Tonight we remember a valiant sailor of the special forces elite Naval SEAL's Team Six, Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas Checque. Checque was among six people killed in a rescue mission to free Dr. Dilip Joseph. He was the third Navy SEAL killed in a month in Afghanistan.
Since 2001, there have been 2165 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since January 1, 2012 there have been 301 U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan. Please take a moment to honor their sacrifice.
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.
DOD Announces Navy Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pa., died of combat related injuries suffered Dec. 8, while supporting operations near Kabul, Afghanistan. Checque was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit.
Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas Checque
Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas Checque graduated Norwin High School in 2002 and promptly joined the military. He knew his calling was for the special forces and within a year of graduation, he was part of the Navy's Special Warfare training. Assistant Principal Michael Choby, told
CBS Pittsburgh:
“That was his plan. It wasn’t college, it wasn’t engineering. It was ‘I’m interested in being in the military. I’m interested in living that lifestyle of serving my country.’ That’s what he wanted to do from when I first became friends with him on the wrestling team,” Norwin High School Assistant Principal Michael Choby said.
Choby added:
“Proud of where he went after being here and making an impact in the world and sad because we lost a great ambassador for Norwin,”
President Obama issued a statement on the rescue mission:
Yesterday, our special operators in Afghanistan rescued an American citizen in a mission that was characteristic of the extraordinary courage, skill and patriotism that our troops show every day. Tragically, we lost one of our special operators in this effort. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, just as we must always honor our troops and military families. He gave his life for his fellow Americans, and he and his teammates remind us once more of the selfless service that allows our nation to stay strong, safe and free.
Checque was a highly decorated sailor who had earned the Bronze Star with valor and numerous other awards. He served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sources:
New York Times,
CBS Pittsburgh,
White House.gov
In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McRae, MD, (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here and here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here. I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect and remind. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries.
Click the IGTNT tags to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Monkeybiz, Noweasels, Blue Jersey Mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, Kestrel 9000, TheFatLadySings, Ekaterina, and me, Sandy on Signal.
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.