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.
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Sgt 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea
Sgt 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker
Spc Mitchell K. Daehling
Spc William J. Gilbert
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Since 2001 we have lost 2227 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 3315 American and coalition forces.
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Taps - by the US Army Ceremonial Band
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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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Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea, 33, of Oakley, Kan., died May 15, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, after drowning while attempting to cross a body of water during combat operations. He was assigned to the 603rd Military Police Company, 530th Military Police Battalion, 300th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command, Belton, Mo. ~ DoD News Release
Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea, 33 of Oakley, Kansas
Trenton Rhea graduated from Oakley High School in 1998.
Classmate Megan Stephenson had been hoping to re-connect with him at a class reunion in July. Megan said of Trent:
He was very into history, which is what I remember about him the most; he loved researching the presidents. He was a good friend to everyone, good listener. He had a very strong faith in God. He was quite a guy, a very dear friend.
Also in the same graduating class, Kelly Rummel knew Trent since kindergarten. He called his friend a "good, Christian soldier".
I've been searching for words to describe a friend for 20 years. Not the easiest thing.
Rhea was on his second tour in Afghanistan. He had previously served a tour in Iraq and at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
On the 200th Military Police Command Facebook page there were several posts including the following:
Seth Pettit: I had the privilege of serving with him in Iraq 2007-2008. He was an amazing leader/soldier/man. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and the 603rd "Dark Knights".
Scottie Carpenter: Sir, I attended the Fallen Hero Cermony for SFC Rhea. Several hundred service men and women as well as civilians were in attendance. His Family is in my thoughts and prayers.
211th Military Police Battalion: We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of SFC Rhea. Rest in peace, Soldier.
Jeff Wood: God received another Mike Papa 10-8 for duty. RIP
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback issued the following statement:
On behalf of the citizens of Kansas, Lt. Governor Colyer and I offer our condolences to Sgt. 1st Class Rhea’s family and friends for their loss. Sgt. 1st Class Rhea will always be remembered for his service by the American people. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this dark time.
Rhea's wife, Leah, said in a statement Saturday her husband was "the nicest guy you would ever meet."
Sgt 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea was awarded several military honors, including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.
Sgt 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea is survived by his wife, Leah; daughters, Autumn, Joanna and Abigail; his father, Marshall; his mother, Rebecca; twin brother Travis; sister Samantha Repshire; stepmother Julie; stepbrother Jody Kruse; stepsister Jade Kruse; grandmother Eileen Rhea; grandfather Kenny Breeden; and his in-laws, Harlan and Lynn Reid.
The funeral date and time has not yet been set, but will take place in Sedalia, Mo., with burial in LaMonte, Mo.
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The Department of Defense announced today the death three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.
Killed were:
Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, of Hesperia, Calif., assigned to 766th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, Mass., and
Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., both assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. ~ DoD News Release
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Many thanks to IGTNT diarist,
Joy of Fishes for the research assistance on Sgt 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker.
Sgt 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29 of Hesperia, California
Sgt 1st Class Jeffrey Baker enlisted in the Army in 2004. On this, his second deployment, he was serving as an explosive ordnance specialist.
Commander, LTC Frank G. Davis and Command Sgt Major Patric R. Standley released the following statement on the 3d Explosive Ordance Disposal (EOD) Battalion Facebook page:
It is with great sadness that I regret to inform you of the loss an exceptional Army EOD Soldier and member of 766th EOD Company (63rd EOD Battalion). CJTF Paladin, JTF Paladin-South, 20th SUPCOM (CBRNE), and the entire EOD community have suffered another tragic loss of life. SFC Jeffrey C. Baker, Hesperia, California, was KIA while conducting EOD operations, on 14 May 2013 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
SFC Baker was assigned to the 766th EOD Company (FSGA), 63rd Ordnance Battalion (EOD), Fort Drum, New York. We will conduct a Memorial Ceremony here in country in the coming days and we will provide CONUS funeral details as they become available thru his parent organization and chain of command, LTC Brian Clarke and CSM Scott Frey, (63rd EOD Battalion).
SFC Baker is survived by his wife Vicki and his young daughter. Please continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers and the members of 766th EOD Company and all of Combined Joint Task Force Paladin's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Civilians as well.
Six years ago Jeff posted the following on his "My Space" page:
“I have been thinking about my past a lot recently. There are many things in my life that I have gone through that have contributed to the way I am now. Decided that maybe I should write it down, so that the next time someone read my blog, they could remember the good times with me.
Moving up to FLO may not have been the best decision. I wanted to help people. Directly. I wanted to move down. But I was always a hard worker, and the promotions came easy for me. I studied hard, I learned, I moved up fast. Too fast? Who knows?
Fontana. Finding my first love, but never being able to get her. It was a rough time, but when I think about the late night discussions with Aunt Terrie and the partying. A little Rey of sunshine. Over night gas station attending. A dog that is afraid of fireworks and lightning. Two new little brothers and an entire family that welcomed me in. Learning to cook with Uncle Mike. Scrabble. A rottweiler that eats walls, but still fell in love with me. A ribs recipe from Nikki and a bread recipe from grandma. Do you remember Mitch’s Pad??? I guess the next step is growing up though. Had to do it sometime.
