Since 2001, 1514 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan, and since 2003, 4454 U.S. troops have lost their while serving in Iraq.
The IGTNT (I Got The News Today) series is a reminder that nearly every day, somebody gets the heartbreaking news that a friend, former classmate, or beloved family member will not be coming home from war.
Tonight we remember six Army Rangers with the
101st Airborne killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan:
1st Lt. John M. Runkle, Jr. 27, of West Salem, Ohio
Staff Sgt. Edward D. Mills Jr., 29, of New Castle, Pennsylvania
Staff Sgt. Ergin V. Osman, 35, of Jacksonville, North Carolina
Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall, 25, of Bel Aire, Kansas
Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Velazquez, 39, of Camuy, Puerto Rico
Spc. Adam J. Patton, 21, of Port Orchard, Washington
Please take a moment below to remember them,
and all those who have lost their lives in these wars.
The 101st Airborne Division has been hit hard the last two years in Afghanistan. Known as the "Screaming Eagles," the combat division has suffered more casualties than any other unit.
The Department of Defense announced the combat deaths of six more 101st Airborne soldiers. The Ranger Pathfinders died May 26 after being wounded in a roadside bomb explosion in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. They were assigned to Fox Company (Pathfinder), 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
1st Lt. John Runkle Jr.; Staff Sgt. Edward Mills Jr.; Staff Sgt. Ergin Osman;
Sgt. Thomas Bohall; Sgt. Louie Ramos Velazquez; and Spc. Adam Patton.
Source Source Source Source
1st Lt. John M. Runkle Jr., 27, of West Salem, Ohio
John Runkle graduated from Northwestern High School in West Salem in 2002.
After joining the Army, John put in an application for West Point and was nominated and accepted. Before he could begin classes he was deployed to Iraq for 10 months. John did graduate in the top 10 percent of his 2009 graduating class.
John's mother, Chris attended his graduation with pride.
That's a grueling academic schedule. To be out of high school for three years and be able to pick that back up is pretty impressive.
She said that her son wanted to be a career officer.
He thought what he was doing was important and he excelled at it.
His mother added:
He was a very honorable man, the most honorable person that I knew. In fact, my son is my role model. I love you John and I miss you.
1st Lt. John M. Runkle Jr.'s awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge and Ranger Tab.
John Runkle Jr. is survived by his father, John Runkle Sr. of Woster, Ohio and mother, Christine Runkle of Salem, Ohio
~ Source ~ Source
+ + +
Staff Sgt. Edward D. Mills Jr., 29, of New Castle, Pennsylvania
Edward Mills graduated from Union High School in 2000. He enlisted in the Army in January of 2005.
Staff Sgt Mills was last home in February just before shipping out for this third tour of duty. At Christmas Mills, his brothers and sister had a family portrait made for their parents.
Jarod Mills describes his brother as a born leader who was always humble and always put others before himself.
Anytime you talked to him, he was always talking about his guys, those were his guys. He had to watch over his guys. As hard as it is for us and the family, if he had to go, this is the way he wanted to go, over in combat with his guys.
Staff Sgt Mills' uncle, Francis "Poncho" Exposito said:
He was in a highly-trained, specialized unit. He liked it and talked about making a career for himself in the military.
It's been tough. We're a close family. This is the last thing you expect to hear -- especially on Memorial Day weekend.
Staff Sgt Edward D. Mills, Jr.'s awards and decorations include: Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global war on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Mills is survived by his spouse, Amanda Brenner and mother, Kathie L. Greenawalt, both of New Castle, Penn. He is also survived by his father, Edward Mills.
Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
+ + +
Thanks to Sandy on Signal for writing the following tribute.
Staff Sgt. Ergin V. Osman, 35, of Jacksonville, North Carolina
Ergin Osman lived in Harrison Township until he was 16 when his family moved to Sterling Heights. A bodybuilder, he graduated from Sterling Heights where he played rugby and lacrosse.
As a child Ergin would sketch guns and planes and was certainly inspired by his father, Mike who served in the Green Berets with the Army Special Forces.
After high school Staff Sgt Osman joined the Marines. He spent 10 years there and was deployed to Kosovo, Somalia and Iraq for a total of four tours.
"He just kept going back," said his cousin, Melissa Rickman. "It was what he loved to do."
Switching to the Army in 2007, Osman prided himself on being fit for any task.
"He could bench a ton of weight then go and run six miles in the desert," Rickman said. "He was a tough kid."
Osman declined a Purple Heart after having injured an eardrum, but he declined it saying there were others far more injured than he could ever be.
This current deployment was Staff Sgt Osman's ninth.
Ergin's sister, Leyla Balaskas said:
He was a very military guy. He belonged there. He was so proud to be in the military and serve our country.
Ergin's first wife, Mouna, told the newspaper, she knew something was terribly wrong when she answered the doorbell and two soldiers and an Army Chaplain asked to speak to their sons, Aiden, 9, and Zehren, 5.
Mouna told the Macomb County Daily Tribune:
“I know he was gone as soon as I opened the door and saw them in their full uniforms,” she said. “They were very patient explaining everything to my sons.”
“My youngest, Zeren, was upset, he said ‘My dad isn’t going to see my ball games or see my kindergarten graduation,’ but I told him now your Dad can see everything you do all the time."
Staff Sgt. Ergin Osman was a devout Muslim and patriot. He loved serving our nation, just as his father had. He was a great soldier and will always be remembered for his service.
