Tonight, we honor a Soldier from Kentucky. Friends gathered yesterday to remember him and many said he was best known for making them smile. What a gift this young man had to bring joy into so many lives. His death will not be forgotten.
Since 2001, there have been 1532 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4447 American troops killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 17 killed in Operation New Dawn. Please take a moment to honor their sacrifice.
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
Pvt. Brandon T. Pickering, 21, of Fort Thomas, Ky., died April 10 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire and a rocket propelled grenade in Wardak province, Afghanistan on April 8. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.
He Loved to Make People Laugh
Private Pickering touched so many lives because he made them laugh and happy. His Army buddies and high school friends showed up to remember him at his service on Saturday. Television station Local 12 spoke to Anthony Baumgartner, a fellow soldier, who found out while he was in Georgia.
"I'm a man that don't really cry and I just broke down in tears. It really hurt. I wanted just to come back here as soon as I could. I hopped on the next bus and here I am."
Stephanie Orleck, a high school friend, told the
Community Press:
Pickering was one of the funniest, most free-spirited people she knew: Even on bad days, "I was always able to turn to Brandon to bring out a smile on my face," Orleck said.
Private Brandon Pickering was a 2008 graduate of Highlands High School in northern Kentucky. He was an only child. His parents and family are unavailable for comment. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear ordered flags at half-staff in honor of his service and sacrifice.
Rest in Peace, Private Brandon Pickering.
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, joyful, roses, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, Kestrel 9000, racheltracks, csas, 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.