I Got The News Today (IGTNT) 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.
Sgt. Christina Marie Schoenecker
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Sgt. Christina Marie Schoenecker, 26, of Arlington, Kansas, was assigned to the 89th Sustainment Brigade, Wichita, Kansas. She died on February 19, 2018 in Baghdad from a non-combat related incident that is under investigation.
Sgt. Schoenecker was an Army Reserve human resources specialist. Frankie Murphy, the executive officer for the 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which is the higher headquarters of her brigade, said in a statement, “We express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Sgt. Christina Marie Schoenecker. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn the loss of a loved one. We’ve lost a valuable member of our team and she will be sorely missed."
Sgt. Schoenecker was on her first deployment. She enlisted in May 2009, and she was promoted to sergeant in January 2015. Her awards include the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal.
"I close my eyes
And fall into the water.
I raise a voice
To my desire.
I hear my call
I hear it like a soldier.
I've got no choice.
I walk on fire."
Louie Ludwig, "I Walk on Fire”
These hearts were woven of human joys and cares,
Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth.
The years had given them kindness. Dawn was theirs,
And sunset, and the colours of the earth.
These had seen movement, and heard music; known
Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended;
Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone;
Touched flowers and furs and cheeks. All this is ended.
There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter
And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after,
Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance
And wandering loveliness. [She] leaves a white
Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width, a shining peace, under the night.
Rupert Brooke, “The Dead”
Sources: DoD, Stars & Stripes, Military.com, Wichita Eagle, Facebook
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. 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.