In Memoriam

[Grace]

And coverage on the evening news >>>

Colonel Bob Howard - an American Hero
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...79550#34579550

Thanks, Phred.

I think the one statistic that really got me was the 5 tours in Vietnam. You only went once - unless you volunteered. Douglas was in the Air Force, and volunteered for a 2nd tour.

Robert Howard volunteered for 4 extra tours!!

[cassiesmom]

18 December 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Albert D. Ware, 27, of Chicago, Ill., died Dec. 18 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 782nd Combat Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

This was on the news last night. Sgt. Ware leaves behind his parents, his wife and three young children. His father wept when he spoke on camera about trying to keep Christmas normal for the children. I know a lot of hearts went out to that family last night from people who saw it on the 10 o'clock news.

[Grace]

22 December 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Omar G. Roebuck, 23, of Moreno Valley, Calif., died Dec. 22, as a result of a non-hostile incident in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

[Grace]

30 years ago today, 24 December 1979, the Soviet Union began the invasion of Afghanistan. They were totally withdrawn by 15 February 1989.

We have been in Afghanistan now for 3000 days. Will we stay as long as they did?

[Grace]

23 December 2009

Lt. Andrew Richard Nuttall, 30, Victoria, Canada.
1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Killed when a roadside bomb detonated during a joint Afghan-Canadian foot patrol near the village of Nakhonay in Panjwaii district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

[Grace]

UNITED KINGDOM

22 December 2009

Lance Cpl. Tommy Brown.
1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment

Died when a roadside bomb detonated while on a foot patrol about .62 miles (1 kilometer) south of Sangin in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

[Grace]

UNITED KINGDOM

21 December 2009

Lance Corporal Christopher Roney, 23, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
A Company, 3rd Battalion The Rifles

Died of his wounds following a firefight in Sangin, Northern Helmand, Afghanistan.

At the time, his platoon was working out of Patrol Base Almas, providing security, reassurance and freedom of movement for the local population in support of the Government of Afghanistan.

[Grace]

Christmas Day

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. David H. Gutierrez, 35, of San Francisco, Ca., died Dec. 25 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his dismounted patrol with an improvised explosive device in Howz-e Madad. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.