For the second time in a month, Terrell, Texas will bury one of her own. For a city of around 15,000, Terrell has had more than its share of grief from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Spc. Joseph Lewis is their fifth citizen killed from our two wars. He was a husband, father, son and all around good guy.
Since 2001, there have been 927 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4365 American troops killed in Iraq. Please take a moment to honor their sacrifice.
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From the Department of Defense
Spc. Joseph M. Lewis, 26, of Terrell, Texas died on Nov. 17 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Spc. Joe Lewis was affectionately called G.I. Joe by his friends and family for his sense of duty and willingness to serve. His parents, Mike and Pam Lewis, issued the following statement:
“We want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers,” the statement read. “We are heartbroken, but are proud of Joe’s dedication and service to our country. He loved his job, country, family and friends. Joe wanted to be a soldier since he was a child. The family called him ‘G.I. Joe.’ He was fun loving and would do anything to help others. We shall miss him. We ask for your prayers and support for all the members of our military stationed all over the world.”
Spc. Joe Lewis leaves behind a wife, Theresa, and infant daughter, Abiagael. A trust fund has been set up for the daughter at Abiageal Lewis Trust Fund in care of American National Bank, PO Box 40, Terrell, Texas, 75160.
His funeral is on Saturday, November 28th in Terrell, Texas. The close knit community will be there to honor Spc. Joe Lewis.
My deepest condolences to all who mourn for Spc. Joseph M. Lewis.
We Remember Them
In the rising of the sun and its going down,
We Remember Them.
In the bowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
We Remember Them.
In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring.
We Remember Them.
In the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer,
We Remember Them.
In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn.
We Remember Them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We Remember Them.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We Remember Them.
When we are lost and sick of heart,
We Remember Them.
When we have joys and special celebrations we yearn to share,
We Remember Them.
So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are part of us.
We Remember Them.
~From the Jewish Book Of Prayer~
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, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, Proud Mom and Grandma, CalNM, 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.