The young dead soldiers do not speak.
Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses:
who has not heard them?
They have a silence that speaks for them at night
and when the clock counts.
They say: We were young. We have died.
Remember us.
They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours,
they will mean what you make them.
They say:
Whether our lives and our deaths were for
peace and a new hope
or for nothing we cannot say,
it is you who must say this.
We leave you our deaths.
Give them their meaning.
We were young, they say.
We have died; remember us.
~ Archibald MacLeish,
1892-1982, American Poet
Tonight we remember. These six were young, they have died; we remember them.
We remember them.
Pfc. Russell E. Madden, 29, of Bellevue, Kentucky
Pfc. Madden is remembered tonight by Wide Awake in Ky
The Department of Defense has announced the loss of PFC Russell E. Madden, 29, of Bellevue, Kentucky.
Russell died on June 23, at Charkh district, Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with rocket fire. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Conn Barracks, Germany.
Russell was a junior soldier, like many others. Like many, he had been an active part of his community. Bellevue sits on the bank of the Ohio River, its residents looking across to the Cincinnati skyline, and it was home.
Like many soldiers, he had been an athlete. Indeed, he was celebrated as both a track star and football player, lettering all four years at Bellevue High School. His football career showed a range of talents rare anywhere: during his senior year, his Tigers-who went undefeated in the regular season and lost in the playoffs only to the eventual state champion-saw him play kick, punt, and return kicks, in addition to full time duties as a running back and linebacker.
He was different from many junior soldiers, though, in the date of his graduating class. Russell graduated in 2000. He found a job, fell in love, married, and had children. He helped coach other people's children when he wasn't working.
He didn't join the Army until two years ago. He did so, his family says, because his son, age four, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
"Where he had been working he had no benefits or anything like that," said Madden's sister Lindsey Madden, "so he joined because he knew that Parker would always be taken care of no matter what."
Once in the Army, Russell devoted the same passion to it that he had shown in everything else. He completed all of the standard training, sought and won a slot at the difficult Airborne School, and succeeded there as well. His father said that Russell told him he wanted to protect others, and that he would never leave one of his buddies.
Since he deployed to Afghanistan, he had been using a webcam to play guitar and sing and dance for his children. His sister said he made up songs to make them laugh.
The community which feels the loss of a man like Russell Madden is huge. On one of the local newspaper's websites, the following comment appeared:
I have a son that played for Russell the last few years before he enlisted. My son has battled many issues from his father living out of state to just growing up as a teen. Russell took on the Big Brother/ mentor role and encouraged my son to stay positive and give the best that you can give both on and off the football field. He would stop by my house and spend time with Dillon and maybe just toss football or play basketball but just mostly talk to him and be his buddy. I once heard Dillon say that he loved him and I think that is because he showed him attention and cared to listen to him and just be a mentor to him. When Rusell had told him that he would no longer be coaching he was devastated that was his favorite coach. He then told him that he was enlisting and that when he was finished w/ boot camp that he would be writing him and he did he never broke his promise. I thank Russell every day and evey time that I would see him I would give him the biggest hug b/c he made a difference in my sons life. "
Material for this diary from
Cincinnati.Com, WKRC, KYPost.com
Thank you, Pfc. Madden. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
*************************
Pfc. Anthony T. Justesen, 22, of Wilsonville, Oregon
Pfc. Justesen is remembered tonight by SisTwo
Private First Class Anthony T. Justesen
Anthony Justensen moved from the tiny town of Aurora in Oregon to Woodburn, and to Wilsonville, which is part of Oregon's "Silicon Forest" area around Portland. Justesen attended St. Luke School in Woodburn, Oregon before earning his GED.
He joined the army in October of 2008 and entered One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to Troop B, 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina in February 2009. He deployed with the 4-73rd Cavalry Regiment to Afghanistan in January, and was due to return to the states next month.
Justesen's stepfather Steven Rehder, indicated to the Oregonian newspaper that Anthony joined the service for a challenging profession with a better paycheck than he got at his previous job at a JiffyLube. After the Army, he wanted to work in law enforcement and had asked his parents to research police academies and the requirements to join a SWAT team.
Jennifer Gentle, who grew up with Justesen, said she was surprised when he had joined the service but said the experience had given him a new confidence and sense of identity. "The Army turned him around. After the Army, he was a lot more outgoing and friendly. He became more appreciative and had a new kind of respect."
He also earned the respect and affection of his fellow soldiers.
"Justesen was a true warrior and was dedicated to his platoon and troop," said Staff Sgt. Keith Hambright, Justesen's platoon sergeant, in a statement. "Justesen was loved by every soldier in his platoon and always kept everyone full of joy and laughter."
