It is with utmost sadness that we are called again to honor more of our young US military men who have died:
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Specialist Corey J. Kowall from Tennessee
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Specialist Damon G. Winkleman from Ohio
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Sergeant David A. Davis from Texas
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Senior Airman Matthew R. Courtois from Texas
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Specialist Michael S. Cote Jr from Louisiana
Specialist Corey J. Kowall
Corey Kowall lived in Murfreesboro, Tennessee with his father. He graduated early from Siegel High School in 2007 and enlisted in the Army, right after graduating, in June of 2007.
According to The Murfreesboro Post:
His grandfather served in the Navy, his great-grandfather served in World War II, and his great-great-grandfather was in World War I. Corey was active in the Murfreesboro Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and the Raider program, a physical fitness team that competes against other high school JROTC programs.
He was in the Alpha Company, Second Battalion, 508th parachute infantry regiment in the fourth brigade combat team of the 82nd Airborne division of the U.S. Army, based at Fort Bragg, NC...
"Spc. Kowall was an extremely competent soldier and an extraordinary individual. His death leaves a tear in our formation and in our hearts," said Kowall's company commander, Capt. Paul W. Pena, in a statement. "Though sorely missed, Corey will continue to be a source of inspiration and strength throughout Alpha Company."
The Specialist was assigned to the Alpha company, Second Battalion, 508th parachute infantry regiment in the fourth brigade combat team of the 82nd Airborne. The unit is based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and they deployed to Afghanistan in July 2009.
After serving in Afghanistan for almost five weeks, Corey was rushing to assist a convoy that had encountered an IED (improvised explosive device), when his vehicle overturned. He was killed in the accident, along with medic, Damon Winkleman. Specialist Kowall was 20 years old at the time.
Kowall's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantry Badge and the Parachutists Badge.
C.J. Kowall left Murfreesboro Monday to meet the remains of his son in Delaware. Among Corey Kowell's surviving family members, are his father, C.J. Kowall and his two sisters. The Patriot Guard Riders will be attending the services.
Specialist Damon G. Winkleman
Winkleman grew up as the youngest of three sons the rural town of Lakeville in Ashland County, Ohio. His father is in the U.S. Army Reserve and his brothers are both in the Army.
After graduating from Loudonville High School in 2004, Winkleman attended Monroe Military Institute in Monroe, Alabama, earning a degree in applied science in 2006. He enlisted in the US Army and became a medic.
According to theWooster Daily Record:
The Winkleman family was remembered in a feature story in The Daily Record last Thanksgiving season when, for the first time in at least a decade, all four of the Winkleman family were home for Thanksgiving.
"You hold it a little more dear and you take spending time together a little more seriously," Damon said in that story. "There are very few times we get to do this. When we do, it makes it that much more special."
Specialist Damon G. Winkleman was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was deployed to Afghanistan just a month ago.
Specialist Winkleman died September 20th in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. He was 23 years old at the time. Winkleman and Specialist Kowell were driving to the site where a convoy had encountered an IED (improvised explosive device) when their vehicle overturned.
Damon was remembered fondly at his school, according to the Ashland Times-Gazette, which quotes biology teacher David Spreng:
"I had him in multiple classes," the biological sciences teacher said. "I often thought if I were to write a book on my teaching experiences, my experiences with Damon as a student could fill three entertaining chapters, all positive. I am a better person for knowing and having the opportunity to teach him."
Specialist Damon G. Winkleman is survived by his parents Richard "Wink" and Pat Winkleman and brothers Jason and Nathan. Funeral service arrangements for Winkleman are being handled by Byerly-Lindsey Funeral Home in Loudonville, Ohio.
Sergeant David A. Davis
David A. Davis was from Dalhart, Texas. He joined the army in March of 2001 and had served two tours in Iraq before starting his first tour in Afghanistan in April of 2009.
He was assigned to the 32nd Transportation Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado in January of 2009. The sustainment brigade provides supplies to soldiers on the front lines. The 32nd Transportation Company uses heavy trucks to haul cargo to units on the battlefield.
The Sergeant's hometown's reaction is related at the Connect Amarillosite:
The community of Dalhart is mourning the loss of a fallen hero. Sgt. David Davis lost his life while serving his country in Afghanistan.
Davis had served two prior tours in Iraq and was currently serving a one year tour in Afghanistan.
We spoke to several folks in Dalhart who remember Davis as a tall, humorous, and kind individual. A former employer and friend had conversations with Davis in between tours. This is what he had to say about his courage and willingness to sacrifice for his country, "I never saw any worry in his eyes, I never saw any hesitation in his voice, I think he knew what was involved, but he wasn't afraid of what was involved. If that was the sacrifice that he was asked to make then he would do it without hesitation," said Andy Hulett, a friend and former employer.
