I Got The News Today (IGTNT) , which is 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.
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Since 2001 we have lost 2308 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 3416 American and coalition forces.
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Spc. Andrew H. Sipple, 22, of Cary, N.C., died Jan. 17, in Kandahar City, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident currently under investigation.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. ~ DoD News Release
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Taps
Performed by the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh
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Spc. Andrew H. Sipple, 22, of Cary, North Carolina
Andrew Sipple was a 2009 graduate of Middle Creek High School.
Spc Sipple enlisted in the Army in 2010 and deployed in support of Operation New Dawn from September 2010 to August 2011.
1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Commander, Lt. Col. Matt Kinkead posted this to the Battalion's facebook page on the 17th:
To our Soldiers, Family Members, and Friends of TF Mustang, I am extremely saddened to announce the tragic loss of one of our Heroes from C Company, 1-8 Cavalry, SPC Andrew Sipple, who died today on Kandahar Air Field from a non-battle related cause. His primary next of kin have been officially notified, and I ask that you keep Andrew’s family members and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
Andrew was honored today with a Dignified Repatriation ceremony that included a turn out by all leaders and units on KAF paying their respects, and he is currently enroute back to the United States. The entire Cobra and Mustang Family are still recovering from the shock of our loss, but we have pulled together with our Chaplain and the entire support team from RC(S), and we will continue to carry on and lean on each other, as we prepare to honor Andrew with a Memorial Ceremony in the coming days.
My only request is that you please take all due care, diligence and sensitivity in any respective communications on this web page or any other social media sites regarding this tragedy by keeping in mind SPC Andrew Sipple’s Family, friends and his brother and sister Mustangs that he has left behind, as you send what I am certain will be many heartfelt condolences and sympathies to our extended Family for our loss. God Bless.
Respectfully, LTC Matt Kinkead
Today this update was posted by Lt. Col. Kinkead:
We completed our Memorial Ceremony today for SPC Andrew Sipple. The photo you see was taken less than a week ago, with Andrew working the radios to ensure CAS and fires support was readily available for his platoon while they were on a dismounted combat patrol in Uruzgan.
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I want to personally thank his teammates in Cobra Company -- especially SFC Gowen, SPC Meyer and SPC Frye who all spoke during the memorial--, along with numerous Mustang Soldiers from across the Task Force, our Battalion Chaplain CPT Eric Light, and Soldiers from across our Division who all participated or attended, and made this a dignified and professional remembrance for our fallen hero. My sincerest thanks to all.
Sincerely,
LTC Matt Kinkead
Spc. Andrew H. Sipple's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.
As is common with non-combat related deaths that are under investigation, there is no personal information to be found. I know Spc Sipple was loved by his family, friends and fellow soldiers and will be greatly missed.
~ 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 in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, TheFatLadySings, Joy of Fishes, 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.
Sgt Bowe R. Bergdahl
The only known current Prisoner of War is Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl, 27 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.
On January 15, 2014 the military reported they had obtained, but did not release a new video of Sgt Bowe Bergdahl made by his captors. This video contains a "proof of life" reference for December 14, 2013. It has been nearly three years since the latest video of Bergdahl and in this one it is reported he appears to be in declining health. Missing U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl seen in video.
Please keep good thoughts and prayers for Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl.
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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.