Please join me and the IGTNT team tonight as Chacounne, rb137, and I honor eight brave soldiers:
Capt. Thomas J. Gramith, 27, of Eagan, Minnesota, and Capt. Mark R. McDowell, 26, of Colorado Springs, Colorado died July 17 in an F-15E crash near Ghazni Province, Afghanistan;
Sgt. 1st Class Jason J. Fabrizi, 29, of Seffner, Fla., died July 14 in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his mounted patrol was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire;
Sgt. Michael C. Roy, 25, of North Fort Myers, Fla., died July 8 while supporting combat operations in Nimroz province, Afghanistan;
Pfc. Lucas M. Bregg, 19, of Wright City, Mo., died July 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident;
Spc. Gregory J. Missman, 36, of Batavia, Ohio, died July 9 at Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered elsewhere in Afghanistan on July 8, when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire; and
Lance Cpl. Roger G. Hager, 20, of Gibsonville, N.C., and Master Sgt. John E. Hayes, 36, of Middleburg, Fla., died July 8 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Will you dear Kossacks kindly take a moment to send a warm thought or prayer to the hundreds of thousands of forgotten or unnoticed souls who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from the insanity of war? This is not their diary but still, we all feel and grieve the pain of a broken human spirit.
Blessings and Light to all who share our world.
Capt. Thomas J. Gramith - A Tribute by joyful
Photo courtesy of River97.
Capt. Thomas J. Gramith died last Friday when his F-15E Strike Eagle crashed near Ghazni Province. Capt. Gramith and his fellow pilot, Capt. Mark R. McDowell, were providing air support to ground troops.
Capt. Gramith was assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. He arrived in Afghanistan this past April. A military spokesman at the base said the crash was not caused by enemy fire.
"Right now, there's an investigation going on to determine the crash, however, we know the enemy didn't do it," Staff Sgt. Shawn Jones said. "We just don't know yet the specific cause of the incident."
The Air Force reports that the fatal crash occurred at 3:15 AM Kabul time. A team of U.S. and coalition forces immediately responded to the crash site, secured the area, and recovered the Airmen. The F-15E is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather. The aircraft uses two crew members: a pilot and a weapon systems officer.
There is an ABC News Video available for viewing HERE. (I could not seem to get it to embed).
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Capt. Gramith on their Watch List, where messages of support and sympathy are being left for the Gramith family.
Happy Times at Medieval Times. I found this photo on Capt. Gramith's MySpace page.
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Captain Thomas J. Gramith, including his wife and their twin baby daughters. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.
Capt. Mark R. McDowell - A Tribute by joyful
Photo courtesy of River97.
Capt. Mark R. McDowell, a 2005 Air Force Academy graduate, died in the same terrible crash that took the life of his weapons navigator, Capt. Thomas Gramith. Capt. McDowell was a North Carolina native and is the 11th Academy graduate to die in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. He was assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
"Those guys are out there to literally put a blanket of steel, technology, courage and skill overhead these young soldiers and marines and bring just as many as they can home," said Colonel Mark Kelly, a representative from the Air Force. An investigative team has been assembled by the military to look into the cause of the accident.
Capt. McDowell's grandfather, Mr. Gilbert McDowell, told North Carolina television station WRAL what inspired his grandson.
"(Flying) was his life," Mr. McDowell said. "He died doing what he wanted to do. He wanted to fly. He was called to fly. ...God called him to be a pilot."
Other than the name of Capt. McDowell's hometown, no other information was provided by the Defense Department, and as of July 20 reporters were hoping the Captain's family would allow the release of his service record, photos, and other personal information.
There is a News 14 video available HERE. (I don't seem to be able to get it to embed.)
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Capt. McDowell on their Watch List, where messages of support and sympathy are being left for the McDowell family.
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Captain Mark R. McDowell. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason J. Fabrizi - A Tribute by joyful
Sgt. 1st Class Jason Fabrizi "loved what he did," according to his stepfather, Mr. Timothy Hess. Mr Hess said his stepson enlisted a few days after he graduated from Armwood High in 1998, and that above all else, he loved his family. SFC Fabrizi was on his fourth tour of duty in Iraq when his patrol was attacked on July 14th.