Justesen's Afghanistan tour was nearly complete on June 23rd when he went on a foot patrol. He was at Ganjkin village, Pusht Rod district in the Farah province of Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device (IED). Justesen, aged 22, was killed in the attack.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
Flags were lowered to half-staff in Wilsonville on Friday, the 25th in honor of Army Pfc. Anthony T. Justesen.
Anthony Justesen is survived by his parents Shawna Rehder, and Robert Justesen, his stepdad, Steven Rehder, and his siblingss - sisters Teniele Justesen, 23, Samantha Justesen, 20, and Kimberley Rehder, 12, and brother Jeromie Rehder, 15.
The remains of Anthony Justensen are being brought back from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to Woodburn, Oregon where a service will be held at St. Luke Catholic Church. No date has been announced, but the Patriot Guard Riders are standing by, in case they are asked to attend.
Thank you, Pfc. Justesen. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
*************************
Spc. Andrew R. Looney, 22, of Owasso, Oklahoma
Spc. Looney is remembered tonight by Sandy on Signal
Spc. Andrew R. Looney died along with Pfc. David T. Miller , when a suicide bomber approached the traffic checkpoint they were working and detonated a bomb in eastern Afghanistan.
Spc. Looney enlisted in the Army right after high school graduation in 2005. In February 2007, he was deployed to Iraq and served 6 months, until the Humvee he was riding in hit an I.E.D and blew off part of his foot. Spc. Looney spent a year undergoing rehabilitation and a prosthesis at Brooke Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. His father, Richard Looney, told the Tulsa World:
"While he was at Brooke, I kept thinking he would pursue other interests," his father said.
Richard Looney said his son didn't want to pursue other things, not even go to college. Instead, he said, his son was bound and determined to stay in the military, to stay in the infantry.
"He was very patriotic, very much so. He was very much that way," he said.
"I think he felt he was making a difference in the war, and was much needed."
In February 2009, Andrew finished his rehabilitation in San Antonio and re-upped with the Army. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His father told the Tulsa World:
The last time the family saw him was in April, "and he was looking forward to his assignment in Afghanistan," the father said.
Spc. Andrew Looney is survived by his parents, sister and a brother.
Specialist Andrew Looney received the following awards and decorations: Purple Heart; Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon; army Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Rest in Peace, Spc. Andrew Looney.
Thank you, Spc. Looney. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
*************************
Pfc. David T. Miller, 19, of Wilton, New York
Pfc. Miller is remembered tonight by twilight falling
The DoD reports:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died June 21 at Lar Sholtan Village, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when a suicide bomber attacked their unit. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Killed were:
Pfc. David T. Miller, 19, of Wilton, N.Y.
Spc. Andrew R. Looney, 22, of Owasso, Okla.
David Miller—Taylor to his friends and family—was an intelligent, gentle, respectful man who always put others before himself. An A+ student, he joined the Army right out of high school last year, rather than going to college, because he thought it would let him make a difference to others.
"He was a gentle soul, an incredibly respectful, well-loved boy. He had the biggest heart of anybody you ever met," said his aunt, Suzanne D’Iorio, Leslie Miller’s sister.
(Source: The Saratogan)
He had played lineman for the Saratoga Springs football team, his former coach Terry Jones said. He came to practice every day, had perfect manners and was well respected by teammates, Jones said.
"What I remember most is his beautiful, large smile," the coach said.
(Source: The Times Union)
"He wanted to make a difference in the world," said Mrs. Miller.
Taylor graduated last spring from Saratoga Springs High School, where he spent two years on the varsity football team. His mother says he'd considered heading straight for college, but opted for the military.
"He wasn't dedicated just to books," Mrs. Miller told CBS 6 in an emotional conversation. "He liked his football, but it wasn't everything. He had a heart so big and so caring, and he would do anything for anybody before he'd do it for himself."
(Source: CBS 6, Albany)
Friends and family said Miller was a selfless and caring hero who was even willing to shift his leave time so one of his platoon mates could go home at Christmas for the birth of his child.
(Source: Your News Now, Albany)
This young man with the good manners, the intelligence, and the dedication Taylor had should had a bright future, whatever he decided to do with it. But only two months after he deployed to Afghanistan, his mother got the worst news.
Leslie Forbert Miller got the heart-wrenching news at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, when two U.S. Army officers rang her doorbell.
"I thought somebody had locked themselves out of the house, maybe there's been a water main break," recalled Mrs. Miller, her voice trailing off. "It never even occurred to me it could be these two officers standing there -- and you know. No one sees that without knowing what's coming. That's not an injury."
