IGTNT: we remember two more

Today, the Department of Defense announced two more fatalities: one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.  According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count there are 4076 confirmed deaths and 1 pending confirmation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  There have been 501 U.S. deaths in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  

Both men are classified as non-combat related casualties, a term used too frequently of late.  These men  were serving in war and just their presence deserves in Iraq and Afghanistan needs to be acknowledged and thanked for their sacrifice.  This is all that needs to be said.  

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

Spc. Joseph A. Ford, 23, of Knox, Ind., died May 10 in Al Asad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a vehicle accident. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment, 76th Brigade Combat Team, Indiana National Guard, New Albany, Ind.

The incident is under investigation.
 

Joseph Ford died in the Al Anbar province when the vehicle he was riding in rolled over and fatally injured him.  His friends remember him as an intelligent young man who loved to read history, Roman and Greek mythology and literature.  The Indianapolis Star spoke with his college English teacher who recalled:

The past intrigued him. In high school, Ford was a member of the fencing club. He choreographed the sword fights in the school's production of "The Three Musketeers." He went to Renaissance fairs dressed as a Roman.
"He was always bringing up Roman mythology and seeing links with what's going on today," said Terrill Hahn, Ford's high school English teacher. "He was very bright, he really was."

In the summer of 2003, Ford lost 70 pounds in order to join the Indiana National Guard.  While in the Guard, Ford took classes to study history at  Southern Indiana University in Evansville.  It was there he met his wife, Karen.  The couple were just weeks away from celebrating their first anniversary.  Joseph Ford is also survived by his parents.  There is a tremendous outpouring of support from his community.   From the South Bend Tribune:

Ford's parents, Sam and Dalarie Ford, have remained mostly quiet in the wake of the loss of their son. A knock on the door of their trim, white, split-level home east of Knox yielded no answer Tuesday afternoon, and a call to the home seeking comment was not immediately returned.

But they know by now that they are not alone. On learning the identity of the family, Sims went immediately to her telephone book and placed a call, letting them know that Knox's veterans were ready to help, however possible.

"We are at the VFW ... anything you need -- food, gas, anything -- we can help," she said as the tears welled in her eyes. "And we are so sorry for your loss."

My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and Indiana National Guard.  Rest in Peace, Sgt. Joseph Ford.  

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

Pvt. Matthew W. Brown, 20, of Zelienople, Pa., died May 11 in Asadabad, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

The incident is under investigation.

Pvt. Matthew Brown's is being remembered as a first-class decent man.  His father told the Pittsburgh Tribune:

"My son was probably one of the most decent people I have had the privilege to know," James Brown said, his voice wracked with emotion. "He told me he joined the service because he wanted to help people."
He said while his son was in high school he often did volunteer work at Jubilee Kitchen in Terrace Village.

His family and friends remember him as a young man who loved his country and wanted to do the right thing.  He died of a gunshot wound in a non-combat related injuries while guarding prisoners in Afghanistan.  Very few other details have emerged from the story.  What is important is we remember how loved he was and what an exceptional man he was.  I pray the family will find answers and comfort soon.  Rest in peace, Pfc. James Brown

About "I Got the News Today" (IGTNT) I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one.

Click on the IGTNT tag to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Monkeybiz, noweasels, twilight falling,  MsWings, greenies, blue jersey mom, chacounne, twilight falling, moneysmith, labwitchy, joyful, roses, SisTwo, Spam Nunn and me, Sandy on Signal.

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.