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.
.
Honoring and Remembering:
1st. Lt. Ashley I. White
Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij
Pfc.Christopher A. Horns
Since 2003 we have suffered the loss of 4480 American lives and a total of 4798 Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1820 American lives and a total of 2776 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
.
The Department of Defense announced today (October 23, 2011) the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died Oct.22, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.
Killed were:
1st. Lt. Ashley I. White, 24, of Alliance, Ohio, assigned to 230th Brigade Support Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina National Guard, Goldsboro, N.C.
Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29, of San Diego, Calif., and Pfc.Christopher A. Horns, 20, of Colorado Springs, Colo., both assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. ~ DoD News Release
.
.
1st. Lt. Ashley I. White, 24, of Alliance, Ohio
Ashley Irene White graduated from Marlington High School in 2005 and from Kent State University in 2009 with a bachelor of science degree in athletic training.
”She never would turn down a challenge. She was always willing to try her hardest to do something that might be difficult or others might not be willing to do.” ~ Chi Omega sorority sister, Emily Horne
1st Lt. White was serving with Special Operations Forces as part of a Cultural Support Team (CST) on her first tour of duty in Afghanistan. CST soldiers are volunteers with special training who are selected to provide mission support to women and children in the operational area, outside of their military occupation. They also possess advanced individual soldier skills, including first aid and weapons training. (This Army Times article gives a more in depth look into the role Ashely and other women play in these Special Ops Teams)
Ashley's brother, Josh White said the two were inseparable while growing up in Ohio:
We did everything together. She always pushed herself. She would drive herself to be the absolute best.
She said she felt like she was making a difference. She loved being a soldier. It was never all about her. That's just the type of person she was.
This battalion mourns the tragic loss of 1st Lt. Ashley White. Ashley was an incredibly talented officer and teammate who lost her life while committed to making a difference in our effort in Afghanistan. She demonstrated a level of quiet courage that set the example for others to follow, and we will never forget her sacrifice. Her family is in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Lt. Col. David Hodne, commander of 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
We are grieving with her family today. Our prayers are with them during this difficult time. She was a fine soldier who never shied away from the tough jobs. We will miss her. ~ Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, adjutant general of North Carolina National Guard
A short five months ago, Ashely married Capt. Jason Stumpf of Raeford, N.C.
1st Lt. Ashley I. White's awards and decorations include the Parachutist Badge, the Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Reserve Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
She will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Ashley White is survived by her husband, Capt. Jason Stumpf; her mother, Deborah White; her father Robert White; her twin sister, Brittany White and her brother Josh White.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
.
.
Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29, of San Diego, California
Kristoffer Domeij was born October 5, 1982 in San Diego, California and enlisted in the US Army in July 2001 after graduating from Rancho Bernardo High School.
Sgt 1st Class Domeij joined the 2nd Battalion at Lewis-McChord in April 2002, where he served as a forward observer. Domeij was one of the first Army-qualified Ranger Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, which is training typically reserved for Air Force members.
Domeij was a veteran of a decade of deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan and hundreds of combat missions. His ability to employ fire support platforms made him a game changer on the battlefield – an operator who in real terms had the value of an entire strike force on the battlefield. ~ Col. Mark W. Odom, the regiment’s commander
Domeij was on his 14th combat deployment.
Sgt. 1st Class Kris Domeij will be dearly missed by the men of 2nd Ranger Bn. He was one of those men who was known by all as much for his humor, enthusiasm, and loyal friendship, as he was for his unparalleled skill and bravery under fire. This was a Ranger you wanted at your side when the chips were down. He and his family are very much part of the fabric that defines 2nd Ranger Bn. ~ Lt. Col. David Hodne, commander of 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment
Sgt 1st Class Domeij's awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the U.S. Army Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge, the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal with three loops, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral three, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Ribbon with numeral four.
He will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sgt 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij is survived by his wife, Sarah; daughters Mikajsa and Aaliyah; his mother, Scoti Domeij; and his brother, Kyle Domeij.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
.
.
Pfc.Christopher A. Horns, 20, of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Christopher Horns joined the Rangers in March of 2011, nine months after his initial enlistment. His family said his assignment to the Rangers was the realizaton of a long-held dream. Christopher's father, Larry Horns served almost 30 years in the Army and had served one tour in Afghanistan at the beginning of the war.
Whenever Pfc Horns visited relatives all he could talk about was jumping from airplanes or popping targets at the shooting range.
He never talked about girls, he never talked about cars — he talked about the Army. I’d never seen such pride as I did in his voice when he talked about serving his country. ~ Martha Horns, his aunt
His uncle, Martin Horns, said his nephew had trained for boot camp months before he shipped out and lost about 40 pounds in the process and qualified for Ranger school right out of boot camp.
There’s a high dropout rate but he made it through and he was so proud to be a Ranger.
Martin Horns added that Christopher was a fun loving kid that once, in order to demonstrate his strength, picked up his uncle and ran up a trail with railroad ties.
We were going up that hill. I was 220 pounds and he carried me up those steps.
Christopher wanted to call Colorado Springs home and often drove to the foothills of Pikes Peak to ride a dirt bike or hike.
He just fit in. He was not shy, he was not boisterous. He loved life. ~ Barbara Horns, his grandmother
He’s in heaven. And we’re very proud of what he’s done for us. ~ Martha Horns, his aunt
On his first combat deployment, Pvt. 1st Class Christopher Horns demonstrated all the qualities we look for in our U.S. Army Rangers. Courageous and disciplined, he lost his life while pressing the assault in an area known for insurgent activity. He earned the universal respect of seniors and peers alike. We will honor his service and remember his sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Horns family. ~ Lt. Col. David Hodne, Ranger commander.
According to Special Operations Command Public Affairs, Horns will be awarded a Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Combat Service, the Army Commendation Medal for Peacetime Service, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge posthumously.
Pfc Chrisopher A. Horns is survived by his parents, Larry and Tamara Horns, and a sister, Tiffany Horns, all of Colorado Springs.
A memorial service will be held in Iowa where most of his relatives live. His ashes will then be flown to Colorado Springs and spread in the nearby mountains that he so loved.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.