Three more American service people are dead. Three more families are torn asunder. Three more children will grow up with dim memories of a parent instead of the real thing.
Writing tributes for these soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardsmen is hard. Every story is different, but every one shares in common the tragedy of a life lost too soon—the life of an exceptional person, with so much potential, who wanted to do the right thing for his or her country, his or her family, his or her future, and who was willing to offer his or her own life to see the right thing done. Doing justice for such people is a daunting task.
The two soldiers and one Marine we remember today—Sgt. Michael E. Tayaotao, PFC Shawn D. Hensel, and Staff Sgt. Alicia A. Birchett—shared something else in common: they all wanted the people of Iraq and the people of the US to enjoy peace, and they died working for that hope.
Bette Midler reminded us in a song that, from a distance, our world is a beautiful place whose people appear to live peacefully together as siblings. So let’s join hands as siblings as we remember these brave soldiers and Marine. And in honor of these service members and all the people who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan—our brothers and sisters, our parents, our children—let’s each resolve to do something—big or small, it doesn’t matter—to help bring peace in their memories to all our children.
From a distance the world looks blue and green,
and the snow-capped mountains white.
From a distance the ocean meets the stream,
and the eagle takes to flight.
From a distance, there is harmony,
and it echoes through the land.
It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace,
it's the voice of every man.
From a distance we all have enough,
and no one is in need.
And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease,
no hungry mouths to feed.
From a distance we are instruments
marching in a common band.
Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace.
They're the songs of every man.
...
From a distance you look like my friend,
even though we are at war.
From a distance I just cannot comprehend
what all this fighting is for.
From a distance there is harmony,
and it echoes through the land.
And it's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves,
it's the heart of every man.
...
~ Excerpted from "From a Distance", written by Julie Gold; performed by Nanci Griffith in 1987 and Bette Midler in 1990.
Michael E. Tayaotao
DoD reports:
Sgt. Michael E. Tayaotao, 27, of Sunnyvale, Calif., died Aug. 9 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Michael Tayaotao’s family is experiencing grief of a magnitude that no family should ever have to feel. They have lost their second family member in less than a year. Just last November, Michael’s younger brother, Vincent, died. Now, before they have even had a chance to finish coming to grips with Vincent’s loss, they must cope with Michael’s.
Michael was a happy person who always had a smile. His sister, Leah Tayaotao, told the San Jose Mercury News, "No one would know what he was laughing about but that didn't matter as long as he was laughing. Even if it was something serious, he could bring the light out of it." He brought that infectious smile to the Marines, where he enlisted soon after graduating from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, CA, in 1998.
Michael loved the Marines and his country, and he felt that he was making a difference in Iraq. After completing two tours of duty in Iraq, he volunteered last year for a third tour. He was scheduled to return home early next year and planned to complete his Marines service. He had already begun making plans for "the next phase of his life":
[His sister, Leah] said by phone from her mother's home in Ridgecrest that her brother had plans to start a new phase of life, traveling and pursuing other experiences "he didn't have the opportunity of doing" in the military.
Those experiences included doing more of the family hiking, fishing and camping trips he enjoyed as a child. Some of his favorite moments were spent fishing or sitting on the dock having a picnic at San Diego County's Lake Poway, Leah Tayaotao said.
She was there with him the day before his last deployment.
The loss reverberated among many other friends and family members, some who posted their thoughts in a blog.
"He was such a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor and a laugh I will never forget," wrote Dawn O., a high school classmate.
John M. Tanacio, Tayaotao's cousin, wrote back: "Dawn, I'm Mike's cousin and know that his friends from all over are starting to find out what happened to him. Mike was everything you explained and more."
Michael’s uncle, Felix Tayaotao, summed it up best for the San Francisco Chronicle: "He's a great man, that's all I can say. He's a straightforward and brave man. He did what he can for his country, for his people."
Michael is survived by his parents, Mario and Heidi Tayaotao, his sister, Leah Tayaotao, and his aunts, uncles, and cousins. You can see a picture of him here.
Rest in peace, Michael Tayaotao. May your brave, joyous, and beautiful spirit roam free forever and find the peace for which you gave your life. And may your infectious smile warm and comfort the hearts of your family and all those who remember you.
Shawn D. Hensel
DoD reports:
Pfc. Shawn D. Hensel, 20, of Logansport, Ind., died Aug. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds during an enemy attack. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
The circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation.
At just 20 years of age, Shawn Hensel wasn’t even old enough to drink legally when he married his wife, Laci, last December. But that didn’t stop him—a kid with his whole life in front of him—from putting that life on the line to serve his country and to bring peace.
Shawn earned his GED after attending Logansport High School in his hometown of Logansport, IN. At just 18, he enlisted in the Army in March, 2006 out of a profound desire to protect Americans and to bring peace. His father, David Hensel, told the Indianapolis Star, that "...his son would be remembered for loving his family, friends and kayaking. 'He was a pretty good kid. He loved to help people. He had two sisters that really loved him.'"
In April 2007, Shawn was deployed to Iraq for a 15-month tour of duty. Just four months later, his dreams, and those of his new wife, ended when he was killed in a crossfire.
His friends and family are reeling from the news:
"I've never had a friend die like this. Now I know. It's kind of hard. Not fun to go through," said Sean Albin.
It is not easy for Shawn's mother to stop crying.
