I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and in Operation Inherent Resolve. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
1st Lt. David A. Bauders, of Seattle, WA, died May 6, on Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident.
Bauders was assigned to 176th Engineer Company, Snohomish, WA.
Bauders, a native of Seattle, was deployed on March 30. The 176th Engineer Company, a National Guard unit, was tasked with maintenance of buildings and infrastructure. The cause of Bauders’ death is still being investigated.
In 2009, Bauders graduated from high school in Forest Grove, OR, where he was an athlete who loved track and field.
Neighbors in Forest Grove, where his family lives, are stunned to hear the news. Daran Davis says his children grew up playing with Bauders:
"David was great, he was very intellectual, very kind. Spent time playing with our kids. It is tough because you do hear it on the news, and you know it’s happening, but until it happens in your neighborhood that's when it really hits home."
Bauders earned a bachelor’s degree, with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology, from the University of Portland.
His civilian job was as a trooper with the Washington State Patrol. He was sworn in as a trooper in March 2014 and patrolled North Seattle and King County.
Chief John Batiste of the Washington State Patrol said:
“Although early into his career with us, David was a very well-liked and highly respected member of the agency’s District 2 family.”
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said:
"He was a young man who was building a future wholly devoted to serving and protecting the people of our state and our nation. The loss of this young life is one I know all 7 million Washingtonians join me in mourning."
Bauders was single and did not have any children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Rest in peace, 1st Lt. David A. Bauders. You have served with honor.
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About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. The series was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, JaxDem, TheFatLadySings, Joy of Fishes, and me, Ekaterin. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died and show our community’s respect for them. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.