Posts Tagged ‘counting the dead of war’

The “Gold Star” banner connotes a family member lost in war. Every American below now has a family and loved ones who could display this banner in a window or upon a staff. I almost wish every one of the families in America would do so; perhaps it would awaken the slumbering country to the true costs of these wars. Today I made a new strand of 200 counting beads, for now the death count for American and Coalition deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan reached sixty eight hundred (counting the 13 victims of the Ft. Hood killings).

US Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class James M. Swink, a hospital corpsman, 20, of Yucca Valley, Calif., died Aug. 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Marine Master Sgt. Daniel L. Fedder, 34, of Pine City, Minn., died Aug. 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

On 27 August in Afghanistan, two US Army men were killed when their vehicle encountered an IED:

PFC. Chad D. Coleman, 20, of Moreland, Ga.
Pvt. Adam J. Novak, 20, of Prairie du Sac, Wis.

Two US Army men died in Afghanistan on August 28 as a result of wounds caused by an exploding IED:

Sgt. Patrick K. Durham, 24, of Chattanooga, Tenn.
Spc. Andrew J. Castro, 20, of Westlake Village, Calif.

On August 28, in Afghanistan, two US Army men were killed when an RPG hit their vehicle:
Capt. Ellery R. Wallace, 33, of Utah.
PFC Bryn T. Raver, 20, of Harrison, Ark.

US Army Spc. James C. Robinson, 27, of Lebanon, Ohio, died Aug. 28 in Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire.

US Marine Gunnery Sgt. Floyd E. C. Holley, 36, of Casselberry, Fla., died Aug. 29 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan

US Army Staff Sgt. James R. Ide, 32, of Festus, Mo., died Aug. 29 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

Two US Army men were killed in Afghanistan by an IED explosion on August 30:
2nd Lt. Mark A. Noziska, 24, of Papillon, Neb.
Staff Sgt. Casey J. Grochowiak, 34, of Lompoc, Calif.

Five US Army men were killed in Afghanistan on August 30, when an IED detonated near their unit:
Capt. Dale A Goetz, 43, of White, S.D.
Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante, 30, of Cypress, Texas
Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Kessler, 32, of Canton, Ohio.
Staff Sgt. Matthew J. West, 36, of Conover, Wis.
PFC. Chad D. Clements, 26, of Huntington, Ind.

US Marine Sgt. Joseph A. Bovia, 24, of Kenner, La., died Aug. 31 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan as a result of hostile fire.

US Marine Lance Cpl. Cody A. Roberts, 22, of Boise, Idaho, died Aug. 31 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher B. Rodgers, 20, of Griffin, Ga., died Sept. 1 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

And the Coalition dead from this week:


Flags courtesy of ITA’s
Flags of All Countries used with permission.

French Army Sgt Enaux Herve was killed on August 30 in Afghanistan when his vehicle tumbled into a ravine.

Cpl. Brian Pinksen, 21, of Newfoundland, Canada was killed in Afghanistan on August 30 by an IED detonation.

Sgt. Herdis Sikka, 20, of Estonia, was killed in Afghanistan on August 30 when an IED detonated.

The moon is brilliantly full overhead again. Remember, far away under that same moon, thousands of troops are still in harm’s way.
And not all homecomings connote relief and safety. And although the news has been filled with tales of the homecomings of the “last” combat units from Iraq; please remember that 50,000 US troops REMAIN in Iraq and at risk!

Two US Army men died Aug.17 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device caused a military vehicle roll-over.

PFC Benjamen G. Chisholm, 24, of Fort Worth, Texas.

Pvt. Charles M. High IV, 21, of Albuquerque, N.M.

US Army Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley, 24, of Nassau, N.Y., died in Afghanistan on August 17, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated as he attempted to disarm it.

Navy Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Collin Thomas, 33, of Morehead, Ky., died Aug. 18 during a combat operation in eastern Afghanistan.

