I Got The News Today (IGTNT) , which is among 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.
~Our beautiful logo was created by Timroff.
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Honoring and Remembering:
Capt. Waid C. Ramsey
Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson
Spc. Barun Rai
Pfc. Cody G. Baker
Pfc. Gil I. Morales Del Valle
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 1728 American lives and a total of 2660 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
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Capt. Waid C. Ramsey, 41, of Red Bay, Alabama
(20th Special Forces Group Beret Flash)
Capt. Waid C. Ramsey, 41, of Red Bay, Ala., died Aug. 4 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked with small arms fire. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Birmingham, Ala. ~ DoD News Release
Waid "Chip" Ramsey joined the Army after graduating high school in 1988 in Red Bay and went on to spend nearly 20 years in uniform as active duty and in the National Guard.
Perry Ramsey, Waid's father said that family and a commitment to service were very important to his son.
A good soldier. He was a great son and father.
Maj. Gen. Perry G. Smith, Alabama National Guard Commander, released this statement:
"The Alabama National Guard is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own," "Our sincerest condolences go out to the family during this time of grief. We are praying for Captain Ramsey's family, friends and all the soldiers of the 20th Special Forces Group who have lost a brother-in-arms. We salute Capt. Ramsey for his years of dedicated service and his final sacrifice."
Eric West, who was a close friend and neighbor, said he'd had an email from "Chip" the day before he died. The two men shared a friendly competition for classic cars.
I told him my love and my dream was to get my hands on a '71 Challenger to restore, and I'll be darn if he didn't come home with a brand new 2011 Dodge Challenger.
Eric said that "Chip" gave him the keys to the car so he could look after it while he was deployed. West said he will take it for one last spin in honor of his friend.
Unfortunately in Chip's case, being special forces, he was obviously in harm's way. He was doing his job and I think people need to remember that. He gave his life for the love of his country.
Capt. Waid C. Ramsey is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Bradley Waid; daughter, Megan Alexandria, 5; mother Charlotte Tarwater; and father, Perry Ramsey.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Photo ~ Source with photo
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Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson, 24, of Chelsea, Oklahoma
Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson, 24, of Chelsea, Okla., died Aug. 4 in Paktia province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, Tulsa, Okla. ~ DoD News Release
Anthony Peterson graduated from Chelsea High School in 2005 where he was a member of the football team and named "Most Dependable" . He graduated from Rogers State University in Claremore in 2008.
Sgt. Peterson previously was deployed to Afghanistan in 2006-2007.
Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, Oklahoma's adjutant general, had this to say:
Oklahoma has lost another brave son. Sgt. Peterson was an exceptional soldier who worked tirelessly to protect the values that we as Americans hold close to our hearts. I ask for all Oklahomans to pray for his family and friends as they deal with this tragedy.
Col. Joel Ward of Claremore, who is commanding the brigade in Afghanistan, said:
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Peterson's family, friends and fellow soldiers in this difficult time. As soldiers, we mourn our losses while we prepare for our next mission. Sgt. Peterson's memory will never be lost to those he served and fought with.
Friend, Jason Weis who is director of Stop Child Trafficking Now said this:
When you think about someone who gives their life for our country they kind of have a different status in our mind is just what they are willing to do. (He was) A true American hero.
Sgt. Peterson was not only passionate about protecting his country but about protecting children as an advocate for Weis's organization.
"We are on the front lines fighting for children we are going where the predators go, and going taking the fight to them, not waiting to pick up the pieces of children's broken lives, he wanted to prevent it," explained Weis.
Friend David Brace says he was shocked to hear the news his friend had died.
He says he will remember his zest for life and Anthony’s passion to lead others to Christ.
One of those things that he put together was a group called "Rescued" and it was primarily just to go out and do good things to people who need help.
As Anthony prepared for deployment to Afghanistan, he told David how excited he was.
We just talked it up about the opportunity to be able to serve the country, and serve people and do something that he had never done before.
Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson leaves behind a 5 year old son; Mother, Terra Peterson; Father, Garth Peterson and sister, Brittany Peterson.
