The Last Post

January 5, 2009

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“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

We will remember them.”

“For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon

A Memory Bouquet 2008

At the end of each year, major media outlets run feature stories listing notables and celebrities that have passed away during the year; stories that recount highlights of the person’s life.

Through the Dark Recesses

Sometimes memories connect through space and time linked to your own remembrances of the person. Memories of what you were doing at a certain time in your life, at a certain place.

Special memories randomly emerge from the dark recesses of time. You feel heaviness, a sense of loss, not only for the “notable person” or “celebrity” that you probably never met, but also for yourself. For the loss of time.

That time.

Your time.

The List

Well, here’s my feature story.

My list.

It’s a little bit longer than the major media outlets would publish. Names of people like Troy, Coleman, Ben, Joshua, John, Christopher, Thomas, Stephen, Solomon, Miguel, Christian, Aaron, Armondo, Adam, Stacy, Daniel, Randy, Tavarus, David, Michael, Janelle, Jordan, Jorge, Michael, Brian, Jorge, Andre, Mark,  Joshua.

The Loved and Lost

… and on … and on … and horribly on.

Fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, wives, husbands, cousins, nephews, nieces, all.

Not by Accident

They passed on not by accident, not by bodily deterioration brought on by the mean ravages of time, but because they had a special job.

A job that ended a too-brief sojourn on this blue-green magical wonder called earth.

A job they chose.

So Costly a Sacrifice

They were American soldiers.

mfuneral-full

A step ahead.

A step behind.

A look left, instead of right.

Right, instead of left.

Up instead of down.

Down instead of up.

A blink of the eye at the wrong time.

And … it was over.

What is Life?

“It is the flash of a firefly in the night.  It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.

It is the little shadow that runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.”

- Crowfoot, Native American Blackfoot warrior and orator

The fleeting flash of a firefly in the night … gone.

But not.

Their Undiminishable Light …

… echoes eternally throughout the music of the spheres like heavenly bagpipes playing Amazing Grace … across the unfathomable unknowable on their way to The Last Post.

Who Were These Fireflies in the Night?

Who were these shadows that ran across the grass riding a Sonata of Moonlight on an Ode to Joy – to living, giving and life?

Who Were These Fireflies in the Night?

Who were these shadows that ran across the grass into the arms of an …

Angel

On the way to their  …

Last Post

3

Here’s who.

Look.

We Will Remember Them.

