3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
The 3rd US Infantry Regiment is the oldest active unit of infantry in the Army, having been first organized as the First American Regiment in 1784. The 3rd Infantry Regiment's mission is to conduct memorial affairs to honor fallen comrades and ceremonies and special events to represent the U.S. Army, communicating its story to our nations' citizens and the world.
Memorial affairs missions include Standard Honor and Full Honors Funerals in Arlington National Cemetery and Dignified Transfers at Dover Air Force Base. Old Guard Soldiers also perform all dignified transfers of fallen Soldiers returning to the United States.
The Old Guard's ceremonial task list includes Full Honor Arrivals for visiting dignitaries, Wreath Ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and Full Honor Reviews in support of senior Army leaders and retiring Soldiers. Special events include the Twilight Tattoo, a weekly performance in the adjacent Washington area on Wednesday evenings from May to July, and the Spirit of America, a historical pageant presented at three national venues in September.
The Old Guard is the only unit in the U.S. Armed Forces authorized, by a 1922 decree of the War Department, to march with fixed bayonets in public parade. This was granted in honor of the 1847 bayonet charge by Old Guard troops during the Battle of Cerro Gordo in the war with Mexico. The Old Guard is also the sole remaining regular combat unit to issue the standard M14 rifle to the ranks.
3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Wiki page
I Got The News Today (IGTNT) is among the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos and provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
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Honoring and Remembering:
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Sgt. Kristopher J. Gould
Cpl Andrew C. Wilfahrt
Spc Brian Tabada
Pfc David R. Fahey, Jr.
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The United States Army Drill Team (The Old Guard) performing in Edinburgh, Scotland
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Since 2003 we have suffered the loss of 4439 American lives and a total of 4757 Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1491 American lives and a total of 2352 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
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Sgt. Kristopher J. Gould, 25, of Saginaw, Michigan
Sgt. Kristopher J. Gould, died Feb. 27, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky.
Kristopher "Kris" Gould graduated from Valley Lutheran High School in Saginaw Township in 2005 where he played football and was on the wrestling team. He began his military service in March 2003 and arrived to Fort Knox in October 2009.
This was Gould's third deployment, having served a 12-month tour with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 as well as a 15 month tour with the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment in Iraq from 2005 to 2006. He is the first Soldier from Task Force Duke to be killed during this deployment.
Valley Lutheran High School Principal John Brandt remembers Kris:
He was the kind of kid who was a great kid in class, the kind of kid that people really got along well with. He was a dedicated soldier. Kris was a kid who loved life, he’s just a good guy.
Gould also was a devout man of faith, Brandt said.
I attended church with him (at Bethlehem Lutheran), when he was home on leave he would always be at church.
Brandt said news of Gould’s death hit some members of the Valley Lutheran faculty particularly hard.
There are a number of teachers that got choked up when they heard about this. If you ever met him, he was the kind of guy you just enjoyed being around. He’d stick his nose in there in football and wrestling and would take his lumps since he wasn’t the biggest guy in the world and come out with a smile on his face. I’m sure that he’s going to be missed on many levels.
Sgt Gould's awards and decorations include: Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal for Mobilization, and the Army Service Ribbon.
He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously.
There was a memorial service held in Afghanistan today and Fort Knox will hold a Duke Remembrance ceremony in Gould’s honor at a time to be determined. The family's funeral arrangements are pending.
Sgt Kristopher J. Gould is survived by his parents Jim and Ann of Frankenlust Township, Michigan.
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Cpl. Andrew C. Wilfahrt, 31, of Rosemount, Minnesota
Spc. Andrew Wilfahrt died Sunday, February 27th when insurgents attacked his unit with a bomb in Kandahar province. He was assigned to the 504th Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade in Hawaii. He enlisted in the Army in January 2009 and was deployed to Afghanistan last July.
Andrew Wilfahrt graduated from Rosemount High School in 1997 where he was a diligent student who loved music and performed in choir and was a member of the marching band.
In his hometown of Rosemount, word of his death spread quickly Monday. Shelia Wandersee lives in the cul-de-sac where Wilfahrt's parents reside. Wandersee says she remembers the melodies that would drift across the street when Wilfahrt was playing the piano.
Rosemount veterinarian Kurt Hansen said his son, Simon, was a close friend of Wilfahrt's from grade school on. They shared interests in music, computers and pondering world affairs.
When they were together, then they would talk all night. He was just like one of ours. It's difficult to talk about.
Wilfahrt was bubbly and outgoing, Hansen said, even stepping up to speak before the City Council to support the Hansen family in a disagreement over eminent domain.
He was really exceptional. It's so sad that it had to go this way.
His uncle, Charlie Wilfahrt of Minneapolis, says his nephew was a talented musician who had found purpose in life in the Army.
From Andrew's obituary:
Andrew was a remarkable man. He was compassionate, smart and witty. He was an admirer, composer and player of music who believed deeply in art and humanity. Andrew deeply loved his family and friends and we love him. We will never forget him.
Cpl Andrew C. Wilfahrt is survived and sadly missed by parents Jeff and Lori; sister Martha and brother Peter of Rosemount, MN; grandparents, Ruth and Leo Wilfahrt and Elizabeth Schaefer of New Ulm; many loving relatives and friends and the 3rd platoon 552nd MP Battalion U.S. Army. His funeral will be held on March 4th.
