In life, they were such different people. One followed his father and grandfather into the military; another was a die-hard surfer with a notorious sense of humor. One was a career Army man; another planned to go to medical school; still another wanted to join the Secret Service. They came from the left coast, the right coast, and the heartland.
But in death, they were all the same. Buddies. Brothers. Heroes.
We remember today Staff Sgt. Jason L. Paton, Sgt. Garrett I. McLead, Cpl. Jeremy P. Bouffard, Cpl. Phillip J. Brodnick, and Cpl. Joshua S. Harmon, who died together—and with 9 other soldiers—when their helicopter suffered a mechanical failure and crashed after retrieving them from a completed mission.
It is so easy to feel overwhelmed by such a tragedy, and by the magnitude of such loss. Yet these soldiers all died doing what they wanted to do: serving their country and helping others. So even as we grieve the premature end of their lives, let’s remember to celebrate these exceptional young men, their accomplishments, and all the living they crammed into such a short time. In the beautiful words of the Rev. Arnold Crompton, every one of them "loved the laughter of life."
When I have moved beyond you in the adventure of life,
Gather in some pleasant place
And there remember me with spoken words,
old and new. Let a tear fall if you will,
but let a smile come quickly
For I have loved the laughter of life.
Do not linger too long with your solemnities,
Go eat, and drink, and talk
And when you can -
Follow a woodland trail
Climb a high mountain
Sleep beneath the stars
Swim in a cold river
Chew the thoughts of some book that challenges your soul
Use your hands some bright day
to make a thing of beauty.
Or to lift someone’s heavy load.
Though you mention not my name,
Though no thought of me crosses your mind-
I shall be with you
For these have been the realities of life to me.
And when you face some crisis with anguish -
When you walk alone with courage
When you choose your paths of right
When you give yourself in love
I shall be very close to you.
I have followed the valleys,
I have climbed the heights of life.
Rev. Arnold Crompton
The DoD reports:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of 14 soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Aug. 22 in Multaka, Iraq, of injuries suffered when their helicopter crashed.
Killed were the following soldiers assigned to the 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Air Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.:
Capt. Corry P. Tyler, 29, of Georgia.
Chief Warrant Officer Paul J. Flynn, 28, of Whitsett, N.C.
Sgt. Matthew L. Tallman, 30, of Groveland, Calif.
Spc. Rickey L. Bell, 21, of Caruthersville, Mo.
Also killed were the following soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii:
Capt. Derek A. Dobogai, 26, of Fond du Lac, Wis.
Staff Sgt. Jason L. Paton, 25, of Poway, Calif.
Sgt. Garrett I. McLead, 23, of Rockport, Texas.
Cpl. Jeremy P. Bouffard, 21, of Middlefield, Mass.
Cpl. Phillip J. Brodnick, 25, of New Lenox, Ill.
Cpl. Joshua S. Harmon, 20, of Mentor, Ohio.
Cpl. Nathan C. Hubbard, 21, of Clovis, Calif.
Spc. Michael A. Hook, 25, of Altoona, Penn.
Spc. Jessy G. Pollard, 22, of Springfield, Mo.
Spc. Tyler R. Seideman, 20, of Lincoln, Ark.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Sgt. Garrett I. McLead
"A good, all-American kid that you like to have around you"
Rockport, Texas lost one of their hometown heroes when 23-year old Sargent Garrett McLead died in Iraq on August 22.
Following the attacks on September 11th, Garrett McLead felt drawn to the military "during the time everyone was feeling real patriotic," said Rev. Walter Knight, the pastor at his church. "He had a real spiritual side and felt it was supposed to be part of his life."
Because of McLead's adventurous nature, he signed up for some pretty risky things in the Army, including sniper school and mountain survival training, Knight said.
Knight figured time in the Army would cure him of that wanderlust. Instead, he was surprised when he learned McLead had re-enlisted and was headed for a second tour in the Middle East.
"Well, because he had always been such a free spirit," Knight said. "I thought that little stint in the military was all he needed, but I guess not. He grew up and he stayed."
"He wanted to be an actor, but after 9/11 he changed his plans and went for God and country," McLead's uncle Paul Emmons said Thursday. "We thought he was going to California for modeling and to try his hand at acting."
