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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:
1st Lt. David A. Johnson
Pfc Michael W. Pyron
Only Time
~Enya
Who can say where the road goes,
Where the day flows?
Only time...
And who can say if your love grows,
As your heart chose?
Only time...
Who can say why your heart sighs,
As your love flies?
Only time...
And who can say why your heart cries,
When your love dies
Only time...
Who can say when the roads meet,
That love might be,
In your heart.
And who can say when the day sleeps,
If the night keeps all your heart?
Night keeps all your heart...
Who can say if your love grows,
As your heart chose?
Only time...
And who can say where the road goes,
Where the day flows?
Only time...
Who knows?
Only time...
Who knows?
Only time...
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1st Lt. David A. Johnson, 24, of Horicon, Wisconsin
David Johnson was a 2006 graduate of Mayville High School where he was a member of the football team, FFA, and the vocal program. He somehow found time to earn the rank of Eagle Scout as well.
Principal Lee Zarnott said David was always willing to give of his time and service.
He was just a fine young man. He had a smile that would light up the room. He just had a huge heart for friends and family and the community.
Johnson graduated from Evangel University in 2010. He earned his commission as a member of the ROTC and during his senior year he served as "Bear Battalion" commander. He also served as an assistant director of CROSSwalk campus ministries.
Lt. Col. (Ret) Kirby A. Hanson, who was David's ROTC Commander in Springfield had this to say:
David was an outstanding cadet in every aspect of military training...He was destined to serve in the Infantry and I was certain he would excel...Aside from the Army life, David was a kind, well mannered, fun young man.
1st Lt. Johnson reported to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in August 2011 and deployed to Afghanistan in December.
Johnson was on foot patrol in Kandahar Province on Wednesday, January 25th when he was killed by a homemade bomb.
David's father, Andrew, who is publisher of the Dodge County Pionier and his mother, Laura released this statement:
We are very proud of our son. He is a hero. He first was a man of God. He has been a strong leader at Mayville High School, at Evangel University and to the men in his unit. David had no fear of adversity; he lived life to the fullest. There are no regrets. He is an American hero. We love him very much and miss him very much.
Although the DoD news release lists David's home of record as Horicon, he was actually from the small community of Mayville where they are mourning their hometown hero. Friday night it seemed every tree, every bridge crossing, every front door downtown had a yellow ribbon tied to it. The neighboring town of Horicon did as well. Over 150 people gathered at the Veteran's Memorial where there hung a massive American flag, beneath which stood the fire department ladders from Mayville and Horican which had the ribbons tied end to end.
Rev. David Koch, Johnson's pastor at Christian Life Fellowship led the gathering in prayers:
He loved his family; he loved his community; he loved his nation, and he loved the cause of freedom.
The Mayville American Legion firing squad gave a silent salute during the ceremony. Students from Mayville High School led the group in the National Anthem.
Local Boy Scouts recited the Scout oath for the ceremony.
A wreath stood inside of the memorial with a photo of Johnson created by community members. Many contributed their time to put together a tribute for Johnson.
Mayor Jerry Moede said:
For a soldier to give up his life for his country, that has to be the ultimate gift you can give.
1st Lt. David A. Johnson's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Overseas Service Bar.
1st Lt. David A. Johnson is survived by his father, Andrew; mother, Laura; brother, Michael; brother, Matthew; and sister, Emily.
~ DoD News Release ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Pfc. Michael W. Pyron, 30, of Hopewell, Virginia
Pfc. Michael W. Pyron, 30, of Hopewell, Va., died Jan. 10 in Parwan province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 25th Signal Battalion, 160th Signal Brigade, 335th Signal Command Theater, East Point, Ga.
~ DoD News Release
Michael "Mike" Pyron was born on October 16, 1981 in Hampton, Virginia and moved at some later point to Hopewell, Virginia. Hopewell is a beautiful and historical community of almost 23,000 located at the confluence of the James and Appomattox rivers. It is only 24 miles from the capital city of Richmond and is included in the Tri-Cities area of the Richmond-Petersburg region.
Pfc Michael W. Pyron enlisted in the Army in May of 2010. He reported to the 335th Signal Command Theater, East Point, Georgia in February of 2011 as a radio and communications securities repair specialist. He was on his first deployment.
Major Carla Debro, Public Affairs Officer for the 335th said:
The Department of Defense declined to release the cause of death while the matter is under investigation. The circumstances surrounding the soldier's death are being investigated now.
Hopewell mayor, Christina Luman-Bailey said:
The loss of this man's life is a tragedy for Hopewell.
Pfc. Michael Pyron was a moderator on a Facebook page for military family members and once his death was announced comments of appreciation for his sense of humor and useful advice began to pour in.
I am at a loss right now. He was so amazing and always willing to help make us all laugh. I am nine months into this deployment and there were many times that I laughed and got through another day because of him.
Mike was such a motivator despite fighting in the war he always kept his head up and helped us keep our heads up. He worked hard on his school without giving up or giving any excuses. I remember one incident clearly when he had to take his exam 3 times because the Internet would freeze over there and he would lose all his work. This situation would prompt many to give up yet he didn't and continued to try until it worked! Absolutely a great person and definitely will be missed!
Mike's many friends and loved ones set up a Facebook page in his memory which contains many tributes and good byes to this wonderful man.
This Legacy guest book was set up in his name. I found this moving post from his brother-in-law, James Stienen:
As we lay our beloved family member to rest today, I want to take this time and remember my brother-in-law as one of the greatest people I had the pleasure to be part of our lives. I laugh when I think back about our last vacation together in that old house at the beach and how much fun it was, fishing late night, staying up and just having fun. You always made us laugh with your quirky comments that always seemed to make sense. I just want you to know that I will always be there for your sons as I help them become the men that you wished them to become. I will give them and help them with everyone to make you proud of them as they become older. Your memory will always treasured and will never be forgotten. You were not just one of my best friends, but you were also my brother. RIP, you big polar bear. We love, always and forever!
A funeral service for Pfc. Michael W. Pyron was held on January 21st in the Memorial Chapel at Ft. Lee followed by a committal service at Sunset Memorial Park in Chester, Virginia. A gathering of family and friends was held in his honor at the American Legion Post in Hopewell.
Pfc Michael W. Pyron is survived by his wife, Monika; sons Mason and Matthew; mother, Cheryl and step-father, Frank Caluccio; father, Herbert Pyron, Jr. and step-mother, Janet; brothers, Jeremy, Thomas, Christopher and Matthew; and sisters Samantha and Emily.
~ 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.