Tonight, we have three more to honor. Two were Marines and one was a Soldier.
Since 2001, there have been 1065 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4397 American troops killed in Iraq. Please take a moment to honor their sacrifice.
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DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Capt. Kyle A. Comfort, 27, of Jacksonville, Ala., died May 8 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Kyle's widow spoke to the Anniston Star
“Kyle’s main purpose in life was to make a difference,” said his widow, Brooke Clopton Comfort, 28, of Jacksonville, “and he really felt like we were making a difference over there.”
Brooke Comfort told the Anniston Star, she married her husband in 2005 and they have a six month old daughter, Kinleigh Ann.
Captain Kyle Comfort was an Army Ranger who loved his job. He just completed a combat operation where they shut down a large IED factory. Soon afterwards, he was killed by an IED.
Comfort received numerous decorations and awards, they include: the Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge. He has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with combat star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseason Service Ribbon.
Brooke Comfort told the Anniston Star:
“He was a hero. He died for his country. He died doing what he loved,” she said. “He was a wonderful man and a wonderful soldier.”
A hero, indeed. Rest in Peace, Capt. Kyle A. Comfort.
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Davis, 19, of Perry, Iowa, died May 7 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Lance Cpl. Joshua Davis was so eager to join the Marines, he graduated a trimester early from high school. Davis, a 2009 graduate of Perry High School, began to speak with Marine recruiting in his sophomore year. His mind was made up early, he wanted to go where the action was. Davis enlisted in March, 2009. In March of 2010, he deployed for Afghanistan. He was a machine gunner with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines.
Back home in Iowa, Davis is being remembered by his family, friends and coaches. He was on the football and wrestling teams during high school. His wrestling coach, Steve Hamilton, told the Des Moines Register.
"The thing that was cool about him was that he had no quit in him,"
and added:
"He was a great leader because he always showed up; he did the work," Hamilton said. "He didn't see a lot of success, but he never quit."
Football coach, Jeff Hayes, recalled how Davis always wanted to serve his country.
"It sticks with you when a kid knows what he wants to do," Hayes said.
He added:"Josh always gave 100 percent," he said. "He gave his best effort."
Funeral arrangements are pending. Patriot Guard Riders will update.
Rest in Peace, Lance Cpl. Joshua Davis.
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Lance Cpl. Richard R. Penny, 21, of Fayetteville, Ark., died May 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
A Facebook page has been set up by LCPL Richard Penny's many friends to honor his memory. Friends and fellow Marines shared stories and photos of this true hero, who died for his country. Memorial services are scheduled for this Friday.
Lance Cpl. RIchard Penny was a machine gunner with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines. In February 2009, Penny joined the Marines. He was promoted to Lance Cpl. in April, 2010. His awards and decorations include: the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Rest in Peace, Lance Cpl. Richard Penny.
We Remember Them
In the rising of the sun and its going down,
We Remember Them.
In the bowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
We Remember Them.
In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring.
We Remember Them.
In the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer,
We Remember Them.
In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn.
We Remember Them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We Remember Them.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We Remember Them.
When we are lost and sick of heart,
We Remember Them.
When we have joys and special celebrations we yearn to share,
We Remember Them.
So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are part of us.
We Remember Them.
~From the Jewish Book Of Prayer~
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. 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.
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here and here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here. I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect and remind. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries.
Click the IGTNT tags to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, and me, Sandy on Signal.
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.