Remember

Remember June 16 and June 19, 2006.
Remember US Army SPC David J. Babineau of Springfield, MAwho was killed on June 16th.
Remember the 2 Soldiers with SPC Babineau who were kidnapped that day.
Remember US Army PFC Kristian Menchaca, of Brownsville and Houston, TX.
Remember US Army PFC Thomas Tucker of Madras, OR.
Remember the descriptions and conditions of the bodies of PFC Menchaca and PFC Tucker when they were found on June 19th.

SPC David J. Babineau was a native of Springfield, MA. He was 25 years old. He was a husband and father. He was given a military burial Wednesday 28 June 2006 at Arlington National Cemetery, America’s most hallowed ground. He graduated in 1998 from Springfield’s High School of Science and Technology. He was an infantryman, serving his second tour of duty in Iraq assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Ky. He and his family lived outside of Fort Campbell. He leaves his wife, Rondi, a step-daughter, Samantha Hensley, 9, and two sons, Donovan, 4, and Dominic, 2. In his honor, the U.S. flag was flown at half-staff outside Springfield City Hall yesterday.

PFC Kristian Menchaca, 23, was the youngest son of a Mexican immigrant family, born in Houston but had spent most of his youth in Brownsville. He had “volunteered to put himself in harm’s way.” He was described as a loving and caring husband, as well as a devoted son. He had used his last two-week leave in May to visit his mother, Maria Vasquez, at her home in Brownsville, and his wife, Christina, 18, in Big Spring. He enlisted in March 2005 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and POW medals.

PFC Thomas Tucker joined the U.S. Army in July 2002, stating that he wanted to do something positive and was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky as a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. He lived a full and active life. He thrived on adrenaline whether he was working construction in Oregon or manning checkpoints in Iraq. In a recent telephone message that remains on his parents’ telephone answering machine, he sent the following greeting. “Be proud of me Mom, I’m defending my country. Tell sis and my nephews hello for me, I’m OK, I’m on my way.” He will be laid to rest on 1 July 2006 in Madras, OR.

The honor and sacrifice of these Soldiers can not be allowed to go unnoticed. The honor and sacrifice of these Soldiers can not be forgotten. The honor and sacrifice of those who perished before them and since can not be forgotten.

The Brownsville Herald has the story that recounts the events surrounding the loss of these men. The timeline of events is also listed. As you read this story, pay attention to the insight offered by MG James D. Thurman about those events and the current investigation.

See my RANT.
See Fallen Heroes here and http://www.echo9er.net/blog/?p=1358.

HooaH! No End But Victory

2 Comments

1. thanks for spreading this as far and wide as possible…

   Remember them all

   Comment by haystack — June 30, 2006 @ 10:10 am | Edit This

2. My pleasure.

   Will be adding your site to the blogroll this weekend.

   Comment by Echo9er — June 30, 2006 @ 10:16 am | Edit This

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