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We see but dimly through the mists and vapors;
Amid these earthly damps
What seem to us but sad, funeral tapers
May be heaven's distant lamps.
~ Longfellow
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In Honor and In Memoriam
Capt Wesley J. Hinkley
1st Lt Robert F. Welch III
Staff Sgt Scott H. Burgess
Sgt Michael S. Lammerts
Sgt Jorge A. Scatliffe
I Got The News Today (IGTNT) which began in April of 2004, making it one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, 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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Since 2003 we have suffered the loss of 4446 American lives and a total of 4764 Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1527 American lives and a total of 2396 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
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Capt Wesley J. Hinkley, 36 of Carlise, Pennsylvania
Capt. Wesley J. Hinkley, 36, of Carlisle, Pa., died April 4 in Baghdad, Iraq, as a result of a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Stewart, Ga.
~ DoD News Release
Capt Hinkley was a 1993 graduate of Boiling Springs High School and a 2001 grad of Shippensburg University, and he was a History major and was enrolled in the ROTC program.
Gene Mizdail, recruiting operations officer with the Shippensburg University Army ROTC, had this to say:
He brought some experience into the program by being prior service.
Patricia Sanker, South Middleton School District superintendent, said:
We're proud of his service to his country, and he's brought great pride to our district.
Our sympathies to his families and friends.
Sadly, there was very little personal information on Capt Hinkley beyond the official press release from the Department of Defense. There were two comments on a local news web site from friends of Capt Hinkley:
I have know(n) Wes since I moved back to the states in 1989, I had the pleasure of going to school with him at Boiling Springs. He was the most gentle of souls and some one I was proud to call my Friend and Bother. His loss carries a great deal of sadness and pain with it, but thanks to his friends and family, this will be one soldier who is never forgotten. I love you Wes and know that you are always with us. Gods speed dear friend till I see you on the other side. RE
Wes Hinkley was my friend... He joined the Army right out of high school. Once he had put several years in, he came back and went to college. When finished, he re-entered the service. He met his wife while stationed in Texas. They married and had a young son. This was his second trip to Iraq. Somebody shot him...we don't know why...but we, his friends and family, are devastated by the loss. I just believed he deserved more than a canned note letting everyone know if his death.
Captain Wesley J. Hinkley is survived by his wife and son.
~ Source ~ Source
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1st Lt Robert F. Welch III, 26 of Denton, Texas
1st Lt. Robert F. Welch III, 26, of Denton, Texas, died April 3 in Khost province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his base with indirect fire. He was assigned to the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky.
~ DoD News Release
Robert "Robby" Welch was a 2003 graduate of Wylie High School. He was a lineman for the Pirates football team and a member of the JROTC. He was a 2008 graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington where he studied military science.
1st Lt. Welch began his Army career in 2008 and arrived at Ft. Knox in 2009.
In the UT-Arlington corps of cadets, Lt. Welch had a reputation as a superb motivator and listener for younger cadets, said retired Maj. Ricardo Diaz, the commandant.
He was a tremendous individual, a real role model for other cadets, always reliable, fun to be around.
Lt. Welch was one of three cadets who, in 2008, proposed the idea of marching from Arlington to Fort Hood to commemorate a road march in 1960 by UT-Arlington cadets, known as "the Long March."
But the 155-mile journey didn't happen until 2010, and by then, Lt. Welch was busy in the Army.
Major Diaz remembered:
We definitely had him in our thoughts when we did the march, if you know what I mean. We thought, "Who came up with this idea? WELCH!!"
In a prayer request email sent April 3, his father, Robert Welch II, a retired Army lieutenant colonel said:
About all we know for sure is that Rob was killed this morning while walking in the FOB. He and another soldier were in the impact area, and Rob took most of the shrapnel from the blast. The other soldier is injured but OK.
When they got Rob to the aid station for surgery, they ran out of his blood type and when word got out they needed blood, over 200 of his soldiers volunteered to give blood. But the wounds were so severe, he did not survive.
This was 1st Lt. Welch's first combat tour.
1st Lt. Welch's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and Bar, and the Army Service Ribbon.
He has been awarded the NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart posthumously.
A memorial service in Welch’s honor will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Prichard Place Chapel at Fort Knox. A memorial service is scheduled to take place Thursday in Afghanistan.
1st Lt. Welch is survived by his parents, Robert and Barbara Welch; his wife Becky and an 18-month-old son, Robert Forrest Welch IV.
Funeral services are pending, but 1st Lt Welch will be buried at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Staff Sgt. Scott H. Burgess, 32 of Franklin, Texas
Staff Sgt Scott H. Burgess died April 4 of wounds suffered from small arms fire in Faryab province, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation.
Burgess was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany.
~ DoD News Release
Staff Sgt Burgess and Sgt Lammerts were both killed in the same incident. They had only been deployed for 45 days when the attack took place at a checkpoint in Maymana district, the capital of Faryab province. The soldiers were on guard duty outside of a “key leader engagement” with Afghan forces, according to news reports.
The provincial deputy governor, Abdul Sattar Bariz, told The New York Times that the pair were shot by one of the Afghan police. The shooter fled, according to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force. The shooting is under investigation.
