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.
Honoring and Remembering:
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kenneth R. White
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bradley J. Gaudet
Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison
Cpl William J. Woitowicz
Since 2003 we have suffered the loss of 4460 American lives and a total of 4778 Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1614 American lives and a total of 2516 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
In Flanders Fields - sung by Anthony Hutchcroft
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) - Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kenneth R. White, 35, Ft. Collins, Colorado
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died June 5, in Khost province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered as the result of a helicopter crash. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. ~ Source
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Friday, June 10 in honor of two Fort Drum soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan on June 5.
"I join with all New Yorkers in extending our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and fellow soldiers of Chief Warrant Officers Bradley Gaudet and Kenneth White," Governor Cuomo said. "These fallen soldiers were stationed at Fort Drum. We mourn their passing and we remember their service to our nation with pride."
CWO3 White joined the Army in 1994 and attended flight school in 2002. After completing his training in July of 2003 he began serving at Fort Drum, New York.
White was heavily decorated due to several deployments. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom twice, August 2005 to September 2006 and October 2008 to October 2009. He deployed to Afghanistan in October 2010.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kenneth R. White’s awards and decorations include two Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, two Iraq Campaign Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the Army Aviator Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Senior Aviator Badge.
Kenneth White is survived by his wife, three children and his parents.
~ Source ~ Source
.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bradley J. Gaudet, 31, Gladewater, Texas
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died June 5, in Khost province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered as the result of a helicopter crash. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. ~ Source
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Friday, June 10 in honor of two Fort Drum soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan on June 5.
"I join with all New Yorkers in extending our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and fellow soldiers of Chief Warrant Officers Bradley Gaudet and Kenneth White," Governor Cuomo said. "These fallen soldiers were stationed at Fort Drum. We mourn their passing and we remember their service to our nation with pride."
CWO2 Bradley J. Gaudet was a graduate of Gladewater High School.
Bradley Gaudet once wrote this:
..."pray for the wives left behind, the children that will not see their dads come home, the newborn that will never know his dad"...
He was home last month for his daughter's birth.
Brad's family said he died doing what he loved, that all he ever wanted to do was fly. They agreed that he was family oriented, enthusiastic and a devoted man.
Bradley Guadet's mother, Rhonda Owens said:
Brad believed in God and Country. Brad totally believed in what he was doing there. He was a dedicated soldier, who believed that he was fighting for the freedoms of all people.
What I'll miss most about my son is the encouragement he gave me and his love for family.
Gaudet is the step-son of Gladewater Councilman Scott Owens who had this to say:
He grew into a wonderful man.
Gaudet's awards and decorations include the Air Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, two Iraq Campaign Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Aviator Badge and the Combat Action Badge.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bradley J. Gaudet is survived by his wife, Ginny; two daughters; his mother Rhonda Owens and step father Scott Owens.
There will be a memorial service in New York state, and Gaudet will be buried in Gladewater, according to family members.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
.
The following tribute was written by CalNM. Thank you dear friend.
Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison, 27, of New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Sgt. Joseph "Joey" Garrison died June 6 during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was an Infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Joey Garrison lived in Armstrong County just over the county line from New Bethlehem, Clarion County. He was on the wrestling team at Redbank Valley High School.
Those who knew the young marine sergeant said the community has lost "a son, a brother, an uncle, a companion, and a hero."
Joey Garrison had always wanted to be a Marine. So he enlisted in August 2002, after graduating from high school. After two wartime deployments to Afghanistan, Garrison was promoted to sergeant Oct. 1, 2007. He deployed to Afghanistan again in 2009 and served as a squad leader.
He deployed last January for his fourth and final tour. Sgt. Garrison and his men were on a regular patrol on June 6 when they were attacked with IEDs.
"Joey was on his fourth tour of combat duty. He had no problem putting his life on the line for his country," said the assistant varsity wrestling coach at Redbank Valley.
"But maybe in the back of his mind, he had a premonition. Before he went back the last time, he told he, 'If anything happens to me, don't let them forget about me.'"
Among those Sgt. Garrison leaves behind are his parents, brother and family, and his Marines.
Sgt. Joey Garrison is missed. May he rest in peace.
Source Source Source Source
.
Cpl Willam J. Woitowicz, 23, Middlesex, Massachusetts
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cpl. William J. Woitowicz, 23, of Middlesex, Mass., died June 7 while conducting combat operations in Badghis province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C. ~ Source
Willaim Woitowicz was a 2007 graduate of Groton-Dunstable Regional High School. He was an avid dirt biker and was due back home in just two weeks.
Former teacher, Michael Donnelly said:
He was a good man. He was a fine student from a wonderful family. He was a son I would be proud to have. It just hurts.
Assistant Principal Marisa Brisson said she wasn't surprised by Woitowicz's decision to enlist.
It was his calling. Definitely he lived by his words, and always went out of his way to do good things for his classmates and teachers.
He had an uncanny sense of humor. He was very caring, and I would describe him as a gentle soul.
The death of the young man shocked many residents and his friends who adored him for his infectious smile.
William's childhood friend, Micah Coffey was shooting hoops with him just a couple of months ago.
He was always happy, and was always smiling.
Micah commented about his family:
Woitowicz's father, a machinist, is a volunteer firefighter with the Westford Fire Department and his mother is a nurse. They are a great family -- all-American, you know.
One of Woitowicz's neighbors, Kristin Lacombe said:
He was very friendly, very outgoing — always, always had a smile on his face. Always willing to help you in a time of need. Just an incredible kid.
Cpl. Willam J. Woitowicz leaves behind his parents, a brother and a sister.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
.
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.
.
.
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
and
Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl 23
Never forgotten - please keep good thoughts and prayers for these two men.
On December 8, 2010 new photos were published of Pfc Bowe R. Bergdahl in captivity. The article and images can be seen here.
The father of Bowe R. Bergdahl released this video on May 6, 2011 in which he appeals for the release of his son.
.
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.