12/31/08 Tollefson, Benjamin B. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – mortar attack
12/28/08 Gonzales, Tony J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (Sadr City)
12/25/08 Seitz, Joshua D. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Manama
12/25/08 Pryor, John P. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – mortar attack Mosul (near)
12/24/08 Smith, Christopher G. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle rollover southern Iraq (died in Baghdad)
12/24/08 Okray, Stephen M. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle rollover
12/24/08 Zapasnik, Stephen G. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle rollover southern Iraq (died in Baghdad)
12/21/08 Reilly Jr., Thomas DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Baharia
12/20/08 Johnson, Robert L. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Al Anbar Province
12/20/08 Hinkefent, Coleman W. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – illness Hamburg, Germany
12/20/08 Dean, Jonathan W. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Tikrit
12/04/08 Sam, Solomon T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – suicide car bomb Mosul
12/04/08 Savage, John J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – suicide car bomb Mosul
11/25/08 Frank, Warren A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baiji
11/24/08 Davis, Anthony DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baiji
11/24/08 Jernigan, William K. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Ba’qubah
11/21/08 Wilson, Miguel A. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – during rescue attempt Mosul
11/20/08 Barnett, Charles Yi DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Tallil
11/19/08 Velasco, Marcelo R. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Falluja
11/15/08 Humphreys, Christian P. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Mosul
11/15/08 Clark, Donald V. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Mosul
11/14/08 Allen, Aaron M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Ferris (near Fallujah)
11/13/08 Clay, James M. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Al Anbar Province
11/13/08 De La Paz, Armando A. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Baghdad
11/12/08 Regalado, Jose DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Mosul
11/12/08 Shea, Corey M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Mosul
11/08/08 Walker, Timothy H. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED Baghdad (northern part)
11/06/08 Hobbs, Theron V. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Kirkuk
11/05/08 Wenger, Adam McKamey DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Tunnis
10/29/08 Coleman, Bradley S. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Qayyarah Airfield
10/29/08 Metcalf, Scott J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Mosul (died in Balad)
10/24/08 Eggleston, Cody J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – indirect fire National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda
10/23/08 Hause, Brian P. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – medical Balad Air Base
10/20/08 Dryden, Stacy A. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Al Asad
10/16/08 Pickard, Heath K. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – indirect fire Ba’qubah
10/15/08 Saint, Justin A. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Baghdad
10/14/08 McCraw, Christopher A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baghdad (Nasar Wa Salam)
10/12/08 Johnson, Geoffrey G. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Baghdad
10/11/08 Fernandez III, Reuben M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Majar Al Kabir (Amara)
10/07/08 Clark, Michael K. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Mosul
10/05/08 Stahlman, Michael R. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Anbar Province
10/05/08 Rudd, William P. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Mosul
10/03/08 Setzler, Tavarus D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Majar al-Kabir
09/30/08 Bartkiewicz, Christopher A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baghdad (northern part)
09/29/08 Fox, Christopher T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Adhamiyah
09/27/08 Bryant, Jamel A. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle rollover Baghdad (Southeast of)
09/25/08 Phillips Jr., Ronald DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Bahbahani
09/24/08 Medders, Michael J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – suicide bomber Jisr Naft
09/23/08 Brown, Thomas J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Salman Pak
09/21/08 Taylor, Matthew J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baghdad
09/18/08 Edwards, Corry A. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Tallil
09/18/08 Eshbaugh, Daniel M. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Tallil
09/18/08 Mason, Anthony L. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Tallil
09/18/08 Ordonez, Julio C. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Tallil
09/18/08 Rudolf, Brady J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Tallil
09/18/08 Thompson, Michael E. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Tallil
09/18/08 Vallejo II, Robert DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Tallil
09/17/08 Wright, Darrick D. DoD Confirmation Non-Hostile – Illness – Heart Attack Baghdad
09/17/08 Gulczynski I, Leonard J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Baghdad
09/14/08 Marceaux Jr., Sidney J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – illness Walter Reed Army Medical Center
09/14/08 Marino, Ralph J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – illness Camp Buehring
09/14/08 Durbin, Wesley R. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – shooting incident Tunnis