"I can stop for a second, and that's about it. Because I miss him so bad. Every time I talked to him on the phone, he'd say, 'I love you, Mom,'" Beth Hensel said.
Shawn's father hopes people remember one thing about his son.
"I just want everybody to remember that he served his country and he was proud to be a soldier. He loved it," David Hensel said.
~ WISH-TV
Shawn is survived by his wife, Laci, his parents, Beth and David Hensel, and his two sisters. You can see his picture here.
Rest in peace, Shawn Hensel. May your brave, loving, and beautiful spirit roam free forever and find the peace for which you gave your life. And may the memory of your loving heart bring comfort to your family and all those who remember you.
Alicia A. Birchett
DoD reports:
Staff Sgt. Alicia A. Birchett, 29, of Mashpee, Mass., died Aug. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related accident Aug. 8 in Baghdad. She was assigned to the 887th Engineer Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Alicia Birchett grew up as a Wampanoag Indian in Mashpee, MA, surrounded by a close-knit family and traditions she loved. She was a dedicated, loving person who was determined to make the world a better place. After she graduated from Falmouth High School in 1995, she decided that the best way to do her share was as a member of the Army. Her cousin, Beatrice Jackson, told the Boston Herald, "It was just her way to see the world, serve her country and make her family proud."
Alicia enjoyed the challenge of Army life and soon decided on a career in the military. She met her husband, Joe Louis Birchett—another soldier—and they had three boys: Joe Louis III (7), Julian (4) and Silas (2). She served tours of duty in Germany and Korea, and was finally stationed in Tennessee, where she and her husband bought a home two years ago. They had a good life planned together.
Those plans were destroyed on Aug. 9, when Alicia was crushed by a truck when its brakes failed as she was changing a tire.
Her devastated family has gathered together again, just as they did while Alicia was growing up. This time, it is to mourn her loss and celebrate her life.
Following old Indian tradition, her uncle Wayne Jackson threw tobacco into a fire, with drums beating in the background, the ceremony signaling the departure of a kindred spirit from the world.
"The family and the town, the tribe, were all hit pretty hard by it. She was a very loving person, loving mother. Give you anything in the world," Wayne Jackson said.
Birchett was the mother of three young boys, aged 2 to 7. Her family members said they are heartbroken at her loss.
"My daughter goes to me, 'Mommy, I just don't know why it hurts so bad. Why am I so hurt?' And that's how all her nieces and nephews and cousins feel," her aunt Laverne Jackson said.
Family members are planning a special service for Birchett this weekend. Wayne Jackson said as Birchett's relatives mourn, he pondered the words she wrote on the back of her military photo.
"I'm only doing this to make the family proud of me, and when I have hard times, I'll think of Mashpee and my family. So this town, and us, are all in her heart. We're not too political about it. She did it to make us proud and we are proud," Wayne Jackson said.
~ Cape Cod Online
In adherence to Wampanoag tradition, Alicia’s family has kept a fire burning for her since news of her death reached them. That fire will burn until she is buried Saturday, when her family believes her spirit will join that of her ancestors.
You can see a picture of Alicia here. I’ll let Alicia’s family say the rest:
Alicia (Finklea) Birchett, ''Little Brown Bee," 29, died on Aug. 8, 2007, from injuries sustained in a truck accident in Baghdad, Iraq.
Born on Sept. 7, 1977, she is survived by her mother, Dorothea (Jackson) Finklea of Wareham; her stepfather, Elie Pilet of Mashpee; and father, Alvin Finklea, of New York. She was the beloved wife of Joe Louis Birchett; mother of Joe Louis Birchett III, Julian X. Birchett and Silas V. Birchett, all of Waynesboro, Tenn.; sister of Teresa Jackson of Tennessee, Elie Pilet Jr. of Tennessee, Moise Finklea of Mashpee and Eli Finklea of Wareham. Nephews include Keon Jackson, Aljah Jackson and Eli Finklea Jr. Nieces include Dorothea T. Jackson and Jalajhia Finklea. Alicia also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. She will be greatly missed. Alicia, we love you.
Rest in peace, Alicia "Little Brown Bee" Birchett. May your brave, loving, and beautiful spirit roam free forever and find the peace for which you gave your life. And may your flame, which your family tends with such love and devotion, bring warmth and comfort to your family and all those who remember you.
As of this writing, Iraq Coalition Casualties reports that 3689 American soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardsmen have been confirmed killed in action in Iraq, with 12 additional deaths pending notification of the families. This puts the dreaded total above 3700 American men and women killed in Iraq. The DoD news releases can be found here.
You can help our military men and women. Please consider sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com. It doesn’t take much time or money. Just send letters or care packages to your soldier, sailor, Airman, or Marine. One of my "adopted" soldiers told me that "mail is gold" for a deployed soldier. A few minutes of your time and one airmail stamp can make a real difference in a military person's life. anysoldier.com, Operation Helmet, and Fisher House are also wonderful organizations that provide comfort and care to deployed American troops.
About "I Got the News Today" (IGTNT)
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, Sandy on Signal, silvercedes, noweasels, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, Wee Mama, MsWings, sheddhead, labwitchy, and moneysmith.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and families of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
Many thanks and hugs to greenies for invaluable research assistance, proofreading, and moral support.
Thank you, joyful, for your uplifting words when I really needed them.
Thank you, roses, for finding a picture of Michael Tayaotao!