Please join me, mediaprof, and the IGTNT team as we celebrate the lives of six fallen Americans:
Staff Sgt. Marc J. Small, 29, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, who died February 12 at Faramuz, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and small arms fire;
Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Davis, 28, of Aberdeen, Washington, who died February 20 near Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an IED;
Cpl. Donte J. Whitworth, 21, of Noblesville, Indiana, who died February 28 after a non-hostile vehicle accident near Al Taquddum Air Base in Iraq;
Spc. Gary L. Moore, 25, of Del City, Oklahoma, who died March 16 when an IED struck his vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq;
Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski, 22, of Holland Patent, New York, who died April 8 from small-arms fire while supporting combat operations in Now Zad, Afghanistan; and
Spc. Eduardo S. Silva, 25, of Greenfield, California, who died June 9 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of a non-combat related incident.
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.
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Staff Sgt. Marc J. Small by mediaprof
Staff Sgt. Marc J. Small, 29, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, died Feb. 12 at Faramuz, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Staff Sgt. Marc J. Small volunteered for the military in 2004. He was awarded his green beret in 2007.
While in Afghanistan, Small provided medical help to Afghanis in addition to his duties as a soldier.
In the statement, his family noted that Small had done more in Afghanistan than battle insurgents. He also used his medical training to help Afghans.
"In his short time there, he provided medical treatment to 40 to 50 people per day," the statement said.
According to his death notice:
Small is survived by his mother and step father, Mary and Peter MacFarland of Collegeville, PA; father and stepmother, Murray and Karen Small of Mechanicsburg, PA; his siblings, Matt Small, Megan MacFarland, Heather Wellock, Jennifer MacFarland; Travis and Tyler Baney.
Small was engaged to be married upon his return home from the war.
"We also want to ask for your thoughts and prayers for Amanda Charney, who Marc loved deeply," the family said through a statement.
Reg Lawrence wrote on the guest book for Staff Sgt. Small:
marc and i are friends. i went through the course with him and it was an honor to know him. his smile would lift anyones day. this guy was a guy that you leaned on and confided in. he wasnt just popular, he was sincere and card about what you said. he is a dear friend and i will miss him.
Rest in peace, soldier. May a grateful nation remember your sacrifice and honor it.
Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Davis by mediaprof
Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Davis, 28, of Aberdeen, Washington, died Feb. 20 near Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Washington Gov. Gregoire ordered flags flown at half-staff in honor of Staff Sgt. Davis.
According to a story from the Associated Press reprinted at Fallenheroes.com, Davis was an accomplished wrestler at Monsanto High School in Washington. He was a member of the Air Force's special tactics team, a team of only 300 soldiers. The entire gymnasium of Monsanto High School was filled for his memorial.
Jesse Huggins, a life-long friend, remembered Staff Sgt. Davis:
"He was, mentally, the strongest person I have ever known," said Jesse Huggins, Davis' best friend since Little League. "There are things that in life are so difficult, no one else is willing to volunteer for. He would."
Davis leaves behind a wife of almost five years, Meagan, and a 1-year-old son, Timmy Jr. as well as his mother, Sally Sheldon of Aberdeen and father Mike Davis of Ocean Shores.
Rest in peace, soldier. May a grateful nation remember your sacrifice and honor it.
Cpl. Donte J. Whitworth
Donte Whitworth's duffel bag was already on its way home to Noblesville, with its owner due to follow shortly, when the 21-year-old Marine met a tragic, untimely death in a non-hostile vehicular accident in Iraq.
"I'll go through it later, when I'm ready," said his mother, Carla Plowden, of that bag of precious possessions.
Donte Whitworth graduated high school in 2005 and he was assigned to the Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona. Growing up on a farm outside Noblesville gave Donte years of experience handling heavy equipment, so he was a perfect fit to command the supply convoys that haul a variety of goods between the numerous U.S. military bases in Iraq.
Donte's grandfather, Bob Williams, said that Donte adored his three pre-adolescent nephews - and the affection was reciprocated.
Donte also enjoyed mental and verbal sparring:
"If I was for the Colts, he'd be for the next team," Mr. Williams remembered. "If I'd be for the Democrat, he'd be for the Republican. He liked to argue. I'm sure he didn't really feel that way, but he just liked to argue and make you take time to figure out what you were thinking and why."
I found this photo of Cpl. Donte Whitworth, getting ready to party at his 2004 prom, at this Guest Book and I thank them, and Donte's family, for using it here in this memorial.
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders escorted Cpl. Whitworth to the Stuart Mortuary on March 11, and formed a flag line for his family. The Riders were asked to accompany Cpl. Whitworth on his final journey to Riverside Cemetery in Noblesville where they sent him away with honors. The Riders have left pages of loving support and sympathy on their forum for Cpl. Whitworth's family.
