A military funeral is awarded any member of the armed forces who dies in battle. One component of a funeral with full military honors is the three volley salute. During or immediately following the folding of the funeral flag which has been draped over the coffin and prior to the sounding of Taps, a three volley rifle salute is executed.
The three volley salute is a ceremonial act performed at military and police funerals. It consists of a rifle party firing blank cartridges into the air three times. The firing of three volleys over the grave of a fallen warrior has its origin in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. The rifle party usually has an odd number of members from 3 to 7.
It is said that a casing from each of the three volleys represent Duty, Honor, Country. All the shell casings are retrieved, after having cooled and are presented to the primary next of kin who generally shares them with family and friends. Keeping at least one to display with the funeral flag.
Honoring and Remembering:
Chief Warrant Officer James B. Wilke
Sgt. Nathan L. Wyrick
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.
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Since 2003 we have suffered the loss of 4478 American lives and a total of 4796 Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1806 American lives and a total of 2759 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
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Chief Warrant Officer James B. Wilke, 38 of Ione, California
Chief Warrant Officer James B. Wilke, 38, of Ione, Calif. died Oct.10, in Doha, Qatar. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Bliss, Texas. ~ DoD News Release
James Wilke enlisted in the Army in June 1992. He reported to Fort Bliss in early 2007 and was deployed to Qatar in January of this year. COW Wilke was planning on retiring from the Army when he hit his 20 year mark next year. The cause of his death is under investigation.
James met his wife, Monia in her native Italy, 15 years ago while he was stationed there. Friends have described Wilke as a romantic who adored his wife. The couple considered themselves soul mates.
Everyone who knew him, adored him. He has been a really good soldier. He adored me. Everyone told me he loved me very much. There are no words to explain the love we had. It was way too good to be true.
Wilke took leave in July to come home for the 15 year celebration of his marriage. He gave Monia two pieces of jewelry for their anniversary - a necklace that had her name inscribed in Arabic and a ring set that was almost like a second wedding set.
He touched so many people and everybody loved him. He was professional in his job and was extremely smart. But he had a fun, playful side. He made me very happy.
Although the couple did not have children, they did have a golden retriever named Riley to which they both were very attached. Wilke was also a big NASCAR fan who favored driver Jeff Gordon.
Chief Warrant Officer James B. Wilke's awards and commendations were the Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Achievement Medal; the Air Force Achievement Medal; the Army Commendation Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Korean Defense Service Medal; the Parachutist Badge; the Army Good Conduct Medal; and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
James Wilke is survived by his wife and his mother. No funeral arrangements have been made at this time.
He was the love of my life and I was the love of his life, soul mates. We always thought we would be together. Now, nothing makes sense. ~ Monia Wilke
~ Source ~ Source
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Sgt Nathan L. Wyrick, 34 of Enumclaw, Washington
Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Wyrick, 34, of Enumclaw, Wash., died Oct. 10 in Kandahar province. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. ~ DoD News Release
Nathan Wyrick graduated in 1996 from Franklin Pierce High School where he played for the school's varsity football team.
After perusing a career as an electrician, Nathan Wyrick enlisted in the Army in 2006. He was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland and at Fort Lewis, Washington before arriving at Fort Drum in July 2010. He had previously deployed to Iraq from 2008 - 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in March of this year.
Sgt Wyrick moved his wife and four children from Washington state to Fort Drum, NY about 18 months ago, but he and his family left behind a host of close friends at New Hope Community Church in Lakewood, Washington.
One friend from the chuch, Dan Livingston admired Wyrick:
He was a real passionate dad who joined the Army to support his family.
Another church friend, Andrea Wright said:
He was a dad first and foremost, and a soldier second.
Just prior to moving to New York, the Wyrick family stayed with Iona Parker's family.
He was proud of the job he did. He did it very well. He wasn’t a shirker and he didn’t badmouth anyone.
Sgt Nathan L. Wyricks's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, five Certificates of Achievement, the Combat Action Badge and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.
Sgt. Nathan L. Wyrick leaves behind his wife and four sons. No funeral arrangements have been announced.
He desperately loved his family. ~ Iona Parker
~ Souce ~ 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, 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.
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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
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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.