Tonight, we remember three soldiers killed in different incidents in Afghanistan.
Since 2001, there have been 2229 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2010, there have been 66 casualties in Operation New Dawn.
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 Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pfc. Mariano M. Raymundo, 21, of Houston, Texas, died June 1, in Sharan, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation.
He was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Pfc. Mariano Raymundo
Pfc. Mariano Raymundo was born in Guam. His wishes were to be cremated and his ashes spread out onto the beautiful beaches in his homeland. At the age of 3, Raymundo moved with his parents to Houston, Texas. He graduated from Elisk High School in Houston, Texas in 2011. After his Afghanistan deployment, he planned to spend time in Guam around January 2014.
Raymundo was curious about his homeland. For the last five or six years, he would ask his cousin what Guam was like.
“We come from a strong family that we learn how to make do with what have around island, our land,” said Laura. “We make a good effort out of it to get our family through just to sell anything, fish, fruits, vegetables, crop it, harvest it, and that's what he wanted to do when he got here.”
His cousin, Laura Santos, told the
Pacific News Center, Raymundo came from a military background. His father and grandfather both served in the military, plus two cousins are currently serving in the Armed Forces.
Santos added:
family rosaries for Mariano are being held at their grandparents' home in Tamuning around 8 p.m.. She thanks the community for their support as they get through this tough time and fulfill Mariano's wishes.
Pfc. Mariano Raymundo
Source:
Pacific News Center
DoD Announces Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Kyle P. Stoeckli, 21, of Moseley, Va., died June 1, in Maiwand, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by an improvised explosive device.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Spc. Kyle Stoeckli
Spc. Kyle Stoeckli was born in Richmond, Virginia and was based out of Fort Bliss, Texas. He was a 2011 graduate of Cosby High School in Midlothian, Virginia. Stoeckli was due home next month and the family and community were planning to welcome him with big hugs and much ado. Kyle was known for his warm hugs, laughter and lighting up the room. His loss leaves a hole in the hearts of many.
Spc. Stoeckli was a gunner on a mine roller. He loved being in the Army and was recognized for his "optimistic personality that spreads through the Platoon like a virus."
He was a friendly, caring and well-loved man. His best friend Rebecca Reading told the news:
"He just like radiated happiness," said his best friend, Rebecca Reading. "I mean there was always a silver lining."
A neighbor, Elaine Jemialade, weeped softly and told the
WTVR
“He’s a lovely boy, it’s just incredibly sad what has happened,”
Spc. Kyle Stoeckli
Condolences to his parents and sister.
Source:
NBC 12,
WTVR
DoD Announces Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Ray A. Ramirez, 20, of Sacramento, Calif., died June 1, in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by an improvised explosive device.
He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Spc. Ray Ramirez and his mother
Spc. Ray Ramirez was a well-known and respected young man in South Sacramento. He was a 2010 graduate of Florin High School and a member of the baseball team. His coach, Randy Davis recalled how was he such a good player, he made Varsity as a sophomore. The coach and teammates struggled to hold back tears as they described a dedicated and smart student. Coach Davis told the
T.V.station KCRA
“He was a 3.4, 3.5 [grade point average] student,” Davis said. “I asked him, ‘Ray, you’re so smart. Why don’t you go to college?’ But, he said, ‘This is what I want to do, coach.’"
Coach Davis held back his tears as he said "it was an honor to know him."
Friends of Ramirez remembered his words and beliefs "Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail." The focused young soldier has left a community grief-stricken. They plan to honor his memory at Florin High School with a plaque.
Source: KCRA
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, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, The Fat Lady Sings, Ekaterina, Joy of Fishes, 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.