Jason Fabrizi was daddy to Jason Allen, 9, and Tyler, 6, from his first marriage to Teri, and a third son from his second marriage to Kristy with a fourth child due to be born shortly.
SFC Fabrizi's mother-in-law from his first marriage told reporters that, horribly, her daughter's second husband was killed in Iraq in 2007, so those two little boys have now lost both their father and their stepfather. Despite the divorce, there were still warm feelings between the families and Mrs. Anderson said, "We were devastated to hear the news (about Jason's death). We loved him very much."
SFC Fabrizi was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado. The Department of Defense reported SFC Fabrizi earning a Purple Heart, two Army Commendation Medals, two Bronze Stars and more than a dozen other honors during his service.
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have SFC Fabrizi on their Watch List, where messages of support and sympathy are being left for his family. I found another on-line Guest Book, where friends and family are leaving loving remembrances of SFC Fabrizi.
My heart, prayers and condolences goes out to you all. I was priviledged to be friends with Jason in High School. Jason was a man whom always carried himself with a great deal of character. I am proud to have been his friend as I am sure you were so very proud to be the family of a true hero.
"Since the hearing last week of my dear nephew’s passing, my heart has been broken more then I can express. The remembered joy of Jason’s childhood, taking Jason to the park, taking him to church. Watching Jason’s grow into manhood, getting married the first time. Seeing Jason in military uniform, the last time I seen him at mother’s funeral last year. My love to his new wife, there son and the girl not yet born. My deepest sincere sympathy to all in the family. Uncle Albert F. Casey Jr."
"To the family and loved ones of Sgt. Fabrizi, Jason Fabrizi. My name is Ron Pobuta, father of Pvt 1st class Justin Pobuta. Justin was driving the vehicle and sitting next Jason when they were ambushed. Justin shared with me the entire story of what happened. To the last moment, Jason did his job as was required by him. Justin was the last person with Jason. When I heard of your loss, I was devasted and I am still grieving. I share with you your loss and I want you to know that Justin and I are with you every moment. I will remember Jason Fabrizi for as long as I walk this earth. He is a hero both to Justin and myself. I asked Justin what he remembered about Jason. He told me, everyday, he would put his hand on his shoulder and say, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you". He followed through on his promise and I thank you Jason for keeping my son safe. You will always be in my heart. If there is ever, ever anything we can do for you family please let me know."
"I first met Jason during PLDC at Ft Bragg and later served with him in Korea and Iraq. Jason was an amazing leader and Soldier. Jason would have the whole company cracking up at the range when we were doing our train up. Just rolling on the ground gut busting laughing. Jason will be greatly missed by all. Your family will be in my prayers Jason. Take it easy brother."
Jason Fabrizi fishing with his sons in the Florida keys. I found this photo at Legacy.com, and I thank them and the person who so kindly shared it with us.
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved SFC Jason J. Fabrizi, especially his wife Kristy, his three young sons, and their precious baby-to-be. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.
Sgt. Michael C. Roy, 25, of North Fort Myers, Florida - A Tribute by Chacounne
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Michael C. Roy, 25, of North Fort Myers, Fla., died July 8 while supporting combat operations in Nimroz province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3d Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Advisor Group, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"He wanted to protect his country and wanted his children to grow up without war." This is what Sgt. Michael C. Roy's longtime neighbour, Julie England, said of her friend. Sgt. Roy, who was killed by a sniper on July 8th, in Afghanistan. He leaves behind his wife, Amy, and those children he wanted to grow up without war: Olivia, 4; Mikey, 2; and Landon, 11 weeks. Although he was in Afghanistan when Landon was born, Sgt. Roy did get to meet his newborn son when he was granted leave for a week in June. This was Sgt. Roy's third tour. He had negotiated for a year's leave after the birth of Mikey in return for this tour.
Sgt. Roy died a week before he would have returned to North Carolina for good.
Sgt. Roy's father, also Sgt. Michael Roy, of Punta Gorda, said that his son had wanted to be in the military from an early age and that "His older brother was in the Gulf War, in the Army."
After training as a rifleman, Sgt. Roy was promoted to sergeant in October of 2005. In his distinguished career, Sgt. Roy earned many decorations, including a Navy Achievement Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Navy Unit Commendation, three Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Humanitarian Service Medal, four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and a NATO Medal ISAF Afghanistan.
