Tonight, we honor two brave men, Pfc. Brandon Owens and Sgt. Roberto Sanchez, who died in separate incidents in Afghanistan. Since 2001, there have been 871 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4348 American troops killed in Iraq. Please take a moment to honor their sacrifice.
Thanks to IGTNT writers: Janos Nation and SisTwo for their help with writing, researching and comments for this tribute. The burden is lifted when we help one another.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Roberto D. Sanchez, 24 of Satellite Beach, Fla., died Oct. 1 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield Ga.
Sgt. Sanchez was on his fifth tour of duty when he was killed in Afghanistan. He served three tours in Iraq, and this was his second time in Afghanistan. The 24 year old Army Ranger was remembered for his commitment, courage and caring for others. Florida Today spoke with Sgt. Sanchez's cousin, Zack Monninger, who said he wanted to be a soldier ever since he was a child. With his dedication and leadership, he became an Army Ranger. Besides being a good soldier, he is remembered for his thoughtfulness and compassion.
"We will always remember him as the life of the party," Monninger said. "He put family and friends above all."
At the funeral service, Army Chaplain Maj. Dave Bowlus remembered Sanchez for his courage, dedication and selflessness.
"He died doing exactly what he felt he needed to do," Bowlus said.
Chaplain Bowlus urged friends and community to support and care for Sgt. Sanchez's family during this painful time.
Rest in Peace, Sgt. Roberto Sanchez
From the The Department of Defense:
Pfc. Brandon A. Owens, 21, of Memphis, Tenn. He was assigned to the 118th Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Pfc. Brandon Owens died in Wardak province, Afghanistan, on October 2nd, from injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked their unit using small arms fire.
Pfc. Brandon Owens was laid to rest this morning in Memphis, Tennessee. Congressman Steve Cohen TN-09 attended the military funeral and honored his sacrifice on the House Floor.
The funeral was not about mourning Pfc. Brandon Owens, but rather a celebration of his life and praise for his service. From WREG- Television
"Brandon already knew the possibility of death was there. He went on anyway. We have to stand up and give Brandon glory today, because Brandon had already made up his mind that was a cost he didn't mind paying," says Pastor Norman. Private Brandon Owens' final committal service was held at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.
His parents and fiance, April, shared stories and sang songs in honor of Brandon. Coaches, teachers and friends remarked about his "infectious smile" and big heart. He was loved and is dearly missed.
His fiance, April, was his childhood sweetheart. They were planning a wedding for next April. His mother told the Eye Witness News
"He wanted to be a father," says Owens, "and a husband. God saw fit to do something else for him. And I think he's better with God than here with us. So, he did his part."
About a week before his death, Pfc. Owens called home to his mother. He had already been shot once while in Afghanistan, but now he was ready to come home. Lynda Owens told Eye Witness News:
"He had called," says his mother, "and was kind of frightened. He wanted to come home. At the same time, he knew he had something to do and he wasn't afraid to do it."
Congressman Steve Cohen honored Pfc. Brandon Owens on the House Floor.
Here is a beautiful tribute of Pfc. Brandon Owens final trip back home.
Rest in Peace, Pfc. Brandon Owens.
In Flanders Fields Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
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, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, True Blue Majority, Janos Nation, Proud Mom and Grandma, 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.
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cross-posted at Southern Liberal Living