As we contemplate going to war in Syria; it might be a good
idea to remember that we still are at war in Afghanistan. When we think about
the people dying in the Syrian conflict; it would be nice to not forget we
still have soldiers, airman and Marines dying in far off lands. A scan of major
newspapers and news web sites show little or no mention of the continued combat
operations in Afghanistan. So if being a “war weary nation” (our President’s
words) means that we ignore the sacrifices of our military, maybe it would be
best if we do not engage them in any other conflicts. If we are so bored and
complacent that we don’t even notice that there is a war is going on, maybe we
do not deserve their continued service and sacrifice.
Thankfully internet sites like “The War on Terror” (http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/) are doing an excellent job keep us
informed about where our military is deployed and, like the reports below,
remind us that some are still making the ultimate sacrifice.
Maybe we could take a minute away from talking about the next war to remember those that are
dying defending us in the current war.
Today, the Department of Defense announced the deaths of service
men that were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom for the last 30 days.
Staff Sgt. Todd J. Lobraico Jr., 22,
of New Fairfield, Conn., died Sept. 5, 2013, from wounds sustained when enemy
forces attacked his unit with small arms fire near Bagram Airfield,
Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 105th Security Forces Squadron at Stewart
Air National Guard Base, N.Y
Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Bowden, 28, of Villa
Rica, Ga., died Aug. 31, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when
enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire while on dismounted
patrol. He was assigned to the 242nd
Ordnance Battalion (EOD), 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), Fort Carson, Colo
Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, 24, of
Staten Island, N.Y., died Aug. 28, in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, of wounds
sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive
device, small arms and indirect fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion,
22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
(Light), Fort Drum, N.Y.
1st Lt. Jason Togi, 24, of Pago Pago,
American Samoa, died Aug. 26, in Hasan Karez, Afghanistan, of injuries
sustained when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive
device. He was assigned to the 2nd
Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry
Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
The Department of Defense announced
today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom They died Aug. 23 in Haft
Asiab, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit
with an improvised explosive device during combat operations. Both soldiers
were assigned to 2nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, White Sands
Missile Range, New Mexico.
Spc. Kenneth Clifford Alvarez, 23,
of Santa Maria, Calif., and
Pvt. Jonathon Michael Dean
Hostetter, 20, of Humphreys, Mo
Master Sgt. George A. Bannar Jr., 37, of
Orange, Va., died Aug. 20, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his
unit with small arms fire in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to
the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Died Aug. 11, of wounds
suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with indirect fire. The soldiers
were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade
Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
Staff Sgt. Octavio Herrera, 26, of
Caldwell, Idaho,
Sgt. Jamar A. Hicks, 22, of Little
Rock, Ark., and
Spc. Keith E. Grace Jr., 26, of
Baytown, Texas
As citizens we have a responsibility to stay informed about
things our nation is involved in. I invite
everyone to read “The War on Terror” blog regularly to stay informed. The main
stream media has apparently moved on to the next big headline. And remember, just because they are not
reporting it, does not mean it is not happening.
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