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He and his family lived near Fort Carson, Wolfe said.
Hammett joined the Army on March 2, 1990, and served in Kuwait in 2002 and 2003.
He served his first tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2005 to November 2006. His second tour in Iraq began in December.
Hammett graduated from La Belle High School in La Belle Fla. and served in the Coast Guard before joining the Army, she said.
Wolfe remembered the brother she calls “Charlie” as a “really red” newborn. Their mother told her he was red because he had colic and had been crying.
“I remember it clear as day,” she said.
“He was a comrade to his military family and a wonderful husband, father, brother and son.”
Wolfe said her mother last saw “Charlie” on Halloween 2007.
“She hugged him really hard and told him to be safe.”
Army Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett was killed in action on 6/24/08.
Army Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett, 39, of Tucson, Ariz.
CWO Hammett was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died June 24, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from a bomb blast. Also killed was Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley.
Tucson soldier killed by bomb in Iraq
The Associated Press
TUCSON, Ariz. — A soldier from Tucson has been killed by a bomb in Iraq, according to the Defense Department.
The military said Friday that Army Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett died Tuesday in Baghdad.
Hammett, 39, was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based in Fort Carson, Colo.
Hammett was a command and control technician on his second deployment to Iraq. He also served in Kuwait in 2002 and 2003.
Hammett joined the Army in 1990 and had been awarded the Bronze Star and other medals. He is the 239th soldier from Fort Carson killed in the Iraq war.
Also killed in the explosion was Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley, of Willingboro, N.J. The 48-year-old was assigned to the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion of Green Bay, Wis.
Hammett leaves behind his wife, Leanna, and five daughters. The couple’s oldest child is 16 and the youngest was born in March 2007, family members said.
Hammett, who lived in Tucson in the late 1980s and met his wife there, planned to retire from the Army in two years with 20 years of service, said his sister, Kit Wolfe of Tucson.
“He loved his girls — his wife — very much,” Wolfe said. “Every time he had to leave them, it just broke a little piece of his heart. He was courageous and brave to keep going over there and doing what he did.”
Wolfe said her brother worked at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson before joining the Army in 1990.
He served his first tour in Iraq from November 2005 to November 2006. His second tour in Iraq began in December.
Hammett’s body was being flown to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base here. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday in Tucson.
Tucsonan killed in Iraq an example of ‘quality soldiering’
By Sheryl Kornman
Tucson Citizen
Army Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett, 39, who will be buried in Tucson next week, became the 239th soldier from Fort Carson, Colo., to die in the Global War on Terrorism.
He was a command and control systems technician with 18 years of Army service.
His job was “very high tech,” said his sister, Kit Wolfe, of Tucson, who called him “a wonderful person, very athletic and highly intelligent.”
“He was responsible for going out on Humvees and making clear satellite connections for communications purposes,” Wolfe said.
“Recently he had switched jobs into the job he had when he was killed — PR. He did things that we just didn’t know about. He was connected probably alot deeper to things than he could ever say to us.”
The Army’s account of his death placed him inside the civic center in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, when a bomb that had been planted inside the building exploded, killing an Iraqi and also Army Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley, 48, a New Jersey native, who was fluent in Arabic.
A U.S. Army spokesman, Maj. Nathan Banks, said from Washington on Friday that he is a friend of Kelley. He said Kelley and Hammett had more than 50 years of military service between them and the men were helping in the effort to rebuild Iraq when they died.
“That’s quality soldiering. They are going to be missed by all. The Army mourns with their families,” Banks said.
Wolfe said she got the news of her brother’s death Tuesday by cell phone.
“My husband called me while I was (in a grocery store) and asked, ‘Is there a place where you can sit down?’“
Banks said the bodies arrived at Dover (Del.) Air Field Thursday night. Hammett’s body was being flown to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Hammett was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He and his family lived near Fort Carson, Wolfe said.
Hammett joined the Army on March 2, 1990, and served in Kuwait in 2002 and 2003.
He served his first tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2005 to November 2006. His second tour in Iraq began in December.
Hammett graduated from La Belle High School in La Belle Fla. and served in the Coast Guard before joining the Army, she said.
Wolfe remembered the brother she calls “Charlie” as a “really red” newborn. Their mother told her he was red because he had colic and had been crying.
“I remember it clear as day,” she said.
“He was a comrade to his military family and a wonderful husband, father, brother and son.”
Wolfe said her mother last saw “Charlie” on Halloween 2007.
“She hugged him really hard and told him to be safe.”
Army Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett was killed in action on 6/24/08.
Army Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley
Remember Our Heroes
Army Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley, 48, of Willingboro, N.J.
Major Kelley was assigned to the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Green Bay, Wis.; died June 24, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from a bomb blast. Also killed was Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett.
N.J. trooper killed in Iraq
By Michael J. Feeney and Jason Tsai
NorthJersey.com
A New Jersey state trooper serving in the war in Iraq was among those killed in a bomb attack in Iraq, authorities have confirmed.
Detective Sgt. First Class Dwayne M. Kelley, 48, of South Orange, was among 10 people — including four Americans — killed in a bomb attack in an office in Sadr City yesterday. He was one of the Americans working to restore local government in the former Shiite militia stronghold.
Kelley, who served as a major with the civil affairs unit of the Army Reserve, was a member of the counter terrorism bureau.
“This was his third deployment to Iraq,” said State Police Capt. Al Della Fave. “He was there to help reconstruct the government and help build the communities.”
Kelley’s wife, 21-year-old daughter and other loved ones who gathered at his South Orange apartment said through a trooper posted at the complex that they didn’t want to comment. They were visited by, among others, the State Police superintendent, Col. Rick Fuentes.
State Police Sgt. Guy Packwood, who spent much of today outside the apartment complex, said he’d known Kelley several years. Kelley had volunteered with the Beth-El Masonic Temple in Newark and did work with the Shriners, he said.
“He believed in what he was doing, and he loved doing it,” Packwood said. “If this would have happened to me, I would have wanted him standing sentry.”
A big basketball fan, Kelley often joked that he could have played for the New York Knicks, said neighbor Shan Atkinson, 62, who had known him the past four years.
Whenever she ran into him in the laundry room of the complex, Atkinson said, Kelley playfully asked: “What did you cook for me today?” Kelley’s grandparents were full-bloodied Cherokees, Atkinson said, and she often made him traditional food. He liked Arabic food, as well, she said, noting that she’d made grape leaves for Kelley the last time she saw him.
“He was very nice, very friendly, always smiling,” Atkinson said.
The strapping father of two became a state trooper in February 1988. In addition to serving on the state police terrorism task force, he also worked with the FBI’s terrorism task force in Newark, the captain said. Kelley began his work overseas in November, before the holidays, he said.
He received a valor award for his work in Guantanamo Bay assisting the FBI terrorism task force by interviewing detainees, said Della Fave. Kelley was also awarded for his work in the state police’s auto theft unit.
Kelley was a “tremendous tool” in Iraq, especially because he spoke Arabic, said Della Fave.
The news comes on the same day that a New Jersey National Guard Unit left the Teaneck armory for deployment to Iraq. This morning they traveled to McGuire Air Force Base and then will head to Fort Bliss, Texas, where they will begin two months of desert training before leaving for duty in Iraq in September.
It also comes amid news of a roadside bomb killing three American soldiers and an interpreter north of Baghdad.
The Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman suggested that Iraqi officials — and not the Americans — were the main target.
At least 25 service members have died this month, with eight deaths coming since Friday. May’s death tally of 19 was the lowest monthly toll of the Iraq conflict.
The recent deaths brought to at least 4,109 the number of U.S. military members who have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The fighting in the south broke out before dawn near Nassiriyah, 200 miles south of Baghdad, as Iraqi forces were conducting house-to-house searches for Shiite militants.
Nassiriyah police chief Brig. Gen. Sabah al-Fatlawi said 14 suspects had been arrested but that sporadic clashes were continuing.
The area is a stronghold of the Mahdi Army of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and has been plagued by power struggles between rival Shiite factions — some with close ties to the Shiite-led national government.
Internal Shiite rivalries may have been behind Tuesday’s deadly blast inside the district council building in Sadr City, al-Sadr’s Baghdad stronghold. The bomb went off inside a councilman’s office ahead of an election to choose a new chairman of the council.
Defense spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari said a preliminary investigation indicated that the Iraqi council members were the main target of the blast.
“The presence of the American forces and embassy employees was by chance,” al-Askari said. “Chance played a role in the casualties among the Americans.”