09/14/08 Dawson, Darris J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – shooting incident Tunnis
09/10/08 Sexton, Daniel R. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Balad (Joint Base Balad)
09/05/08 Thibeault, Jordan P. P. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Balad (FOB Hammer)
09/04/08 Thomas, Bryan R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (eastern part)
09/04/08 Mayne, Kenneth W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (eastern part)
09/02/08 May, Patrick W. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Baghdad
08/28/08 Nieve, Jorge L. Feliz DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Mosul
08/28/08 Gonzalez, Michael L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
08/27/08 Cooper, David K. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Qadasiyah
08/26/08 Alfonso, Carlo E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (Sadr City)
08/25/08 Fitzmorris, Steven J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Adhamiyah
08/19/08 Stanciel, George DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – mortar attack Amarah
08/17/08 Stottlemyer, Travis M. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Manama
08/14/08 King, Janelle F. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Baghdad
08/14/08 McGuire, Daniel A. C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Falluja
08/13/08 Hale, James M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (northwestern part)
08/10/08 Ferschke Jr., Michael H. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Tikrit (southwest of)
08/10/08 Gibson, Kenneth B. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Tarmiya
08/09/08 Ulloa, Jose E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (Sadr City)
08/07/08 Maybin, Danny E. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Camp Arifjan
08/07/08 Trejo, Stewart S. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Karma
08/07/08 McKiski, Adam T. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Karma
08/04/08 Hutton, Timothy J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Baghdad
08/04/08 Menke, Jonathan D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED Baghdad
08/04/08 Henry, Gary M DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED Baghdad
08/03/08 Schmidt, Ronald Andrew DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Baghdad
08/02/08 Miller, Brian K. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Abd Allah
08/02/08 Cole, Jennifer L. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – gunshot wound Baiji
08/02/08 Dickson, Kevin R. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Balad
07/31/08 Mitchell, Andre Darnell DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle rollover Mosul
07/30/08 McHale, James A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda,
07/17/08 Larsen, Jackie L. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Balad (Balad Air Base)
07/15/08 Textor, David W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Mosul
07/15/08 Vrooman, Jeremy D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Knan (died in Baghdad)
07/14/08 Verbeke, Daniel R. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – accident (on flight deck) Paoli, Pennsylvania
07/14/08 Dupre, Danny DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Ramadi
07/13/08 Stevenson, Jeffery S. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Falluja
07/09/08 Jimenez, Alex R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – body found Jurf al-Sakhar
07/09/08 Fouty, Byron J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – body found Jurf al-Sakhar
07/09/08 Chevalier, Steven J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – grenade Samarra (died in Balad)
07/08/08 McMillan III, William L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (west of)
07/05/08 Woodham, Anthony Lynn DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – electrocution Tallil (Camp Adder)
06/26/08 Preudhomme, Marcus W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – suicide bomber Al Anbar Province
06/26/08 Dykeman, Philip J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Al Anbar Province
06/26/08 Galeai, Max A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Al Anbar Province
06/25/08 Plocica, Joshua L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (EFP) Baghdad (eastern part)
06/25/08 Dominguez, Alejandro A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
06/25/08 Taylor, Joel A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
06/25/08 Yohn, James M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
06/24/08 Hammett, Robert C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – Explosion Baghdad (Sadr City)
06/24/08 Kelley, Dwayne M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – bomb Baghdad (Sadr City)
06/23/08 Dalessio, Gregory T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Madain
06/23/08 Thomas, Bryan M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Madain (died in Baghdad)
06/20/08 Tran, Du Hai DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Ba’qubah
06/16/08 Cox, Jason N. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Al Hillah
06/12/08 Aragon, John D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Kadamiyah
06/11/08 Kanakaole, Eugene D. M. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – Shot in head Balad
06/11/08 Watters, Kelly E. C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Al Anbar Province
06/11/08 Perales Jr., Javier DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Fallujah
06/11/08 Reed, Gerard M. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Baghdad
06/10/08 McCoy, Steve A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio,
06/09/08 Duncan III, Thomas F. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Sinjar
06/08/08 Pickett, Tyler E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (VBIED) Kirkuk
