Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality. ~Emily Dickinson
I Got the News Today (IGTNT) is a diary series intended to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved oneI 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.
The beautiful forget-me-nots were created by llbear.
Since 2003 there have been 4486 US casualties in Iraq and since 2001 there have been 2169 US casualties in Afghanistan. Source.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Nelson D. Trent, 37, of Austin, Texas, died Dec. 13 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, Fort Worth, Texas.
from statesman.com
As news spread Saturday of Trent’s death, his friends on Facebook remembered him as upbeat and a patriot.
“I can’t ever remember a time being around Nelson and not laughing,” friend David Bell wrote. “He was funny, loved people and loved his country.”
Another friend, Tesa Alexis, wrote in the Army Times
I went to school with nelson since 5th grade. Wasn't an easy time for me.. NEVER a foul thing out of his mouth at anyone, heart of GOLD..One heck of a funny guy always! Thoughts & Prayers too his wife and children. " Your daddy did us proud kids.. and Mrs. Trent. "My heart goes out to you. Ultimate sacrifice from you both. Stay strong lady.." Hey! Keep em' laughing up there 2 Sgt. Trent... Rest In Peace friend and THANK YOU!
From Staff Sgt. Trent's
facebook page
According to Staff Sgt Trent his Work and Education:
Employer:
US government, Communications NCOIC · Austin, Texas
Communications NCOIC for the Joint Task Force 71, Homeland Response Force
Graduate of:
Whitehouse High School
Whitehouse, Texas
RIP Staff Sgt. Nelson D. Trent
Click here to read the series as begun by i dunno, and maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, Blue Jersey Mom, Chacounne, Twilight Falling, Sis Two, Spam Nunn, CalNM, Wide Awake in KY,
maggiejean, Jaxdem, Kestrel9000, TheFatLadySings, and Ekaterin
If you would like to contribute to the series, even once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal or noweasels.
To see what these tributes mean to those who have lost a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan, please read Sandy on Signal’s story about meeting the father of a soldier at NN10.
The IGTNT logo was created by Timroff.
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.