Since 2001, there have been 1216 U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan, and since 2003, 4415 U.S. troops killed in Iraq.
IGTNT (I Got The News Today) is a reminder that nearly every day, somebody gets the news that a friend, former school mate, or family member will not be coming home from war.
Tonight we remember the life and honor the service of:
Cpl. Julio Vargas, 23, of Sylmar, California
Sgt. Kyle B. Stout, 25, of Texarkana, Texas
Cpl. Joe L. Wrightsman, 23, of Jonesboro, Louisiana
Please take a moment to send words of condolence to those who mourn, and to all those whose hearts and bodies are broken as a result of war.
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.
sources: LA Daily News, Office of the Governor—CA, Freedom Remembered, LA Times, North County Times
Julio Vargas had a lot to look forward to
Julio Vargas grew up in a tough area, but had the advantage of parents who loved him. According to childhood friend Jafet Sauceda, "Julio was raised like no ordinary son. He was taught by wonderful parents the importance of education, responsibility, religion, and most importantly: love." Adalberto Cruz, a neighbor of 11 years, said "He was a good kid. He was always smiling and you'd never see him mad or anything. He was always real polite, really outgoing."
Vargas went to Texas as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints soon after graduating from Sylmar High School. Then after completing his mission, he enlisted in the Marines in February 2008. He was a vehicle gunner assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
His first combat deployment was due to end this September, and he was looking forward to coming home.
Home to his bride, Rosita, whom he met through his church and had just married last December.
Home to the new house near Camp Pendleton that he and Rosita recently bought.
Home with hopes of starting a family of his own, asking his father before he went overseas, "Are you ready to be a grandpa?"
But all these newlywed hopes were dashed on July 20, when Cpl. Julio Vargas was killed at the tender age of 23 by a roadside bomb in Helmand province. It was just his second day on patrol, according to Adalberto Cruz, who joined with other mourners outside his parents' home in Sylmar, California. Upon receiving news of Vargas' death, his parents and brothers—including his identical twin who serves in the Army Reserves, flew to Portland, Oregon, to receive his remains. "It's a tragedy for us all," Cruz said. "This was a shock to us."
"The Marines and sailors of the 1st Marine Division mourn the loss of Corporal Vargas," said 1st Lt. Ken Kunze in a statement. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family." His personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement: "Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cpl. Julio Vargas. He was a real-life hero, one of our nation's bravest individuals, and his service and sacrifice in the name of freedom will not be forgotten. We extend our sincere condolences to Julio’s family and loved ones as they reflect on the life of this courageous Marine." The governor also ordered flags at the state Capitol to be flown at half-staff in Vargas' honor.
"He was an awesome friend, brother, husband, and son" wrote Jafet Sauceda in an online tribute. "He loved his family to the fullest and was always humble. I only hope the family can remember Julio for the many people he has touched, including mine. He was a wonderful example to our community."
"He was so young," said neighbor Jessica Salgado, who recalled playing with Vargas when they were children. "He had so much ahead of him."
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sources: The Leaf Chronicle, KYTX 19, Texarkana Gazette, North Texas Patriot Guard Riders, Chapelwood Funeral Home
Kyle Stout loved the outdoors
Kyle B. Stout, was born in Texarkana, Texas in November 1984, the youngest of three children born to Mike and Robin Stout. Kyle graduated from Texas High School in 2003 and entered the Army in July 2006. He arrived at Fort Campbell in November 2006 and served as an Artillery Specialist. His first deployment was to Iraq in October 2007, and he returned for a second tour in November 2008. Kyle then deployed to Afghanistan in June 2010. Stout was a cannon crewmember (artilleryman) assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
"I enjoy every aspect of the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping, and being in the water make me happy," Kyle wrote on his MySpace page. "Working out and keeping my body in good shape is also very important to me. I love hanging out with friends and sipping whiskey. Being from the Lone Star State I naturally like country music. Television--if its not sports, I probably don't watch it."
Sgt. Kyle B. Stout died on July 20 of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device near a security checkpoint in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan.
He was escorted from Dover, Delaware by long time friend and neighbor SR. Airman Brandon Thompson of the United States Air Force based at Langley AFB.
Kyle was honored on many occasions with service awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and graduation from the Army Air Assault Course.
