Cpl Sean M. Collins
Cpl Willie A. McLawhorn, Jr
Spc Patrick D. Deans
Spc Kenneth E. Neocochea, Jr
Spc Derek T. Simonetta
Spc Jorge E. Villacis
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I Got The News Today (IGTNT)
IGTNT is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos. Its purpose is to provide 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.
An explosives-packed minibus blew up at the entrance of a joint NATO-Afghan base in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, December 12th killing six NATO troops and two Afghan soldiers.
The six Soldiers were Infantrymen assigned to Company B., 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
In the attack, a suicide bomber drove a minibus into the entrance of the coalition base just as troops were preparing vehicles to move out on a morning patrol, said Gen. Abdul Hamid, the Afghan army chief for Kandahar province. "They were leaving the compound and at that moment, the minibus attacked and they hit right at the entrance of the base," Hamid said.
~ Source ~ Source
Fort Campbell is the home of the only Air Assault Division in the world, the 101st Airborne Division.
Since November 1st the 101st has suffered the loss of 31 of their finest soldiers and have lost a total of 105 soldiers in Afghanistan this year. To Fort Campbell, "A World Class Army Home" and the 101st Airborne Division we offer our heartfelt condolences on suffering such heavy losses.
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Only Time
~ Enya
Who can say where the road goes,
Where the day flows?
Only time...
And who can say if your love grows,
As your heart chose?
Only time...
Who can say why your heart sighs,
As your love flies?
Only time...
And who can say why your heart cries,
When your love dies
Only time...
Who can say when the roads meet,
That love might be,
In your heart.
And who can say when the day sleeps,
If the night keeps all your heart?
Night keeps all your heart...
Who can say if your love grows,
As your heart chose?
Only time...
And who can say where the road goes,
Where the day flows?
Only time...
Who knows?
Only time...
Who knows?
Only time...
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Spc Neocochea and Spc Simmonetta were researched and written by CalNM. Thank you dear friend for your assistance in preparing this memorial tribute.
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Cpl Sean M. Collins, 25 of Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Sean Collins graduated from Yelm High School in 2004. He joined the Army in April 2006 and had previously served two deployments in Iraq. He arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2010.
Linda Collins, Sean's mother said this:
Sean died doing a job he loved.
He always wanted to be in the Army since he was in kindergarten. He wanted to be on the ground, up front.
He planned on making the Army his career.
Linda, who is a teacher at Yelm Ridgeline Middle School said friends and family had been pouring into her home from this close knit community.
He was an awesome person. We are going to miss him.
Collins' awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Support Medal, Army Service Medal and the NATO Medal.
The Patriot Guard Riders have Cpl Collins on their Confirmed Mission Rides list.
Sean Collins is survived by his father, Patrick Collins; his mother Linda Collins; an older brother and two younger sisters.
~ Source ~ Source
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Cpl Willie A. McLawhorn, Jr., 23 of Conway, North Carolina
Willie McLawhorn, Jr. was a graduate of Northeast Academy High School where he was a part of the basketball team and he joined the Army in November 2006 arriving at Fort Campbell in April 2007.
Brian Bolton, mayor of Conway, a community of 711 remarked:
- He enjoyed serving his country.
- He was always teasing everyone about him being a preacher’s kid.
- He was a fun-loving guy.
- He thought he had found a career in the Army.
McLawhorn, Jr.'s father Willie is the pastor of Conway Baptist Church. Rev. McLawhorn made these comments about his son:
He loved what he was doing. He loved life.
Willie's mother, Dianne said that before her son deployed they sat down and had a serious talk.
I asked him what if he got killed and he said "So what, mama. That is just the next great adventure. I'm at peace with that and you need to be too."
Cpl McLawhorn’s awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon; Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutists Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
The Patriot Guard Riders have Cpl McLawhorn on their Pending Mission Rides list.
He's survived by his mother, Diane B. McLawhorn, and father, Reverend Willie A. McLawhorn of Conway, N.C.
~ Source ~ Source
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Spc Patrick D. Deans, 22 of Orlando, Florida
Patrick Deans, who would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday, December 14th, was a 2006 graduate of Timber Creek High School where he played on the football team and was a part of the ROTC program during his senior year.
Patrick Deans joined the Army in June 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in November 2007. He served one tour in Iraq and was deployed to Afghanistan shortly after he reenlisted.
The family of Patrick Deans, 22, said they aren't ready to talk yet. Patrick's father Patrick is is a corporal with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
One of Patrick's closest friends, Butch Herdegen said:
He was a great guy, a loving guy. He would do anything for anybody, for me, for a stranger on the street. He gave his life for us.
Deans had gone back to the Middle East in early November after a visit to friends and family in Central Florida. He and Herdegen indulged in Deans' passion, football, by going to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game and playing touch football with Herdegen's younger cousins. The friends played Pop Warner Youth Football as boys with the University Cougars. Deans was a Seminoles fan while Herdegen roots for the Gators, setting up a friendly rivalry.
Deans — whose friends called him by his last name — also loved to deep-sea fish with his father, Herdegen said.
Deans posted the following on his facebook wall Nov. 10th:
"A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including their life," "That is beyond honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact."
Spc Deans’ awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.
The Patriot Guard Riders have Spc Deans on their Pending Missions Ride list.
Deans is survived by his mother, Robyn Deans of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; and father, Patrick Deans of Orlando.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Spc Kenneth E. Necochea, Jr., 21 of San Diego, Califorina
Army Specialist Kenny Necochea died of combat wounds on December 12, 2010, in Howz E Madad, Afghanistan.
Kenny Necochea grew up in Poway, California, and graduated from Poway High School in 2008. He joined the Army in February 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in June 2009.