A dozen people were being detained for questioning, including 10 security guards.
Packwood, of the State Police, said Kelley’s body most likely will be returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware later this week. A former State Police captain who’s also stationed in Iraq had remained with his body, Packwood said. Meanwhile, outside Kelley’s home, various troopers continue to take turns standing sentry.
Army Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley was killed in action on 6/24/08.
Army Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley, 48, of Willingboro, N.J.
Major Kelley was assigned to the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Green Bay, Wis.; died June 24, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from a bomb blast. Also killed was Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Hammett.
N.J. trooper killed in Iraq
By Michael J. Feeney and Jason Tsai
NorthJersey.com
A New Jersey state trooper serving in the war in Iraq was among those killed in a bomb attack in Iraq, authorities have confirmed.
Detective Sgt. First Class Dwayne M. Kelley, 48, of South Orange, was among 10 people — including four Americans — killed in a bomb attack in an office in Sadr City yesterday. He was one of the Americans working to restore local government in the former Shiite militia stronghold.
Kelley, who served as a major with the civil affairs unit of the Army Reserve, was a member of the counter terrorism bureau.
“This was his third deployment to Iraq,” said State Police Capt. Al Della Fave. “He was there to help reconstruct the government and help build the communities.”
Kelley’s wife, 21-year-old daughter and other loved ones who gathered at his South Orange apartment said through a trooper posted at the complex that they didn’t want to comment. They were visited by, among others, the State Police superintendent, Col. Rick Fuentes.
State Police Sgt. Guy Packwood, who spent much of today outside the apartment complex, said he’d known Kelley several years. Kelley had volunteered with the Beth-El Masonic Temple in Newark and did work with the Shriners, he said.
“He believed in what he was doing, and he loved doing it,” Packwood said. “If this would have happened to me, I would have wanted him standing sentry.”
A big basketball fan, Kelley often joked that he could have played for the New York Knicks, said neighbor Shan Atkinson, 62, who had known him the past four years.
Whenever she ran into him in the laundry room of the complex, Atkinson said, Kelley playfully asked: “What did you cook for me today?” Kelley’s grandparents were full-bloodied Cherokees, Atkinson said, and she often made him traditional food. He liked Arabic food, as well, she said, noting that she’d made grape leaves for Kelley the last time she saw him.
“He was very nice, very friendly, always smiling,” Atkinson said.
The strapping father of two became a state trooper in February 1988. In addition to serving on the state police terrorism task force, he also worked with the FBI’s terrorism task force in Newark, the captain said. Kelley began his work overseas in November, before the holidays, he said.
He received a valor award for his work in Guantanamo Bay assisting the FBI terrorism task force by interviewing detainees, said Della Fave. Kelley was also awarded for his work in the state police’s auto theft unit.
Kelley was a “tremendous tool” in Iraq, especially because he spoke Arabic, said Della Fave.
The news comes on the same day that a New Jersey National Guard Unit left the Teaneck armory for deployment to Iraq. This morning they traveled to McGuire Air Force Base and then will head to Fort Bliss, Texas, where they will begin two months of desert training before leaving for duty in Iraq in September.
It also comes amid news of a roadside bomb killing three American soldiers and an interpreter north of Baghdad.
The Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman suggested that Iraqi officials — and not the Americans — were the main target.
At least 25 service members have died this month, with eight deaths coming since Friday. May’s death tally of 19 was the lowest monthly toll of the Iraq conflict.
The recent deaths brought to at least 4,109 the number of U.S. military members who have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The fighting in the south broke out before dawn near Nassiriyah, 200 miles south of Baghdad, as Iraqi forces were conducting house-to-house searches for Shiite militants.
Nassiriyah police chief Brig. Gen. Sabah al-Fatlawi said 14 suspects had been arrested but that sporadic clashes were continuing.
The area is a stronghold of the Mahdi Army of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and has been plagued by power struggles between rival Shiite factions — some with close ties to the Shiite-led national government.
Internal Shiite rivalries may have been behind Tuesday’s deadly blast inside the district council building in Sadr City, al-Sadr’s Baghdad stronghold. The bomb went off inside a councilman’s office ahead of an election to choose a new chairman of the council.
Defense spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari said a preliminary investigation indicated that the Iraqi council members were the main target of the blast.
“The presence of the American forces and embassy employees was by chance,” al-Askari said. “Chance played a role in the casualties among the Americans.”
A dozen people were being detained for questioning, including 10 security guards.
Packwood, of the State Police, said Kelley’s body most likely will be returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware later this week. A former State Police captain who’s also stationed in Iraq had remained with his body, Packwood said. Meanwhile, outside Kelley’s home, various troopers continue to take turns standing sentry.
Army Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley was killed in action on 6/24/08.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Army Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio
Remember Our Heroes
Army Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio, 30, of Cherry Hill, N.J.
Capt. Dalessio was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany; died June 23, 2008 in Baghdad of wounds sustained in Salman Pak, Iraq, when his patrol encountered small arms fire during combat operations. Also killed was Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas.
Cherry Hill soldier loved family, God
By George Mast
(Cherry Hill, N.J.) Courier-Post
Those who knew Greg Dalessio are quick to point out two traits in his life — his love for his family and his faith in God.
These foundations were echoed throughout the funeral mass of Capt. Gregory Dalessio, 30, on Wednesday. Dalessio died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq from injuries suffered in an attack that day during his second tour of duty.
The Cherry Hill native was laid to rest with full military parade in Colestown Ceremony following the morning service at St. Peter Celestine Church on Kings Highway.
“When thinking of Greg only one word comes to mind — family,” his younger brother Nicholas Pagano shared during the service.
Dalessio was the oldest of eight children.
“There are few things left in this world that can not be measured and Greg’s love for his family remains one of those things,” Nicholas said.
Greg’s brother Daniel Pagano read a letter to the approximately 400 gathered at the parish that his brother had sent from Iraq two days after Thanksgiving.
In the letter Greg said he was writing to his family in the place of Christmas presents and took time to individually thank each one for their impact on his life. The letter drew laughter at times and moments of silence at others as family members fought back tears
Greg described one sister as giving the best hugs in the world and to a brother he attributed the title “king of love.”
To his mother Maureen Pagano, Greg wrote, “You are my favorite person in the world.”
He went on to say that he only hoped to one day become half the parent his mother had been to him and his siblings.
While Dalessio will never get that chance, Father Thomas Newton, the pastor of St. Peter Celestine, where Dalessio was an active member, pointed out that he had already impacted all of their lives.
“Think about the good that he has brought into your life,” he said.
Newton said to observe Dalessio’s life of love and service is to see an example of Jesus himself.
Dalessio was raised in the Knollwood section and graduated from Bishop Eustace Prep School in Pennsauken in 1996. He was fatally shot June 23 as he emerged from a weekly reconstruction meeting with Iraqi officials. A second U.S. soldier, Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas, was also killed in the attack.
In the moments after the shooting Dalessio’s captain held him in his arms and told Dalessio he loved him, Newton said, adding that moments later Dalessio was handed into the arms of God.
Military representatives presented Dalessio’s family with the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge at the close of the service.
The flag draped coffin was escorted to Colestown Cemetery by around 30 members of the New Jersey Patriot Guard Riders. The bikers, comprised mostly of veterans, lined the front of the parish before the service with U.S. flags.
Several members of the military who served with Dalessio were present on Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Jeff Grable, described Delassio, who served under him in Iraq in 2006, as a man with exceptional character.
“He got tough jobs done and I didn’t have to check up on him,” Grable said.
While Delassio’s leadership and personality set him apart from others, Grable referred back to the familiar traits as to what stood out most in Delassio’s life.
“There was no questioning Greg’s faith and Greg’s love for his family and his friends,” he said.” There wasn’t anybody that did not know about Greg’s family.
Army Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio was killed in action on 6/23/08.
Army Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio, 30, of Cherry Hill, N.J.
Capt. Dalessio was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany; died June 23, 2008 in Baghdad of wounds sustained in Salman Pak, Iraq, when his patrol encountered small arms fire during combat operations. Also killed was Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas.
Cherry Hill soldier loved family, God
By George Mast
(Cherry Hill, N.J.) Courier-Post
Those who knew Greg Dalessio are quick to point out two traits in his life — his love for his family and his faith in God.
These foundations were echoed throughout the funeral mass of Capt. Gregory Dalessio, 30, on Wednesday. Dalessio died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq from injuries suffered in an attack that day during his second tour of duty.
