The young dead soldiers do not speak.
Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses:
who has not heard them?
They have a silence that speaks for them at night
and when the clock counts.
They say: We were young. We have died.
Remember us.
* * *
They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours,
they will mean what you make them.
They say: Whether our lives and our deaths were for
peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot say,
it is you who must say this.
We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning.
We were young, they say. We have died; remember us.
~ Archibald MacLeish
Sgt. Edward J. (“Jeffrey”) Frank II, 26, of Yonkers, New York and Hartford, Connecticut
Sgt. Frank died Aug. 11 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Sgt. Frank was due to come home August 10, but stayed behind to complete one last mission.
They were on a breakfast run aboard their MRAP, or mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, when a massive explosion destroyed the vehicle. All five soldiers on the MRAP were killed.
(snip)
Frank joined the Army in August 2005 and served twice in Iraq before being deployed to Afghanistan in March.
(snip)
(Sgt. Frank’s mother) Sandra Brown said her son wanted to be a soldier and loved his job.
"This is something he loved to do," she said Monday afternoon. "He said 'Mom, I'm not going to leave anybody behind.' This is what he wanted."
(snip)
Frank's 8-year-old daughter Dzhanee Frank said she wished that she'd had the chance to say goodbye to her father. She described him as "a very nice guy" who played with her and gave her piggyback rides.
(Connecticut’s flags are at half-staff in Sgt. Frank’s honor, at the order of Gov. Daniel Malloy.)
(snip)
"Our hearts are heavy and our sympathies go out to the Frank family," said Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, who ordered city flags at half staff. "This tragedy is such a loss to his family, his extended military family, his community and his state."
Source ~ Hartford Courant
Video Hartford Courant ~ A Soldier Remembered by his 8-year-old daughter
Sgt. Frank, an infantryman, had previously deployed twice to Iraq. He served there from August 2006 through November 2007, and again from December 2008 through November 2009. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. He deployed with his unit in March 2011.
Sgt. Frank joined the Army in August 2005, and trained at Fort Benning, Ga., before serving in Germany from December 2005 through July 2010, when he arrived at Fort Drum.
Sgt. Frank's awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Guestbook
Sgt. Frank is survived by his wife, Selena Frank and their three children; by his his parents, Edward J. Frank and Sandra Brown, and by a twin brother and four other brothers and sisters.
Thank you, Sgt. Frank. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Sgt. Jameel T. Freeman, 26, of Baltimore, Maryland
Sgt. Freeman died Aug. 11 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Sgt. Freeman was killed on his daughter’s fourth birthday.
Del Ali Rawlings, 46, a longtime friend and mentor, remembered Freeman’s discipline and dedication to his wife and two young children.
(snip)
Rawlings met Freeman when the two worked together as security officers for the University of Maryland when Freeman was 19, Rawlings said.
(snip)
Freeman trained three hours a day, four days a week with Rawlings, completing rigorous routines including 2,000 jumping jacks and 800 push-ups. He competed in world championships held in New Orleans and Chicago, Rawlings said.
“I demand a whole lot from my students, and he was the first one to reach a black belt,” Rawlings said. Photos of Freeman and his fighting trophies decorate Rawlings’ studio in Windsor Mill, he said.
Source ~ Washington Post
Del Ali Rawlings, a family friend, told WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Kim Dacey on Saturday:
"(Freeman) was a good guy, a very good student -- one of my most talented black belts," Rawlings said. "He was very disciplined. He showed a lot of integrity. He was a good family man who cared for his children very much."
(snip)
"He talked to me up until about two weeks ago," Rawlings said. "He had plans for school when he came back and his daughter being in martial arts as well. ... Unfortunately, this is something that happened on his daughter's birthday. So, it was a double tragedy. My wife and I spoke to (Freeman's wife), and we know that she went on with the child's birthday.
(snip)
Freeman graduated from Walbrook High School in west Baltimore. Classmates and friends created a page on Facebook in (Sgt.) Freeman’s memory. They are planning to hold vigil at the school next weekend.
Through their grief, those who knew Freeman said they're proud of the man who just wanted to serve his country.
"He died with honor, being a warrior, being a hero, serving his country, doing the best he could do, being all that he could be," Rawlings said. "I think there would be no other way for him to go if he had to go."
Source ~ WBAL TV Baltimore
(The Facebook page is called R.I.P Jameel Freeman)
Sgt. Freeman arrived at Fort Drum in April 2010 and was deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in March, according to the Defense Department. He previously served in Iraq from August 2007 to April 2008.