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Spc. Barun Rai, 24, of Silver Spring, Maryland
Spc. Barun Rai, 24, of Silver Spring, Md., died Aug. 3 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. He was assigned to the 54th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Warner Barracks, Bamberg, Germany. ~ DoD News Release
Rai came to the U.S. from Nepal and had dreamed of joining the army.
Sita Tamand, a relative said:
Now everybody is sad... It’s not a good feeling.
Neighbor Victor Sesay described Spc Rai:
He definitely was an upright person.
Friend Walter Aguilar said the neighborhood had always been extremely proud of their local hero.
It's a big loss for us, too young to lose your life... We are all left deeply saddened. But indeed a hero fighting with valor for the country.
Members of Rai’s family said Army officials plan to release more information on Spc Barun Rai's death to them Tuesday and have declined to discuss Rai or his death further.
Dignified Transfer of Spc Barun Rai at Dover Air Force Base on August 5th:
(US Air Force photo/Roland Balik)
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The following two tributes were written by CalNM:
The Department of Defense announced the deaths of two soldiers in Wardak province, Afghanistan. Pfc. Cody Baker and Pfc. Gil Morales Del Valle died August 3 of injuries suffered when their vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device. They were infantrymen assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Pfc. Cody G. Baker, 19, of Holton, Kansas
Pfc. Baker died in an Aug 3 roadside bomb explosion in Wardak province, Afghanistan, along with Pfc. Morales Del Valle.
Cody Baker grew up north of Topeka, Kansas, where he liked to run track and ride 4-wheelers. He went to Royal Valley High School in Hoyt before moving to the small farming town of Holton.
Cody wanted to serve his country and joined the Army in June 2010 shortly after graduating from Holton High School. His step brother is also serving in the Army.
Cody went through training at Fort Benning, Georgia and soon arrived at Fort Polk, Louisiana. By November 2010, Pfc. Cody Baker deployed with 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division for his first combat tour in Afghanistan.
Holton High School principal Rod Wittmer, said Friday afternoon that staff members were shocked and saddened at the news of the young soldier’s death. Holton teachers remembered Baker as “very well liked and respected,” said Wittmer. He added, staff members at the school respected the service Baker provided to his community and his country and that "our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."
Cody had just returned home for leave last month, and visited his family and girlfriend Chelsie. He was so excited to come home, and his family and friends are grateful they had the precious time with him.
Pfc. Baker kept in touch with his friends and family through facebook. The news of the sudden loss of their "True American Hero" prompted an outpouring of messages. His friend created a facebook tribute to him, and posted a video tribute on you tube. >RIP Cody Baker.
“Americans are forever indebted to Pfc. Baker for his service to our country and sacrifice on our behalf,” Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said in a statement.
“My heart goes out to his family as they mourn this tragic loss, and I ask all Kansans to join me in keeping his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Although this young soldier's career was cut short, his service and sacrifice stood out. Pfc. Cody Baker was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart medals, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, among many other awards and decorations.
Among those Pfc. Baker leaves behind are his mother and stepfather, his girlfriend, his step-brother, and his family and friends in Kansas.
Pfc. Cody Baker is missed. May he rest in Peace.
Source Source Source Source Source
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Pfc. Gil I. Morales Del Valle, 21, of Jacksonville, Florida
Pfc. Morales Del Valle died in the same August 3rd IED attack that took the life of Pfc. Baker.
The Jacksonville neighborhood where Gil Morales Del Valle grew up is mourning the loss of a beloved friend they called a "Super Hero" because he loved to help others. Neighbors remember Gil as a loving and nurturing young man who talked about entering the police academy.
Wanting to serve his community and his country, Gil joined the Army in February 2010. He trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, and arrived at Fort Polk, Louisiana that summer.
An expert marksman, Pfc. Morales Del Valle deployed with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in October 2010 to Aghanistan.
A neighborhood friend said Gil was 75 days away from finishing his first tour of combat duty and looking forward to coming home.
First Coast News has a video story on the young soldier.
> RIP Gil Morales Del Valle
Pfc. Morales Del Valle was also a highly decorated soldier during his short Army career. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, among many others.
Pfc. Morales Del Valle leaves behind his father, mother and stepfather, and his family and friends in Jacksonville.
Pfc. Gil Morales Del Valle is missed. May he rest in Peace.
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.