Another on-line Guest Book can be found here, where Donte is lovingly remembered:
Donte was and still is my cousin and freind. We grew up together and I will always miss you. Donte has helped me alot through the pass and I was devestated when I found out he had died. I will and forevermore love him (R.I.P.) Donte my brother [spelling left as-is].
I know Cpl Whitworth since MOS school (USMC '05) he was a good friend of mine, and i served with him in yuma, az. I just want to let his family know that he was a honorable Marine and friend, i offer my condelences to his family. You will be missed. RIP my friend
Photo caption: "A hero and his proud aunt". I found this photo of Cpl. Donte Whitworth at the Legacy Guest Book and I thank them, and Donte's beautiful aunt, Charlotte D. Williams, for using it here in this memorial.
Cpl. Whitworth is survived by his mother, Carla Plowden and his stepfather, Kerry McGee; his father, Daniel Whitworth; his aunt, Charlotte D. Williams; his three young nephews; and his Marine comrades. Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Donte J. Whitworth. I hope your memories have given you comfort in the months since his passing. Please know that we stand with you at this sad time.
Spc. Gary L. Moore
Del City native Gary L. Moore was another soldier who was due to return home shortly from a 15-month tour of duty when an IED tragically caused his untimely death.
Spc. Moore was assigned to the 978th Military Police Company, 93rd Military Police Battalion out of Fort Bliss, Texas, just outside of El Paso. His job was "to provide training and oversight to Iraqi police." (info credit: ktsm.com) Spc. Moore was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart.
Friends said that Gary was a member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church in El Paso. An assistant pastor there at Hillcrest said that Gary, "asked a lot of questions in Bible study and had a strong faith in God."
Other friends said they remember Gary best for "his big smile and strong handshake."
Photo Caption: "Spc. Gary Moore, left, asks an instructor a question in September." Photo credit: newson6.com
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders escorted Spc. Moore from the airport to the funeral home on March 21. They were asked by the family to escort Spc. Moore to his final resting place at Sunnylane Cemetery on March 24, where their flag line honored Gary and his family for their sacrifice. The Riders have left loving messages of support and sympathy on their forum for the Moore family.
Another on-line Guest book can be found here, where Gary is lovingly remembered:
Gary, I miss you. I miss you so very much brother. Not a day goes by where I don't think of you...where I don't thank God for having gotten the honor to have known you. You honestly changed my life for the better old man...you really did.
You were the most honorable, noble and selfless man I ever met. The world is a lesser place with out you here.
Thank you Gary, thank you for your life, your spirit, and your smile.
I am a soldier who served with gary during the end of my tenure with 978. i always enjoyed being around him. he always had a smile and was always willing to listen when it came to talks of the past situation we had been in. i know that no matter what gary will always be missed by everyone whoever met him. Please know that gary died doing what he loved. My deapest condolinces to all of your family. To Gary, i love you man and remember you better save me a seet up there in bible study. i love you man [spelling left as-is].
I was garys team leader, im sorry for your loss and im honored to have served with him when i did, he was on his way to bigger and better things and his fiance was always on his mind
Photo caption: "SGT Arce and CPL [s/b Spc] Moore days prior enjoying a good BBQ". I found this photo at the Legacy Guest Book and I thank them, and the soldier who shared it, for using it here in this memorial.
Spc. Moore was engaged to be married. Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Gary L. Moore. I hope your memories have given you comfort in the months since his passing. Please know that we stand with you at this sad time.
Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski
22-year-old Blaise A. Oleski had a barrelful of plans for what he wanted to do when his tour of duty was over: maybe becoming a firefighter, or perhaps a rock-climbing instructor. How about hiking the Adirondack Trail? In one of their last phone conversations, Blaise shared his dreams with his mother. "He said 'Mom, I'd need five lifetimes to do all the things I want to do,'" Theresa Oleski remembered.
Tragically, Blaise Oleski was killed by small arms fire before the realization of any of his dreams. A wristband he wore at the time of his death said, Fighting for Freedom.
Oleski's friends described him as "kind and compassionate." They also remembered how easily he made friends, and how freely he gave emotional support to those around him.
"You're not allowed to have a breakdown," Blaise once told friend Amanda Santamour while still on active duty in Afghanistan. "I need you to be resilient. But if you really need me, I'm on my way. I just need to find a camel."
Photo Caption: "FREEDOM FIGHTERS — Marine Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski, left, is joined by comrades Eric Woodard and Doc Jetson, in this photo taken by another friend, Tom O'Fallon." Photo Credit: RomeSentinel.com
Blaise Oleski graduated high school in 2004. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Lance Cpl. Oleski was the third soldier whose family allowed his return ceremony to be photographed following the April 6 lifting of the Pentagon's 18-year long media ban on covering fallen US soldiers. The new Pentagon policy gives families of deceased troops the right to decide on media coverage, or not.
