I Got The News Today (IGTNT), 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.
Pfc. Brian P. Odiorne
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Pfc. Brian. P. Odiorne, 21, of Ware, Massachusetts died February 20, 2017, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is investigating the incident.
Brian was a 2014 graduate from Pathfinder Vocational Technical High School in Palmer, Massachusetts, where he studied machine learning and was a member of the wrestling team. He joined the Army in October 2015, and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood,Texas. He had trained as a cannon crew member.
KDH News reports “Odiorne and about 4,000 other 3rd Brigade soldiers recently deployed from Fort Hood to Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The brigade’s mission is to support regional partners with operational missions, military exercises and theater security in the Middle East. The brigade also is tasked with deter[ing] adversaries from negatively influencing the region.”
Brian’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Medal. He will be posthumously awarded the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.
My deepest condolences to Brian’s family and friends.
Sources: DoD, Stars and Stripes, KDH News, Mass Live
1914 IV: The Dead
Rupert Brooke
These hearts were woven of human joys and cares,
Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth.
The years had given them kindness. Dawn was theirs,
And sunset, and the colours of the earth.
These had seen movement, and heard music; known
Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended;
Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone;
Touched flowers and furs and cheeks. All this is ended.
There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter
And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after,
Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance
And wandering loveliness. He leaves a white
Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width, a shining peace, under the night.
.
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. The DoD news releases are here, and all of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here. These men and women all had people who they loved and who loved them. 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, Sandy on Signal, and me, Joy of Fishes. 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.