Scott Burgess attended Franklin High School in the mid 90's and was a member of the Future Farmers of America. He joined the Army in 2002.
Sam Burgess says his son joined the Army because:
He wanted to do something to defend America against another 9/11.
Staff Sgt. Burgess’ father is a Vietnam veteran, and his grandfather is a World War II veteran. Sam Burgess says his son had previously served a tour in Iraq and had been in Afghanistan on this recent tour for 3 months.
Marsha Juhl, Scott's mother-in-law had this to say:
Scott was the gentlemen. His mom and dad must have raised him well I mean he was a very yes 'mam, no 'mam, he still opens the doors for his wife and children or any woman. He was very polite. He was quiet but funny, he was a helper, he would do anything for you.
A memorial service is scheduled for April 13 at 11 a.m. at Chapel One on Smith Barracks in Baumholder.
Staff Sgt Scott H. Burgess is survived by his parents; his wife, Jennifer and two daughters aged 8 and 10.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Sgt. Michael S. Lammerts, 26 of Tonawanda, New York
Sgt. Michael S. Lammerts died April 4 of wounds suffered from small arms fire in Faryab province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany.
~ DoD News Release
Lammerts grew up in the City of Tonawanda. He briefly attended Niagara Falls High School but graduated from Tonawanda, where he played football and, as a child, baseball. Michael enjoyed fishing and was an avid Philadelphia Eagles football fan.
Michael's mother, Kendra Speck said:
I just want everybody to know what a sweet, lovable, caring person Michael was. He believed in what he was fighting for.
Sgt. Lammerts served two previous tours in Iraq before leaving a few weeks early for this deployment to Afghanistan. His mother said:
They were looking for people to volunteer for some type of special mission. Michael was devoted to the military. That was his life.
Kendra Speck said her son had a close bond with the men in his unit:
"his guys,” he would call them.
Michael was military through and through,” Speck said. “He was going to do his 20 (years) and retire, if not a little bit longer.
When Jim Kott, 19, saw his older cousin he said it was apparent that:
He was as red, white and blue as it gets. When I think of a soldier, when I think of honor, loyalty, respect and pride, that's who I think of.
Sgt. Michael S. Lammerts is survived by his wife, Melissa; a three year old daughter, Savannah, a one year old son, Michael, Jr.; father, Robert Lammerts; mother, Kendar Speck; and brother Chris Lammerts.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
~ Source ~ Source
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Sgt. Jorge A. Scatliffe, 32 of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Sgt. Jorge A. Scatliffe, 32, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, died April 3 in a non-combat related incident at Mosul, Iraq. He was assigned to the 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
~ DoD News Release
Fort Hood spokesman Chris Haug says Scatliffe died of a medical condition, but he did not elaborate.
Jorge Scatliffe's mother, Sarah Scatliffe, described her son as "a loving boy" who was loyal to his family and country and who was passionate about his work with the Army.
He always enjoy what he's doing for his country and protecting his mom - watching my back, he used to say. I am proud of him. I am proud of my boy.
Sarah Scatliffe was at her home Monday when she saw two V.I. National Guard representatives walking up the steps to her porch with the terrible news.
As soon as I saw them, when they came, I knew it was bad news, and I just start screaming. I tell them they had the wrong person; they were at the wrong place. It couldn't be him. It couldn't.
On Tuesday, Jorge Scatliffe's older brother, retired U.S. Navy Lt. Robert Scatliffe, waited at Dover Air Force Base for his brother's body to arrive about 3 p.m., said Sarah Scatliffe.
Jorge Scatliffe was the middle of three boys - born between Robert Scatliffe and Raymond Scatliffe, who both joined the Navy. Their father, Gerome Scatliffe, died after an asthma attack led to cardiac arrest in 1985, and Sarah Scatliffe raised the boys in a close family, she said.
The brothers are trying to hold up, but they are broken down.
Sgt. Scatliffe joined the Army in April of 1998 as a Bradley fighting vehicle system maintener. He has been assigned to Fort Hood since April 2005. He had served three previous tours in Iraq - April 2003 to August 2004, December 2005 to December 2006 and June 2008 to May 2009.
Sgt. Jorge A.Scatliffe's awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Driver and Mechanic Badge for Mechanics, Driver and Mechanic Badge for Wheel Vehicle Drivers, and Driver and Mechanic Badge for Tracked Vehicle Drivers.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. sent his condolences:
The pain Jorge's family, friends and all Virgin Islanders feel right now is no doubt immense. But we are consoled in knowing he died a hero, bravely serving his country and doing what he felt passionate about.
Delegate Donna M. Christensen that young men and women who voluntarily put themselves in harm’s way in service to our country are indeed our greatest heroes.
Their service and their sacrifice are never to be forgotten or taken lightly. I am sure that the whole community shares the grief of his family at this sad time, but we are also immensely proud of him for the character and bravery that he has shown.
Sgt. Jorge A. Scatliffe leaves behind his mother, Ms. Sarah Scatliffe of St. Croix; a brother Robert and a brother Raymond.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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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, maggiejean, racheltracks, Kestrel9000 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.
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.