WTOP.com News reported how Lance Cpl. Oleski's family watched as a white-gloved Marine Corps carry team boarded the Northwest Airlines 474 from Ramstein, Germany. They flanked the flag-draped transfer case bearing the fallen Marine and waited as mortuary chaplain Major Klavens Noel said a prayer over their deceased comrade. Synchronized steps brought the transfer case to a cargo loader, when they descended and their precious burden was then gently moved to a waiting mortuary vehicle. Dover base commander Colonel Manson Morris, accompanied by Marine Lt. Col. Carl Henger and acting Navy Secretary B.J. Penn, stood rigidly at attention while Lance Cpl. Oleski was transferred from plane to vehicle, and as it drove off into the waning sunset.
Photo caption: Members of the military at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, salute the transfer case containing the remains of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski on Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
Photo caption: U.S. Marines descend after loading the flag-draped transfer case holding the remains of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski on a transport lift at Dover Air Force Base, April 9, in Dover, Delaware. Photo credit: Getty Images/Mark Wilson
Photo caption: A carry team at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, carries the transfer case containing the remains of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski on Thursday, April 9. Photo Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
Photo caption: A carry team at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, loads into a mortuary transport vehicle the transfer case containing the remains of Marine Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski on Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders escorted LCpl. Oleski from Griffiss Air Force Base to the Barry Funeral Home on March 14. On March 16, the Riders escorted LCpl. Oleski from the funeral home to St. Peter's church for his memorial service, and from the church right next door to the Fort Stanwix National Monument where Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski was buried with full military honors. The Riders have left loving messages of support and sympathy for the Oleski family on their forum.
Another on-line Guest Book can be found here, where Blaise is lovingly remembered:
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Even thou we never met Blaise he touched our lives. Our son Brad was Blaises escort from Dover. Brad was very proud to honor his friend it touched us all. This past weekend while driving through Holliston Mass on Rt 126 we were taken in by the tribute to all the soldiers who had fallen in Afganastan and Iraq. As simple as this appears this tribute sends a powerful message to all that travel through this town. We were over taken with joy and sorrow when we stumbled on Blaises tribute. Blaise's tribute jumped right out at us...
I wish your family the comfort that you need in such a time. I went to high school with your son/brother. Although I did not know him well, I knew he was an all around nice kid, and I know he was close to many of my friends. I had went to pay my respects at his funeral, and what a dignifying service it was. I feel blessed and honored to have known him. I think of him often and will never forget his brave sacrifice.
Me and your son went to boot camp together and in those three months he was a outstanding person and Marine. I was saddened to hear about your loss it is a great loss to the Marine Corps and I offer my deepest condolences. He was a good man and good Marine.
Blaise Oleski is survived by his parents, Theresa and Paul; his brother Bryce; and by his many friends and Marine comrades. Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Lance Cpl. Oleski. I hope your memories have given you comfort in the months since his passing. Please know that we stand with you at this sad time.
Spc. Eduardo S. Silva
Spc. Eduardo S. Silva died June 9 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of a non-combat related incident. His wife and parents declined to be interviewed, and so out of respect for their privacy I will only include the basic bits of information that have been issued from the government.
A brief KCBA.com (Monterey, CA) video news story on Spc. Eduardo Silva.
The military reports that Eduardo Silva was a food service specialist, and he was a "Screamin' Eagle" assigned to the 563rd Aviation Support Battalion, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Spc. Silva joined the Army in August 2006, and he arrived at Fort Campbell in July 2008.
Specialist Silva's many awards and decorations include: the Army Commendation Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Afghanistan Campaign Medal; the Iraqi Campaign Medal; the Korean Defense Medal; the Army Service Ribbon; and a Weapons Qualification: M4-rifle, expert.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated that, "Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Spc. Eduardo Silva. He was a dedicated and courageous soldier who fought to protect our country, and his service is an inspiration to all of us. We join all Californians in sending our condolences to Eduardo's family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time." The Governor ordered state flags to be flown at half-mast in honor of California native Spc. Silva. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear also ordered his state's flags to be lowered from sunrise to sunset on the day of Spc. Silva's internment, as Spc. Silva was stationed out of Fort Campbell.
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Spc. Silva on their Watch List, where loving messages of support and sympathy are being left for the Silva family.
Photo Caption: An Army carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Spc. Eduardo S. Silva, 25, of Greenfield, California, during a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware on Thursday, June 11, 2009. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez
Eduardo Silva is survived by his wife, Rosalinda Silva, of King City, California; his parents, Sara and Eduardo Silva, also of King City; as well as two sisters and a brother. Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Spc. Silva. Please know that we stand with you at this terrible time of loss.
Our lovely forget-me-nots were a gift to the IGTNT team from our dear llbear.
A wonderful way to honor the fallen would be 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: Netroots for the Troops, 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.
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, monkeybiz, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, noweasels, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, and mediaprof.
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.