The Department of Defense announced the death of a Navy pilot who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom:
Lt. Steven Miroslav Zilberman, 31, of Columbus, Ohio
Lt. Steven Zilberman is presumed dead after his E-2C Hawkeye crashed into the Arabian Gulf on March 31, 2010. Three other crew members were rescued after the accident at sea, but Zilberman could not be found.
Since 2001, there have been 1034 American troops killed in Afghanistan, and since 2003, 4387 American troops killed in Iraq. The I Got The News Today (IGTNT) title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one.
Please take a moment to remember them and their sacrifice.
The Navy suspended search and rescue efforts for a pilot who vanished after his plane crashed in the North Arabian Sea on March 31. According to U.S. Naval Forces, 5th Fleet Public Affairs, "the aircraft experienced mechanical malfunctions and the crew performed a controlled bailout."
Lt. Steven Zilberman was flying an E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the Bluetails, stationed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. The 31-year-old pilot's plane impacted the water five miles from the ship.
Several ships and aircraft, including USS Eisenhower, USS Carney, USNS Supply and other U.S. Central Command Navy and Air Force aircraft searched more than 5,300 square miles for the missing aviator. Three other crew members survived the crash without significant injuries, after being rescued at sea. But Lt. Zilberman's body was not recovered.
The Navy abandoned the search and recovery effort on April 2, 2010. The Department of Defense has declared Lt. Zilberman deceased.
(Hawkeye photo source wikipedia)
(story and photo sources)
Lt. Steven Zilberman was born Miroslav Zilberman in Ukraine, but considered Columbus, Ohio, his hometown where he graduated from Bexley High School in 1997. Friends describe Zilberman as "a Jew who came to America and fought for freedom" and, "a wonderful husband and father." Lt. Zilberman served in the U.S. Navy for nearly eight years.
"This is a heart-wrenching loss for the Zilberman family and the Bluetail family," said Cmdr. Joseph F. Finn, CAEWS 121's commanding officer. "It is our exceptional people that are the strength of our community and our Navy. Steven was one such individual. He bravely and willingly accepted the risks of an inherently dangerous job. He was a fine aviator and we are better people for having him in our lives. I extend my deepest sympathy to Steven's family and friends. He will not be forgotten."
Steven Zilberman is survived by his wife and family, and his Navy shipmates and Bluetail family.
Lt. Steven Miroslav Zilberman will be missed. REST IN PEACE
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(photos by CalNM; Thanks to Timroff for our IGTNT logo.)
We Remember Them
In the rising of the sun and its going down,
We Remember Them.
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We Remember Them.
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We Remember Them.
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We Remember Them.
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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~
Helping our troops: If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or Fisher House. Sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com can provide letters or care packages that make a real difference in a military person's life. To assist the animal companions of our deployed military, information is available at guardian angels for soldierspet.
When our veterans come back home, they need jobs. Look at the programs of Veterans Green Jobs and Welcome Back Veterans. Encourage a Vet, and see if you can help out.
About the IGTNT series: I Got the News Today is 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. All of the casualties can be found at icasualties, and the DoD news releases at defense gov/releases. Published photos of the returning fatalities are found on the Dover AFB page. 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. Since 2001, there have been 1034 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4387 American troops killed in Iraq.
Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries in 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, Sandy on Signal, and me, CalNM. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
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.