Five families had a sad Saint Patricks Day because they were mourning the loss of loved ones in Afghanistan. The fallen men represented 3 branches of the service:
*
Staff Sergeant Archie A. Taylor was in the Marine Corps and was from Texas
*
Staff Sergeant Timothy L. Bowles was in the Air Force and was from Arizona
*
Sergeant Christopher P. Abeyta was in the Army National Guard and was from Illinois
*
Specialist Robert M. Weinger was in the Army National Guard and was from Illinois
*
Specialist Norman L. Cain III was in the Army National Guard and was from Illinois
The war in Afghanistan has become increasingly deadly for the United States military, especially since the beginning of this year. Thirty-five American soldiers have died in Afghanistan since New Years Day 2009 as compared to sixteen in the first three months of 2008.
According to the Examiner:
Military officials attribute much of the increase in violence to the presence of more U.S. troops, leading to more contact with Taliban and other fighters, particularly in southern and eastern Afghanistan. The U.S. has about 38,000 troops in Afghanistan, roughly 10,000 more than a year ago.
The 33rd Brigade's commander told The Associated Press earlier this month that his troops often don't know the identity of their enemy - Taliban, al-Qaida or other local forces. But all the casualties have come as a result of roadside bombs or suicide bombings, something he said the unit has been trained to handle and take precautions against, but can't entirely stop.
"That's a fact of life over here, especially on the IEDs," Col. Scott Thoele said. "It's an easy method for the enemy to fight us with."
*************************
US Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Archie A. Taylor
Archie Taylor was from Tomball, Texas. He joined the Marine Corps on December 9, 1989. He deployed twice to Iraq, from February to October 2004, and from March to October 2007.
He was a counter-intelligence specialist with 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II MEF Headquarters Group with the II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Staff Sergeant Archie A. Taylor died March 14th as a result of a "non-hostile incident" in Kabul province, Afghanistan. Taylor was 37 years of age when he died. The incident involving Staff Sergeant Taylor's death is currently under investigation. The Marine Corps would not provide further details.
His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.
The Patriot Guard Riders will be attending the services for Staff Sergeant Archie A. Taylor at Arlington National Cemetery.
-------------------------
US Air Force Staff Sergeant Timothy L. Bowles
Timothy Bowles was born in Anchorage, Alaska but grew up on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona where his father was stationed. He graduated from Tucson High School in 2002. He also attended Pima Community College.
Following his father's footsteps, he enlisted in the Air Force and was assigned to the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Staff Sergeant Timothy L. Bowles was deployed to Afghanistan last November.
Col. Richard Walberg, the 3rd Wing Commander, says Bowles was killed while filling in on the patrol for an ill solider. The Staff Sergeant was part of a four-vehicle patrol checking on a local school near Kot, Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Bowles died March 15th from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered a roadside bomb in Kot, Afghanistan. He was 24 years old.
Blanca Berjeron, a family friend, recalled "Timmy" as a boy, as reported by KVOA News:
"Even though he was young, he was mature for his age, and he was just very caring. But always funny, playing tricks and so forth," Berjeron said.
Bowles comes from a military family - one that knows the risks that come with serving our country - a sacrifice that's brought sadness, but also pride.
"But it makes me think a little more about that and about the war, when it's someone close to you that passes on. But what's comforting is that that's what he loved and that's what he wanted to do," said Berjeron.
His parents and his sister, Heather, survive Marine Staff Sergeant Timothy Bowles. The Staff Sergeant's father is retired Air Force Master Sergeant Louis Bowles from New Mexico.
The Patriot Guard Riders will be helping to honor Staff Sergeant Bowles at his funeral in New Mexico.
*************************
Three soldiers died March 15th as a result of injuries sustained in Kot, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were among the eight Illinois National Guard deaths since the beginning of this year.
Killed in the attack were Sergeant Christopher P. Abeyta, Specialist Robert M. Weinger, and Specialist Norman L. Cain III. All of the men were from Illinois. They were in the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based in Woodstock, Illinois.
Specialist Cain died at the scene of the incident in Kot. Abeyta and Weinger were transported to Jalabad, Afghanistan, where they later died.
The tragedy was reported by WREX News:
"Facing the loss of three more Illinois National Guard Soldiers is devastating," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "Sgt. Abeyta, Spc. Weinger and Spc. Cain were remarkable, devoted Soldiers who will always be our heroes. While this is a sad day for the Illinois National Guard, we will remember these Soldiers by their bravery and the sacrifice they made for us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time."
The men's brigade has been in Afghanistan since October. It was expected that they would come home at the end of the summer or in early fall.
