On July 13, nine soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy, died in one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. troops since the 2001 invasion. A few days ago, they were honored in Italy with a touching, traditional ceremony marking their absence, reported in Stars and Stripes. It is known as the Final Roll Call.
Please join me over the fold for the rest of the ceremony, as we stand for those who stood for us—to honor, remember and say good-bye.
They didn’t answer the final roll call.
Three times, 1st Sgt. Patrick Fatuesi called out to each of nine soldiers, first by rank and last name, then adding their first names, and finally beckoning the soldiers by their full names.
Each time, an eerily somber silence met his beckoning.
More than 400 people gathered at the Caserma Ederle chapel on a rainy Friday to honor the nine men of 2nd Platoon, "Chosen Company," 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, who were killed Sunday in a firefight in Afghanistan.
"Please help us to not become weary of doing what is good," (said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Stevan Horning during the invocation.) "Renew our courage so we complete the mission you assign each of us."
And so they gathered to remember the nine as men, not just as soldiers.
This diary is dedicated to four of the nine Americans—1st Lt. Jonathan P. Brostrom, 24, Sgt. Israel Garcia, 24, Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers, 24, and Cpl. Jason M. Bogar, 25. The additional five who died in the attack are covered in this IGTNT diary.
By all accounts, the battle that took place in Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13 was an exceptionally heroic display of bravery, skill and fortitude. The remote outpost in the mountains of the Afghan/Pakistan border had only been functioning for one day. The staff was small—a few dozen American soldiers and a handful of Afghani troops.
Early last Sunday morning, the Wanat outpost was attacked by an estimated 200 insurgents, heavily armed with mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. Vastly outnumbered, the coalition forces refused to give up. Toward the end of the battle—described by one witness as an "Alamo-like stand" —the soldiers resorted to hand-to-hand combat after exhausting all other methods of defense.
When the dust settled a few hours later, nine American soldiers – all from Chosen Company, all scheduled to return home in just a few days—had lost their lives and at least 15 other U.S. soldiers were wounded. The attack was the deadliest assault on the U.S. military in Afghanistan in three years.
"I just hope these guys’ wives and their children understand how courageous their husbands and dads were," said Sgt. Jacob Walker. "They fought like warriors."
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Jonathan Brostrom: "A beautiful smile and a beautiful heart"
Jonathan Brostrom grew up in the military, the son of an Army officer. Even as a child – attending Damien Memorial School in Kalihi, Hawaii–he was known for being independent. But in spite of his background, Jonathan didn’t seemed particularly inclined to follow in the footsteps of his father, retired Colonel David Brostrom.
"He grew up in the military with me, but he never talked about joining. He was very bright, but he wasn't a student. He liked to experience things his own way. He was at times difficult. He was a natural athlete, excellent golfer on Damien golf team and when we lived in New York he played hockey. He loved to surf."
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In 2002, Jonathan was awarded a four-year ROTC scholarship at the University of Hawai'i. Says his former instructor, Maj. Christopher Sweeney:
"Jon was very professional, but he loved to have fun at the same time," Sweeney said. "He had a serious side, but he also loved to joke around, and that's what made him a joy to have in class."
Sweeney taught Brostrom during his junior year. Each year, a cadet was selected to attend dive school at Pearl Harbor, and Brostrom was selected that year.
"He was the one cadet, and he made it through there with flying colors," Sweeney said.
UH selected Brostrom to attend airborne and air assault school, and he was a "distinguished military graduate" in the top 20 percent in the nation, Sweeney said.
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In 2007, Jonathan’s sense of fun shone through in an article in the Stars and Stripes newspaper. At the time, he was leading the 2nd Platoon, Company C, of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, in Afghanistan.
"Mission goals include checking to see if a newly built road can handle Humvee traffic, finding a girls school that 1st Lt. Jonathan Brostrom has heard about, and meeting with village leaders."
