Tonight, we remember a devoted husband, father and soldier from South Carolina.
Since 2001, there have been 2185 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. There have been 2063 U.S. casualties in Afghanistan.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
DoD Announces Army Casualty
Chief Warrant Officer Curtis S. Reagan, 43, of Summerville, S.C., died March 29 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related illness. He was assigned to the 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Chief Warrant Officer Curtis Reagan
Chief Warrant Officer Curtis S. Reagan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He graduated from Summerville High School. He was an athlete and played on the football team. He was accepted in South Carolina School of Law and planned to attend this fall in 2013.
Reagan leaves behind a wife, son and daughter. Also, he is survived by two brothers and a sister, along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was a well loved soldier and pilot. His comrades offered condolences and created a video in his honor.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 6th, 2013 at 2pm. In his honor, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley ordered flags to be at half-staff on Saturday.
From Colonel Allen Pepin of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division:
Task Force Falcon Family,
It is with sorrow I inform you one of our most respected and senior Maintenance Test Pilots died from non-combat related cause on Kandahar Airfield, March 29, 2013. Our Fallen Hero embodied the warrior ethos and will be remembered as a true leader. Our thoughts and prayers are with his Family, friends and fellow Soldiers for their loss and during this time of grieving. His legacy will be remembered by his comrades and the great memories of serving with such a great patriot will live with us.
A true warrior and patriot, he deployed even with a knowledge he would soon retire and attend law school. While deployed, he led from the front by enhancing our capabilities. He will join our recent Heroes in peace, and we will stand tall through this hardship and honor our seven fallen warriors by continuing the mission, as they would demand. Our mission here must continue as we pave the way for Afghan independence, and support our partners for a better future in Afghanistan. Their sacrifices in a time of war only strengthen our resolve.
Few have the honor of serving with our Nation’s finest sons and daughters, and their losses do not become easier. We will not forget their service and will honor their sacrifices that protect the freedoms Americans enjoy and the positive changes made in the countries we serve.
I again urge everyone affected by these tragedies to take advantage of the services the Army provides, to seek support from Family, friends, unit family readiness groups, and community. Our committed leaders, volunteers and Families are there to support you. They can be a pillar of support during these difficult times.
Marne Air, Rock of the Marne.
Colonel Allan Pepin, Commander, Task Force Falcon
115
and from the
603rd Aviation Support Battalion
603rd Soldiers and Family Members,
Our hearts are heavy with the loss of an amazing teammate. On 29 March 2013, a Soldier from B Company, 603rd Aviation Support Battalion passed away due to a non-combat related illness while deployed to Afghanistan. His loss is a tremendous blow to all those who admired him as a fellow Soldier, friend and consummate professional. The Spouse and Next of Kin (NOK) have been notified and are being assisted by the unit and the Casualty Assistance Office. The Army will officially release his name within the next few days. Please keep our Soldiers and Family Members in your prayers as we honor those who have given so much and are dealing with the grief of their loss. Please contact our 603rd Rear-Detachment and/or Company FRG Leadership if you are interested in helping our team care for the Family Members impacted by this tragedy. While we all are saddened by our loss, it is most important that we focus on honoring our Soldier’s memory and caring for the loved ones he leaves behind.
Sincerely,
LTC Andy Gignilliat
In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McRae, MD, (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. 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.
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here and here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here. I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect and remind. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries.
Click the IGTNT tags to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Monkeybiz, Noweasels, Blue Jersey Mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, Ekaterina, and me, Sandy on Signal.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.