US Army Sgt. Martin A. Lugo, 24, of Tucson, Ariz., died Aug. 19 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

US Army Sgt. 1st Class Edgar N. Roberts, 39, of Hinesville, Ga., died Aug. 17 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained June 26 in Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

US Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin E. Oratowski, 23, of Wheaton, Ill., died Aug. 18 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Us Marine Cpl. Christopher J. Boyd, 22, of Palatine, Ill., died Aug. 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Marine Lance Cpl. Cody S. Childers, 19, of Chesapeake, Va., died Aug. 20 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan in an IED detonation.

US Army Spc. Christopher S. Wright, 23, of Tollesboro, Ky., died Aug. 19 in Pech, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.

US Army PFC. Alexis V. Maldonado, 20, of Wichita Falls, Texas, died Aug. 21 in Afghanistan of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire in Zhari province, Afghanistan.

US Marine LCpl. Nathaniel J. A. Schultz, 19, of Safety Harbor, Fla., died Aug. 21 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan as a result of an IED explosion.

US Army Sgt. Brandon E. Maggart, 24, of Kirksville, Mo., died Aug. 22 at Iraq, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire

Two US Army men died in Afghanistan on August 22 when insurgents attacked their unit with small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire:

Sgt. Steven J. Deluzio, 25, of South Glastonbury, Conn.

Spc. Tristan H. Southworth, 21, of West Danville, Vt.

US Army Spc. Pedro A. Millet Meletiche, 20, of Elizabeth, N.J., died Aug. 22 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

US Marine Sgt. Jason D. Calo, 23, of Lexington, Ky., died Aug. 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Marine Sgt. Ronald A. Rodriguez, 26, of Falls Church, Va., died Aug. 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Marine Lance Cpl. Robert J. Newton, 21, of Creve Coeur, Ill., died Aug. 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Pfc. Justin B. Shoecraft, 28, of Elkhart, Ind., died Aug. 24 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device .

And the losses of other Coalition Nations:


Flags courtesy of ITA’s
Flags of All Countries used with permission.

Two Australian Army Privates were killed in Afghanistan on August 20 when an IED detonated:
Pvt. Tomas Dale, 21, Reynella, Australia
Pvt. Grant Kirby, 35 of Brisbane, Australia

LCpl Jarod MacKinney, 28 of New South Wales, Australia was killed in Afghanistan on August 24 by hostile small arms fire.

LCpl Jordan D. Bancroft, 25, of Lancashire, England was killed in Afghanistan on August 21 by hostile small arms fire.

WO Judith Abraham Pappne , 32, of Sajozentpeter, Hungary was killed on August 23 in an attack near Mazar e Sharif in Northern Afghanistan.

Two members of the French Army were killed in Afghanistan on August 23 in an attack with small arms fire:

Lt. Lorenzo Mezzasalma, 43 of Paris
Cpl Jean-Nicolas Panezyck, 25

Lt. Abraham L. Bravo-Picallo, 34, of Vimanzo, Spain and
Capt. Jose Maria Galera-Cordoba of Albacet, Spain were killed in Afghanistan on August 24 when attacked with small arms fire.

And forgive a complete aside, but this week a very courageous man died. He was a young piper once upon a time and played to lift spirits as men stormed the beach at Normandy. Bill Millin piped the warriors ashore at the request of Scottish Lord Lovat, and strode the beach unarmed and contrary to English regulations.

Bow your heads and remember the fallen, note the grief of their families and loved ones, lift your glasses to their courage and sacrifice.

US Marine Cpl. Kristopher D. Greer, 25, of Ashland City, Tenn., died Aug. 8 of wounds received Aug. 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Marine Sgt. Jose L. Saenz III, 30, of Pleasanton, Texas, died Aug. 9 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Sgt. Christopher N. Karch, 23, of Indianapolis, Ind., died Aug. 11 in Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

US Marine Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bock, 26, of Leesburg, Fla., died Aug. 13 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Spc. Jamal M. Rhett, 24, of Palmyra, N.J., died Aug. 15 in Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with grenades.

