You, whose forebodings have been all fulfilled,
You who have heard the bell, seen the boy stand
Holding the flimsy message in his hand
While through your heart the fiery question thrilled
"Wounded or killed, which, which?"--and it was "Killed--"
And in a kind of trance have read it, numb
But conscious that the dreaded hour was come,
No dream this dream wherewith your blood was chilled--
Oh brothers in calamity, unknown
Companions in the order of black loss,
Lift up your hearts, for you are not alone.
~ Henry Christopher Bradby
(April 1918)
There will be tears from watching eyes, where rain and mist are blended,
There will be heartache in the lines where gold-starred mothers wait.
~ Armistice Day At Arlington (Grantland Rice)
On this Veterans Day, we gather to mourn the loss of five more valiant American veterans, all killed this week in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Aaron B. Cruttenden, 25, of Mesa, Arizona
Sgt. Cruttenden died November 7 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Sgt. Cruttenden joined the Army to “provide a better future for his two-year-old daughter.”
Sgt. Aaron "Moon" Cruttenden, 25 . . . always called his mother in Colorado before and after every mission to let her know that he was OK.
(snip)
Cruttenden "had a big heart. He wanted to help us out in any way he could," said his grandmother, Shirley Wencel of Apache Junction. "He actually joined the Army for his daughter, to make sure she was taken care of."
Wencel said her grandson was devoted to his little girl, Dusti-Rai Ferrin.
(snip)
Cruttenden attended Thunderbird Academy in Scottsdale but dropped out of high school and obtained his GED diploma after his mother, Yvonne Featheringill, moved to Hotchkiss, Colo., near Grand Junction.
(snip)
Paul White, Cruttenden's uncle, said his nephew would be upset if he accidentally offended someone.
"Why did Aaron have to die?" he said. "He was such a genuine human being."
Joyce Davis, a former neighbor of Wencel's, said she remembered Cruttenden helping his grandfather put a new roof on his house before he reported for duty to the Army.
The roof work was another example of Cruttenden's love of family, (his grandmother) said.
As a squad leader, Cruttenden would look out for improvised explosive devices and other threats to his unit, she said.
"His biggest concern was that all of his men were safe. He would give his life for his men," she said.
Source ~ The Arizona Republic
He was, his family said, “happy-go-lucky” and a “free spirit.”
Cruttenden . . . (was) someone who loved his family, had been in the service since 2008, and was deployed to Afghanistan about eight months ago.
"I'm heartbroken," (his uncle) told the Tribune on Wednesday. "We're all going between shock and sadness. He was a fine young man who was more worried about the people around him than himself. He was always smiling and willing to help. He never had a bad word for anybody."
(snip)
Before joining the Army, Cruttenden had worked for White Brothers Electric as an apprentice electrician for about two years before joining the service, White said.
"We all called him Moon," White said. "We joked about him kind of being a hippie. He had long hair and was kind of a free spirit. . . . .He weighed the pros and cons about joining the military and decided to do it. He was worried more about what his family would think about him joining the service than he was. He had a generous nature and friendliness in caring for people."
(snip)
"This is a tragic loss for the people around him who loved him. I'm proud of him."
Source ~ East Valley Tribune
His family said they never thought he would “pay the ultimate price.”
(Cruttenden’s stepfather, David White) raised the Army Sgt. like his own son. Then Sunday the Mesa father learned the devastating news.
"Unreal, like getting hitting with a brick," he said. "He was supposed to be home around Christmas."
(snip)
The Army Sergeant's family says this was supposed to be his last push through enemy territory.
(snip)
Cruttenden's large extended family in Arizona and Colorado take pride in the fact he was serving his country, a job he signed up for two years ago so he could provide for his . . . daughter.
"He wanted something stable to take care of his daughter, said (his uncle).
(snip)
The family said they never thought Cruttenden would pay the ultimate price.