"[Garrett McLead was] a good, all-American kid that you like to have around you," said Aransas County Independent School District superintendent Wayne Johnson, who was principal of the high school when McLead attended.
KIII TV reported that "McLead was a cool person," to quote one friend, while others say Garrett was "a nice young man who got along with everybody".
Sgt. McLead's uncle kindly spoke to the media on behalf of the family, and he said Garrett was "a class clown" who was "a true friend to his cousins Greg and Jill Emmons."
"They're so much fun. They're so much alike," Jill said about her brother and her cousin. "Like brothers, so it's hard. He [Garrett] didn't ever do anything to hurt anybody, but he would play a joke on anybody.
"He was an enthusiastic kid, "said his cousin and best friend, Greg Emmons. "Surfing was his passion. He played tennis; he played soccer. He was in the band."
But most of all, McLead's family will remember "his sense of humor, his prankster nature and his sense of adventure".
"The way he laughs," his cousin and best friend Greg Emmons said, before shakily correcting himself. "The way he laughed. He had an intoxicating laugh."
"There's nobody like him. There never will be," Greg said. "He's been my best friend since childhood."
Garrett's family and friends offered loving tributes on his MySpace page.
In loving memory of a son, a cousin, a friend, and a very "cool person", we mourn the death of Garrett McLead and we send our heartfelt best wishes to his grieving family and friends.
Blockquotes and statements from Sgt. McLead's family and friends courtesy of caller.com
Cpl. Jeremy P. Bouffard
Jeremy Bouffard was exceptional from the start. Everyone saw it. A family friend told Boston.com that Jeremy stood out as a leader from an early age, and that he was a "great person who stood up for what was right." His home town’s fire chief called him "a good kid". A former schoolmate remembered him as "just a sweetheart". A friend of Jeremy’s noted that while Jeremy "loved above all to make people laugh," he was also "one of the toughest guys I ever met. He was always very strong physically, emotionally. He just had no fear."
Jeremy decided that the best way to stand up for what is right was to commit himself to a life of service. His mother, Paula, told WNYT in Albany, "He really wanted to be a soldier and serve his country. His grandfather, his father and myself are all military. He's just following tradition and duty." And so Jeremy joined the Army after he graduated from Gateway Regional High School in his hometown in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts.
His service was distinguished, and he made his way steadily up the ranks. When he graduated from infantry school, his father—a Lt. Colonel in the Army—had the joy of pinning his son’s newly earned braids onto his uniform. His mother recalls this as the proudest day of their lives. (WNYT in Albany)
Life was good. Jeremy met and married his wife, Amanda. Last year, they celebrated the arrival of their first child, Caleb, now 13 months old. Jeremy started the application process for warrant officer school and helicopter pilot training. His future couldn’t have been brighter.
It ended Wednesday.
Jeremy’s family made this statement:
Jeremy was a brave and accomplished soldier. Jeremy was a soldier who died doing his duty. He chose to serve out of a sense of honor and commitment to the ideals of our nation. His job was difficult, but he was content with himself, his family and his life. He was clear-headed and positive about his future. He was really just looking forward to his life.
We celebrate his life even as we mourn his loss. We appreciate the great outpouring of support and prayers. We pray this will not be the source for political diatribe, rather that it be a source of deep appreciation for the honor and sacrifice of our brave young men and women who serve to protect us both at home and abroad.
The family requests your continued prayers for Jeremy's wife, son, parents and sisters. We also express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other brave soldiers and airmen who died on this mission. Please continue to pray for the safety of our service members overseas and for peace for the people of Iraq.
Jeremy is survived by his wife, Amanda; his thirteen-month-old son, Caleb; his parents, Stephen and Paula Bouffard; and his sisters, Molly, Therese and Maegan Bouffard. You can see a photograph of him here.
Rest in peace, Jeremy Bouffard. May your dedicated, fearless, and beautiful spirit roam free forever, and may your family and friends feel your love, laughter, and strength always.