And Coalition dead:

Flags courtesy of ITA’s
Flags of All Countries used with permission.

British Army Lt. John C. Sanderson, 29, of Oklahoma, USA (but serving in the British Army) died on August 11 in Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham England of wounds received in Afghanistan from an IED explosion.

British Army Rifleman Remand Kulung, 27, of Basaha, Nepal died on August 12 in Queen Elizabeth Hostpital of injuries received in Afghanistan when part of a Chinook helicopter hit his guard post causing part of it to collapse on top of him.

British Army Sapper Ishwar Gurang, 21, of Pokhara, Nepal was killed in Afghanistan by hostile fire in Helmand Province.

British Sapper Darren Foster, 20, of Carlisle, England was killed in Afghanistan on August 13 when his guard post was attacked with small arms fire.

Trooper Jason Brown, 29, of Australia was killed in Afghanistan on August 14 by hostile small arms fire.

Dark nights in Afghanistan, the moon is new and rises early of the morning. And dark the nights for those in mourning for the fallen, irregardless of the light of sun or moon. I found myself transfixed today, staring at the beautiful young faces of the fallen—it seems impossible that such vital young people could be gone forever.
Many empty chairs, and sorrow for all.

A hat tip to Alternate Brain for this song, which is only too appropriate when listing the fallen whose families will forever feel their loss:
US Army Master Sgt. Jared N. Van Aalst, 34, of Laconia, N.H., died Aug. 4 in Kunduz province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered while his unit was conducting combat operations.

US Army Spc. Faith R. Hinkley, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died Aug. 7 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked her unit in Iskandariya, Iraq.

US Marine Cpl. Max W. Donahue, 23, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., died Aug. 7 of wounds received Aug. 4 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

The following US Marines died Aug. 7 in Afghanistan when a prisoner attempting escape got a weapon and shot them:
LCpl. Kevin M. Cornelius, 20, of Ashtabula, Ohio.
PFC Vincent E. Gammone III, 19, of Christiana, Tenn.

US Army PFC John E. Andrade, 19, of San Antonio, Texas, died Aug. 7 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

On August 8 in Afghanistan, an IED detonation killed two US Army men:
Sgt. Andrew C. Nicol, 23, of Kensington, New Hampshire
PFC. Bradley D. Rappuhn, 24, of Grand Ledge, Mich.

Pfc. Paul O. Cuzzupe, 23, of Plant City, Fla., died Aug. 8 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device destonated.

Civilians of the humanitarian team killed by the Taliban:
Glen Lapp, 40 Lancaster, Pa. (nurse)
Thomas Grams, 51, Durango, Co. (dentist) Dan Terry, 64, US (home town unlisted)
Tom Little, 61, Delmar NY (optometrist) Brian Carderelli, , Harrisonburg, Virginia (videographer)
Cheryl Becket, US (home and profession unknown)

Daniela Beyer, 35, Chemnitz Germany (translator)

Dr. Karen Woo, Britain (doctor)

Two Afghans working with the team were also killed, two others escaped, and one is under arrest, suspected of Taliban complicity.

Several Coalition troops were killed in the past week, I will post names as I find them:
Flags courtesy of ITA’s Flags of All Countries used with permission.

PFC Dariusz Tylenda, 31, of Poland was killed by an IED detonation on August 6 in Afghanistan. (hometown not reported)

Two Danish soldiers were killed on August 7 in Afghanistan when their vehicle encountered a roadside bomb:
PFC Eric B. Rolandsen, 26, of Denmark
PFC Jimmi B. Petersen, 28 of Denmark (hometowns not reported)

The moon wanes, but as always of late, the list waxes longer. Hearts break, tears flow and I still ask, when is it enough?

