6 Marines killed in helo crash identified
Staff report
Posted : Saturday Jan 21, 2012 12:17:57 EST
The Defense Department on Saturday identified the six Marines killed earlier this week in a helicopter crash in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
The Marines were identified as:
• Capt. Daniel B. Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, Wash.
• Capt. Nathan R. McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, Ill.
• Master Sgt. Travis W. Riddick, 40, of Centerville, Iowa.
• Cpl. Jesse W. Stites, 23, of North Beach, Md.
• Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, N.J.
• Cpl. Joseph D. Logan, 22, of Willis, Texas.
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Saturday, January 21, 2012
Vietnam War veteran remembers smell of death in jungle
Vietnam War veteran remembers smell of death in jungle
Jan 21, 2012
By Chick Jacobs
Staff writer
Forty years later, Major Wilfork still can't forget the smell.
The deep, pungent aroma of jungle mingling, then giving way to, the dizzying smell of death, left to simmer in a subtropical stew of heat and humidity.
"People say the things they saw in Vietnam were bad," Wilfork said softly. "I promise you, that smell ... it stays with you a long time after. A long time."
During his time in Vietnam, the Florida native had a job that no one else wanted: body retrieval. It was his job to bring home the bodies that might otherwise become lost in the vast jungle.
"People would say, 'Man, how can you do the stuff you got to do?' " Wilfork said from his home just off Ramsey Street. Now nearly 60, he is still as lean and wiry as the former high school quarterback who joined the Marines in the late '60s.
Thirty-five years after leaving the Corps, he can still fit in his work uniform, and he treasures his "anchor and eagle" - the Marine Corps symbol attached to his service cap.
"Not many people could do it. But it had to be done. It was important, it was an honor.
"But it was tough - real tough. You saw things in the jungle that ... well, hell is the only way to put it."
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Jan 21, 2012
By Chick Jacobs
Staff writer
Forty years later, Major Wilfork still can't forget the smell.
The deep, pungent aroma of jungle mingling, then giving way to, the dizzying smell of death, left to simmer in a subtropical stew of heat and humidity.
"People say the things they saw in Vietnam were bad," Wilfork said softly. "I promise you, that smell ... it stays with you a long time after. A long time."
During his time in Vietnam, the Florida native had a job that no one else wanted: body retrieval. It was his job to bring home the bodies that might otherwise become lost in the vast jungle.
"People would say, 'Man, how can you do the stuff you got to do?' " Wilfork said from his home just off Ramsey Street. Now nearly 60, he is still as lean and wiry as the former high school quarterback who joined the Marines in the late '60s.
Thirty-five years after leaving the Corps, he can still fit in his work uniform, and he treasures his "anchor and eagle" - the Marine Corps symbol attached to his service cap.
"Not many people could do it. But it had to be done. It was important, it was an honor.
"But it was tough - real tough. You saw things in the jungle that ... well, hell is the only way to put it."
read more here
Mother heartbroken after robbers break into home, steal fallen solider's medals
Mother heartbroken after robbers break into home, steal Iraq vet's medals
By Craig Lucie
Jan. 20, 2012
VILLA RICA, Ga. — Burglars ransacked a Villa Rica home belonging to the family of a soldier who was killed in Iraq.
The burglars stole Army Sgt. Mike Hardegree's medals and the Gold Star that was given to his family by the Department of Defense after his funeral.
His mother, Cindy Hardegree, walked Channel 2's Craig Lucie through her home, pointing out where the burglars stole $10,000 worth of items, including her television and other electronics.
"I went into my bedroom and saw my jewelry box was gone," Hardegree said.
The box was packed with Sgt. Hardegree's belongings. He and six other soldiers died Sept. 10, 2007, in Iraq after the vehicle they were in flipped over.
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By Craig Lucie
Jan. 20, 2012
VILLA RICA, Ga. — Burglars ransacked a Villa Rica home belonging to the family of a soldier who was killed in Iraq.
The burglars stole Army Sgt. Mike Hardegree's medals and the Gold Star that was given to his family by the Department of Defense after his funeral.
