~ Photo Credit llbear
As of today, 1,828 American soldiers have been killed in or near Afghanistan. 4,482 have died in Iraq.
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 to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, 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, Ekaterin and me, TheFatLadySings.
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.
Pfc Theodore B. Rushing, of Longwood FL, died on Veterans' Day, November 11, 2011. He was 25 years old.
He was on foot when his unit encountered an IED.
He joined the army in March of 2011 and deployed to Afghanistan with his unit in August. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment; 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Fort Drum, New York.
Theodore received many awards and decorations including the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon the NATO Medal and the Army Combat Action Badge.
Theodore is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his father and mother.
His family is too grieved to speak and has declined to release further information.
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.