Tonight we honor the sacrifices of two soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan earlier this month. Sgt. Ryan C. Adams was a "sapper" (combat engineer) from the Wisconsin National Guard who provided support for the 101st Airborne Division, and Spc. Russell S. Hercules, Jr. was an infantryman from Tennessee.
Please follow me below the fold to learn more about the lives of there two American soldiers.
On Saturday the Department of Defense made the following announcement:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Ryan C. Adams, 26 of Rhinelander, Wisc., died Oct. 2 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle using rocket-propelled grenade fire. He was assigned to the 91st Engineer Company (Sapper), Wisconsin Army National Guard, Rhinelander, Wisc.
Seven other Wisconsin National Guardsmen were injured in the attack. The condition of the other seven soldiers has not been released, but they are receiving medical care.
Sgt. Adams graduated from Rhinelander High School in WI in 2001. As a student, he was a member of the football, golf, and baseball teams. The high school staff described Adams as "a hard worker who was respectful and always had time for people."
Adams was also a volunteer for Angels on my Shoulder, a group that raises money and provides support for for children with cancer and their families. His family has set up a memorial fund, and the contributions will be donated to Angels on my Shoulder.
Sgt. Adams joined the military after high school graduation. He served in Iraq from may 2003 to April 2004. He was deployed to Afghanistan in February of this year.
Adams' parents have released the following statement:
We are very proud of our son. He was where he wanted to be, doing what he wanted to do. He did it with pride and honor. He was a great soldier and he is our hero.
The mayor of Rhinelander has ordered all city flags to be flown at half mast in Sgt. Adams' honor. He issued the following statement of condolence to the Adams family:
I can't express the feelings in regards to the community and the loss of this young man. It's a terrible thing to happen and I extend my sympathies to the family.
The flags at all Wisconsin National Guard facilities will also fly at half-mast until sunset on the day of Sgt. Adams' funeral.
Thank you, Sgt. Adams, for your service to our country.
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On Saturday, the Department of Defense also announced the following:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Russell S. Hercules Jr., 22 of Murfreesboro, Tenn., died Oct. 1 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Spc. Hercules was a 2006 graduate of Blackman High School in TN. On learning of his death, the Blackman High School principal, Gail Vick, said the following:
We're just devastated... We just found out about it around 4 p.m. (Friday). We're proud of what he did for his country.As the Blackman family, we're deeply saddened, and our hearts go out to his family and friends.
The players and fans of Blackman High School held a moment of silence in Spc. Hercules' honor before the football game against Siegel High School on Friday.
Spc. Hercules was a heavily decorated soldier. His commendations and awards include the:
Army Commendation Medal (2 awards); Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Commendation Medal (2 awards); National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon; NATO Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; and Weapons Qualification: M4-(expert). ~source
Spc. Hercules leaves behind his wife, Victoria, and his infant son, Christopher, who was born in July. He is also survived by his step-daughter, Candence, his parents, Russell Hercules and Cheryl Tipton, and his sister, Jessica.
On Friday, before his body was flown to Dover AFB, Spc. Hercules' company held a memorial service for him in Afghanistan.
Thank you, Spc. Russell Hercules, for your service to our country.
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Poppies are the universal symbol of remembrance. May we always remember Sgt. Ryan Adams and Spc. Russell Hercules, and may we never forget their selfless service to our country. Rest in peace, gentlemen.
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. 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.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, greenies, blue jersey mom, chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, MediaProf, rb137, and TrueBlueMajority.
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.