*************************
US Army Sergeant Christopher P. Abeyta
Abeyta was from Midlothian "Village" on the outskirts of Chicago. He graduated from Bremen High School in 2003, where he was a wrestler. He graduated in 2007 from Harold Washington College and had been working as a criminal background investigator.
Abeyta was deployed from October 2003 through early 2005 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Abyeta wrote inhis blog about the current mission:
Seriously, deployment is going about as well as can be expected and our platoon recently met our P.R.T.(Provincial Reconstruction Team). To give you a little perspective this team is comprised of Air force, Navy, civilians that deal with civil affairs, and us, the muscles. It's a joint operations mission to better the country of Afghanistan. I am enthusiastic about our mission and motivated. Our specific job is to provide security for all the people that we met in our P.R.T. so they can maneuver around the country and do their specific jobs.
Abeyta was transported to Jalabad, Afghanistan on March 15th after he was badly injured when the vehicle in which he was riding hit an IED. He later died from his wounds. He was 23 years old.
Two of his colleagues from the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Woodstock also died. They were Spc. Robert M. Weinger, 24, of Round Lake Beach, Illinois and Spc. Norman L. Cain III, 22, of Oregon, Illinois. A 24-year-old airman, Staff Sgt. Timothy L. Bowles of Tucson, Arizona, also died that same day when a series of explosions ripped though the area
-------------------------
US Army Specialist Robert M. Weinger
Flags in the village of Round Lake Beach in Illinois were lowered to half staff Monday to honor one of their own who had fallen.
Weinger was a lifelong resident of Round Lake Beach and a 2002 graduate of Round Lake High School. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in January, 2006. It was Weinger's second overseas deployment after having served in Iraq from September 2006 through October 2007.
According to a story in the Arlington Heights' Daily Herald
Mary Weinger said her grandson was a devoted child with a zest for practical jokes, but who held a tender side for family and friends.
"He was also a devoted soldier," she said "It's just a shame he won't be here any more."
Weinger was badly hurt in Kot, Afghanistan when several bombs ripped through the area. One of them destroyed the vehicle that was transporting him and several others in the US military. He was taken to Jalabad, Afghanistan, and later died from his injuries. He was 24 years old.
A poignant comment was left on Weinger’s Myspace page
Damn Bobby..
I cant believe you are gone. You were an amazing man and the best 2nd big brother a girl could ask for. I love you so much and there wont be a day that goes by I wont think of you.
Everywhere I go in the house reminds me of you. I wish I could have said good bye to you. I keep reliving the last time I saw you over and over in my head. We love you so much Bobby!!! You will be miss soo badly.
I love you,
Your little sis Jessica<3 </p>
The 24-year-old Specialist was one of three soldiers and one airman killed on March 15th, by a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan. The Patriot Guard Riders will be attending the funeral, and are trying to coordinate to attend the other two in Illinois due to the loss of the three Guardsmen.
-------------------------
US Army Specialist Norman L. Cain III
Norman Cain was a native of Freeport, Illinois. He graduated from Freeport High School in 2006 and was living in Mount Morris. This was his first deployment after enlisting in the Illinois Army National Guard in July 2007.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Woodstock. Members of that group are in Afghanistan to train local police and soldiers.
Illinois National Guard Spc. Norman L. Cain III was one of three soldiers from a Woodstock-based guard unit killed in a bombing in Kot, Afghanistan on Sunday, March 15. Specialist Cain was 22 years old at the time of the attack.
Specialist Cain died at the scene of the incident in Kot from his injuries. Airman Bowles also died in the explosion. Cain's follow Guardsmen Abeyta and Weinger were transported to Jalabad, Afghanistan, where they later died.
According to an article in the Southtown Star:
Cain, on his page at the MySpace social networking Web site, called himself a redneck and a family man.
"I am devoted to my family and damn proud of it," he wrote. "I am a country boy. Love working on cars and being outdoors. Avid bowhunter. Yes -- I'm a redneck."
Specialist Norman L. Cain is survived by several family members, including a wife and two children. The Patriot Guard Riders will attend his funeral and the "Celebration of his life" planned by the family of Specialist Cain.
******************************************************************
Helping our troops:
If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or Fisher House. If you have frequent flyer miles, they can be donated to hospitalized veterans or their families. See Fisher House’s Hero Miles program for details. Consider sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com. Letters or care packages can make a real difference in a military person's life. To assist the animal companions of our deployed military, information is available here. Also, you could visit:
When our veterans come back home, they need jobs. Look at the programs of Hire Heroes USA and Welcome Back Veterans to see if you can help out.
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 troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo and Mediaprof. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but 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 volunteer, even once a month, please contact me, Sis.
Fallen service members whose names have been released by the Department of Defense will usually be diaried two days after the official announcement on the DoD website. This allows the IGTNT team to cover each person more fully, but still in a timely manner
|
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.