I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
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Sgt. 1st Class Ramon S. Morris
Spc. Wyatt J. Martin
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Since 2001 we have lost 2356 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 3485 American and coalition forces.
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Taps as performed by a member of the United States Army Band, "Pershing's Own"
Taps
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
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The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Dec. 12, in Parwan Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. These
soldiers were assigned to 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Killed were:
Sgt. 1st Class Ramon S. Morris, 37, of New York, New York; and
Spc. Wyatt J. Martin, 22, of Mesa, Arizona.
~ DoD News Release
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Sgt. 1st Class Ramon S. Morris, 37, of New York, New York
Sgt. 1st Class Ramon Sheldon Morris enlisted in the Army just out of high school in February of 1996, giving him more than 18 years continuous service. Sgt Morris had been at Fort Hood since March of 2012.
Sgt 1st Class Morris served on multiple deployments:
● Korea from February 2002 to February 2003
● Operation Iraqi Freedom from July 2003 to April 2004
● Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2005 to March 2006
● Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2007 to February 2009
● Operation Enduring Freedom from June 2014 to December 2014
Ramon was married and had a three year old daughter. His mother-in-law, Donna Baum in Fairbanks, Alaska spoke about the family's loss:
Let us be ever mindful that our soldiers are every day guarding someone's freedom. Ramon Morris died on a dangerous mission, doing just that.
Sgt. 1st Class Ramon S. Morris' awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, six Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medals, Afghan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver Wheeled Vehicle.
Sgt 1st Class Ramon S. Morris is survived by his mother Ilsa Laidley, his brother Marlon Laidley, and his daughter Ariana Morris.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
Spc. Wyatt J. Martin, 22, of Mesa, Arizona
Wyatt Martin was the youngest of three children and he loved outdoor sports, fishing and hunting in particular. His father, Brian Martin said Wyatt wanted to one day work in the Game and Fish Department.
Wyatt graduated from Skyline High School in 2011, entered the Army in August 2012 and completed Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. After graduating from Initial Training, Martin was assigned to the 43rd Combat Engineer Company, 2d Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, TX.
"Bigger than life" is how friends and family describe Martin's personality. His schoolmates often called him "Paul Bunyan" because of his love of the outdoors and his adventurous nature.
Jordan Williams, a close childhood friend said:
He was easily the greatest man I've ever met. He always found a way to brighten people's days no matter what. It was what drew people to him.
Spc Wyatt J. Martin enlisted in the Army in August 2012 from a desire to give back to his community.
Wyatt's mother, Julie Martin said her son loved his job and enjoyed the structure of the military. He had quickly taken a leadership role:
It's what he wanted to do. He always felt good about what he did and I felt good about who he was and how he represented us, his country and the military.
The Martins, who last saw their son in June during a family vacation to Michigan, said they'll most miss his hugs and his excitement.
It was during this last visit home that Wyatt told his sister:
If something happens to me, know that I went happy.
Spc Wyatt J. Martin’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal. He also received the Combat Action Badge.
Spc Wyatt Martin is survived by his mother and father Julie and Brian Martin as well as sisters Katie and Beth Martin.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, TheFatLadySings, Joy of Fishes, and me, JaxDem.
These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died and show our community’s respect for them. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
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