06/07/08 Hurst, David R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (eastern part)
06/04/08 Legg, Cody R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Al Hawijah
06/04/08 Emard, Jonathan D. A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Al Hawijah
06/04/08 Duffy, Shane P. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Al Hawijah
06/03/08 Waltenbaugh, Joshua E. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Taji
06/03/08 Green, Quincy J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Tikrit
06/01/08 McCarthy, Christopher D. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile FOB Ramadi
06/01/08 Mixon, Justin R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (EFP) Baghdad (northeastern part)
05/30/08 Cotner, Christian S. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Al Asad
05/25/08 Gasper, Frank J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Najaf
05/25/08 Evans, Blake W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Al Jazeera Desert
05/25/08 Dene, Jason F. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – injury Baghdad
05/22/08 Norris, Kyle Phillip DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Iskandariyah (died in Balad)
05/18/08 Haunert, Branden P. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Tikrit
05/15/08 Daggett, John K. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – RPG attack Halifax, Canada
05/14/08 Cota, Victor M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (Kadamiyah)
05/11/08 Ellis, Jessica A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (northwest of)
05/10/08 Ford, Joseph A. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Al Asad
05/09/08 Jaenichen, Mary J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – injury Iskandariyah
05/06/08 Ward, Aaron J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Anbar Province
05/06/08 Gonzalez, Alex D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire, RPG Mosul
05/02/08 Hicks, Corey L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (eastern part)
05/01/08 Casanova, Casey L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Al Anbar Province
05/01/08 Guzman, Miguel A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Al Anbar Province
05/01/08 Kimple, James F. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Al Anbar Province
05/01/08 Martinez, Glen E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Al Anbar Province
05/01/08 Nichols, Jeffrey F. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (VBIED) Baghdad (central)
04/30/08 Caldwell, Chad A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
04/30/08 Pearson, Andrew. R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (southern part)
04/30/08 Tucker, Ronald J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (southern part)
04/30/08 Ezell, Lawrence D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (northern part)
04/29/08 Craig, Clay A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baghdad (northeastern part)
04/29/08 Bolander, Bryan E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
04/28/08 McCormick, David P. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – Rocket fire Baghdad (western part)
04/28/08 Marion, Adam L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – indirect fire Baghdad
04/28/08 Mathes, Marcus C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – indirect fire Baghdad
04/28/08 Stone, Mark A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – indirect fire Baghdad
04/27/08 Dix, William T. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Camp Buehring
04/24/08 Whitehead, Shaun J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED, small arms fire Iskandariyah
04/23/08 Ramirez, Guadalupe Cervantes DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Camp Arifjan
04/23/08 Bishop, John T. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle rollover Golden Hills
04/23/08 Cunningham, Timothy W. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle rollover Golden Hills
04/23/08 Blystone, Ronald C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baghdad (eastern part)
04/22/08 Harrison, Ronald R. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – injury FOB Falcon (nr. Baghdad)
04/22/08 Haerter, Jordan C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (VBIED) Ramadi (near)
04/22/08 Yale, Jonathan T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (VBIED) Ramadi (near)
04/21/08 Campos, Adrian M. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Dubai
04/21/08 Vandergrift, Matthew R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Basra
04/21/08 Christofferson, Steven J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baiji
04/21/08 Kohlhaas, Adam J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baiji
04/20/08 Morton, Cherie L. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Galali, Muharraq
04/18/08 Brosh, Benjamin K. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (VBIED) Balad
04/18/08 Eakes, Lance O. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (north of)
04/17/08 Brown, Jason L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire, grenade Sama Village
04/14/08 Huerta-Cruz, Arturo DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Tuz
04/14/08 Richard III, Joseph A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (northeastern part)
04/14/08 Nelson, Richard J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Al Anbar Province
04/14/08 Opicka, Dean D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Al Anbar Province
04/12/08 Allmon, William E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
04/11/08 German, Merlin DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Brooke Army Med Center, TX
04/09/08 Capra, Anthony L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
04/09/08 Hughes, Jeremiah C. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – injury Baghdad