The Cherry Hill native was laid to rest with full military parade in Colestown Ceremony following the morning service at St. Peter Celestine Church on Kings Highway.
“When thinking of Greg only one word comes to mind — family,” his younger brother Nicholas Pagano shared during the service.
Dalessio was the oldest of eight children.
“There are few things left in this world that can not be measured and Greg’s love for his family remains one of those things,” Nicholas said.
Greg’s brother Daniel Pagano read a letter to the approximately 400 gathered at the parish that his brother had sent from Iraq two days after Thanksgiving.
In the letter Greg said he was writing to his family in the place of Christmas presents and took time to individually thank each one for their impact on his life. The letter drew laughter at times and moments of silence at others as family members fought back tears
Greg described one sister as giving the best hugs in the world and to a brother he attributed the title “king of love.”
To his mother Maureen Pagano, Greg wrote, “You are my favorite person in the world.”
He went on to say that he only hoped to one day become half the parent his mother had been to him and his siblings.
While Dalessio will never get that chance, Father Thomas Newton, the pastor of St. Peter Celestine, where Dalessio was an active member, pointed out that he had already impacted all of their lives.
“Think about the good that he has brought into your life,” he said.
Newton said to observe Dalessio’s life of love and service is to see an example of Jesus himself.
Dalessio was raised in the Knollwood section and graduated from Bishop Eustace Prep School in Pennsauken in 1996. He was fatally shot June 23 as he emerged from a weekly reconstruction meeting with Iraqi officials. A second U.S. soldier, Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas, was also killed in the attack.
In the moments after the shooting Dalessio’s captain held him in his arms and told Dalessio he loved him, Newton said, adding that moments later Dalessio was handed into the arms of God.
Military representatives presented Dalessio’s family with the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge at the close of the service.
The flag draped coffin was escorted to Colestown Cemetery by around 30 members of the New Jersey Patriot Guard Riders. The bikers, comprised mostly of veterans, lined the front of the parish before the service with U.S. flags.
Several members of the military who served with Dalessio were present on Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Jeff Grable, described Delassio, who served under him in Iraq in 2006, as a man with exceptional character.
“He got tough jobs done and I didn’t have to check up on him,” Grable said.
While Delassio’s leadership and personality set him apart from others, Grable referred back to the familiar traits as to what stood out most in Delassio’s life.
“There was no questioning Greg’s faith and Greg’s love for his family and his friends,” he said.” There wasn’t anybody that did not know about Greg’s family.
Army Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio was killed in action on 6/23/08.
Army Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas
Remember Our Heroes
Army Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas, 22, of Lake Charles, La.
Pfc. Thomas was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany; died June 23, 2008 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained in Salman Pak, Iraq, when his patrol encountered small arms fire during combat operations. Also killed was Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio.
Family, friends mourn soldier’s passing
The Associated Press
LAKE CHARLES, La. — Hundreds gathered Wednesday at the New Emmanuel Baptist Church to pay tribute to Army Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas, who was killed by small arms fire in Salman Pak, Iraq last month.
Rev. Roland E. Mouton Jr. praised 22-year-old Thomas’s bravery.
“He knew the chances that were there,” Mouton said. “He could’ve made some bad choices like others his age, but he lived for something.”
Mouton said Thomas always stayed true to his Christian beliefs.
“I count Bryan as a double soldier,” he said. “He was not just a soldier in the Army, but he was a soldier for God.”
State Rep. A.B. Franklin, Mayor Randy Roach and City Councilman Rodney Geyen issued proclamations honoring Thomas’ service to his country. Franklin said he was a long-time friend of Thomas’ family.
“This is so hard for everyone in the community,” he said. “I pray that God comforts everyone who was affected by this.”
Roach said Thomas’ death is a reminder of just how much men and women in uniform sacrifice.
Mouton, at the end of the service, gave a word of comfort for those who thought Thomas’ life was cut too short.
“It’s not how long you live, it’s about how well you live,” he said. “In 22 years, Bryan captured the hearts of all of us in here.”
About 200 people were on hand Tuesday for a motorcade memorial in remembrance of Thomas, who was killed June 23 about 15 miles south of Baghdad. Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio, 30, of Cherry Hill, N.J., was also killed in the attack.
Thomas was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division based in Baumholder, Germany. He received several military honors, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal.
Following Wednesday’s service, Thomas was buried at Community Cemetery in DeQuincy.
Army Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas was killed in action on 6/23/08.
Army Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas, 22, of Lake Charles, La.
Pfc. Thomas was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany; died June 23, 2008 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained in Salman Pak, Iraq, when his patrol encountered small arms fire during combat operations. Also killed was Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio.
Family, friends mourn soldier’s passing
The Associated Press
LAKE CHARLES, La. — Hundreds gathered Wednesday at the New Emmanuel Baptist Church to pay tribute to Army Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas, who was killed by small arms fire in Salman Pak, Iraq last month.
Rev. Roland E. Mouton Jr. praised 22-year-old Thomas’s bravery.
“He knew the chances that were there,” Mouton said. “He could’ve made some bad choices like others his age, but he lived for something.”
Mouton said Thomas always stayed true to his Christian beliefs.
“I count Bryan as a double soldier,” he said. “He was not just a soldier in the Army, but he was a soldier for God.”
State Rep. A.B. Franklin, Mayor Randy Roach and City Councilman Rodney Geyen issued proclamations honoring Thomas’ service to his country. Franklin said he was a long-time friend of Thomas’ family.
“This is so hard for everyone in the community,” he said. “I pray that God comforts everyone who was affected by this.”
Roach said Thomas’ death is a reminder of just how much men and women in uniform sacrifice.
Mouton, at the end of the service, gave a word of comfort for those who thought Thomas’ life was cut too short.
“It’s not how long you live, it’s about how well you live,” he said. “In 22 years, Bryan captured the hearts of all of us in here.”
About 200 people were on hand Tuesday for a motorcade memorial in remembrance of Thomas, who was killed June 23 about 15 miles south of Baghdad. Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio, 30, of Cherry Hill, N.J., was also killed in the attack.
Thomas was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division based in Baumholder, Germany. He received several military honors, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal.
Following Wednesday’s service, Thomas was buried at Community Cemetery in DeQuincy.
Army Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas was killed in action on 6/23/08.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Army Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of Queens, N.Y.
Sgt. Seabrooks was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.; died June 21, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Lt. Col. James J. Walton, Spc. Anthony L. Mangano and Sgt. Nelson D. Ramirez Rodriguez.
N.Y. governor orders flags at half-staff for slain soldiers
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Gov. David Paterson has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on government buildings across New York state on Sunday in honor of three Army National Guardsmen killed in Afghanistan.
The governor’s office identified the men as Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks of the South Ozone Park section of Queens; Spc. Anthony Mangano of Greenlawn on Long Island; and Spc. Nelson Rodriguez-Ramirez of Revere, Mass.
The soldiers were killed last Saturday in an ambush en route to a training site. Their vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.
All three were assigned to A Troop, Second Squadron 101st Cavalry in upstate New York. They were part of a multinational task force training the Afghan national army and police.
Daily Press -- NEWPORT NEWS - A Newport News woman is mourning the death of her soldier husband who was killed by an explosion in Afghanistan Saturday.
Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of Queens, N.Y., was one of four soldiers killed Saturday when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device and came under small arms fire in Kandahar City, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Tuesday.
Seabrooks was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry of the New York Army National Guard, based in Geneva, N.Y.
His wife Kimberly lives with her mother in the Denbigh area of Newport News.
She said her husband had survived a tour of Iraq four years ago, but Afghanistan was equally dangerous.
"I was shocked," she said Tuesday. "To me Afghanistan is as bad as Iraq." While Kimberly Seabrooks does not believe the U.S. Army should still be in Afghanistan, she said her husband was aware of the risks.
"They know they have a job to do and it's what they are trained to do," she said.
Seabrooks started his tour of duty in Afghanistan in March.
He was sent to Iraq in 2004. "It was really bad out there," his wife said. She initially thought Afghanistan would be a safer posting.
The couple has two children. "He was a loving father and husband and a great person," Kimberly Seabrooks said. "He was very energetic."
Army Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks was killed in action on 6/21/08.
Army Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of Queens, N.Y.
Sgt. Seabrooks was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.; died June 21, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Lt. Col. James J. Walton, Spc. Anthony L. Mangano and Sgt. Nelson D. Ramirez Rodriguez.
