With 102 killed last month in the Afghanistan war, June 2010 was the deadliest month in Afghanistan for the U.S. military.
Since 2001, there have been 1151 American troops killed in Afghanistan, and since 2003, 4411 American troops killed in Iraq. The IGTNT (I Got The News Today) title is a reminder that everyday, somebody gets the news that a friend or family member will not be coming home from war.
Tonight we get news of five more service members,
lost to all who love them:
Sgt. 1st Class Kristopher D. Chapleau, 33, of LaGrange, Kentucky
Spc. Morganne M. McBeth, 19, of Fredricksburg, Virginia
Sgt. Johnny W. Lumpkin, 38, of Columbus, Georgia
Pfc. Ryan J. Grady, 25, of Bristow, Oklahoma
Capt. David A. Wisniewski, 31, of Moville, Iowa
Please take a moment below to remember them.
The Department of Defense announced the death of an Army paratrooper who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Kristopher D. Chapleau, 33
of LaGrange, Kentucky, died June 30 at Forward Operating Base Blessing, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident on base. Sgt. 1st Class Chapleau was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
According to the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, Sgt. 1st Class Kris Chapleau was a 13 year veteran infantryman and platoon leader from LaGrange, Kentucky who enlisted in the Army in 1997. Sgt. 1st Class Chapleau arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2009, and lived with his wife and family in Lexington.
Chapleau’s death ends a bad month for the 101st in Afghanistan, making the twentieth death in June. Since the division began deploying there in January, twenty-six 101st soldiers have died or been killed.
In the comments at the Leaf Chronicle, Kris's friend JM wrote:
I'm truly a better person for spending time with this man. He had a god given gift to brighten days and making nights unforgettable. Although his time on earth was too short, his memory will live on for a long time to come. God bless his kids and family.
Kris you will be missed!
Among those that Sgt. 1st Class Kris Chapleau leaves behind are his wife and son, another son, his mother, and his father.
Sgt. 1st Class Kristopher Chapleau is missed. REST IN PEACE
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The Department of Defense announced the death of an Army paratrooper and combat medic who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Morganne Marie McBeth, 19
of Fredricksburg, Virginia, died July 2 in Al Asad, Iraq, after being injured in July 1, non-combat related incident in Khan Al Baghdadi, Iraq. Spc. McBeth was a health care specialist assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
According to Fredricksburg.com:
Spc. Morganne McBeth deployed to Iraq last August, and was due to return next month. She had joined the Army in July 2008, and after basic training she attended Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In February 2009, McBeth was assigned the 82nd Airborne Division, based out of Fort Bragg.
19 year-old Morganne McBeth was honored with numerous awards and decorations during her service, and was highly regarded by her fellow paratroopers and medics. In a statement released by the 82nd Airborne Division, members of McBeth's battalion remember her for her positive attitude and the compassion with which she treated her patients, according to WJLA-ABC:
"Morganne treated all of her patients with unsurpassed compassion, regardless of their injury or illness severity," said 1st Lt. Abraham Medina Jr. "Today, the 1BSTB Medical Platoon mourns the loss of a Paratrooper, combat medic, and a magnificent young lady. Most importantly, we are thankful to have had the opportunity to share life alongside of Morganne Marie McBeth."
"SPC Morganne McBeth had a positive impact on all the Paratroopers within the 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion and will be dearly missed," said Lt. Col. Douglas Stitt, commander of 1st BSTB. "She was always quick with a smile and looked after her fellow Paratroopers with keen diligence and respect."
"Morganne's vivid smile and attitude were contagious," said Medina. "Regardless of how rough your day may have been, if Morganne entered the room you were going to smile. Her spunky character and selflessness will be remembered by all who were privileged enough to have met her."
Among those Spc. Morganne McBeth leaves behind are her father and stepmother, and her fellow paratroopers at the 82nd Airborne.
Spc. Morganne Marie McBeth is missed. REST IN PEACE.
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The Department of Defense announced the death of an Army soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Johnny W. Lumpkin, 38
of Columbus, Georgia, died July 2 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries he received in a July 1 non-combat related equipment incident in Taji, Iraq. Sgt. Lumpkin was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based in Fort Stewart, Georgia.
On July 1, Sgt. Lumpkin's parents got the call that their son was injured after equipment fell on top of him while he was disassembling equipment on a radar tower. Lumpkin suffered severe head trauma, 3 broken ribs and a collapsed lung, and was placed on a ventilator at the hospital. His mother said, "Friday morning my daughter in-law called and said he was gone."
WTVM9 writes:
This Fourth of July weekend isn't the same for Janice and Wayne Lumpkin. Their son, 38 year-old Sergeant Johnny Wayne Lumpkin died in Iraq. Janice Lumpkin said "he was our only son. He was in his second deployment to Iraq and he just called my husband Wednesday."
Lumpkin's father says his son was a good man with a good heart and should be remembered as a hero. Wayne Lumpkin said, "When his tower was collapsing he shoved the other guy to safety and took the brunt of the fall."
Though his son is gone, Wayne Lumpkin knows "he's in better place now... and it creates an even stronger image of what this Independence Day weekend really means. We feel like we're getting a signal from him, that he's with god."
According to ledger-enquirer.com,
The Columbus native graduated from Jordan High School in 1989. He worked at the Columbus Carpet Mill and then for a local cable company, but finally decided to enlist in the Army at the age of 31.