04/09/08 Ault, Jesse A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Tunis (died in Baghdad)
04/09/08 Tousha, Shaun P. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
04/09/08 Fairbanks, Jacob J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – suicide Baghdad
04/08/08 Hartley, Jeffery L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Kharguliah
04/08/08 Rosenberg, Mark E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
04/07/08 Smith, Timothy M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
04/07/08 Lilly, Michael T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – RPG attack Baghdad
04/07/08 Kazarick, Jason C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – RPG attack Baghdad
04/07/08 Vaughn, Richard A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baghdad (eastern part)
04/06/08 McNeal, Jeremiah E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
04/06/08 Pickett, Emanuel DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
04/06/08 Penley, Shane D. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Rustamiyah
04/06/08 Scott, Stephen K. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – rocket attack Baghdad (Green Zone)
04/06/08 Wolfer, Stuart A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – rocket attack Baghdad (Green Zone)
04/06/08 Burgos-Cruz, Ulises DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Diyala Province (Died in Balad)
04/06/08 Morris, Matthew T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Diyala Province (Died in Balad)
04/03/08 Griffin, Travis L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (near)
03/31/08 Dhanoolal, Dayne D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (northeastern part)
03/30/08 Gilmore, Terrell W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
03/29/08 Jordan, Jevon K. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Landstuhl Reg. Med. Ctr. (Abu Jassim)
03/30/08 Hall, William G. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Al Anbar Province
03/29/08 Bennett, Durrell L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
03/29/08 Miller, Patrick J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
03/28/08 Jankowski, Charles A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Arab Jabour
03/27/08 Molina, Joshua A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
03/26/08 Candelo, Steven I. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – RPG attack Baghdad
03/26/08 Rundell, Gregory B. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Taji
03/25/08 Gamboa, Joseph D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – indirect fire Baghdad
03/23/08 Delgado, George DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (southern part)
03/23/08 Hake, Christopher M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (southern part)
03/23/08 Hernandez, Jose A. Rubio DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (southern part)
03/23/08 Habsieger, Andrew J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (southern part)
03/22/08 Ray, II, Thomas C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (northwest of)
03/22/08 Williams, David B. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (northwest of)
03/22/08 Stelmat, David S. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (northwest of)
03/21/08 Smith, Tyler J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – indirect fire Baghdad
03/21/08 Maupin, Keith M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Abu Ghuraib (north of)
03/19/08 Unruh, Gregory D. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle rollover Mandali
03/17/08 Elledge, Michael D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (north of)
03/17/08 Simpson, Christopher C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (north of)
03/15/08 Brown, Lerando J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Balad
03/15/08 O’Brien, William D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baghdad
03/12/08 Bradley, Juantrea T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – rocket attack Tallil
03/12/08 Jackson, Dustin C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – rocket attack Tallil
03/12/08 Samten, Tenzin L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – rocket attack Tallil
03/11/08 West, Laurent J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Kishkishkia
03/10/08 Anderson, Phillip R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Balad Ruz
03/10/08 Burkett, Donald A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Balad Ruz
03/10/08 Mallard, Torre R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Balad Ruz
03/10/08 Suzch, Shawn M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – suicide bomber Baghdad
03/10/08 Cimarrusti, Ernesto G. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – suicide bomber Baghdad
03/10/08 Julian, David D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – suicide bomber Baghdad
03/10/08 McDavid, Robert T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – suicide bomber Baghdad
03/10/08 McIntosh, Scott A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – suicide bomber Baghdad
03/07/08 Paniagua-Morales, Jose A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – explosion Samarra (died in Balad)
03/04/08 Frost, Christopher S. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – helicopter crash Bayji
02/25/08 Mowl, Kevin S. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Bethesda Naval Hosp., MD
02/24/08 Perez, Orlando A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Baghdad
02/24/08 Phillips, Micheal E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
02/22/08 Morgan, Keisha M. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – illness Baghdad
02/21/08 Weaver, Drew W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Anbar Province
02/20/08 Raudenbush, Nathan R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Busayefi
