Tonight, we light a candle of memory against the darkness of grief and loss. We remember.
This retrospective is a compilation of 2011's "I Got the News Today" diaries, tributes to American service members who died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. When you click on the links, you'll find their stories--the details that their teachers and friends remember, the last phone calls home to parents, their MySpace messages to loved ones. These are not numbers or abstractions. They were husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, parents, children, friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters in arms. Their lives mattered.
If you are new to the series, please click on a date and read about a few of these lives. If you have been with us this year, please know how much your presence, witnessing and condolences mean. To the team--a special THANK YOU for your constant and compassionate efforts. To the families and friends who may read this--we have not forgotten your loved one.
As is our tradition, we have chosen "We Remember Them," by Rabbis Sylvan Kamens and Jack Riemer, to help us reflect on these losses. Thank you for being here tonight to remember.
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At the rising of the sun and at its going down
We remember them. |
January
7 Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman, 25, of Ste. Genevieve, Mo.; Lance Cpl. Maung P. Htaik, 20, of Hagerstown, Md.; Cpl. Jacob A. Tate, 21, of Columbus, Ohio
8 Sgt. Jose M. Cintrón Rosado, 38, of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico; Spc. Jose A. Delgado Arroyo, 41, of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Sgt. Eric M. Nettleton, 26, of Wichita, Kan.
10 Lance Cpl. Joseph R. Giese, 24, of Winder, Ga.; Sgt. 1st Class Robert W. Pharris, 48, of Seymour, Mo.; Spc. Christian J. Romig, 24, of Kenner, La.
11 Spc. Ethan C. Hardin, 25, of Fayetteville, Ark.; Pfc. Ira B. Laningham, IV, 22, of Zapata, Texas
12 Pfc. Robert J. Near, 21, of Nampa, Idaho
15 Sgt. Omar Aceves, 30, of El Paso, Texas; Spc. Jarrid L. King, 20, of Erie, Pa.; Pfc. Benjamin G. Moore, 23, of Robbinsville, N.J.
19 Sgt. Zainah C. Creamer, 28, of Texarkana, Texas
20 Cpl. Joseph C. Whitehead, 22, of Axis, Ala.; Maj. Michael S. Evarts, 41, of Concord, Ohio
22 Spc. Jose A. Torre, Jr., 21, of Garden Grove, Calif.; Sgt. Michael P. Bartley, 23, of Barnhill, Ill.; Spc. Martin J. Lamar, 43, of Sacramento, Calif.; Pfc. Zachary S. Salmon, 21, of Harrison, Ohio; Maj. Evan J. Mooldyk, 47, of Ranch Murieto, Calif.
23 Sgt. Jason G. Amores, 29, of Lehigh Acres, Fla.; OS2(SW) Dominique Cruz, 26, of Panama City, Fla.; Spc. Joshua T. Lancaster, 22, of Millbrook, Ala.; Pfc. Amy R. Sinkler, 23, of Chadbourn, N.C.
31 Colonel James Eugene Dennany, 34, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Major Robert Leon Tucci, 27, of Detroit, Mich.
Sgt. Zainah C. Creamer worked as a dog handler for the Army. She loved the Army and she loved animals, so this was the perfect fit.
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At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter
We remember them. |
February
1 Tech. Sgt. Leslie D. Williams, 36, of Juneau, Alaska
2 Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Venetz Jr., 30, of Wading River, N.Y.
3 Spc. Joshua R. Campbell, 22, of Bennett, Colo.; Spc. Shawn A. Muhr, 26, of Coon Rapids, Iowa; Spc. Omar Soltero, 28, of San Antonio, Texas
6 Spc. Ryan A. Gartner, 23, of Dumont, N.J.
9 Cpl. Lucas T. Pyeatt, 24, West Chester, Ohio
11 Sgt. Patrick R. Carroll, 25, of Norwalk, Ohio; Lance Cpl. Aaron M. Swanson, 21, of Jamestown, N.Y.
14 Spc. Nathan B. Carse, 32, of Harrod, Ohio
19 Spc. Lashawn D. Evans of Columbia, S.C.
20 Airman 1st Class Corey C. Owens, 26, of San Antonio, Texas; Airman 1st Class Christoffer P. Johnson, 20, of Clarksville, Tenn.; Sgt. Matthew J. Deyoung, 26, of Talent, Ore.; Spc. Jonathan A. Pilgeram, 22, of Great Falls, Mont.
22 Staff Sgt. Bradley C. Hart, 25, of Perrysburg, Ohio;
24 1st Lt. Daren M. Hidalgo, 24, of Waukesha, Wisc.; Sgt. Robert C. Sisson Jr., 29, of Aliquippa, Penn.; Lance Cpl. Andrew P. Carpenter, 27, of Columbia, Tenn.
