Tonight, we remember a soldier, who died while serving under Operation Enduring Freedom in Amman, Jordan.
Since 2001, there have been 2319 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2010, there have been 66 casualties in Operation New Dawn.
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.
DoD Announces Army Casualty
Spec. Adrian M. Perkins, 19, of Pine Valley, California, died May 17, in Amman, Jordan, from a non-combat related injury.
He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.
Specialist Adrian Perkins wanted to be a soldier, so much that he asked his parent's to grant him permission to enlist before he turned eighteen. His wish was granted and soon after he graduated from Mountain Empire High School in 2012, he was in bootcamp.
Adrian's father, Aaron Throneberry-Perkins, told the
NBC San Diego:
He turned 18 while he was in boot camp but it was something he really wanted. There was no talking him out of it. Once his mind was set, it was set,” his father said.
Perkins was involved in sports during high school and played both football and basketball. His true love was the military.
Close-friend, Cody Nelson, told the news:
“Adrian was one of those strong hearted. He wanted to protect everyone. He wanted to make sure we all kept our freedom," said friend Cody Nelson.
His father said he was a bit nervous about his deployment to Amman, Jordan, but his father reassured him. Spc. Perkins had already received awards and promotions during his short time with the military.
" He had confided in me that he was a little nervous for going overseas to where he was deployed and I told him 'You keep your head up kid. You keep your head up and use your training and you’ll be alright,'" Throneberry-Perkins told NBC 7.
"I guess apparently it wasn’t enough," he said.
Spc. Perkins died at King Hussein Medical Center in Jordan from a single gunshot wound. His death is under investigation.
From Stripes. Com
No further information about the circumstances of the incident was provided.
“The cause of death is under investigation,” Lt. Col. Steve Wollman, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said in a statement.
Specialist Adrian M. Perkins
Specialist Adrian Perkins joined the Army in August 2012 as an infantryman, deployed to Jordan in October as a member of Fort Carson’s 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
His awards include the Army Achievement Medal and decorations related to his service in the Army and overseas.
Governor Brown and First Lady Ann Brown ordered flags to be at half-staff in honor or Specialist Adrian Perkins. They issued the following statement:
SACRAMENTO – On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Spc. Adrian M. Perkins, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
In memorial, Governor Brown ordered that flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol. Spc. Perkins' family will receive a letter of condolence from the Governor.
*
Sources:
NBC San Diego,Stripes.com,
In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McRae, MD, (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. 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.
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here and here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here. I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect and remind. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries.
Click the IGTNT tags to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by i dunno, Monkeybiz, Noweasels, Blue Jersey Mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, The Fat Lady Sings, Ekaterina, Joy of Fishes, and me, Sandy on Signal.
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.