Tonight, we honor five Soldiers and one Sailor. Four soldiers were out of Fort Drum and one from the 101st Airborne. All soldiers were killed in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). The sailor died on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in Operation New Dawn.
Since 2001, there have been 1543 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4448 American troops killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 30 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 Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died of wounds suffered April 16, in Nimroz province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Killed were:
Spc. Paul J. Atim, 27, of Green Bay, Wis.;
Spc. Charles J. Wren, 25, of Beeville, Texas; and
Pfc. Joel A. Ramirez, 22, of Waxahachie, Texas.
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Tribute for Spc. Paul Atim written by Jax Dem. Thank you, Jax Dem.
Spc. Paul J. Atim, 27, of Green Bay, Wisconsin
Spc. Paul Atim, who spent some time in Green Bay, died Saturday with two other soldiers when insurgents attacked them with an explosive device. They were part of a unit out of Fort Drum, New York.
Paul was born into poverty and violence in a hillside community just outside Uganda's capital, Atim, as he was known, and his four brothers were raised by their mother who worked as a maid after their father died. For 15 years, Atim was sponsored by two families -- one in the U.S., the other in Canada -- through Compassion International.
"Somebody like him would have been exposed to a lot of HIV, AIDS, would have been exposed to a lot of different kinds of infections, a lot of different health issues," Compassion International's Kathy Redmond said.
"It's heartbreaking because we work so hard with these kids to release them from poverty and to pull them out of the violence that they know, and he definitely was not the exception. He knew a lot of violence growing up because of the area that he was in."
Atim came to the U.S. some time in 2005. he studied at UW-Green Bay for two semesters then joined the U.S. Army in November, 2006.
Brent Blahnik, Director of International Education at UW-Green Bay, released the following statement:
I am deeply saddened to hear that Paul Atim was killed while serving in Afghanistan. Paul was a student at UW-Green Bay for only a short period of time, but I have fond memories of his outgoing personality and sense of humor. Paul came to the United States from Uganda in pursuit of a better life, and shortly afterward joined the military to serve the country he loved. I think I speak for the entire University community in extending condolences to his family and friends.
He deployed for his first tour in Afghanistan in 2009. This tour was his second.
Spc Paul J. Atim's awards and decorations include two Army Achievement medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He also completed the army's Warrior Leadership and Combat Life Savers courses.
Spc Paul J. Atim leaves behind his mother in Uganda and a child.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Spc. Charles Wren, known by his friends as "Chaz" grew up in Hondo, Texas. He was a 2004 graduate of Hondo High School. Friends there remember him as loyal, trustworthy and a friend to many.
Both of his parents died when Wren was a young child. Wren and his siblings were raised by their grandmother, who passed away when Wren was still in high school. A school friend, Daniel Britsch, told the Hondo Anvil Herald:
“He loved his brothers– they were really, really close–especially after their parents passed away when we were in about the fourth grade. After that, they moved in with their grandmother, who was amazing, really sweet. They were a lot closer than a lot of other brothers probably are.”
Wren married Klaryssa Pina shortly before his first deployment in late 2008. His friend, Daniel, told the paper "he was very content and happy." Britsch also added, Wren loved the Army:
“He was really happy with what he was doing,” said Britsch. “He said he’d found his place in the world. I talked with him after he got out of boot camp and he was ecstatic; he loved what he was doing.
Spc. Wren was a top-notch soldier and earned the following medals and decorations: Bronze Star with Valor Device, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Other awards pending are a second Purple Heart, second Bronze Star, and Good Conduct Medal.
Services will be in Hondo, Texas and are pending. Check with Patriot Guard Riders for more information.
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Pfc. Joel Ramirez arrived in Afghanistan only a month ago, now he is coming back to the United States in a flag-draped coffin. The community plans to raise money to pay for funeral expenses in Mexico for him, this is not covered by the Department of Defense.
Ramirez's father, Chano Ramirez, spoke to the local television station, NBC DFW:
"I want to remember him as a son that never quit, [a] hard worker [who] never surrendered, and he loved me too much," he said. "I loved him too much. I'm very proud of him."
Pfc. Ramirez was a 2007 graduate of Waxahachie High School. Both of his parents, Chano and Irma, work for the school system. The family is well-liked and respected. Neel Brown, assistant principal at the high school, told the news the community wants to help the Ramirez family.
