The Dallas Morning News has a solemn role call presentation about the 391 Texans who have been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan as of this month. There’s an introductory graphic stating that:
the average age of the soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines killed was 25 years, 135 days.
Each one was someone’s child.
Many were parents and spouses.
THESE ARE OUR OWN.
The four men we pay tribute to today were all spouses. Collectively, three of them were the parents of eight children. And as the Dallas Morning News presentation notes –
these are our own.
Please join me in honoring their memories and paying tribute to their service and their families’ tremendous sacrifice.
I Got the News Today – March 16, 2008 ~ (The phrase is meant to symbolize that terrible knock on the door that any number of families got today, bringing with it the news that a loved one has died.)
Staff Sgt. Laurent J. West, 32, Raleigh, NC
From the DoD:
Staff Sgt. Laurent J. West, 32, of Raleigh, N.C., died March 11 near Kishkishkia, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Davis issued this statement about Staff Sgt. West:
"Staff Sgt. West was a man who was abundantly humble in his demeanor. A quality that is not noted in many men, certainly his was an unquestionably fine trait. He could be counted on to get the job done – and done right. He was always willing to pass his knowledge on to his soldiers and was a genuine man that cared about his soldiers."
In newspaper interviews Staff Sgt. West’s father, Retired U.S. Army Col. Larry West recalled the conversation with his son when he told his father he wanted to join the Army:
"I said, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Because you’re in the military and I’m so proud of you,’ " the elder West said by phone from his Green Spring, W.Va., home Friday night. "I told him, ‘When you’re up to your neck in the water in the foxhole, and it’s people yelling at you, it won’t be me out there with you.’ "
He joined anyway.
Staff Sgt. West joined the Army in July 1993 as a member of the Chemical Corps, switching to cavalry scout in 1998. He had served tours overseas many times, including two deployments to Bosnia, from May to August 1998 and from March to September 2000. He earned every award imaginable.
He was someone "you’d be proud to have raised as a son," he told the Times-News:
"When I was in the Army, I wanted nothing more than to be a good soldier, and that’s what he was," he said.
As the son of a career military man, Laurent West attended several schools as he followed his father from assignment to assignment. It was only natural that he would want to follow in his father’s footsteps.
"I was a staff sergeant when he was born, and a lieutenant colonel when he went into the Army," he said.
"He tagged behind me everywhere I was assigned; he watched me go up through the ranks and understood what it was all about."
His father also talked about the challenging and brave work of his son’s unit:
"Cavalry scouts go out ahead of the main force," his father explained. "In fact, his unit had already located and exploded 157 IEDs before he was killed."
In the words of Lt. Col. Michael Iacobucci, Third Squad, 73 CAV commander:
"Staff Sgt. West led by example, and from the front," said Lt. Col. Michael Iacobucci, Third Squad, 73 CAV commander.
"His calm, resolute leadership always produced effective results. He will be missed."
and again from a father who must have been so, so proud of his son:
"They all knew that if they asked Laurent for his advice, it wouldn’t be anything but his honest opinion," his father said. "He had their respect."
Staff Sgt. West is survived by his wife, Michelle; his stepdaughters, Nistasha and Madison, all of Fort Bragg; his father and stepmother, Larry and Carol West, of Green Spring, W.Va.; and his mother, Ilona Bauer.
Rest in peace brave soldier. Your final mission is complete.
From the DoD:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died March 12 in Tallil, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their vehicle was hit by indirect fire.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Juantrea T. Bradley, 28, of Greenville, N.C., who was assigned to the 7th Special Troops Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Eustis, Va.
Spc. Dustin C. Jackson, 21, of Arlington, Texas, who was assigned to the 350th Adjutant General Company, Grand Prairie, Texas.
Pfc. Tenzin L. Samten, 33, of Prescott, Ariz., who was assigned to the 7th Special Troops Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Eustis, Va.
Staff Sgt. Juantrea ("Trey") T. Bradley, 28, Greenville, NC
We learn from WTKR that SSgt. Bradley is survived by "a loving wife, an 11-year old son, 5-year-old twins and little 3-year-old Juantrea Junior."
He joined the Army in February 2002 and was a graduate of the Warrior Leader Course and the Cargo Officer Course. He’d been stationed in Georgia and Germany, joined his unit in June. He had served tours overseas several times, including stints in Kuwait in 2002 and Iraq in 2003. His awards include the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development and Army Service ribbons.
SSgt. Bradley left Newport News in October with hundreds of other transportation soldiers from the 7th Sustainment Bridage on their third tour of duty.
These are the men and women who run the dangerous truck convoys, carrying the vital supplies from Kuwait to Baghdad.
"He was quiet and he just wanted to provide for his family," said his father Melvin Bradley. "I'll miss his smile...just everything...it's not just one thing. I'll miss so much."
Bradley's father questioned the Iraq war, about to mark it's fifth year anniversary next week.