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Spc. Brian Tabada, 21, of Las Vegas, Nevada
Army Spc. Brian Tabada was killed on Sunday, February 27th in northeastern Afghanistan after insurgents ambushed his mounted patrol using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
Tabada was a Fire Support Specialist, also known as a “Fister,” assigned to Headquarters and headquarters company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He joined the Army in August 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2009
At Brian's home in northwest Las Vegas, a Blue Star Mother's flag flapped from the top of the front porch.
Spc Tabada's mother, Leinette Mahan, already had departed for Dover, Del., to be there when his flag-draped casket is transferred from a military transport plane, said her friend, Aimee Caberto.
He was like a big brother to my son.
Caberto said, recalling how Tabada and her son, Aaron Sabino, would hang out together as teenagers.
Spc Tabada's awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Army Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge.
Gov. Brian Sandoval ordered flags to fly at half staff in Tabada's honor. Gov Sandoval issued this statement:
"I was saddened to learn of the death of Spc. Brian Tabada of Las Vegas in service to his country. Spc. Tabada made the ultimate sacrifice and we are forever grateful. As our state mourns his loss, Kathleen and I extend our sympathies to his family."
Soldiers at Fort Campbell will pay their respects for him and other fallen members of the Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne Division on March 9 at the fort's monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony.
Spc Brian Tabada is survived by his father, Muncko Kruize of Honolulu, Hawaii and Leinette Mahan of Las Vegas, Nev. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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Pfc. David R. Fahey Jr., 23, of Norwalk, Connecticut
Pfc. David R. Fahey, Jr. was in Kandahar Province when he was injured in a bomb explosion. He was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade.
Fahey was raised in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., and graduated from schools there before moving to Norwalk briefly. He was living in Norwalk at the time he enlisted in the Army.
At the age of 8 David Fahey's father died leaving him and a younger brother and sister behind. The Fahey children lived between relatives in Norwalk and Westchester County, N.Y.
Fahey's 57-year-old uncle, Christopher Fahey, of Wilmington, N.C., described his nephew as a gregarious and religious young man who enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school in order to gain training and experience as a police officer. Christopher Fahey said his nephew had a job lined up with the New York Police Department after his tour of duty ended.
"He always talked about becoming a policeman," Fahey said.
Jacyln Giordano remembers hanging out on a Fillow Street porch with David Fahey when they were about 8 or 10 years old growing up in Norwalk. It's one of her fondest memories of her "close childhood friend". She wrote the following on a Facebook tribute to him:
I will always remember David being the funny guy. He was always pulling pranks and joking around.
John Gullen of Syracuse wrote:
He brought joy and laughter to every situation and I miss him like crazy.
David's sister, Phyllis Lee wrote to The Daily Norwalk:
It's such a tragedy. I can't believe it. He's in such a better place, he will always be a hero. He was greatly loved by so many and such great family support! It has been such an honor to have such an amazing brother!! He would do anything for anyone give the shirt off his back for you even if he didn't know you! He will never be forgotten and we will meet again!
Fahey's friends, who are scattered across the region, agreed:
Dave was the best of all of us.
Pfc David R. Fahey, Jr.'s awards included the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Drivers and Mechanics Badge.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has ordered the Connecticut and U.S. flags to fly at half staff in honor of Fahey.
Pfc David R. Fahey, Jr. is survived by his brother Nick Fahey and his sister Phyllis Fahey Lee. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Ms Wings, maggiejean, racheltracks, and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them.
Fallen service members whose names have been released by the US Department of Defense will usually be diarized two days after the official announcement on the DoD website. This allows the IGTNT team to cover each person more fully, but still in a timely manner.
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POW/MIA: Afghanistan & Iraq
Two U.S. soldiers are currently listed as captured or Duty Status -- Whereabouts Unknown as of December 1, 2009.
Spc. Ahmed K. Altaie 41
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Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl 23
Never forgotten - please keep good thoughts and prayers for these two men.
On December 8th new photos were published of Pfc Bowe R. Bergdahl in captivity. The article and images can be seen here.
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Helping Our Troops
There would be no finer way to honor the fallen than to contribute to programs that assist our active duty military. Here are a few suggestions:
Evan Ashcraft Foundation - This foundation was established to assist soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan to adjust to civilian life. In particular this foundation's emphasis is on PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
Fisher House - Provides a "home away from home" for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitilization for an illness, disease or injury.
Homes For Our Troops - Build special adapted homes for severely injured veterans at no cost to the veterans they serve.
Netroots For The Troops - raises money for the assembly, mailing and delivery of care packages to American military in war zones, and to provide assistance to military families in the United States.
Veterans Green Jobs - Our recently returned veterans need jobs and VGJ is now hiring for positions and filling training sessions. VGJ corps retrains veterans as leaders in natural resource conservation, green construction, and energy efficient upgrades of homes in rural areas.
Welcome Back Veterans - created to inspire Americans to give back to our returning veterans and their families and assist in particular with PTSD.
Wounded Warrior Project - To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service service members, to help injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.