Lance Cpl. Abram L. Howard, 21, of Williamsport, Pa., died July 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarod Newlove, 25, of Renton, Wash., died from wounds sustained from an incident in Logar province, Afghanistan, on July 23. (Petty Officer Newlove, and another sailor left their compound and went missing. Petty Officer Justin McNeley’s body was found first, but the Taliban claimed Newlove was their prisoner. However, Coalition forces recovered Newlove’s body July 28 after an extensive search.)

US Marine Lance Cpl. Shane R. Martin, 23, of Spring, Texas, died July 29 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

On July 29, in Afghanistan two Army soldiers died when their vehicle encountered an IED:

Capt. Jason E. Holbrook, 28, of Burnet, Texas, and
Staff Sgt. Kyle R. Warren, 28, of Manchester, N.H.

US Army Spc. Michael L. Stansbery, 21, of Mount Juliet, Tenn., died July 30 near Kandahar, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an insurgent’s IED exploded.

US Army Sgt. Kyle B. Stout, 25, of Texarkana, Texas, died July 30 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit.

And the Coalition dead from our allies:

Flags courtesy of ITA’s
Flags of All Countries used with permission.



Sapper Mark A. Smith, 26, of Kent England, was killed in Afghanistan on 26 July when a smoke round fired to screen his unit’s advance apparently fell short.

British Scots Guardsman LanceSgt Dale A. McCallum, 31, of Hanover, Jamaica was killed in Afghanistan on August 1 by hostile small arms fire.

British Marine Adam Brown, 25, of Surrey, England was killed in Afghanistan on August 1 by an IED detonation.

On July 24th, in Afghanistan Cpt. Marco Callegaro, 37, of Veneto, Italy died by his own hand, a suicide.

Cpl.Maj. Pierdavide De Cillio, 33, of Biseglia, Italy and
1st Sgt Mauro Gigli, 41, of Sassari, Italy were killed in Afghanistan on 28 July when the IED they were attempting to defuse detonated.

New Zealander Lt. Tim O’ Donnell, 28 of Fielding, New Zealand was killed in Afghanistan on August 3 when his unit came under attack with an IED, small arms fire and RPGs.

Again the full moon throws shadows across funeral wreaths around the world. More and more young men laid to rest in their dress uniforms, and flags put into the hands of sorrowful women, parents, and friends. When will it be enough?

US Marine Cpl. Joe L. Wrightsman, 23, of Jonesboro, La., died July 18 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Staff Sgt. Brian F. Piercy, 27, of Clovis, Calif., died July 19 in , Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an insurgent planted IED exploded.

US Marine Cpl. Paul J. Miller, 22, of Traverse City, Mich., died July 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Marine Cpl. Julio Vargas, 23, of Sylmar, Calif., died July 20 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army 1st Lt. Michael L. Runyan, 24, of Newark, Ohio, died July 21 in Iraq, of injuries sustained when his convoy vehicle encountered an IED.

Two US Marine pilots died in Afghanistan on July 22 when their helicopter crashed as they supported combat operations:

Maj James M. Weis, 37, of Toms River, New Jersey
LTC Mario D. Carazo, 41, of Springfield, Ohio

US Army PFC James J. Oquin, 20, of El Paso, Texas, died July 23 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident when he was swept away by the current when a levee broke near his military vehicle.

On July 24, four soldiers from our local Ft. Lewis died in Afghanistan as a result of IED attack:

Spc. Andrew Hand, 25,of Enterprise, Alabama
Sgt Daniel Lim, 23, of Cypress, California,
Spc. Joseph A. Bauer, 27, of Cincinnati, Ohio
SSG Conrad A. Mora, 24, of San Diego, California

US Marine Lance Cpl. Frederik E. Vazquez, 20, of Melrose Park, Ill., died July 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

And with especial sorrow, I must note that the body of Navy non-commissioned officer PO2 Justin McNeley , of Wheatridge Colorado has been found in Afghanistan. McNeley and another sailor left their compound last week and went missing. The Taliban announced that they had killed one and captured the other. PO3 Jarod Newlove, of Renton, Washington is apparently still a prisoner of the Taliban.