His mother, Cindy Hardegree, walked Channel 2's Craig Lucie through her home, pointing out where the burglars stole $10,000 worth of items, including her television and other electronics.
"I went into my bedroom and saw my jewelry box was gone," Hardegree said.
The box was packed with Sgt. Hardegree's belongings. He and six other soldiers died Sept. 10, 2007, in Iraq after the vehicle they were in flipped over.
read more here
Tragedy strengthens bond between brothers
Tragedy strengthens bond between brothers
January 19, 2012
By Sgt. Luisito Brooks, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
ARLINGTON, Va. (Jan. 19, 2012) -- Staff Sgt.'s Andrew and Tim Payne, the youngest of four boys from Buffalo, N.Y., have always been close, and a horrible circumstance brought them even closer.
"It was a normal 4th of July weekend for me. I was about to head over to my dad's house for the holiday when he called me," said Andrew, infantryman, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). "My dad said Tim stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device), lost both his legs, but was alive in a medical facility getting treatment."
Andrew said for the next week his thought process was shot and in disarray.
"I really could not focus on anything," said Andrew. "My older brother, who I looked up to, was hurt and there was nothing I could do until he got stateside."
Once Tim was transported to the United States, Andrew rushed to his side.
"My wife and I were one of the first to see my brother at Walter Reed when he arrived," said Andrew, referring to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. "While he was laying there sleeping, I stood in disbelief of what happened to my big brother."
As Tim slept, Andrew said he would whisper in Tim's ear that he was safe and loved.
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January 19, 2012
By Sgt. Luisito Brooks, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
ARLINGTON, Va. (Jan. 19, 2012) -- Staff Sgt.'s Andrew and Tim Payne, the youngest of four boys from Buffalo, N.Y., have always been close, and a horrible circumstance brought them even closer.
"It was a normal 4th of July weekend for me. I was about to head over to my dad's house for the holiday when he called me," said Andrew, infantryman, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). "My dad said Tim stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device), lost both his legs, but was alive in a medical facility getting treatment."
Andrew said for the next week his thought process was shot and in disarray.
"I really could not focus on anything," said Andrew. "My older brother, who I looked up to, was hurt and there was nothing I could do until he got stateside."
Once Tim was transported to the United States, Andrew rushed to his side.
"My wife and I were one of the first to see my brother at Walter Reed when he arrived," said Andrew, referring to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. "While he was laying there sleeping, I stood in disbelief of what happened to my big brother."
As Tim slept, Andrew said he would whisper in Tim's ear that he was safe and loved.
read more here
Fort Bliss soldier's fatal shooting was isolated event
General Pittard: Fort Bliss soldier's fatal shooting was isolated event
By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
Posted: 01/20/2012
FORT BLISS -- A shooting that killed one soldier and wounded two others last weekend was an isolated case, said Fort Bliss' commanding general.
Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, commander of Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division, on Thursday spoke at length about crime and other issues facing the growing Army post.
Some El Paso residents have expressed concerns that crime would rise along with the population of Fort Bliss, and Pittard said such concerns are unfounded despite three high-profile soldier-linked homicides over the past year.
Early Sunday, Pvt. Damien W. Bailey was killed in a shooting that wounded Pvt. Preston Brown and Spc. Tyrone Head outside the Fussion nightclub in the Lower Dyer area.
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By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
Posted: 01/20/2012
FORT BLISS -- A shooting that killed one soldier and wounded two others last weekend was an isolated case, said Fort Bliss' commanding general.
Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, commander of Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division, on Thursday spoke at length about crime and other issues facing the growing Army post.
Some El Paso residents have expressed concerns that crime would rise along with the population of Fort Bliss, and Pittard said such concerns are unfounded despite three high-profile soldier-linked homicides over the past year.
Early Sunday, Pvt. Damien W. Bailey was killed in a shooting that wounded Pvt. Preston Brown and Spc. Tyrone Head outside the Fussion nightclub in the Lower Dyer area.
read more here
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