Tonight we honor two Special Forces soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan.
Since 2001, 2134 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan; since 2003, 4486 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Iraq.
The IGTNT (I Got The News Today) series is a remembrance of U.S. servicemembers who will not be coming home from war.
~ Photo Credit Timroff
The Department of Defense has announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.They died Oct. 6 in Chak district, Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of gunshot wounds suffered while on dismounted patrol. Killed were:
Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro, 27, of Coral Springs, FL.
Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez, 25, of Aberdeen, NC.
They were assigned to the 1st Special Forces Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler Hitter stands by the transfer cases of Army Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro of Coral Springs, FL, right, and Army Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez of Aberdeen, NC, left, as they wait to be lowered from a cargo plane after arriving at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Monday, Oct. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Please join me for a remembrance of their lives.
Army Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro, his wife Diana, and their three children
At the time of his death, Warrant Officer Shiro was on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. He also served in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in 2006. His father, also named Joseph, said on his own Facebook page:
I just got word I lost my son today...I now know what a broken heart feels like.
He posted this photo of his son with his wife and children:
When Warrant Officer Schiro was home between deployments, he loved to organize family celebrations. He even hand drew little princess crowns for his daughter's birthday party.
In his military life, the South Florida native was a highly decorated soldier who was part of Special Forces, also known as Green Berets. His military awards and decorations include: two Bronze Star Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Schiro's aunt, Patricia Schiro of Pompano Beach, said of her nephew:
"He loved his country. He used to tell us that he had the best job in the world. He really was amazing."
Patricia's friend, Nick Dazzeo, said:
"His goal was to make America a better place to live for everyone. He definitely brought out the best in everyone. That's what made him a stellar person."
Warrant Officer Shiro is survived by his wife Diana, their three children, and his parents. His family went to Delaware to receive his body; funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
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Rest in peace, Army Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro. You have served with honor.
(Facebook)
Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez
This was Staff Sgt. Marquez' first deployment. After graduating from Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, he enlisted in the Army in January 2009. He completed his initial Infantry and Airborne training in June of that year. He was then stationed at Fort Bragg and attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection.
In February 2011 Marquez graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (A). His military education included U.S. Army Airborne School, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) School, the Advanced Leaders Course, and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
His military awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Medal, the Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Marquez's father, Dr. Mark Marquez, said of his son:
"He built his body up, built his mind up. He was clean and pure. He was a born warrior. He had that drive, determination, capacity to stick to something. He was tough, but had a real kind soul."
Marquez is survived by his father, mother and his twin brother. His family went to Delaware to receive his body; funeral arrangements are pending.
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Rest in peace, Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez. You have served with honor.
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, JaxDem, and me, Ekaterin. 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. The US Department of Defense news releases are found at defense gov/releases. Icasualties lists the names of those killed, and shows the number of wounded. Published AP photos of the returning war fatalities are found on the Dover AFB site.
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. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
If you would like to contribute to the series, even once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal.
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.