These hearts were woven of human joys and cares,
Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth.
The years had given them kindness. Dawn was theirs,
And sunset, and the colours of the earth.
These had seen movements, and heard music; known
Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended;
Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone;
Touched flowers and furs and cheeks. All this is ended.
~ Rupert Brook (1887- 1915)
This diary was coauthored by noweasels and twilight falling.
1st Lt. Christopher S. Goeke, 23, of Apple Valley, Minnesota
1st Lt. Goeke died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rifle, rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
"A proud soldier, beloved family member and devoted Christian."
Born in Cleveland, Goeke grew up in Apple Valley and attended Apple Valley High School. He "passionately participated in mission work, Sunday school teaching, bible study, jazz band, mock trial" and played on intramural Frisbee and football teams.
(snip)
"He was a beloved leader among his peers and always brought smiles, laughter and wisdom beyond his years," his family said. "He will be deeply missed by his father, mother, brother and sisters, as well as his wife and loving friends."
Source ~ Pioneer Press
"One of the finest officers" his commanding officer had ever "had the honor of leading."
"Chris Goeke was one of the finest officers I have had the honor of leading in 20 years of service. His bravery in combat, commitment to his paratroopers, out-of-the-box problem solving and love for his wife and his profession were unparalleled," said Lt. Col. David Oclander, battalion commander of 1-508 PIR.
"Chris was respected by his men as a leader and a person. Chris left a legacy with the battalion and on the lives of the men he led. Chris died a hero."
Source ~ WRAL
Apple Valley, Minnesota ~ where 1st Lt. Goeke grew up ~ is in mourning. At his high school, he was remembered as having a "form of quiet civility" that drew people in.
As word spread quickly throughout Apple Valley concerning the loss of a local soldier in Afghanistan, the sparse summer staff inside the local high school felt the sudden shock and sorrow.
1st Lieutenant Christopher S. Goeke was a 2004 Apple Valley High School graduate.
School administrator Joe Wycoff remembers him well, saying, "This one really hit close to home."
Wycoff counseled Goeke when the senior independently entered an American Legion oratorical contest on the meaning of patriotism. Goeke's presentation was so inspiring that he placed third, despite not being enrolled in the speech class.
(snip)
"You could tell in 2004 when he graduated that year that this was a kid who exhibited a type of not only excellence in the classroom, but also a form of quiet civility that people were really drawn to," added Wycoff.
(snip)
Peter Buesgens first had Goeke as a student in the sixth grade.
(snip)
Buesgens says he remembers Goeke as a young man who was constantly challenging himself with his academics, arts and athletics.
Goeke's long-time teacher added that it was such a pleasure "to watch him grow as a kid who knew from a young age that he really wanted to be a part of something bigger."
(snip)
"We're a little less great as a nation without Chris in it," said Buesgens.
Source ~ WCCO
From Apple Valley High School, 1st Lt. Goeke went to West Point, where he was a Star Man, graduating 6th in his class in 2008.
Six years ago, as Goeke was headed from Apple Valley to West Point, he was asked about his hopes for his career in the Army.
"I want to be out of the United States," he said. "There still might be something going on in Iraq or Afghanistan. I wouldn't mind seeing those cultures."
"He was responding to Taliban fire and was killed," his father, Randy Goeke, said by telephone from Apple Valley. "He was a God-loving man and be brought a lot of people to God, including his soldiers."
Source ~ Minneapolis Star-Tribune
West Point Tribute Page
1st Lt. Christopher S. Goeke, 23, an infantry officer from Minnesota, was commissioned in the U.S. Army May 31, 2008, after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He completed Airborne School, Infantry Officer Basic Course and the Ranger Course at Fort Benning, Ga. He was assigned to Fort Bragg, where he joined Company C, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment on May 18, 2009. In September 2009, Goeke deployed with the unit to Afghanistan.
1st Lt. Goeke’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachute Badge and Ranger Tab.
1st Lt. Goeke was due home in a month. He married his wife, Kelsey, in Albuquerque, New Mexico in December 2008. Besides his wife, 1st Lt. Goeke is survived by his parents, Randal Goeke and Pamela Shultz, a brother, and sisters.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Thank you, 1st Lt. Goeke. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout, 34, of Worthville, Kentucky
Staff Sgt. Stout died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rifle, rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Staff Sgt. Stout, a career soldier who had been in the Army for thirteen years, was a chaplain’s assistant – and very much more.
"Staff Sgt. Christopher Stout was not just a chaplain assistant; he was my friend, brother and shield of armor," said Capt. Ludovic O. Foyou, chaplain for 1-508 PIR. "His immensely pure love for his fellow paratroopers epitomizes the Spirit of the Army Chaplain Corps. His love for his wife Misty and three princesses, Jacqueline, Audreanna and Kristen, always kept a radiant smile on his face."
Source ~ WRAL
Family members hoped that Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout would pursue singing after high school. Instead, he joined the Army.
