Tonight we honor the memories of two soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan last week. Staff Sgt. Jeremy A. Katzenberger was an Army Ranger who was killed by small arms fire in eastern Afghanistan last Tuesday. Pfc. Eric D. Soufrine was killed by an IED in Afghanistan last Tuesday. Both men came from military families, and both have siblings who are currently serving our country.
The purpose of the I Got the News Today series is to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in KY, maggiejean, racheltracks, and Jax Dem.
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.
On Wednesday, the Department of Defense made the following announcement:
Staff Sgt. Jeremy A. Katzenberger, 26, of Weatherby Lake, Mo., died June 14 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Katzenberger was on his 8th! tour of combat duty at the time of his death. He had already completed four tours in Iraq, and he was on his fourth tour in Afghanistan when he was killed by small arms fire. SS Katzenberger was killed in a particularly dangerous region of eastern Afghanistan; militants often cross through that region on their way to the border with Pakistan.
Staff Sgt. Katzenberger was a graduate of Park Hill High School, and he enlisted in the Army in October of 2004.
“I wish the American people could truly understand the dedication and sacrifice that Staff Sgt. Jeremy Katzenberger made for his country,” said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, [a] commander in his regiment. “Since early 2005, Jeremy has either been in combat or training for combat.” ~source
His regiment has been deployed in Afghanistan since October of 2001.
“Staff Sgt. Katzenberger was a phenomenal Ranger who died while leading his men in an assault against our enemies. He died while protecting our Nation and we will not forget his sacrifice,” said Col. Michael Foster, commander, 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regt. “He was universally respected by every member of this command and was a devoted, loving husband and proud father. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Katzenberger family.” ~source
The mayor of Weatherby Lake, Jerry Bos, ordered that the town's flags be flown at half-staff in Katzenberger's honor.
Jeremy Katzenberger leaves behind a wife, Colleen Montgomery Katzenberger, and a 7-month-old son, Everett James. He is also survived by his parents, and by three brothers, two of whom are currently serving in the US Military.
Thank you, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Katzenberger, for your selfless service to our nation. Our prayers are for your young family.
On Wednesday, the Department of Defense also announced the following:
Pfc. Eric D. Soufrine, 20, of Woodbridge, Conn., died June 14 in Farah province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Pfc. Soufrine was a 2009 graduate of Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge, CT. He entered boot camp in July of 2010. He enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing and boating. He was due to come home from Afghanistan in just two weeks.
Before joining the military, Soufrine had been a member of his high school football team. He had played football alongside his brother, who now lives in Atlanta. His sister is also currently serving in the military. She is a military analyst stationed in Arizona.
As a parent, “this is the worst thing that could ever happen to you,” Michael Soufrine said. “He was a great kid. He was my youngest. ... He never gave me a bit of trouble.”
“He was a very special boy,” said his aunt, Denise Johnson of Cheshire, who said he had just been honored in his unit as Soldier of the Month.~source
After his tour of duty was completed, Soufrine had hoped to attend college in Colorado and then get a job in forestry.
The governor of Connecticut, D. P. Malloy, has ordered the state flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Pfc. Soutrine.
"The loss of Private First Class Soufrine is a tragedy, and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. These wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have exacted a terrible toll on our military, our families and our communities. Our prayers are with our men and women serving overseas and their families who are making an extraordinary sacrifice in service to the country," Malloy said. ~source
In addition to his brother and sister, Pfc. Soutrine is also survived by his parents.
Thank you, Pfc. Soutrine, for your selfless service to our nation. Rest in peace.
Poppies are the universal symbols of remembrance. May we always honor the service and sacrifice of these two brave men. May their families fine comfort and solace in their memories.