DOD announced casualties Iraq & Afghanistan December '07

The following soldiers died Dec. 26 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered from small arms fire during dismounted combat operations.They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas.

Capt. Rowdy J. Inman, 38, of Panorama Village, Texas.

Sgt. Benjamin B. Portell, 27, of Bakersfield, Calif.

Sgt. Bryan J. Tutten, 33, of St. Augustine, Fla., died Dec. 25 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his position during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Senior Airman Nicholas D. Eischen, 24, of Sanger, Calif., died Dec. 24 in Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 60th Medical Operations Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, Calif.The circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation.

Pfc. George J. Howell 24, of Salinas, Calif., died Dec. 21 in Riyadh, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Infantry Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

1st Lt. Jeremy E. Ray, 26, of Houston, Texas, died Dec. 20 in Kanaan, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an enemy attacked using an explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

Sgt. Austin D. Pratt, 22, of Cadet, Mo., died Dec. 15 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La. The incident is under investigation.

Pvt. Daren A. Smith, 19, of Helena, Mont., died 13 Dec., in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Polk, La. The incident is under investigation.

Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan A. Lowery, 38, of Houlton, Maine, died Dec. 14, in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas.

The following soldiers died in Afghanistan from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy.

Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gabel, 30, of Crowley, La., who died Dec. 12 at Forward Operating Base Curry, Afghanistan.

Cpl. Joshua C. Blaney, 25, of Matthews, N.C., who died Dec. 12 at Forward Operating Base Curry, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Samuel E. Kelsey, 24, of Troup, Texas, died Dec 13 in Tunnis, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Spc. Brynn J. Naylor, 21, of Roswell, N.M., died Dec.13 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Chief Petty Officer Mark T. Carter, 27, of Fallbrook, Calif., died Dec. 11, as a result of enemy action while conducting combat operations in Iraq. He was permanently assigned as an East Coast-based Navy SEAL.

Staff Sgt. Gregory L. Elam, 39, of Columbus, Ga., died Dec. 11 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, as a result of a non-combat related illness. He was assigned to the 54th Quartermaster Company, 49th Quartermaster Group, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), located at Fort Lee, Va. This death is under investigation.

Cpl. Tanner J. O'Leary, 23, of Eagle Butte, S.D., died Dec. 9 in Musa Qal'eh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Spc. Johnathan A. Lahmann, 21, of Richmond, Ind., died Dec. 10 in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered in Bayji, Iraq, when a improvised explosive device struck his vehicle. He was assigned to the 59th Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Spc. Randy W. Pickering, 31, of Bovey, Minn., died Dec. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

The following soldiers died from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Bayji, Iraq. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. Eric J. Hernandez, 26, of Waldwick, N.J., who died Dec. 4 in Bayji, Iraq.Pvt. Dewayne L. White, 27, of Country Club Hills, Ill., who died Dec. 4 in Bayji, Iraq.

Capt. Adam P. Snyder, 26, of Fort Pierce, Fla., who died Dec. 5 in Balad, Iraq.

Sgt. Kyle Dayton, 22, of El Dorado Hills, Calif., died Dec. 3 in Ashwah, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. The incident is under investigation.

Cpl. Blair W. Emery, 24, of Lee, Maine, died Nov. 30 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Spc. Matthew K. Reece, 24, of Harrison, Ark., died Dec. 1, in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. 1st Class John J. Tobiason, 42, of Bloomington, Minn., died Nov. 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered from an incident that is currently under investigation. He was assigned to the 847th Adjutant General Battalion, 89th Regional Readiness Command, Wichita, Kan.

Cpl. Allen C. Roberts, 21, of Arcola, Ill., died Nov. 28 from a vehicle accident near Al Asad, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 214, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.

