Good evening, dear ones. Will you please join me and the IGTNT team tonight as we honor five soldiers who lost their lives on foreign soil:
Spc. Christopher W. Opat, 29, of Spencer, Iowa, who died June 15 in Baquah, Iraq of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident; and
Sgt. Joshua A. Lukeala, 23, of Yigo, Guam; Spc. Matthew R. Catlett, 23, of Houston, Texas; Spc. Charles S. Jirtle, 29, of Lawton, Oklahoma; and Spc. Blaine E. Redding, 22, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska. These four men died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device (IED) on June 7 in Konar, Afghanistan. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. A fifth soldier killed has yet to be identified at the time of this writing.
Will you dear Kossacks kindly take a moment to send a warm thought or prayer to the hundreds of thousands of forgotten or unnoticed souls who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from the insanity of war? This is not their diary but still, we all feel and grieve the pain of a broken human spirit.
Blessings and Light to all who share our world.
Our lovely forget-me-nots were a gift to the IGTNT team from dear llbear
Spc. Christopher W. Opat
Mr. Les Opat saw the two men in uniform at his front door, and knew something bad had happened. "That was the type of thing I never wanted to see," Mr. Opat told the Cedar Rapids GAZETTE.
His son, Christopher Opat, was raised on a rural farm in Lime Springs and he graduated from Cresco's Crestwood High School in 1999. Christopher then attended Iowa Lakes Community School, graduating with an Associate's degree in Construction before enlisting in 2003 "to make a career out of the Army." Spc. Opat was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington where he had trained as a generator maintenance technician.
Les Opat said his son "was dedicated to the Army." Dolores Opat described her grandson as "a quiet young man," and younger brother Jason Opat remembered that Christopher, "was always a really, really hard worker. He would pick rock and bale hay when he was a kid." Jason, who also joined the Armed Forces, said his older brother signed up in order to serve his country as well as to get funding to continue his education. Jason Opat stated that Christopher "accepted repeated tours in Iraq as part of his duty."
"We never really talked about that. It goes unsaid. It is what you do." Jason said his brother was just a few weeks away from returning home from this current deployment, and that Christopher had been considering re-enlistment.
Christopher Opat was stationed for over three years in Babenhaus, Germany and he had been deployed twice to Iraq prior to his third tour of duty in August 2009. Spc. Opat's many awards included two medals for Good Conduct, a National Defense Service Medal, and an Oversees Service Ribbon.
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Spc. Opat on their Watch List, where messages of love and support are being posted for the Opat family.
Iowa Governor Chet Culver said: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of another brave young person serving our country overseas. Our thoughts and prayers are with Christopher's family and loved ones. Spc. Opat was courageous in his service, and I join all Iowans in mourning his loss."
Spc. Christopher Opat was the son of Leslie Opat Sr. of Lime Springs and Mary Katherine Opat of Cresco. Spc. Opat is survived by three brothers, two sisters, and his Stryker Brigade family.
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Christopher Opat. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.
Sgt. Joshua A. Lukeala
After mastering football, marksmanship, and weightlifting, Joshua Akoni Sablan Lukeala graduated Simon Sanchez High School in 2005 and hopped right into enlistment that August. Sgt. Lukeala was an Indirect Fire Infantryman (for mortars) who arrived at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in March, 2009. This was a recent tour of duty, and he was scheduled to return home to the States on leave in early fall of this year.
Sgt. Lukeala won many awards and decorations during his five years of service: a Purple Heart, for hearing loss and combat wounds suffered while he was serving with the 26th Infantry Striker Brigade; and Army Achievement Medal (3 awards); the Army Good Conduct Medal; a National Defense Service Medal; an Iraqi Campaign Medal; a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; an Army Service Ribbon; an Overseas Service Ribbon; a Combat Infantry Badge; an Expert Infantry Badge. Sgt. Lukeala had earned an M4 (expert level) in the Weapons Qualifications.
Guam's Pacific Daily News reported that Guam Governor Felix Camacho and Lt. Governor Mike Cruz declared the island in a state of mourning last week, and also ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff in Sgt. Lukeala's honor.
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Sgt. Lukeala on their Watch List, where members are leaving messages of love and support for the Lukeala family.
Sgt. Joshua Lukeala is survived by his wife, Deniece and their daughter, Maiya; and his parents, Anthony and Dorothy Lukeala of Yigo, Guam; and his Eagles brethren. Mr. Lukeala Sr. is retired from the Army and is now an ROTC instructor.
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Joshua Lukeala. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.
Spc. Matthew R. Catlett
Spc. Matthew R. Catlett was an Infantryman who enlisted in October 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in February 2007.
Spc Catlett's many awards and decoration include an Army Commendation Medal; an Army Achievement Medal (3 awards); a Meritorious Unit Commendation; an Army Good Conduct Medal; a National Defense Service Medal; an Iraq Campaign Medal; a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; an Army Service Ribbon; an Overseas Service Ribbon; a Combat Infantry Badge and an Expert Infantry Badge. Spc. Catlett earned an M4 (expert level) in the Weapons Qualifications.
Texas Governor Steve Beshear has ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff on June 19 in honor of Spc. Catlett. Funeral services will be held at 10AM in Houston. The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Spc. Catlett on their Watch List, where messages of love and support are being left for the Catlett family.