Vicki. The biggest change of my life. I think that is the main problem with relationships. Most people are looking for the perfect person. You have to look for “perfect for you”. Well we found it. Trips to AZ and sleeping on the floor with Fernando. Kisses all over my face for taking care of a couple of dogs. Late night basketball, skating, tag. Kissing in the rain. Driving to Riverside. Being run over by a minivan. Threats of beatings with a flip flop. Ugghhh, I know you will hate this one, but Yahoo Games. The infamous “weed smell” in the minivan. A ride to get new glasses. Fixing screens on windows and shoulder muscles. A small wedding in the rain and all the craziness that night.
Joining the army. Finding my dad. Losing my dad. The weird feelings of doing the same things as my relatives in a different time. A christmas at home. Being “nursed back to health”. Its A Wonderful Life. Redstone, AL and finally being able to call home.
I realize that these times are gone, but you have to remember to hold on to the good times, the god friends, the good memories. I have made a lot of friends in my time, people I could never forget. Monique, Josh, Carisa, Rachel, Sarah (A. and B.), Pierre, Colin. And where would I be without my family. I am so glad that I found them again. Becca, Nathan, Jack, my mom, my aunts and my uncle. My new families. The Barbers, Aunt Terrie, Grandma, etc. The Blanco’s. Renee, Colleen, Fernando.
I cherish all the times I have. Vicki. I love you so much. This past year, I would never have made it without you. Thank you for everything you have done for me, and all the times you were there for me. I love you and miss you. Jeff ”
Sgt 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart.
Sgt Baker is survived by his wife, Vicki and a young daughter.
No funeral arrangements have been announced.
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Many thanks to IGTNT diarist, Ekaterin for this beautiful tribute to Spc Mitchell K. Daehling.
Spc. Mitchell Kirk Daehling
Spc. Mitchell Kirk Daehling married his wife Samantha on June 17, 2012 and was deployed to Afghanistan in December 2012. He was one of four soldiers killed on Tuesday in an IED attack.
Spc. Daehling's father, Kirk, said his son
"...just loved life ... He always had a smile ... He was proud to serve his country."
Born in Kammerer, WY, Spc. Daehling lived in Dillon, MT, before his family moved to Dalton, MA during the middle of his sophomore year in high school. He was a 2006 graduate of Wahconah Regional High School, where he was a member of the club lacrosse team and played on the boys' varsity soccer team as a junior and senior.
On its website, Wahconah Regional High School said of Spc. Daehling:
"... his strength and determination served as a model to all students and his bravery and service to our country was beyond measure...a true warrior in every sense of the word."
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal said:
Mitchell Daehling "was a brave young man who represented the best of America."
After graduating from high school, Spc. Daehling attended Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H., where he first majored in the aviation program before changing to homeland security. His father said Mitchell planned on graduating from college after the military and was interested in joining either the Department of Homeland Security or the FBI after receiving his degree. He joined the Army in September, 2010.
Spc. Daehling's last note on Facebook was to his mother, on Mother's Day. He wrote:
"your the best mom anyone could ask for. Miss you, love you and see you soon."
Spc. Daehling's parents, Brenda and Kirk Daehling, and his wife Samantha received his body at Dover AFB in Delaware this week. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. He is also survived by two younger siblings, Adam and Kayla.
(Facebook photo)
Rest in peace, Spc. Mitchell Kirk Daehling. You have served with honor.
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Spc William J. Gilbert, 24 of Hacienda Heights, California
William Gilbert was a 2007 graduate of La Serna High School where he excelled for four years as pitcher on the school's varsity baseball team as well as playing on the football team. Gilbert was a dedicated Dodgers and USC fan.
Following high school graduation, William attended El Paso Community College.
Spc Gilbert enlisted in August of 2010 and arrived at Fort Bliss, his first permanent duty station, in January of 2011. This was Gilbert's first combat tour.
Just prior to deployment, Spc. Gilbert married his love, Monica who is due to give birth to their child later this month.
On Friday, Monica posted this to her facebook page:
To all the guys that were there with William Gilbert thank you, you guys were the last ones to see him and try to save him. I love you all and you will always have a place in my heart.
On January 9th Spc Gilbert posted this story on his
facebook page:
Just got back from a patrol. I was on a knee pulling rear security when these kids start playing a game with me. they just threw a rock from a couple feet away and i threw it back. If I droped it then they laughed and two others throw toss rocks as me. Before i realized it a village worth of kids are around me. about 20 or 25. It was the most primative game of catch ive played but they had so much fun. Im not ganna lie I had a lot of fun too. I think i like these afgan kids about as much as american kids. I dunno about the adults yet but the kids are cool. "SHAKA SHAKA, MISTA SHAKA!!!" By the way Hi to every one. I miss home and especially my beautiful wife. Im doing fine and ill be home soon. lol
Fellow soldiers at Fort Bliss are grieving at the loss of their own, admitting the dangers of war, but asserting that it's a risk all servicemen and women are willing to take to protect their country.
Sgt Joshua Holt said:
The first thing I think about is my family. No one wants to leave their family. And I mean, they're just as scared as we are but that's part of our job, that's what we do, we fight for the freedoms.
Spc. William J. Gilbert's awards and decorations were the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
No funeral arrangements have been announced.
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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, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, Joy of Fishes, i know 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.
Sgt Bowe R. Bergdahl
The only known current Prisoner of War is Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl, 26 who was captured by the Taliban in June of 2009. Five propaganda videos featuring Bergdahl have been released by the Taliban. A website has been established with the most up-to-date information on Sgt. Bergdahl.
Please keep good thoughts and prayers for Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl.
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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.