I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of 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, Afghanistan as well in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Joint Guardian. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
Pfc. Joshua Mikeasky
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Pfc. Joshua Mikeasky, 19, from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, died Dec. 13, 2018, at Bagram Airfield, Bagram District, Parwan Province, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident. The incident is under investigation. Pfc. Mikeasky was assigned to 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. ~ DoD News Release
Joshua Mikeasky graduated from Johnstown High School where he was fondly remembered by one
of his classmates, Caitlyn Wallace:
He was very smart, very outgoing and always had people laughing or smiling. He was dedicated to school and always knew what he wanted. ~ WJACTV
Private First Class Joshua Mikeasky enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 0f 2017, likely just following his high school graduation.
Mikeasky then completed basic training and underwent advanced individual training. Joshua was then assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York.
During the following year, Pfc Mikeasky trained in health care within his unit.
He deployed in October 2018 to Afghanistan in support of NATO’s Resolute Support mission as well as the U.S. led Operation Freedom’s Sentinel mission of training and advising Afghan security forces. Mikeasky was assisting the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team by serving as a health care specialist.
The Senior Commander at Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, Major General Walter E. Piatt, reported that details surrounding Pfc. Mikeasky’s death had not yet emerged, but the incident remained under investigation. He noted the following regarding losing one of his young soldiers:
It’s the saddest part of my job. You can imagine at this time of the year, losing a loved one. The sun never sets on the 10th Mountain patch. ~ Watertown Daily Times
Pfc. Mikeasky’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the NATO Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
Private First Class Joshua Mikeasky is survived by his mother and father.
~ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
I Got the News Today" is a series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifices made by our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, Joy of Fishes, SARBill and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write but are an important service to those who have died and allows our community to show respect for the fallen and express condolences to those who mourn them. These posts 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 member(s) mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.