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:
Sgt. David J. Chambers
Since 2001 we have lost 2176 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 3258 American and coalition forces.
Sgt. David J. Chambers, 25, of Hampton, Va., died Jan. 16, in Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered an enemy improvised explosive device while on dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, under control of the 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. DoD News Release
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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Sgt. David J. Chambers, 25, of Hampton, Virginia
Sgt. David Chambers was a 2005 graduate of Kecoughtan High School where he was a stellar student. Like other kids his age, David was a happy-go-lucky guy who liked bowling and spending time on the computer.
After graduation, David attended Virginia Tech and ODU, but college didn't suit him according to his mother, Julie Mason Chambers. She said it was not until he enlisted in the Army that he "found his way."
David didn't know what he wanted to do in life but was looking for a challenge and structure. He decided to join the Army and it just clicked with him. He saw all the opportunities that they could give him.
Sgt. Chambers entered the Army in May 2009 and reported to Fort Benning, GA for Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training MOS 11B (Infantryman). Upon graduation from AIT, he was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany and was deployed to Afghanistan with that unit from June 2010 to May 2011. He arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in Oct. 2011 and was assigned to 1-38 Inf. He deployed to Afghanistan in November 2012.
Sgt. Chambers’ civilian and military education includes completion of 2 years of college credit (2008), Military Occupational Specialty: 11B – Infantryman (2009), and the Warrior Leader Course (2012).
It was during Chambers' first deployment to Afghanistan when he received a purple heart. He was hit by an IED and sustained injuries to his ear and shoulder.
Father, Michael Chambers called his son a hero who died for his country.
He was out to just help people. Dave would always put others first, from the time he joined boot camp to the time now.
David's mother, Julie said her son had a sense of responsiblity to America, wanting us all to live free and without fear of terrorists. She said the Army trained him very hard and very well and he never once hesitated to go back to Afghanistan.
He made sergeant. Dave felt a responsibility — he had men under him now, and he had to keep them alive.
Julie added that her son never tried to worry them and just four days prior to his death wrote to her Facebook page: "I'm okay mom, don't worry about me."
I just want people to know he was a good soldier.
Sgt David J. Chambers' awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal with 3rd oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Driver’s Badge.
Sgt. David J. Chambers leaves behind his father, Michael Chambers and his mother, Julie Mason Chambers.
No funeral arrangements have been announced.
~ Source ~ Source ~ 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, 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.