On Monday, the Department of Defense announced the names of seven more soldiers and marines who lost their lives in Afghanistan. They are: Pfc. Robert K. L. Repkie, 20, of Knoxville, Tenn., Lance Cpl. William T. Richards, 20, of Trenton, Ga., Cpl. Daane A. Deboer, 24, of Ludington, Mich., Spc. Blair D. Thompson, 19, of Rome, N.Y., Spc. Jared C. Plunk, 27, of Stillwater, Okla., Sgt. Joseph D. Caskey, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Staff Sgt. Edwardo Loredo, 34, of Houston, Texas. Tonight's diary, which was written with the help of noweasels and Sandy on Signal, will honor the memories of five of these men. Spc. Thompson and Spc. Plunk will he remembered in tomorrow's IGTNT.
On Monday, the Department of Defense announced that:
Pfc. Robert K. L. Repkie, 20, of Sweetwater, Tenn., died June 24 at Forward Operating Base Farah, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Pfc. Repkie was born in 1990. He attended Sweetwater High School and then earned his GED. He was a quiet student, and he formed a special bond with his high school principal, David Watts, and the Assistant Principal, Rex Rhodes. Principal Watts reported that Pfc. Repkie wanted to make the military his career.
"He was proud of his uniform," Watts said. "He was proud to serve his country."
Pfc. Repkie keep in touch with some of his former teachers on Facebook. He contacted his science teacher, Kari Connaster known as "Mrs. C.", last week:
"He would always talk to me on Facebook when he could," Connaster said. "He said it was hot, and that he was working as a cook. He told me how he planned to try some online classes for college when he got back." ~source
Robert Repkie joined the Army in 2008, and he was deployed to Afghanistan in August of 2009. While serving in the army he earned the following awards and decorations: the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Service medal.
Thank you, Pfc. Repkie, for your service to our country.
************************************************************
On Monday, the Department of Defense also announced that:
Sgt. Joseph D. Caskey, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pa., died June 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Sgt. Caskey was killed by an explosive device that struck the vehicle he was riding in last Saturday. He was on his second tour of duty in the Middle East at the time of his death.
Caskey was a 2004 graduate of North Hills High School where he was a member of the baseball team. He was a member of a military family; his grandfather, father, mother, and two older brothers had all served in the military. He was born in Germany while his father was stationed there, and he lived in Hawaii while he was in elementary school. His family settled in Pennsylvania after his dad retired from the Army. His mother served as an Army photographer.
Sgt. Caskey joined the Marines after high school graduation in 2004, and he re-enlisted in 2008. He had previously served a tour of duty in Iraq.
As a sergeant, he probably could have stayed closer to the base in Afghanistan, but that's not what he wanted, his brother said.
"He wanted to be in the thick of it," Jeremy Caskey said. "He took a position out there to fight. He wanted to be with his men, and he wanted to make a difference. He wanted to be there to lead his guys." ~source
In addition to his parents, Joe Caskey is survived by his brothers, Jeremy, who served in Iraq with the Air Force, and Joshua, who served two tours of duty in Iraq with the Marines.
Thank you, Sgt. Caskey, for your selfless service to our country.
**************************************************************
On Monday, the Department of Defense also announced that:
Staff Sgt. Edwardo Loredo, 34, of Houston, Texas, died June 24 at Jelewar, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
SSgt. Loredo joined the Army in 1999 shortly after his graduation from Sam Houston High School. He deployed to Iraq in March of 2003 for 6 months and then returned to Italy to serve as a traffic management coordinator. He re-enlisted in 2004, and he was deployed to Afghanistan between February 2005 and February 2006. He was re-deployed to Afghanistan in December of last year.
"(He) had a presence that could brighten even the darkest rooms. With a smile that was overly contagious, he could instantly make a bad situation tolerable," said 1st Lt. Matt Jarmon, Loredo's company executive officer. ~source
Lordeo's wife, 1st Sgt. Jennifer Loredo, was also deployed to Afghanistan at the time of his death. She was serving in the northern part of the country, while he was serving in the south. Loredo and his wife are the parents of a 2-year-old son, Eddie, a 7-year-old daughter, Laura, and a 13-year-old stepdaughter, Alexis.
Loredo was an adoring father and husband who loved spending time with his kids and cooking for his wife, said his aunt, Irma Rodriguez, of Houston. ~source
Loredo's honors and awards include: the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, three Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2 device, four Overseas Service Ribbons, the Overseas Reserve Component Training Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
In addition to his wife and children, Edwardo Loredo is survived by three brothers.
Thank you, Staff Sgt. Edwardo Loredo, for your service to our nation.