Jan. '08 announcements of casualties Iraq, Afghanistan & elsewhere

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Ryan Kahler, 29, of Granite Falls, Minn., died Jan. 26 in FOB Fenty, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from small arms fire in Waygul, Afghanistan. Possible friendly fire. Afghan guard (ally) possibly mistook the soldier as an enemy combatant and engaged with small arms fire. Incident is under investigation.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Pfc. Duncan Charles Crookston, 19, of Denver, Colo., died Jan. 25 in Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Sgt. Tracy Renee Birkman, 41, of New Castle, Va., died Jan. 25 in Owesat, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. She was assigned to the 626th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller, 24, of Iowa City, Iowa, died Jan. 25 in Barikowt, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered small arms fire while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. Michael R. Sturdivant, 20, of Conway, Ark., died Jan. 22 in Kirkuk, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident during convoy operations. He was assigned to the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion, U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Lance Cpl. James M. Gluff, 20, of Tunnel Hill, Ga., died Jan. 19 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Staff Sgt. Justin R. Whiting, 27, of Hancock, N.Y., died Jan. 19 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Spc. Richard B. Burress, 25, of Naples, Fla., died Jan. 19 in Al Jabour, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Spc. Jon M. Schoolcraft, III, 26, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, died Jan. 19 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

The following soldiers died Jan. 16 of wounds suffered in Balad, Iraq, when they were attacked by grenade and small arms fire during combat operations. They were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Pfc. Danny L. Kimme, 27, of Fisher, Ill., who died in Balad, Iraq.
Pfc. David H. Sharrett II, 27, of Oakton, Va., who died in Pallouata, Iraq.
Spc. John P. Sigsbee, 21, of Waterville, N.Y., who died in Balad, Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Curtis A. Christensen Jr., 29, of Collingswood, N.J., died Jan. 11 from a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The incident is currently under investigation.

Pfc. Keith E. Lloyd, 26, of Milwaukee, died Jan. 12 in Tal Afar, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

Lt. Col. Richard J. Berrettini, 52, of Wilcox, Pa., died Jan. 11 in San Antonio of wounds suffered on Jan. 2 in Khowst Province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Medical Detachment, Erie Clinic, Erie, Pa.

The following soldiers died Jan. 9 in Sinsil, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations. They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany.

Spc. Todd E. Davis, 22, of Raymore, Mo.
Staff Sgt. Jonathan K. Dozier, 30, of Rutherford, Tenn.
Staff Sgt. Sean M. Gaul, 29, of Reno, Nev.
Sgt. Zachary W. McBride, 20, of Bend, Ore.
Sgt. 1st Class Matthew I. Pionk, 30, of Superior, Wis.

Sgt. Christopher A. Sanders, 22, of Roswell, N.M.

Sgt. David J. Drakulich, 22, of Reno, Nev., died Jan. 9 in Chagali, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

The following soldiers died Jan. 9 of wounds sustained during combat operations in Samarra, Iraq. The incident is under investigation. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. David J. Hart, 22, of Lake View Terrace, Calif., who died in Balad, Iraq.
Pfc. Ivan E. Merlo, 19, of San Marcos, Calif., who died in Samarra, Iraq.
Pfc. Phillip J. Pannier, 20, of Washburn, Ill., who died in Samarra, Iraq.

The following soldiers died Jan. 7 of wounds suffered when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Laghar Juy, Afghanistan.

Maj. Michael L. Green, 36, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, who died in Laghar Juy, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Headquarters, V Corps, Heidelberg, Germany.

Sgt. James K. Healy, 25, of Hesperia, Calif, who died at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 703rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment, Fort Knox, Ky.

Pfc. Timothy R. Hanson, 23, of Kenosha, Wis., died Jan. 7 in Salmon Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Spc. James D. Gudridge, 20, of Carthage, N.Y., died Jan. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Petty Officer Second Class Menelek M. Brown, 24, of Roswell, N.M., was declared dead Jan. 4 after apparently going overboard from USS Hopper in the Arabian Sea Jan. 3. Navy aircraft and ships conducted an extensive search but did not locate him. USS Hopper is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Pfc. Jason F. Lemke, 30, of West Allis, Wis., died Jan. 5 in Ibrahim Al Adham, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

The following soldiers died Jan. 3 in As Sadiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using small arms fire during combat operations. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Maj. Andrew J. Olmsted, 37, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Cpt. Thomas J. Casey, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M.

Pfc. Joshua R. Anderson, 24, of Jordan, Minn., died Jan 2 in Kamasia, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Maseth, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pa., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 2 of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. The incident is under investigation.