02/20/08 Mackey, Bryant W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – RPG attack Mosul
02/20/08 Alvarez, Conrad DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
02/20/08 Bitton, Albert DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
02/20/08 Matlock, Jr., Micheal B. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
02/17/08 Runyan, Luke S. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Diyala Province
02/17/08 Groepper, Chad D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Diyala Province
02/14/08 Washington, Javares J. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Kuwait City (Camp Buehring)
02/10/08 Spates, Corey E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Diyala Province
02/08/08 Sweet, Jack T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – explosion Jalawlah
02/08/08 Manibog, Michael T. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Taji
02/08/08 Martin, Timothy P. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Taji
02/08/08 Whisenhunt, Jerald A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Taji
02/08/08 Willett, Gary D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Taji
02/07/08 Souffront, Luis A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Iraq
02/06/08 Skelton, Bradley J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (western part)
02/05/08 Van Orman, Timothy R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Muqdadiyah (died in Balad)
02/05/08 Osmolski, John C. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Muqdadiyah (died in Balad)
02/05/08 Baez, Miguel A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Muqdadiyah (died in Balad)
02/05/08 Alicearivera, Rafael DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – drowning Tallil
02/04/08 West, Christopher J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Muqdadiyah (Died in Balad)
02/04/08 Hardy, Nathan H. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Not reported yet
02/04/08 Koch, Michael E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Not reported yet
02/02/08 Barrett, Chad A. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Mosul
01/31/08 Straughter, Matthew F. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – RPG attack Baghdad
01/31/08 Schultz, David E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – indirect fire Scania
01/31/08 Norman, Michael A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
01/28/08 Craig, James E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
01/28/08 Jeffries, Gary W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
01/28/08 Marshall, Evan A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
01/28/08 Meyer, Brandon A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
01/28/08 Young, Joshua A. R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
01/27/08 Miller, Mikeal W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda
01/27/08 Rogers, Alan G. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (northeastern part)
01/26/08 Wilson, Robert J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad
01/25/08 Crookston, Duncan Charles DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Brooke Army Med Center, TX
01/25/08 Birkman, Tracy Renee DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – injury Owaset
01/22/08 Sturdivant, Michael R. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – vehicle accident Kirkuk
01/19/08 Whiting, Justin R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Mosul
01/19/08 Gluff, James M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire Al Anbar Province
01/19/08 Burress, Richard B. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Arab Jabour
01/19/08 Schoolcraft III, Jon M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Taji
01/16/08 Kimme, Danny L. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire, grenade Balad
01/16/08 Sharrett II, David H. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire, grenade Balad
01/16/08 Sigsbee, John P. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire, grenade Balad (died in Pallouata)
01/12/08 Lloyd, Keith E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED Tall Afar
01/11/08 Christensen Jr., Curtis A. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile Al Anbar Province
01/09/08 Davis, Todd E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (house borne) Sinsil
01/09/08 Gaul, Sean M. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (house borne) Sinsil
01/09/08 Sanders, Christopher A. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (house borne) Sinsil
01/09/08 Pionk, Matthew I. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (house borne) Sinsil
01/09/08 Dozier, Jonathan Kilian DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (house borne) Sinsil
01/09/08 McBride, Zachary W. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack (house borne) Sinsil
01/08/08 Hart, David J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Samarra (died in Balad)
01/08/08 Merlo, Ivan E. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Samarra
01/08/08 Pannier, Phillip J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Samarra
01/07/08 Hanson, Timothy R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Salman Pak
01/06/08 Gudridge, James D. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Baghdad (southern part)
01/05/08 Lemke, Jason F. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Ibrahim Al Adham
01/04/08 Brown, Menelek M. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – drowning Arabian Gulf
01/03/08 Olmsted, Andrew J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Sadiyah
01/03/08 Casey, Thomas J. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – small arms fire Sadiyah
01/02/08 Maseth, Ryan D. DoD Confirmation Non-hostile – electrocution Baghdad
01/02/08 Anderson, Joshua R. DoD Confirmation Hostile – hostile fire – IED attack Kamasia

