Tonight, we have two to remember. Both were killed in Afghanistan. Both leave behind heartbroken families and friends. Please take a moment to read about their lives and dedication.
So far in 2011, 167 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan. Since 2001, there have been 1605 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4454 American troops killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 36 killed in Operation New Dawn. Please take a moment to honor their sacrifice.
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.
DoD Announces Marine Casualty
Cpl. Paul W. Zanowick II, 23, of Miamisburg, Ohio, died June 3 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Paul Zanowick graduated high school in 2006, and entered the Army in 2008. He felt a tremendous sense of duty, after the 9-11 terrorism attacks on our country. Cpl. Zanowick was on his second deployment. His father told the WDTN -T.V.:
"He had such a sense of wanting to protect us," said Paul Sr.
"You don't want this day to happen. That was a huge fear, but i respect what he choose to do and I honor it, but I would gladly have gone instead," he added.
Our fellow kossack, Dayton Mike knew him well and left the following comment below:
This one is personal (6+ / 0-)
I live in the Dayton area, and am active with the Boy Scouts. I have met Paul "Rocky" Zanowick many times, and my son has worked with him for two summers at the local Scout camp before Rocky joined the Marines. I work closely with his parents and sister, helping to train othr adult leaders. They are all "good people" in the truest sense of the word. Our entire community is devastated by this loss.
My church prays by name for the dead in Iraq and Afghanistan, and ordinarily we would have prayed for him next Sunday. Instead, I added his name last Sunday, and added those of his family, his wife and his son.
And, as or priest commented later, knowing the grief that one family is feeling, what must it be like for the thousands of American kids whose names are on memorial posters in our church's sanctuary, and te unnamed tens of thousands of civilians and enemies killed in these wars.
His close friend from high school and college, Joseph Riffle, told the
ONN- TV:
"Paul would follow through if you needed anything. He would always give 100 percent and had a great sense of humor that will be missed," Riffle said.
Flags lined the streets in Miamisburg, when the news came out of Cpl. Zanowick's death. People remembered him from Boy Scouts and school days. He was always a well-liked and highly regarded man.
Mayor of Miamisburg, Dick Church, ordered flags at half-staff in honor of Cpl. Paul Zanowick. Mayor Church told the ONN-tv:
"The thing I remember about him and his father is that, when they came to council meetings when he was a youngster, he always had a smile and I'll always remember that smile," said Church.
"I just want people to remember him for who he was," said Ryan Zanowick, Zanowick's wife. "You know not only was he a great Marine, but he was also a great son, brother, husband and father".
Cpl. Paul Zanowick leaves behind a twenty-two month old son, wife, parents, and siblings. Cpl. Zanowick earned the following awards: Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Source
Source
Semper Fi, Cpl. Zanowick.
DoD Announces Army Casualty
Sgt. Jeffrey C. S. Sherer, 29, of Four Oaks, N.C. died June 2, in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
At least ten pages of condolences filled the on-line guest book for Sgt. Jeffrey Sherer.
The heartbreaking notes gave insight into a fine and deeply loved soldier. Here are a few:
...
Jeff loved what he did. He told me this is what he was meant to do. He loved the Army and all his Brothers and Sisters in it also. If you ever were blessed to have met our Jeff :). You will never forget him as he left a mark on everyones heart he met Jeff loved his Family and friends. He had a Heart Of Gold and the courage of no other human I've ever met. I MISS U MY SWEET SWEET JEFF AND I KNOW YOU AND YOUR MOM ARE TOGETHER AGAIN I LOVE YOU JEFF
Jeff was my brother. I've known him since he was a very young boy. It was a distinct privilege to see him grow into the fine young man he became. You are loved, even now, my brother. Thank you for being who you are...and being in my life.
~ Kevin Saint,
I am Jeff's sister. It is nice to read such good things about Jeff and to hear from you all. On behalf of our father, brother sean, aunt, uncle and cousins I thank you for your support.
... He was so excited and did everything he needed to do to enlist in the Army and serve our country. We maintained contact via the web through the years and the last time I physically saw him he was here in NC for a visit. What a changed young man he was, I was so proud of him and told him that very thing when I hugged him. I feel like I have lost more than a friend, I have lost a family member, for he left a mark etched in my heart that time will never erase. My heart and prayers go out to each of you and to the other soldiers fighting abroad.
When more information comes available through news sources, I will update it. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Thank you for your service. Rest in peace, Sgt. Jeffrey Sherer.
In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McRae, MD, (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, Kestrel 9000, racheltracks, csas, 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.