I Got The News Today (IGTNT) , which is among 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.
Honoring and Remembering:
Staff Sgt. Kashif M. Memon
Sgt. Clinton K. Ruiz
Since 2001 we have lost 2144 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 3216 American and coalition forces.
Amazing Grace and Taps
Performed at Arlington National Cemetery
Day is done...Gone the sun
From the lake...
From the hills...
From the sky.
All is well...Safely rest
God is nigh.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died of wounds suffered Oct. 25 when their unit was attacked by small arms fire in Khas Uruzgan, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Kashif M. Memon, 31, of Houston, Texas. He was assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
Sgt. Clinton K. Ruiz, 22, of Murrieta, Calif. He was assigned to the 9th Military Information Support Battalion (Airborne), 8th Military Information Support Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C. ~ DoD News Release
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Staff Sgt. Kashif M. Memon, 31 of Houston, Texas
Kashif M. Memon first enlisted in the Marine Corps in Houston, Texas in 2001 and was stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay. While there he deployed to Okinawa, Japan; Pohang, South Korea; Thailand; Singapore; and Afghanistan. He deployed as a Marine Corps infantry squad leader from Hawaii to Operation Enduring Freedom.
In October of 2007, Memon enlisted into the U.S. Army as an infantryman and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Bragg, N.C. He deployed from Fort Hood as an Army infantryman to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2010, Memon volunteered and completed Civil Affairs training at Fort Bragg and was assigned in 2011 to Company A, 96th CA Bn., as a CA Team Civil Affairs engineer. This was his first combat deployment to Afghanistan as a Civil Affairs Soldier.
Staff Sgt Kashif M.Memon’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, three Good Conduct Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon with '2' Device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Two Stars and Army Parachutist Badge. Memon was also a recipient of the Order of the Spur. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Combat Action Badge.
Staff Sgt. Kashif M.Memon is survived by his spouse and two sons and was expecting a third child.
~ Source ~ Source
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Sgt Clinton K. Ruiz, 22 of Murrieta, California
Clinton Ruiz was born in Poway and the family moved to Murrieta shortly thereafter. Ruiz graduated from Murrieta Valley High School in 2008. He enlisted in the Army in May of 2009.
In the Army, he attended psychological operations training and Korean language school, graduating in August 2010. He deployed on his first and only tour to Afghanistan last month.
Tim Baker, Ruiz's father's business partrner, recalled how how his own son and Clinton would laugh together over the silliest things.
He was a great kid and guy. Never a trouble maker. He was a normal young man with high spirits.
Before traveling to Dover to receive their son's body, the family released this statement:
"Our family mourns the loss of our precious young man who exhibited remarkable character and compassion as a son, brother, grandson, husband, father and soldier. Our son, Sgt. Clinton K. Ruiz, will forever be remembered for the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country.
"May God bless and keep you son."
Sgt Clinton K. Ruiz’s awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal (Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Parachutist Badge.
Sgt Clinton K. Ruiz is survived by his wife, Kira; son, Caleb; father, John; mother, Carla; and brother, Parker.
The Patriot Guard Riders have a confirmed mission ride for Sgt. Ruiz's arrival home and for his funeral.
~ 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.
Sgt Bowe R. Bergdahl
The only known current Prisoner of War is Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl, 26 who was captured by the Taliban in June of 2009. Five propaganda videos featuring Bergdahl have been released by the Taliban. A website has been established with the most up-to-date information on Sgt. Bergdahl.
Please keep good thoughts and prayers for Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl.
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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.