Flags courtesy of ITA’s
Flags of All Countries used with permission.



Lt. Jonas P. PlØger, 26, of Denmark (home town undisclosed), died on July 21 in Afghanistan in an IED explosion.

Cpl Matthew J. Stenton, 23, of Wakefield, England died in Afghanistan on July 21 of wounds from hostile small arms fire, while working to evacuate a wounded comrade.

LCpl Stephen D. Monkhouse, 28, of Greenoch, Scotland died while serving in the British Army in Afghanistan on 21 July of wounds from hostile small arms fire, while working with Cpl Stenton to evacuate a wounded comrade.

Sapper Brian Collier, 24, of Ontario, Canada, died in Afghanistan on July 20 as a result of an IED explosion.

The moon is half full in the sky, and it seems the flights of flag draped caskets must be at least that full.
My sincere sympathy to the families and loved ones of the fallen troops.

US Army PFC Nathaniel D. Garvin, 20, of Radcliff, Ky., died July 12 at Forward Operating Base Frontenac, Afghanistan (Kandahar, Afghanistan), of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

US Army Spc. Christopher J. Moon, 20, of Tucson, Ariz., died July 13 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device on July 6 in Afghanistan.

Three US Army men died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their unit with rifle, rocket propelled grenade, and small arms fire.

1st Lt. Christopher S. Goeke, 23, of Minn.
SSG. Christopher T. Stout, 34, of Worthville, Ky.
SSG. Sheldon L. Tate, 27, of Hinesville, Ga.

US Army Pvt. Brandon M. King, 23, of Tallahassee, Fla., died July 14 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

On July 14, in Afghanistan, four US Army men were killed when their military vehicle encountered an IED:

Spc. Chase Stanley, 21, of Napa, Calif.
Spc. Jesse D. Reed, 26, of Orefield, Penn.
Spc. Matthew J. Johnson, 21, of Maplewood, Minn.
Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher, 24, of Ballwin, Mo.

On July 15, two US Army men were killed in Afghanistan by the explosion of an IED:

SFC Class John H. Jarrell, 32, of Brunson, S.C.
SGT Leston M. Winters, 30, of Sour Lake, Texas.

US Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt, 27, of Polo, Ill., died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Sgt. Jesse R. Tilton, 23, of Decatur, Ill., died July 16 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of wounds sustained July 13 when insurgents attacked his unit in Afghanistan, with rifle, rocket propelled grenade, and small arms fire.

US Marine Cpl. Dave M. Santos, 21, of Rota, Marianas Islands of the Pacific, died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. (Possibly killed by a fellow Marine.)

US Army Sgt. Matthew W. Weikert, 29, of Jacksonville, Ill., died July 17 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated.

US Army Sgt. Justin B. Allen, 23, of Coal Grove, Ohio, died July 18 in Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was shot by insurgents while conducting combat operations.

US Marine Gunnery Sgt. Christopher L. Eastman, 28, of Moose Pass, Ark., died July 18 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Sgt. Anibal Santiago, 37, of Belvidere, Ill., died July 18 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained July 17 in a non-combat related incident.

US Army 1st Lt. Robert N. Bennedsen, 25, of Vashon, Wash., died July 18 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device exploded.

Flags courtesy of ITA’s
Flags of All Countries used with permission.

On July 13, in Afghanistan, three members of the British Royal Gurkha Rifles were murdered in an RPG attack by a brother soldier in the Afghan military, he had apparently been turned by the Taliban. Killed were:
Major James J. Bowman, 34 of Salisbury, England
Lt. Neal Turkington, 26 of Craigavon, N. Ireland
Cpl Arjun Purja Pun, 33, of Khibang village, Nepal

A British Royal Marine was likewise killed on July 13 in Afghanistan when his unit was hit with small arms fire:
Marine Matthew Harrison, 23, of Herfordshire, England

Sr. Aircraftsman Kinikki Griffiths, 24, of England (hometown unreported) died in Afghanistan on 16 July as the result of a vehicular accident.