N.Y. governor orders flags at half-staff for slain soldiers
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Gov. David Paterson has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on government buildings across New York state on Sunday in honor of three Army National Guardsmen killed in Afghanistan.
The governor’s office identified the men as Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks of the South Ozone Park section of Queens; Spc. Anthony Mangano of Greenlawn on Long Island; and Spc. Nelson Rodriguez-Ramirez of Revere, Mass.
The soldiers were killed last Saturday in an ambush en route to a training site. Their vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.
All three were assigned to A Troop, Second Squadron 101st Cavalry in upstate New York. They were part of a multinational task force training the Afghan national army and police.
Daily Press -- NEWPORT NEWS - A Newport News woman is mourning the death of her soldier husband who was killed by an explosion in Afghanistan Saturday.
Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of Queens, N.Y., was one of four soldiers killed Saturday when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device and came under small arms fire in Kandahar City, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Tuesday.
Seabrooks was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry of the New York Army National Guard, based in Geneva, N.Y.
His wife Kimberly lives with her mother in the Denbigh area of Newport News.
She said her husband had survived a tour of Iraq four years ago, but Afghanistan was equally dangerous.
"I was shocked," she said Tuesday. "To me Afghanistan is as bad as Iraq." While Kimberly Seabrooks does not believe the U.S. Army should still be in Afghanistan, she said her husband was aware of the risks.
"They know they have a job to do and it's what they are trained to do," she said.
Seabrooks started his tour of duty in Afghanistan in March.
He was sent to Iraq in 2004. "It was really bad out there," his wife said. She initially thought Afghanistan would be a safer posting.
The couple has two children. "He was a loving father and husband and a great person," Kimberly Seabrooks said. "He was very energetic."
Army Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks was killed in action on 6/21/08.
Army Lt. Col. James J. Walton
Remember Our Heroes
Army Lt. Col. James J. Walton, 41, of Rockville, Md.
Lt. Col. Walton was assigned to a Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died June 21, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Spc. Anthony L. Mangano, Sgt. Nelson D. Ramirez Rodriguez and Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks.
Soldier from Rockville killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
ROCKVILLE, Md. — A Rockville soldier was one of four killed in Afghanistan when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb, Pentagon officials said.
Forty-one-year-old Lt. Col. James J. Walton was assigned to a Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division based in Fort Riley, Kan. He died Saturday when a roadside bomb hit a coalition convoy in Kandahar, the Defense Department said.
Walton joined the Army in 1989, and this was his second deployment in the war on global terror, a Fort Riley spokeswoman said.
Joseph Moschler of Midlothian, Va., said Walton was married to his daughter, Sarah Walton of Arlington, Va. He said the couple last saw each other in December 2007 before Walton’s deployment.
“We’re still trying to deal with it,” Moschler said in a phone interview.
“He was a wonderful man, a real professional soldier and he was doing what he wanted to do,” Moschler said. “He was a graduate of West Point, he had 20 years of service, and he felt a real call to serve his government and his country — and he did it and never complained.”
Army Lt. Col. James J. Walton was killed in action on 6/21/08.
Army Lt. Col. James J. Walton, 41, of Rockville, Md.
Lt. Col. Walton was assigned to a Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died June 21, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Spc. Anthony L. Mangano, Sgt. Nelson D. Ramirez Rodriguez and Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks.
Soldier from Rockville killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
ROCKVILLE, Md. — A Rockville soldier was one of four killed in Afghanistan when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb, Pentagon officials said.
Forty-one-year-old Lt. Col. James J. Walton was assigned to a Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division based in Fort Riley, Kan. He died Saturday when a roadside bomb hit a coalition convoy in Kandahar, the Defense Department said.
Walton joined the Army in 1989, and this was his second deployment in the war on global terror, a Fort Riley spokeswoman said.
Joseph Moschler of Midlothian, Va., said Walton was married to his daughter, Sarah Walton of Arlington, Va. He said the couple last saw each other in December 2007 before Walton’s deployment.
“We’re still trying to deal with it,” Moschler said in a phone interview.
“He was a wonderful man, a real professional soldier and he was doing what he wanted to do,” Moschler said. “He was a graduate of West Point, he had 20 years of service, and he felt a real call to serve his government and his country — and he did it and never complained.”
Army Lt. Col. James J. Walton was killed in action on 6/21/08.
Army Sgt. Anthony L. Mangano
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. Anthony L. Mangano, 36, of Greenlawn, N.Y.
Sgt. Mangano was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.; died June 21, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Lt. Col. James J. Walton, Sgt. Nelson D. Ramirez Rodriguez and Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks.
N.Y. governor orders flags at half-staff for slain soldiers
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Gov. David Paterson has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on government buildings across New York state on Sunday in honor of three Army National Guardsmen killed in Afghanistan.
The governor’s office identified the men as Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks of the South Ozone Park section of Queens; Spc. Anthony Mangano of Greenlawn on Long Island; and Spc. Nelson Rodriguez-Ramirez of Revere, Mass.
The soldiers were killed last Saturday in an ambush en route to a training site. Their vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.
All three were assigned to A Troop, Second Squadron 101st Cavalry in upstate New York. They were part of a multinational task force training the Afghan national army and police.
Newsday -- A New York Army National Guard soldier from Greenlawn who had chosen to re-enlist and another from Queens were among four U.S. troops killed in an attack in Afghanistan on Saturday, Defense Department officials said yesterday.
Spc. Anthony L. Mangano, 36, of Greenlawn, and Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of South Ozone Park, died after their vehicle was hit by a bomb and came under small-arms fire, according to a U.S. Department of Defense statement released yesterday.
"He loved his country more than anything, and he wanted to do something to make it safer," Mangano's mother, Constance, said last night outside the Irving Place home she shared with Anthony, across the street from her other son, Michael.
Also killed were Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez, 22, of Revere, Mass., and Lt. Col. James J. Walton, 41, of Rockville, Md.
Mangano, Seabrooks and Rodriguez Ramirez were all members of 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry of the New York National Guard, based in upstate Geneva.
Constance Mangano said she last spoke with her son Friday, hours before he was killed. She said her son looked forward to visiting his wife, Tatiana, in Brazil during a leave next month.
The two married in December after dating for several years.
Constance Mangano said her son works in construction and had been an officer in the upstate Cairo Police Department when her family lived in the Catskills. He looked forward to returning to a law enforcement career in Florida, she said.
Anthony Mangano, who has an associate degree from upstate Columbia-Greene Community College, first served in the National Guard in 1991 and chose to re-enlist last year for another three-year tour.
Mangano was posthumously promoted to sergeant, his mother said. He is also survived by his sister, Jeanne Renneberg, 45. His father, Leonard, died in 2002. Seabrooks' relatives could not be reached last night.
Army Sgt. Anthony L. Mangano was killed in action on 6/21/08.
Army Sgt. Anthony L. Mangano, 36, of Greenlawn, N.Y.
Sgt. Mangano was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.; died June 21, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Lt. Col. James J. Walton, Sgt. Nelson D. Ramirez Rodriguez and Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks.
N.Y. governor orders flags at half-staff for slain soldiers
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Gov. David Paterson has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on government buildings across New York state on Sunday in honor of three Army National Guardsmen killed in Afghanistan.
The governor’s office identified the men as Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks of the South Ozone Park section of Queens; Spc. Anthony Mangano of Greenlawn on Long Island; and Spc. Nelson Rodriguez-Ramirez of Revere, Mass.
The soldiers were killed last Saturday in an ambush en route to a training site. Their vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.
All three were assigned to A Troop, Second Squadron 101st Cavalry in upstate New York. They were part of a multinational task force training the Afghan national army and police.
Newsday -- A New York Army National Guard soldier from Greenlawn who had chosen to re-enlist and another from Queens were among four U.S. troops killed in an attack in Afghanistan on Saturday, Defense Department officials said yesterday.
Spc. Anthony L. Mangano, 36, of Greenlawn, and Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of South Ozone Park, died after their vehicle was hit by a bomb and came under small-arms fire, according to a U.S. Department of Defense statement released yesterday.
"He loved his country more than anything, and he wanted to do something to make it safer," Mangano's mother, Constance, said last night outside the Irving Place home she shared with Anthony, across the street from her other son, Michael.
Also killed were Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez, 22, of Revere, Mass., and Lt. Col. James J. Walton, 41, of Rockville, Md.
Mangano, Seabrooks and Rodriguez Ramirez were all members of 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry of the New York National Guard, based in upstate Geneva.
