I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which began in April of 2004 making it one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
For the Fallen
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
~ Laurence Binyon (1869 - 1943)
Honoring and Remembering:
Staff Sgt. Houston M. Taylor
Since 2003 we have suffered the loss of 4479 American lives and a total of 4797 Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1812 American lives and a total of 2766 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
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Staff Sgt. Houston M. Taylor, 25, of Hurst, Texas
Staff Sgt. Houston M. Taylor, 25, of Hurst, Texas, died Oct. 13, in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. ~ DoD News Release
Houston Taylor's mother, Renee Cremean, said she knew from the time Houston was around 8 or 10 years old that he was destined for military service.
"When other kids played soldier, they said, 'I'm going to get my gun.' He said 'I'm going to get my weapon.'"
Taylor attended Azle High School. His high school sweetheart, Kelsey Rae became his wife in 2005. They have two children, a 4 year old son, Ryan and a 1 year old daughter, Avery.
Kelsey said Houston was a very good father to their children.
He was very strong. He never complained about anything he had to do.
SSgt Taylor enlised on May 5, 2005. He underwent two previous deployments with Alpha Company, 2-8 Infantry Battalion.
He was a warrior, and he was fighting for a cause that he truly believed in. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family right now as they go through this terrible time.
He was a great leader and is on our minds every day as we continue to fight, just as he would have wanted. He'll truly be missed. ~ Maj. Dave Eastburn, Brigade spokesman
Taylor's mother was impressed with the way her son treated the soldiers in his Section.
He was very protective of the soldiers under him. He made sure they were squared away and knew their jobs to keep them safe.
When Houston went back home to Hurst he would stay with his mother and step father, Billy Bryan who said Houston had always wanted to be a soldier.
[He enlisted] to serve his country. That's what he wanted to do. That's what kind of a kid he was. And still is, in my eyes.
On his last call home to his wife, SSgt Taylor said that he was about to begin a mission and would not be able to call home for several days.
I asked him if I should be scared, because I always ask that when he says he can't call me for a while. He said 'No, because I'm not.' Then we said, 'I love you' and got off the phone.
Staff Sgt Houston M.Taylor’s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal 2 OLC, Army Achievement Medal 3 OLC, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, NATO Medal, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Staff Sgt Houston M. Taylor is survived by his wife Kelsey Rae; his son Rylan Wade; his daughter Avery Laine; both his parents Shawn Taylor and Renee Cremean; and his brothers Austin and Dallas.
Funeral arrangements have not been released as yet. SSgt Houston is on the Patriot Guard Riders Pending Mission List.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Kestrel9000, TheFatLadySings, Ekaterin and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them.
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.
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POW/MIA: Afghanistan & Iraq
Two U.S. soldiers are currently listed as captured or Duty Status -- Whereabouts Unknown as of December 1, 2009.
Spc. Ahmed K. Altaie 41
and
Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl 23
Never forgotten - please keep good thoughts and prayers for these two men.
On December 8, 2010 new photos were published of Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl in captivity. The article and images can be seen here.
The father of Bowe R. Bergdahl released this video on May 6, 2011 in which he appeals for the release of his son.
The Army promoted Bergdahl to the rank of sergeant effective June 12, 2011. This is his second promotion since he was listed as Missing-Captured on June 30, 2009.
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.