Tonight, we remember a devoted husband, father and soldier.
Since 2001, there have been 2317 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
Chief Warrant Officer Deric M. Rasmussen, 33, of Oceanside, California, died May 11, in Mazar E Sharif, Afghanistan, as the result of a non-combat incident.
He was assigned to the Company C, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
Chief Warrant Officer Deric M. Rasmussen
CWO Deric Rasmussen was raised in Iowa and graduated in 1999 from Storm Lake High School. He enrolled in college for a while, then in 2000, he joined the USMC. In 2003, he decided to pursue a career with the Army. Soon afterwards, he was doing what he loved and trained to fly helicopters.
“His ultimate dream was to fly helicopters,” Gene Rasmussen said.
Gene Rassmussen, uncle of Deric, told the
Des Moines Register:
"He didn't just sign up for four years and get out," Rasmussen said. "He wanted to make the military a career, and he had seen his uncle Marc make a career out of it and his cousin Paul, and I think he wanted to do that."
Retired band teacher, Frank Hoskins, from Storm Lake High School remembered Rasmussen and told the
Sioux City Journal:
"Besides being a good musician, he was, utilitarian-wise, a valuable member of our band," said Hoskins, who served as director of bands at Storm Lake High School from 1995 to 2008. "Deric went beyond the playing, he helped us set up, he helped us tear down. He did whatever the band needed him to do.
"If I needed something done, I went to Deric," Hoskins added. "He was self-disciplined. It doesn't surprise me he went into the military."
Chief Warrant Officer Rasmussen was on his second deployment with the Army. He served in Iraq in 2007 and deployed to Afghanistan in January 2014.
Rasmussen's uncle, Gene, told the Des Moines Register:
"The young one, I don't think he's seen him other than by Skypeing because he was born six weeks ago," Rasmussen said.
CWO Rasmussen earned the following awards and decorations: two Joint Service Commendation Medals, a Navy Commendation Medal, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, campaign medals for Afghanistan and Iraq, and other decorations.
Rasmussen is survived by his wife, three children ages: 4, 2 and 6 weeks, parents, uncles and aunts.
Deepest condolences to the family, friends and unit of Chief Warrant Officer Deric M. Rasmussen.
Sources: Military Times, Des Moines Register, Sioux City Journal
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 i dunno, 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.