Tonight, we honor a medic in the Army, who was killed while on his way to help fellow soldiers.
So far in 2011, 364 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan. Since 2001, there have been 1810 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4477 American troops killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 49 killed in Operation New Dawn. Please take a moment to honor their sacrifice.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Staff Sgt. Robert B. Cowdrey, 39, of Atwater, Ohio, died Oct. 13 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered during combat operations. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Staff Sgt. Robert "Brian" Cowdrey had served one tour in Iraq and was on his third deployment in Afghanistan. He was killed, when his helicopter encountered fire from insurgents. Staff Sgt. Cowdrey known to friends and family as Brian, and was a medic for the Army. Brian was described by his father-in-law, Jay Bollacker, to the Denver Post:
"It was a very dangerous job," Bollacker said
"They were rescuing people and they were under fire," Bollacker said. "They were on a helicopter."
"He was not anxious to go back. But he loved the military," Bollacker said. "He felt like he was helping the war effort."
Staff Sgt. Cowdrey graduated from La Junta High School in 1990. In 2003, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in Iraq from July 2004 to July 2005. Afghanistan in January 2007 to February 2008, then April 2009 to March 2010, and he deployed again just two months ago, in August of 2011. His oldest son is also in the Army and is stationed in Germany. Cowdrey has a wife, Kimberly, and three sons: Justin, Nathan (15) and Jacob (13).
Jay Bollacker told the Denver Post:
"All of those boys said they were going into the military," Bollacker said. "He was a good disciplinarian. They loved him. He was a good man."
Staff Sgt. Brian Cowdrey received the following medals and decorations: Bronze Star Medal, three Air Medals, two Army Commendation Medals for valor, medals for the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Medic Badge.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Rest in peace, Staff Sgt. Robert Brian Cowdrey.
In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McRae, MD, (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. 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.
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here and here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here. I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect and remind. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries.
Click the IGTNT tags to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Monkeybiz, Noweasels, Blue Jersey Mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, Kestrel 9000, TheFatLadySings, Ekaterina, and me, Sandy on Signal.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.