Please join me and the IGTNT team tonight as we honor four fallen Americans: Sgt. Christopher D. Loza, 24, of Abilene, Texas; Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan, 22, of East Freetown, Massachusetts; Sgt. James R. "Mac" McIlvaine, 26, of Olney, Maryland; and Staff Sgt. Mark A. "Tony Wojo" Wojciechowski, 25, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Thank you, Timroff, for our beautiful IGTNT logo.
May I ask that you dear Kossacks kindly take a moment to send a warm thought or prayer to the hundreds of thousands of forgotten or unnoticed souls who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from the insanity of war? This is not their diary but still, we all feel and grieve the pain of a broken human spirit.
Blessings and Light to all who share our world.
Sgt. Christopher D. Loza
Photo credit and many thanks to Sue.
KWTX.com reports that Sgt. Loza died April 10, 2009, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., six weeks after falling ill in Iraq. His death was not announced by the Department of Defense until Saturday, May 2. The military said that Sgt. Loza became ill on March 17 in Radwaniyah, Iraq, but other details of his illness and subsequent passing were not released.
Chris Loza was a native son of Abilene where he graduated from Abilene High School in 2002. Christopher channeled his dream of one day becoming a firefighter or police officer into a career at Howard College where he received a degree in Criminal Justice on May 12, 2006. Sgt. Loza was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, in Waco, Texas.
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Sgt. Loza on their Watch List, where loving condolences are being left for Sgt. Loza's family. There is another on-line Guest Book available for additional thoughts and remembrances.
Sgt. Christopher D. Loza is survived by his parents, Amelia Nava and Martin Loza; his college sweetheart and wife, Kristena Torres, and their 4-year-old daughter Iliana Alyse Loza. Chris was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for most of his life, and that congregation will surely be celebrating the memory of a man who stood up for what he believed no matter what it was about.
Our hearts are with the Loza family, and all who knew and loved Sgt. Christopher D. Loza. Please know that we stand beside you at this time of terrible loss.
I am deeply grateful to Sue where I found much of this information on Sgt. Chris Loza.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan
Photo credit: US Navy, from WVEC.com.
Following in his family's footsteps as a third generation serviceman, Tyler Trahan ranked in the Top 10 of his high school graduating class where he was a National Honor Society member and the star quarterback and captain of his high school football team. After his 2004 graduation from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester, Tyler attended Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne. Shifting gears in May 2006, Tyler enlisted in the Navy where he graduated from boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, in July 2006. Tyler's scholastic accomplishments were capped when he was asked to carry The Golden Sword, an honor bestowed on the leader of the graduating class.
The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis beckoned, but Tyler turned down the opportunity so he could attend special operations training instead. Tyler studied at the Center for Naval Engineering in Great Lakes, Florida, then Naval Dive and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida, and finally Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, all in his mission to become an explosives ordinance disposal technician. His next duty station was Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit ONE in San Diego before moving to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit TWELVE in Norfolk, Virginia. WVEC.com notes that because homemade bombs are the leading killer of American forces in Iraq, explosives technicians are some of the most in-demand military personnel.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Trahan deployed to Iraq early in 2009, with his comrades in an East Coast-based Navy SEAL team which included more than 100 bomb technicians. Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan died on April 30 while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" (Valor) Distinguishing Device, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
The Commanding Officer of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Twelve, Cmdr. Joseph Polanin, said, "Petty Officer Tyler Trahan was an exemplary leader and exceptional EOD technician. Our hearts go out to his family and friends in this very difficult time. He was a great warrior, teammate, and friend to so many. His patriotic spirit will live on in each of us. His supreme sacrifice will not be in vain."
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have PO2 Trahan on their Watch List, where loving condolences can be left for the family. There is another on-line Guest Book available for additional thoughts and remembrances. A few snippets from those who knew Tyler:
To the Trahan family and to all of Tyler's friends and loved ones, my most sincere condolences. Tyler was a great young man, teammate, and friend. I will miss him greatly and I hope that you all can find some comfort during this difficult time with the understanding of what an outstanding and exceptional young man you raised in Tyler. He was the eternal optimist, and an absolute pleasure to be around. Godspeed brother....
I had the privilege of watching Tyler grow up, having lived next door to the Trahan's for most of his child hood. Tyler was the most courteous young man one would ever meet. My heart goes out to his mother, father, sister, and anyone who called him friend.
Tyler thank you for your service in keeping this country safe. You will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace
Tyler graduated a year before me and was one of the nicest kids at the colony. he will be missed by all who knew him and i am sorry to hear of this news god bless the Trahan family in this sad time.
A Navy carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan on Friday, May 1, 2009 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Trahan. We stand beside you at this time of terrible loss.
I am deeply grateful to Sue where I found some of this information on Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Trahan.
Staff Sgt. Mark A. Wojciechowski
Much like his fallen comrade Tyler Trahan, Mark Anthony ("Tony Wojo") Wojciechowski also followed in his family's footsteps: his step-grandfather served in the Marines and his mother served in the Army. His step-grandmother, Cathy Dillinger, remembers how Mark "really grew up" after completing basic training following his high school graduation.
"Its one of those cases where he goes in a boy and comes out a man," Mrs. Dillinger said. "After basic training, he aged emotionally 10 years. He was just a good man. He loved being a Marine. He probably would have made a career out of it. He just wanted to do his duty wherever he could."