26 Cpl. Johnathan W. Taylor, 23, of Homosassa, Fla.
27 Staff Sgt. Jerome Firtamag, 29, of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
A friend said of Cpl. Lucas T. Pyeatt, "He told me that when he died he hoped it was protecting those he loved." He did. Cp. Pyeatt volunteered to participate in the important mission on which he lost his life, so that he could help others.
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At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring
We remember them. |
March
3 Sgt. Kristopher J. Gould, 25, of Saginaw, Mich.; Cpl. Andrew C. Wilfahrt, 31, of Rosemount, Minn.; Spc. Brian Tabada, 21, of Las Vegas, Nev.; Pfc. David R. Fahey Jr., 23, of Norwalk, Conn.
4 Staff Sgt. Chauncy R. Mays, 25, of Cookville, Texas; Spc. Christopher G. Stark, 22, of Monett, Mo.; Spc. Rudolph R. Hizon, 22, of Los Angeles, Calif.
5 Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden, 25, of Williamston, S.C.; Airman 1st Class Zachary R. Cuddeback, 21, of Stanardsville, Va.
7 Spc. Jason M. Weaver, 22, of Anaheim, Calif.
11 Staff Sgt. Mark C. Wells, 31, of San Jose, Calif.; Cpl. Jordan R. Stanton, 20, of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; Pfc. Kalin Christopher Lee Johnson, 19, of Lexington, S.C.
12 Spc. Andrew P. Wade, 22, of Antioch, Ill.; Cpl. Loren M. Buffalo, 20, of Mountain Pine, Ark.
17 Pfc. Andrew M. Harper, 19, of Maidsville, W. Va.; Pfc. Arturo E. Rodriguez, 19, of Bellflower, Calif.
18 Cpl. Ian M. Muller, 22, of Danville, Vt.; Sgt. 1st Class Daehan Park, 36, of Watertown, Conn.
19 Senior Airman Michael J. Hinkle II of Corona, Calif.; Staff Sgt. Travis M. Tompkins of Lawton, Okla.
22 Cpl. Donald R. Mickler Jr., 29, of Bucyrus, Ohio; Pfc. Rudy A. Acosta, 19, of Canyon Country, Calif.
24 Master Sgt. Jamal H. Bowers, 41 of Raleigh, N.C.; Cpl. Brandon S. Hocking, 24 of Seattle, Wash.
25 Petty Officer 1st Class Vincent A. Filpi III, 41, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Mecolus C. McDaniel, 33, of Fort Hood, Texas; Staff Sgt. James M. Malachowski, 25, of Westminster, Md.
27 Staff Sgt. Joshua S. Gire, 28, of Chillicothe, Ohio; Pfc. Michael C. Mahr, 26, of Homosassa, Fla.
28 Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Meis, 20, of Bennett, Colo.
29 Cpl. Justin D. Ross, 22, of Green Bay, Wisc.
Staff Sgt. James Malachowski served his country proudly and bravely. He said, "We do what everyone else can't or won't do. That's when they call us."
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At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer
We remember them. |
April
2 Sgt. 1st Class Ofren Arrechaga, 28, of Hialeah, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Frank E. Adamski III, 26, of Moosup, Conn.; Spc. Jameson L. Lindskog, 23, of Pleasanton, Calif.; Pvt. Jeremy P. Faulkner, 23, of Griffin, Ga.; Staff Sgt. Bryan A. Burgess, 29, of Cleburne, Texas; Pfc. Dustin J. Feldhaus, 20, of Glendale, Ariz.
6 Lance Cpl. Harry Lew, 21, of Santa Clara, Calif.; Spc. Dennis Poulin, 26, of Cumberland, R.I.
7 Capt. Wesley J. Hinkley, 36, of Carlise, Penn.; 1st Lt. Robert F. Welch III, 26, of Denton, Texas; Staff Sgt. Scott H. Burgess, 32, of Franklin, Texas; Sgt. Michael S. Lammerts, 26, of Tonawanda, N.Y.; Sgt. Jorge A. Scatliffe, 32 of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
8 Staff Sgt. Quadi S. Hudgins, 26, of New Orleans, La.; Sgt. Christian A. S. Garcia, 30, of Goodyear, Ariz.; Spc. Gary L. Nelson III, 20, of Woodstock, Ga.
10 Staff Sgt. Jason A. Rogers, 28 of Brandon, Miss.; Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Smith, 26 of Arlington, Texas; Seaman Benjamin D. Rast, 23, of Niles, Mich.
