A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
John C. Maxwell
Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.
Harold S. Geneen
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.
Army Sgt Aaron Wittman
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Aaron X. Wittman, 28, of Chester, Va., died Jan. 10, in Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by small arms fire while on mounted patrol. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
“I’ll never forget Aaron’s humor and his optimism, even in the worst of situations.” This was how Wesley Walker remembered Sgt. Aaron X Wittman, his fellow Citadel 2007 graduate, and the first US combat casualty of 2013. Sgt Wittman was killed on January 10th, 2013, in the Khogyani District of the Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan when his unit was attacked by small arms fire while on mounted patrol . He was in the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia.
“He just lived every minute of his life. He loved fishing. He loved crabbing.” remembered his brother, Nick Wittman, of Quantico. Sgt Wittman was “a guy who got along with everybody.” “I’m proud of him, and I’m proud of his service.”
Born into a military family, Sgt. Wittman grew up around the world, as his father, Duane L Wittman, a now retired army officer, was stationed in various countries. They spent four years in Saudi Arabia, including time during the Gulf War. His mother, Carol Wittman, also served four years in the Army, his older brother Nicholas is a Marine Corps officer, and his older sister Amber was a Navy corpsman. All three siblings have been deployed to the Middle East.
Sgt. Wittman attended LC Bird High School in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Rusty Beckner, one of his classmates, remembers, “one thing I always liked about Aaron, he was always one to bring a smile to people’s faces when the situation was a little tough, a little frustrating.”
Another high school classmate, Patrick Lloyd remembers “It was always a good time to be around Aaron. I can’t ever think of a time when I was around Aaron when he wasn’t smiling or happy. He was always a positive influence on people’s lives.” He also remembers the lip-synching videos Sgt Wittman would post on the internet.
Soccer and wrestling were Sgt. Wittman’s high school sports. Paul Rafferty, his wrestling coach, saw both the Wittman brothers at a party last year, and says, “I was lucky enough to tell him how proud I was of him.” He remembers Sgt Wittman as a good role model.
“Aaron was a sharp cadet,” Coast Guard Lt. Ryan W Kilgo said of his Lima Company Citadel classmate. “He was someone you’d want to emulate. He worked with the underclassmen to build the same character and skill sets he had.”
While studying at the Citadel, Sgt. Wittman was presented with the Marine Corps Association Award for high endeavor and superior accomplishment.
Another Citadel classmate, Lionel Grebert said, “Aaron always liked having fun. He was a genuine person who got along with almost everyone. He always did what was asked of him and put his best effort forth.”
Some of Sgt Wittman’s other pursuits were surf fishing off the beaches of Charleston, South Carolina, painting portraits of the family dogs, building rafts, and constructing homemade cannons.
“He had an infectious personality; he was a person everybody wanted to be around,” a childhood friend Army 1st Lt. David Pickett said.
Sgt, Wittman had opportunities to go to officer candidate school, but chose to deploy instead. “He had a choice and I basically begged him to stay in school – there will be a time for this later.” Carol Wittman said. “He was like, ‘No, I made a commitment with these guys and we’re going to go together. I’m not backing out.”
Sgt Wittman was two months into a nine month deployment, his second to Afghanistan. He had previously been awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
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, JaxDem, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin and me, Chacounne.
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.
Sgt Bowe R. Bergdahl
The only known current Prisoner of War is Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl, 26 who was captured by the Taliban in June of 2009. Five propaganda videos featuring Bergdahl have been released by the Taliban. A website has been established with the most up-to-date information on Sgt. Bergdahl.
Please keep good thoughts and prayers for Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl.
If you would like to help those who are serving in uniform, please think about a contribution to Fisher House. They give a "home away from home for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury."
http://www.fisherhouse.org/
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our comments be full of compassion rather than politics.