He is survived by his parents: Mike and Robin Stout of Wake Village, Texas; one brother and sister-in-law: Michael and Melissa D. Stout of Durant, Oklahoma; one sister: Melissa A. Stout of Wake Village, Texas; three nephews: Skylar Stout, Cameron Stout and Jaidon Stout; one niece: Maci Stout, a number of cousins, aunts, uncles and many friends, including his best friend Ryan Sikes.
"Kyle died courageously while serving his country," said Stout’s family in a prepared statement on
August 3. The Patriot Guard Riders accompanied Sgt. Stout as his remains were brought home, and will be at his services this coming Saturday.
The family requests no flowers at his viewing or funeral, instead they ask everyone to send care packages to the troops overseas in honor of Kyle.
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sources: Freedom Remembered, Kitsap Sun, KOMO News, Castra Praetoria
Joe Wrightsman couldn't swim, but tried to save another man from drowning
Joe L. Wrightsman is the son of Joe Merritt and Kathy Webb. He and his sister were adopted by their paternal aunt and uncle, Connie and John Wrightsman, and Joe spent his early childhood in Kitsap County, Washington. At age thirteen he moved with his mom and siblings to Louisiana.
He was a multi-sport athlete at Jonesboro Hodge High School. He ran track and cross country, and played football. Joe was a leader among his peers and would always stand with the underdog. Just his presence was enough to keep the tougher kids from picking on those he befriended.
His grandmother, Buffy Langford of Poulsbo, Louisiana, said Wrightsman was infatuated with the Marines as a teenager, and couldn’t wait to enlist. With the lure of scholarship funding and hope for a better life, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 2005 and attended the School of Infantry the following August.
Wrightsman joined the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, based out of Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay in October 2005, and served as a rifleman and team leader with Kilo Company.
Joe completed two deployments to Iraq, and when volunteers were sought for Afghanistan, family members asked him not to go, according to his grandmother. But "He wanted to be there for his country, and he was a Marine to his heart," said Langford. "He’s one young man who got to live his dreams." So Wrightsman went off to his third deployment in May of 2010, when his unit deployed to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces.
"He liked to be out front," said his father John Wrightsman. "He was one of the guys who like to be right out front." But the 23 year old was also a jokester with his fellow Marines. "Funny, kind of goofy, can be goofy," John Wrightsman added.
An official report on the circumstances surrounding Wrightsman’s death on July 18 has not been made available. But his grandmother said that while Wrightsman and his unit were patrolling with Afghan trainees, they attempted to wade across the chest-deep, fast-flowing Helmand River. Wrightsman made it, but he turned to notice his Afghan partner was having trouble. His former 1st Sgt with Kilo Company posted the following details in an online tribute:
"Cpl. Wrightsman was part of a patrol crossing the Helmand River when a member of the Afghan National Police was swept away in the river behind him. Without hesitation, Cpl. Wrightsman, in full personal protective gear, dove into the water in an effort to rescue the ANP.
Upon hearing what happened, nearly every one of us that knew him immediately thought: "But Wrightsman can't swim!" Fortunately, America still breeds men with a bias for action who don't dwell on what they can't do. He heedlessly went after a man who wasn't a fellow Marine or even an American.
He was last seen about 50 ft. downstream when he surfaced briefly. Four other Marines dropped their gear and went in after him, but were unable to find anything."
Wrightsman's body was eventually found about a mile away. The Afghani soldier also died, and his body was also recovered.
Cpl. Wrightsman’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and the NATO-International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan Medal.
One final word from his former 1st Sgt: "All Cpl Wrightsman cared about was being a Marine and taking care of his squad. Yeah, that's just about my breed of Marine I'd say."
A friend named Richard posted the following to an online tribute page "Joe Wrightsman was a childhood friend of mine, and it doesn't surprise me how many people he touched in his short life. He was always helping other people, he never hated anyone he came across, everyone liked him. He wasn't fake, who you saw was who Joe was."
Joe Wrightsman is survived by a son, his parents, nine brothers and eight sisters, and his fiancee Kiara.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remember. 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 by the DoD, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
Click the IGTNT tag to see other entries in the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is maintained by monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, Proud Mom and Grandma, CalNM, Wide Awake in KY, and Sandy on Signal.
If you're willing to write a diary for this series, even once every other month, please leave a message in this diary and contact Sandy on Signal at sandy3660 AT comcast DOT net.
PLEASE note that these comments may be read by friends and family who are overcome with raw grief. It is our custom here to leave politics aside as we offer our remembrance tributes with respect and compassion.