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We see but dimly through the mists and vapors;
Amid these earthly damps
What seem to us but sad, funeral tapers
May be heaven's distant lamps.
~ Longfellow
Honoring and Remembering:
First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks
Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson
Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Sprovtsoff
Sgt. Christopher Diaz
I Got The News Today (IGTNT) , which began in April of 2004, is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos and 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 4477 American lives and a total of 4795 Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1800 American lives and a total of 2751 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
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First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks, 32, of Lincoln, Missouri
First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks, 32, of Lincoln, Mo., died Sept. 28 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Sept. 27 in Logar, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. ~ DoD News Release
Billy Siercks enlisted in the Army during his senior year at Lincoln High School and eventually became part of the elite group of Army Rangers.
1st Sgt Siercks served tours in Kosovo and Iraq and had only a few weeks left on this current tour in Afghanistan.
Billy's mother, Toni Siercks said that while under attack and missiles coming in, Siercks was trying to round up the other soldiers and herd them into a bunker. Others were injured, but only Billy died.
He loved the camaraderie and the closeness of the guys. They loved him and he love them to death. He believed in what he was doing.
Some of his friends in the military grew up in rough environments and didn't come from strong families. He wanted to be their protector and their leader.
Billy Sierck was married to Georganne Siercks who grew up in Nokesville, Virginia and lives there now with the couple’s two young sons. Ultimately, his plans were to return to Lincoln, Mo., open a small business and build a home on the family farm.
Siercks’ family set up a Facebook page, Prayers for Billy while he was hospitalized and updated some 600 friends and family members as the seriousness of his condition became clear.
Here are a few of the posts:
...On Tuesday, 09/27, Billy’s FOB (Forward Operating Base) endured a rocket attack. Along with Billy, there were 5 other Soldiers who sustained injuries and all were medically evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany. Billy suffered severe injuries from shrapnel to the back of the neck, head, and spine. Tests confirmed that he was no longer with us on Wednesday, 09/28. All 5 injured Soldiers stayed at Billy’s side every chance they could until Billy’s Dad, Georganne, and Billy’s Mother-In-Law arrived on Thursday, 09/29. After many consults and liaisons, it was decided that he would be taken off life support at 10pm Germany time....4pm east coast time, Friday 09/30. Georgann...e has met with every one of the Soldiers injured in the attack, and she strongly suggests that they desperately need our prayers for a speedy recovery. She has seen first-hand that these men have suffered not only physical wounds, but emotional wounds as well. They are deeply saddened that they’ve lost such a fine leader. Although she cannot list their names at this time, she asks that we please include them in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Michelle Roane Rist
Billy Siercks my brother you will truly be missed. I am honored to have served with you on 3 different deployments. Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. You are a true leader and a awesome friend. Billy you are a true American Hero. Georganne and your two little boys Gage and Gabriel I am so sorry for your lose dear friends. Your in my prayers. Billy Siercks may you Rest In Peace brother. I will truly miss you! We Love You! ~ Adones Flores
I will start the SOUND OFF TO YOU BILLY..... .........HOOOOOAH, from Washington state. ~ Scott Siercks
He was an exact model of the soldier I always wanted to be. And he has set the bar so high for standards of how to be a man that I don't know of anyone that can reach them. ~ Rob Hardwick
Billy Siercks leaves behind his wife, Georgeanne; sons Gage and Gabriel and his parents.
First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a date yet to be announced.
~ Source ~ Source
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Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson, 26, of Omaha, Nebraska
Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson, 26, of Omaha, Neb.,died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while conducting a combat patrol in Zabul province, Afghanistan on Oct.1. Nelson was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, Norfolk, Va. ~ DoD News Release
Caleb Nelson was one of ten children growing up in Millard, Nebraska which is now an annex of Omaha. His father, Rev Larry Nelson, is pastor of Millard Alliance Church.
Family friend Karen Wagner said she would never forget Caleb. She said he worked hard to follow his dream.