Marine David T. Crooks, 26, of Birmingham, England was killed in Afghanistan on July 16 by an IED explosion.

SSG Brett G. Linley, 29, of Birmingham, England was killed in Afghanistan on July 17 by an IED explosion.

SGT David T. Monkhouse (age unknown) of Carlisle, England, was killed in Afghanistan on July 17 by an IED explosion.

In my continuing search for names of military suicides,
as found in a story in the Washington Post, Marine Maj. Jeff Hackett,on June 5, 2010, died a suicide when he shot himself, leaving a note saying “I deserve Hell.” In my opinion, he had already been there.

The dark of the moon is here again. It scarcely seems a month since I last typed those words. The wars take no break, casualties accrue—500,000 if you count injuries and illnesses (even those the military refuses to include like traumatic brain injury and PTSD!) and there is no peace in sight. What will it take to staunch the flow of blood and money in distant sands?

And as any of you who read routinely know, I am driven half mad by the impossibility of finding the names of veterans and service members who have died by their own hands following their war service. I only find names by chance in newspaper articles, but here are a few found recently:

Timothy Juneman
Tim Nelson
Orrin McClellan
All three of these men were from Washington state, all suffered from PTSD and were apparently failed by the VA. Juneman and Nelson died in 2008, McClellan died this year. My sympathies to their loved ones.

Adam Wehinger, of Oregon, died this year in an apparent suicide-by-cop in Oregon. He had been very distressed and drinking heavily for some time. Again, my sympathy to his family and loved ones; suicide is traumatic enough without it being a shooting in the streets.

And active duty deaths in the war zones:

US Army Sgt Jordan E. Tuttle, 22, of West Monroe, Louisiana, died in Iraq on July 2 in a non-hostile incident.

US Army PFC. David Jefferson, 23, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died July 2 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device exploded.

US Army PFC Jacob A. Dennis, 22, of Powder Springs, Ga., died July 3 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained June 30 in a weapons system accident in Afghanistan.

US Army Spc. Clayton D. McGarrah, 20, of Harrison, Ark., died July 4 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device and rocket-propelled grenade fire.

US Army Special Forces Sgt. Andrew J. Creighton, 23, of Laurel, Del., died July 4 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained on July 1 while conducting combat operations .

US Army Spc. Louis R. Fastuca, 24, of West Chester, Pa., died July 5 in Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

On July 5th, in Afghanistan, insurgents attacked an Army vehicle with an improvised explosive device killing two soldiers:

PFC. Edwin C. Wood, 18, of Omaha, Neb.
SSG. Christopher F. Cabacoy, 30, of Virginia Beach, Va.

On July 5, in Afghanistan, two US Army soldiers died of wounds from an IED:

Spc. Keenan A. Cooper, 19, of Wahpeton, N.D.
Spc. Jerod H. Osborne, 20, of Royse City, Texas.

On July 6, three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
died July 6 at Qalat, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device:

Staff Sgt. Marc A. Arizmendez, 30, of Anaheim, Calif.
Spc. Roger Lee, 26, of Monterey, Calif.
Pfc. Michael S. Pridham, 19, of Louisville, Ky.

US Army PFC. Anthony W. Simmons, 25, of Tallahassee, Fla., died July 8 in Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire.

US Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel G. Raney, 21, of Pleasant View, Tenn., died July 9 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Spc. Robert W. Crow, 42, of Kansas City, Mo., died July 10 in Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

US Army Spc. Carlos J. Negron, 40, of Fort Meyers, Fla., died July 10 in Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with rifle and small arms fire.

US Army Sgt. Donald R. Edgerton, 33, of Murphy, N.C., died July 10 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

US Army Staff Sgt. Jesse W. Ainsworth, 24, of Dayton, Texas, died July 10 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

US Army Spc. Joseph W. Dimock II, 21, of Wildwood, Ill, died July 10 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident when an explosion occurred in an ammunition holding facility during an inventory.

