IGTNT: “I Got The News Today” began in 2004 by user “i dunno”; it is the second oldest continuous series on Daily Kos. Its purpose is to honor, respect and remind us of the sacrifices made by our troops and to provide community members a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and as well as serving in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support, Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Octave Shield, and Operation Spartan Shield. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active-duty service member receives the heartbreaking news that their beloved has died. You may click here to see the entire series.
1st Sgt. Casey J. Hart, 42, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died Jun. 8, 2021, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, as a result of a non-combat related incident May 9, 2021, at Al-Tanf Garrison, Syria. The incident is under investigation.
Hart was assigned to 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Louisiana Army National Guard, Lafayette, Louisiana. ~ DoD News Release
1st Sgt Casey J. Hart
Casey J. Hart began his 24 year military career in 1997 at Fort Hood, Texas. He later transferred to the Louisiana Army National Guard in Lafayette, LA.
In 2007, Hart joined the Baton Rouge Police Department and was assigned to the Patrol Division. He distinguished himself by receiving multiple Letters of Commendation during his service with the Department.
1st Sgt Hart had previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in October of 2020 Hart deployed for a one year tour in Kuwait. ~ Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home
On May 9th, Mother’s Day, Hart’s wife, Keri received a call notifying her that Casey had collapsed while running. He had suffered a cardiac arrest and was being flown to a military hospital in Germany. Keri flew to Hart’s bedside in Germany. Shortly after they were both flown to Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland where he subsequently died on June 8th. ~ Source: Go Fund Me
Statements of Condolences and Sympathy have poured in for 1st Sgt. Casey J. Hart:
"The men and women of the Baton Rouge Police Department are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Corporal Casey Hart. Corporal Hart is a 14-year veteran of the police department and was assigned as a Uniformed Patrol Officer at 3rd District. As a dedicated member of the United States Army National Guard, he not only served our community, but he served our country honorably for many years.Corporal Hart passed away yesterday due to an illness while on deployment with the National Guard.We extend our deepest sympathy to Corporal Hart’s friends and family, especially his wife, Keri, his daughter, and all those he touched through his life and service." ~ Baton Rouge Police Department Chief of Police Murphy Paul
It is with great sadness that I must report that we lost a hero today. Cpl. Casey Hart who was active duty military and a Baton Rouge Police Officer passed away at Walter Reid Hospital this morning. He leaves behind a wife and daughter. Casey was loved by so many and especially those who served beside him. We are asking for prayers for this family as they make their journey back home to Louisiana. ~ National Police Wives Association
First Sergeant Casey J. Hart valiantly and proudly served the citizens of our state and nation, and we are deeply saddened to hear of his passing. A senior member of the 2nd Battalion, he grew as a strong leader over the past two decades. A true American hero, he selflessly served his community here and during his assignments abroad. Deeply committed to his family and unit, he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Please join me and Donna in praying for his wife, daughter, family, colleagues and friends. ~ Gov. John Bel Edwards
"On behalf of U.S. Central Command, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of our fallen American Soldier who was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. 1st Sgt. Casey J. Hart, Operation Inherent Resolve 1st Sgt. Hart's service to his country and his sacrifices will not be forgotten." ~ General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., U.S. Marines
1st Sgt. Casey J. Hart’s awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal, Posthumous, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Louisiana Cross of Merit, Posthumous, Louisiana War Cross, Combat Infantryman Badge
1st Sgt. Casey J. Hart’s funeral was held in Baton Rouge, LA on June 21st followed by his burial at Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary, Louisiana.
1st Sgt. Casey J. Hart leaves behind his wife, Keri A. Hart; daughter, Taylen E. Hart; mother, Debra A. Hart; father, Terry R. Hart; mother-in-law, Deborah F. Andrus; father-in-law, Danny P. Andrus; along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Chester and Mary Ann Maniscalco Hart; maternal grandparents, Harold L. Soileau and Jennie C. Comeaux.
Spc. Joshua S. Robinson, 22, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died Jun. 10, 2021, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, as a result of a non-combat related incident. The incident is under investigation.