Staff Sgt Ergin V. Osman's awards and decorations include: Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Navy Commendation with Combat Distinguishing Device; Army Achievement Medal; Navy Achievment Medal with Valor Device; Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Ribbon; Combat Action Ribbon; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Navy Unit Commendation; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Kosovo Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Parachutist Badge; Air Assault Badge; Combat Infantryman Badge and Ranger Tab.
Osman is survived by his wife, Private 1st Class Kristin Osman of Hopkinsville, Ky. and sons, Aidan and Zeren Osman of Roseville, Mich. He is also survived by his father, Mike Osman of Birmingham, Ala. and mother, Sarah Osman of Township, Mich.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
+ + +
Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall, 25, of Bel Aire, Kansas
Thomas A. Bohall graduated from Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio. He joined the Army in August 2005 and arrived at Fort Campbell in Kentucky in October 2008.
Thomas Bohall wasn't the star of his winning high school soccer team. He didn't even start his senior year.
But at a celebration after the team took second statewide, his coach talked about how he was the life of the team. Tim Bohall, Thomas' father recalled:
"Thomas had never started a varsity game," his father said. "Thomas had never scored a goal. And what the coach said was, 'This man was the life of our team. He rode the bench, but he never sat on the bench.' They called him the 'Rev' because he was the strength of the team."
The coach, he said, told those at the celebration, "I'd give anything to have a hundred Thomases."
Sgt. Bohall would run up and down the field during games, cheering his team on, not satisfied to sit on the bench, his father said.
"I believe in my heart that that is the way that Thomas carried himself with his troops serving our country," Tim Bohall said. "Thomas reveled in the success of his team and the success of others."
Lorna Geist of Bel Aire, Sgt. Bohall's mother said:
Tom loved adventure. He loved the outdoors. He was into the next adventure. He loved the Airborne. He loved jumping out of planes.
Congressman Mike Pompeo (KS-04) made the following statement:
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of a Kansas hero. Sgt. Bohall, from Bel Aire, Kansas, died protecting our freedoms and serving our country with honor.
"As we pause to honor all of our fallen heroes this Memorial Day weekend, we must remember young men and women like Sgt. Bohall, who are willing to stand between us and the enemy so that we may be safe. My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy are with Sgt. Bohall's family and friends."
Sgt Thomas A. Bohall's awards and decorations include: Air Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Bohall is survived by his wife, Jessica Bohall of Essington, Penn.; daughter, Annabelle Bohall of Essington, Penn; father, Timothy Bohall of San Antonio, Texas and mother, Lorna Geist.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
+ + +
Thank you to CalNM for writing the following two tributes.
Sgt. Louie A. Ramosvelazquez, 39, of Camy, Puerto Rico
Louie "Doc" Ramosvelazquez was originally from Puerto Rico. He lived with his wife and three children in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Louie joined the Army in December 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in September 2007. Sgt. Ramosvelazquez served as a Combat Medic with Fox Company, tending to the wounds of his fellow soldiers.
Sgt. Ramosvelazquez awards and medals include Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge.
Among those Sgt. Ramosvelazquez leaves behind are his wife, daughter, two sons in Kentucky; his father in and mother in Puerto Rico, and his troops.
Sgt. Ramosvelazquez is missed. May he rest in peace.
Source
* * *
Maj. Gen. John Campbell, who oversees the 101st Airborne, sent a letter to the Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee, communities that surround the sprawling post on the Kentucky-Tennessee line. Campbell thanked the communities for supporting the post and the soldiers and called for prayers for those still deployed.
"This Memorial Day, as we honor and remember those who have fallen, we also should remember and honor those who have toiled and sacrificed in our absence. Those whose loved one has returned a Fallen Hero deserve a special honor just as their Fallen Hero deserves," wrote Campbell, in a letter signed by Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Schroeder. "All Americans owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those who have sacrificed and especially to the Families who have lost loved ones."
+ + +
Spc. Adam J. Patton, 21, of Port Orchard, Washington
Adam Patton grew up in Port Orchard, outside of Seattle, Washington. He comes from a big family with a brother and two sisters. Adam was excited to join the Army after he graduated from Kitsap High School and JROTC program in 2008.
Adam joined the Army in June and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2008. He first deployed with the Ranger Pathfinders as an Infantryman in 2009 for around a year.
He told his mother he was concerned about his tour to Afghanistan six months ago.
"I can't even imagine him not being with me, being in my life anymore," said his mother. "I don't know... unfortunately this tragedy had to happen on this (Memorial Day) weekend."
Spc. Patton's awards and decorations include Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Among those Spc. Patton leaves behind are his mother and stepfather, his sisters, and brothers in Port Orchard, Washington.
Spc. Adam J. Patton is missed. May he rest in peace.
Source Source
* * *
Helping our troops: If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com. Fisher House provides housing for families of injured troops and veterans who are recovering in hospitals, and Guardian angels for soldierspet assists the animal companions of our deployed military.
When our veterans come back home, they can find support at Welcome Back Veterans. Our recently returned veterans need jobs, and Veterans Green Jobs is now hiring for positions and filling training sessions. VGJ corps retrains veterans as leaders in forest and resource conservation, green construction, and energy efficient upgrades of homes in rural areas. Encourage a Veteran, 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, Ms Wings, maggiejean, racheltracks, ccasas, JaxDem, and 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.