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.
Spc. Miguel L. Holmes
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Spc. Miguel L. Holmes, 22, from Hinesville, Georgia, died on May 6, 2019, in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from a non-combat incident. There is no publicly available information about the nature of the incident, which is under investigation.
Spc. Holmes was assigned to 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Savannah, Georgia. He was deployed in Afghanistan to support Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
Our condolences to Miguel’s family, friends, and colleagues. May he rest in peace.
A U.S. Army carry team transfers the remains of Spc. Miguel L. Holmes, of Hinesville, Ga., May 9, 2019 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
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.
Sources: Department of Defense, Army Times, Stars & Stripes, and Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations
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.