Spc. Necochea deployed to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne in June on his first tour. His family learned of his death Sunday.
Kenny Necochea Jr., 21, joined the Army "because he wanted to serve his county," his aunt said. "His death is quite a loss."
"In our eyes, he was a hero who lost his life fighting for us."
"He had a lot of integrity and character."
Spc. Necochea’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Medal.
His aunt also said, Kenny "was a great kid."
"I know everybody says that, but he really was," Brown said. "He was really funny and liked to have fun and laugh."
Among those Spc. Necochea leaves behind are his mother in San Diego; his aunt; and his father in Poway, California.
Spc. Kenneth Necochea Jr., is missed. May He Rest In Peace.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Spc Derek T. Simonetta, 21 of Redwood City, California
Army Specialist Derek Simonetta died of combat wounds on December 12, 2010, in Howz E Madad, Afghanistan.
Born in San Francisco, Derek Simonetta grew up in Redding in northern California until he was a teenager. He attended Central Valley High School in Shasta Lake from 2005 to 2007.
His former high school guidance counselor described Simonetta as a well-liked student who once played on the junior varsity football team, and "just a great kid."
Derek left CVHS after his junior year and moved to Redwood City, south of San Francisco with his father. He graduated from Carlmont High School in nearby Belmont in 2008.
In Belmont, Derek met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Kimberly, whom he married in 2008.
Derek Simonetta joined the Army in September 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2009. On his facebook page, he listed his profession as a saw gunner for the U.S. Army.
Simonetta’s grandfather said his grandson joined the Army because he wanted to provide a better life for himself, his wife and his family.
"He was the kind of kid who wanted to help everybody," he said.
He said his grandson matured in the Army and was interested in becoming a sheriff’s deputy when he left the service.
Spc. Simonetta deployed to Afghanistan with the 101st earlier this summer. He returned home briefly in October to celebrate his 21st birthday.
Tuesday, Spc. Simonetta’s family members, including his wife, traveled to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, to retrieve his remains.
Spc. Simonetta’s awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
Among those Spc. Simonetta leaves behind are his wife in San Carlos, California; his mother and younger brother in Redding; his father in Redwood City; and his grandparents in Jones Valley, California.
Spc. Derek Simonetta is missed. May He Rest In Peace.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Spc Jorge E. Villacis, 24 of Sunrise, Florida
Villacis was born in New Jersey and attended and graduated from American High School in Miami-Dade County. He also attended Broward College, and planned on returning to school. Jorge worked as a mechanic before enlisting in the Army in September 2008.
Villacis' death came just less than a month after one of his closest friends, Staff Sgt. Juan Rivadeneira, 27, was killed in in a similar incident in Kandahar. Two other soldiers with the 502nd Infantry Regiment died in that attack.
Jessica Geribon, along with her husband Ricardo, her sister Jannina Salterini of Miramar, and Villacis' parents Jorge and Segunda Villacis, of Hollywood, were all at the South Florida VA National Cemetery, west of Lake Worth, on Nov. 30 for Rivadeneira's burial.
As she stood next to Rivadeneira's flag-draped casket, Jessica Geribon said she could not help thinking:
I don't want to be here again for my brother. I don't want to relive this.
Villacis and Rivadeneira met at Fort Campbell and became friends. Rivadeneira's heritage was Venezuelan. Villacis' parents are from Ecuador.
Through the soldiers' friendship, their families became close. In November 2009, members of both families celebrated that most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, together at Fort Campbell.
Villacis’ awards and decorations include: Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantry Badge.
The Patriot Guard Riders have Spc Villacis on their Pending Missions Ride list.
He leaves his wife, Melissa, and three children, Zachery, 7, Julian, 2, and Joselyn, 1 as well as his parents, Jorge and Segunda Vallacis of Hollywood, and his sister, Jessica Geribon of Pembroke Pines.
~ Source ~ Source ~ 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, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, Mediaprof, TrueBlueMajority, JanosNation, Proud Mom and Grandma, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Ms Wings, maggiejean, racheltracks, 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.
Fallen service members whose names have been released by the US Department of Defense will usually be diarized two days after the official announcement on the DoD website. This allows the IGTNT team to cover each person more fully, but still in a timely manner.
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POW/MIA: Afghanistan & Iraq
Two U.S. soldiers are currently listed as captured or Duty Status -- Whereabouts Unknown as of December 1, 2009.
Spc. Ahmed K. Altaie 41
and
Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl 23
Never forgotten - please keep good thoughts and prayers for these two men.
On December 8th new photos were published of Pfc Bowe R. Bergdahl in captivity. The article and images can be seen here.
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Retroactive Stop Loss Benefits submission deadline extended to December 18th. Details availablehere.
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Helping Our Troops
There would be no finer way to honor the fallen than to contribute to programs that assist our active duty military. Here are a few suggestions:
Evan Ashcraft Foundation - This foundation was established to assist soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan to adjust to civilian life. In particular this foundation's emphasis is on PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
Fisher House - Provides a "home away from home" for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitilization for an illness, disease or injury.
Netroots For The Troops - raises money for the assembly, mailing and delivery of care packages to American military in war zones, and to provide assistance to military families in the United States.
Veterans Green Jobs - Our recently returned veterans need jobs and VGJ is now hiring for positions and filling training sessions. VGJ corps retrains veterans as leaders in natural resource conservation, green construction, and energy efficient upgrades of homes in rural areas.
Welcome Back Veterans - created to inspire Americans to give back to our returning veterans and their families and assist in particular with PTSD.
Wounded Warrior Project - To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service service members, to help injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.
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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.