11 Spc. Keith T. Buzinski, 26, of Daytona Beach, Fla.
13 Sgt. Jose M. Caraballo Pietri, 32 of Yauco, Puerto Rico; Sgt. Vorasack T. Xaysana, 30 of Westminister, Colo.
14 Sgt. Brent M. Maher, 31, of Council Bluffs, Iowa
16 Spc. Donald L. Nichols, 21, of Shell Rock, Iowa
17 Pvt. Brandon T. Pickering, 21, of Fort Thomas, Ky.
18 Spc. Joseph A. Kennedy, 25, of St. Paul, Minn.
21 Capt. Charles E. Ridgley Jr., 40, of Baltimore, Md.; Sgt. 1st Class Charles L. Adkins, 36, of Sandusky, Ohio; Staff Sgt. Cynthia R. Taylor, 39, of Columbus, Ga.; Sgt. Linda L. Pierre, 28, Immokalee, Fla.; Spc. Joseph B. Cemper, 21, Warrensburg, Mo.
23 Spc. Paul J. Atim, 27, of Green Bay, Wis.; Spc. Charles J. Wren, 25, of Beeville, Texas; Pfc. Joel A. Ramirez, 22, of Waxahachie, Texas; Pfc. John F. Kihm, 19, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Petty Officer 3rd Class Micah Aaron Hill, 27, of Ralston, Neb.; Sgt. Sonny J. Moses, 22, of Koror, Palau
26 1st Lt. Omar J. Vazquez, 25, of Hamilton, N.J.; Staff Sgt. James, A. Justice, 32, of Grimes, Iowa; Sgt. John P. Castro, 25, of Andrews, Texas; Pfc. Antonio G. Stiggins, 25, of Rio Rancho, N.M.
27 Master Sgt. Benjamin F. Bitner, 37, of Greencastle, Pa.; Sgt. Sean T. Callahan, 23, of Warrenton, Va.; Lance Cpl. Dominic J. Ciaramitaro, 19, of South Lyon, Mich.
28 Capt. Joshua M. McClimans, 30, of Akron, Ohio; Sgt. 1st Class Bradley S. Hughes, 41, of Newark, Ohio; Sgt. David P. Day, 26, of Gaylord, Mich.
29 Lance Cpl. Joe M. Jackson, 22, of White Swan, Wash.
30 Corporal Adam D. Jones, 29, of Germantown, Ohio; Spc. Andrew E. Lara, 25, of Albany, Ore.
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At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn
We remember them. |
May
1-part1 1-part2 Maj. Philip D. Ambard, 44, of Edmonds, Wash.; Maj. Jeffrey O. Ausborn, 41, of Gadsden, Ala.; Maj. David L. Brodeur, 34, of Auburn, Mass.; Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of Deltona, Fla.; Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr., 37, of Knoxville, Tenn.; Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II, 40, of New Haven, Conn.; Capt. Nathan J. Nylander, 35, of Hockley, Texas; Capt. Charles A. Ransom, 31, of Midlothian, Va.
2 Lance Cpl. Ronald D. Freeman, 25, of Plant City, Fla.; Sgt. Matthew D. Hermanson, 22, of Appleton, Wis.; Spc. Preston J. Dennis, 23, of Redding, Calif.; Pfc. Jonathan M. Villanueva, 19, of Jacksonville, Fla.
3 Spc. Robert M. Friese, 21, of Harrison, Mich.
5 Sgt. Adam D. Craig, 23, of Cherokee, Iowa
11 Spc. Riley S. Spaulding, 21, of Sheridan, Texas; Sgt. Kevin W. White, 22, of Westfield, N.Y.; Pfc. Robert B. Bayne, of Dundalk, Md.
12 Sgt. Ken K. Hermogino, 30, of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
18 Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Palmer, 43, of Modesto, Calif.; 1st Lt. Demetrius M. Frison, 26, of Lancaster, Penn.; Sgt. Kevin B. Balduf, 27, of Nashville, Tenn.
19 Sgt. Amaru Aguilar, 26, of Miami, Fla.; Sgt. Robert C. Schlote, 26, of Norfolk, Neb.; Spc. Brian D. Riley Jr., 24, of Longwood, Fla.
20 Staff Sgt. David D. Self, 29, of Pearl, Miss.; Spc. Bradley L. Melton, 29, Rolla, Mo.; Pvt. Lamarol J. Tucker, 26, of Gainesville, Fla.; Pvt. Cheizray Pressley, 21, of North Charleston, S.C.
28 Staff Sgt. Kristofferson B. Lorenzo, 33, of Chula Vista, Calif.; Pfc. William S. Blevins, 21, of Sardinia, Ohio; Pvt. Andrew M. Krippner, 20, Garland, Texas; Pvt. Thomas C. Allers, 23, of Plainwell, Mich.
