I Got The News Today (IGTNT) is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos.
IGTNT gives members of the DK community a place to pay their respects to men and women who have died as a result of the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Joint Guardian.
The IGTNT title is a reminder that, on far too many days, the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
The Department of Defense announced the deaths of two soldiers and a sailor on Tuesday, July 30:
Specialist Michael Isaiah Nance, 24, of Chicago, Illinois
Private First Class Brandon Jay Kreischer, 20, of Stryker, Ohio
Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Slayton Richard Saldana, 24, of San Antonio, Texas
Nance and Kreischer were both assigned to 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and were supporting the NATO-led Operation Freedom's Sentinel. The 82nd Airborne confirmed both men died from combat-related injuries in Southern Kandahar on July 29, 2019.
Saldana's status was listed as DUSTWUN (Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown) after he went missing during a man overboard incident while underway on the USS Lincoln on July 17, 2019. Saldana's duty status was officially changed to deceased on July 30.
The soldiers’ deaths bring to 14 the number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan this year.
All three incidents are still under investigation.
Specialist Michael Isaiah Nance
Isaiah and his mom enjoying London
Michael Isaiah Nance, called Isaiah by his family, grew up in a multi-generational home on the South Side of Chicago, nurtured by the love of his mother, his grandparents, and his little brother "John-John".
His mother, Shawn Gregoire, was determined to do everything she could to protect her two boys from the violence that squelched the dreams and destroyed the lives of so many around them. As soon as she was able, she enrolled Isaiah in a suburban school north of the city, in an attempt to shelter him from some of the rougher elements of growing up he would face as a South Side teen.
When Isaiah graduated from high school and went off to college in Florida, she felt her efforts had been rewarded. It was this same protective instinct, her fear of sending him into harm's way, that led her to repeatedly discourage him from his childhood dream of joining the Army.
He and his mother had a loving, close relationship and enjoyed spending time with one another. She flew all the way to Florida just to share his love of Marvel movies, and they attended the openings of Black Panther and Avengers together. It took persistent requests on Nance's part to persuade his mother to give in and give her blessing to enlistment, in return for a solemn promise that he would definitely return to college and complete his degree. Nance joined the Army in January 2017 and completed Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, before being assigned to 1-505th PIR as an automatic rifleman. Just four weeks before his deployment, Isaiah and his mom went on a whirlwind trip to Europe, taking photos, enjoying local food, and doing all the touristy things folks do in Croatia and England and France. After he was deployed to Afghanistan he connected with her on Facetime as he was able, sharing little details about his day just to keep in touch.
These are the bittersweet memories she clings to now for comfort.
Specialist Nance was serving his first deployment and had only been in Afghanistan for a few weeks when he was shot in an apparent "insider attack". An Afghan army soldier opened fire inside a local military camp in in the Shah Wali Kot district. Fellow paratrooper Brandon Jay Kreischer was shot in the same incident. Nance and Kreischer were transported to an American forward operating base in Tarin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province, where both men died. The incident is under investigation, as the shooter who killed both men was previously presumed to be an ally.
A spokesman for the Afghan army’s 205th Corps said the attacker was wounded and taken into police custody. The Pentagon confirmed that a Taliban spokesman issued a statement commending the attack, even though the Afghani soldier was not a Taliban fighter.
Ironically, the family received the news while gathered at Nance's childhood home during a funeral repast for Isaiah's great-grandfather, a veteran of the Korean war. Nance's great-uncle, Kenon Forest, saw two uniformed personnel walking down the street and hoped against hope they were not headed to the family with news of Isaiah.
“We were all laughing and joking, telling family stories, and out the window I saw these two Army people and I was like ‘I hope they’re not coming over here.’ “ Forest said. "Then they were coming up to the door and I was like 'Oh my God.' Everyone in the house just... fell apart. It's like the worst day in our family's history." The uniformed personnel then drove to his mother's home as other family members accompanied them in their own cars. When Gregoire was informed of the news she was overcome with disbelief. "Shawn was confused. She was like ‘What are you guys doing here? What is going on? Why are you all here?’ And then she just broke down.” said Mr. Forest.
As those who cared about Nance the most deeply continue grieving his loss, they also express their pride for all he managed to accomplish at such a young age. His mother especially wants everyone to know how much the family takes solace in realizing Isaiah died serving and protecting his country, doing what he loved. Col. Arthur Sellers, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, called Specialist Nance a true All-American who embodied the qualities of selfless service and courage. His awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Michael Isaiah Nance was a good son, brother and cousin, and a bright spot in his family's life—always a jokester, always trying to make people laugh, and a good role model to his younger brother and cousins. Isaiah's 13-year-old brother John-John is coping as best he can. His cousin Trevor Harris said," Just knowing I'm not going to see him and be able to enjoy that banter with him, going back and forth, it's difficult. He had so much life to live, I think that's the hardest part for me. It just doesn't seem fair."
