Tonight, we have three Soldiers to honor, two from Oklahoma and one from South Dakota. All were in their State's National Guard. Nine soldiers from the Oklahoma National Guard have been killed in the last month.
So far in 2011, 298 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan. Since 2001, there have been 1744 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.
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
Spc. Joshua M. Seals, 21, of Porter, Okla., died Aug. 16 in Paktia province, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, Tulsa, Okla.
Folks in Porter knew something was wrong on Tuesday when two Army officials in full dress uniform showed up at the Town Hall looking for a certain street. Soon, the word spread through the town of 600. Their fears were confirmed when it was announced Josh Seals, a 2008 graduate of Porter Consolidated High School had been killed in Afghanistan from a gunshot.
Joy Hendrix, the town's treasurer, said the town is "devastated". She told the Tulsa World:
"He was well-liked in town. He was a very respectful young man, a great kid," Hendrix said.
This was Spc. Seals first time to be deployed. He had been in the Oklahoma National Guard three years and trained to be a truck driver. He was a machine gunner at the time he was killed. Major General Myles Deering, Oklahoma's Adjutant General said:
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the Seals family and friends,"
"As we mourn his loss in the days ahead, we will be forever honored and proud that he chose to serve his country and the people of Oklahoma in the National Guard."
Spc. Seals was the youngest member of the Oklahoma National Guard to be killed in Afghanistan since September, 2001. Both of Seals parents served in our Armed Forces, he followed in their footsteps to serve and protect. He leaves behind his parents, brother, sister and a half-brother. Rest in peace, Spc. Joshua Seals.
DoD Announces Army Casualty
Spc. Dennis G. Jensen, 21, of Vermillion, S.D., died Aug. 16 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 153rd Engineer Battalion, 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Spc. Dennis Jensen deployed in May with South Dakota National Guard for a year in Afghanistan. He was killed August 16th, when two steel decking panels for a bridge fell off the forklift and struck him. This was his first deployment.
Gov. Dennis Daugard released the following statement honoring Spc. Jensen:
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Specialist Dennis Jensen,” Gov. Daugaard said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends for their loss, and we offer our gratitude for Specialist Jensen’s service to our state and nation.”
Spc. Jensen is survived by his mother, Christine Bestgen , father Glenn Jensen, and sister Melissa Jensen. Funeral arrangements are pending. Rest in peace, Spc. Dennis Jensen.
Source: Vermillion Plain Talk
DoD Announces Army Casualty
1st Lt. Damon T. Leehan, 30, of Edmond, Okla., died Aug. 14 in Laghman province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, Stillwater, Okla.
1st Lt. Damon Leehan was on his third tour of duty when he was killed in Afghanistan. He was due home to celebrate his sixth anniversary with his wife, Audrey, on September 17th. Leehan joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 1998 and worked as a radiology technician. Ashley Hale, the director at Southwest Medical Center described him as outgoing and well liked to the Edmond Sun
“He had many friends here,” Hale said.
“His family, his children, can know when they grow up that he was a hero and died serving his country,” Hale said.
The community of Edmond, Oklahoma is shocked and saddened by Leehan's death. He leaves behind two small children Emma and Ethan. As seen in the photo, the family was close knit. Friends have set up a Facebook page in Memory of 1st Lt. Damon Leehan A trust fund has been set up to benefit the children. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, Kestrel 9000, TheFatLadySings, Ekaterina, 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.