29 Chief Warrant Officer Christopher R. Thibodeau, 28, of Chesterland, Ohio; Tech. Sgt. Kristoffer M. Solesbee, 32, of Citrus Heights, Calif.; Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Hamski, 28, of Ottumwa, Iowa
30 Cpl. Brandon M. Kirton, 25, of Centennial, Colo.; Sgt. 1st Class Clifford E. Beattie, 37, of Medical Lake, Wash.; Pfc. Ramon Mora, Jr., 19, of Ontario, Calif.
31 1st Lt. John M. Runkle, Jr. 27, of West Salem, Ohio; Staff Sgt. Edward D. Mills Jr., 29, of New Castle, Penn.; Staff Sgt. Ergin V. Osman, 35, of Jacksonville, N.C.; Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall, 25, of Bel Aire, Ks.; Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Velazquez, 39, of Camuy, Puerto Rico; Spc. Adam J. Patton, 21, of Port Orchard, Wash.
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At the beginning of the year and when it ends
We remember them. |
June
1 Spc. Adam S. Hamilton, 22, of Kent, Ohio; Pfc. John C. Johnson, 28, of Phoenix, Ariz.
2 Lance Cpl. Peter J. Clore, 23, of New Philadelphia, Ohio; Pfc. Anthony M. Nunn, 19, of Burnet, Texas
3 Capt. Joseph W. Schultz, 36, of Port Angeles, Wash.; Staff Sgt. Martin R. Apolinar, 28, of Glendale, Ariz.; Sgt. Aaron J. Blasjo, 25, of Riverside, Calif.; Spc. Richard C. Emmons III, 22, of North Granby, Conn.
8 Cpl. Paul W. Zanowick II, 23, of Miamisburg, Ohio; Sgt. Jeffrey C. S. Sherer, 29, of Four Oaks, N.C.
9 Sgt. Christopher R. Bell, 21, of Golden, Miss.; Sgt. Joshua D. Powell, 28, of Quitman, Texas; Spc. Devin A. Snyder, 20, of Cohocton, N.Y.; Spc. Robert L. Voakes Jr., 21, of L’Anse, Mich.
10 Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth R. White, 35, of Fort Collins, Colo.; Chief Warrant Officer Bradley J. Gaudet, 31, of Gladewater, Texas; Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison, 27, of New Bethlehem, Pa.; Cpl. Willam J. Woitowicz, 23, Middlesex, Mass.
11 Spc. Emilio J. Campo Jr., 20, of Madelia, Minn.; Spc. Robert P. Hartwick, 20, of Rockbridge, Ohio; Spc. Michael B. Cook Jr., 27, of Middletown, Ohio; Spc. Christopher B. Fishbeck, 24, of Victorville, Calif.; Pfc. Michael C. Olivieri, 26, Chicago, Ill.
12 Pfc. Matthew J. England, 22, of Gainesville, Mo.; Cpl. Matthew T. Richard, 21, of Acadia, La.; Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. O’Brien, 21, of Stanley, N.C.
15 Captain Michael W. Newton, 30, of Newport News, Va.; Lance Cpl. Jason D. Hill, 20, of Poway, Calif.; Lance Cpl. Sean M. O'Connor, 22, of Douglas, Wyo.; Lance Cpl. Joshua McDaniels, 21, of Dublin, Ohio
18 Pvt. Ryan J. Larson, 19, of Friendship, Wisc.; Staff Sgt. Nicholas P. Bellard, 26, of El Paso, Texas; Sgt. Glenn M. Sewell, 23, of Live Oak, Texas
19 Sgt. Mark A. Bradley, 25, of Cuba, N.Y.;
20 Staff Sgt. Jeremy A. Katzenberger, 26, of Weatherby Lake, Mo.
21 Spc. Marcos A. Cintron, 32, of Orlando, Fla.
22 Sergeant 1st Class Alvin A. Boatwright, 33, of Lodge, S.C.; Sgt. Edward F. Dixon III, 37, of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.; Sgt. Alan L. Snyder, 28, Worcester, Mass.; Spc. Tyler R. Kreinz, 21, Beloit, Wis.