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In May, Jonathon delighted his parents when he appeared unannounced at their door on Mother’s Day, a bouquet of flowers in hand.
He spent the next few weeks surfing, fishing and spending every waking moment with his parents and his 6-year-old son, Jase.
"When he came home, he would wrestle around and try and make us laugh," Mary Jo Brostrom said. "He had a beautiful smile and a beautiful heart, and that's what we'll miss."
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Anyone wishing to leave a comment for Jonathan Brostrom or his family may sign the guestbook at a special memorial page at Our Fallen Soldier website.
Rest in peace, Jonathan. You will not be forgotten.
Israel Garcia: "A true fallen hero"
Lesly Garcia was preparing to fly back to the U.S. Army base in Italy Monday night. Her former high school sweetheart and husband of only two years, Sgt Israel Garcia, was scheduled to return home in just a few weeks, after a fifteen month tour of duty. But a phone call changed everything. Just hours before she was to leave for Italy, Mrs. Garcia learned that her husband had died on Sunday in Afghanistan.
Israel grew up in Southern California, playing soccer and working with horses. He graduated from Poly High in Long Beach, California, after attending Burnett Elementary and Jackie Robinson Academy.
"He used to play soccer for Poly, and he and his parents owned two horses," said his sister-in-law (Hilda Rezolorio).
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Israel, who was known to family and friends as "Ira," met Lesly at a local swimming pool just before their started their senior year in high school. According to Ira’s sister-in-law, Hilda Rezolorio:
"He was the love of her life."
SOURCE
Shortly after the couple graduated from high school in 2002, they married, and then Ira enlisted in the Army. The couple lived in Italy for a short time. When Ira was deployed to Afghanistan, Lesly returned to Long Beach to live with the family.
Israel's devastated family is receiving an outpouring of sympathy from the community, as this short video shows.
"He's a true fallen hero," said his sister-in-law Hilda Rezolorio. "He fought for this country."
(snip)
"He was a great guy and would go out of his way for anybody, and he was a great son," said Rezolorio.
(snip)
"There are no words to describe him. He was loved by everybody," Rezolorio said. "We will miss his smile, his great sense of humor. He will be truly missed."
SOURCE
In addition to his wife, Lesly, Israel is survived by his parents, Victor and Maricruz Garcia, and a brother, Ramsses Garcia.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released a statement on Garcia's death.
"Sergeant Israel Garcia was a true patriot who sacrificed his life to protect the values and ideals that are held dear in this country," said Schwarzenegger. "He fought with pride and courage and Californians will never forget his service. On behalf of all Californians, Maria and I extend our thoughts and prayers to Israel's family and friends during this difficult time."
Schwarzenegger ordered Capitol flags to be flown at half staff in Garcia's memory.
SOURCE
Rest in peace, Israel. You will not be forgotten.
Corporal Jonathan R. Ayers: "He didn’t like people to be unhappy"
Like the other unit members who died with him, Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers, 24, was scheduled to come home in just a few weeks.
Jonathan's family was in the midst of decorating the house and preparing for his homecoming later in the month when word came that he had died in Afghanistan. His father, Bill Ayers of Snellville, Georgia, said his youngest son was looking forward to returning home, even though he planned to make a career of the military.
"Jon was just very military since he was 3 years old. He looked at your shoes, and if they weren't perfect, they were no good," said his father, Bill Ayers. "He loved the regiment of the military; he loved order and schedule."
Despite his fastidious tendencies, Ayers' father remembers him as a "cutup" who never failed to amuse with his Jeff Foxworthy impersonation.
SOURCE
Growing up, Jon enjoyed soccer, bowling and ice skating. A big fan of the Atlanta Thrashers, he found a job at the ice rink where the team held practice sessions. But his love for the military was always first.
At Shiloh High School, he became commander of Junior ROTC, earning in 2002 Georgia's "most impressive commander" honor and that same year, shepherding his group to win the state championship.