Post By Steve Kayser (159 Posts)

Steve Kayser is an experienced PR & Media Relations Director, radio host and an award-winning business writer. His unique (some say bizarre) approach to PR, Marketing and Media Relations has been documented in a marketing best practices case study by MarketingSherpa, profiled as a “Purple Cow,” by author Seth Godin, and featured in the best-selling books, The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott and "Tuned In: Uncover the Extraordinary Opportunities That Lead to Business Breakthroughs" by Craig Stull, Phil Myers, and David Meerman Scott. Steve has also been featured in the following publications: A Marketer’s Guide to e-Newsletter Publishing, Credibility Branding, Innovation Quarterly, B2B Marketing Trends, PRWEEK, Faces of E-Content, and The Ragan Report. Steve's writings have appeared in Corporate Finance Magazine, CEO Refresher, Entrepreneur Magazine, Business 2.0, and Fast Company Magazine – among many others.. Google+

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What Others Are Saying

  1. Louis Columbus January 5, 2009 at 1:03 am

    Regardless of your political view of this war being right or wrong, one must respect the sacrifice these women and men made. I met the father of one of the players on my basketball team over the holidays and as of January 2dn he was on his way back to Afghanistan. The best cheer-leading parent of the squad, he would cheer for everyone and especially the girls on the team having trouble with confidence. A class act, he even helped out at practices. Honestly I miss him already, but God willing, he will be back. I can still hear his think Boston accent “Unleash The Beast!” when we were falling behind in a game. Others listed here didn’t get that chance. So please, regardless of your political leanings, stop and say a prayer for these men and women. They could have given up but they gave it all in many cases to save those around them. And for that alone, they deserve a prayer. God be with all of them.

  2. Nettie Hartsock January 13, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    Steve,

    This is such a beautiful piece. As the granddaughter of a Major General in the Air Force, I always hold the armed services in the highest esteem. And I pray for everyone serving and all of us at home in this difficult period.

    Nettie

  3. JoAnna Brandi January 13, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    Steve,

    Bless your heart. What a wonderful thing to do. I’m going to get away from the desk for a few moments of silence for these brave souls who do what they do for all of us, and for their brave families – all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

    Thank you so much for reminding us.

    Many blessings.

  4. Meryl K. Evans January 13, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    Like Louis — no matter how you feel about war, always be thankful someone is out there serving for our country so the rest of us can feel safe. My father and husband both served in the USAF.

    I especially admire those who do more than tour in the difficult locales.

    Thank you, those who served and continue to serve.

  5. Jack Scharff January 13, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    Steve…a great piece. These men and women are heros that keep our life safe. I pray we bring all our troops home as soon as possible.

    Jack

  6. Pete January 13, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Thanks.

  7. Woody Sears January 14, 2009 at 12:29 pm

    Steve, you are not only a standard setter, but increasingly the standard bearer in this so-often callous medium. It is my great privilege to be associated with you! w

  8. Rajesh Narula January 20, 2009 at 6:58 am

    Steve,

    Though I am in India, I pray for the soldiers, and our own brave hearts who fell to militants. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families be blessed with peace, good fortune and fortitude for their sacrifice.

    May the World be enlightened and learn to respect God’s creation.

    And thanks for caring.

    Warm Regds
    Rajesh

  9. Rick Kinnear January 22, 2009 at 11:43 am

    As a father of a USAF pilot, I’m obviously biased towards supporting our military and the critical mission they support. Your article is a reminder that the world we live in today and especially the terrorist enemy we fight is unprecendented in modern times. My prayer is that the American people and our government realize the urgency of the task, and support the brave men & women who risk all to defend us.

  10. Steve January 27, 2009 at 3:40 am

    Dear Rick:

    Thank you for your comment. God bless you and your famiy – God speed to your son – may he come home safe and quickly.

  11. Steve January 27, 2009 at 3:41 am

    Dear Rajesh:

    Thanks for your comment. I’m grateful for your taing the time to stop by and read, but more importantly, taking the time to pray and care. – Steve

  12. Steve January 27, 2009 at 3:43 am

    Dear Jack:

    As always, you’re on top of it. Like the great break-dancer you are.

  13. Steve January 27, 2009 at 3:45 am

    You’re on top of it as always. Like the rgeat break-dancer you are. Do you still do the break-dancing thing? You know they have reality shows for the dncing specialty that you have?

  14. Steve January 27, 2009 at 3:46 am

    Dear Joanna:

    Bless your heart for taking the time to read and comment – and more importantly – offering the moment of silence. Steve

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