Sgt. Freeman’s numerous awards and decorations for his military service include the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and two Army Reserve Component Achievement medals.
Guestbook
Sgt. Freeman is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and by their two children, Jameel Jr. and Jenessa.
Thank you, Sgt. Freeman. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Spc. Patrick L. Lay II, 21, of Fletcher, North Carolina
Spc. Lay died Aug. 11 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
At the church where his funeral will be held tomorrow, Spc. Lay’s family and friends gathered last Sunday to remember him. The Rev. Dale Eason, Spc. Lay’s uncle, lead that service.
The congregation of Life Covenant Sanctuary rose and surrounded Ben and Carolyn Eason (last) Sunday, extending their hands in prayer.
The couple -- whose grandson, U.S. Army Spc. 4 Patrick Lewis Lay II, was killed (August 11) in Afghanistan -- were completely covered under a fountain of warm hands and soft voices in prayer.
(snip)
“Patrick was one of ours, but he now belongs to a city and a nation,” (Rev.) Eason told them.
(snip)
Stefenie Hernandez, Patrick’s mother and the reverend’s sister, was driving back from the airport during the morning church service, just returning from Dover, Del., where her son’s remains were sent.
(snip)
After the morning service, many joined together in a conference room and told stories about Spc. 4 Lay, most of them capturing the 21-year-old’s goofy side.
(snip)
Lindy Hunt recalled a skinny Patrick at 13 being asked to kill a spider outside.
“He put on a safari hat I had, grabbed a broom and went after it,” Lindy Hunt said. “Then he came back in running and yelling, ‘It’s too big.’ His sister had to kill it. That skinny, scared kid grew up to be a brave man.”
Fred Rodriguez knew Patrick Lay for more than 18 years.
“I have a hard time trying to go to sleep,” said Rodriguez, 37, who holds the official church position of “armor bearer” as he serves as a right hand man to the pastor.
(snip)
“I will always remember him. He will always be one of my heroes. I thank God for him.”
Ben Eason, Lay’s grandfather and the Bishop of the church, fought back tears talking about Lay.
“His dad and my daughter, Stefenie, divorced when Patrick was very young and I took him in and helped him,” said Ben Eason, who was pastor of the church before his son took over. “I picked Patrick up nearly every day and took him to school and took care of him. I was his best friend and he was my best friend. We went fishing together. We once tried to get a gator out of a lake together -- unsuccessfully, I might add.
“He would often call me from Afghanistan. He would say how terrible conditions were there for the people. The last thing he ever said to me on his cell phone was, ‘I love you, Poppa.’”
Source ~ Bradenton Herald
"The last 24 hours have been a very big roller coaster ride of emotions. Anger, because of the conditions, yet so proud because he represented his country," said Lay's uncle, Dale Eason.
Lay was engaged to be married to his high school sweetheart.
He graduated from Braden River High School in 2008, where he played football. At the summer graduation ceremony (last) Saturday, there was a moment of silence in his honor. School officials describe Lay as a fine young man who had character and dedication.
Video ~ WTSP ~ A Soldier Remembered
Photo Gallery ~ Longboat Observer ~ A Soldier Remembered at Candlelight Vigil
Guestbook
Spc. Lay joined the Army in September 2009.
After he completed training at Fort Benning, Ga., he came to Fort Drum in January 2010.
Lay deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March.
His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan-istan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Guestbook
Spc. Lay's funeral service will take place tomorrow morning at Life Covenant Sanctuary. He will be buried at the Sarasota National Cemetery.
Thank you, Spc. Lay. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Spc. Jordan M. Morris, 23, of Stillwater, Oklahoma
Spc. Morris died Aug. 11 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Spc. Morris was the 2006 valedictorian at Ripley High School.
Even at an early age, people who knew him say Morris showed tremendous leadership. He's being remembered as an all around, great, likeable young man.
(snip)
It wasn't long ago Jordan Morris walked the halls at Ripley High School. He was Valedictorian of his 2006 graduating class, an excellent student, active in just about everything, and a member of the baseball team.
(snip)
Those who knew him say it was the positive way he treated others, his love of his family and other qualities that made him so special.
"Just wanted to make everybody smile and have a good day," (said Ripley Superintendent Kenny) Beams.
(snip)
Baseball coach Donnie Hoffman had known him since Morris was in grade school.
"The world is not as good a place, when you lose people with the character that he was," Hoffman said.
In a small town where everybody knows everybody, and where everyone knew what kind of person and patriot Morris was, it's hard losing him and will be difficult saying goodbye to someone who made his community and the world a better place.
