Casualties

May 20, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Cpl. William J. L. Cooper, 22, of Eupora, Mississippi, died May 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

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LAUREL, Md., May 20, 2008 – A group of wounded U.S. military veterans gathered at a Maryland ice rink for some fun, camaraderie and exercise May 17.

Armed Forces Day is an ideal time to start a free ice hockey clinic for wounded warriors, John Coleman, president of the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association, said as he watched sled-mounted and upright disabled veterans skate across the slick, glistening surface at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Md.    » read more »

May 16, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. John K. Daggett, 21, of Phoenix, Arizona, died May 15 in Halifax, Canada, of wounds suffered May 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.    » read more »

May 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake today, in response to a recently disclosed email from a VA mental health professional which suggested that time and money could be saved if VA stopped diagnosing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Akaka also made a statement on this matter earlier today, calling the email "disturbing and disappointing."

A copy of the letter is copied below:

May 16, 2008

The Honorable James B. Peake, MD

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue

Washington, DC 20420

Dear Secretary Peake:    » read more »

May 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today sent the following letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake, calling on him to investigate reports that a psychologist at a Texas Veterans Affairs (VA) facility told staff members to refrain from diagnosing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to reduce costs.

Barack Obama rally, Portland, Oregon: Photo by Brian Brewer (CC)    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Victor M. Cota, 33, of Tucson, Arizona, died May 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Kadamiyah, Iraq, May 13.

He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.    » read more »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - The citizens of Wyoming should take time on Memorial Day to remember the sacrifices of soldiers who have died and been injured in service to their country, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal said today in a somber ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

The Governor signed a proclamation that declares Monday, May 26 as Memorial Day in Wyoming, and said he hopes people will take the opportunity to remember soldiers and their families that day.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings remain at half-staff in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who died May 11 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Cpl. Jessica A. Ellis, 24, of Bend, Ore., died in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when her vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. She was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of the funeral, for which arrangements are pending.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Jessica A. Ellis, 24, of Bend, Oregon, died May 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when her vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

She was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pvt. Matthew W. Brown, 20, of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, died May 11 in Asadabad, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

The incident is under investigation.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Joseph A. Ford, 23, of Knox, Indiana, died May 10 in Al Asad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a vehicle accident.

He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment, 76th Brigade Combat Team, Indiana National Guard, New Albany, Ind.

The incident is under investigation.    » read more »

05/12/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Spc. Mary J. Jaenichen, of Temecula, CA:

"Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Specialist Mary Jaenichen. She devoted her life to serving our country with courage, pride and honor. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary's family and friends as they mourn the passing of this brave and dedicated patriot."

Jaenichen, 20, died May 9 of a non-combat related injury in Iskandariyah, Iraq. Jaenichen was assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Army, Fort Stewart, GA.

In honor of Spc. Jaenichen, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

Source: California Governor

05/12/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Pfc. Aaron J. Ward, of San Jacinto, CA:

"Private First Class Aaron Ward made the ultimate sacrifice to defend America. Maria and I join the people of California in honoring Aaron for his bravery, selflessness and exceptional resolve in the fight for freedom. Our hearts go out to Aaron's family and fellow soldiers during this difficult time--we will continue to pray for their solace."    » read more »

May 11, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pfc. Ara T. Deysie, 18, of Parker, Arizona, died May 9 in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit came under rocket-propelled grenade fire.

He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

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May 10, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Mary J. Jaenichen, 20, of Temecula, California, died May 9 in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury.

She was assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The incident is under investigation.

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