Tonight, we gather to pay tribute to two more heroes who have given their last full measure. The first is 1st Lt. William K. Jernigan, 35, of Doraville, Ga., who died Nov. 24 in Baqubah, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
http://www.defenselink.mil/...
The second is Capt. Warren A. Frank, 26, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who died Nov. 25 while supporting a "humanitarian mission" in Ninewa province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liasion Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
http://www.defenselink.mil/...
I chose the title of tonight's diary after hearing Dan Tyminski sing the song "How Long Is This Train", a song about a father waiting in the cold November rain for a train to bring the body of his son home from "the war". The train from Iraq has been very long, and tonight, it has two more passengers. Please join us in paying them tribute.
How Long Is This Train Written by Timothy Stafford and performed by Dan Tyminski
How long is this train son
I heard his fragile voice
I didn’t want to listen but there really was no choice
It seems like it goes on forever and I waited for so long
The old man’s breath came slow and smelled of whiskey in the dawn
On a cold November morning in the gentle mist of rain
There’s just so many reasons that people wait to meet a train
And as I waited for my sister to come down the metal stairs
He told me that his son had not been home in fifteen years
And I barely seemed to notice the tears behind his face
But his wishes were no strangers to the people in this place
The old man stood there waiting for a young man dressed in blue
Then he handed him a neatly folded flag and said for you
He said your son he died a hero in the service of this flag
The old man took it gently put it in his paper bag
Then I left him in the rain there but I’d still hear his voice
I try hard not to listen but there really is no choice
On a cold November morning in the gentle mist of rain
There’s just so many reasons that people wait to meet a train
How long is this train son
I can hear the pouring rain
I’m still reminded of him when I hear a passing train
Listen here, if you can stand it:
http://www.youtube.com/...
First Lieutenant William Jernigan
William Jernigan died in what the Department of Defense has described as a "non-combat related incident". Typically, when that happens, it is very hard to find information about the incident or the soldier who has passed. I could find nothing on his personal life, nor of his family. First Lieutenant Jernigan could have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, or simply passed as a result of some medical condition. No matter how he passed, however, he passed in the service of his country, and the manner of his passing is of little moment to his loved ones. William Jernigan will come home, like the soldier on the train that Dan Tyminski sings about in his song, and like the father in that song, the loved ones of William Jernigan will weep, and forever remember Thanksgiving 2008 as the Thanksgiving when they knew, for certain, that he was never coming home again. Please pray for William Jernigan and his loved ones. May they be thankful for having known him, and for their memories of better days with this soldier, son and friend.
Doraville, Georgia is a small, sleepy town of around 9,600 souls, located on the edge of the Norfolk and Southern railyards, outside of Atlanta. It was the home of First Lieutenant William Jernigan.
Sunset, Doraville, GA Rail Yard
Capt. Warren A. Frank
Captain Warren A. Frank of the U.S. Marine Corps died in Iraq on Tuesday, November 25, during what the Department of Defense described as a "humanitarian mission".
His men loved him:
I have nothing but respect for Capt. Frank, as one of his marines as an E-3 to E-5 he inspired me to be a better leader, and a better man, he gave me advise that i use today and will forever take to heart in my Endeavors in life, he help show me what was best in my career. He was the Lt. that every Marine wanted, for his leadership, his honor, his pride, his mission accomplishment, and most of all for his ability to see beyond the rank, not only did i see him as my leader, i saw him as a friend. I am in deep sarrow for the loss of Capt Frank, and to his family, we from Lima company love him so very much. Im so sorry for all you have lost. I will keep him alive in my thoughts and prayers and know that he will always be with us, you are all in my prayers and thoughts. Capt Frank will always be with us through the seeds that he planted not only in our lives but in our hearts, Capt Frank was not the kind of Officer that i saluted his rank, I am proud to say I saluted the man. To a great Marine, a powerful leader, an amazing man, a true friend, and a Wonderful husband and father, i will forever salute you. With love and emotion to all his family. I love you all.
Sgt. Kurtis Foster
http://legacy.suntimes.com/...
His mother's neighbor said Frank's service there made him an "instant hero." "Going back for his second tour of duty I think is above and beyond the call of duty. Which makes him a hero in my eyes," said Roy Wergers of Maineville.
Frank, 26, was assigned to the Fifth Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and was a member of the Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa Japan. Arrangements for Captain Frank haven't been announced. Frank's father has issued the follow statement regarding his son.
http://www.kypost.com/...
Capt. Warren A. Frank was a Cincinnati native, raised in Anderson Township. He is survived by his wife Allison and two young daughters, Sophia Lynn and Isabelle Grace living in Okinawa and his mother, Rebecca, sister, Sara and father, Warren all still residing in the Cincinnati area.
Capt. Frank was a 2000 graduate of Turpin High and a 2004 graduate of The Citadel. Upon his graduation from The Citadel, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant at Quantico, VA and subsequently assigned to the Third Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA. While serving with the 3/1, Capt. Frank spent two tours of duty as a rifle platoon leader in Iraq operating in Al Anbar province.
Capt. Frank’s commitment to guarding his family and the Country factored in his decision this earlier this year to accept a posting in Okinawa with the 5th Anglico, 3rd MEF in lieu of a stateside "B" billet.
On 11/25/08, Capt. Frank was conducting a humanitarian assistance/food distribution mission to Biaj located outside Mosul when his team encountered enemy small arms fire. Details are still incomplete on the incident, but initial reports indicate at least one of the attackers was dressed as an Iraqi soldier. Several other members of the team were wounded and at least one additional soldier was killed in the action.
Our Son wanted nothing more than to make a difference in our world. He was not a movie version soldier, but a man who looked forward to loving his children, retiring from the service of his Country, teaching history at a high school and coaching track. Our deep sorrow is not in the life we had with him, but in the loss of the life we always thought we would share. He was our Son, our brother, devoted husband and an enthusiastic father. He is our reminder that all generations have those who comprise the "the Greatest Generation."
Final arrangements are incomplete at this time, but it is most likely Capt. Frank will be interned at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Those wishing to make a donation in Warren’s honor are asked to consider the following organizations that he supported: Wounded-Warriors, Boots-to-Books or Toys-for-Tots.
Respectfully,
Warren R. Frank
Please join us as well in prayer for Captain Warren Frank and his loved ones. May we see the end to the train that bears our heroes home from war.
About "I Got the News Today" (IGTNT): I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one.
Click here http://www.dailykos.com/... to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, noweasels, MsWings, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, moneysmith, labwitchy, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, mediaprof and me, SpamNunn.
I Got the News Today and MoJo Friday are working together to send care packages through Netroots for the Troops. It is a great way to support our troops who are already in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please consider helping our troops by writing a letter or sending some donating some items for the care package, or if you aren't able to do this, money donations are very welcome. We appreciate all the kindness and support this community has shown to our Armed Services. Thank you, Daily Kos.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. Many of us have strong feelings about this war and, for that matter, all wars, but this diary is intended as a memorial service for these soldiers. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion, rather than politics.