Just a Name: IGTNT, 4/21/07 Edition

One name.

One soldier.

I suppose I should be grateful that there's only one release from the Department of Defense notifying a grateful nation that one of its sons, Pfc. Jason M. Morales, 20, of La Puente, Calif., has given his life in Iraq.

But I have been unable to find out more about this young man and this absence, this silent death, bothers me. (More on the flip.)

I Got the News Today, 4/21/07 Edition:

From the Department of Defense:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Jason M. Morales, 20, of La Puente, Calif., died April 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and Fort Riley, Kan.

The other day, i dunno posted an "I Got the News Today" diary that was blockquotes within blockquotes. Coming as it did on the heels of a widely-read piece -- ******* -- , I thought it might be misunderstood. When there are a lot of names of the deceased, it's one blockquote tag after another, each one setting off the official announcement from the memories of friends and families. Some days, there are way, way too many blockquotes. "Peace" was at the center of i dunno's diary... but it's really death. No matter how many personal details you can share about a soldier, that blockquote is there because he or she died.

Jason Morales was 20. I know nothing about him beyond the bare facts listed by the DoD. There are no articles or memorials up about him yet. And it saddens me that by the time they appear, this series will, of necessity, have moved on to the next names.

So this is for Jason:

You were loved. You were someone's son, brother, cousin, father, husband, or lover. Your death is breaking hearts tonight, and will change your loved ones' lives forever. We mark your passing and mourn your death.

Not just a name. A heartbreak.

The Department of Defense has confirmed 3,312 deaths and the announcement of seven more deaths is expected, pending notification of the next of kin, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here. The DoD news releases are here.

They all had friends and loved ones. Please visit the Iraq Veterans Memorial for a moving look at how a few of their survivors remember them. It will break your heart. If you want to do something more, please visit anysoldier.com,  Operation Helmet, and/or Fisher House.

I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Click here for the previous diary in this series, and here to see the series, which is maintained by i dunno, Sandy on Signal, silvercedes, and myself.