Death makes angels of us all
& gives us wings
where we had shoulders
Jim Morrison
An American Prayer
Please join me and the IGTNT team tonight as we mourn and honor two of America's finest: Staff Sgt. Donald T. Tabb of Norcross, Georgia, and Sgt. Rafael Alicea Rivera of Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Staff Sgt. Donald T. Tabb of Norcross, Georgia
Dog-handler Staff Sgt. Donald T. Tabb, 29, was killed last Tuesday when a roadside bomb hit his vehicle while on patrol near Sangin, Afghanistan. His bomb-sniffing canine companion, Bo, was injured but, reports a Fort Rucker spokeswoman, the black Labrador Retriever survived the explosion and is expected to recover. Two other US soldiers also suffered injuries when the improvised explosive device detonated.
Staff Sgt. Tabb was assigned to the 6th Military Police Detachment, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment out of Fort Rucker, Alabama. This was his fifth deployment overseas. Tabb's commanding officer, Captain Jay Massey, said Tabb had recently completed the Army's dog-handling course, which is reserved for its high-performing military police officers, and that Staff Sgt. Tabb and his Bo were in high demand.
"He was a serious performer at work, but he had a great personality," Captain Massey recalled. "He was very social, a fun-loving guy with a contagious personality."
You can view a photo of this handsome soldier here. The magnificent Patriot Guard has set up an on-line Guest Book for condolences.
Donald Tabb is mourned by his mother, Gloria Smith, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; his military brethren and his furry comrade, Bo; and the on-line community here at DailyKos.
Rest in Peace, Sir - and thank you.
Sgt. Rafael Alicea Rivera of Bayamon, Puerto Rico
A paratrooper with "a driving, quiet personality and good sense of humor" died Tuesday in Tallil, Iraq from injuries sustained in a non-combat incident, the DOD reports.
Sargent Rafael Alicea Rivera, 30, was remembered as "a quiet, professional leader who knew how to motivate his troops."
"When we performed physical training, he often called cadence on some of our longest runs," recalled Staff Sgt. Robert David, a comrade in Sgt. Alicea Rivera's unit. "He knew his accent would butcher the cadence, but he would continue on as we ran, making us all laugh. Alicea also had a warm approach with the soldiers," added Davis. "His quiet, professional way seemed to calm all those who were around him. No matter the workload, hot or cold, late or early, we knew and saw him to be calm and smooth with all that he was doing and accomplishing. With his smile he always would say 'Let's go troops! Let's get it done!' Rafael was always a part of that strongest link in our team."
Sgt. Alicea Rivera joined the Army in November 2002 and served in Korea from April 2003 to April 2004. He was assigned in May 2006 to the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Mechanic’s Badge, and the Driver’s Badge.
A photo of this handsome soldier can be viewed here, and the paratrooper community has set up an on-line book of condolences, which can be viewed here.
Alicea Rivera is mourned and missed by his mother, Carmen Lozada, and his sister, Wanda L. Alicea Rivera, both of San Juan, Puerto Rico; by his paratrooper family; and by the on-line community here at DailyKos.
Rest in Peace, Sir - and thank you.
Please consider supporting the following fine organizations: AnySoldier.com, Fisher House, Military Pets Foster Project, Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pets, or Operation Ensuring Christmas, an organization that plans theme parks vacations for the traumatized children of our fallen troops.
Thank you so much for caring!
Kindly take a moment to honor the memories of all service men and women who have passed through this world much too quickly.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, MsWings, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, moneysmith, noweasels, roses, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, and SisTwo.
These diaries are heartbreaking to both write and read but, we believe, an important service to those Americans who have died, and to our community's respect for and remembrance of them.
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.
Peace and Blessings.