Source ~ ABC15
Sgt. Cruttenden was awarded numerous medals posthumously, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Sgt. Cruttenden is survived by his daughter, Dusti-Rai Ferrin, by his mother, Yvonne Feathergill, by his stepfather, David White, by his grandmother, Shirley Wencel,
Funeral arrangements for Sgt. Cruttenden are pending. He will be buried in Colorado.
Thank you, Sgt. Cruttenden. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Spc. Dale J. Kridlo, 33, of Hughestown, Pennsylvania
Spc. Kridlo died November 7 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. Kridlo’s family is “beside themselves” with grief.
Family members of Dale Kridlo, 33, gathered Monday at his grandmother's Pittston home to mourn his loss while his parents traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to greet the arrival of his body.
"We're beside ourselves. We're numb," said Kridlo's aunt Lynn Cingolani, 52, of Tunkhannock, while at the home of Kridlo's grandmother, Alberta, on Cliff Street.
Kridlo, a graduate of Pittston Area High School, had been serving in Afghanistan since January and was scheduled to return home just before Christmas, family said.
(snip)
Kridlo loved to hunt and fish, and was a big fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies. His life revolved around his twin 9-year-old daughters, Madelyne and Zoe, family said.
"He was kind and thoughtful. He always thought about someone else, never about himself," Alberta Kridlo, 84, said.
Kridlo was one of her five grandchildren. His daughters are her only great-grandchildren.
Alberta Kridlo said military casualty assistance officers notified Kridlo's father about the death, and he delivered the painful news to the rest of the family.
(snip)
"I fell apart. I couldn't believe it when my son called me," Alberta Kridlo said.
Kridlo comes from a military family, which inspired his decision to join the Army, family said.
"He was drawn to serve," Cingolani said. "He was a fun, fun person, and loyal."
Source ~ Citizens Voice
In Vero Beach, Florida, a community is in mourning.
Long before his death Sunday, U.S. Army Spc. Dale Kridlo told his parents random strangers often showed appreciation for his military service.
“Someone would approach him at the airport and ask him where he was seated on the plane,” said his stepfather, Ken Dale, of Vero Beach. “He would tell them his seat number and the person would say they wanted to trade their first-class seat with his. He said people gave up their first-class seats on three of the four flights he took when he was on leave.”
(snip)
Thursday’s Veterans Day observance at the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary in Vero Beach (was) held in honor of Kridlo, whose stepfather and mother, Michelle Dale, live in Vero Beach.
(snip)
Local residents have also planted flags in Kridlo’s honor at Miracle Mile and hung a banner above an empty storefront in the shopping plaza, said Pam Proctor, founder of the Military Moms Prayer Group.
(snip)
Kridlo had an interior painting business before he enlisted in the Army a few years ago, his mother said. The Fort Bragg unit he served with conducted road sweeps for improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan. He (had been) expected to finish his tour there next month.
Source ~ TCPalm.com
Spc. Kridlo is survived by his daughters, Madelyne and Zoe, bu his father, Albert, by his mother, Michelle Dale and by his stepfather, Ken Dale.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Spc. Kridlo will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Thank you, Spc. Kridlo. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Spc. Anthony Vargas, 27, of Reading, Pennsylvania.
Spc. Vargas died November 8 in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
The family of Spc. Vargas has not spoken about him publicly. Spc. Vargas’s service record speaks of his valor.
He joined the Army in 2008 and was assigned in Fort Campbell in February 2009. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Commendation and Army Service Ribbon.
Video ~ WFMZ
In honor of Spc. Vargas’s sacrifice, Governor Edward G. Rendell has ordered all U.S. and Pennsylvania flags in the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities in Berks County to be flown at half-staff.
Flags will remain at half-staff through his interment.
Spc. Vargas is survived by his wife, Luisa L. Vargas, by their two sons, Nathaniel S. Vargas and Lucas A. Vargas and by their daughter, Olivia Vargas, all of Clarksville, Tennessee; and by his parents, Julio and Maria Vargas of Reading, Pa.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Thank you, Spc. Vargas. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Spc. Andrew L. Hutchins, 20, of New Portland, Maine
Spc. Hutchins died November 8 at Khost province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
The small town of New Portland is in shock.
