The Fallen Soldier Battle Cross
This image is known as the Fallen Soldier Battle Cross or Battle Cross or simply, Helmet Rifle Boots.
It is made up of the fallen soldier's rifle with bayonet attached and stuck into the ground with the soldier's dog tags hanging, helmet on top of the rifle and the boots of the fallen soldier beneath.
This traditon began during the American Civil War as a means of identifying the bodies on the battlefield. Today it is used to show respect for the fallen and as a means to allow fellow troop members to mourn as attending a funeral or memorial service is not always possible for soldiers still engaged in battle.
Honoring and Remembering:
Staff Sgt Leon H. Lucas, Jr.
Sgt William B. GrossPaniagua
Welcome Home
Chief Warrant Officer George A. Howes
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.
Since 2003 we have suffered the loss of 4474 American lives and a total of 4792 Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1689 American lives and a total of 2621 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
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Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas, Jr. 32, of Wilson, North Carolina
Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas Jr., 32, of Wilson, N.C., died Aug. 1 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California. ~ DoD News Release
Leon H. Lucas, Jr. enlisted in the Marine Corps in March of 2002.
Staff Sgt Lucas was an infantry unit leader who had served two previous tours in Iraq before deploying to Afghanistan this past April.
The 3/4 Marines are part of a temporary build-up of troops assigned to Nahr-e-Saraj district and the upper Gereshk valley, on the southern flank of Sangin. The battalion will not be replaced by another U.S. unit when the Marines finish their tour later this year, as a drawdown of troops in the nearly decade-long war begins.
The following quote was posted on California War Dead web page which is Los Angeles Times' collection of stories about California servicemembers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Leon and I were classmates in school over 15 years ago. He was always an easy-going, fun-loving guy. I'm thankful to have known him as a friend, and especially grateful for his commitment to serve our country, and make the ultimate sacrifice. Our condolences and prayers are with his family, especially his wife Mary and young children. May the Father comfort you.
— Chris Knudson
In memorial, Governor Brown ordered that flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol today. Staff Sgt. Lucas’ family will receive a letter of condolence from the Governor and the Governor's office released this statement:
On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas Jr., who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
Staff Sgt Lucas was a highly decorated Marine with personal service awards that include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment with Triple Bronze Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and NATO Medal ISAF-Afghanistan.
~ Source ~ Source
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Sgt. William B. GrossPaniagua, 28, of Daly City, California
Sgt. William B. GrossPaniagua, 28, of Daly City, Calif., died July 31 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. ~ DoD News Release
William B. GrossPaniagua was born in Nicaragua and came to the U.S. when he was 9 years old.
Sgt GrossPaniagua enlisted into the US Army in September 7, 2005 as a combat engineer and this was his third combat tour of duty. He previously served two tours in Iraq. The first was in 2006-07 and was followed by one in 2008-09 with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
Sgt. GrossPaniagua worked clearing roadside bombs which is one of the most dangerous jobs a soldier can perform.
Army spokesman Maj. David Eastburn said:
Sgt. Gross' job was very difficult and oftentimes nerve-racking, but the importance of it was immeasurable. He made the roads safe for not only the U.S. military and Afghan security forces to travel but also the good people of Afghanistan. His dedication to his job and belief in the cause (are) something that will never be forgotten.
It has been reported that roadside bombs pose the biggest threat to US forces in Afghanistan.
Sgt GrossPaniagua was part of a "route-clearance package" that removes IEDs from roads to allow humanitarian aid to pass through an area safely. He was driving a mine-resistant, ambush-protected armored vehicle when the bomb exploded. Two other soldiers were injured in the same incident.
Sgt. GrossPaniagua's family have not commented publicly except for this brief statement from his sister:
We just want people to pray for the whole family. He was a good guy everybody loved. He was a sweet guy.
Sgt. GrossPaniagua's awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon. Posthumous awards: Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star, Combat Action Badge
~ Source ~ Source
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Army Chief Warrant Officer George A. Howes, Knox, Indiana
On January 10, 1970 CWO Howes and three aircrew members were aboard their UH-1C Huey helicopter enroute to base at Chu Lai, South Vietnam when their helicopter went down due to bad weather.
As a result of multiple investigations by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) a military identification tag bearing Howes' name was discovered as well as a burial site containing several bags of human remains. After many years a positive identification was made on some of the remains as being CWO Howes by using the technology of forensic identification tools, circumstantial evidence, dental comparisons and mitochondrial DNA from Howes' sister.
George Andres "Andy' Howes was born in Little Rock, Ark., in 1950, six years before his family moved to Knox where he graduated from Knox High School in 1968. He enlisted in the Army shortly after graduation as did thousands of other teens during the Vietnam War. He was serving in his first tour there when the helicopter he was co-piloting went down without a trace. He was only 19 at the time.
Family, friends and classmates never forgot about Andy Howes, who was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.
Now, forty-one years later, Patrick McGrath wearing a MIA bracelet that reads: "CWO George A. Howes, USA 1-10-1970, SVN (South Vietnam), Knox High School classmate and fellow Vietnam veteran recalled the day he found out that his old buddy was finally headed home.
Disbelief, shock... I’m happy about it. It’s bittersweet, I know it’s a funeral, but it’s more of a celebration. He’s home.
Wearing an identical MIA bracelet for over 40 years, Donn Wilimzik recalls how he and Howes trained together at the U.S. Army flight school after having leaned they grew up 50 miles apart. The two met up again in Tacoma, Washington to catch a plane to Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. After getting their assignments, Wilimzik remembers:
I went to A-Troop 7 of the 1st Airborne. Andy went to the Firebirds.
But first, the pair met up at a local bar in Cam Ranh Bay, where they snapped pictures and bid each other good luck.
I still have the picture. He went his way, and I went mine. I never saw him again.
On Monday CWO Howes' family traveled to Indianapolis to meet his casket, which was escorted by his great nephew, Marine Cpl. Michael L. Bleeker.
After a brief ceremony at the airport, Howes’ procession, led by 11 Indiana State Police motorcycle police officers, and several hundred Indiana Patriot Guards, finally arrived in Knox at about 7:45 p.m.
The motorcade crossed under two fire department ladder trucks, which supported a giant U.S. flag and a P.O.W.-M.I.A. banner, and passed through the waiting greeters, who waved flags and saluted the hearse as it passed by.
Well over 2,000 classmates, veterans and fellow community members waited for over two hours, lining U.S. 35 to honor Howes' return home. (Andy Howes Returns Home Photo Diary)
Chief Warrant Officer George A. Howes will be buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, August 5th.
~ 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, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Kestrel9000, TheFatLadySings 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.
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.
If you would like to contribute to the series, even once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal.
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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
and
Sgt. 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 Sgt. 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.
The Army promoted Bergdahl to the rank of sergeant effective June 12, 2011. This is his second promotion since he was listed as Missing-Captured on June 30, 2009.
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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.