US Marine Lance Cpl. Tyler A. Roads, 20, of Burney, Calif., died July 10 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Sgt. Shaun M. Mittler, 32, of Austin, Texas, died July 10 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fires

US Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Antonik, 29, of Crystal Lake, Ill., died July 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Flags courtesy of ITA’s
Flags of All Countries used with permission.

British Trooper James A. Leverett, 20, of Sheffield, England was killed on July 5 in Afghanistan by an IED explosion.

British Pvt. Thomas Sephton, 20, of Warrington, England, died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 5 from wounds received in Afghanistan in an IED explosion.

British Bombardier Samuel J. Robinson, 31, of Camarthen, Wales, was killed in Afghanistan on July 8 by an IED explosion.

British Marine David C. Hart, 23, of North Yorkshire, England, was killed in Afghanistan on July 8 by an IED explosion.

Australian Pvt. Nathan Bewes, 23, of Kogarah, New South Wales, was killed in Afghanistan on July 9 by an IED explosion.

French Sgt. Laurent Mosic, 38(home town unreported) died in Afghanistan on July 6 of wounds from an IED explosion.

The moon is waning, thinning in the night sky; but the war does not wane.
There is grief to go ’round as America celebrates Independence Day. Please scroll to the end, since it is Independence Day—for a musical addition.

Aside from this American flag, courtesy of Pickled Jester Photography, all other
Flags courtesy of ITA’s
Flags of All Countries used with permission.

US Marine Sgt. Joseph D. Caskey, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pa., died June 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in an IED explosion.

US Marine Lance Cpl. William T. Richards, 20, of Trenton, Ga., died June 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Spc. David A. Holmes, 34, of Tennille, Ga., died June 26 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated.

US Army PFC. Bryant J. Haynes, 21, of Epps, La., died June 26 in Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over.

US Army Sgt. John M. Rogers, 26, of Scottsdale, Ariz., died June 27 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

On June 27th, two US Army soldiers died in Afghanistan after being attacked with small arms fire:

Staff Sgt. Eric B. Shaw, 31, of Exeter, Maine; and
Spc. David W. Thomas, 40, of St. Petersburg, Fla.

US Army Spc. Matthew R. Hennigan, 20, of Las Vegas, Nev., died June 30 in Afghanistan, of wounds suffered earlier in Tangi Valley, Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked his unit with machine gun fire.

US Army SFC Kristopher D. Chapleau, 33, of LaGrange, Ky., died June 30 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

Cpl. Larry D. Harris Jr., 24, of Thornton, Colo., died July 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Spc. Morganne M. McBeth, 19, of Fredricksburg, Va., died July 2 in Iraq, of wounds sustained July 1 in a non-combat related incident .

US Army Sgt. Johnny W. Lumpkin, 38, of Columbus, Ga., died July 2 inIraq, of wounds sustained July 1 in a non-combat related equipment incident.

US Army PFC. Ryan J. Grady, 25, of Bristow, Okla., died July 1 at Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised-explosive device exploded.

US Air Force Capt David A. Wisniewski, 31, of Moville, Iowa, died July 2 of wounds sustained June 9 in a helicopter crash near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan.

British Army Bombadier Stephen Gilbert, 36, of North Yorkshire, England, died of IED wounds in Afghanistan on June 26.

British Army Cpl Jamie Kirkpatrick,32, of Llanelli, Wales was killed in Afghanistan on June 27 when he was shot and killed by the enemy.

Cpl Pawel Stypula, 26, of Krazuniu, Poland died in Afghanistan on June 26 in when the IED he was attempting to disarm exploded.

Canadian soldiers, both medics, were killed in an IED explosion on June 26:
Cpl Kristal Giesebrecht, 34, Ontario, Canada
Pvt Andrew Miller, 21, Ontario Canada

On June 27, an explosion in Afghanistan killed four Norwegian Naval Commandos when their vehicle hit the roadside IED:

Lt Christian Liam, 31 of Kristiansand, Norway
Lt Simen Tokle, 24 of Ballangen, Norway
PO1 Andreas Eldjarn, 21 of Tromso, Norway
Lt Cmdr Trond A. Bolle, 41 of Vestby, Norway

And Happy Birthday, America—-please remember why and how we began!

