On Wednesday the Department of Defense made the following announcement:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died March 8 north of Al Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. They were assigned to the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Sgt. Aaron M. Arthur, 25, of Lake City, S.C.
Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey, 23, of Columbus, Ga.
Both soldiers were decorated heavy vehicle drivers. Today a memorial service was held in Iraq in their honor. Please follow me below the fold to leave more about the lives of these brave Americans.
Spc. Lakeshia Bailey is a native of Columbus, Georgia. She graduated from Spenser High School in 2004. In high school she was an outstanding math student, and she also enjoyed home economics and cosmetology. After graduation she studied at Columbus State University for one year before joining the Army in February of 2006.
Her younger sister, Candace, describes Lakeshia:
“She always smiled. That’s like the only thing everyone knew about her. She had very pretty teeth. She loved dancing. She wouldn’t want us around crying. I mean, yeah she’s gone, but she’d want us to be smiling and having fun. That’s just how she was. She wasn’t the type to sit around and mope about something. She was just the life of the party. That’s just how she was.” ~source
Spc. Bailey came from a military family. Her father served in the military for 24 years, and Lakeshia wanted to follow in his footsteps. She was selected as both Soldier of the Month and Soldier of the Quarter for her unit last year. Her military decorations include:
an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, two Iraq Campaign Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, an Army Service Ribbon and an Overseas Service Ribbon. ~source
At the time of her death, Spc. Bailey was on her second tour of duty in Iraq. She first served in Iraq in 2007, and she returned there last October. She is survived by her husband, her parents, Tony and Phyllis Bailey, and two younger sisters.
Rest in peace, Spc. Bailey.
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Sgt. Aaron Arthur graduated from Lake City High School in 2003. He was an outgoing student with many friends. While he was in high school, he sang in the church choir, played football, and was a member of the JROTC.
His mother, Bobbie Jean Arthur, says:
"Aaron was a loving young man....He loved football. He loved all of his family. He loved all of them to death." ~source
Sgt. Arthur joined the Army in November of 2003. His sister, Tamiko Swinton, notes that:
"He always wanted to go since he was in ROTC....He loved the work. He loved his country, so that was his life." ~source
His sister says that he maintained an upbeat attitude and kept in touch with her every week via the computer while he was serving in Iraq.
As a member of the Army, Sgt. Arthur earned meny awards and decorations, including:
the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, one National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon and a Combat Action Badge. ~source
At the time of his death, he was on his third tour of duty in Iraq. He is survived by his mother and sister.
Rest in peace, Sgt. Arthur.
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They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
From For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon
Poppies are the universal symbols of remembrance. May we always honor the service and sacrifice of Spc. Bailey and Sgt. Arthur. May their families and friends find comfort in their memories.
The purpose of the I Got the News Today series is 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.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, 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 and CalNM.
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.