"The legacy he leaves behind was the way he led his life, the character, the discipline, the dedication, the honor," Hoffman said.
Source ~ Newson6
He had received an appointment to West Point and was one class short of graduation.
His friend Tarron Ballard said Morris was currently serving a two year term of active duty and expected to complete his degree after his tour in Afghanistan was over.
“He was doing what he needed to do to get back and graduate,” said his father, Brett Morris.
Source ~ The Journal
Spc. Morris joined the Army in January. After he completed training at Fort Benning, Ga., he came to Fort Drum in March. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in June.
Spc. Morris’s awards and decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Guestbook
Spc. Jordan Morris is survived by his parents, Brett and Nita Morris, of Stillwater, by two brothers, Levi James and Jesse Isaac Morris, of Stillwater, by his grandparents, Wilma Faber, of Tulsa, and James and Patricia Morris, of Broken Arrow, by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, as well as his former West Point classmates.
Thank you, Spc. Morris. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
Pfc. Rueben J. (“Boy”) Lopez, 27, of Williams, California
Pfc. Lopez died Aug. 11 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
His mother wants people to “remember Boy for the beautiful man he was.”
Since the day he was born, Lopez was special, his family said Friday, and even the spelling of his first name – a variation of his father’s - set him apart from others.
He was also the only boy among his four sisters, which earned him the nickname “Boy” for life.
“He was the most caring and loving brother,” (his sister Monica) Palmer said. “He always wanted to give something back to his community and his country.”
Lopez enlisted in the Army on Aug. 10, 2010, and was killed one year and one day later.
He loved the Army, but was looking forward to returning from military service and serving as a correctional officer, Palmer said.
(snip)
Before his enlistment, Lopez was an active member of the Williams Neighborhood Church and graduated from Williams High School in 2002.
(snip)
“Remember a soldier is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to the USA for an amount up to and including his life,” said Judith Rossi, superintendent of Williams Unified. “We are honored to have known him, taught him, and now, learn from him and his courage.”
Source ~ Corning Observer
A fire siren will sound in Williams on Monday when Army Pfc. Rueben "Boy" Lopez comes home.
Local law enforcement will escort Lopez's casket from Beale Air Force Base through Colusa to Williams.
The plane carrying Lopez is scheduled to land at Beale at 12:30 p.m. Monday and the casket is slated to leave the base by 1 p.m. and travel through Marysville and Yuba City and on to Colusa County. The casket will be escorted by Yuba City police and Yuba-Sutter California Highway Patrol officers to the outskirts of Yuba City, where it will be handed off to Williams CHP officers and the Williams Fire Department and Police Department.
The procession will travel down Husted Road to E Street, through Williams and past his former school and home before connecting back to Highway 20 to return to Colusa.
A public service will be held for Lopez at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Bernadette's Hall at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School.
(snip)
The flag over the state Capitol in Sacramento flew at half-staff Wednesday to honor Lopez, who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom when he was killed in combat operations.
(snip)
The state Senate recognized Lopez's service and that of his family, and was adjourned in his memory on Wednesday.
"His family has a long rich history in service to our nation," said Sen. Doug LaMalfa, on the senate floor.
(snip)
Assemblyman Jim Nielsen adjourned Thursday's Assembly session in Lopez's memory, and called Lopez a "warrior and pillar of the community."
(snip)
Since his death on Aug. 11, family, friends and community members have remembered Lopez at a makeshift memorial in the new Town Square, where more than 300 people attended a candlelight vigil.
(snip)
Thursday's final summer concert in Venice Park was publicly dedicated to Lopez.
"Rueben loved music," (Williams Councilman Pat Ash said. "What better way to honor and remember the boy who dressed up like Elvis than with music and laughter."
Source ~ Colusa Sun-Herald
Pfc. Lopez enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 10, 2010. After completing training at Fort Benning, Ga. he was assigned to Fort Drum, NY.
He was deployed to Afghanistan in April 2011, assigned to the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Combat Team.
Lopez's awards and decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Guestbook
Pfc. Lopez is survived by his parents, Reuben Lopez and Gloria Estrada, by four sisters, Leticia, Monica, Kelly and Renee, and by his grandparents, Margaret Del Rio and Alex and Rita Estrada.
Thank you, Pfc. Lopez. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
_________________________
Remember them. Honor their sacrifice.
To date, 4474 members of the United States military have lost their lives in Iraq. The death toll thus far in 2011 is 44.
To date, 1745 members of the United States military have lost their lives in Afghanistan. The death toll thus far for 2011 is 299.
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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. It is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos.
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