Sergeant David A. Davis died of wounds suffered on September 19th, when enemy forces attacked Bagram Airfield. The Fort Carson soldier was 28 years old when he died in the insurgent mortar attack on the American base in Afghanistan near Kabul. Bagram hosts a detention center, and is one of the most highly-defended sites in Afghanistan.
His decorations included two Army Commendation Medals and the Army Achievement Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Meal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, and a NATO Medal.
David Davis will return to his hometown of Dalhart, Texas tomorrow. Among those there to greet him will be the Patriot Guard Riders.
Senior Airman Matthew R. Courtois
Matthew R. Courtois was a native of Lucas, Texas. After graduating from high school, he attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas in December of 2006. He advanced to the technical school at the Lackland base for the "Security Forces Apprentice Course." Courtois reported to the Mountain Home Base, Idaho in June of 2007. He served as a security forces patrolman as part of the Security Forces Alpha Flight. The Senior Airman had been assigned to the 366th Security Forces Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, for two years.
Courtois was deployed to the Bucca Air Force Base in Iraq in June of 2007 where he served a full tour of duty until February 10, 2008. He returned to the region as a response force leader and redeployed to Kuwait on July 25 of 2009. Courtois had been stationed at Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase in Kuwait for two months as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Senior Airman Courtois died in a "nonhostile incident" at a Kuwait air base on September 20th. Courtois died from non-combat related injuries while on duty on Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase. He was 22 years of age.
According to Master Sgt. Drew Leonhard of the Mountain Home Air Force Base, in theLakeshore Times, the incident that led to Courtois' death is currently being reviewed by an investigation board and he could not release any details surrounding the incident.
"It may be awhile before there is (further information released)," Leonhard said. "The investigation board can take up to 30 days."
Col. James. S. Browne, commander of the Mountain Home Air Force Base, offered his condolences to Courtois' family.
"Airman Courtois was a valued member of our Gunfighter team," Browne said in a released statement. "Matthew's passing is a huge loss for Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Air Force. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the Courtois'.
Air Force Senior Airman Matthew Courtois is survived by his wife, Cheyenne, and two stepchildren. No funeral plans have been released.
Specialist Michael S. Cote, Jr
Michael S. Cote, Jr was from Denham Springs, Louisiana. He was a 2007 graduate of Denham Springs High School. He joined the Army in 2007 and moved to Alaska in March of 2008.
Cote was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, Task Force 49 at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. 20-year-old Specialist Cote worked on UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.
Specialist Michael S. Cote, Jr died, September 19th in Iraq, from wounds suffered during a helicopter crash at the Balad Air Base, 50 miles north of Baghdad. Early reports from the US military said a Blackhawk helicopter crashed at an American base in Iraq, killing one service member and wounding 12 others. It is believed that this crash, where a Black Hawk helicopter went down in a sandstorm, is the one that killed Specialist Cote.
Balad Air Base is home to about 20,000 U.S. forces. It provides air power, logistics and counterterrorism support, as well as training for Iraqi security forces. The Balad Air Base was originally an airfield. It was seized by American forces in the early days of the 2003 invasion and has since grown to be one of the largest bases in Iraq.
According to theAnchorage Daily News site:
The helicopter went down on a night of high winds that tore through the area, whipping up a fierce sandstorm that was followed by thunder, lightning and rain.
The Black Hawk is the military's mainstay tactical transport helicopter, replacing the UH-1 Huey. It is designed to carry up to four crew members and a fully equipped infantry squad of 11, but it was not clear how many people were aboard the aircraft that crashed Saturday...
It was not clear what mission the Black Hawk was on when it went down, but the U.S. military relies heavily on helicopters to ferry troops, dignitaries and supplies to avoid the threat of ambushes and roadside bombs.
Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs, Louisiana will handle Specialist Cote's services, but no details have been announced.
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Helping our troops:
If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or Fisher House. If you have frequent flyer miles, they can be donated to hospitalized veterans or their families. See Fisher House’s Hero Miles program for details. Consider sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com. Letters or care packages can make a real difference in a military person's life. To assist the animal companions of our deployed military, information is available here. Also, you could visit:
When our veterans come back home, they need jobs. Look at the programs of Hire Heroes USA and Welcome Back Veterans to see if you can help out. The new KINship Project has also been of help our veterans or any Kossacks In Need.
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 troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, Mediaprof, rb137, and TrueBlueMajority. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those Americans who have died and show our community’s respect for them.
Fallen service members 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 person more fully, but still in a timely manner
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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.