(Source: CBS 6, Albany)
Saratoga Springs City Schools Superintendent Dr. Janice White released a statement saying, "A bright young man with so much potential was taken from our community. We grieve with his family in their profound sorrow. Less than one year ago, David crossed the stage at graduation. We graduate young men and women to be courageous and of good character. David Miller’s service to our country has humbled us."
(Source: Your News Now, Albany)
His mother summed it up best.
"He was the son, or the child, that everyone would want to have," says Miller.
(snip)
"Taylor was just an outstanding person," she says. "He loved his family, he valued his friends, he wanted to do good things in the world."
(Source: WTEN)
Taylor is survived by his mother, Leslie Miller; his father, Jesse Miller; his sister, Victoria Ferguson; and all those whose lives he touched with his kindness.
Rest in peace, David Taylor Miller. Thank you so much for your loyal service. May your beautiful spirit soar free and be at peace forever, and may your light go on burning brightly in all those whose lives you touched and enriched.
Thank you, Pfc. Miller. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
*************************
Cpl. Claudio Patino IV, 22, of Yorba Linda, California
Cpl. Patino is remembered tonight by twilight falling
The DoD reports:
Cpl. Claudio Patiño IV, 22, of Yorba Linda, Calif., died June 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Claudio Patiño fulfilled his lifelong dream to become a Marine shortly after graduating El Dorado High School in Yorba Linda, California, in July 2006. Claudio was born to be a warrior. He was also born with a heart of gold.
Patiño, the U.S.-born son of a Mexican immigrant father from Guadalajara, came from family with a strong tradition of military service in Mexico. He started talking about becoming a Marine soon after he learned how to walk.
"He would walk around with a toy gun screaming, 'I am a Marine,' in Spanish," [his brother, Andrew] Parada, said.
(snip)
He was the kind of guy who always won at a fight, but would stick around to help the other guy up. Because of that, his foes often became his friends.
(snip)
He couldn't pass beggars on the street without stopping to try and buy them food. He rescued birds with broken wings, [his sister] Evelyn said.
(Source: The Orange County Register)
Claudio was in his third deployment in less than four years’ service. He was home for only four months before redeploying in March. He had volunteered to go back to Afghanistan shortly after returning home from his previous deployment, in memory of a brother Marine who died during that deployment. Claudio was unflinchingly loyal—the epitome of a good Marine.
When Patiño he came home from deployment, he would tell his family about fellow Marines who never received care packages. The family plans to set up a charity in Patiño's name to send care packages to Marines in Afghanistan. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers or cards, mourners wait and donate to the charity.
(Source: The Orange County Register)
This loyal man—this warrior with the courage of a lion and the soft heart—died Tuesday, in service to the country he loved.
"He was a Marine to the core," said Patiño's brother, Marlon Chinchilla. "He died the way he wanted to die. He died a warrior, and he really believed in fighting for his country."
(Source: The Orange County Register)
This man among men was a friend of mine since middle school. He was one of, if not the most courageous person I know. He had the heart of a lion and will be greatly missed. RIP Claudio, you've earned it.
(Source: A comment at KPSP)
Claudio you were more then a friend you were family. You have given me the best 10 years of my life. You always encouraged me to follow my dreams, always made me feel safe, always knew how to put a smile on my face no matter what. When I needed you the most you were there, you were truely an amazing person. I will love you always and forever… (Lycette Magana)
I had the honor of serving with Claudio at our time with 1st BN 5th Marines. I will never forget our greetings. We would stare at eachother with the meanest staredown that was shortly follow with the biggest smiles and questions of how eachother was doing. Claudio was someone I wanted to emulate, a true alpha dog amongst the guys. I will always look to live up to his standards of dedication, determination, courage and friendship. I will truly miss our fallen brother. Semper Fidelis hermano. (Cpl Art Hernandez)
(Source: The Los Angeles Times)
Claudio is survived by his wife, Jamie; his parents; his seven brothers and sisters; and the many friends whose lives he touched.
Rest in peace, Claudio Patiño IV. Thank you so much for your loyal service. May your beautiful spirit soar free and be at peace forever, and may your light go on burning brightly in all those whose lives you fought so hard to make better.
Thank you, Cpl. Patino. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
*************************
1st Sgt. Robert N. Barton, 35, of Roxie, Mississippi
1st Sgt. Barton is remembered tonight by noweasels
1st Sgt. Barton died June 7 in Konar, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
1st Sgt. Coleman’s mother got the terrible knock on the door on June 7th.
Rebecca Coleman got the visit that military families dread Monday night, the same day her son first Sgt. Robert Barton was listed as killed in action.
(snip)
Following in his father’s and stepfather’s footsteps, First Sgt. Robert Barton was a career soldier, spending more than half of his 35 years in the army infantry. He’s been to Bosnia, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia all of those places, several times, and his mother says he loved what he did.