It doesn't seem fair in part because it all happened so fast.
They all saw Isaiah in Chicago on June 1 as they celebrated his 24th birthday.
Then he took the trip to Europe with his mother.
He deployed to Afghanistan on July 12.
On July 31, his mother went to Dover to bring his remains home.
Sources: ABC7 Chicago, Stars and Stripes, Chicago Sun Times
Private First Class Brandon Jay Kreischer
Brandon Jay Kreischer chose his North Star at a young age. He spent his whole childhood pointing himself toward military service. It gave him a strong sense of direction and purpose.
He kept himself in good shape at Bryan High School by participating in three sports: football, wrestling, and track. He also enjoyed singing in the school choir. But none of those extracurricular efforts were the driving force in his life. His one and only goal was to serve his country in the Army, and he enlisted while still a junior in high school.
He wrote passionately about this call to service in his senior yearbook in response to the simple question: Who Am I? "Throughout my life, I have had one huge goal. That one was to enlist in the Army as an infantryman, and I achieved that goal on April 25, 2017. It was without a doubt the proudest day of my life.... I am very proud to be an American. I believe that whatever cause America believes in, I have an obligation to believe in,because I am a patriot."
Kreischer graduated in the Spring of 2018 and joined the Army in June. He completed Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, before being assigned to 1-505th PIR as a rifleman. He was stationed at Fort Benning before deploying to Afghanistan less than a month ago.
Private Kreischer was serving his first deployment and had only been in Afghanistan for a few weeks when an Afghan army soldier opened fire inside a military camp in in the Shah Wali Kot district in an apparent "green-on-blue" attack. The shooter was wounded and taken into police custody. Fellow paratrooper Michael Nance was shot in the same incident. Kreischer and Nance were transported to a forward operating base in Tarin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province, where both men died. The incident is still under investigation. A Taliban spokesman issued a statement commending the attack, even though the Pentagon confirmed the Afghani soldier was not a Taliban fighter.
Rogue Afghan soldiers attacking their American comrades — known as green-on-blue attacks — started occurring about 10 years ago. A small percentage of these green-on-blue attacks are attributed to terrorists infiltrating the army, but, according to a 2013 report, most stem from cultural differences and other factors driving a wedge between Americans and Afghans. The incident resulting in the death of Private Kreischer and Specialist Nance is the first of its kind since November 2018.
Since Kreischer was such a recent graduate, there are many at Bryan High School who still remember him. Bryan School superintendent Diana Savage says the school district is providing support and counseling as needed to students, teachers, and other adults and children living nearby who are now mourning along with his family. When Mrs. Kim Massie, a teacher at Bryan High, heard of Brandon's untimely death in an Afghanistan ambush, she was quick to offer consolation to her grandson, who was one of Brandon's former classmates.
Brandon was in Mrs. Massie's Spanish class for two years. She told the Toledo Blade that Kreischer didn't like studying the language very much, but had a good teacher-student relationship with her. She tried to encourage his interest in the subject by connecting it to his dreams of military service. “Who knows where you’ll be stationed in the future -- you might need to speak Spanish some day,” Mrs. Massie said, remembering a now-poignant conversation with Brandon. “Unfortunately, that ... that didn’t happen.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags across the state flown at half-staff. "In honor of the life and service of PFC Brandon J. Kreischer of Stryker, Ohio, flags will be flown at half staff upon all public buildings and grounds in Williams County, the Ohio Statehouse, and the Rhodes and Riffe buildings today through sunset on the day of his funeral," DeWine said, while also offering personal sympathy to Brandon's family and friends.
Bryan Mayor Carrie Schlade and other local officials honored Kreischer during a news conference on Tuesday, and local veterans' groups offered their condolences and flag honors. The Williams County Veterans Memorial posted this message: “It is with great sadness that we must report PFC. Brandon J. Kreischer, a 2018 Graduate of Bryan High School and a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, was one of two soldiers killed in action on Monday in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. As a sign of our respect for his family and his service, the flags at the Williams County Veterans Memorial have been lowered to half-staff until dusk of the day of his interment."
