Our nation has added four more to the tally of those lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. These four are:
- Marine Sergeant Jason T. Smith who was from Colorado
- Army Sergeant David J. Luff Jr. who was from Ohio
- Army Sergeant David S. Robinson who was from Arkansas
- Army Staff Sergeant Loleni W. Gandy who was from American Samoa
While researching one of the men, the Samoan word, "Toa" kept showing up. It seems that it means hero, and that the term "Toa o Samoa" is a hero of Samoa. American Samoa is rightfully proud of the sons and daughters who serve our country. May those of us in the states join with those in Samoa in wishing that these, our country's children, rest in blessed peace.
Sergeant Jason T. Smith
Jason T. Smith was born in Aberdeen, Washington. He moved between Kansas, Iowa, and Utah before settling in 1993 with his family in Colorado Springs. He spent three years at Coronado High School before spending his senior year at Doherty High School were he graduated from in 2000. Wasting no time, he started active duty in the Marine Corps in June of 2000. According to Smith’s family, Jason was vivacious and "never met a stranger"
According to childhood friend, Joshua Burgreen, they talked about joining the Marines from an early age. This is from the KRDO News site:
"He chose to be explosive ordinance disposal because their mission out there was critical for the success of everyone else out there, and even though he knew it was the most dangerous job you could possibly choose in the Marine Corps, he still did it," said Burgreen.
Smith leaves behind his family and wife, Janet Smith. Family members are planning a memorial service for Smith later this week.
"They're very proud of their son, very proud," Burgreen said
Smith served with the Marines for more than a decade. He had served two tours in Iraq and had started his first tour in Afghanistan less than a month ago.
He was assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Branch, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Marine Corps Bases Japan, Iwakuni, Japan. Smith's job was to track down and disable explosives.
Before joining the Marines’ explosives unit, he served as a primary marksmanship instructor at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, training Marines how to use their pistols and rifles.
Sergeant Jason T. Smith died November 19th while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was 28 years old.
Sergeant Jason T. Smith's awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Sergeant Jason T. Smith's body was flown to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware late Sunday night. A memorial service is scheduled for November 30th at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Marine Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m. to honor him.
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Sergeant David S. Robinson
David S. Robinson was from Fort Smith, Arkansas. He joined the US Army and was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.
Specialist David S. Robinson died November 20th in Qalat, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related accident. He was 25 years old. The military is investigating Robinson's death.
Senator Mark Pryor from Arkansas put out a press release honoring Sergeant David S. Robinson on November 23rd:
Today I join all Arkansans in mourning the loss of U.S. Army Sergeant David S. Robinson of Fort Smith, Arkansas, who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country and the freedoms we cherish. Sergeant Robinson was serving with the A Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, V Corps in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, a critical region in the war on terror. When Sergeant Robinson’s nation needed him, he did not hesitate to answer the call of duty.
My thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Robinson’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. He is a true American hero, and we will never forget his courage, honor, and service to our country.
Specialist Robinson was posthumously promoted to sergeant and his remains were brought back to Dover Air Force Base in on Monday. His body will be flown back to Arkansas this weekend. No funeral arrangements have been announced.
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Sergeant David J. Luff Jr.
David J. Luff Jr. was from Hamilton, Ohio and was the eldest of four siblings. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1999. The Luff family has a service history that dates back to the Civil War, but no Luff had ever been killed in action.
According to the WCPO news site:
9 News spoke to Luff's sister, Stacy Garrison, who said that Luff leaves behind a wife, Katy, his high school sweetheart and six-month-old son, Aiden. Luff's wife and son live in Hawaii, but are back for the holidays.
"He was just too young," Garrison said as she remembered her brother.
"He was funny, laid back and easygoing," said Nick Garrison Luff's brother-in-law.
The two remembered Luff as a teenager, who knew how to have fun and someone who loved to backyard wrestle.
"He was awesome," said Stacy Garrison of her younger brother.
Luff completed basic and individual training at Fort Knox in Kentucky and had his first assignment to Fort Lewis, Washington. He married his wife, Katie Halcomb Luff, in 2008. He was home with his wife in May when she gave birth to their first child. His son, Aidan, was born just days before the Sergeant received orders for an assignment to a Stryker unit in Iraq.
