“Taps” is sounded nightly by the U S military to indicate that it is “lights out”. It is played on bugle or trumpet during flag ceremonies and at the conclusion of most military funerals. The tune in its present form was arranged by Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield.
When "Taps" is sounded at a funeral, it is customary for serving members of the military or veterans to salute. The corresponding gesture for civilians is to place the right hand over the heart.
All is well...Safely rest
Sgt Bret D. Isenhower
Spc Christopher D. Horton
Pfc Tony J. Potter, Jr.
Petty Officer (HM3) (FMF) Brian K. Lundy
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 1769 American lives and a total of 2712 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
TAPS
Day is done...Gone the sun
From the lake...
From the hills...
From the sky.
All is well...Safely rest
God is nigh.
Fading light....Dims the sight
And a star....Gems the sky....Gleaming bright
From afar....Drawing nigh
Falls the night.
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The Department of Defense announced today (September 11th) the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died September 9th in Paktia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with small arms fire. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279 Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, Tulsa, Okla. ~ DoD News Release
This is an extremely sad day for the 45th Infantry Brigade, the Oklahoma National Guard and the entire state. These young men exemplified the courage and commitment of the finest Citizen-Soldiers. And, the fact that they all volunteered to join the military and serve during this time of war says a lot about their character and devotion to our country. ~ Statement from Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, adjutant general for Oklahoma National Guard
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Sgt. Bret D. Isenhower, 26, of Lamar, Oklahoma
Bret Isenhower was a 2003 graduate of Seminole High School where now the flag flies at half staff. He joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 2006.
Isenhower earned his sergeant strips in March of this year and was serving as fire team leader in an infantry platoon. This was his second deployment as he had served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007.
Sgt Isenhower has been referred to, by those who knew him well, as a dedicated soldier who took great pride in service to his country and who died doing what he loved.
I was proud to have him protecting our country without a doubt. I'll just remember someone defending our country with a lot of pride and courage. I'm proud to say he's from Seminole doing what he wanted to do. ~ Seminole High School assistant football coach Shawn Snyder
A sign outside the Seminole stadium reads "A Chieftan forever" and that is what teachers say Bret was as he returned to visit teachers frequently.
For somebody who had been a friend and a former student, it was a hit. Some students go on their way and you never see them again, but Bret would come and visit and let me know how he was doing. ~ Seminole teacher Laura Rose
Two weeks ago Sgt. Isenhower saved the life of fellow soldier, Randen Allison, when a bullet severed an artery in his arm during a gun battle. Isenhower ran to his aid and applied a tourniquet that kept Allison from bleeding to death. Two days before the Sgt Isenhower's death, Alison phoned him to say thank you. The Sgt's response was: don't worry about it, and that he was simply doing his job.
Back home, that's the man they will miss and remember; selfless, patriotic, genuine and a hero.
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Spc. Christopher D. Horton, 26, of Collinsville, Oklahoma
Christopher Horton was a graduate of Missouri Military Academy and enlisted in 2008. He attended basic training at Fort Benning, GA and became a sniper qualified infantryman. This was his first deployment.
Spc Horton's family says he had a deep passion for his country and was one of the most driven and patriotic people you would meet.
Christopher's wife, Jane says he deserves to be honored as a true hero.
I was making cakes for his birthday package, his birthday is October 1st. I got a knock at the door and they told me that my husband had passed away.
Jane adds that Christopher had so many gifts and talents and there were many things he could have done with his life, but he chose to put those things aside and serve his country. She says that was all he ever wanted to do and because of that she will remember him as a true patriot.
Spc. Christopher D. Horton's family asks that Americans light a candle on Tuesday, Sept 13th between 7:30 and 10:30 pm and say a prayer for Christopher and all of our nation's fallen troops.
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Pfc. Tony J. Potter Jr., 20, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Tony Potter was a graduate of Okmulgee High School where he was on the wrestling team and was an honor student. Potter joined the Guard in 2010 and became an infantryman. In May Potter was promoted to Private First Class. He was on his first deployment and is the youngest guard member to die in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Serving others and developing a sense of purpose in his life were the motivating factors that led Tony to enlist.
Three years ago Potter, while taking a carpentry class at Oklahoma State University, met his future wife, Emily. They worked on several projects together and even helped build a house. The two married December 22nd and Emily is currently pregnant with their first child.
Somi Yarbourgh, Emily's mother said Tony was eagerly awaiting word to find out if the baby would be a boy or a girl.
His mother-in-law said Potter was smart and ambitious and very much in love with Emily.
It was young love and true love. Not just infatuation, but true love. That would have lasted for a lifetime. I truly believe they were actually soulmates.
He just believed in our country and wanted to serve our country and do something better with his life. He was excited about what he was doing and proud to go and serve.