As a Marine, Sgt. Roy earned the respect of those who served with him. Cpl John Wood, a Marine who served two tours under Sgt Roy, said: "You couldn't ask for a better leader as your sergeant. You couldn't ask for a better person. If there was anything you needed, he would take care of you." Cpl Wood continued: "It was a privilege to serve with him because of his dedication and the way he treated his Marines. It didn't matter that he was the same age as us – he was our leader."
Pvt. Lucas M. Bregg, 19, of Wright City, Missouri - A Tribute by Chacounne
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Lucas M. Bregg, 19, of Wright City, Mo., died July 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
"The coolest redneck you will ever meet. I have the perfect life. The perfect woman, job, everything. I got it all. I'm a soldier in the United States Army. I love to party. I have a beautiful fiancee named Courtney. We're getting married when I get back from Iraq. She is an amazing woman. I love her more than anything in the world. she is my everything." That is the way Pvt. Lucas M. Bregg described himself and his life.
July 25th should have been the day that Pvt. Bregg married his beloved Courtney, instead it will be a day of mourning. Pvt. Bregg died in Baghdad on July 8th, in circumstances still under investigation.
"It's just devastating, of course, to lose a child and a grandchild," said Pvt. Bregg's grandmother, Kathleen Green. He was a "great kid" who "liked to do car work, body work; he loved that," Ms. Green remembered.
Pvt. Green grew up in St. Charles County, Missouri, attending Francis Howell North High School. He moved to live with his father, Michael Bregg, in Wright City during his senior year. After graduating from Wright City High, Pvt. Green joined the Army. He had been in Iraq, in the infantry, approximately six months.
Spc. Gregory J. Missman of Batavia, Ohio - A Tribute by Chacounne
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Gregory J. Missman, 36, of Batavia, Ohio, died July 9 at Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered elsewhere in Afghanistan on July 8, when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
The community of Clermont County, Ohio, stands ready to surround with love and support the family of Spc Gregory J Missman, killed by an IED in Afghanistan on July 9th.
Keith Maupin of the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, said of Spc. Missman's father, Jim Missman, "He was just here yesterday. He told us his boy was in a convoy and got attacked, and how one of those IEDs went off. He called me this morning and said he had passed away. You need to pray for him. He wants to see a lot of yellow bows and ribbons. That's what we’re going to do."
Clermont County Commissioner Bob Proud, founder of the Whole in My Heart support group, which is for the families and friends of the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, would like to organize a celebration of Gregory Missman's life. "We in Clermont County will make sure that his sacrifice and service will never be forgotten," Mr. Proud said, "We stand ready to help the family in any way we can. Not just our support group, but the county as well. We want the family to know that we're here for them. We want to do whatever we can to help them and help in the honoring Greg Missman."
Spc. Missman was a member of American Legion Post 72 in Union Township's Mount Caramel neighbourhood, where his father is a member and past commander, mentioned member Norm Nedeau.
In a memorial message on a newspaper article on Spc. Missman's death, the mother of Spc. Missman's son says: "My name is Brooke and I am Greg's son's mother. I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers as we grieve the loss of Greg. Greg was a wonderful man that adored his son. I am so honored to have known him and loved him and shared a son with him. I am grateful for the sacrifice he made for his country and his son. I love you and miss you Greg. Our sweet little boy will always know how much you loved him and what you did for him. God Bless. Brooke."
Lance Cpl. Roger G. Hager, 20, of Gibsonville, North Carolina - A Tribute by Chacounne
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Roger G. Hager, 20, of Gibsonville, N.C., and Master Sgt. John E. Hayes, 36, of Middleburg, Fla., died July 8 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. They were assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"He was my baby. Right now I still don't believe it." The sobs of Elaine Hager, the Gold Star Mother of Lance Corporal Roger G. Hager, killed, along with four other service personnel on July 8th, in the Hellmand province of Afghanistan. "He was just a kid. He was not old enough to drink. He was just too young."
Mrs. Hager describes her son as a "happy-go lucky," funny young man who loved the outdoors and cared more about other people's needs than his own. "My boy was a clown. He made everybody laugh."
