This one REALLY breaks my heart. So many young men, in one fight. Their base was destroyed, and the remaining 56 troops lost EVERYTHING they had except the clothes on their backs. My prayers go up for the fallen, for their families, and for the brave Warriors still in the fight.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of eight soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin, 25 of Savannah, Ga.
Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, 27, of Tucson, Ariz.
Sgt. Joshua M. Hardt, 24, of Applegate, Calif.
Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk, 30, of South Portland, Maine.
Sgt. Michael P. Scusa, 22, of Villas, N.J.
Spc. Christopher T. Griffin, 24, of Kincheloe, Mich.
Spc. Stephan L. Mace, 21, of Lovettsville, Va.
Pfc. Kevin C. Thomson, 22, of Reno, Nev.
Rest in Peace SSgt Martin, SGT Gallegos, SGT Hardt, SGT Kirk, SGT Scusa, SPC Griffin, SPC Mace, and PFC Thomson. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. May God bless your loved ones with comfort and healing as they mourn the loss of their Heroes. At ease, Soldiers, your duty here is done.
In the arms of the angels, may you find eternal peace.