He had a beautiful voice and would sing in church choirs and karaoke, but he felt it was his duty to serve his country, said his uncle, James Stout.
"I believe he could have made it professionally," James Stout said. "But he thought of others rather than thinking of himself."
His nephew was raised in the Pentecostal church and had hopes of being a minister, James Stout said.
(snip)
He thought it was his duty to join the military, James Stout said.
"And we were proud that he thought that way."
(snip)
Source ~ Courier-Journal
"Chris was our everything," his Aunt said.
Carroll County Judge Executive Harold "Shorty" Tomlinson, (who) said that he had known Stout, his parents and grandparents for a long time, ordered that flags in Carroll County be flown at half-staff until further notice.
(snip)
"He was just a fantastic good boy all the way around," Rev. Raymond Sharon, pastor of Worthville United Pentecostal Church in Carrollton, where Stout had been a member, told WAVE-TV. "Faithful to church, faithful to his family, his wife."
(snip)
"Chris was our everything," Jeanie Rider, Stout's aunt, told WHAS. "He died for America. I think everybody ought to be proud of him."
Source ~ Madison Courier
Video ~ A Family Remembers WHAS 11
Staff Sgt. Stout joined the Army shortly after graduating from Carroll County High School in 1997.
He attended basic training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. before undergoing Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Va., where he was trained as a parachute rigger.
Staff Sgt. Stout was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and arrived at Fort Bragg on Aug. 14, 1998. He served much of his career as a rigger with the 782nd Main Support Battalion and other quartermaster units on Fort Bragg. Stout reclassed to become a chaplain’s assistant in September 2006.
He deployed with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Airborne Division from Sept. 9, 2007, until March 7, 2008. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Feb. 25, 2009, and deployed with the unit in August 2009.
Staff Sgt. Stout’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, three Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and Parachute Rigger Badge.
Staff Sgt. Stout is survived by his wife Misty; by their three daughters, Jacqueline, Audreanna and Kristin; and by his parents Billy and Sharon Neuner.
Funeral services are scheduled to take place tomorrow in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Thank you, Staff Sgt. Stout. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate, 27, of Hinesville, Ga.
Staff Sgt. Tate died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rifle, rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
"Hero is the only word that can be used to describe a man of Staff Sgt. Tate’s caliber and moral fiber."
"Staff Sgt. Sheldon Tate was a true warrior and leader of paratroopers. His last actions were a testament to the leader he was, as he grabbed a young paratrooper and led him to safety," said Capt. William Hofmann, his company commander.
"Staff Sgt. Tate was the epitome of a silent professional and a noncommissioned officer for others to emulate. Hero is the only word that can be used to describe a man of Staff Sgt. Tate’s caliber and moral fiber.
"He cared with all his heart and loved his family dearly. He loved what he was doing, he loved the paratroopers with whom he served, and he will forever be remembered as an American hero."
Source ~ WRAL
Staff Sgt. Tate was a highly decorated soldier. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.
He is survived by his wife, Marion; his daughter, Kiante; his parents, Walter and Valerie Moore; and his sister, Ebony.
Thank you, Staff Sgt. Tate. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Pvt. Brandon M. King, 23, of Tallahassee, Fla.
Pvt. Brandon M. King, 23, of Tallahassee, Fla., died July 14 at Combat Outpost Nolen, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Pvt. King joined the Army last September, and he was assigned to Fort Campbell in April 2010. He served as a field artillery automated tactical data system specialist. His unit had been deployed in Afghanistan for a fairly short time when he was killed. He had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Weapons Qualification: M4, expert. Sadly, little other information is available at present about this brave man.
Pvt. King is survived by his parents, Carolyn and Gary King.
Thank you, Pvt. King. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
To date, 4412 members of the United States military have lost their lives in Iraq. The death toll thus far in 2010 is 42. More than 31,000 members of the military have been wounded, many grievously. The Department of Defense Press Releases, from which the information at the start of each entry in this diary was drawn, can be seen here. The death toll among Iraqis is unknown, but is at least 200,000 and quite probably many times that number.
To date, 1191 members of the United States military have lost their lives in Afghanistan. The death toll thus far for 2010 is 244. 757 members of the military from other countries have also lost their lives.
Slide Show ~ The Final Salute
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About the IGTNT series:
(Our beautiful logo was created by kossack Timroff. Thank you, Timroff.)
The purpose of the I Got the News Today series is to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. It is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, Proud Mom and Grandma, Sandy on Signal, CalNM, Wide Awake in KY and me, noweasels.
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As you read this diary, please consider that the families and friends of those profiled here also may read it and that many members of our community have served in Iraq or Afghanistan or have loved ones currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the very proud daughter of a Navy pilot, and the granddaughter of a Marine pilot and a submariner ~ all of whom rest beneath our nation‘s flag ~ I hope that the comments tonight will demonstrate our respect for the sacrifices of our fallen military and our compassion for their families. Please reserve political and other comments for appropriate diaries; this is not one of them.