Since 2001, 1820 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan, and since 2003, 4480 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Iraq.
The IGTNT (I Got The News Today) series is a reminder that nearly every day, somebody gets the heartbreaking news that a friend, former classmate, or beloved family member will not be coming home from war.
~ Photo Credit Timroff
The Department of Defense has announced the deaths of three Americans who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom:
Sgt. Paul A. Rivera, 26, of Round Rock, TX
Airman 1st Class Jerome D. Miller Jr., 23, of Washington, DC
Lance Cpl. Jordan S. Bastean, 19, of Pekin, IL
Please join me below for a remembrance of their lives.
Sgt. Paul A. Rivera, 26, of Round Rock, Texas, died Oct. 22, in Logar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered in a vehicle rollover during an attack by enemy forces. He was assigned to the 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Hohenfels, Germany.
(Family photo)
ROUND ROCK, Texas -- A flag flew at half staff and a purple ribbon wrapped the flag pole in front of a Round Rock family's home Monday. It’s a tribute to a fallen hero. The family is mourning the loss of their son, Sergeant Paul Rivera. ~source~
Sgt. Rivera joined the Army after graduating from Stony Point High School in Round Rock in 2003. He was serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Rivera and his best friend, Nick Carmona, grew up together playing sports and video games. The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks inspired the two to join the military as soon as they were old enough. Rivera joined the Army, Carmona the Air Force.
Carmona described his friend as:
"He was funny, he was charismatic, he was a genuine person, he was kind-hearted."
Rivera was also deeply religious. "He was constantly praying and did everything by the book. He left everything in God's hands," Carmona said. ~source~
The two friends last corresponded on Facebook 11 days before Rivera was killed.
"I could tell he wanted to come back home, but the soldier that he was, he didn't let other people see that," Carmona said. "It hurts me a lot because I didn't get to say, 'I love you,' to him; I just said, 'I'll talk to you later, man.'" ~source~
(DoD photo)
On Monday the Army announced that Rivera was posthumously promoted from corporal to sergeant.
Sgt. Rivera's parents have traveled to Delaware to bring his body home. Sgt Rivera’s younger brother, Philip, also serves in the Army. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.~source~
Rest in peace, Sgt. Paul A. Rivera.
Airman 1st Class Jerome D. Miller Jr., 23, of Washington, D.C. died Oct. 13 due to a non-combat related incident in Parwan province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 459th Security Forces Squadron, Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
(DoD photo)
Air Force Reserve Airman Miller graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.~source~
The cause of Airman Miller's death has not been disclosed. According to a message from his aunt at the Christian Prayer Center, he had been on life support for seven weeks.
Airman Miller is survived by his mother, Theresa Wilson of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Rest in peace, Airman 1st Class Jerome D. Miller Jr.
Lance Cpl. Jordan S. Bastean, 19, of Pekin, Ill., died Oct. 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. His battalion deployed last month to Sangin, where coalition forces have suffered the heaviest casualties in recent years.
(DoD photo)
Lance Cpl. Bastean graduated from Pekin Community High School less than two years ago, but knew he wanted to be a Marine since he was a child. His family affectionately called him "Jarhead" because he had a haircut like a Marine.
Everyone had high praise for this oustanding young man, who was "liked by everyone who met him." Bastean was a member of the school's cross country team, had a blue belt in karate and also participated and eventually led the JROTC's rifle team.
Bastean was considered to be
“among the top five” out of nearly 1,000 cadets the school’s JROTC master sergeant has supervised.
Bastean “excelled in everything,” not just as a four-year cadet and captain of the program’s champion-caliber Air Rifle Team, said Master Sgt. Joseph Fabish. “He was a very well-rounded person. I’d trust him completely in anything.
“I’m just devastated,” Fabish said. “This is hitting the cadets pretty hard today.” ~source~
(Facebook photo)
Among a long list of condolence messages on his Facebook page, his sister Vanessa Kowalczyk wrote:
"I remember every bit of advice you have given me, and I love you with all my heart. ... You were the best brother I could have ever asked for. You are my hero and I will never forget you."
She also posted lyrics from a Tim McGraw song, saying "so lay me down in that open field out on the edge of town. And know my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go. And if you're reading this, I'm already home." ~source~
His family said in a statement:
"Jordan was gentle and humble and eager to dive in and get dirty with whatever life dealt him. His bravery will be remembered, but so will his honest smile and his keen sense of humor."
"We are in shock. Jordan was a joy, and this tragedy has hit hard," Edward Bastean wrote in an email. "Honestly, this news has left us numb and confused. As a family, we are trying to pull together for his mom and dad and for each other. Jordan would want us to unite in order to figure out how we are going to get through this together; he was always a peacemaker," he said. ~source~
Lance Cpl. Bastean's awards include the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign medal.
Rest in peace, Lance Cpl. Jordan S. Bastean.
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, JaxDem, and me, Ekaterin. 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.
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.