23 Sgt. James W. Harvey II, 23, of Toms River, N.J.; Pfc. Brian J. Backus, 21, of Saginaw Township, Mich.; Pfc. Gustavo A. Rios-Ordonez, 25 of Englewood, Ohio; Spc. Scott D. Smith, 36, of Indianapolis, Ind.; Pfc. Josue Ibarra, 21, of Midland, Texas
24 Pfc. Joshua L. Jetton, 21, of Sebring, Fla.; Spc. Levi E. Nuncio, 24, of Harrisonburg, Va.
25 Lance Cpl. Jared C. Verbeek, 22, of Visalia, Calif.
27 Cpl. Gurpreet Singh, 21, of Antelope, Calif.
28 Spc. Nicholas C. D. Hensley, 28, of Prattville, Ala.
29 Sgt. Marlon E. Myrie, 25, of Oakland Park, Fla.; Gunnery Sergeant Ralph E. Pate Jr., age 29, from Mullins, S.C.; Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, 33, of Harvey, La.; Spc. Kevin J. Hilaman, 28, of Albany, Calif.; Sgt. Matthew Gallagher, 22, of Falmouth, Mass.
30 Staff Sgt. Russell J. Proctor,Jr., 25, of Oroville, Calif.; Pfc. Dylan J. Johnson, 20, of Tulsa, Okla.; 1st. Lt. Dimitri A. Del Castillo, 24, of Tampa, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Nigel D. Kelly, 26, Menifee, Calif.; Cpl. Michael C. Nolen, 22, of Spring Valley, Wisc.
"I wish the American people could truly understand the dedication and sacrifice that Staff Sgt. Jeremy Katzenberger made for his country," said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, [a] commander in his regiment. "Since early 2005, Jeremy has either been in combat or training for combat." Staff Sgt. Katzenberger died during his 8th deployment--4 to Iraq, and 4 to Afghanistan.
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When we are weary and in need of strength
We remember them. |
July
1 Staff Sgt. Donald V. Stacy, 23, of Avondale, Ariz.; Lance Cpl. John F. Farias, 20, New Braunfels, Texas; Lance Cpl. Mark R. Goyet, 22, of Stinton, Texas
2 Spc. Nicholas P. Bernier, 21, of East Kingston, N.H.
3 Cpl. Kyle R. Schneider, 23, of Phoenix, N.Y.; Sgt. Chad D. Frokjer, 27, of Maplewood, Minn.
4 Capt. David E. Van Camp, 29, of Wheeling, W.Va.; Capt. Matthew G. Nielson, 27, of Jefferson, Iowa; Spc. Robert G. Tenney Jr., 29, Warner Robins, Ga.
7 Staff Sgt. Michael J. Garcia, 27, of Shreveport, La.
8 Pfc. James A. Waters, 21, of Cloverdale, Ind.
9 Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Throckmorton, 28, of Battle Creek, Mich.; Spc. Jordan C. Schumann, 24, Port Saint Lucie, Fla.; Spc. Preston J. Suter, 22, Sandy, Utah
10 Sgt. Nicanor Amper IV, 36, of San Jose, Calif.; Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Dodds Dudley, 29, of Tega Cay, S.C.
11 Spc. Nathan R. Beyers, 24, of Littleton, Colo.; Spc. Nicholas W. Newby, 20, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
13 Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker, 39, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Sgt. Christopher P. Soderlund, 23, of Pineville, La.; Sgt. Steven L. Talamantez, 34, of Laredo, Texas; Spc. Rafael A. Nieves Jr., 22, of Albany, N.Y.; Lance Cpl. Norberto Mendez Hernandez, 22, of Logan, Utah
16 Seaman Aaron D. Ullom, 20, of Midland, Mich.; Lance Cpl. Robert S. Greniger, 21, of Greenfield, Minn.
17 Sgt. Jeremy R. Summers, 27, of Mount Olivet, Ky.
19 Staff Sgt. Wyatt A. Goldsmith, 28, of Colville, Wash.; Sgt. Lex L. Lewis, 40, of Rapid City, S.D.; Spc. Frank R. Gross, 25, of Oldsmar, Fla.
20 Spc. Daniel L. Elliott, 21, of Youngsville, N.C.; Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth B. Elwell, 33, of Holland, Pa.; Pfc. Tyler M. Springmann, 19, of Hartland, Maine
21 Sgt. Mark A. Cofield, 25, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Lance Cpl. Christopher L. Camero, 19, of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; Lance Cpl. Jabari N. Thompson, 22, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
23 Staff Sgt. James M. Christen, 29, of Loomis, Calif.; Sgt. Jacob Molina, 27, of Houston, Texas; Sgt. Omar A. Jones, 28, of Maywood, Neb.
24 Cpl. Raphael R. Arruda, 21, of Ogden, Utah; Master Sgt. Benjamin A. Stevenson, 36, of Canyon Lake, Texas
25 Staff Sgt. Kenneth R. Vangiesen, 30, of Erie, Pa.; Sgt. Edward W. Koehler, 47, of Lebanon, Pa.; Sgt. Brian K. Mowery, 49, of Halifax, Pa.