Constance Mangano said she last spoke with her son Friday, hours before he was killed. She said her son looked forward to visiting his wife, Tatiana, in Brazil during a leave next month.
The two married in December after dating for several years.
Constance Mangano said her son works in construction and had been an officer in the upstate Cairo Police Department when her family lived in the Catskills. He looked forward to returning to a law enforcement career in Florida, she said.
Anthony Mangano, who has an associate degree from upstate Columbia-Greene Community College, first served in the National Guard in 1991 and chose to re-enlist last year for another three-year tour.
Mangano was posthumously promoted to sergeant, his mother said. He is also survived by his sister, Jeanne Renneberg, 45. His father, Leonard, died in 2002. Seabrooks' relatives could not be reached last night.
Army Sgt. Anthony L. Mangano was killed in action on 6/21/08.
Army Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez, 22, of Revere, Mass.
Sgt. Ramirez was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.; died June 21, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Lt. Col. James J. Walton, Spc. Anthony L. Mangano and Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks.
N.Y. governor orders flags at half-staff for slain soldiers
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Gov. David Paterson has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on government buildings across New York state on Sunday in honor of three Army National Guardsmen killed in Afghanistan.
The governor’s office identified the men as Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks of the South Ozone Park section of Queens; Spc. Anthony Mangano of Greenlawn on Long Island; and Spc. Nelson Rodriguez-Ramirez of Revere, Mass.
The soldiers were killed last Saturday in an ambush en route to a training site. Their vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.
All three were assigned to A Troop, Second Squadron 101st Cavalry in upstate New York. They were part of a multinational task force training the Afghan national army and police.
Friends, family to attend Mass. soldier’s funeral
The Associated Press
BOSTON — Friends and family of Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez were gathering for his funeral at the Immaculate Conception Church in Revere on Saturday.
Ramirez, 22, was among three members of a New York Army National Guard unit based in Geneva who died from wounds suffered when their vehicle was hit by a bomb and small arms fire in Afghanistan.
The flag-draped coffin bearing the body of the father of two was escorted by police from Logan International Airport through the city to a local funeral home on Friday.
Gov. Deval Patrick was among those planning to attend the funeral.
The funeral is set to be followed by a burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
Friends, family mourn soldier
The Associated Press
BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick joined hundreds of friends, family and well-wishers who gathered in Revere for the funeral of Sgt. Nelson Rodriguez Ramirez.
The 22-year-old Ramirez was among three members of a New York Army National Guard unit based in Geneva who died from wounds suffered when their vehicle was hit by a bomb and small arms fire in Afghanistan.
He was buried Saturday in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, following a funeral service at the Immaculate Conception Church in Revere.
The flag-draped coffin bearing the body of the father of two was escorted by police from Logan International Airport through the city to a local funeral home on Friday.
Army Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez was killed in action on 6/21/08.
Army Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez, 22, of Revere, Mass.
Sgt. Ramirez was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.; died June 21, 2008 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Lt. Col. James J. Walton, Spc. Anthony L. Mangano and Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks.
N.Y. governor orders flags at half-staff for slain soldiers
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Gov. David Paterson has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on government buildings across New York state on Sunday in honor of three Army National Guardsmen killed in Afghanistan.
The governor’s office identified the men as Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks of the South Ozone Park section of Queens; Spc. Anthony Mangano of Greenlawn on Long Island; and Spc. Nelson Rodriguez-Ramirez of Revere, Mass.
The soldiers were killed last Saturday in an ambush en route to a training site. Their vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.
All three were assigned to A Troop, Second Squadron 101st Cavalry in upstate New York. They were part of a multinational task force training the Afghan national army and police.
Friends, family to attend Mass. soldier’s funeral
The Associated Press
BOSTON — Friends and family of Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez were gathering for his funeral at the Immaculate Conception Church in Revere on Saturday.
Ramirez, 22, was among three members of a New York Army National Guard unit based in Geneva who died from wounds suffered when their vehicle was hit by a bomb and small arms fire in Afghanistan.
The flag-draped coffin bearing the body of the father of two was escorted by police from Logan International Airport through the city to a local funeral home on Friday.
Gov. Deval Patrick was among those planning to attend the funeral.
The funeral is set to be followed by a burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
Friends, family mourn soldier
The Associated Press
BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick joined hundreds of friends, family and well-wishers who gathered in Revere for the funeral of Sgt. Nelson Rodriguez Ramirez.
The 22-year-old Ramirez was among three members of a New York Army National Guard unit based in Geneva who died from wounds suffered when their vehicle was hit by a bomb and small arms fire in Afghanistan.
He was buried Saturday in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, following a funeral service at the Immaculate Conception Church in Revere.
The flag-draped coffin bearing the body of the father of two was escorted by police from Logan International Airport through the city to a local funeral home on Friday.
Army Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez was killed in action on 6/21/08.
Army Spc. Megan L. Heine Touma
Remember Our Heroes
COLD SPRING – Spc. Megan L. Heine Touma, 23, of Fort Bragg, N.C., formerly of Cold Spring, died Saturday, June 21, in Fayetteville, N.C.
She was a dental specialist for the Army in Bampberg, Germany and Fort Bragg, N.C.
Survivors include her parents, sister, Melissa Heine; brother, Bradley S. Heine; grandparents, William D. Heine Sr., J.V. and Barbara Pickering.
No public services.
Memorials: Yellow Ribbon Support Center, Attn. Keith and Carolin Maupin, 700 Eastgate Blvd. South, Suite 430, Cincinnati, OH 45245.
A letter from her family:
"Megan was a young, vibrant, fun loving young lady. She loved the military. We are saddened by the fact that you didn’t get the chance to get to know her and experience her enthusiasm for life and the military. We are very, very proud of her and her accomplishments, both civilian and military and we are profoundly saddened by the fact that we won’t ever get to know our first grandchild. There are no words I can think of right now to express our sorrow, but we take comfort in the fact that she is with God and her baby, in peace forever.”
COLD SPRING – Spc. Megan L. Heine Touma, 23, of Fort Bragg, N.C., formerly of Cold Spring, died Saturday, June 21, in Fayetteville, N.C.
She was a dental specialist for the Army in Bampberg, Germany and Fort Bragg, N.C.
Survivors include her parents, sister, Melissa Heine; brother, Bradley S. Heine; grandparents, William D. Heine Sr., J.V. and Barbara Pickering.
No public services.
Memorials: Yellow Ribbon Support Center, Attn. Keith and Carolin Maupin, 700 Eastgate Blvd. South, Suite 430, Cincinnati, OH 45245.
A letter from her family:
"Megan was a young, vibrant, fun loving young lady. She loved the military. We are saddened by the fact that you didn’t get the chance to get to know her and experience her enthusiasm for life and the military. We are very, very proud of her and her accomplishments, both civilian and military and we are profoundly saddened by the fact that we won’t ever get to know our first grandchild. There are no words I can think of right now to express our sorrow, but we take comfort in the fact that she is with God and her baby, in peace forever.”
Friday, June 20, 2008
Army Staff Sgt. Du Hai Tran
Remember Our Heroes
Army Staff Sgt. Du Hai Tran, 30, of Reseda, Calif.
SSgt. Tran was assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany; died June 20, 2008 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on patrol during combat operations.
Los Angeles Daily News -- RESEDA - Officials have identified a soldier killed in Iraq earlier last week as a 30-year-old Reseda man.
Staff Sgt. Du Hai Tran died June 20 while on patrol in Baqubah, Iraq, after an improvised explosive device blew up near his unit, according to the department of defense.
Two other soldiers were wounded in the blast.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered Capitol flags to be flown at half-staff Tuesday in honor of Tran.
Tran was assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army, Vilseck, Germany.
Army Staff Sgt. Du Hai Tran was killed in action on 6/20/08.
Larger Image
Army Staff Sgt. Du Hai Tran, 30, of Reseda, Calif.
SSgt. Tran was assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany; died June 20, 2008 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on patrol during combat operations.
Los Angeles Daily News -- RESEDA - Officials have identified a soldier killed in Iraq earlier last week as a 30-year-old Reseda man.
Staff Sgt. Du Hai Tran died June 20 while on patrol in Baqubah, Iraq, after an improvised explosive device blew up near his unit, according to the department of defense.
Two other soldiers were wounded in the blast.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered Capitol flags to be flown at half-staff Tuesday in honor of Tran.
Tran was assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army, Vilseck, Germany.
Army Staff Sgt. Du Hai Tran was killed in action on 6/20/08.