Pfc Tony J. Potter, Jr and his wife Emily were living in Miami, Oklahoma while Emily attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.
No funeral arrangements have been announced.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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The Department of Defense announced today (September 11th) the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Petty Officer Brian K. Lundy, 25, of Austin, Texas, died while conducting a dismounted patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Sept. 9. Lundy was assigned as a hospital corpsman to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. ~ DoD News Release
Dignified Transfer of Petty Officer (HM3) (FMF) Brian K. Lundy, 25, of Austin, Texas
(U.S. Air Force Photo/Roland Balik)
From the Marine Corps Times it was reported that HM3 Lundy had been serving with the Marine Corps since March. He enlisted in 2006 and served aboard the USS Ronald Reagan between 2006 and 2008. His had earned the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Navy "E" Ribbon.
This is the extent of the information available on HM3 Lundy. Since I believe that everything happens for a reason, I came to the conclusion that writing a bit about how, to borrow a phrase from kurious who faithfully attends IGTNT, unique and irreplaceable all US Navy Hospital Corpsman who serve with Marine units are to their charges. This may give a far better insight into who Brian K. Lundy was to those who knew him, loved him, and depended upon his medical care.
You guys are the Marine's doctors; There's no better in the business than a Navy Corpsman...."
~ Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, U.S.M.C.
A Hospital Corpsman is an enlisted medical specialist within the U.S. Navy and serves with both the Navy and the Marines. A corpsman is quite often the only medical care giver available in many units on extended deployments. The U.S. Marines lovingly refer to their corpsmen as "Devil Docs" and they are, as far as I know, the only non-Marine to be honored with the term "Semper Fi". No other rating in the Navy is more decorated for valor than the hospital corpsman. Before being allowed to serve with a Marine Corps unit, a hospital corpsman must attend a Field Medical Service School (FMSS) in order to receive special training in advanced emergency medicine and to learn the fundamentals of Marine Corps life. There is a rigorous 8 week training period with emphasis on physical conditioning, small arms fire and basic battlefield tactics. Fleet Marine Force (FMF) training helps form a bond between the sailor and marine. The FMF Corpsman wears the Marine Corps uniform while on duty with the Marine Corps.
I found this moving article entitled, Navy Corpsmen: A Marine's Best Friend which is dated July of 2006 and I take the following from this article.
Marines fight harder when they have a good corpsman with them. Then they don’t worry about dying, they worry about the mission and that’s one of the best ways to make sure everyone comes home alive. ~ Marine SSgt. Matthew Morse, 3rd Platoon Commander
Corpsmen must learn to fight hand-to-hand, how to fire grenade launchers, to drive Humvees, rappel, and they take their turn on point while on patrol. They do this on the front lines. These sailors participate in PT, they hike with more weight than their Marine counterparts, they go out on patrols with their unit and they learn the hand signals. These sailors hold their own.
Corpsmen need to know hand-to-hand combat skills because when they go out with Marines they might have to get down and dirty during a fire fight. They might have to fight their way to a hurt Marine, or fight his way out with that Marine. ~ Sgt. Michael Belliston
When a Marine says of the corpsman, "He's one of us.", the corpsman knows no better compliment exists.
We’re a brotherhood out here. To lose a corpsman would be a huge blow. Maybe more than losing a Marine, because our corpsmen are our security blankets. ~ Marine SSgt. Matthew Morse, 3rd Platoon Commander
A Corpsman's Prayer
Grant me, oh Lord, for the coming events;
Enough knowledge to cope and some plain common sense.
Be at our side on those nightly patrols;
And be merciful judging our vulnerable souls.
Make my hands steady and as sure as a rock;
when the others go down with a wound or in shock.
Let me be close, when they bleed in the mud;
With a tourniquet handy to save precious blood.
Here in the jungle, the enemy near;
Even the corpsman can't offer much lightness and cheer.
Just help me, oh Lord, to save lives when I can;
Because even out there is merit in man.
If It's Your will, make casualties light;
And don't let any die in the murderous night.
These are my friends I'm trying to save;
They are frightened at times, but You know they are brave.
Let me not fail when they need so much;
But to help me serve with a compassionate touch.
Lord, I'm no hero -- my job is to heal;
And I want You to know Just how helpless I feel.
Bring us back safely to camp with dawn;
For too many of us are already gone.
Lord bless my friends If that's part of your plan;
And go with us tonight, when we go out again.
~ Author Unknown
I know that the Marines in HM3 (FMF) Brian K. Lundy's unit stood, saluted and barked out "Semper Fi" at a memorial in his honor. Fair Winds and Following Seas Devil Doc.
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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, Ekaterin 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.
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.