Lance Cpl. Hager was a slow learner in school, according to his mom, and not very social, but he was very loyal to those he considered friends, and graduated from Western High School.
He joined to Marines to honour his mom's father, Oscar Frederick Hebert Sr. who served in the Army. "He did it for my dad. He wanted to be like him." Mrs. Hager said. "(Roger) wanted to follow in the family's footsteps and make his grandpa proud." Sadly, Mr. Hebert Sr. wasn't able to see his grandson as a Marine, because Lance Cpl. Hager graduated from advance training four days after Mr. Hebert died.
The last time Lance Cpl. Hager spoke with his mom was at the end of June. "I was proud of him. He was my boy."
Lance Cpl. Hager's brother and sister are also connected with the military: His brother, Jeremy Scott Hager, 22, is a Marine who just got back from a tour in Iraq, who will be deployed to Afghanistan in a few months. His sister, Faith Strang, 18, is in the US Army Reserve. Mrs Hager worries about her eldest son's coming deployment, "I can’t lose another boy. He can’t do that to me again."
Master Sgt. John E. Hayes, 36, of Middleburg, Florida - A Tribute by Chacounne
"This man was put on the earth for me," the words of Shannon Hayes about her husband, Marine Master Sergeant John Hayes, who was one of two servicemen killed by a roadside bomb after returning from patrol in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Hayes leaves behind, in addition to his widow, and other family and friends, three children: Catherine, 14; Jacob, 7; and Emile, 3. "Being a military wife, you know that this is what they do and this might happen," Mrs. Hayes told The Times-Union. "(But) you never dream of a day when they come to your door and change your world."
Sgt. and Mrs. Hayes were high school sweethearts, meeting at Middleburg High School, in 1989. They have lived in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where Camp Lejeune is located, for most of his military career.
Mrs. Hayes remembers the times he would take their children exploring in the woods and how he would sit on the floor colouring with them, and how, at night she and her husband would sometimes sit on the porch, angle a hose so it would sprinkle them with a mist and talk for hours.
A friend, Kimberly Johnson, who also graduated with Sgt. Hayes, said he was like a big brother to her, an American hero and he would be missed. "He had one of those personalities that you just loved him from the get-go," she said. "He though about others before himself."
Sgt. Hayes decorations include two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, a Navy Unit Commendation, two Navy Meritorious Unit Citations, five Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal, two Kosovo Campaign medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Armed Forces Service Medal, two Humanitarian Service Medals, six Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, a Marine Security Guard Ribbon, two NATO Medals, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
Mrs. Hayes was sitting next to her 14 year-old daughter when she was told of her husband's death. Then she struggled to explain what had happened to her four- and three-year-old children, children whose birthdays will be soon. She told them: "Your daddy is a hero and he's not coming home to us."
Hugs,
For Dan,
Heather
Spc. Missman posted this on his MySpace page, when you listen to it, please have a thought for those soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and guardsmen, who got on that plane:
I can't think of a better way to honor the fallen than to contribute to the well-being of their fellow soldiers still on active duty.
The following fine organizations could sure use your support and your donations: AnySoldier.com, Books for Soldiers, Fisher House, the Military Pets Foster Project, Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pets, Operation Baghdad Pups, Operation Enduring Christmas, an organization that sends holiday presents to the children of our fallen troops, and Helping Udders, an organization that sends cooling vests to the Military Working Dogs stationed with their handlers in Iraq.
Please search for all diaries tagged 'NFTT' to get more information on how our community is supporting Netroots for the Troops.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Click here to see other IGTNT diaries, a series which was begun by i dunno and which is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, noweasels, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, mediaprof, and rb137.
These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but, we believe, an important service to those Americans who have died, and to our community's respect for and remembrance of them. Fallen soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and National Guard whose names have been released by the Department of Defense will usually be diaried two days after the official announcement on the DoD website. This allows the IGTNT team to cover each fallen service member more fully, but still in a timely manner
As you read this diary, please consider that the families and friends of those profiled here also may read it and that many members of our community have served in Iraq or Afghanistan or have loved ones currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I hope that the comments tonight will demonstrate our respect for the sacrifices of our fallen military and our compassion for their families, whatever our personal feelings about the war and occupation happen to be. (Comment credit and my thanks to dear noweasels.)
PEACE AND BLESSINGS.