If you know my name, you know that I have writen tributes to our fallen servicemen and women on DailyKos for the past year. I, along with my fellow IGTNT diarists, put much care into paying tribute to these men and women by researching as much as we can to properly honor them.
I've written about the loss of some remarkable people and I cry over every one of them.
Last August I wrote a diary that included tributes to two soldiers - Spc. Kamisha Block and Staff Sgt. Paul Norris - who had died in what the Army called a "non-combat related incident." The family was initially led to believe it was "friendly fire."
As it turns out, Paul Norris murdered Kamisha and then took his own life. But it took 6 months for Kamisha's family to learn the truth about her death. Beyond that, the Army has admitted that it failed to protect her from abuse.
Spc. Kamisha Block, 20, of Vidor, TX
From KBTV:
New revelations Wednesday about the death of Army Specialist Kamisha Block. The Vidor woman was the first Southeast Texas female soldier to die in Iraq, KBTV has learned she was not a casualty of war. She was a victim of murder. Kamisha Block's mother, Jane Block, is sharing the 1600 page report on the investigation.
I can't imagine the pain from the wounds that opened up again when the family got the Army's report.
It showed that SSgt. Norris shot Kamisha 5 times before killing himself. They had had a relationship - a very abusive one. Kamisha's chain of command knew about it, but did nothing to help her:
Jane Block is angry with the Army because she says it took six months to learn the truth about her daughter's death. She also says the army has admitted that Kamisha's chain of command failed her. The report shows that her superiors knew about the verbal and physical abuse Norris had inflicted on Kamisha. Jane Block says even though she's gotten the full report on the investigation she wants to know that some disciplinary action has been taken against Kamisha's superiors who did not protect her.
I don't know if any disciplinary action has been taken against her superiors, but this just can't happen. A woman (or man for that matter) in the military should at least feel safe amidst her fellow soldiers, and if she asks for help or protection from abuse, she better damn well get it.
This was part of my IGTNT tribute to Kamisha back in August:
According to Southeast Texas Live, Army Spc. Kamisha Block was going to be returning from Iraq next month. That’s when she and her lifelong friend Amanda Buck were going to get matching tattoos.
They were going to be yellow butterflies - a symbol of Block's military service - on the center of their upper backs, Buck said.
"Every time I see my wings, I was going to think of her, and every time she saw her wings, she was going to think of me," Buck said. "We had each other's back."
Spc. Kamisha Block is now free to fly in eternal peace. I am proud to know she was serving her country on my behalf. And my deepest condolences to her family. I am heartbroken for them all over again - the Army failed them and it especially failed Kamisha.
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
You can view the stories and remembrances of these heroes at sites such as Iraq Veterans Memorial and Honor the Fallen.
Supporting the Troops
Please click here to support Netroots for the Troops:
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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.