Robinson was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, Louisiana Army National Guard, Lake Charles, Louisiana. ~ DoD News Release
Joshua Robinson served with the Louisiana National Guard for four years, enlisting likely just out of high school at age 18.
Upon his enlistment, Robinson was sent to Fort Benning, GA where he completed a 10 week, 3 day basic course. Spc. Robinson then underwent a 12 week Advanced Individual Training course in order to earn the military occupational specialty 11B, Infantryman.
While serving his country as an Infantryman, Robinson was the main land combat force and fighting foundation of the National Guard. He was responsible for defending the country against any threat by land, as well as capturing, destroying and repelling enemy ground forces. ~ Source
.
We wish to express our deepest condolences to the family members of Spc. Joshua S. Robinson. He will be missed by Task Force Tiger and CJTF-OIR. Thoughts and prayers to his family members. ~ Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto
.
On Behalf of U.S. Central Command, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of our fallen American Soldier who was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Spc Joshua S. Robinson, Operation Inherent Resolve
Spc. Robinson’s service to his country and his sacrifices will not be forgotten. ~ General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., U.S. Marines
Spc. Joshua S. Robinson’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. ~ Army Times
Lt. Col. James C. Willis, 55, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died June 26 in a non-combat related incident at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The incident is under investigation.
He was assigned as Commander of the 210th Red Horse Squadron, New Mexico Air National Guard, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. ~ DoD News Release
Lt. Col. Willis was a graduate of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. In 2002 he was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force. His responsibilities centered around construction projects, disaster relief and weapons of mass destruction training and response. Prior to this deployment to Qatar in April 2021, Willis had deployed to Israel, South Korea, the U.S. Virgin Islands and several U.S. locations in that capacity. ~ Stars and Stripes - Air Force
At his death, Lt. Col. Willis was leading a self-sufficient mobile civil engineering response force specializing in rapid response and independent operations in remote, high-threat areas worldwide.
The Air Force’s Red Horse Squadron: Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, are the Air Force’s equivalent of the US Navy’s SeaBees and the US Army’s Heavy Construction Organizations. Wikipedia describes their mission as such: RED HORSE's major wartime responsibility is to provide a highly mobile, rapidly deployable, civil engineering response force that is self-sufficient to perform heavy damage repair required for recovery of critical Air Force facilities and utility systems, and aircraft launch and recovery. In addition, it accomplishes engineer support for beddown of weapon systems required to initiate and sustain operations in an austere bare-base environment, including remote hostile locations, or locations in a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) -prone environment.
“The entire New Mexico National Guard is deeply saddened by the loss of Lt. Col. James Willis. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and the unit. Please keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” Major General Ken A. Nava, Adjutant General New Mexico National Guard
“The RED HORSE and engineer communities here are mourning the loss of one of our own. We have put every resource available to supporting James’ friends, family and the unit as a whole during this most difficult time. He was a valued member of our team, and will be deeply missed.” Col. Clifford Theony, 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group commander
"On behalf of U.S. Central Command, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of our fallen American Airman who was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Lt. Col. James C. Willis, Operation Inherent Resolve Lt. Col. Willis' service to his country and his sacrifices will not be forgotten." ~ General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. U.S. Marines
Lt. Col. James C. Willis’ awards and decorations include an Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, an Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal with oak leaf cluster.
About The IGTNT Series:
I Got the News Today is now publishing monthly, on or near the end of each month. Thankfully, our casualties are much fewer in number than when the series first began which allows our writers to spend a bit more time to find and tell their stories. The team of diarists for IGTNT are: i dunno, Sandy on Signal, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, JaxDem, Ekaterin, Joy of Fishes, and SARBill.
From the beginning, the Daily Kos community has made this series a place of solemn respect for the fallen by expressing their condolences with kind words and images. Those who mourn these men and women have, on occasion, contacted IGTNT to express their gratitude and appreciation. This series would have never flourished without those of you in the community, many of which have supported us from the beginning. We thank you.
.
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.
