Tonight we honor an Army sergeant who died in Afghanistan from injuries suffered in a non-combat-related incident.
Since 2001, 2333 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan, and between 2003 and 2012, 4489 U.S. troops lost their lives while serving in Iraq.
I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
~ Photo Credit Timroff
The Department of Defense has announced the death of death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Christopher W. Mulalley, 26, of Eureka, Calif., died Aug. 22, in Gardez, Afghanistan, as the result of a non-combat related incident. The incident is under investigation.
He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Please join me tonight for a remembrance of his life.
Sgt. Christopher W. Mulalley
A native of Eureka, CA, Sgt. Mulalley graduated from Eureka High School in 2006. He entered active-duty service in July 2006 as an infantryman. Since July 2013 he has been assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood.
This was Sgt. Mulalley's third deployment. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2007 to December 2007 and Operation Enduring Freedom from May 2009 to June 2010. His latest deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom began in June.
His wife Brittany posted on Chris' Facebook page:
"Thank you all for everything you guys have said about my husband. You guys can continue to post your memories of him on his page as I will leave it up as a memorial page. I will not be changing anything on it because I feel that's what he would want...You guys are welcome to post any pictures of Chris you have! I am trying to save them for our boys to remember him."
Besides his parents and his wife, Sgt. Mulalley is also survived by two young sons.
Sgt. Mulalley’s awards and decorations include three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National DefenseService Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge and Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert with Rifle.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Sgt. Mulalley's remains arrive at Dover AFB.
~LINK~~LINK~~LINK~(Photos credits: Facebook family photos and DoD)
Rest in peace, Sgt. Christopher Mulalley. You have served with honor.
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, JaxDem, Joy of Fishes and me, Ekaterin.
These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them. 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.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