Larger Image
Navy Hospitalman Dustin K. Burnett
Remember Our Heroes
Navy Hospitalman Dustin K. Burnett, 19, of Fort Mohave, Ariz.
Hospitalman Burnett was assigned to First Marine Division Detachment, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 20, 2008 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan.
Bomb kills sailor from Arizona
By John Faherty
The Arizona Republic
Debbie Nuchols opened the door at 10:30 last Friday night and knew.
“Two guys in dress whites and a Navy chaplain,” she said. “You know what they are there for. No doubt.”
They were there to tell the Fort Mohave woman that her son, 19-year-old Dustin Burnett, was dead.
On Friday, June 20, Burnett, was a passenger in a vehicle in the Farah province of central-western Afghanistan when a roadside bomb exploded and killed him.
He graduated from Mohave High School in 2007, joined the Navy and went off to war in Afghanistan.
When young men and young women from this part of far-western Arizona join the military, people come together for a send-off rally at the American Legion Post in Bullhead City.
“It’s a tradition here,” said Jack Hakim, the mayor of Bullhead City. “I present our fighting men with a key to the city, and I tell them the city is with them all the way. Let’s them know we will remember them.”
Nuchols remembers her son’s speech like it was yesterday.
“He said he wanted to fight for our freedoms. But more than that, he wanted to give the people over there the same freedoms he had.”
Nuchols was so proud of her son after the send-off rally that she told anybody who would listen that her son “could grow up and be president someday.”
The send-off rally was March 23.
He was sent to Afghanistan on April 1.
Burnett was in the landlocked country because he was a hospitalman attached to a Marine division. A hospitalman is a medic.
“Everybody over there called him Doc,” Nuchols said. “He loved the idea that he would be taking care of people.”
Burnett played football for the Fort Mohave Thunderbirds for four years.
His cousin remembers him as a happy and energetic young man.
“He was always smiling,” said Rachel Nuchols. “I can’t really picture him any way except full of life.”
Rachel said her cousin wanted to go to college when he got home from the Navy.
He leaves behind his mother and stepfather. And a little brother, 13-year-old Devin.
In the past school year, Devin was given an assignment to write about his hero. He wrote about his older brother.
The flags in Bullhead City are flying at half-staff today.
Burnett’s death marks the 121st member of the military with Arizona ties to die in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Navy Hospitalman Dustin K. Burnett was killed in action on 6/20/08.
Navy Hospitalman Dustin K. Burnett, 19, of Fort Mohave, Ariz.
Hospitalman Burnett was assigned to First Marine Division Detachment, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 20, 2008 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan.
Bomb kills sailor from Arizona
By John Faherty
The Arizona Republic
Debbie Nuchols opened the door at 10:30 last Friday night and knew.
“Two guys in dress whites and a Navy chaplain,” she said. “You know what they are there for. No doubt.”
They were there to tell the Fort Mohave woman that her son, 19-year-old Dustin Burnett, was dead.
On Friday, June 20, Burnett, was a passenger in a vehicle in the Farah province of central-western Afghanistan when a roadside bomb exploded and killed him.
He graduated from Mohave High School in 2007, joined the Navy and went off to war in Afghanistan.
When young men and young women from this part of far-western Arizona join the military, people come together for a send-off rally at the American Legion Post in Bullhead City.
“It’s a tradition here,” said Jack Hakim, the mayor of Bullhead City. “I present our fighting men with a key to the city, and I tell them the city is with them all the way. Let’s them know we will remember them.”
Nuchols remembers her son’s speech like it was yesterday.
“He said he wanted to fight for our freedoms. But more than that, he wanted to give the people over there the same freedoms he had.”
Nuchols was so proud of her son after the send-off rally that she told anybody who would listen that her son “could grow up and be president someday.”
The send-off rally was March 23.
He was sent to Afghanistan on April 1.
Burnett was in the landlocked country because he was a hospitalman attached to a Marine division. A hospitalman is a medic.
“Everybody over there called him Doc,” Nuchols said. “He loved the idea that he would be taking care of people.”
Burnett played football for the Fort Mohave Thunderbirds for four years.
His cousin remembers him as a happy and energetic young man.
“He was always smiling,” said Rachel Nuchols. “I can’t really picture him any way except full of life.”
Rachel said her cousin wanted to go to college when he got home from the Navy.
He leaves behind his mother and stepfather. And a little brother, 13-year-old Devin.
In the past school year, Devin was given an assignment to write about his hero. He wrote about his older brother.
The flags in Bullhead City are flying at half-staff today.
Burnett’s death marks the 121st member of the military with Arizona ties to die in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Navy Hospitalman Dustin K. Burnett was killed in action on 6/20/08.
Marine Sgt. Matthew E. Mendoza
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Sgt. Matthew E. Mendoza, 24, of San Antonio, Texas
Sgt. Mendoza was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 20, 2008 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Matthew E. Mendoza joined the Marines in 2004, becoming a pistol and rifle instructor at Twentynine Palms and training fellow soldiers in anti-terrorism tactics.
"He was good at slowing them down, making them relax and helping them qualify on the shooting range," said his father, Raul. "He was proud that he helped some of the females qualify. He got one shooting at expert level with the rifle."
Mendoza, 24, of San Antonio, Texas, was killed June 20 during combat in Helmand province. He was assigned to Twentynine Palms.
"He had a wonderful 24 years of life here that was cut short way too early," said his father. "As a sergeant his goal was to get all the men from his platoon back home. That was his No. 1 goal; he was going to do everything it took to make sure that happened. It took everything he had."
Football came naturally to Mendoza, who played in a Pop Warner youth league as a boy. He was a linebacker and running back in high school, and later coached in Pop Warner as an adult.
Mendoza also is survived by his wife, Valerie; 6-year-old son, Matthew.
Marine Sgt. Matthew E. Mendoza was killed in action on 6/20/08.
Marine Sgt. Matthew E. Mendoza, 24, of San Antonio, Texas
Sgt. Mendoza was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 20, 2008 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Matthew E. Mendoza joined the Marines in 2004, becoming a pistol and rifle instructor at Twentynine Palms and training fellow soldiers in anti-terrorism tactics.
"He was good at slowing them down, making them relax and helping them qualify on the shooting range," said his father, Raul. "He was proud that he helped some of the females qualify. He got one shooting at expert level with the rifle."
Mendoza, 24, of San Antonio, Texas, was killed June 20 during combat in Helmand province. He was assigned to Twentynine Palms.
"He had a wonderful 24 years of life here that was cut short way too early," said his father. "As a sergeant his goal was to get all the men from his platoon back home. That was his No. 1 goal; he was going to do everything it took to make sure that happened. It took everything he had."
Football came naturally to Mendoza, who played in a Pop Warner youth league as a boy. He was a linebacker and running back in high school, and later coached in Pop Warner as an adult.
Mendoza also is survived by his wife, Valerie; 6-year-old son, Matthew.
Marine Sgt. Matthew E. Mendoza was killed in action on 6/20/08.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Marine Capt. Eric D. Terhune
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Capt. Eric D. Terhune, 34, of Lexington, Ky.
Cpt. Terhune was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 19, 2008 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre.
Family remembers Marine killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Marine from Lexington who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan was remembered by family for his love of God, family and country.
Capt. Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, enlisted in the Marines right out of high school. His father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather also served in the armed forces.
Although a recent injury kept Terhune from flying, his family said he was eager to serve on the front lines.
“He was in the very best sense of the word, an officer, and a gentleman and a patriot,” said his uncle, David Terhune. “I always admired his strength and his power, but he was also gentle at the same time.”
Military officials said Terhune died Thursday while conducting a security patrol. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Terhune’s grandfather, Daniel Terhune, told WKYT-TV that his grandson told him not to worry.
“He said ‘If I live, wonderful, but if I die, it’s absent from the body and present with the Lord,” Daniel Terhune said.
Funeral services for Terhune are scheduled for Saturday at Anchor Baptist Church in Lexington. He will be buried at Camp Nelson Cemetery.
Hundreds mourn Kentucky Marine at funeral
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — More than 400 people packed a funeral service for Marine Capt. Eric Terhune, a 34-year-old Lexington resident killed in Afghanistan.
His uncle, David Terhune, told the crowded church that the Marine Corps was “a major theme in Eric’s life.”
Terhune was killed June 19 in Farah Province along with Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre, of Bryant, Ind., while on a security patrol.
He had already served two tours of duty in Iraq when he volunteered to go to Afghanistan.