For Luff’s second tour of duty in Iraq, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds" of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. He had moved to Hawaii in 2009. He was supposed to come home in February for two weeks, after which his tour was to end in June of 2011.
Luff was providing security as the military leaders met with local community leaders as part of the crew on a Stryker armored vehicle. Sergeant David J. Luff Jr. died November 21th in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was 29 years old.
About 3,700 Stryker Brigade soldiers are in northern Iraq on a year-long deployment that began this past summer. Four other Stryker Brigade soldiers have been killed — two by an Iraqi army soldier, one by a roadside bomb and one in a grenade attack on a vehicle.
Another 800 Schofield soldiers have started deploying to Iraq with the 25th Infantry Division headquarters. A deployment ceremony will be held today and the bulk of the soldiers will leave after Thanksgiving.
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Staff Sergeant Loleni W. Gandy
Loleni W. Gandy was originally from Pago Pago in American Samoa. He was a 1991 graduate of Marist High School and enlisted in the US Army in 1993. In May of 1994, his parents Larry and Uti traveled to South Carolina to attend Loleni’s graduation from boot camp.
His most recent reenlistment was March 17, 2003 for six years in the Army Reserve. Staff Sergeant Loleni W. Gandy was assigned to the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Des Moines, Iowa Gandy’s military occupation specialty was 91B, Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic and he worked as a Motor Sergeant, responsible for planning all maintenance on the vehicles. Gandy was stationed in Iraq six years ago, and was on his second tour to Iraq.
Gandy was living in Wisconsin with his wife, Faauta Faataualofa Maae and their four children— Amadeus who is attending college in La Crosse, Wisconsin; Alexander who joined the U.S. Army and just graduated from Basic Training; Tyler, and Lawrence who are attending school in Tomah, Wisconsin.
Staff Sergeant Loleni W. Gandy died November 19th in Balad, Iraq, in a "non-combat related incident." He was 36 years old.
The wife of Staff Sergeant Loleni W. Gandy was there to witness the solemn transfer of her husband’s remains when they landed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on the 20th. The transfer case containing the remains of Army Staff Sergeant Gandy was sitting at the end of the loader ramp upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base. At the tarmac, a brief prayer was given by Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Arendsee. A picture of a prayer over Gandy’s transfer case can be viewed at the Yahoo News site.
There are many comments concerning the sadness over the death of this "Toa o Samoa" at the Samoa News online site:
"...heartfelt for all of us who knew you well..a great person who represents nothing but kindness to all. A very caring, devoted father and husband to your family..and you have proven in serving your country. May the good Lord provide peace to Mrs. Faauta Faataualofa Gandy and children, also to Larry and Uti Gandy and families," said one commentor.
There are comments posted from Samoans in the military such as one Spc. Ruta Taala in Kirkuk, Iraqi.
"Our deepest sympathy and condolences to our dear friend Faauta and the boys, We are truly sorry to hear about your loss, may the grace of God give you strength and comfort at this difficult time. Ia manuia tele lau malaga Loleni!!!!," was the message from Amosa and Winnie Oloi.
A message from Dr. Lina Galeai Scanlan and her family says: "We offer our condolences to the Gandy family for their loss. May you find comfort knowing that your child is now with our Lord...thanks Loleni for your ultimate sacrifice.
Some of the awards received by Gandy include the Global War on Terrorism Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal (5th Award); Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award); Army Superior Unit Award; National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award); Overseas Service Ribbon and Army Service Ribbon.
Staff Sergeant Loleni W. Gandy is survived by his wife and four children, his parents, a brother and a sister. Funeral services are pending. The family is expected to grant Staff Sergeant Gandy’s wish to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
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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 US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, Mediaprof, TrueBlueMajority, JanosNation, Proud Mom and Grandma, Ministry of Truth, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Ms Wings, maggiejean, racheltracks, JaxDem, and kestrel9000. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them.
Fallen service members whose names have been released by the US Department of Defense will usually be diarized 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
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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.