I Got The News Today (IGTNT) , which began in April of 2004, is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos and 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.
~ image credit llbear
Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of Heaven,
Blossom the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Honoring and Remembering:
Capt. James D. Nehl
Staff Sgt. Kenneth W. Bennett
Staff Sgt. Matthew H. Stiltz
Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Kantor
Spc. Daniel L. Carlson
Since 2001 we have lost 2154 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 3227 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.
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The following tributes to Capt. James D. Nehl and Staff Sgt. Kenneth W. Bennett were written by Sandy on Signal:
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DoD Announces Army Casualty
Capt. James D. Nehl, 37, of Gardiner, Ore., died Nov. 9, in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, from small arms fire while on patrol during combat operations. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
Captain James Nehl
Captain James Nehl joined the Army in 2007. He was on his second tour of duty, serving first in Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nehl was a 1993 graduate from Reedsport High School. He is remembered by his small community in Oregon as a quiet, smart and dedicated man. He was a member of the National Honor Society and played football and other sports for his high school.
His teacher, Jim Wells, spoke to
KCBY.TV:
"Quiet guy, sincere, not a typical teenager, what you would say, very disciplined. I think he was living his dream and unfortunately died his dream. He wanted to be an army ranger,” Wells said.
A friend told the news:
"Quiet confidence, that's the best way to describe him. An enemy of no one and a friend of everybody. He was a good man and even back then I knew he would do good things,” said Ron Dukovich.
Captain James Nehl
Source:
KCBY,
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DoD Announces Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Kenneth W. Bennett, 26, of Glendora, Calif., died Nov. 10, in Sperwan Gar, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when he encountered an improvised explosive device during combat operations.
He was assigned to the 53rd Ordnance Company (EOD), 3rd Ordnance Battalion (EOD), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Staff Sgt. Kenneth Wade Bennett served in one of the most dangerous jobs in the military: explosive ordnance disposal. He was on his third deployment to Afghanistan when he was killed by a bomb.
Bennett graduated from Glendora High School in 2004. He enlisted in the Army in November 2004 and became an E.O.D. specialist.
He leaves behind a wife, Mandy, and a two year old daughter. Another child is on the way.
Bennett earned the following awards and decorations: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, among others.
Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bennett
Source:
Glendora Patch.com
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Staff Sgt Matthew H. Stiltz, 26 of Spokane, Washington
Staff Sgt. Matthew H. Stiltz, 26, of Spokane, Wash., died Nov. 12, at Zerok, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan. ~ DoD News Release
Matthew Stiltz was a 2005 graduate of Shadle Park High School where is was a leader and adviser for student marketing association DECA, even competing at a Career Development Conference in Anaheim, CA during his senior year.
Coming from a family with deep roots in military service, it seemed inevitable that Matthew would enlist in the Army as soon as he was 18 years old and within two weeks of his graduation he was entering boot camp.
Stiltz, who was posthumously promoted to Staff Sgt. and is expected to receive the Purple Heart, reported to Fort Riley in February 2006. He had served two tours in Iraq and was six months into his current tour in Afghanistan.
Matthew was the middle of three children and his siblings described him as smart, funny and stubborn. They said he was a protective brother, but was first and foremost a soldier.
Kristin Stiltz, Matthew's sister said:
I think he definitely found himself in the service. … He loved being a soldier – loved it. I think he probably would have been in until he was old and gray.
He was wonderful. He was a good brother and a good friend. Everyone is going to miss him.
It’s hard to believe. Even though you know it’s a dangerous situation and it’s a possibility when someone goes to war, you just never think it’s going to happen to you.
Brother, Jeff Stiltz, an Air Force veteran, said:
He died doing what he loved. That’s the only wish you can have.
Kristin kept in constant contact with her brother and said members of his unit saying that they were his Army family.
It comforts me to know he was in the company of some really good men.They called him brave. They said he was a true hero. They said they were honored to serve with him.
Knowing my brother, that doesn’t surprise me.
Stiltz married his wife, Brooke, who is also a soldier in 2009. They lived off-base in Manhattan, Kansas.