Staff Sgt. Wojciechowski, or "Tony Wojo" as he liked to be called, was on his second deployment to Iraq and had been a Marine for six years. He had just re-upped his enlistment before he died while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. "Tony Wojo" was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, California.
"He went out and did the duty as he saw fit, and put his life on the line for the kind of things we value in the community. Its a tragedy he's been lost to us," remembers Gary Brooks, the superintendent of West Clermont Schools where "Tony Wojo" attended.
A Marine Corps carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Mark A. Wojciechowski on Friday, May 1, 2009 upon his arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders will be escorting Mark Wojciechowski to his final resting place on May 7 and 9th. Condolences have been left for the family by the Riders, and an additional on-line Guest Book is available for further thoughts and remembrances. A few snippets from those who knew "Tony Wojo":
I'm sorry i could have not been out there this time with you.... i looked up to you and learned a lot. everything from how to make a bridal... to being a leader.... i remember the time i forgot to grab you before i made the chow run and you made me burn crap...hahah...i am going to miss you man.... i am a better corpsman because of you.....
I was very fortunate to know Tony. While he was assigned to Subase Bangor (Marine Corps Security Force), Tony dated my sister in law. From the first moment we met him, we loved him. He was a squared away young man, that was very polite and respectful. He quickly became a part of our family (so we put him in our wedding, too). I found myself competing for Tony's attention with Amy. Tony loved to join me at poker parties, endure mutual pranks, and spend lots of time outdoors hiking and playing. As a career firefighter with years under my belt, I looked up to Tony. He was a man's man! I feel honored that he took up diving after we had made plans of diving together when he returned home. He regularly called and sent me (and my in-laws) pics, videos and artifacts (t-shirts, etc) from Iraq and his R&R destinations. It breaks my heart to lose such a great friend, but it is comforting to know that he has touched so many lives as he did ours. He was a great man! I will never forget Tony "Wojo"!
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved "Tony Wojo", Staff Sgt. Mark A. Wojciechowski. Please know that we stand beside you at this time of terrible loss.
A Navy carry team places the transfer case containing the remains of US Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan of Freetown, Mass. next to the transfer case containing the remains of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Mark A. Wojciechowski, of Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday, May 1, 2009 upon their arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Sgt. James R. McIlvaine
Olney native Sgt. James R. "Mac" McIlvaine joined the Marines after attending Sherwood High School and graduating from a military school in Virginia. His paternal grandmother, Patty DeSimone, felt her grandson was a man "who loved to please his father" and he did just that when he joined the Marines in 2001.
"His father was very patriotic, loved the flag and country," said Ms. DeSimone. "James felt the same way. His father missed out on serving, so when James joined, he was proud to have a son in the military. He was proud to see him in uniform. I was proud of him, too."
James McIlvaine married the teenage girlfriend he'd met when the two worked at Olney Cinemas. Sheryl and James had two children: Michael, age 7 and Alexa, age 3. Sergeant McIlvaine's uncle said his nephew played hockey, and he was teaching Michael to enjoy the game. The family lived in Twentynine Palms, California.
Sgt. McIlvaine died while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have been asked to stand honor for Sgt. McIlvaine, including visitation and escort to Arlington. Condolences have been left by the Riders, and an additional on-line Guest Book is available for further thoughts and remembrances. A few snippets from those who knew James:
sgt james mcilvine is my older brother i ask people not to weep but to celabrate the great life that he had.. all my love to my sister in law and my niece and nephew that he left behind
James, you are the best husband anyone could have ever asked for. Im honored to have spent the last 10 years with you. I will love you for all eternity, you are my world and my everything. Thank you, for everything. You are my Hero.
I am the mother of a Marine. A marine that was well known by SGT. James R. McIlvaine. " Jesse Rodriguez" We didn't know him personally but Jesse our son always spoke very highly of Mr. McIlvaine. Jesse said he was an outstanding leader and that he was learning a lot from him......This loss has not only affected our son but us as well. A great soldier who fought for this country and will always be remember as a Hero, Marine, Father, and a Loving Husband. Our prayers and tears go out to the whole family.
"He was full of life," Ms. DeSimone said. "And when he was around, he made everybody laugh. He will be greatly missed. He's one of those people that you knew when he was in the room."
Our hearts are with the McIlvaine family, and all who knew and loved Sgt. James "Mac" McIlvaine. Please know that we stand beside you at this time of terrible loss.
The following fine organizations could sure use your support: AnySoldier.com, Books for Soldiers, Fisher House, the Military Pets Foster Project, Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pets, Military Mascots, Operation Enduring Christmas, an organization that plans theme parks vacations for the children of our fallen troops, and Helping Udders, an organization that sends cooling vests to the Military Working Dogs stationed with their handlers in Iraq.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Click here to see other IGTNT diaries, a series which was begun by i dunno and which is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, noweasels, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, and mediaprof.
These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but, we believe, an important service to those Americans who have died, and to our community's respect for and remembrance of them. 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
As you read this diary, please consider that the families and friends of those profiled here also may read it and that many members of our community have served in Iraq or Afghanistan or have loved ones currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I hope that the comments tonight will demonstrate our respect for the sacrifices of our fallen military and our compassion for their families, whatever our personal feelings about the war and occupation happen to be. (Comment credit and my thanks to dear noweasels.)
PEACE AND BLESSINGS.