"Staff Sergeant Garcia was always known to me to look at the positive side of people and the positive side of things," said Sgt. 1st Class Willis Fontenot, a 705th EOD noncommissioned officer from Mamou. "When something went wrong or didn't seem to work out he never got rattled or lost his temper, he simply fixed it and moved on."
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When we are lost and sick at heart
We remember them. |
August
3 Spc. Brice M. Scott, 22, of Eugene, Ore.
4 Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas, Jr. 32, of Wilson, N.C.; Sgt. William B. GrossPaniagua, 28, of Daly City, Calif.
5 2nd Lt. Jered W. Ewy, 33, of Edmond, Okla.; Spc. Augustus J. Vicari, 22, of Broken Arrow, Okla.; Staff Sgt. Kirk A. Owen, 37, of Sapulpa, Okla.; Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Dolphin, 29, of Moscow, Pa.; Sgt. Dennis E. Kancler, 26, of Brecksville, Ohio; Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle, 29, of Dallastown, Pa.
7 Capt. Waid C. Ramsey, 41, of Red Bay, Ala.; Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson, 24, of Chelsea, Okla.; Spc. Barun Rai, 24, of Silver Spring, Md.; Pfc. Cody G. Baker, 19, of Holton, Kan.; Pfc. Gil I. Morales Del Valle, 21, of Jacksonville, Fla.
8 Sgt. Daniel D. Gurr, 21, of Vernal, Utah; Spc. Jinsu Lee, 34, of Chatsworth, Calif.; Spc. Mark J. Downer, 23, of Warner Robins, Ga.
10 Sgt. Daniel J. Patron, 26, of Canton, Ohio
11 Sgt. Adan Gonzales Jr., 28, of Bakersfield, Calif.; Sgt. Joshua J. Robinson, 29, of Omaha, Neb.; Sgt. Alessandro L. Plutino, 28, of Pitman, N.J.
16-part1 16-part2 Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.; Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, Calif.; Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Ark.; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii; Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Conn.; Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minn.; Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Mass.; Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Mo. Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, W.Va.,; Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, La.; Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Mich.; Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, Calif.; Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.; Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah; Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Neb.; Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa; Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Fla.; Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah; Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif.; Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, ofSaint Paul, Minn.; Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo.; Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan.; Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb.; Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash.; Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan.; Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif.; Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa.
17 Hospitalman Riley Gallinger-Long, 19, of Cornelius, Ore.; 2nd Lt. Joe L. Cunningham, 27, of Kingston, Okla.
18 Cpl. Nicholas S. Ott, 23, of Manchester, N.J.; Master Sgt. Charles L. Price III, 40, of Milam, Texas; Sgt. Matthew Harmon, 29, of Lengby, Minn.; Spc. Joseph A. VanDreumel, 32, of Grand Rapids, Mich.
19 Spc. Joshua M. Seals, 21, of Porter, Okla.; Spc. Dennis G. Jensen, 21, of Vermillion, S.D.; 1st Lt. Damon T. Leehan, 30, of Edmond, Okla.
20 Sgt. Edward J. Frank II, 26, of Yonkers, N.Y.; Sgt. Jameel T. Freeman, 26, of Baltimore, Md.; Spc. Patrick L. Lay II, 21, of Fletcher, N.C.; Spc. Jordan M. Morris, 23, of Stillwater, Okla.; Pfc. Rueben J. Lopez, 27, of Williams, Calif.
23 Lance Cpl. Travis M. Nelson, 19, of Pace, Fla.; Pfc. Douglas L. Cordo, 20, of Kingston, N.Y.
26 1st Lt. Timothy J. Steele, 25, of Duxbury, Mass.
28 Sgt. Andrew R. Tobin, 24, of Jacksonville, Ill.
30 Spc. Michael C. Roberts, 23, of Watauga, Texas
31 Spc. Douglas J. Green, 23, of Sterling, Va.
"[Spc. Michael C.] Roberts was a true hero who openly accepted burden so others would not have to." ~ Capt. Anthony Douglass, commander, 561st Military Police Company
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When we have joy we crave to share
We remember them. |
September
3 Sgt. Devin J. Daniels, 22, of Kuna, Idaho; Sgt. Colby L. Richmond, 28, of Providence, N.C.; Pfc. Alberto L. Obod Jr., 26, of Orlando, Fla.
4 Spc. Dennis James Jr., 21 of Deltona, Fla.; Pfc. Jesse W. Dietrich, 20, of Venus, Texas; Pfc. Brandon S. Mullins, 21, of Owensboro, Ky.
