The Fallen Soldier Battle Cross
This image is known as the Fallen Soldier Battle Cross or Battle Cross or simply, Helmet Rifle Boots.
It is made up of the fallen soldier's rifle with bayonet attached and stuck into the ground with the soldier's dog tags hanging, helmet on top of the rifle and the boots of the fallen soldier beneath.
This traditon began during the American Civil War as a means of identifying the bodies on the battlefield. Today it is used to show respect for the fallen and as a means to allow fellow troop members to mourn as attending a funeral or memorial service is not always possible for soldiers still engaged in battle.
Honoring and Remembering:
2nd Lt. Clovis T. Ray
Spc. Daquane Demetrius Rivers
Since 2001 we have lost 1913 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 2930 American and coalition forces.
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Echo Taps
TAPS
Day is done...Gone the sun
From the lake...
From the hills...
From the sky.
All is well...Safely rest
God is nigh.
Fading light....Dims the sight
And a star....Gems the sky....Gleaming bright
From afar....Drawing night
Falls the night.
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2nd Lt. Clovis T. Ray, 34, of San Antonio, Texas died Mar. 15 at Kunar province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. ~ DoD News Release
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2nd Lt. Clovis T. Ray, 34, of San Antonio, Texas
Clovis Ray was a 1995 graduate of Three Rivers High school in Three Rivers, Texas where he was a member of the National Honor Society as well as a standout football player along with his twin brother, Eddie. After graduation, both brothers earned starting linebacker spots on the football team at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.
After earning a degree in sociology, Clovis moved to San Antonio and began a lucrative career as an investment banker.
An overwhelming desire to lead and to serve his country led Clovies, at age 32, to give up his career and enter the Army. The Army doesn't normally accept recruits over the age of 30, but made an exception in Ray's case due to his outstanding physical conditioning.
His father, Bob Ray said this on receiving the news that his son had enlisted:
I had no idea until he called and said, "Dad, I've joined the Army. I want to serve my country." Clovis was the best of the best.
Sister, Jennifer Ray said:
People like Clovis are hard to come by. My dad is a disabled Vietnam vet and Clovis knew how dangerous military service can be, but he gave up his life as an investment banker to be on the front lines leading his platoon. I’ll feel forever unworthy of his sacrifice and the selfless sacrifice thousands of men and women make every day for our great nation.
Three Rivers Mayor James Liska said:
Our community is really grieving. At the same time, we’re extremely honored that Clovis stood up for his country and made the ultimate sacrifice. And he gave it for us to enjoy the things we do.
2nd Lt. Ray was due to be promoted to 1st Lieutenant this week and scheduled to return home next month.
Maj. David Eastburn, spokesman for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team released this statement:
He would lead his men, day in and day out, in the infamous Kunar Province of Afghanistan. Clovis made the ultimate sacrifice on a patrol with his platoon. He was a unique leader in that he was well liked by both his peers and subordinates and was always willing to do what it took for his men to be successful.
Our thoughts and prayers are with this great man's family and friends while they struggle through this difficult time. Although we're on the other side of the globe, we mourn along with them and feel their pain.
In summary Ray's father, Bob said this:
I admire Clovis, he was fighting for something he believed in. He wanted to serve his country in wartime.
2nd Lt. Clovis T. Ray's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal
(posthumous), Purple Heart (posthumous), two Army Commendation Medals,
National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze
Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service
Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal (posthumous), Combat
Infantry Badge and Parachutist Badge.
2nd Lt. Clovis T. Ray is survived by his wife Shannon; son, Dean Aaron Ray, 5; mother; father, Bob; brother Eddie; and sister Jennifer.
~ Source ~Source ~ Source
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Thank you to CalNM for this loving tribute to Spc Rivers.
The Department of Defense confirmed the death of a soldier who was serving in Afghanistan:
Spc. Daquane Demetrius Rivers, 21, of Marianna, Florida
Spc. Rivers died March 14, from a non-combat related injury in Paktika province, Afghanistan. Spc. Rivers was a team leader assigned to Task Force BlackHawk, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, based in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
Daquane Demetrius Rivers grew up in Jackson County, Florida and graduated from Marianna High School.
Daquane was one of 22 seniors in his 2009 graduating class to join the military, and, according to Marianna High School Assistant Principal Clarence Bellamy, he was well-liked.
“He kind of stood out in a way. He was always smiling, and he had a great personality.” Bellamy said in The Dothan Eagle.
Duquane was married. He was a respected by his family and high school friends, and by his Army peers and leaders, for his competence, maturity, and leadership.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that the brigade mourns another member of the Task Force BlackHawk. Spc. Rivers was liked and respected by his peers and leaders alike,” Col. Edward T. Bohnemann, commander of the 172nd Infantry Brigade, said in a statement reprinted in the News Herald.
“The fact that he was selected ahead of every other specialist in his company to serve as team leader, a position historically held by a sergeant, is a testament to his maturity and competence.
“Spc. Rivers took care of his soldiers in one of the most remote, challenging areas in Paktika Provence. In October he received the Combat Action Badge for his actions.
“Upbeat and sociable, Spc. Rivers was a future leader and an absolute pleasure for his platoon to be around. It is clear that we lost a great man, a husband and soldier who will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Spc. Rivers’ wife and family."
Friends posted memorials and tributes to Daquane on facebook and the school posted about the 2009 graduate on their website:
“The administration, faculty, students and staff at Marianna High School honor the heroic service and great sacrifice that Spc. Demetrius Rivers, Class of 2009, gave to our country while serving in Afghanistan,” reported the News Herald. “We are all greatly saddened by his death. Spc. Rivers is remembered for his quick wit and infectious smile. He is remembered with great admiration. A memorial service will be held in the Marianna High School Auditorium.”
Among those Spc. Rivers leaves behind are his wife and family, and his men in the 172nd Infantry Brigade.
Spc. Daquane Demetrius Rivers is missed. May he rest in peace.
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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, noweasels, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Kestrel9000, TheFatLadySings, Ekaterin and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them.
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.
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Any Soldier – (Marine, Sailor, Airman or CoastGuardsman) Provides detailed information on sending care packages or cards and letters to deployed service members.
Books For Soldiers - View requests for and send troops books, DVDs, games and relief supplies.
Fisher House – Provides a “home away from home” for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.
Homes For Our Troops – Building specially adapted homes for our severely injured veterans at no cost to the veterans.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans – The VA estimates 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. There are ways to get involved or donate at the link.
Netroots for the Troops (NFTT) – This non-profit raises money for the assembly, mailing and delivery of care packages to American military in war zones.
Special Operations Warrior Foundation - Provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions and immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations personnel and their families.
USA Together - "It's like craigslist for Wounded Warriors". Brings together injured service members who need assistance as they recover, with the people who want to help them.
Veterans Green Jobs - Helps transition veterans into their communities and find career opportunities in environment sustainable sectors of our economy.
Welcome Back Veterans - Committed to providing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment to our veterans and their families in a public/private partnership
Wounded Warrior Project - Their vision is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in this nation's history.
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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.