Cpl. Phillip J. Brodnick
Some people are just born sensitive, caring, and attuned to the needs of others. Phillip Brodnick was one of those people. He was renouned for his love of people and animals alike. Even in the middle of serving in combat conditions in Iraq, he never forgot to call, email, or IM to reassure his anxious family that he was okay. He played chess with his mother over the internet. He sent unique gifts to his friends and family members—human and furry—to cheer them up. His German shepherd, Dozer, still adores the odd stuffed camel with the camouflage cap that he sent Dozer from Iraq (along with plenty of treats). And his final gift to his mother even made his mourning family smile:
As they sat somber and grief-stricken after learning the 25-year-old was among the 14 U.S. soldiers killed Wednesday in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in northern Iraq, an unexpected package arrived.
"It was my birthday present," said Brodnick's mother, Marian Stockhausen.
Wrapped inside was a chess set to commemorate many an online game and a note that read "Sorry it was late, but I was playing it."
The gift that arrived at his mother's Warrenville home more than a month after her birthday turned tears to laughter -- if only for a moment.
~ The Daily Southtown
His mother told the Daily Herald that she saw the chess set "as a sign - like the other check-in calls and instant messages - telling her that Brodnick was okay, and with God."
This, in a nutshell, was Phillip: a man who always thought of others first. When he graduated high school in 2000, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life, so he joined the Army—following in the footsteps of his two grandfathers—to ensure that he wouldn’t be a financial burden on anyone. He completed his service in 2003, but he reenlisted in 2005—knowing he would be sent to Iraq, and despite his mother’s pleas not to go—because he knew his country needed him. He was scheduled to complete his tour of duty in Iraq and return home in June, but his tour was extended until October. He didn’t complain, because he knew the Army and his buddies needed him. He looked forward to going home in October, eventually joining the Secret Service or following his father into the police department, and caring for his mother, his younger sister, Lisa, and his beloved Dozer. His dreams ended abruptly Wednesday.
Phillip’s father, James Brodnick, told The Daily Southtown that as he tries to come to terms with his unbelievable loss, "I take comfort in knowing that my son did not die alone, but died in the company of other brave men who also gave their lives for our country. My deepest condolences go out to the families of these brave men. I will say a prayer for your sons while I pray for mine."
Everyone whose life Phillip touched cherishes their memories of this special man. His older sister, Kimber Larson, summed up the universal sentiment: when asked what she would miss most about her brother, she said, "Just him – so much."
Phillip is survived by his mother, Marian Stockhausen; his father, James Brodnick; his sisters, Kimber Larson and Lisa Brodnick; and his German shepherd, Dozer. You can see a picture of him here.
Rest in peace, Phillip Brodnick. May your loving, gentle, and beautiful spirit roam free forever, and may your family and friends feel your kindness, love, and laughter—and may it bring smiles to their faces—always.
Staff Sgt. Jason L. Paton
"Jason proposed to her over the PA system!"
25-year old Soldier Killed Three Months Before Wedding Day
Three short months before he was to meet his beloved at the end of the aisle, Staff Sgt. Jason Paton was among fourteen troops killed in a Blackhawk helicopter crash in Iraq on August 22.
His family said he had an incredible zeal for life. Jason loved the outdoors, including camping, surfing, and off-roading. And his bravery extended well beyond his three tours of duty with the Army. His stepfather recalled how he proposed to his fiance last March. She was a softball player at UCSD. "Jason proposed to her over the PA system," said his stepfather, Jim Valenzuela. Thank you, msnbc
"They were planning to go to Georgia," said Valenzuela, who added that his stepson had re-enlisted before he died. "He was going to be a ranger trainer and she was planning to coach softball there." Thank you, North County Times
Paton's mother, Kim Bilbrey of Poway, spoke briefly to her son on Monday and, as usual, he was talking about what he would do when he got home.
"He said he was very excited about getting married," Bilbrey said.
She had made reservations for him and his fiancee, Nikki Palmer of Temecula, for a three-night stay at the Crystal Pier hotel in Pacific Beach. Palmer was a catcher last season on the University of California San Diego softball team. Palmer and Paton were to be married Nov. 18.
"He had a 1968 Mustang, and he told me he wanted to speak to the mechanic about it," Bilbrey said. Thank you, San Diego Union-Tribune
His family said after his scheduled homecoming, he had planned to resume his military career as a training officer with the Army Rangers. He served three separate tours: one in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. Outside of the family home in Poway, a makeshift memorial has been set up with pictures of Paton and handwritten messages. Thank you, msnbc
"I want people to remember his strength, his devotion. How everyone was drawn to him," Bilbrey said. "He was a happy person. He would do anything for people. He was a tough kid who had done a lot." Thank you, San Diego Union-Tribune
Staff Sgt. Paton's family graciously shared photos with the media, and they can be viewed at an NBCSanDiego.com slideshow here.