8 Pfc. Christophe Marquis, 40, from Tampa, Fla.
9 Spc. Christopher J. Scott, 21, of Tyrone, N.Y.
10 Cmdr. James K. Crawford, 50, of East Concord, N.Y.; Spc. Kevin R. Shumaker, 24, of Livermore, Calif.
11 Spc. Koran P. Contreras, 21, of Lawndale, Calif.; Pfc. Douglas J. Jeffries Jr., 20, of Springville, Calif.
13 Sgt. Bret D. Isenhower, 26, of Lamar, Okla.; Spc. Christopher D. Horton, 26, of Collinsville, Okla.; Pfc. Tony J. Potter Jr., 20, of Okmulgee, Okla.; Petty Officer Brian K. Lundy, 25, of Austin, Texas
14 Pfc. Brett E. Wood, 19, of Spencer, Ind.; Staff Sgt. Daniel A. Quintana, 30, of Huntington Park, Calif.; Staff Sgt. Keith F. Rudd, 36, of Winder, Ga.
16 Master Sgt. Danial R. Adams, 35, of Portland, Ore.
18 Cpl. Michael J. Dutcher, 22, of Asheville, N.C.; Sgt. Chester G. Stoda, 32, of Black River Falls, Wis.; Sgt. Rodolfo Rodriguez Jr., 26, of Pharr, Texas
21 Spc. Chazray C. Clark, 24, of Ecorse, Mich.; Sgt. Garrick L. Eppinger Jr., 25, of Appleton, Wisc.; Staff Sgt. Michael W. Hosey, 27, of Birmingham, Ala.
23 Staff Sgt. Estevan Altamirano, 30, from Edcouch, Texas; Spc. Ryan J. Cook, 29, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
24 Sgt. Timothy D. Sayne, 31, of Reno, Nev.
26 Spc. Jakob J. Roelli, 24, of Darlington, Wis.; Spc. Robert E. Dyas, 21, of Nampa, Idaho; Lance Cpl. Terry C. Wright, 21, of Scio, Ohio
28 Spc. Francisco J. Briseno-Alvarez Jr., 27, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Sgt. Tyler N. Holtz, 22, of Dana Point, Calif.
29 Lance Cpl. Franklin N. Watson, 21, of Vonore, Tenn.
"I just remember him [Spc. Francisco J. Briseno-Alvarez Jr.] as always smiling. He could lighten up a room. Just the sweetest, most caring guy ever. It's devastating for our family."
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When we have decisions that are difficult to make
We remember them. |
October
1 1st Lt. Ryan K. Iannelli, 27, of Clarksboro, N.J.; Lance Cpl. John R. Wimpey Cagle, 19, of Tucker, Ga.; Spc. Garrett A. Fant, 21, of American Canyon, Calif.;
Sgt. Mycal L. Prince, 28, of Minco, Okla.
2 Sgt. Andy C. Morales, 32, of Longwood, Fla.; Sgt. Rafael E. Bigai Baez, 28, of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Pfc. Carlos A. Aparicio, 19, of San Bernadino, Calif.; Spc. James A. Butz, 21, of Porter, Ind.; Spc. Adrian G. Mills, 23, of Newnan, Ga.; 1st. Lt. Andres Zermeno, 26, of San Antonio, Texas
3 1st Sgt. Billy J. Siercks, 32, of Lincoln, Mo.; Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson, 26, of Omaha, Neb.; Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Sprovtsoff, 28, of Davison, Mich.; Sgt. Christopher Diaz, 27, of Albuquerque, N.M.
4 1st Lt. Ivan D. Lechowich, 27, of Valrico, Fla.; Spc. Steven E. Gutowski, 24, of Plymouth, Mass.; Pfc. David A. Drake, 21, of Lumberton, Texas
7 Pvt. Danny Chen, 19, of New York, N.Y.
11 Lance Cpl. Benjamin W. Schmidt, 24, of San Antonio, Texas; Spc. Ricardo Cerros Jr., 24, of Salinas, Calif.
12 Capt. Joshua S. Lawrence, 29, of Nashville, Tenn.; Capt. Drew E. Russell,25, of Scotts, Mich
14 Chief Warrant Officer James B. Wilke, 38, of Ione, Calif.; Sgt Nathan L. Wyrick, 34 of Enumclaw, Wash.
16 Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Michael R. Tatham, 33, of University Place, Wash.; Lance Cpl. Scott D. Harper, 21, of Winston, Ga.