His wife, Brooke Stiltz, and parents, Mark and Terri Stiltz, were at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to await the return of his body. Services are pending.
Staff Sgt Matthew H. Stiltz is survived by his wife, Brooke; mother, Terri; father, Mark; brother, Jeff; and sister, Kristin.
The family expects to hold a memorial service at Shiloh Hills Fellowship Church in North Spokane and hope to bury him at the Veteran's Cemetery in Medical Lake. No firm plans have been made as yet.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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The following tribute to a Navy SEAL who died far from home was written by CalNM:
The Department of Defense confirmed the death of a sailor supporting combat operations in Afghanistan.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Kantor, 22, of Gillette, New Jersey
Petty Officer 2nd Class Kantor died November 1, while supporting combat operations in Zabul, Afghanistan. Kantor was a NAVY Seal assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group Two in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Matthew was born in 1990 in New York City to Mary Jane and Kenneth Kantor. His parents raised him and a brother and sister in Gillette, New Jersey, according to a story in
New Jersey Star-Ledger. Matthew attended Watchung Hills Regional High School, where he was a member of the fencing team, and earned the Coaches award as a member of cross-country and track and field teams. Matthew graduated from High School in June 2008.
Matthew Kantor enlisted in the US Navy in early 2009. In May 2010, Petty Officer 2nd Class Kantor completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School in Coronado, California. He was assigned to a SEAL team out of Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Virginia, home to several Naval Special Warfare Group 2 SEAL Teams according to wikipedia.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Kantor served as a Navy SEAL from May 2010 to November 1, 2012, when he died from a gunshot wound during combat in Afghanistan.
A decorated special warfare operator, Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Kantor was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal (with 'V' device), a Purple Heart Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon, and many other awards and medals.
The 22-year old Navy SEAL was honored in a military service at St. Vincent de Paul R.C. Church, in Stirling, New Jeresy and buried at Fairview Cemetery, in Westfield.
“We extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this true warrior who has paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom,” said Capt. Robert Smith, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group 2, in a press release, reported The Virginian-Pilot. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and shipmates during this very difficult time.”
Among those Petty Officer 2nd Class Kantor leaves behind are his loving parents, Mary Jane and Kenneth Kantor; his sister, Alyssa, and his brother, Kristopher.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Kantor is missed. May he rest in peace.
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Spc Daniel L. Carlson, 21 of Running Springs, California
Spc. Daniel L. Carlson, 21, of Running Springs, Calif., died Nov. 9, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Carlson was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. ~ DoD News Release
Daniel Carlson joined the U.S. Army in February of 2010 and attended basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He then joined the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade in September 2010.
Spc Carlson was based at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii and served as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter repairer.
Spc Carlson's death was non-combat related and no further information will be released until an investigation has been completed.
Lt. Col. Derrick Cheng, spokesman for the 25th Infantry Division released the following statement:
Our sincere condolences go out to Daniel's family and friends, and we share in mourning their loss. This is a tremendous tragedy, and they remain in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
The following messages are from
Legacy Guestbook:
Dan, I love and miss you. I believe Granddad was there to greet you and to walk with you. Our lives will never be the same with you gone, we will have to accept a "New Normal". I know I'm the step dad,but you were a son to me and a brother to John Jr, Monica and Amanda. "There is no greater love then to lay down one's life for his fellow man". John 15:13
~John Brideau, Running Springs, California
Danny I love you very much you and Johnny are the closest thing I ever had to a little brother now I only have 1 little brother but I will never forget you rest in peace..
~ Gregory Conley, Grants Pass, Oregon
Danny, my brother, I love you so much! Thank you for all you sacrificed for all of us. From the deepest part of my heart I LOVE YOU!! I didnt tell you that nearly enough. R.I.P. I will see you again someday so I wont say goodbye, but rather See you later little brother!!
~ Monica Conley, Running Springs, California
Spc. Daniel L. Carlson's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and an Aviator Badge.
Spc Daniel L. Carlson is survived by his wife and his parents.
~ 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.