Since 2001, there have been 1398 American troops killed serving in Afghanistan, and since 2003, 4427 American troops killed serving in Iraq.
The IGTNT (I Got The News Today) title is a reminder that nearly everyday, somebody gets the news that a friend, former classmate, or beloved family member will not be coming home from war.
Tonight we honor and remember three decorated soldiers; two
were veterans of Iraq, and one was just beginning his service:
Staff Sgt. David P. Senft, 27, of Grass Valley, California
Spc. Justin E. Culbreth, 26, of Wentzville, Missouri
Pfc. Kyle M. Holder, 18, of Conroe, Texas
Please take a moment below to remember them.
The 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, has been hit hard in the last week, with twelve soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Past nights' IGTNT diaries honored the others here, here, and here.
The Department of Defense announced the death of an 101st Aviation non-commissioned officer with Bravo Company:
Staff Sgt. David P. Senft, 27,
of Grass Valley, California
died November 15 of injuries incurred in a non-combat related incident at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Senft was a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief and repairman assigned to the 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
A native of Grass Valley in Nevada County, California, David Senft graduated from Sierra Mountain High School in 2001. He enlisted in the Army a year later, wanting to fly helicopters.
Staff Sgt. Senft had a 5 year-old son, Landon Ryan, who lives in Ohio, and was currently married to Army Private Alyssa Senft, who is stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington.
Staff Sgt. Senft served a tour of duty in Iraq, and flew rescue missions during Hurricane Katrina. He arrived at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade in May 2008.
The Union
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote in a proclamation:
"Staff Sergeant David Senft was a courageous soldier who gave the
ultimate sacrifice while serving our country."
"Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of his death,
and will be forever grateful for his selfless service.
On behalf of all Californians, we extend our sympathies to
David's family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Staff Sgt. Senft's decorations for service in Iraq and Afghanistan include the Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Basic Aviation Badge, and Parachute Badge.
Among those Staff Sgt. Senft leaves behind are his wife, who is also serving; his son in Ohio, his mother in Riverbank, and his father in Grass Valley.
Staff Sgt. David Senft is missed. REST IN PEACE
sources SacramentoBee; news10abc; rgj photo
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The Department of Defense announced the death of an 101st Airborne soldier during combat operations:
Spc. Justin E. Culbreth, 26,
of Wentzville, Missouri
died November 17 at Panjway district, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device.
Spc. Culbreth was an infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Justin E. Culbreth was born and raised in Wentzville, Missouri, where his parents still reside. He attended Warrenton High School, then was homeschooled and finished early before joining the Army in 2004.
His family says he liked playing paintball and video games, and enjoyed fishing and deer hunting with his friends.
Spc. Culbreth was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, for a couple of years and he met his wife there. They married and created a large family in Colorado Springs with their children and stepchildren.
Spc. Culbreth and family moved to Fort Campbell in 2009, where they lived in Clarksville while he was being trained. He was deployed to Afghanistan in February with Delta Company.
During his career, Spc. Culbreth was deployed to Korea, and also served a tour of duty in Iraq. Culbreth received commendations for his earlier service in Korea and Iraq, and has since received numerous commendations, including the Purple Heart Medal, for his service in Afghanistan.
"He was a fine young man growing up," his father Walter
Culbreth said in The Gazette.
"He had his mind set. He wanted to serve his country."
"We miss him."
In addition to his parents in Wentzville, Missouri, Spc. Culbreth leaves behind his wife, Kimberly Culberth; his son Brandon Culberth and daughter Katelyn Carbaugh; and stepchildren, Mariah Bailey, Hannah Carbaugh and Cole Carbaugh, all of Clarksville, Tennessee.
Spc. Justin Culbreth is missed. REST IN PEACE
sources Eagle Honors 101st; Clarksville Now
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The Department of Defense announced the death of a 1-38th Cavalry soldier:
Pfc. Kyle M. Holder, 18,
of Conroe, Texas,
died November 17 , of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
Pfc. Holder was a rifleman assigned to the 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance and Surveillance), 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Kyle Holder comes from Conroe, eastern Texas, near the Houston and Beaumont area.
His family has asked for privacy in the wake of the sad loss.
Army records show that Pfc. Holder enlisted earlier this year in February and arrived at Fort Bragg in October. He was assigned to Charlie Company as a rifleman. The cause of Holder's death is under investigation.
Pfc. Holder's unit, the 1-38 Cavalry, is the Army’s first reconnaissance and surveillance squadron. The specialized unit from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, blends ground cavalry troops with an airborne long range surveillance company.
"Our squadron mourns the loss of one of our young troopers, Pfc. Kyle Holder,"
his squadron's commander, Lt. Col. James Gaylord, said in a written statement.
"Pfc. Holder volunteered to serve our nation and his presence
will be missed.
Our hearts go out to his entire family."
Beaumont Enterprise
Pfc. Holder's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal Posthumous and Army Good Conduct Medal Posthumous.
Among those Pfc. Holder leaves behind are his sister, and his mother and father
in The Woodlands, Texas.
Pfc. Kyle Holder is missed. REST IN PEACE
sources chron; WRAL news photo; HCN Conroe Courier online; ArmyTimes
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Photos Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Thanks to Timroff for our faithfully lighted candle IGTNT logo;
and Thanks to llbear for our beautiful forget-me-nots IGTNT logo.
(Other Photos by CalNM)
Helping our troops:
If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com.
Fisher House provides housing for families of injured troops and veterans who are recovering in hospitals, and Guardian angels for soldierspet assists the animal companions of our deployed military.
Helping our Veterans: When our veterans come back home, they can find support at Welcome Back Veterans. Our recently returned veterans need jobs, and Veterans Green Jobs is now hiring for positions and filling training sessions. VGJ corps retrains veterans as leaders in forest and resource conservation, green construction, and energy efficient upgrades of homes in rural areas. Encourage a Veteran, and see if you can help out.
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About the IGTNT series: I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect, and remember the fallen, and to remind us that each casualty has family and friends who received the terrible news that their loved one has died at war.
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. The US Department of Defense news releases are found at defense gov/releases. Icasualties lists the names of those killed, and shows the number of wounded. Published AP photos of the returning war fatalities are found on the Dover AFB page.
Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries in the series which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, noweasels, 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, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Ms Wings, maggiejean, racheltracks, ccasas, JaxDem, and me, CalNM. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and
family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.