With the devastating loss of so many military personnel recently, I’ve found myself feeling frantic over the loss of all the potential. Every one of these people still had so much of their lives ahead of them; so much love and laughter and tears and joy and accomplishments to experience and share.
The two soldiers we remember today—Sgt. Courtney D. Finch and PFC Juan S. Restrepo—are among those who left behind dreams that will now remain unfulfilled, and families and friends whose lives will never be the same. And yet the hope and promise of their lives still shines on. In tribute to the beautiful hope and dreams that they bore in their hearts, I offer a deeply moving song (from the original Romeo and Juliet). Though the protagonists sang it out of a belief that they would live long enough to realize the promise it contains (sadly, like Sgt. Finch and PFC Restrepo, they did not), it serves as an equally poignant testament to undying love and perpetual dreams, and the neverending hope that someday, somehow, the promise will be realized. (Jump below the fold for this beautiful song.)
A time for us, some day there'll be
When chains are torn by courage born of a love that's free
A time when dreams so long denied can flourish
As we unveil the love we now must hide.
A time for us, at last to see
A life worthwhile for you and me.
And with our love, through tears and thorns
We will endure as we pass surely through every storm
A time for us, some day there'll be
A new world
A world of shining hope for you and me.
And with our love, through tears and thorns
We will endure as we pass surely through every storm
A time for us, some day there'll be
A new world
A world of shining hope for you and me.
~ "A Time For Us" (Love Theme from Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet (1968); Words by Larry Kusik, Eddie Snyder / Music by Nino Rota)
We remember today, with love and respect, Sgt. Courtney D. Finch and PFC Juan S. Restrepo, who died while serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan (respectively).
Courtney Finch
DoD reports:
Sgt. Courtney D. Finch, 27, of Leavenworth, Kan., died July 24 in Qayyarah, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 714th Maintenance Company, Kansas Army National Guard, Topeka, Kan.
Courtney Finch enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in July, 2001. He trained as a tank crewman, and went on to serve with honor for the next six years. Among his postings, Sgt. Finch previously served in Kosovo and as part of the US NATO deployment to the Balkans from October 2004 to February 2006.
In June, Sgt. Finch was deployed to Iraq as part of a unit that provides "escort protection for dignitaries and escorting convoys carrying 'anything and everything' in Iraq" [The Topeka Capital-Journal Online]. He died unexpectedly on July 24. The Department of Defense has launched an investigation into his death, but at this time, the only information made public was that he did not die as part of a combat operation.
Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the state adjutant general, told the Capital-Journal Online that he met Sgt. Finch during a trip to Iraq.
"I saw him when he was in-country (Iraq) and know he was well thought of," Bunting said. "The sacrifices our soldiers make for their country are tremendous, and I grieve for each family who receives this kind of unfortunate news," Bunting said. "I am so grateful for the service of Sgt. Finch and will pray for his family as they go through this difficult time."
Several newspapers indicated that attempts to contact Sgt. Finch’s family had been unsuccessful, and I have been able to find few details about his life, family, or friends. One of his buddies, however, left this moving message in a guestbook on Legacy.com:
Courtney was one of my Best Friends in the world. He's the one that talked me into this mission here in Iraq. This was my second deployment with Courtney. I will miss him. We had a service here in Iraq for him today, I think he would have liked it. I wish he was gonna be demoblizing with us next month. And I hope his Mother, and family can take some solice in knowing that he was respected and Loved by many.
~ SSG Brian "Doc" Price (Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas)
For his loyal service to his country, Sgt. Finch has been awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and the German Army Marksmanship – Silver. [ABC News 49] You can see a picture of Sgt. Finch here.
Sgt. Finch will be buried Thursday, August 2, at 10AM at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.
If you have any additional information about Sgt. Finch, please add it in the comments and I will gladly update the diary.
Rest in peace, Courtney Finch. May your spirit find that world of shining hope where all the dreams you left behind can come true.
Juan Restrepo
DoD reports:
Pfc. Juan S. Restrepo, 20, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., died July 22 in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.
Juan Restrepo was and his family emigrated from Columbia to the United States in search of a better life. When Juan’s baby daughter was born, Juan joined the Army in the hopes of providing a bright future for her. His MySpace page says it succinctly:
i am a single father in the United States Army, an airborne combat medic working to provide for my beautiful daughter and her big sister.
Juan himself was a gentle man with the soul of a musician. His stepfather talked with the Miami Herald:
Rafael Castellar, Restrepo's stepfather, said that the soldier was a wonderful young man who enjoyed music above all else.
''He loved to play his guitar,'' Castellar said.
Castellar recalled that Restrepo played both electric and acoustic guitar and was even in a band before he enlisted.
''He is going to be buried next to my younger son,'' Castellar said.
Restrepo has two other brothers, who along with his mother and biological father will be at his funeral [in Columbia].
''He was good,'' Castellar said.
Stunned and griefstricken messages from his large group of friends continue pouring onto his MySpace page. This one, from Erick, summarizes so beautifully the sentiments of so many others:
Juan, you were one of the most genuine souls I'd ever come across throughout my life, you were one of those people who was truly no one but themselves, you were Juan from day one, and no one could ever fill the void you've left behind on not just the lives you've touched, but on the physical world you leave behind
you had the opportunity to see the world, meet some great people, and even left the world your daughter, who I'm sure will carry your spirit well throughout the years ahead
you've left so many of us too soon brother, but the two decades you left on this earth were more than anyone of us could ever ask for
rest in peace Juan, you may be gone as a man, but never as an everlasting soul
shine on brother
You can see a picture of PFC Restrepo here.
If you have any additional information about PFC Restrepo, please add it in the comments and I will gladly update the diary.
Rest in peace, Juan Restrepo. May your spirit find that world of shining hope where all of your dreams—and those of your beautiful daughter—can come true.
In Closing...
As of this writing, Iraq Coalition Casualties reports that 3641 American soldiers have been confirmed killed in action in Iraq, with 5 additional deaths pending notification of the families. The DoD news releases can be found here.
You can help our soldiers. Please consider sponsoring a soldier at TroopCarePackage.com. It doesn’t take much time or money. Just send letters or care packages to your soldier. 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 soldier’s life. anysoldier.com, Operation Helmet, and Fisher House are also wonderful organizations that provide comfort and care to deployed American soldiers.
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.
Special thanks to noweasels, greenies, and sheddhead for invaluable research assistance!