He was the son and grandson of Marines and was even “born a Marine” at Quantico Naval Hospital, where his father was stationed.
Marine Capt. Eric D. Terhune was killed in action on 6/19/08.
Marine Capt. Eric D. Terhune, 34, of Lexington, Ky.
Cpt. Terhune was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 19, 2008 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre.
Family remembers Marine killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Marine from Lexington who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan was remembered by family for his love of God, family and country.
Capt. Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, enlisted in the Marines right out of high school. His father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather also served in the armed forces.
Although a recent injury kept Terhune from flying, his family said he was eager to serve on the front lines.
“He was in the very best sense of the word, an officer, and a gentleman and a patriot,” said his uncle, David Terhune. “I always admired his strength and his power, but he was also gentle at the same time.”
Military officials said Terhune died Thursday while conducting a security patrol. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Terhune’s grandfather, Daniel Terhune, told WKYT-TV that his grandson told him not to worry.
“He said ‘If I live, wonderful, but if I die, it’s absent from the body and present with the Lord,” Daniel Terhune said.
Funeral services for Terhune are scheduled for Saturday at Anchor Baptist Church in Lexington. He will be buried at Camp Nelson Cemetery.
Hundreds mourn Kentucky Marine at funeral
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — More than 400 people packed a funeral service for Marine Capt. Eric Terhune, a 34-year-old Lexington resident killed in Afghanistan.
His uncle, David Terhune, told the crowded church that the Marine Corps was “a major theme in Eric’s life.”
Terhune was killed June 19 in Farah Province along with Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre, of Bryant, Ind., while on a security patrol.
He had already served two tours of duty in Iraq when he volunteered to go to Afghanistan.
He was the son and grandson of Marines and was even “born a Marine” at Quantico Naval Hospital, where his father was stationed.
Marine Capt. Eric D. Terhune was killed in action on 6/19/08.
Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre, 21, of Bryant, Ind.
LCpl. Whitacre was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 19, 2008 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Capt. Eric D. Terhune.
Jay County mourns local Marine slain in Afghanistan
By Keith Roysdon
The (Muncie) Star Press
BRYANT — Jay County residents, already mourning the death in Afghanistan of a young Marine from Bryant, are likely to begin the official commemoration of his passing today.
Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre, 21, a 2005 graduate of Jay County High School, was among two Marines reported killed Thursday during the operations in Farah Province.
Whitacre was from the Jay County town of Bryant.
A funeral service is set for Friday at his high school, and the Jay County commissioners are likely to mark his passing, said commissioners President Milo Miller.
“We’ll fly the flag at half staff all week,” Miller said Sunday evening. “We need to do something to honor him.”
Whitacre was assigned to the Marine Expeditionary Force based at Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Whitacre’s family was not yet ready to comment this weekend, according to family friends.
Miller said he didn’t know Whitacre but saw him at a parade in Bryant last fall.
“He was surrounded by his old classmates,” Miller said.
“It’s a sad situation,” Miller added. “I feel sorry for the family. I know what it is to lose a son.
“He’s [in Afghanistan] for our benefit, to keep terrorism down in our country and help out over there,” Miller said. “It just takes a special young man to do that.”
Funeral services will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Jay County High School. Burial will be in the Gravel Hill Cemetery west of Bryant. The funeral procession will pass through Portland around 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Visitation will be Thursday noon-8 p.m. in Baird-Freeman Funeral Home.
Memorials can be made to the choice of the donor.
Family remembers Marine killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
BRYANT, Ind. — Burial is scheduled for Friday for a 21-year-old Marine from eastern Indiana’s Jay County who was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan.
Many flags in the small town of about 300 have been flying at half-staff to mark the death of Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre.
Ernie Whitacre said his son wanted to be a Marine since the age of 14.
“He was real community oriented,” Whitacre said. “He loved his town, he loved Indiana. He was always ready to stand up for somebody.”
Whitacre was among two Marines reported killed last week during the operations in Farah Province. He was assigned to the Marine Expeditionary Force based at Twentynine Palms, Calif.
“Even if he had nothing to do with them, he would fight their battles,” said his fiancee, Casey McGuire.
McGuire, 18, said she last spoke to her finance by phone from Afghanistan on June 16.
“I asked him if he was scared and he said ‘No,’ that he was just doing his job and he didn’t have time to be scared,” she said. “He would just tell me, ‘Everything is going to be OK. I’ll be home.”’
McGuire, who recently moved from her hometown of Parker, Ariz., to live with Whitacre’s father and stepmother, said their engagement photos arrived in the mail day after Whitacre was killed. They had set their wedding for next April in Arizona, where they had met last year
“We were supposed to be planning a wedding, not a funeral,” said his stepmother, Norma Whitacre.
Whitacre joined the Marines soon after graduating from Jay County High School in 2005. A funeral will be held Friday at the high school, followed by burial at Gravel Hill Cemetery near Bryant, about 30 miles northwest of Muncie.
Whitacre is the 19th person from Indiana who has died in Afghanistan or Pakistan since U.S. anti-terrorism operations began there in late 2001.
Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre was killed in action on 6/19/08.
Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre, 21, of Bryant, Ind.
LCpl. Whitacre was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 19, 2008 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Capt. Eric D. Terhune.
Jay County mourns local Marine slain in Afghanistan
By Keith Roysdon
The (Muncie) Star Press
BRYANT — Jay County residents, already mourning the death in Afghanistan of a young Marine from Bryant, are likely to begin the official commemoration of his passing today.
Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre, 21, a 2005 graduate of Jay County High School, was among two Marines reported killed Thursday during the operations in Farah Province.
Whitacre was from the Jay County town of Bryant.
A funeral service is set for Friday at his high school, and the Jay County commissioners are likely to mark his passing, said commissioners President Milo Miller.
“We’ll fly the flag at half staff all week,” Miller said Sunday evening. “We need to do something to honor him.”
Whitacre was assigned to the Marine Expeditionary Force based at Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Whitacre’s family was not yet ready to comment this weekend, according to family friends.
Miller said he didn’t know Whitacre but saw him at a parade in Bryant last fall.
“He was surrounded by his old classmates,” Miller said.
“It’s a sad situation,” Miller added. “I feel sorry for the family. I know what it is to lose a son.
“He’s [in Afghanistan] for our benefit, to keep terrorism down in our country and help out over there,” Miller said. “It just takes a special young man to do that.”
Funeral services will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Jay County High School. Burial will be in the Gravel Hill Cemetery west of Bryant. The funeral procession will pass through Portland around 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Visitation will be Thursday noon-8 p.m. in Baird-Freeman Funeral Home.
Memorials can be made to the choice of the donor.
Family remembers Marine killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
BRYANT, Ind. — Burial is scheduled for Friday for a 21-year-old Marine from eastern Indiana’s Jay County who was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan.
Many flags in the small town of about 300 have been flying at half-staff to mark the death of Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre.
Ernie Whitacre said his son wanted to be a Marine since the age of 14.
“He was real community oriented,” Whitacre said. “He loved his town, he loved Indiana. He was always ready to stand up for somebody.”
Whitacre was among two Marines reported killed last week during the operations in Farah Province. He was assigned to the Marine Expeditionary Force based at Twentynine Palms, Calif.
“Even if he had nothing to do with them, he would fight their battles,” said his fiancee, Casey McGuire.
McGuire, 18, said she last spoke to her finance by phone from Afghanistan on June 16.
“I asked him if he was scared and he said ‘No,’ that he was just doing his job and he didn’t have time to be scared,” she said. “He would just tell me, ‘Everything is going to be OK. I’ll be home.”’
McGuire, who recently moved from her hometown of Parker, Ariz., to live with Whitacre’s father and stepmother, said their engagement photos arrived in the mail day after Whitacre was killed. They had set their wedding for next April in Arizona, where they had met last year
“We were supposed to be planning a wedding, not a funeral,” said his stepmother, Norma Whitacre.
Whitacre joined the Marines soon after graduating from Jay County High School in 2005. A funeral will be held Friday at the high school, followed by burial at Gravel Hill Cemetery near Bryant, about 30 miles northwest of Muncie.
Whitacre is the 19th person from Indiana who has died in Afghanistan or Pakistan since U.S. anti-terrorism operations began there in late 2001.
Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre was killed in action on 6/19/08.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Navy Hospitalman Marc A. Retmier
Remember Our Heroes
Navy Hospitalman Marc A. Retmier, 19, of Hemet, Calif.