Words cannot adequately express our sorrow at the loss of Jason Paton, and our hearts go out to his family, his friends, and his beautiful fiance Nikki.
Cpl. Joshua S. Harmon
Tim Serazin, a fireman who works with Josh’s father, Richard (the fire chief of their hometown of Willoughby, Ohio), said best what everyone else felt: "He [Josh] was in it to take care of people -- not just American soldiers, people in general."
And taking care of people is what Josh did. He joined the Army in 2005, right after high school and trained to be a medic. It wasn’t a surprise to those who knew Josh that he chose a career of service to others. He comes from a family of people who—like his father, the fire chief—have dedicated their lives to helping others.
Josh’s friend, Kyle Fisher, told KGMB News that, despite the difficulty of his job as an Army medic, Josh loved what he did: "[Iraq is] a very hard place to be. A very difficult position to be in. But he wouldn't have it any other way, helping people."
And Josh did his job extremely well. He was awarded the Medal of Valor for saving the life of another soldier, Freddy Ray Meyers, who had been shot in the head. KGMB News reports:
"When they got him [Meyers] back to the hospital, the doctors singled Josh out and basically said that the reason that soldier survived was due to Josh's treatment of that soldier in the field," said Lt. Tim Serazin, a firefighter who works with Harmon's dad in Willoughby, Ohio.
While Josh loved being an Army medic, he decided he could help people more effectively as a doctor. He started making plans to attend medical school after his current enlistment ended next year.
Last year, Josh met Kristin Rathjen in Hawaii, where he was stationed and she was on vacation. A family friend described it as love at first sight. Josh and Kristin couldn’t wait to start their new life together. They were married by phone in May, while Josh was in Iraq, and they planned to have a wedding ceremony to celebrate after he returned. He was due to complete his tour of duty in Iraq next month and return to his base in Hawaii, where he and Kristin had already secured an apartment and purchased a car. They dreamed of their new life and bright future together.
Their dreams ended with Wednesday’s tragedy.
Josh’s family and community are devastated. His mother, Donna Harmon, brokenly told KGMB News, "He was so looking forward to coming home. He had everything set up. He had a countdown on his my space account. She [Kristin] was the love of his life." His wife and his father could not speak with reporters. His grieving hometown is preparing for his return. They will ensure that he receives full military honors and a firefighters’ salute when the airplane carrying his body arrives.
Josh is survived by his wife, Kristin, and his parents, Donna and Richard Harmon. You can see pictures of him here, including one with Kristin and one of Josh receiving his Medal of Valor.
Rest in peace, Joshua Harmon. May your loving, giving, and beautiful spirit roam free forever, and may your family and friends—and all those whose lives you made better—feel your caring, kindness, and love always.
As of this writing, Iraq Coalition Casualties reports that 3723 American soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardsmen have been confirmed killed in action in Iraq; 428 have died in Afghanistan; and 2 additional deaths are pending notification of the families. The DoD news releases can be found here. The death toll among Iraqis is unknown, but is at least in the tens of thousands.
You can help our military men and women. Please consider sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com. It doesn’t take much time or money. Just send letters or care packages to your soldier, sailor, Airman, or Marine. One of my "adopted" soldiers told me that "mail is gold" for a deployed soldier. A few minutes of your time and one airmail stamp can make a real difference in a military person's life. anysoldier.com, Operation Helmet, and Fisher House are also wonderful organizations that provide comfort and care to deployed American troops. Finally, if you would like to assist the animal companions of our deployed military, information is available here. Animal companions can provide such solace and comfort.
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 here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, Sandy on Signal, silvercedes, noweasels, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, Wee Mama, MsWings, twilight falling, sheddhead, labwitchy, moneysmith, joyful, roses, and sistwo.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and families of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
Deepest gratitude to the whole IGTNT team for rallying to provide research, information, ideas, and support for this special tribute. All your names belong on this diary.
