Tonight, we remember three soldiers . Two were killed in Afghanistan and the other in Iraq. Even though, our troops are drawing down from Iraq, it remains a dangerous place. The two soldiers killed in Afghanistan were from the 1st Stryker Brigade, 25th Infantry Division out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska, aka the "Arctic Wolves." The other soldier was out of Fort Bragg and killed in Iraq by an I.E.D., he was a skilled Specialist, who already had earned the coveted "Expert Infantry Badge."
So far in 2011, 395 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan. Since 2001, there have been 1838 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since 2003, there have been 4483 American troops killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 55 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 Identifies Army Casualties
They died Nov. 16, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Killed were:
Spc. James R. Burnett Jr., 21, of Wichita, Kan.; and
Pfc. Matthew C. Colin, 22, of Navarre, Fla.
Spc. James Burnett, Jr. always wanted to serve in the military. His mother and step father spoke with the Wichita television station
KSN TV News. Holding back tears, she told of her son:
"He loved everybody. He did what he could for anybody. It didn't matter what".
Spc. Burnett's stepfather, John Metcalf, added:
"He was a hero and he wasn't only fighting to save our country and the people we hold dear in our lives, but also the people of Afghanistan."
Spc. Burnette was a 2009 graduate of Clearwater High School. After graduation, he joined the Army. He deployed with the 1st Stryker Brigade, 25th Infantry Combat Division to Afghanistan in April. Recently, he became engaged to Amy Keeler. His father, James Burnette, Sr. and step mother, Cherie, told the Wichita Eagle they heard from their son a couple of weeks ago. His last conversation he said:
I’m in a bad place. Pray for me,” they remembered him saying.
and from his Facebook page
“Miss an(d) love everyone so very much ... including you, Amy. Tell my dogs ill be home soon enough,” .
The funeral will be held on November 27,2011. The family invites everyone to attend and remember their son.
Pfc. Matthew Colin came from a military family. His father served in the 101st Airborne from 1978- 1985 as a Squad Leader and Matthew decided to follow in his footsteps. Matthew graduated from Navarre High School in 2007. He worked as a fitness trainer for the YMCA, then in February, 2010, he joined the Army.
A neighbor, Diane Borgsteed , spoke to the PNJ.com
"They are in shock, and they are very broken," she said. "They just can't believe it. Ken, obviously, wants his son back." ...
"It has knocked the breath out of many of us, obviously his parents the most."
Dottie Thomas, who worked with Pfc. Colin at the YMCA, remembered him:
"Matt was kind of quiet but extremely friendly," she said. "He was a great help to people here at the Y. He was well-liked. You would call him a refreshing young man."
Matthew's father, Ken Colin, shared photos on his facebook page of his blond haired son from when he was a toddler to a young man. His father thanked everyone for their kindness and respects. He also remembered Matthew's unit: " 2 more killed in Matt unit. RIP my friends . My thoughts my soul my love go out to your loved ones. Total 19 Kia since April"
Funeral arrangements are pending. Burial will be at Barrancas National Cemetery.
DoD Announces Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation New Dawn.
Spc. David E. Hickman, 23, of Greensboro, N.C., died Nov. 14, in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered after encountering an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
In a few weeks, our troops will be leaving Iraq after nearly 9 years of war. Although it has quieted down, we are still at war. Lt. Col. David Doyle spoke to the
Fayetteville Observer about Spc. Hickman and Iraq.
"The closer we get to the time of our departure, the more they want to get after us," Doyle said of the insurgents. "A loss is just as hard at the start of a war. It hurts no matter when it happens."
and
"We're mourning the loss for sure," Doyle added. "But we're staying focused. The danger doesn't go away just because we're going home."
Spc. David Hickman was a star football and track athlete at North Guifford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. His mother, Veronica, told the
Fayetteville Observer her son was a good student and liked many sports.
"David was always an adventurous person," she told the News & Record. "He was never afraid to try things. He always tried dangerous things. It would make me so mad."
David enlisted in the Army in 2009. His father wanted him to join the Air Force and train for air traffic control. His father told the
paper :
"But he wanted to do the crazy stuff," the elder Hickman said. "He wanted to be in the air, shooting and stuff."
Spc. David Hickman was an excellent soldier. He earned the Expert Infantry Badge which only 30% who try for the award, make it. His battalion commander, Lt. Col. David Doyle, told the Fayetteville Observer:
"He stood out," Doyle said. "He proved himself." ..."Spc. Hickman was a physically gifted and talented young leader, and at the same time, was a soft-spoken friend to his platoon members," Doyle said. "The White Falcon family offers sincere condolences to his parents and wife."
Veronica Hickman last spoke to her son on Veteran's Day. She told him she was proud of his service and the good job he was doing for our country.
Spc. Hickman's awards and decorations included the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge.
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.