Gov. John Baldacci spoke with members of Hutchins' family on Tuesday and learned he was previously wounded. "His father told me that Spc. Hutchins was wounded earlier, but he wanted to return to Afghanistan to be with his buddies," Baldacci said. "Spc. Hutchins is a hero and deserves our gratitude."
(snip)
"As Veterans' Day approaches, we are painfully reminded that our country remains at war and that our men and women in uniform are still called to duty for their country," Baldacci said. "Spc. Hutchins' death is a terrible tragedy for his family and all who knew him. We honor his sacrifice and his memory and will keep his wife and family in our prayers."
Baldacci is expected to order flags flown at half-staff on the day of Hutchins' funeral.
(snip)
(At the high school from which Hutchins graduated), (his) guidance director said Hutchins was an "excellent student" who joined the Army his senior year. Even though it wasn't required, his senior year he took two foreign language classes, honors English, and two advanced placement courses -- statistics and psychology.
"He went over and above what our top academic students do, just because he loved to learn," she said.
His classmates chose him as "most artistic" and "class brains" his senior year. His yearbook quote was: "Pride is no sin. Always have pride."
(snip)
Hutchins "pushed himself ... to go above and beyond. He was just so unassuming," according to (one of his teachers). He was also assistant coach for the Willpower Weightlifting program, which began at 5:30 a.m. before classes.
(His teacher said) Hutchins was "a leader in our school in driving different initiatives," including a blood drive and raising money to buy Christmas presents for elementary school students.
(snip)
Mike Golden is an alternative education teacher in the district and was Hutchins' varsity basketball coach his junior year, when he played guard. He described Hutchins as "always there for his teammates."
"Even when things were down on the basketball court, if he smiled, it was hard not to smile back," he said.
"It's tough. It's sad. He was a really good kid. Everybody says that, but he really was one of those great kids."
(snip)
Democratic Congressman Mike Michaud said Tuesday he was "deeply saddened" to hear of Hutchins' death.
"Words cannot do justice to the honor with which Andrew served his country and the sadness and loss his family now feels," he said.
Republican U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe said, "Hutchins shouldered the heaviest of responsibilities, and the magnitude and height of my admiration and respect for him is limitless ... He gave his life defending our nation and every American owes him a debt of immeasurable gratitude that we can never repay and must never forget."
Source ~ Morning Sentinel
Spc. Hutchins joined the Army in September 2008, during his senior year of high school.
Spc. Hutchins, a military policeman, was posthumously promoted from specialist to corporal. His awards and decorations include National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
Spc. Hutchins is survived by his wife (and high school sweetheart), Heather L. Hutchins, who is expecting the couple’s first child, by his father, Jeffrey, of Leeds, Maine and by his mother, Robin Poulin, of Waltham.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Thank you, Spc. Hutchins. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Sgt. Jason J. McCluskey, 26, of McAlester, Oklahoma
Sgt. McCluskey died November 4 at Zarghun Shahr, Mohammad Agha district, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.
McAlester, Oklahoma is mourning the loss of this young soldier.
Sergeant McCluskey's high school wrestling coach and mentor described (him) as quiet and hardworking.
(snip)
McCluskey graduated from high school in 2004 and in 2006 hung up his wrestling singlet - for army fatigues.
"He was kind of stoic," Coach Grilliout said. "Didn't surprise me at all that he chose the military."
"He really wanted to make a better life for himself. He wanted to do something with his life that he saw getting into the military as a pathway that he would have to do that," said Joe Brawley, McAlester High School psychologist.
(Brawley remembers) McCluskey's hard work and determination down at Mike Deek Field.
"He would be down there running. He was getting himself in shape for the military and studying for the ASVAP and he was working in the oil fields to support himself at the same time. So he was a highly motivated young man," Brawley said.
