It has been a while since we’ve had a diary to remember the lives of those who have died overseas while on a military assignment. We have had mercifully few of those incidents the last couple of years.
I Got The News Today (IGTNT) is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos. It is a way for our community to pay respect to those who have died while in service to our nation.
The IGTNT diaries are usually limited to deaths reported by the Department of Defense (DOD) in their news releases. There have been no such casualties this year and only three in 2022. Our prayers and condolences are with the family and friends of these men:
- Staff Sergeant Samuel D. Lecce who was originally from Tennessee
- Staff Sergeant Dennis F. Melton who was from Tennessee
- Specialist Alex J. Ram who was from California
All three of the servicemen were killed in non-combat incidents. "Non-combat incident" is a label used by the DoD when a service member dies during training or from fatal accidents, illness or suicide.
The announcement of their deaths all used the phrase, “The incident is under investigation.” which also is commonly used by the DOD in their reporting. It gives few details about their deaths, but that does not matter. We are here to learn about each person in order to celebrate their lives and their service to our nation.
Staff Sergeant Samuel D. Lecce
Staff Sergeant Samuel D. Lecce
Samuel David Lecce had been living in Jefferson County, Tennessee, He joined the Marine Corps and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operation Command. That assignment resulted in a move to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Lecce is remembered by his family as an amazing husband and father. He loved skydiving and was an excellent marksman.
Staff Sergeant Lecce passed away on December 19, 2022, while deployed in Iraq. The report from the DOD listed his loss as the result of a non-combat related incident.
He was 32 years old at the time of his death.
Survivors of Staff Sergeant Lecce include his wife, Katelin Lecce; his daughter, Piper G. Lecce; his parents, David A. Ritz, Sr. and Nicola Marie Ritz; his grandmother, Donna McSurely; his half-brother, David A. Ritz, II; his half-sister, Debra Godwin; his stepsister, Davina Boatman and his stepbrother, Benjamin Ritz.
The funeral service was held at the Old Post Chapel on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. His burial was at Arlington National Cemetery.
Staff Sergeant Dennis Frank Melton
Staff Sergeant Dennis F. Melton
Dennis Frank Melton III was born in Nashville Tennessee on June 21st of 1994. He was more commonly known as Frankie and lived in Waverly, Tennessee most of his life. He attended college at Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tennessee. Frankie loved to mentor those around him and was an avid soccer player.
After college Melton joined the Air Force and was based out of the 20th Fighter Wing from Sumter, South Carolina. The Staff Sergeant was deployed with the 768th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron. They were stationed at Nigerien Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger.
Staff Sergeant Melton was awarded an Achievement Medal, a Humanitarian Medal, 3 Meritorious Unit awards, and a Small Arms Expert Markmanship Ribbon.
While at the Nigerien Air Base in Niger, Staff Sergeant Melton died on February the 18th of 2022. He was 27 years old. The incident was reported as a non-combat related one and was under investigation.
His survivors include his parents: Dennis Melton, Heather Morgan, his siblings: Taelor Bush, Michael Melton, nieces: Karma Melton, Alexandra Bush and nephew Christopher Bush.
Specialist Alex J. Ram
Specialist Alex J. Ram
Specialist Alex J. Ram was from Rancho Cucamonga, California. He joined the Army and was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Awards and decorations earned by Spc. Alex J. Ram included the Army Commendation Medal with Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon.
Specialist Ram was 20 years old when he died on February 1 20st of 2022, at Tell Beydar, Syria. His death was a result of a non-combat related incident and was reported by the DOD to be under investigation.
Col. Andrew Steadman, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division said:
The passing of Spc. Alex Ram is an unfortunate loss for the entire Raider team. We want to convey our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this time of mourning. Every Soldier fills an important role in the Raider Brigade, and losing Alex is particularly tough. He brought honor to the uniform and was not only an outstanding Soldier, but a loyal friend. Alex will be deeply missed.
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About the IGTNT series:
”I Got the News Today,” which is abbreviated as IGTNT, is a diary series intended to honor and remember our fallen, and to remind us that each casualty has family and friends who received the terrible news that their loved one has died while away from them.
Click the #IGTNT tag to see previous diaries in the series, which was begun by i dunno, and has been maintained by several community members. These diaries are heartbreaking to write but show our community’s respect for those who have given their all while in the service for our nation.
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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.
