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I Got The News Today (IGTNT) , which is among the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
~ IGTNT Candle logo created by Timroff
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Honoring and Remembering:
Capt. John R. Brainard
Chief Warrant Officer Five John C. Pratt
Spc. Tofiga J. Tautolo
Capt. Scott P. Pace
1st Lt. Mathew G. Fazzari
Since 2001 we have lost 2013 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 3050 American and coalition forces.
Amazing Grace and Taps
Performed at Arlington National Cemetery
Day is done...Gone the sun
From the lake...
From the hills...
From the sky.
All is well...Safely rest
God is nigh.
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Capt. John R. Brainard III, 26, of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
Army Capt John R. Brainard died on May 28th, Memorial Day, in Kabul, Afghanistan from wounds sustained in a helicopter crash (this incident also claimed the life of CWO5 John C. Pratt, below). Brainard was piloting the AH-64 helicopter when it went down on patrol. He was attached to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Ansbach-Katterbach, Germany.
"Jay" Brainard was a 2004 graduate of Foxcroft Academy where he played jazz trumpet, was a member of the swim team and the 2003 championship football team. He attended the University of Maine where he was a member of the ROTC. He graduated magna cum laude as a 2nd lieutenant in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in political science and a minor in military science.
the Facebook page for UMaine’s ROTC program states:
The Black Bear Battalion lost an distinguished alumni recently. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Capt. Brainard.
Capt Brainard's wife, Emily (pictured above), who he met in college and married in 2008, said he loved his job and had dedicated his life to his military service.
Jay always wanted to be a soldier, and he was an amazing, strong leader. He believed his most important job was to help other soldiers and he spent every day of his career doing just that. He will be always missed and remembered.
Jay was my best friend, the love of my life, and my hero. We spent almost seven incredible years together. I am so honored to have called him my husband and am proud of his military service.
This was Jay Brainard's first deployment.
Capt John R. Brainard's funeral was held on Saturday, June 16th at St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church where over 350 family members, friends and military officials packed the church. A military committal service followed at Sawyer Cemetery in Plymouth.
Maine Attorney General William Schneider, who represented Gov. Paul LePage at the funeral, said the service was touching.
It was very, very dignified and appropriate. It was a celebration of Capt. Brainard's life. It just seemed like he was a terrific guy and somebody I wish I'd known. He was a true son of Maine, growing up loving the woods and hunting and fishing.
Senator Olympia Snowe, who attended the funeral, said:
Emily is a brave young woman who was so supportive of his military career. I told her our nation could not do what it does without her support.
Snowe said it was important she attend the funeral to convey the country's gratitude to the family.
He was an extraordinary young man and he wanted to serve in the military. That was his goal and his dream.
U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, who also attended the service, was one of the first to arrive.
I know that he felt strongly about his service and he definitely was committed to serving his country. It's a great loss, but his family can rest assured he served our nation proudly and with honor.
Captain Brainard served his state and nation with the highest honor, valor, and distinction, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.
Capt. John R. Brainard III is survived by his wife, Emily, and his parents, John Brainard and Susie Phelps of Newport, Maine.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Chief Warrant Officer Five John C. Pratt, 51, of Springfield, Virginia
Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 John C. Pratt died on May 28th, Memorial Day, in Kabul, Afghanistan from wounds sustained in a helicopter crash (this incident also claimed the life of Capt John R. Brainard, above). He was attached to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Ansbach-Katterbach, Germany.
At a memorial service held on June 12th in Ansbach, Germany, both CWO5 Pratt and Capt. Brainard were honored.
Lt. Col. Christian Huettemeyer, the brigade rear detachment commander said:
John and Jay died not only doing what they loved, flying. These are two men whose actions and life demonstrated that they believed in and stood for their principles.
Capt. Christopher Gerbas, the rear detachment operations chief, described Pratt as a personal mentor whose more than 10,000 flying hours of experience were valued by those who worked with him.
I think of the tremendous, positive impact he has had on this small community over those years: The number of pilots he has instructed, the number of commanders he has advised and the number of young officers like myself he has mentored.
Pratt served as brigade senior warrant officer and standardization pilot. He had been in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years and had three prior deployments.
Friends and fellow service members left condolences at the Legacy web page:
John was a true hero who left the world and everyone he met better for having known him. I pray for peace for his family. Rest in Peace my friend.
~ Mike F.,Davie, Florida
You are in good hands. The foundation established at your hand will make all of us better pilots.
~ P Bohlken, San Angelo, Texas
Sylvia, Brad and I are so sad to hear of your helo crash. Brad still treasures the photo with you when he was wearing your black flight helmet many years ago.
May God bless and hold your Mom, Dad and Sister in his everlasting love.
~ Fred & Sylvia Haney
U.S. Foreign Service Officer (ret)
Chief Warrant Officer 5 John C. Pratt is survived by wife Nicola; their daughter, Emma; and his parents, John D. and Josephine Pratt, of Springfield, Va.
A funeral service is scheduled for June 21st at Arlington National Cemetery at 1:00 pm.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Spc. Tofiga J. Tautolo, 23, of Wilmington, California
Spc. Tofiga J. Tautolo died May 27th in in Bati Kot, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan
when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.
Spc Tautolo was a former Marine who joined the Army on May 5, 2011. While with the Marines, Tautolo deployed twice -- once to Iraq in 2008 and then to Afghanistan in 2009. Each deployment lasted about seven months. At the time of his death, Tautolo was working as a cavalry scout.
His wife, Rita who lives in Seattle with the couple's 18 month old son, said:
He was a great man and I'm so sad to see him go. He was so adoring and friendly to everyone. He helped everybody who needed help.