(snip)
"He certainly was a credit to his family and our community, and my thoughts are certainly with his family," (Brawley said).
"As his senior quote he put, a James Dean quote: 'Dream as if you will live forever. And live as if you will die today.' I thought that was pretty profound and really represented Jason," said high school wrestling coach Brent Grilliout.
Source ~ Newson6
Video ~ A Soldier Remembered
This letter appeared in today’s edition of the local newspaper:
Editor: I don’t remember most things about high school.
(snip)
I remember standing in the hall before class, football games, dances and myriad social engagements that high school offers. I don’t think I was ever naïve enough to think that it would last forever, but I don’t remember thinking about the possibility that someone in my class might die young.
A week ago today the unthinkable happened. A member of my graduating class, Jason McCluskey, was killed serving his country in Afghanistan.
Today is Veterans Day, and Jason’s death leaves with us with a cold reminder that we are still at war. The pain of his death does not stop at the border of a country, but it travels into the hearts of the members of the family and the community that grew up with him.
There is nothing that can be done to undo this tragedy. However, we can spend this day in reflection, prayer and service.
(snip)
Saying that Jason served his country takes the personal touch away from his sacrifice. He was serving you and me, and his service extended to all Americans at the greatest cost.
As a veteran, I can tell you that holidays are hard when you are deployed. However, for the mother and father who lost their son, this holiday season is going to be horrific.
Don’t let his loss go unnoticed.
As a community, get behind his family and let them know how much his service meant to you. As parents, tell your children the story of his heroism. As teachers, tell your students about his bravery. As his friends, grab a beer and toast to his courage.
Senior Airman Wes Carter
Vance AFB, Enid
Source ~ McAlester News-Capital
Sgt. McCluskey was born on September 12, 1984 in Stockton, California, and graduated from McAlester High School in 2004. He joined the Army in April 2006.
Sgt. McCluskey is survived by his son, Landen McCluskey, of Coalgate, by his mother, Delores Olivares and her husband, Ray, of Lubbock, Texas, by his father, Jimmy McCluskey, of Stockton, by his brother, Joshua Stambaugh, of McAlester, by his stepfather, Charlie Stambaugh, of Montana, by his maternal grandmother, Wilma Kohl and her husband, Doyle, of McAlester, by his paternal grandmother, Anita McCluskey, of Stockton.
The funeral for Sgt. McCluskey will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at First Baptist Church of McAlester. Sgt. McCluskey will be buried with full military honors at Tannehill Cemetry.
Thank you, Sgt. McCluskey. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
_____________________________________________________________________
Remember them. Honor their sacrifice.
To date, 4427 members of the United States military have lost their lives in Iraq. The death toll thus far in 2010 is 57.
To date, 1378 members of the United States military have lost their lives in Afghanistan. The death toll thus far for 2010 is already 431. 825 members of the military from other countries have also lost their lives.
Assisting our military: Supporting our troops is the RIGHT THING to do.
You can contribute:
You can send a care package. Please consider brightening the day of a soldier with a care package.
You can write letters.
You can send a cup of organic coffee.
You can find other ways to give at anysoldier.com or Fisher House. If you have frequent flyer miles you would like to donate to hospitalized veterans or their families, please see Fisher House’s Hero Miles program.
You can help the left-behind animal companions of our troops. See how here.
And don’t forget them when they get home! Read welcomebackveterans.org to learn what you can do. Visit VoteVets and IAVA.
If you or a loved one or friend was stop-lossed, please read here about what to do to collect extra pay for this service. The extra pay is also available to survivors. Yesterday, President Obama extended the deadline to apply for this pay to December 3.
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, CalNM, Wide Awake in KY, maggiejean, racheltracks, JaxDem and me, noweasels.
If you would like to contribute to the series, even once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal, or me, noweasels.
To see what these tributes mean to those who have lost a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan, please read Sandy on Signal’s story about meeting the father of a soldier at NN10.
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.