There were 83 in his class when he started out to be a SEAL and only five graduated.
An American hero. He died for all of us so that we can be free.
Neighbor Ron Omann said he remembers Caleb Nelson as a kid with passion and a drive to succeed.
When he wanted to do something, he would do it. With the Navy SEALs, he wanted to do his part.
PO1 (SEAL) Nelson graduated from basic training in 2005. Nelson was accepted into BUDs/SEAL Training in Coronado, California and graduated in 2006.
Nelson had a 2009 deployment to Iraq prior to this deployment to Afghanistan in March of this year.
Capt. Tim Szymanski, commander of Nelson's unit, Naval Special Warfare Group Two, said in a prepared statement:
(Nelson's) tireless professionalism, inspiring passion for life, and his humble and selfless service to our country made him a role model for all who knew him," said Capt Tim Szymanski, Commander of Naval Special Warfare Group TWO, in a statement. "We are deeply saddened by this tremendous loss and yet comforted knowing that Caleb died serving beside the people he loved. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Nelson family during this very difficult time, and we will never forget the ultimate sacrifice that Caleb made while protecting our nation and his teammates.
Navy Spokesman Lt. Arlo Abrahamson said:
Caleb Nelson was a cherished teammate, a gifted SEAL operator, and a loving husband and father.
Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson's awards and decorations were the Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Sea Service Ribbon (2 awards), NATO Service Medal, Expert Rifle ribbon and Expert Pistol ribbon.
Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson is survived by his wife, two sons, his parents and siblings.
There will be a private memorial service held at Little Creek Amphibious Base with his funeral taking place in his hometown of Omaha.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Sprovtsoff, 28, of Davison, Michigan
SSgt Sprovtsoff died on September 28 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province,Afghansitan. He was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, US Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, California. ~ DoD News Release
Nicholas Sprovtsoff graduated from Davison High School in 2001. His tennis coach, Walt White said that becoming a Marine was all he talked about. White added that Nicholas was very respectful and always a good sport
It doesn’t surprise me that he died in honor because he was such a wonderful human being. He was a great kid.
Staff Sgt Sprovtsoff joined the Marine Corps immediately following high school. In 2003 Nicholas' mother, Sandee told the local paper that she was impressed with her son's commitment.
That's a lot for a 19-year-old. He thought he was doing the right thing and he's really committed to his nation and the people who have trained him - we're behind him 100 percent.
SSgt Sprovtsoff attended Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewman School in Camp Pendleton in 2002, and was assigned as an AAV crewman for his first six years before attending the EOD course in 2009. He graduated from the Basic Reconnaissance Course in 2010.
Sprovtsoff had a previous deployment to Iraq.
Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Sprovtsoff’s personal decorations include a Bronze Star with combat V, Army Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat V, Army Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons and two Good Conduct Medals.
Nicholas Sprovtsoff is survived by his mother, his wife, Tasha, and daughter Lanie.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
~ Source ~ Source
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Sgt. Christopher Diaz, 27, of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sgt Diaz died on September 28th while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. ~ DoD News Release
Christopher Diaz was a graduate of La Cueva High School where he was a standout cadet in the Albuquerque Junior ROTC program.
Command Major Bill Barker said:
Chris was a good student, an excellent cadet and an outstanding Marine. He got promoted early and often. And so, he was totally competent.
Chris represented his school, the ROTC, the Marine Corps and especially the Diaz family extremely well and I think we have that to be proud of.
Sgt Diaz came from a long line of Marines as his grandfather, father and an older brother all served in the Corps.
This was Sgt Diaz' first tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Its been very, very hard. You hear about it, but you don't think it is going to touch home -- but it really does. ~ family friend Pamela Garcia
He's one of the greatest people I've ever met. It's hard talking about him. ~ friend Joseph Garcia
Sgt Christopher Diaz leaves behind his mother, father, two brothers and a young son and daughter.
~ Source ~ 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.