I Got The News Today (IGTNT) 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.
Cpl. Todd L. McGurn
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Cpl. Todd L. McGurn, of Riverside, California, died on November 25, 2017, in Baghdad, Iraq as a result of a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
While the incident remains under investigation, NBC 4 Los Angeles reports that Cpl. McGurn’s family was told he died in a friendly fire accident during training.
Cpl. McGurn was 20 years old, and he had joined the Army in 2016. An indirect fire infantryman, he was deployed with his unit in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Mark Landes, the 1st Armored Division’s deputy commanding general, said “Cpl. McGurn’s family is in our thoughts and prayers. The U.S. Army and the 1st Armored Division deeply mourns this loss.” In addition, Col. Charles Lombardo, commander of 2nd ABCT, 1st Armored Division currently based in Kuwait, issued a statement saying “On behalf of the Iron Brigade, we offer our deepest condolences to the family of our fallen brother. Despite this tragic event, we remain focused on our promise to our partners to support them in our combined fight against ISIS.”
Todd McGurn is survived by his mother, two older sisters, and his fiancée. Through tears, his mother told NBC 4, “I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. He was my life. My kids are my life.”
He leaves a white
Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width, a shining peace, under the night.
~ Rupert Brooke
Sources: DoD, Army Times, Dover Air Force Base, Office of the Governor, El Paso Proud, NBC 4 Los Angeles
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. 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.