IGTNT: "He was always there for the right reasons"

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Wednesday October 14, 2009 · 5:29 PM PDT

2009/10/14 · 17:29

Tonight we honor the bravery, loyalty and dedication of Minnesota Army National Guard Specialist George W. Cauley, 24 of Walker (and Remer) Minnesota, who lost his life over the weekend while serving in Afghanistan.

Let them in, Peter, they are very tired
Give them couches where the angels sleep and light those fires

Let them wake whole again to brand new dawns
Fired with the sun not wartime's bloody guns

May their peace be deep, Remember where the broken bodies lie
God knows how young they were to have to die
God knows how young they were to have to die

Give them things they like, Let them make some noise
Give roadhouse bands, not golden harps to these our boys

And let them love, Peter 'cause they've had no time
They should have trees and bird songs and hills to climb

The taste of summer in a ripened pear and girls sweet as meadow winds
With flowing hair

Tell them how they are missed and say not to fear
It's gonna be alright with us down here

Let them in, Peter...

Please join me below the fold to honor the service and sacrifice of this remarkable young man and his family.

greenies

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Thursday May 07, 2009 · 5:22 PM PDT

2009/05/07 · 17:22

Tonight we have the solemn honor of remembering three U.S. soldiers who were killed, with two Latvian soldiers in a deadly attack in Afghanistan Konar Province, Afghanistan.

We’re also honoring the memories of two U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq by insurgents who had infiltrated the Iraqi Army.

All five U.S. soldiers and several wounded soldiers from both attacks were from Fort Hood.

If you are new to the IGTNT diaries, thank you for coming to pay your respects. IGTNT stands for "I Got the News Today." The phrase is meant to symbolize that terrible knock on the door that any number of families got today, bringing with it the news that a loved one has died. IGTNT is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind.

Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by family, friends and those who served with the service members honored here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.

greenies

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Wednesday April 22, 2009 · 5:48 PM PDT

2009/04/22 · 17:48

On April 15, PFC Richard A. Dewater, 21, of Topeka, Kansas lost his life in an ambush by the Taliban while on patrol in the village of Aliabad, Afghanistan. The New York Times happened to have a photographer embedded with the platoon and captured the moments leading up to, during and after the ambush in this photo essay, "An Ambush and a Comrade Lost," as reflected on by members of PFC Dewater’s platoon.

The first image is that of PFC Dewater, taken just before he lost his life in service to his country.

The account of the attack and the solemn task of retrieving PFC Dewater so that he could begin his journey home is here.

Please join me in honoring the service and sacrifice of PFC Dewater and his family.

greenies

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Thursday April 09, 2009 · 5:32 PM PDT

2009/04/09 · 17:32

This week marks the fifth anniversary of the IGTNT tributes begun by diarist i dunno. In IGTNT diaries we aren’t Democrats, Republicans or members of any other political party. We’re citizens, bearing solemn witness and paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of fallen service personnel and their families.

This past Sunday night the body of Airman Staff Sgt. Phillip Myers, 30, of Hopewell, VA, an Air Force explosive ordnance disposal craftsman who died saving the lives of others in Afghanistan, arrived at Dover Air Force Base. The world was watching, as for the first time in 18 years, the media was allowed to cover the return of our nation’s war dead – with the permission of SSgt. Myers’ wife Aimee and family.

Photobucket

Please join me in welcoming home an American hero who served in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan. May we honor his memory and sacrifice as we mourn alongside his family, friends, community and unit.

greenies

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Tuesday February 24, 2009 · 5:02 PM PST

2009/02/24 · 17:02

Let them in, Peter,
They are very tired
Give them couches where the angels sleep
And light those fires

Let them wake whole again
To brand new dawns
Fired with the sun
Not wartime's bloody guns

May their peace be deep
Remember where the broken bodies lie
God knows how young they were
To have to die
God knows how young they were to have to die

Give them things they like
Let them make some noise
Give roadhouse bands, not golden harps
To these our boys

And let them love, Peter
'Cause they've had no time
They should have trees and bird songs
And hills to climb

The taste of summer in a ripened pear
And girls sweet as meadow winds
With flowing hair

Tell them how they are missed
And say not to fear
It's gonna be alright
With us down here

Let them in, Peter...

Tonight we pay tribute to two of our best and brightest - Staff Sgt. Jeremy E. Bessa and Master Sgt. David L. Hurt. Please join me in honoring their memories and paying respects to their loved ones.

greenies

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Thursday December 11, 2008 · 6:41 PM PST

2008/12/11 · 18:41

The orange and white bands on the flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands signify courage and peace. Tonight we have the sad mission of remembering the first service member from the Marshall Islands to die in Iraq who epitomized both courage and peace.

We’re also mourning a Texas son who dreamed of serving his country from the time he was a little boy, following in his grandfather's footsteps.

Finally we celebrate the memory of a World War II hero who was the first Navy officer to die in defense of the Philippine Islands as the Japanese military made their way toward Pearl Harbor 67 years ago this week. He is finally home.