His mother says along with his country and his God, Bobby deeply loved his new young family. He leaves behind a wife Rebecca, same name as mom, and stepson Jason.
"She was his second wife, they just married a year ago and were best friends, and her son Jason, he loved Bobby and Bobby loved him. You would not know he wasn't his dad."
(snip)
Rebecca Coleman says her son told her that everyone should know he believed in his mission and his country's cause from the beginning, and until the very end. She says he said that folks back home didn't realize what they were doing was a good thing. People should know that the troops, the mission was with good purpose, that we made a difference.
Rebecca said her son planned after this tour of duty to soon retire and spend family time and teach at a local college. She says his full military honors funeral is all planned, pending release of her son's body.
Source ~ WSAZ
First Sgt. Barton was “military, through and through.”
Army First Sgt. Robert “Bobby” Nicholas Barton, 35, formerly of Roxie, was one of five soldiers killed when a bomb blasted near their Humvee.
Barton was born in 1974 and grew up in the Roxie area. He was a 1993 graduate of Franklin County High School, where he played on the football team.
He joined the military the following year.
“He was a good student and a real likeable person. Everybody loves him,” said Barton’s grandmother, Jo Beth Coleman, wife of Nathaniel Coleman of Franklin County. “The Army was his career. He lacked four years (retiring).”
(snip)
Mrs. Coleman said her grandson was proud of his military service and had made it his career.
“He was military through and through,” she said.
Source ~ McComb Enterprise Journal
1st Sgt. Barton was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and lived in Hopskinsville, Kenrucky with his wife, Rebecca.
1st Sgt. Barton was highly decorated. In addition to two Bronze Stars, he had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (3 awards); Army Achievement Medal (3 awards); Meritorious Unit Commendation; Army Superior Unit Award (2 awards); Army Good Conduct Medal (5 awards); National Defense Service Medal (2 awards); Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal (2 awards); Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (level 3); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon (3 awards); NATO Medal; Drill Sergeant Identification Badge; Ranger Tab; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge; Pathfinder Badge; Air Assault badge and Weapons Qualification: M4-(expert).
1st Sgt. Barton is survived by his wife, Rebecca and stepson, Jason; by his mother, Rebecca A. Coleman of New Haven, WV; by his father, Robert N. Barton of Ohio; by a half-sister, and by a half-brother, Nathan, a Special Forces officer who accompanied his half-brother home.
1st Sgt. Barton will be buried at Fort Campbell.
Thank you, Sgt. Barton. Godspeed. Your mission is done.
_____________________________________________________________________
Remember them. Honor their sacrifice.
To date, 4408 members of the United States military have lost their lives in Iraq. The death toll thus far in 2010 is 38. More than 40,000 members of the military have been wounded, many grievously. The Department of Defense Press Releases, from which the information at the start of each entry in this diary was drawn, can be seen here. The death toll among Iraqis is unknown, but is at least 200,000 and quite probably many times that number.
To date, 1141 members of the United States military have lost their lives in Afghanistan. The death toll thus far for 2010 is 194. 733 members of the military from other countries have also lost their lives.
Slide Show ~ The Final Salute
Assisting our military: Supporting our troops is the RIGHT THING to do.
You can contribute:
You can send a care package. Please consider brightening the day of a soldier with a care package.
You can write letters.
You can send a cup of organic coffee.
You can find other ways to give at anysoldier.com or Fisher House. If you have frequent flyer miles you would like to donate to hospitalized veterans or their families, please see Fisher House’s Hero Miles program.
You can help the left-behind animal companions of our troops. See how here.
And right now, you can support them with a gift to Netroots for the Troops, a project of Netroots Nation’s Arts & Education Initiative that provides care packages for our deployed armed forces. We hope to send 600 packages this year.
And don’t forget them when they get home! Read welcomebackveterans.org to learn what you can do. Visit VoteVets and IAVA.
About the IGTNT series:
(Our beautiful logo was created by kossack Timroff. Thank you, Timroff.)
The purpose of the I Got the News Today series is 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. It is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, Proud Mom and Grandma, Sandy on Signal, CalNM, Wide Awake in KY and me, noweasels.
If you would like to contribute to the series, even once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, or me, noweasels.
As you read this diary, please consider that the families and friends of those profiled here also may read it and that many members of our community have served in Iraq or Afghanistan or have loved ones currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the very proud daughter of a Navy pilot, and the granddaughter of a Marine pilot and a submariner ~ all of whom rest beneath our nation‘s flag ~ I hope that the comments tonight will demonstrate our respect for the sacrifices of our fallen military and our compassion for their families. Please reserve political and other comments for appropriate diaries; this is not one of them.