Since 2001, 2247 U.S. troops have died while serving in Afghanistan, and from 2003 to 2012, 4486 U.S. troops died 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.
Tonight we remember a soldier who died supporting the war in Afghanistan:
1st Sgt. Tracy L. Stapley, 44, of Clearfield, Utah
We also remember an Iraq War Veteran who died after returning home:
Leonardo J. Lemos, Jr., 31, San Jose, California
Please take a moment below to remember them,
and all those who have lost their lives in these wars.
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.
It's a tragedy any time a soldier dies, but it's especially hard when the country is celebrating Independence Day.
The Department of Defense confirmed the death of a Utah soldier supporting the war in Afghanistan.
1st Sgt. Tracy L. Stapley, 44, of Clearfield, Utah
1st Sgt. Stapley died July 3 at Camp As Sayliyah located in the country of Qatar. He died in a non-combat related incident that is under investigation. 1st Sgt. Stapley was assigned to the 308th Medical Logistics Company, based in Saint George, Utah.
Tracy Stapley grew up in a Mormon family in Clearfield. Those in Clearfield remembered Tracy as a good athlete and student who served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina, reported the
Desert News.
1st Sgt. Stapley was a 26-year veteran on his second deployment to Afghanistan. He was serving as the senior enlisted officer with the 308th Medical Logistics Co. out of St. George, Utah. The unit deployed last February to Camp As Sayliya, near Doha, the capital of Qatar.
1st Sgt. Stapley regularly served with an Army Reserve unit in Ogden, the 172nd Multifunctional Medical Battalion. In his civilian life, he was the unit’s supervisor staff administrator.
In Qatar, the 70-member 308th Medical Logistics Co. provides medical materials and equipment repair for U.S. Central Command at the base, which supports the forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region, according to the Standard Examiner.
video clip at KSLNews
Tracy Stapley was married. The couple had two children and were raising the family in Hooper. Their son is attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
1st Sgt. Stapley's father Elwin Stapley said he worried the first time his son deployed to Afghanistan, but this time was different.
"This time, I just never gave it a second thought," he said in the Desert News.
"He wanted to serve his country."
Elwin Stapley told KUTV that his son .... was "a great kid, loved by everyone."
"I take a great deal of pride in him being the man that he is and willing to serve his country as he has done," he told the Salt Lake City Tribune.
"We loved him, and we just dread the fact that he’d have to come home the way he has to come home."
Among those 1st Sgt. Stapley leaves behind are his wife, children, and family.
1st Sgt. Tracy L. Stapley is missed. May he rest in peace.
An Iraq war veteran has died after returning home from war, in a sad story too often repeated. While his death was not announced on the official casualty list, his family and friends will remember this former soldier's dedication to his country. And We will remember him.
Army Veteran Leonardo J. Lemos, Jr., 31, San Jose, California
Leonardo Lemos, Jr. passed away at the age of 31 on June 17, 2013.
Leonardo "Lenny" Lemos, Jr. entered the United States Army July 27, 2000, and went on to serve three tours of duty in Iraq. Lenny's first assignment was Ft. Campbell 101st Infantry and his last assignment was station 1-18 First Infantry.
Lenny Lemos, Jr. was born in San Jose, California, and is remembered as "an amazing man, father, husband, brother, uncle and friend." Lemos returned from his tours in Iraq and continued to grow in family and friends in Acampo.
In the obituary at Lodi News Legacy.com, his family and friends say that Leonardo Lemos "was and will continue to be an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing him."
He is extremely loved.
Rest in peace Leonardo Lemos...
we thank you for your service and we pray for your family left behind.
Forgive us for failing you, who gave so much on our behalf.
Go with God Leonardo....we will not forget.
Among those Leonardo Lemos leaves behind are his wife, children, family, and friends.
Veteran Leonardo J. Lemos, Jr. is missed. May he rest in peace.
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Thanks to Timroff for our faithfully lighted candle IGTNT logo;
Other Photos by CalNM and linked Sources
Helping our troops: If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com. Fisher House provides housing for families of injured troops and veterans who are recovering in hospitals, and Guardian angels for soldierspet assists the animal companions of our deployed military.
When our veterans come back home, they can find support at Welcome Back Veterans. Our recently returned veterans need jobs, and Veterans Green Jobs is now hiring for positions and filling training sessions. VGJ corps retrains veterans as leaders in forest and resource conservation, green construction, and energy efficient upgrades of homes in rural areas. Encourage a Veteran, and see if you can help out.
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About the IGTNT series: I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect, and remember the fallen, and to remind us that each casualty has family and friends who received the terrible news that their loved one has died at war. 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. The US Department of Defense news releases are found at defense gov/releases. Icasualties lists the names of those killed, and shows the number of wounded. Published AP photos of the returning war fatalities are found on the Dover AFB page. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries in the series which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, Proud Mom and Grandma, Sandy on Signal, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Ms Wings, maggiejean, JaxDem, theFatLadySings, Ekaterin, Joy of Fishes, and me, CalNM. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
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.