His family teased him, calling him "General JonJon."
It started as a nickname from his soccer days — there were so many other kids named Jon on the team that his family decided to set him apart with a sobriquet. He played soccer as a young kid and continued through high school. When he was only 4 years old, the coach took him out on the field and outlined the area that he was supposed to defend.
"Jon was very, very strong, and he would not let anyone through that box," his father recalled. "He pretty much always played defense, which is pretty much what he was doing till the day he died."
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His family says that although they thought he might be safer in Afghanistan than in Iraq, Jon had concerns about the mission. It was considerably larger than previous undertakings, involving a team of 70 who were building a new operations base. Jon’s assignment was standing guard. In recent weeks, he told his family, tensions had escalated in the area.
Yet in spite of that, Jon remained steadfast in his commitment, in part because it gave him a chance to ease the suffering he saw in the Afghani people.
"He didn't like sadness. He didn't like people to be unhappy," (his father, Bill) Ayers said.
(snip)
"He was always very positive about the mission," said Bill Ayers. "He'd say, 'Dad, we're doing really good things over there.'"
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Even though Jon was determined to serve his country, his father was concerned, especially as the end to his son’s deployment neared.
"... first month and the last month of tour is when things happen," he said, speculating that the rookies can get killed in the beginning and, by the end, people are mentally occupied with heading home."
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The Ayerses had not seen their son in more than a year—"It's been the longest 15 months of our lives," Bill Ayers told the Atlanta Journal Constitution–but Jon had been able to call home frequently and they could also keep in touch via the "Family Readiness Group" website, where news and photos of the battalion were posted regularly.
Jon always looked happy. He'd be stationed behind his group's large gun, sometimes, with a smile and a childlike expression that read: "Hey, look at me!" Ayers said.
SOURCE
The Ayerses knew that death was a possibility in a war zone. But they were not prepared for the uniformed Army representatives when they came to the door last Sunday afternoon.
It's the "nightmare" of Army parents — to "hear the doorbell and look out and see two Army people standing there. You don't have to go to the door, you know, and it doesn't get any better from there," he said.
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Funeral plans have been delayed until Sunday, because the Army wanted to promote Jon from specialist to corporal and perform a 21-gun salute at the ceremony, in honor of his efforts which had saved the lives of his fellow soldiers. Says his father:
"His commander had called him "very mature," a take-charge type—"he could lead the people around him."
SOURCE
Jon Ayers is survived by his parents, Bill and Suzanne Ayers, and his older brother, Josh. Jon’s funeral services are being held at 3 p.m. at Zoar United Methodist Church in Snellville, and are restricted to family and friends. Burial with full military honors will follow at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens on Stone Mountain Highway. More details on the service can be found here.
Rest in peace, Jon. You will not be forgotten.
Jason Bogar: "An amazing, compassionate young man"
Jason Bogar grew up in the Seattle area, playing soccer and baseball and earning a reputation as "a wildcat" while attending Bothell High School. His independent attitude led him to opt out of graduation. Instead, Jason earned a graduate equivalency diploma in the Job Corps and trained to become an apprentice electrician.
But when he was only 17, Jason enlisted in the Washington National Guard. After a two-year tour of duty in Baghdad, he transferred to the Army to sign up for two more years in Iraq. While he was deployed in Afghanistan, he considered joining the U.S. Special Forces.
"He served because he really felt like he was doing service to his country. It was his calling," (his mother, Carlene Cross) said. "He was an amazing, compassionate young man."
(snip)
"I think he channeled all that energy into the military when he went," said his mother. She said he had talked of joining the Special Forces for another tour of duty. He also had talked of attending art school. "He talked of wanting to be an international correspondent and take pictures of places, all over the world," she said.
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Not surprisingly, Jason had volunteered for the mission that claimed his life. Cross said her son often volunteered for dangerous missions in part because he was single and felt he could spell married troops from potential hazards.
