This is not a cute title to spur thought. I am too drunk for that sort of nonsense. It has been confirmed through open source that my two missing Soldiers PVT Fouty and SGT Jiminez were killed in combat. The link to the story is below:
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080...ing_soldier
I wish to extend my thanks to Malicious for sending me this link.
Fouty and Jimenez were pulling guard on route Malibu along the Euphrates when they were ambushed. We surged a ton of Soldiers into the area following the attack. I don't think I slept for three days as we planned recovery operations, and we pressed on for weeks. It hurt my heart to leave that theater with two of our own in MIA status.
If you pray to a god, please ask him or her to accept PVT Fouty and SGT Jimenez with open arms. They were brave Soldiers and they have earned their eternal rest.
Both Fouty and Jimenez were part of 4-31 Infantry, the Polar Bears, who's motto is "Pro Patria" [for country]. It's what the believed, and it's what they died for
Yours in Service,
Gabriel
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080...ing_soldier
I wish to extend my thanks to Malicious for sending me this link.
Fouty and Jimenez were pulling guard on route Malibu along the Euphrates when they were ambushed. We surged a ton of Soldiers into the area following the attack. I don't think I slept for three days as we planned recovery operations, and we pressed on for weeks. It hurt my heart to leave that theater with two of our own in MIA status.
If you pray to a god, please ask him or her to accept PVT Fouty and SGT Jimenez with open arms. They were brave Soldiers and they have earned their eternal rest.
Both Fouty and Jimenez were part of 4-31 Infantry, the Polar Bears, who's motto is "Pro Patria" [for country]. It's what the believed, and it's what they died for
Yours in Service,
Gabriel
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New York
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Fri, July 11, 2008 - 2:51 AMI don't know if you knew this when we talked eearlier, or if you found out after. If you knew it earlier then I'm sorry I didn't stay on the phone longer. For now, I'll say a prayer for the family and friends they left behind them when they went on aheadinto the uncharted beyond. And I'll spare a thought or three for you as well, but that is a given.
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Fri, July 11, 2008 - 4:28 AMAll give some, some give all. Rest in peace brave soldiers for you earned it.
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Fri, July 11, 2008 - 7:26 AM
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
W.E. Henley
My own words fail me, perhaps Henley's can say it for us all.........
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Fri, July 11, 2008 - 9:30 AMGab,
I read this this morning and the tears started to fall....You know how my heart aches at this news..... my prayers are with the famiies and with all of you at Fort Drum; I realize how tough this is on the entire unit / family of Fort Drum. My thoughts are with all of you; and prayers for the strength to help you through this... I can't imagine leaving men behind and being held emotionally captive this long; now there can be a sad peace for all of you...be safe my friend.
Army / Marine Mom
Glynis / Glenda
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Fri, July 11, 2008 - 10:21 AMGabriel,
I'm so sorry to hear of your two soldiers.
I know that you and the Tuchux don't cross paths too much anymore but I hope that I get the chance to hug you and thank you again in person for your service.
My prayers are always with all of you over there. -
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Fri, July 11, 2008 - 3:08 PMi'm... so sorry... that this has turned out this way...
please be as good and careful as you can... you and they are in my thoughts -
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Fri, July 11, 2008 - 8:50 PMHey Guys,
I appreciate your comments. I'm sure it will look horrible in print, but finding our Soldiers remains is a very good thing. We have known all along that Fouty and Jimenez were dead after about 48 hours of captivity. The insurgents that snatched them are not the sort of jackasses that negotiate. I only pray that their deaths were quick.
The families can now have closure and that is probably the best thing that you can hope for given the circumstances. These were Polar bears so don't waste any tears for either of them; raise a glass to honor them, it's what they would have wanted.
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Yours in Service,
Gabriel -
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Sun, July 13, 2008 - 4:14 PMI am sorry to hear about this loss. It is always hard when news like this comes along. May everyone else return home.
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Thu, July 17, 2008 - 6:57 PMI am glad that this chapter is over with in your life my friend. I know someplace that this was eating at a part of you soul. Most people are able to sleep the sleep of the innocent because of men like Fouty and Jimenez. They never knew them but they and i have slept all the more soundly because of them.
May the gods welcome them into their great halls and recive them well.
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Re: Confirmed KIA
Tue, July 15, 2008 - 7:08 PMSorry to hear of the loss of your troops, I know its a hard thing to have to experience, I can only imagine what its like from the command perspective. As you said they did what they believed in and thats the best any soldier can do.
If I am in the same situation when I get to Taji I hope I can only prove my mettle and convictions as they did.
I was hoping to get to war and meet up for a drink but I hear you are headed to Alabama on that War Sunday. If I get there I doubt it would be by then anyhow since I have AT this Friday 7/18 and I have MOSQ either right after or maybe a week or two later and then training for deployment with 1st cav down in Camp Shelby . So if I get to make it I hope you'll be there so we can have a drink, if not I guess I got to make it to Ft Rucker?