Hospitalman Retmier was assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Sharana in Afghanistan; died June 18, 2008 as a result of wounds sustained from an enemy rocket attack in Zerok province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Construction Mechanic 1st Class Ross L. Toles III.
Press-Enterprise -- When two men in white formal military uniforms came to the home of Joy Retmier this week, they didn't have to say a word. The mother of Marc Retmier broke down in tears.
"When they came to the house, I knew instantly," Joy Retmier said, surrounded by photos, flowers and a single candle burning near the kitchen table. "I told him to be careful, 'Please be careful.' I told him, 'Don't offer to go on dangerous missions. I want you to come home safe. I want you to come home alive.' "
The 19-year-old Navy medic had left Hemet at age 17, seeking the adrenaline rush of the front lines.
Marc Retmier was treating civilians in Afghanistan's northern Paktika province Wednesday when Taliban insurgents launched a rocket ambush on his team, killing him and another sailor and injuring seven others.
He is the Hemet area's 12th fallen son since the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks. According to what Retmier's family was told, he is California's 500th war casualty from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The San Jacinto Valley is among the areas that have suffered the highest concentrations of military casualties in the conflicts.
Marc Retmier spent his life like most of his friends, riding skateboards and doing high-flying motocross stunts in the hills of Beaumont and Lake Elsinore. He had played with army toys as a child.
A star safety on the West Valley High School football team, he also had lettered in swimming as a freshman. He attended Hemet High and graduated from Alessandro High School in Hemet.
He was the eldest of three brothers, ahead of Matthew, 17, and Mason, 11.
"He was one of the most popular kids in town," said Dale Powers, the grandfather whom Marc Retmier called "Papa." "He's going to be missed by a lot of people."
Retmier's MySpace profile is filled with tributes left by friends. Retmier's personal message read, "This is gonna be one crazy summer," and he posted photos of his tour in Afghanistan.
After graduating from high school, Retmier enlisted in the Navy. He attended training at Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune, N.C. and worked in the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., before volunteering for a tour, either in Iraq or Afghanistan. His dream was to become a doctor eventually, his mother said.
When a Marine deployment to Iraq was canceled, Retmier volunteered for one to Afghanistan to provide medical services for Marines there.
During his final mission, Retmier's unit was working in an Afghan village when it was fired upon by 10 Chinese-made rockets. Retmier and Petty Officer 1st Class Ross L. Tolles III, 37, of Michigan, died at the scene.
"He's so dynamic, I didn't think he could die, even in the danger zone," said his grandfather, falling to his knees and sobbing. "When I got the call, I hoped he might be injured and might come home alive. But it wasn't to be ... it wasn't to be."
The Retmiers think Hemet has had so many war casualties because young people there often drift to the military.
Steven Retmier, Marc's father, said the lack of job opportunities and activities makes the region an easy target for military recruiters.
"There's nothing else for these kids to do," he said. "There's no future here for them."
Marc Retmier told his grandfather "he needed combat experience" and was planning to apply for another tour so he could be stationed closer to home when he returned.
His mother tried to talk him out of going overseas, but Retmier spent extra hours training with Navy SEALs. At night in Afghanistan, he was completing community college courses online.
Retmier exchanged e-mails and phone calls with his family and said he loved what he was doing, but they sensed the war was beginning to wear on him. When his convoy delivered candy and coloring books to Afghan children, they often would throw rocks at the Humvees as they drove away.
"He felt like they were wasting their time there," his mother said. "He was worried they didn't want us there at all."
His family has mixed feelings about the war. While they feel U.S. troops need to be fighting their mission, they say it's frustrating to see so many lives lost.
"I don't think we're making any progress," Joy Retmier said.
"These insurgents don't care about human life," added Steven Retmier. "But when it's this personal, it's impossible to be objective."
On Friday, the family was overwhelmed with support from friends and relatives, who shared stories of watching Marc grow up in Hemet.
Retmier's body is scheduled to arrive at March Air Reserve Base next week. After a funeral in Corona del Mar, he will be buried beside his uncle, who died of natural causes at age 19 while serving in the Navy in 1975.
"He's a hero," Dale Powers said. "He lived like a born warrior. I'm sure some people are born to be warriors."
Navy Hospitalman Marc A. Retmier was killed in action on 6/18/08.
Navy Hospitalman Marc A. Retmier, 19, of Hemet, Calif.
Hospitalman Retmier was assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Sharana in Afghanistan; died June 18, 2008 as a result of wounds sustained from an enemy rocket attack in Zerok province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Construction Mechanic 1st Class Ross L. Toles III.
Press-Enterprise -- When two men in white formal military uniforms came to the home of Joy Retmier this week, they didn't have to say a word. The mother of Marc Retmier broke down in tears.
"When they came to the house, I knew instantly," Joy Retmier said, surrounded by photos, flowers and a single candle burning near the kitchen table. "I told him to be careful, 'Please be careful.' I told him, 'Don't offer to go on dangerous missions. I want you to come home safe. I want you to come home alive.' "
The 19-year-old Navy medic had left Hemet at age 17, seeking the adrenaline rush of the front lines.
Marc Retmier was treating civilians in Afghanistan's northern Paktika province Wednesday when Taliban insurgents launched a rocket ambush on his team, killing him and another sailor and injuring seven others.
He is the Hemet area's 12th fallen son since the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks. According to what Retmier's family was told, he is California's 500th war casualty from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The San Jacinto Valley is among the areas that have suffered the highest concentrations of military casualties in the conflicts.
Marc Retmier spent his life like most of his friends, riding skateboards and doing high-flying motocross stunts in the hills of Beaumont and Lake Elsinore. He had played with army toys as a child.
A star safety on the West Valley High School football team, he also had lettered in swimming as a freshman. He attended Hemet High and graduated from Alessandro High School in Hemet.
He was the eldest of three brothers, ahead of Matthew, 17, and Mason, 11.
"He was one of the most popular kids in town," said Dale Powers, the grandfather whom Marc Retmier called "Papa." "He's going to be missed by a lot of people."
Retmier's MySpace profile is filled with tributes left by friends. Retmier's personal message read, "This is gonna be one crazy summer," and he posted photos of his tour in Afghanistan.
After graduating from high school, Retmier enlisted in the Navy. He attended training at Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune, N.C. and worked in the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., before volunteering for a tour, either in Iraq or Afghanistan. His dream was to become a doctor eventually, his mother said.
When a Marine deployment to Iraq was canceled, Retmier volunteered for one to Afghanistan to provide medical services for Marines there.
During his final mission, Retmier's unit was working in an Afghan village when it was fired upon by 10 Chinese-made rockets. Retmier and Petty Officer 1st Class Ross L. Tolles III, 37, of Michigan, died at the scene.
"He's so dynamic, I didn't think he could die, even in the danger zone," said his grandfather, falling to his knees and sobbing. "When I got the call, I hoped he might be injured and might come home alive. But it wasn't to be ... it wasn't to be."
The Retmiers think Hemet has had so many war casualties because young people there often drift to the military.
Steven Retmier, Marc's father, said the lack of job opportunities and activities makes the region an easy target for military recruiters.
"There's nothing else for these kids to do," he said. "There's no future here for them."
Marc Retmier told his grandfather "he needed combat experience" and was planning to apply for another tour so he could be stationed closer to home when he returned.
His mother tried to talk him out of going overseas, but Retmier spent extra hours training with Navy SEALs. At night in Afghanistan, he was completing community college courses online.
Retmier exchanged e-mails and phone calls with his family and said he loved what he was doing, but they sensed the war was beginning to wear on him. When his convoy delivered candy and coloring books to Afghan children, they often would throw rocks at the Humvees as they drove away.
"He felt like they were wasting their time there," his mother said. "He was worried they didn't want us there at all."
His family has mixed feelings about the war. While they feel U.S. troops need to be fighting their mission, they say it's frustrating to see so many lives lost.
"I don't think we're making any progress," Joy Retmier said.
"These insurgents don't care about human life," added Steven Retmier. "But when it's this personal, it's impossible to be objective."
On Friday, the family was overwhelmed with support from friends and relatives, who shared stories of watching Marc grow up in Hemet.
Retmier's body is scheduled to arrive at March Air Reserve Base next week. After a funeral in Corona del Mar, he will be buried beside his uncle, who died of natural causes at age 19 while serving in the Navy in 1975.
"He's a hero," Dale Powers said. "He lived like a born warrior. I'm sure some people are born to be warriors."
Navy Hospitalman Marc A. Retmier was killed in action on 6/18/08.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)