"He said 'I don't have a wife and I have a real camaraderie with those guys,' " she said.
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During his time in the service, after witnessing friends’ deaths and coming close to dying himself, Jason turned to faith.
"His spirituality was profound," (Cross) said.
SOURCE
On Sunday, Bogar’s parents, Carlene Cross and Michael Bogar, minister of the Spiritual Enrichment Center of West Sound on Bainbridge Island, were told that their only son, the youngest of three children, had died during an attack in Afghanistan. A video from the local news station can be seen here.
Jason’s grandfather, Dean Bogar, admitted that he was worried about his grandson’s situation, especially since it involved protecting a Taliban stronghold with few reinforcements. But he was also proud of his grandson, and the "valor" he brought to the family name.
"He was a nifty boy. He had a great sense of humor and was outgoing and very bright and upfront with everything," he said. "Kind of clever little imp."
SOURCE
In addition to his parents, Jason is survived by two sisters, Micael Bogar, and Carise Martindale, and a brother-in-law, Jesse Martindale, a former Marine who served in Iraq. Memorial services and burial with military honors for Bogar will be held at St. Mark's Cathedral and Lake View Cemetery on Capitol Hill in Seattle. The date and time have not been announced.
As Jason’s family struggles to come to terms with their loss, they are comforted by the many condolences they’ve received from friends who served with him, either in the National Guard or the Army. Says his mother:
"They all said he was a man of valor, and they were honored to serve with him," she said.
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But the most poignant words of all came from his father:
"Never take for granted their safety. My son Jason Bogar was one of the nine killed Sunday. Even though one tries to prepare for what could happen, the grief of knowing you will never see your 25 year old son again is almost overwhelming. I trust that his death was of value for our country, for the world and especially for the results that will take place in the lives of those of us at a spiritual level as we are challenged to trust God in a world of elementary soul-making.
"Michael Bogar"
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Rest in peace, Jason. You will not be forgotten.
(Thank you, monkeybiz, noweasels and Chauconne for your help with research and solving posting problems.)
(Many thanks to Kossack timroff for the beautiful logo.)
Afghanistan and Operation Enduring Freedom: To date, 558 members of the United States military have lost their lives in Afghanistan. Thus far the death toll for 2008 is 83.
Supporting the Troops: A great way to provide support to our service people is by putting together a care package for a unit in Iraq or Afghanistan. It’s a wonderful way to know you are sending our troops things they really need—necessities like socks, underwear, soup packets, feminine hygiene products, paper and pens, school supplies, and treats and trinkets they can pass out to the Iraqi and Afghan children.
There are a few ways to do this. You can go through troopcarepackage.com or anysoldier.com. If you go to the anysolider site click on WhereToSend for a searchable database. For example if you search "By Latest Email" you’ll see the troops who most recently have submitted a request for specific items. You then request their mailing address.
Operation Helmet is another great organization whose mission is to provide helmet upgrades. Fisher House is another worthy cause, and donating money is not the only option. You can also donate frequent flyer miles to hospitalized veterans or their families at Fisher House’s Hero Miles program. Operation Ensuring Christmas is another worthy cause that organizes theme park vacations for the children of our fallen troops. Finally, if you would like to assist the animal companions of our deployed military, information is available
here.
And don’t forget them when they get home! Read welcomebackveterans.org to learn what you can do.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, MsWings, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, labwitchy, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, mediaprof and me, moneysmith. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but, we believe, are an important service to those Americans who have died, and to our community’s respect for and remembrance of them.
If you would like to become part of the IGTNT team, even if you can only write a diary once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, or noweasels.
As you read this diary, please remember that it is intended as a tribute to the fallen, not as a political forum. Whatever your feelings about the war and occupation, please let your comments demonstrate respect and compassion for these sacrifices. We also ask that comments be considerate of the feelings of families and friends, as well as the many members of our community who have served in the military, or who have loved ones currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.