Please join me in sending courage and peace through our condolences to the families, communities, loved ones and units of Staff Sgt. Solomon T. Sam, 31, of Majuro, Marshall Islands and Sgt. John J. Savage, 26, of Weatherford, Texas, and in hoping that the news of the identification of Ensign Robert G. Tills, U.S. Navy, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin provides some measure of peace for his loved ones.

greenies

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Tuesday November 11, 2008 · 8:01 AM PST

2008/11/11 · 08:01

Those DailyKos members who write IGTNT tributes for our fallen troops became a part of this solemn effort for varied reasons. In many cases, we had a father, grandfather, uncle, husband, boyfriend and/or other loved one serve our country. Some saw the horrors of combat. Some never came back. Of the ones who returned, many were forever changed.

Before getting into this Veterans Day diary I’d like to pay tribute to those who faithfully maintain this vigil with us who themselves have suffered a tremendous loss in the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq. Sons, nephews, wives, friends...monumental losses all. We will always be grateful for their willingness to defend our freedom. We will always remember their and your incomparable sacrifice.

Update: I realized I didn't specifically mention our many DKos veterans. In my mind it went without saying that this diary is dedicated to you, your service and your tireless efforts on behalf of all veterans. Bless each and every one of you - we love you.

igtnt

greenies

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Tuesday October 28, 2008 · 6:14 PM PDT

2008/10/28 · 18:14

There’s a special place in my heart for gentle giants. You know, the guy who towers over most everyone...has ever since he was a kid...and defies the stereotypes that come with being big and tall. The gentle giant may have an intimidating stature, but he’s even larger in heart and compassion.

Tonight we celebrate the life and mourn the loss of just such a man.

Pfc. Cody J. Eggleston, 21, of Eugene, Ore. survived a Oct. 16 blast in Baqubah, Iraq, but sadly succumbed to his wounds on Oct. 24 at Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

Please take a moment to honor him and offer condolences to his family.

greenies

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Thursday September 18, 2008 · 4:32 PM PDT

2008/09/18 · 16:32

If you had a son...you’d want him to grow up to be like Lt. Col. Ralph J. Marino Jr., 46, of Houston, Pennsylvania, according to his high school teacher.

If you had a son... you’d want him to be like Pvt. Michael W. Murdock, 22 of Chocowinity, NC. You couldn’t have met a better person, says Pvt. Murdock’s mom about her only child.

If you had a son... you’d want him to be like Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Eichmann A. Strickland, 23, of Arlington, Washington. By the tender age of 23, this "Doc" had done more to help care for humankind than most of us will ever do.

If you had a son and even if you don’t...please join me in paying tribute to three sons who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

"IGTNT" stands for "I Got the News Today." The phrase is meant to symbolize that terrible knock on the door that any number of families got today, bringing with it the news that a loved one has died. IGTNT is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind.

greenies

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Tuesday August 12, 2008 · 4:57 PM PDT

2008/08/12 · 16:57

Tonight we celebrate the lives of Petty Officer Second Class Anthony M. Carbullido, 25, Guam and Master Sergeant Danny E. Maybin, 47, of Columbia , SC. In the days since their deaths were announced by the DoD, they’ve been remembered by friends and colleagues with loving, glowing memories, as unselfish leaders, always making sure people knew they were there for them...no matter what.

Please join twilight falling and me as we mourn their loss and pay tribute to their remarkable service and character.

greenies

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Tuesday July 01, 2008 · 6:41 PM PDT

2008/07/01 · 18:41

Tonight we honor the memories of three Guardsmen and a Green Beret – all killed in action in Afghanistan last week. Making the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country was completely in character for these men who all had dedicated their lives to service at an early age.

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay, 51, of Brooklyn, NY, was born on the 4th of July. He joined the New York Army National Guard more than 30 years ago, had also served in Iraq and had guarded Grand Central and Penn Station in the days following 9/11.

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, 37, of Livonia, MI, had been a reservist for 18 years and served in Iraq prior to volunteering for his most recent mission to Afghanistan.

Spc. Mark C. Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, NY wanted to serve his country all his life and his daughter recalled he would do anything for anybody.

Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger of Goshen Indiana, may have only been 24, but had accomplished much in that time – excelling as a Green Beret on his second tour in Afghanistan.

Please join me beyond the fold to celebrate their lives and mourn their loss.

greenies

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Tuesday June 24, 2008 · 5:00 PM PDT

2008/06/24 · 17:00

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Navy Hospitalman Dustin Kelby Burnett, 19, of Fort Mojave, AZ has served his final mission.

He was known as "Tex" to his friends and "Doc" to all the people he helped while serving the 2/7 Marines in Farah province in Afghanistan. He’d been in Afghanistan less than 3 months, but he and his buddies had already received care packages thanks to Military Moms, a Bullhead City, AZ community organization that sends care packages to the troops.

As we mourn his loss, I ask you to consider honoring this corpsman's memory by making a contribution – however small or large – to the Netroots for the Troops’ Care Package project at Netroots Nation ‘08.

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IGTNT: "He was always there for the right reasons"

IGTNT: "He may have been the baby brother, but he was always my hero."

IGTNT: “An Ambush and a Comrade Lost”

IGTNT: With a Family's Permission, We Bear Witness

IGTNT: There are Two More That Need to be Let In, Peter

IGTNT: Courage and Peace

IGTNT: Our Nation’s Veterans – Honor Them Well

IGTNT: A Gentle Giant Makes the Ultimate Sacrifice

IGTNT: If You Had a Son...

IGTNT: “Our Island Has Lost a Great Leader”

IGTNT: Born on the Fourth of July

IGTNT and NFTT: In Memory of Dustin