"He was having a hard time finding a job," said his mother.
"He wanted to support his family. He wanted a career."
Because he was older than many of the other first-time enlistees, his fellow soldiers gave him the nickname "Private Paw-Paw."
"Johnny very much had a sense of humor," said his uncle. "When he walked into the room, the room lit up."
His mother said she would miss talking to her son, who would call once or twice a week from Iraq. She said the last time he called was Wednesday. He had told his father to tell his mom he loved her and would call again this weekend.
Sgt. Lumpkin will be buried at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery.
Among those Sgt. Johnny Lumpkin leaves behind are his wife and two teenage stepsons, a 19-year old son, and his mother and father.
Sgt. Johnny W. Lumpkin is missed. REST IN PEACE.
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The Department of Defense announced the death of a decorated Vermont National Guard soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pfc. Ryan J. Grady, 25
of Bristow, Oklahoma, died July 1 at Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised-explosive device. Pfc. Grady was a combat engineer assigned to Company A (Eng), Special Troops Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), based in Bradford, Vermont.
Newson6 reports
CNN reports
Spc. Ryan J. Grady of West Burke died Saturday after his military vehicle struck a roadside bomb near the Bagram Air Base.
"Specialist Grady has made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of a nation that he both loved and served as a member of the Vermont Army National Guard," said Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie, Vermont Adjutant General.
The son of a veteran and one of three sons currently serving in wartime, soldier Ryan Grady is remembered for his love of his family and his country. After graduating from Bristow High School, Grady joined the U.S. Army in 2003. He deployed to Iraq for a year in 2005, and was injured by an IED. Spc. Grady was awarded the Purple Heart medal for his wounds.
Spc. Grady wanted to serve where he was most needed, so he sought to transfer to a unit that was deploying to Afghanistan. In October 2006, Grady transferred to the Vermont Army National Guard. Two years later, he transferred to a battalion in Oklahoma, but returned to duty in the Vermont National Guard in September 2009, when he heard units from there would be going to Afghanistan.
According to TulsaWorld.com
The Purple Heart recipient died hours after having breakfast with one of his brothers, 27-year-old Kevin Grady, who was also with the Vermont National Guard in Afghanistan.
"He was complaining (to Kevin) that he didn’t get to see any action," said Ryan Grady’s other brother, James Grady, 31, of Muskogee. "He was kind of upset about it."
"My dad is not doing very well," James Grady said. "It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him cry."
Ryan Grady died just before his favorite holiday — the Fourth of July. His family remembered him as a very caring, loving father, and a good brother.
The state of Vermont has posthumously promoted Grady to the rank of specialist.
Among those that Pfc. Ryan Grady leaves behind are his wife, his daughter, his mother, stepfather, and two brothers.
Pfc. Ryan J. Grady is missed. REST IN PEACE.
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The Department of Defense announced the death of a veteran Air Force pilot who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Capt David A. Wisniewski, 31
of Moville, Iowa, died July 2 of wounds sustained June 9 in a helicopter crash near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan. Capt Wisiewski was a pilot assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron, based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
Capt. Wisniewski was piloting a Pave Hawk helicopter during a rescue mission in Afghanistan when it was hit by enemy fire last month. Known by the nickname "Wiz," Wisniewski had completed hundreds of dangerous rescue missions during his multiple tours in Afghanistan. On June 9, Capt Wisniewski and his crew of combat rescue airmen had already rescued three people on the ground, when they were shot down.
The crash killed four combat air rescuemen, remembered in my earlier diary, and injured three others, including Capt. Wisniewski. He was flown to a military base in Germany for brain surgery, and then taken to Bethesda Naval Hospital for treatment.
KWWL 7 (photo source) According to a story at WOWT TV,
David Wisniewski attended Woodbury Central High School in Moville, Iowa, and is remembered as an academically-minded member of the football team. He graduated in 1998 and entered the United States Air Force Academy and flight school, where he also excelled.
Capt. Wisniewski was engaged and lived in Las Vegas, where he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. When shot down, Wisniewski was serving his fifth and final tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Purple Heart on June 23.
The SiouxCityJournal.com and Iowa Press-Citizen report,
Capt. Wisnieski's family and finacee stayed with him during his recovery at Bethesda Naval Hospital. They started a blog to keep family and friends updated on David's condition, and remained hopeful for his recovery and upcoming wedding in September. David Wisnieski celebrated his 31st birthday June 27 with his family by having his favorite foods, including Oreo cookies.
Sadly, the blog update on July 2 that began with "The END," noted David's passing and thanked everybody for the outpouring of support.
Among those that Capt David Wisniewski leaves behind are his mother and father, his fiancee, and his siblings.
Capt David A. Wisniewski is missed. REST IN PEACE.
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(Other Photos by CalNM; Thanks to Timroff for our faithfully lighted candle IGTNT logo;
and Thanks to llbear for our beautiful forget-me-nots IGTNT logo.)
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 remember the fallen, and to remind us that each casualty has family and friends who received the terrible news that their loved one has died at war.
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. The US Department of Defense news releases are found at defense gov/releases. Icasualties lists the names of those killed, and shows the number of wounded. Published AP photos of the returning war fatalities are found on the Dover AFB page.
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, Wide Awake in Kentucky, 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.