**************************************************************
From noweasels:
Cpl. Daane A. DeBoer, 24, of Ludington, Michigan
Cpl. DeBoer died June 25 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
"He loved his family and he loved his country," his mother said.
Cpl. Daane Adam DeBoer, 24, was killed Friday by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol, said his father, David DeBoer of Valparaiso. He said the military notified family in Indiana and Michigan of his son's death the same day.
"He was an exceptionally phenomenal young man who loved the Lord," said his mother Charlene Zerrenner of Ludington, Mich. "He loved his family and he loved his country. He died a hero."
Daane DeBoer was born in Valparaiso and attended Immanuel Lutheran School through sixth grade before moving to the Grand Rapids area. He lived in Rockford until graduating from high school, his father said.
(snip)
Daane DeBoer enjoyed extreme sports such as skiing and hiked the Appalachian Trail along the mountainous spine of the eastern U.S. while raising money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a non-profit dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.
"The discipline of doing the trail and what he was doing it for, I think, had a huge impression on him," (his father) David DeBoer said. "Doing something bigger than himself."
(snip)
Source ~ The Journal Gazette
Cpl. DeBoer is being mourned by those who taught him. "What stood out about him was his potential," one teacher said.
Former teachers of Daane Adam DeBoer recall him as a boy with a ready smile who always loved to learn.
DeBoer carried that willingness into adulthood when he became a U.S. Marine, graduating boot camp on June 16, 2009.
(snip)
"What stood out about him was his potential," said DeBoer's fourth-grade teacher Judith Miller, now retired.
(snip)
Miller taught DeBoer during the 1995-96 school year. She taught his older sisters Aubrey and Ashley before that.
(snip)
DeBoer "embraced things as they came and never had a sense of negativity or 'I don't want to do it,'" Miller said. "There was acceptance of performance."
(snip)
Miller said she was surprised when she saw DeBoer's name in a section of the church bulletin asking for prayers for church members in the military.
"I said, 'Oh no.' You don't want a child you've taught lost that way. All the potential and their future is gone and their family torn apart that way."
(snip)
Karen Bickel was DeBoer's first- grade teacher and her husband, Phil, was DeBoer's sixth-grade and physical education teacher.
"He was friendly, outgoing and a good student," Phil Bickel said. "He was well-liked by his classmates."
DeBoer also enjoyed physical education, including all aspects of sporting activities, Phil Bickel said.
Karen Bickel said the DeBoers were "sweet people."
(snip)
"The reality of it came yesterday in church when there was a prayer request for the family," she said. "It's hard to fathom. It just breaks my heart to think of their suffering. He was a child of God and our hope is in that. It's difficult, even with a strong faith."
Source ~ The Post-Tribune
Cpl. DeBoer enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2009 and completed boot camp on June 16, 2009. His service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. This was his first deployment.
Cpl. DeBoer is survived by his mother and stepfather, Charlene and Jim Zerrenner, by his father and stepmother, David and Mary DeBoer, and by his sisters, Audrey, Ashley and Lindsey.
Cpl. DeBoer’s family issued this statement:
"He brought enthusiasm, humor and heart to whatever activity he chose. While he loved the physical demands of these types of sports and activities, Daane wanted to use his talents for something larger than himself," the statement said. "He made the decision to enter the United States Marine Corps."
Funeral arrangements are being made by Metcalf Funeral Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Thank you, Cpl. DeBoer. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
********************************************************
From Sandy on Signal:
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Lance Cpl. William T. Richards, 20, of Trenton, Ga., died June 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Lance Corporal Richards, also known as Taylor, grew up in Trenton, Georgia. It is a small town in the northwestern corner of the state not far from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Many in the town remembered him well for he played in a bluegrass band. He was a talented and gifted banjo, guitar and mandolin player. His 10th grade english teacher, Linda Wilson, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press of how he was a "special kid and a great banjo player." She added:
“His music was just a big part of his life,” said Ms. Wilson, who noted that Cpl. Richards talked about joining the military early in high school.
When she taught him, he had shoulder-length hair but shaved it during his senior year in preparation for enlisting in the armed services.
His death, she said, “is a huge loss.”
Right after high school graduation, Taylor married his sweetheart, Emily, and they have a nine month old daughter. His father issued a statement to the Times Free Press saying his son was an "excellent musician" and "dedicated father" and "a brave man and fine Marine."
Lance Corporal Richards joined the Marines in September of 2008. He deployed for Afghanistan in March, 2010. He is survived by his wife, daughter and parents. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Semper Fi, William "Taylor" Richards.
*****************************************************************
May all five men rest in eternal peace. Poppies are the universal symbols of remembrance. May we never forget the sacrifices that these men made for our nation.
*************************************************
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, CalNM, and Wide Awake in KY.
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.