"I mean, I don't understand why young people have to be over there in that kind of atmostphere fighting," he said. "Fighting for what? What are they fighting for?!"
We learn more in a video interview SSgt. Bradley’s parents gave WNCT:
Juantrea Bradley’s mother, Tammy Bradley, said, "As far as him going into the Army, I was skeptical about it, but he grew up to be a real man."
The D.H Conley graduate had a big heart and love everyone around him.
His father, Melvin Bradley said his son had the chance to get out of the Army.
"He didn’t get out because I told him a job around here is hard to find, and the only solution I gave was stay in and make a career out of it."
It’s a decision the father who has lost his son, wishes he could take back.
"To be honest with you, I wish he didn’t go back in there."
But mixed with the emotions of regret and grief, there’s also pride, pride that a young man from Pitt County honorably served his country in war.
"He wanted to show everybody that he became a good man," said Marvin Bradley.
While Bradley spent nearly a decade in the Army, his family said they prayed all the time, that this war wouldn’t take their soldier.
"Just indescribable to hear news like that we had him in constant prayer, but God saw fit to take him home," said his mother.
Perhaps that’s the only comfort this family can find during this time.
Rest in peace brave soldier. Your final mission is complete.
Spc. Dustin C. Jackson, 21, Arlington, Texas
Spc. Jackson had been married for about a year to Michelle and was scheduled to return home in two weeks, planning to begin college, we learn from the Star Telegram. Said his wife’s grandfather Gene Patrick:
"This is one of these cases where Michelle and Dustin came together and carefully planned out their lives."
Spc. Jackson’s unit was sent to provide logistical support to more than 20,000 U.S. and coalition forces in convoys and convoy support, resupplying ammunition, purifying water, distributing supplies and maintaining equipment.
For Spc. Jackson’s wife’s family, this is their second family member killed in Iraq. 2nd Lt. Jeremy Ray of Houston, was killed just before this past Christmas. 2nd Lt. Ray was remembered by SisTwo in this
IGTNT tribute.
My heart goes out to the Jackson and Patrick families.
Rest in peace brave soldiers. Your final missions are complete.
Pfc. Tenzin L. Samten, 33, Prescott, AZ
Pfc. Samten, a motor transport operator assigned to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) in Fort Eustis, Va., was killed alongside SSgt. Bradley and Spc. Jackson.
A married father of two, he enlisted in the Army in July 2006, completing basic training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, and advanced individual training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. He received several awards, including the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
Ft. Eustis is planning a memorial service this week for him and SSgt. Bradley. I’m sorry I don’t have more information about Pfc. Samten at this time.
Rest in peace brave soldier. Your final mission is complete.
REMEMBER THEM WELL
Remember our troops: those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those who are still in harm’s way and those who have returned home:
In Remembrance
Please take a moment to honor the memories of our fallen service men and women who have passed through this world much too quickly.
You can view the stories and remembrances of these heroes at sites such as Iraq Veterans Memorial and Honor the Fallen.
Regarding Iraq, the Department of Defense has confirmed 3,941 deaths, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. 482 American troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
Supporting the Troops
If you haven’t had a chance to put together a care package for a unit in Iraq or Afghanistan - it’s such a good feeling to know you are sending our troops things they really need. I’m not talking about the comforts of home – it’s necessities like socks and underwear and soup packets and feminine hygiene products and paper and pens...and school supplies, treats and trinkets they can pass out to the Iraqi and Afghan children. Basic things that they are so thrilled to receive.
There are a few ways to do this. You can go through troopcarepackage.com or anysoldier.com. If you go to the anysolider site click on WhereToSend for a searchable database. For example if you search "By Latest Email" you’ll see the troops who most recently have submitted a request for specific items. You then request their mailing address. Read Ninepatch’s wonderful diary on the how-tos of it all – it couldn’t be any easier thanks to her.
Operation Helmet is another great organization whose mission is to provide helmet upgrades.
Supporting Our Veterans
We have a solemn duty to ensure that our veterans are properly cared for. Consider visiting sites such as StandUp4Vets.org, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Welcome Back Veterans.org and Fisher House to see where your help is needed. Other ways to help can be found in this diary.
The Department of Defense has confirmed 3,987 deaths, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. 487 American troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
About the IGTNT series:
IGTNT stands for "I Got the News Today." The phrase is meant to symbolize that terrible knock on the door that any number of families got today, bringing with it the news that a loved one has died. IGTNT is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, MsWings, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, moneysmith, labwitchy, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn and me, greenies.
These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but an important service to those Americans who have died and to our community’s respect for and remembrance of them. If you would like to volunteer, even once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, or noweasels.
Fallen soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and National Guard whose names have been released by the Department of Defense will usually be diaried two days after the official announcement on the DoD website. This allows the IGTNT team to cover each fallen service member more fully, but still in a timely manner
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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.