Tonight, we pay tribute to two more soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in Iraq: Sgt. Stephen R. Maddies and Cpl. Jason M. Kessler. We also hold in our thoughts and our hearts their families and friends, who are grieving the loss of their loved ones.
The Jewish people use an expression to refer to good people who have passed on: may their memory be a blessing. Although different people believe different things about what, if anything, happens after death, "may their memory be a blessing" reflects a more universal sentiment: that the memories of those who have gone can still positively affect and influence those who remain. It is a sentiment of hope and an affirmation of life in the midst of the pain and grief that accompany a profound loss.
In that spirit—either secular or religious, as you prefer—let us remember together these two brave soldiers. May their memories be a blessing, as their lives were.
Stephen Maddies (picture here)
DoD reports:
Sgt. Stephen R. Maddies, 41, of Elizabethton, Tenn., died July 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire. He was assigned to the 473rd Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar Platoon, Tennessee Army National Guard, Columbia, Tenn.
I couldn’t decide how best to start off a tribute to this extraordinary man. How do you pick among these?
- Stephen Maddies was the father of a little girl, Megan, who meant the world to him.
- Stephen Maddies was 18 days away from returning home and completing his distinguished 20-year military career.
- Stephen Maddies volunteered to return to Iraq for a second time--shortly after coming home after his first deployment--so that someone else wouldn’t have to go.
Helping others, and putting himself in the line of fire to spare others, was always Stephen Maddies’ way. He volunteered to return to Iraq as part of a unit whose job was to protect American troops by tracking incoming enemy fire. From TriCities.com:
The fact that Maddies volunteered to return to Iraq soon after the 278th [Maddies’ former unit] returned home didn’t surprise [Sgt. Major John] Cartwright [Sr., Maddies’ former commanding officer]. Volunteering for duty was just the kind of thing Maddies did, he said.
Cartwright recalled one particular training operation at Fort Stewart in Georgia when he thought his troops were finished for the day and told them they could relax in their barracks.
"They came in and told me they needed 15 people to load vehicles" in a terrible thunderstorm, he said.
"I stood up and said we need 15 guys. He was the first one who stood up," Cartwright said. "I never asked him to do anything that he didn’t make happen. He believed in what he was doing. He was a soldier. I don’t know what else I could say."
Stephen Maddies’ friends all agreed: this was an exceptional man with a wonderful sense of humor, who cared deeply for others and was always there for them. One summed it up this way:
I worked with Steve for 2 years and he was an extraordinary man. Always willing to help out or lend an ear he could always make you laugh. This is a tremendous loss for everyone who knew him and my heart and prayers go out to his family and to all those who are still overseas fighting for what they believe in. Steve, I will always remember your infectious smile and laugh...you will be sorely missed. [Posted anonymously at TriCities.com.]
His sister-in-law, Cheryl, offered this tribute:
Steph, I know if you HAD to go you would have wanted it to be for your country. You were a career soldier and a great one. But above all else you were a great dad. To say we will miss you is a understatement. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, all the laughs you brought to our family and most of all thank you for Megan. We know she was your whole world, we will never let her forget how much you loved her. God Bless You!
May your generous and loving spirit be at peace and roam free forever, Stephen Maddies. Your light burns on in our hearts and our memories. May your memory be a blessing.
Jason Kessler (picture here)
DoD reports:
Cpl. Jason M. Kessler, 29, of Mount Vernon, Wash., died July 30 in northern Iraq of wounds suffered from a rocket-propelled grenade. He was assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Jason Kessler grew up in Mount Vernon, Washington. He graduated from The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California, with a bachelor’s degree in Biblical studies, and he was enrolled at the University of Washington, where he was studying philosophy.
In 2005, Jason joined the Army and later became a Ranger. He served with distinction during two previous deployments to Iraq, earning the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Ranger Tab. He died during his third deployment to Iraq. After his death, he was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Little other information is available about Cpl. Kessler, as his griefstricken family has understandably declined to talk to the media. The News Tribune reports that he is survived by his parents, C. Michael and Pamela Kessler, his brother Mark, his sister Katelyn, and his girlfriend, Erin Jacobson. If you have additional information about Cpl. Kessler, please add it in the comments, and I will update this diary.
May your brave and loyal spirit be at peace and roam free forever, Jason Kessler. Your light burns on in our hearts and our memories. May your memory be a blessing.
As of this writing, Iraq Coalition Casualties reports that 3652 American soldiers have been confirmed killed in action in Iraq, with 13 additional deaths pending notification of the families. The DoD news releases can be found here.
You can help our military men and women. Please consider sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com. It doesn’t take much time or money. Just send letters or care packages to your soldier, sailor, Airman, or Marine. One of my "adopted" soldiers told me that "mail is gold" for a deployed soldier. A few minutes of your time and one airmail stamp can make a real difference in a military person's life. anysoldier.com, Operation Helmet, and Fisher House are also wonderful organizations that provide comfort and care to deployed American troops.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, Sandy on Signal, silvercedes, noweasels, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, Wee Mama, MsWings, sheddhead, labwitchy, and moneysmith.
If you would like to help out with IGTNT -- even once a month -- please get in touch with silvercedes, Sandy on Signal, noweasels or monkeybiz.
Deepest gratitude to greenies and monkeybiz for invaluable research assistance.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and families of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.