Sgt. Shawn F. Hill, 37, of Wellford, S.C., died Jan. 2 in Khowst Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 178^th Engineer Battalion, 218^th Infantry Brigade, South Carolina Army National Guard, Rock Hill, S.C.

Pfc. Brian L. Gorham, 21, of Woodburn, Ky., died Dec. 31 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, of wounds suffered on Dec. 12 in Afghanistan when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy.

Sgt. Reno S. Lacerna, 44, of Waipahu, Hawaii, died Dec. 31, 2007 in Al Qayyarah, Iraq, of a non-combat related illness. He was assigned to the 87th Corps Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. The incident is under investigation.

Pfc. Joseph R. Berlin Jr., 21, of Chelsea, Ala., died Dec. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. The incident is under investigation.

Petty Officer 1st Class Victor W. Jeffries, 52, of Honolulu, Hawaii, died Dec. 31, 2007 as a result of injuries suffered Dec. 24 in a vehicular accident in Kuwait. He was permanently assigned to the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, Kuwait.

from teachers & writers collective

Dear friends,

Please join us on Friday, February 1 for an evening with writers Felicia Luna Lemus, Jericho Brown, and Thomas Glave. The event begins at 7pm, and wine and cheese will be served.

Directions to T&W's Center for Imaginative Writing on the 20th floor at 520 Eighth Avenue (between 36th & 37th) via subway:

• Take the A, C, or E train to 34th Street-Penn Station and Eighth Avenue or to Times Square
• Take the 1, 2, or 3 train to 34th Street-Penn Station and Seventh Avenue or to Times Square
• Take the N, Q, R, or W train to 34th Street-Herald Square and Sixth Avenue or to Times Square
• Take the B, D, F, or V train to 34th Street-Herald Square and Sixth Avenue
• Take the 4 or 5 train to 59th Street and transfer to a downtown F, N, R, or W train, or take the 7 train or Shuttle from Grand Central to Times Square
• Take the 6 train to 51st Street and transfer to a downtown E or V train, or take the 7 train or Shuttle from Grand Central to Times Square

Staff Sgt. Robert J. Wilson, 28, of Boynton Beach, Fla., died Jan. 26 of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was conducting a dismounted patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

JANE'S STORIES POETRY CONTEST GUIDELINES, Winter 2008:

BORDERS AND BRIDGES

The Jane's Stories Poetry Award from Jane's Stories Press Foundation will be awarded to the best poem submitted by February 1, 2008 on the theme of "Borders and Bridges." Previously unpublished poems of any length or style, written in English by women, are eligible. Entries should speak to the Foundation's special interests in work by and about women.

A First Prize of $100 will be awarded. Second Prize of $50, and two Third Prizes of $25 each also will be awarded. All winning poems and authors will be featured on our web site. Authors also grant JSPF reprint rights to publish winning entries in its next anthology.

An entry fee of $10 for three poems must accompany each submission. Include $3 for each additional poem submitted beyond the first three, up to a limit of 5 poems. Enclose an SASE for notification and a list of the winners. All entries will be recycled rather than returned.

IMPORTANT: Enclose a separate sheet including your name, address, email address, and phone number and a list of the poems submitted. Do not put your name on the poem itself. The title of each poem should appear at the top of the page. Entries without SASEs will not be considered. Entries postmarked later than February 1, 2008, will be discarded.

Send all entries and fees to:

Jane's Stories Press, 5500 N 50 W, Fremont, IN, 46737. Or email your poem as a Word PDF document to janesstories@mac.com.

JSPF adheres to the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses Contest Code of Ethics.

See some of our previous winners below.

Please add $3.00 for each additional poem beyond the first three. NOTE: Poetry entries must arrive by snail mail to our address (above.)

been away for a while and hoped there would be no more of these but...

Maj. Alan G. Rogers, 40, of Hampton, Fla., died Jan. 27 of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was conducting a dismounted patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Last night went to see Steve Erickson read from Zeroville...didn't entirely blow me away but I'll probably read the book. My main criticism which is solely based on the 20 minute section he read from, I'm not too keen on characters whose sole function appears to be to voice the author's opinion. But it did remind me to rent Humoresque again. And maybe My Darling Clementine. Two fine movies.

haven't been around much lately but here's a link to a poem for today:

http://www.janestreet.com/poems/gone.html