Spc Tautolo received several awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.
California Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honored Spc. Tofiga J. Tautolo, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extended their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
In memorial, Governor Brown ordered that flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol on the day of Spc. Tofigia J. Tautolo's funeral.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Capt. Scott P. Pace, 33, of Brawley, California
Captain Pace died on June 6th in Qarah Bagh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his helicopter crashed (this incident also claimed the life of 1st Lt Fazzari, below). He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was one of two International Security Assistance Force service members killed in the crash.
"Scotty" Pace graduated 5th in his class from Brawley Union High in 1997 where he played on the school's basketball and swim teams. Pace also played Little League and was an Eagle scout.
Athletic Director, Billy Brewer said:
He was an awesome kid. He was a coach’s dream and a leader. He’ll be missed dearly in this community.
Following graduation, Scotty traveled to Argentina as a missionary with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for two years and attended Brigham Young University for one year. From there Scott Pace attended West Point where he played basketball, sprint football and was the most valuable player on the handball team that won the Division 2 U.S. National Championship in 2004. He graduated along with his younger brother, Richard in 2005 with a degree in Nuclear Engineering.
After flight school, Capt Pace did two back to back tours to Iraq where he faced a good deal of combat and was once a victim of a rocket attack.
Patrick Pace, Scott's father said:
It landed about 20 feet away. The shrapnel scratched him a little bit, but he wasn’t seriously wounded. He got the Purple Heart for that incident. This was just one of the 16 medals Scott received during his military career.
Sister, Brooke Pace said this about her brother:
From the little old lady down the street, to his grandma, to his (best) friend’s daughter, he had a smile for anybody that knew him. And he would stand up and fight for the people and just anyone, including the men he served with.
There was tremendous love at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Brawley on June 16th as over 500 members of the community attended the funeral services for Capt Scott P. Pace.
Friends and family alike spoke of "Scotty's" smile, his faith and dedication and his loving presence.
Brother, U.S. Army Capt. Richard Pace said there were many many stories he wished he could share with the gathered crowd, but he chose instead to highlight how Scott had impacted his life in such a positive manner.
Scott was hard-working, dedicated, mature. Scott taught me how to live life and put family first. I will always cherish the times I was able to get on the basketball court with Scott.
Father, Patrick, wearing a dog tag with his son's name engraved on it, said his son was a spiritually righteous young man who never took the easy way out. He always took the harder path.
Patrick said he takes some comfort in the fact that Scott will forever be honored as a defender of freedom, an example of that which is good and virtuous. Scott made the ultimate sacrifice, the last full measure of devotion.
My son, we will always remember, love and miss you. And until we meet and embrace again our hope and prayer is with the Lord, our savior.
As a brigadier general presented the family with a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and NATO medal, along with gold star lapel pins, he stated:
And when our work is done, Our course on Earth is run, May it be said, ‘Well done:
Be thou at peace. So Capt. Scott Pace, well done. Be thou at peace.
The ceremony ended with more than a dozen uniformed service members standing and saluting before the ringing of 21 shots echoed through the chapel. The single, sad sound of a bugle playing taps was followed by absolute silence as the flag was folded and given to the Pace family.
~ Source ~ Source
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1st Lt. Mathew G. Fazzari, 25, of Walla Walla, Washington
1st Lt Fazzari died June 6, in Qarah Bagh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his helicopter crashed (this incident claimed the life of Capt Pace, above). He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was one of two International Security Assistance Force service members killed in the crash.
"Mat" was a 2005 graduate of DeSales Catholic High School and a 2010 graduate of Gonzaga University where he was a member of the ROTC program.
ROTC leaders at Gonzaga said Fazzari had a knack for leadership during his time at the university.
Lt Col Gregory Jacobsen said the news of his death spread quickly around the tight knit ROTC community.
He did not eagerly seek the spotlight, but he was always willing to jump up and lead. What’s really becoming clear is the impact he’s had on these young cadets.
Fazzari is the first Walla Walla, Washington soldier to die in Afghanistan and the second soldier commissioned through the Gonzaga ROTC program to die in the war on terror.
There were many loving comments posted at the Legacy website:
Dear Fazzari Family,
Today we attended the services for Captain Scott Pace and heard great and inspiring things about Mathew. We will always remember both Scott and Mathew and pray that the Lord will bless and comfort you during this difficult time.
While we are too far away to support you in person, please know that we are with you in thought and in spirit. We are so sorry this happened. Our prayers are with you all. The family of Evan Dawson.
(Evan Dawson was the other Gonzaga ROTC soldier who died in Afganistan)
Only others who have lost their courageous sons and brothers can understand the depth of your loss but my heart goes out to you.
I was stationed at Walla Walla Army Air Base in 1944' and met some of your family. Such nice people that I will never forget.
And Matthew will never be forgotten.
To the Fazzari family, My thoughts and prayers go out to you. I had the pleasure of being Matthew's Instructor Pilot and Platoon Leader during his OH-58 training at Ft Rucker. I can honestly say he was one of my best and brightest students. Our community lost a great up and coming leader.
Scouts out Sir. We shall meet again on the Green.
~ CW3 Timothy Lane, Afghanistan
A service for Lt. Fazzari is scheduled at 11:00 am on June 22 at Assumption Catholic Church in Walla Walla.
Washington state Governor, Chris Gregoire ordered Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in 1st Lt Mathew G. Fazzari's memory on Friday, June 22, 2012, the date of his funeral.
1st Lt Matthew G. Fazzari is survived by his wife, Tovah, and his two children, Dominic and Samuel.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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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.
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