Spc. Matthew Catlett is survived by his wife, Brytnee Barton, and two daughters, Ryann and Stephanie Catlett; his mother Jerrie Catlett and father, Darrel Catlett; and his Eagles brethren.
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Matthew Catlett. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.
Spc. Charles S. Jirtle
Terry Jirtle told the OKLAHOMIAN that his son was riding in a Humvee with four other soldiers when an IED exploded, killing all five men. Mr. Jirtle explained that Charles enlisted in the military so his family would have health insurance. His wife, Savannah, is five months pregnant with their fourth child. Mr. Jirtle said that Spc. Jirtle had served a previous tour of duty in Iraq, and that he'd left for this current deployment about six weeks ago.
Spc. Charles S. Jirtle was an Indirect Fire Infantryman (mortars) who enlisted in July 2007. He arrived at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in November 2007.
Spc. Jirtle's many awards include an Army Achievement Medal (2 awards); a National Defense Service Medal; a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; an Army Service Ribbon; a Combat Infantry Badge and a Driver and Mechanic Badge. Spc. Jirtle earned an M4 (expert level) in the Mechanic and Weapons Qualifications.
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders escorted Spc. Jirtle on his final journey June 16 with a Flag Line at the First Baptist Church East in Lawton, OK.
Spc. Charles Jirtle is survived by his wife, Savannah; daughters Cheyenne, Chelsie and son, Jordan, and a fourth child to arrive in a few months; his parents, Terry and Virginia Jirtle; and his Eagles brethren.
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Charles Jirtle. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.
Spc. Blaine E. Redding
Logan Redding was only 15 miles away from his brother Blaine when an IED exploded, taking Blaine and four other soldiers. "When he heard about it, he knew it had to be his brother," their mother, Teresa Redding, told KETV News. Spc. Redding's 19-year-old brother is also a member of the 101st Airborne. He flew to Kuwait with his brother's casket, but had to remain while the casket went on to Dover without him.
"He lost his best friend," their mother said in a telephone interview with the Lincoln (NB) Journal Star. "Blaine was always the leader and Logan was always Blaine's crash test dummy. They were very adventurous. They were a lot of fun."
Spc. Blaine E. Redding was an Indirect Fire Infantryman (mortars) who entered the Army in September 2007. He arrived at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in February 2008.
Newly married, as of March 13, Nikki Redding met her husband's casket with her mother, Gina Cotton, and her new in-laws. The couple were married in an old brick building enhanced with beautiful hardwood floors. "It was very simple and very tasteful, and it was just family and close friends. ...They were so excited to get married," Mrs. Redding remembered.
"I love them," Theresa Redding said of Nikki and her family. "My daughter-in-law is like one of my best friends. ...She's holding on. She's very strong."
"He really didn't want to leave Nikki, but he had a job to do and he was going to go back. He knew that because it's his job," Mrs. Redding said. Nikki Redding is studying to become a teacher.
Spc. Redding received many awards and decorations during his almost-three years of service, including an Army Commendation Medal (2 awards); an Army Achievement Medal; a National Defense Service Medal; a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; an Army Service Ribbon; a Combat Infantry Badge and an Air Assault Badge. Spc. Redding had earned an M4 (expert level) in the Weapons Qualifications.
Services will be held in Plattsmouth on Tuesday, June 22. "Everybody's coming," said his mother. "Everyone wants to honor him, and I can't not let them do that." The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to escort Spc. Redding to the Roby Funeral home on June 18th, and then on his final journey from the Funeral Home to the Church of the Holy Spirit on June 22. I am so grateful the Riders will be there for the family: their Facebook page announced that Westboro Baptist Church will also be in attendance.
Logan Redding wrote on his Facebook page, of escorting his brother home, "So I'm doing the hardest duty of all, not even the duty of a soldier, but I will soldier on as a brother in arms, and a brother proud of all Blaine has ever done."
"They were very close brothers," Mrs. Redding said of her two sons. "They were very excited they were going to be together. Blaine watched over his brother.
"He was pretty much indescribable," she continued. "He was a priceless personality. ...He was very energetic and strong and just very loyal and just a very sweet person.
"I'm his mom, so naturally I think that of him - but everyone thought that of him."
Spc. Blaine Redding is survived by his wife, Victoria "Nikki" Redding; his mother, Teresa Redding and father, Blaine Redding Sr; his brother, Logan Redding, and his Eagles brethren.
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Blaine Redding. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Facebook page
The Light of our IGTNT logo came to us from dear Timroff.
I can't think of a better way to honor the fallen than to contribute to the well-being of their fellow soldiers still on active duty.
The following fine organizations could sure use your support and your donations: AnySoldier.com, Books for Soldiers, Fisher House, the Military Pets Foster Project, Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pets, Operation Baghdad Pups, Operation Enduring Christmas, an organization that sends holiday presents to the children of our fallen troops, and Helping Udders, an organization that sends cooling vests to the Military Working Dogs stationed with their handlers in Iraq.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Click here to see other IGTNT diaries, a series which was begun by i dunno and which is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, noweasels, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, and Wide Awake in Kentucky.
These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but, we believe, an important service to those Americans who have died, and to our community's respect for and remembrance of them. Fallen soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and National Guard 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 fallen service member more fully, but still in a timely manner.
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. I hope that the comments tonight will demonstrate our respect for the sacrifices of our fallen military and our compassion for their families, whatever our personal feelings about the war and occupation happen to be. (Comment credit and my thanks to dear noweasels.)
PEACE AND BLESSINGS.