Tonight, we honor three soldiers from Pennsylvania's National Guard killed in Afghanistan. The Pennsylvania National Guard has lost 39 soldiers in our two wars.
So far in 2011, 233 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan. Since 2001, there have been 1676 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4474 American troops killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 46 killed in Operation New Dawn. Please take a moment to honor their sacrifice.
Outside the Pennsylvania's National Guard Armory. Thanks to Monkeybiz for her help with the tribute to Koehler and the photos.
DoD Announces Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died July 18 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their convoy with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 131st Transportation Company, 213th Area Support Group, Williamstown, Pa.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Kenneth R. Vangiesen, 30, of Erie, Pa.
Sgt. Edward W. Koehler, 47, of Lebanon, Pa.
Sgt. Brian K. Mowery, 49, of Halifax, Pa.
Staff Sgt. Kenneth VanGiesen was on his fourth tour of duty when he was killed in Afghanistan. His family and friends are relying on their strong faith to help them through this difficult time. VanGiesen was admired and well-respected by his fellow soldiers. Mike Noble, Chief Warrant Officer at Cambridge Springs base where the 112th Stryker Brigade is based, told the Kane Republican:
"They don't come any better than Ken," Noble said. "He was very likable and was everybody's friend. He was a good leader. He was very intelligent and technically competent."
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"Serving with Ken in Iraq made my deployment more tolerable," Noble said.
Staff Sgt. Kenneth VanGiesen enlisted in the Army right after graduating Kane High School in 1999. He is survived by his parents, Tom and Sue, sister Aimee and long-time girlfriend Erin. The family asks in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Fisher House.
Rest in peace, Staff Sgt. Kenneth Van Giesen.
This tribute to Sgt. Edward Koehler is by Monkeybiz.
Sgt. Edward W. Koehler, 47, of Lebanon, Pa., Ringgold, Ga. and of the 131st Transportation Company, 213th Area Support Group, Williamstown, Pa.
According to the Department of Defense, he died July 18 "in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked [his] convoy with an improvised explosive device."
"My cousin was a great soldier and even a greater man. I am very proud to have grown up looking up to him. I remember him leaving for his first tour and telling my father who is a veteran. That I have another hero. I was a teenager. My hero will be with me forever and my boys hear my stories about my hero." --Chad Koehler, on the 131st Transportation Company'sFacebook page
On the roads near Lebanon, Pa., where Edward Koehler grew up, military vehicles are a common sight; the county is home to Ft. Indiantown Gap, and many locals have either trained there, worked there or have family members who have. The Pennsylvania National Guard's presence is part of the local landscape. Today, the Gap's flags--and those of many area residents--are flying at half-staff in memory of three members of the 131st Transportation Company, including Koehler, Staff Sgt. Kenneth R. Vangiesen, 30, of Erie, Pa., and Sgt. Brian K. Mowery, 49, of Halifax, Pa., who were killed Monday in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, by an IED.
Koehler, who graduated from Lebanon High School in 1982, knew the military life. He joined the Marines right out of senior year and spent six years in the service, according to the Lebanon
Lebanon Daily News. Ten years later, he joined the 131st as a motor transport operator, and stuck with the company for the rest of his life. And he knew about driving. Outside the Guard, he and his wife of two years, Cheryl Koehler, were truck drivers. His cousin, Chad Koehler, told the Daily News that"[Edward] once told me he thought he could drive anything with wheels and maybe things without wheels." Edward Koehler got behind the wheel in Ringgold, Ga. and covered the miles so he could train with his brothers and sisters in the 131st in Central Pennsylvania in the year leading up to the company's deployment. The (Harrisburg)
Patriot News added his wife did too, in her role as president of the company’s family readiness group. He left for Afghanistan in November; she continued to make trips north while her husband was away.
Koehler had served with the 131st in Kuwait and Iraq in 2003-04. Lt. Col. Laura McHugh, who formerly commanded the 131st, told the
Patriot -News about herher memories of Koehler. “He was a wonderful person to be around,” McHugh said. “When you were deployed and missing home he was the kind that always made you smile. He was always joking and laughing. Generally there’s a handful of people you truly remember and can visualize. He’s one of those guys.” McHugh also told the newspaper that (in the reporter's phrasing) "Koehler was good in his job as a truck driver, but he also knew how to keep things loose and always served as a role model for the younger drivers in the unit."
Koehler had earned numerous awards, including "the Combat Action Badge, three Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Governor’s Unit Citation," according to a news release from the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was set to retire.
He leaves behind a widow, Cheryl, and two children, according to the Daily News. The Koehler family has also released this brief and poignant statement, through the Pennsylvania National Guard: ""The family would like to express their appreciation for the heartfelt condolences and prayers. Please know this thoughtfulness is providing much needed comfort. Continue to pray for all of our troops and their safety. Their daily sacrifices must not go unnoticed."
Godspeed, Sgt. Edward W. Koehler.
The family of Sgt. Brian Mowery has requested privacy during this time.
Sgt. Brian Mowery served with the Marines from 1979 to 1985. In 2000, he re-enlisted in service with the Pennsylvania National Guard. He served in 2003 -2004. He was a father of four. Please remember and honor his service and sacrifice.
The Reading Eagle spoke with Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig:
"Brian exemplified what it means to be a recommissioned officer and served as an example to the younger soldiers around him," said Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig, Pennsylvania's adjutant general. "He demonstrated leadership potential far above his rank and never hesitated to assume responsibility, no matter how big the challenge."
Rest in peace, Sgt. Brian Mowery.
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, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, Kestrel 9000, TheFatLadySings, and me, Sandy on Signal.
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