The Defiance County Sheriff’s Office also shared a message on Facebook to honor Private Kreischer: “Sheriff Engel and staff would like to take a moment to honor the life and sacrifice of Williams County Resident Brandon Kreischer. Brandon, while serving his country in the United States Army, was killed in action. To his family, our prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time."
A memorial motorcycle ride drove through the heart of Northwest Ohio on Thursday night in honor of Brandon. Many of the riders were veterans themselves. "I'm a vet, and he's lost," said Craig Hart. "So I'm here to honor him, keep his memory." Dena Sailer also participated in the memorial ride: "We have a soldier, an American soldier. We need to be here for that," she said. The cyclists started in Bryan, and wound their way through Stryker, Defiance, Archbold, West Unity, Edon and Edgerton—a 75 mile journey of respect for a patriotic young man killed in action at the tender age of 20.
Kreischer's military honors, awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge. Col. Art Sanders said various resources are being prepared by the unit that will be made available to the loved ones of both Paratroopers. "As we move forward together," Col.Sanders said, "I ask for your thoughts and prayers for the families affected and for the Paratroopers of their unit who are still deployed."
Brandon and Grace (and Callum)
Brandon J. Kreischer leaves behind his wife, Grace, originally of Fayetteville, N.C. The young widow is four months pregnant, and expects to deliver a son, Callum, at the end of this year.
His patriotic high school yearbook statement ends with haunting words that now ring in the ears of all who knew and loved him: "If I die in the combat zone for America, I do not call it a tragedy, I call it a glory."
Sources: Toledo Blade, WTOL 11 CBS Toledo, Task and Purpose, Washington Examiner
Aviation Electronics Technician 2d Class Slayton Richard Saldana
Slayton and his fiancee Lexi
Slayton Richard Saldana joined the Navy in 2015. For his first deployment, he was assigned to the Norfolk-based Nightdippers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, part of Carrier Air Wing 7, assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier StrikeGroup.
Sometime in the early morning hours of July 17, Saldana went missing while underway onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, leaving only a few personal belongings behind on the catwalk. He was presumed overboard. His duty status changed to a designation that means the Navy believes he is missing but he cannot be confirmed dead.
During the period before his name was released, all those with loved ones on the Lincoln waited anxiously for news. Navy statements were cautious, leaving a lot to the imagination, due to a heightened need for security with respect to the exact location of the Nimitz Class aircraft carrier as tensions rise in Iran.
Families parsed every detail, fearing the worst while hanging onto every word released from official sources. "There was a sailor missing and that's all we knew, then everything was silent. They just shut the internet down because they didn't want anything to get leaked,” said Ellen Brown, whose son Brandon Brown served with Saldana on the USS Lincoln. Feeling great sympathy for Saldana's family, Brown added: "I would say go with your gut and do everything you need to do until you've exhausted everything possible."
Saldana's loved ones have not stopped hoping for a miracle. His fiancee, Lexi Posey of Bryan Ohio, continues to believe there is a chance Slayton could have survived: "He's very smart, and not only that, he is a very good swimmer. Maybe he is using the constellations as a guide to get back to land, or the sun to navigate," she said.
Cynthia Rodriguez, Saldana’s mother, is beyond heartbroken. "He is so far away from me," she said. "It is not like I can go get in that boat and look for him myself." She added, "They will just write him off as another sailor, or another dumb kid that made the wrong decision at the wrong time, but that is not who he was. He was an incredible human being. I don't think people will realize that."
The Navy conducted an extensive search and rescue operation, including three ships: the USS Abraham Lincoln, the USS Leyte Gulf, and the Spanish Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate Méndez Núñez. The 5th Fleet also reported that aircraft from two patrol squadrons were involved in the search on the Arabian Sea.
The rescue operation ended 48 hours later, on July 19th.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and shipmates of our lost Sailor," said Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command,U.S. 5th Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces. "During this tragic time, I want to thank the Spanish Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate Méndez Núñez for their assistance in the search operations, and we thank all the Sailors involved in the search for their valiant efforts to find our shipmate."
On Tuesday, July 30th, the Navy and the Department of Defense formally announced a change in duty status for Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Slayton Richard Saldana.
Saldana's status has been officially changed from DUSTWUN to deceased.
Sources: FOX San Antonio, Stars and Stripes, CBS 3 WTKR, San Antonio KENS Channel 5, Navy Times, The Bryan Times, American Military News
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 supported by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, Ekaterin, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, JaxDem, Joy of Fishes, SARBill and me, TrueBlueMajority.
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.
IGTNT is a gathering of solemn remembrance. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one.
PLEASE bear in mind that these diaries are often read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all our remembrances reflect our compassion rather than our politics.