"This family is loved by the school and the district and the community, and the outpouring has been unbelievable," he said. "So many people want to help and do whatever they can for this family."
Survivors include his two year old daughter, parents, two sisters and one brother.
Rest in Peace, Pfc. Joel Ramirez.
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DoD Announces Army CasualtyPfc. John F. Kihm, 19, of Philadelphia, Pa., died April 19 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Pfc. John Kihm enlisted in the Army in March 2010. Kihm was in Afghanistan just 31 days when he and others in his unit struck an I.E.D.
Kihm graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in June of 2009 then enrolled in college for a brief bit before he decided to follow his heart and join the Army. His mother relayed the story to the Philadelphia Inquirer:
"But his love of the Army was all his life," said his mother. "He was patriotic since he was little. I have pictures of him holding the flag."
Kihm enlisted in March 2010, on St. Patrick's Day, said his mother, and landed at Fort Benning, Georgia two days later, March 19, on St. Joseph's Day, a holiday to honor a saint who helped the poor. After his training, Kihm went to Fort Drum, N.Y., in August as part of the 10th Mountain Division. Once his mother joked to him, "You didn't get the memo. The war's all over, and they're sending you back to me."
"No, Mom," Kihm said. "This is really where I want to be."
"And it broke my heart," his mother recalled. "But I know it's what he wanted."
"Part of me can't believe it," said his mother, her voice cracking in sobs.
Teachers and friends seconded her remarks. Teacher Larry Teal told the Inquirer
"He wanted to go to the service all through high school," the teacher remembered.
"He was a really great kid, really smart," said Larry Teal, a former coach and teacher at Cardinal Dougherty. Kihm also enjoyed watching ultimate fighting competitions, and listening to the music of Sam Adams.
Pfc. Kihm earned the following awards and decorations: Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
He is survived by his parents, two sisters, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Services are pending, check with the Patriot Guard Riders - confirmed mission, if you would like to show the family your support and respects.
Rest in peace, Pfc. John Kihm.
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DoD Announces Navy Casualty
Petty Officer 3rd Class Micah Aaron Hill, 27, of Ralston, Neb., died April 19 as a result of a non-combat related incident. Hill was assigned to the USS Enterprise as a machinist’s mate. Enterprise is currently deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting operations in support of Operation New Dawn.
From the Omaha World Herald
“Micah was a patriot,” said Pastor Hank Teague, one of the leaders of the Monumental United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, Va., where Hill and his family worshipped for several years.
“He loved his kids, he loved his wife and he loved his country.”
Micah was from Ralston, Nebraska, a community located on the outskirts of Omaha. His wife, Melissa, and three boys lived in Norfolk, Virginia, where the USS Enterprise is based. The Enterprise left Norfolk in January and is currently off of Africa.
The Captain of the USS Enterprise issued the following statement, via Facebook:
Dear Families and Friends of ENTERPRISE,
I am saddened to write again with news of the death of one of our shipmates aboard ENTERPRISE, MM3 Micah Hill. As we grieve his loss, our prayers go out to his family, friends and all who served with him.
In recent weeks, ENTERPRISE has experienced two deaths and two man overboard incidents. Thankfully, due to the diligence of our lookouts and helicopter crews, our Sailors were quickly recovered and uninjured.
We are working to identify underlying or causal factors related to these deaths and incidents, and what additional measures are appropriate to implement in order to prevent future occurrences.
The loss or significant injury of any Sailor is one too many.
...more may be read at the facebook link.
Rest in peace, Petty Officer 3rd Class Micah Aaron Hill. Thank you for your service.
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DoD Announces Army Casualty
Sgt. Sonny J. Moses, 22, of Koror, Palau, died April 18 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered as a result of a grenade attack at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, April 16. He was assigned to the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
Sgt. Moses was on his first deployment in Aghanistan, when he was killed by a suicide attacker, posing as an Afghan Soldier or Policeman. There were five others killed in the initial attack. Sis Two wrote about them for IGTNT, diary here: IGTNT- A smile remembered
Sgt. Moses awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Air Assault Badge.
Rest in peace, Sgt. Sonny Moses. Thank you for your service.
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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.