Good evening, dear ones. Please join me and the IGTNT team as we honor two Marines who lost their lives on May 11:
Cpl. Jeffery W. Johnson, 21, of Tomball, Texas, and
Sgt. Kenneth B. May, Jr., 26, of Kilgore, Texas.
Our lovely forget-me-nots were a gift from dear llbear.
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.
Cpl. Jeffery W. Johnson
A young Marine lost his life to an IED while on foot patrol in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.
Jeffery Johnson graduated from Waller High School in 2007, and enlisted in the service in July 2007. Waller Independent School District Public Relations Director Marianne Kosik said that Cpl. Johnson enrolled in Waller Junior High following his family's move to Texas from North Carolina. He was in seventh grade at the time.
Cpl. Johnson was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, California where he had been trained to fire an anti-tank guided missile. His Division released a statement: "The Marines and sailors of the 1st Marine Division mourn the loss of Cpl. Johnson. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family." This was Cpl. Johnson's second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Cpl. Johnson's many awards include the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Cpl. Johnson on their Watch List, where members are leaving messages of love and support for the Johnson family.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had the state's flags flown at half-mast, and he released a statement saying, "Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Corporal Jeffery Johnson and Sergeant Kenneth May. Both men served proudly and courageously while dedicating their lives to protecting our nation's freedoms. We will forever be grateful for their selfless service, and we send our thoughts and prayers to their families, friends and fellow Marines during this difficult time."
Waller ISD Superintendent Richard McReavy shared, "Jeffrey's death reminds us all that life can be brief, and of the importance to live our lives to the fullest each day. Our deepest condolences go to Jeffrey's wife, Katy Anguish, his family, friends and the entire Waller ISD community during this difficult time."
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Cpl. Jeffery W. Johnson. Please know that we stand with you at this terrible time of loss.
Sgt. Kenneth B. May, Jr.
Sgt. Kenneth B. May (photo credit: KTLV)
KTLV reports that Sgt. Kenneth B. May Jr. was killed by an IED in the Helmand province just one day after his second wedding anniversary. Sgt. May's sister, Kalynne May, told CBS 19 that they were able to speak with Kenneth for a few precious minutes on Mother's Day.
Kenneth May graduated from Kilgore High School before enrolling in Kilgore College, where he was a student from 2002-2003. Prior to his enlistment in January 2005, music-man Kenneth sang in the Kilgore College choir and played the tuba. Dr. Bill Holda, president of Kilgore College, told KTLA that, "He had a big heart and lots of friends around him, and my heart weeps as I say this because it's just heartbreaking."
Sgt. May was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, California. Like his fallen comrade Cpl. Johnson, Sgt. May was an anti-tank assault guided missileman. Sgt. May was on his third tour of combat duty. His two previous deployments were in Iraq.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had the state's flags flown at half-mast, and he released a statement saying, "Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Corporal Jeffery Johnson and Sergeant Kenneth May. Both men served proudly and courageously while dedicating their lives to protecting our nation's freedoms. We will forever be grateful for their selfless service, and we send our thoughts and prayers to their families, friends and fellow Marines during this difficult time."
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Sgt. May on their Watch List, where members are leaving messages of love and support for the May family.
Sgt. Kenneth May is survived by his wife Krystal; parents, Kenneth Sr. and Karen; his sister Kalynne; his Marine brothers, and friends throughout the years.
Our hearts are with with all who knew and loved Sgt. Kenneth B. May. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.
Our thanks to dear Timroff for our IGTNT logo.
I can't think of a better way to honor the fallen than 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: 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, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, noweasels, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, and Wide Awake in Kentucky.
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.