The moon tonight will be full and bright and will light up the summer night, casting shadows across the lawn….and across cemeteries across the nation and around the world. With this list came the stringing of another strand of 200 prayer counting beads….to mark the roll call carried into the Labyrinth in past weeks. My count is now over 6,600 for U.S. and Coalition dead in Afghanistan and Iraq.
My profoundest condolences to the families and friends left behind.

British Marine Richard Hollingston, 23, of Hampshire, England, died on June 20 in Afghanistan due to wounds from an IED detonation.

US Army Spc. Scott A. Andrews, 21, of Fall River, Mass., died June 21 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated.

US Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski, 21, of North Tonawanda, N.Y., died June 21 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

US Army Spc. Jacob P. Dohrenwend, 20, of Milford, Ohio, died June 21 in Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

On 21 June, in Afghanistan, two US Army men died from wounds suffered when a suicide bomber attacked their unit:

PFC. David T. Miller, 19, of Wilton, N.Y.
Spc. Andrew R. Looney, 22, of Owasso, Okla.

On June 21, a helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, killing five men aboard:

US Army Sgt. Brandon Silk, 25, of Orono, Maine.
Canadian Sgt James P. McNeil, 28, of Nova Scotia, Canada
Australian Pvt. Benjamin A. Chuck, 27, of Queensland Australia
Australian Pvt. Timothy J. Aplin, 30
Australian Pvt. Scott T. Palmer, 27

British Marine Paul Warren, 23, of Preston, England died in Afghanistan as a result of hostile small arms fire on June 21.

British LCpl Michael Taylor, 30, of Rhyl, Wales died in Afghanistan on June 22 as a result of hostile small arms fire.

US Army 1st SGT. Eddie Turner, 41, of Fort Belvoir, Va., died June 22 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

US Marine Cpl. Claudio Patino IV, 22, of Yorba Linda, Calif., died June 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, when an IED exploded in Afghanistan.

US Marine Cpl. Kevin A. Cueto, 23, of San Jose, Calif., died June 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, when an IED exploded in Afghanistan.

US Marine Cpl. Joshua R. Dumaw, 23, of Spokane Valley, Wash., died June 22 while supporting combat operations , when an IED exploded in Afghanistan.

US Army PFC. Anthony T. Justesen, 22, of Wilsonville, Ore., died June 23 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated.

US Army Pfc. Russell E. Madden, 29, of Dayton, Ky., died June 23 in Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with rocket fire.

British Army Sgt. Steven W. Darbyshire, 35, of Wigan, England, died on June 23 in Afghanistan in a firefight.

Two Romanian soldiers died June 23 in Afghanistan in an IED explosion . I do not have complete information on them yet:

Cpl. Paul Caracuda, 36
Sgt Maj. Dan Ciobotaru, 28

US Army Staff Sgt. Edwardo Loredo, 34, of Houston, Texas, died June 24 in Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

US Army Pfc. Robert K. L. Repkie, 20, of Knoxville, Tenn., died June 24 in Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

Two US Army soldiers died on June 25 in Afghanistan as a result of attack with RPG and small arms fire:
Spc. Blair D. Thompson, 19, of Rome, N.Y.
Spc. Jared C. Plunk, 27, of Stillwater, Okla.

US Marine Cpl. Daane A. Deboer, 24, of Ludington, Mich., died June 25 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Four British Army men died on June 23 when their vehicle overturned:

Pvt Alex Isaac, 20 of Wirral, England
Pvt Douglas Halliday, 20 of Wallasey, England
LCpl David Ramsden, 26 of Leeds, England
Colour Sgt Martyn Horton, 34, of Runcorn, England