17 Staff Sgt. Robert B. Cowdrey, 39, of Atwater, Ohio
18 Spc. Jeremiah T. Sancho, 23, of Palm Bay, Fla.
19 Staff Sgt. Houston M. Taylor, 25, of Hurst, Texas
20 Staff Sgt. James R. Leep Jr., 44, of Richmond, Va.,; Spc. Michael D. Elm, 25, of Phoenix, Ariz.
22 Staff Sgt. Jorge M. Oliveira, 33, of Newark, N.J.; Chief Petty Officer Raymond J. Border, 31, of West Lafayette, Ohio
25 1st. Lt. Ashley I. White, 24, of Alliance, Ohio; Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29, of San Diego, Calif.; Pfc. Christopher A. Horns, 20, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
22 Staff Sgt. Jorge M. Oliveira, 33, of Newark, N.J.; Chief Petty Officer Raymond J. Border, 31, of West Lafayette, Ohio
26 Sgt. Paul A. Rivera, 26, of Round Rock, Texas; Airman 1st Class Jerome D. Miller Jr., 23, of Washington, D.C.; Lance Cpl. Jordan S. Bastean, 19, of Pekin, Ill.
27 Pfc. Steven F. Shapiro, 29, of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.; Capt. Shawn P. T. Charles, 40, of Hickory, N.C.; Lance Cpl. Jason N. Barfield, 23, of Ashford, Ala.
28 Sgt. Edward S. Grace, 39, of South Dartmouth, Mass.
29 Sgt. 1st Class David G. Robinson, 28, of Winthrop Harbor, Ill.
30 Staff Sgt. John Lyons, 26, of Seaside Park, N.J.; Staff Sgt Stephen Dunning, 31, of Milpitas, Calif.
A friend said of 1st. Lt. Ashley I. White, "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."
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When we have achievements that are based on theirs
We remember them. |
November
3 Lt. Col. David E. Cabrera, 41, of Abilene, Texas; Staff Sgt. Christopher R. Newman, 26, of Shelby, N.C.; Sgt. James M. Darrough, 38, of Austin, Texas; Sgt. Carlo F. Eugenio, 29, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
4 Sgt. Christopher D. Gailey, 26, of Ochelata, Okla.; Pfc. Sarina N. Butcher, 19, of Checotah, Okla.
6 Staff Sgt. Ari R. Cullers, 28, of New London, Ct.; First Lieutenant Dustin D. Vincent, 25, of Mesquite, Texas
9 Lance Cpl. Nickolas A. Daniels, 25, of Elmwood Park, Ill.
12 Pfc. Cody R. Norris, 20, of Houston, Texas
14 Pfc Theodore B. Rushing, 25, of Longwood, Fla.
16 Sgt. 1st Class Johnathan B. McCain, 38, of Apache Junction, Ariz.; Spc. Calvin M. Pereda, 21, of Fayetteville, N.C.
20 Spc. Sean M. Walsh, 21, of San Jose, Calif.
21 Spc. James R. Burnett Jr., 21, of Wichita, Kan.; Pfc. Matthew C. Colin, 22, of Navarre, Fla.
22 Pfc. Adam E. Dobereiner, 21, of Moline, Ill.
23 Lance Cpl. Joshua D. Corral, 19, of Danville, California
24 Pvt. Jackie L. Diener II, 20, of Boyne City, Michigan
27 Cpl. Zachary C. Reiff, 22, of Preston, Iowa
Sgt. Christopher D. Gailey loved life. His friend said, "He was a fantastic father. He loved his little girl. He loved to be outside riding four-wheelers and mudding with his friends."
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As long as we live, they too will live;
For they are now a part of us
As we remember them. |
December
1 Corporal Adam J. Buyes, 21, of Salem, Oregon
2 Sgt 1st Class Dennis R. Murray, 38, of Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee
5 Marine Staff Sgt. Vincent J. Bell, 28, of Wayne, MI
8 Sgt. Ryan D. Sharp, 28, of Idaho Falls, Idaho
10 Sgt. 1st Class Clark A. Corley Jr., 35, of Oxnard, California; Spc. Ryan M. Lumley, 21, of Lakeland, Florida; Spc. Thomas J. Mayberry, 21, of Springville, California
14 Lance Cpl. Christopher P. J. Levy, 21, of Ramseur, N.C.
15 Sgt. Christopher L. Muniz, 24, of New Cuyama, Calif.; Spc. Ronald H. Wildrick Jr., 30, of Blairstown, N.J.
17 Maj. Samuel M. Griffith, 36, of Virginia Beach, Virginia
19 Pvt. Jalfred D. Vaquerano, 20, of Apopka, Fla.
29 Spc. Mikayla A. Bragg, 21, of Longview, Wash.; Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Altmann, 27, of Marshfield, Wis.
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Remember them. |
About "I Got the News Today" (IGTNT)
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; 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.
Click here 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, TheFatLadySings, and Ekaterin. Timroff created the IGTNT logo.
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.