David Bloom

“The American media has hailed David Bloom a hero of this war. Journalist David Bloom who died of natural causes.

I hope you remember the following heros as well.

April 14:

Army Pfc. John E. Brown , 21, of Troy, Ala. Killed in Iraq when a grenade exploded inside his military vehicle. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Army Spc. Thomas A. Foley III, 23, of Dresden, Tenn. Killed in Iraq when a grenade exploded inside his military vehicle. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Marine Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez, 25, of Hileah, Fla. Killed in a non-hostile accident when a commercial refueler collapsed at Logistics Supply Area Viper in southern Iraq. Assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS)-273, Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG)-27, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.

Army Spc. Richard A. Goward, 32, of Midland, Mich. Killed when his truck entered a dust cloud and rear-ended the truck in front of him in Iraq. Assigned to the 1460th Transportation Company, Midland, Mich.

Army Pfc. Joseph P. Mayek, 20, of Rock Springs, Wyo. Killed by an AP round that was discharged from an M2 Bradley vehicle. Assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, Smith Barracks, Germany.

April 13:

Army Spc. Gil Mercado , 25, of Paterson, N.J. Killed in a non-combat weapon discharge. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky.

April 12 :

Marine Cpl. Jesus A. Gonzalez, 22, of Indio, Calif. Killed while manning a checkpoint in Baghdad. Assigned to the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif.

April 11:

Marine Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda, 26, of New York, N.Y. Killed during combat operations against enemy forces in northeast Baghdad. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

April 10:

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey E. Bohr, Jr., 39, of San Clemente, Calif. Killed in northern Baghdad while engaging enemy forces. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Army Staff Sgt. Terry W. Hemingway, 39, of Willingboro, N.J. Killed when a car exploded next to his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, Ft. Benning, Ga.

April 8:

Army Cpl. Henry L. Brown, 22, of Natchez, Miss. Died of wounds received from an enemy rocket attack south of Baghdad. Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Marine Pfc. Juan Guadalupe Garza, Jr., 20, of Temperance, Mich. Killed in combat. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Army Sgt. 1st Class John W. Marshall, 50, of Los Angeles. Killed by an enemy rocket propelled grenade during an ambush in Baghdad. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, Ga.

Army Pfc. Jason M. Meyer, 23, of Swartz Creek, Mich. Killed in action in Iraq. Assigned to B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott D. Sather, 29, of Clio, Mich. Killed in action in Iraq. Assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

Army Staff Sgt. Robert A. Stever , 36, of Pendleton, Ore. Killed in action by enemy fire in Iraq. Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, Ga.

April 7:

Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Julian Aviles, 18, of Palm Beach, Fla. Killed in central Iraq when an enemy artillery round struck the Amphibious Assault Vehicle in which he was riding. Assigned to the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Tampa, Fla.

Army Staff Sgt. Lincoln Hollinsaid, 27, of Malden, Ill. Killed in a grenade attack. Assigned to B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Army 2nd Lt. Jeffrey J. Kaylor, 24, of Clifton, Va. Killed in action in Iraq. Assigned to C Battery, 39th Field Artillery Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Marine Cpl. Jesus Martin Antonio Medellin, 21, of Fort Worth, Texas. Killed in central Iraq when an enemy artillery round struck the Amphibious Assault Vehicle in which he was riding. Assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Army Pfc. Anthony S. Miller, 19, of San Antonio. Killed by enemy indirect fire in Iraq. Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Army Spc. George A. Mitchell, 35, of Rawlings, Md. Died of wounds received from an enemy rocket attack south of Baghdad. Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Ga.

April 6:

Army Pfc. Gregory P. Huxley Jr., 19, of Forestport, N.Y. Killed in combat. Assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 17th Engineer Battalion, Fort Benning, Ga.

Army Pvt. Kelley S. Prewitt , 24, of Alabama. Killed in action by enemy fire. Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

April 5:

Army Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker, 34, of Apollo, Pa. Killed by enemy fire during a raid into Baghdad. Assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Army Spc. Larry K. Brown, 22, of Jackson, Miss. Killed in action. Assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, Fort Riley, Kan.

Marine 1st Sgt. Edward Smith, 38, of Vista, Calif. Died in Doha, Qatar, as a result of wounds received in action from enemy forces in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

April 4:

Army Capt. Tristan N. Aitken, 31, of State College, Pa. Killed in action in Iraq. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Army Pfc. Wilfred D. Bellard, 20, of Lake Charles, La. Killed when his vehicle fell into a ravine. Assigned to the 41st Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Army Spc. Daniel Francis J. Cunningham, 33, of Lewiston, Maine. Killed when his vehicle fell into a ravine. Assigned to the 41st Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Marine Capt. Travis A. Ford, 30, of Oceanside, Calif. Killed when his AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter crashed during combat operations near Ali-Ariziyal, Iraq. Assigned to the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) - 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Marine Cpl. Bernard G. Gooden, 22, of Mount Vernon, N.Y. Killed during a firefight in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Pvt. Devon D. Jones, 19, of San Diego. Killed when vehicle fell into a ravine. Assigned to the 41st Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Marine 1st Lt. Brian M. McPhillips, 25, of Pembroke, Mass. Killed during a firefight in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Sgt. Duane R. Rios, 25, of Hammond, Ind. Killed during a firefight in central Iraq. Assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Marine Capt. Benjamin Sammis, 29, of Rehoboth, Mass. Killed when his AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter crashed during combat operations near Ali Aziziyal, Iraq. Assigned to the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) - 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, 33, of Tampa, Fla. Killed in combat in Iraq. Assigned to the 11th Engineer Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.

April 3:

Army Staff Sgt. Wilbert Davis, 40, of Hinesville, Ga. Killed when his vehicle ran off the road into a canal in Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Marine Cpl. Mark A. Evnin, 21, of South Burlington, Vt. Killed during a firefight in central Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Army Capt. Edward J. Korn, 31, of Savannah, Ga. Killed as he investigated the wreckage of an Iraqi T-72 tank destroyed by his unit in central Iraq. Assigned to the 64th Armor, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Army Staff Sgt. Nino D. Livaudais, 23, of Ogden, Utah. Killed in combat. Assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

Army Spc. Ryan P. Long, 21, of Seaford, Del. Killed in combat. Assigned to A Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

Marine Pfc. Chad E. Bales Metcalf, 20, of Coahoma, Texas. Killed in a non-hostile vehicle accident during convoy operations east of Ash Shahin, Iraq. Assigned to 1st Transportation Support Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Army Spc. Donald Samuel Oaks, Jr., 20, of Harborcreek, Pa. Killed in action in Iraq. Assigned to C Battery, 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment (Multiple Launch Rocket System), Fort Sill, Okla.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Randall S. Rehn, 36, Longmont, Colo. Killed in action in Iraq. Assigned to C Battery, 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment (Multiple Launch Rocket System), Fort Sill, Okla.

Army Capt. Russell B. Rippetoe, 27, of Arvada, Colo. Killed in combat. Assigned to A Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

Army Sgt. Todd J. Robbins, 33, of Hart, Mich. Killed in action in Iraq. Assigned to C Battery, 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment (Multiple Launch Rocket System), Fort Sill, Okla.

Marine Cpl. Erik H. Silva, 22, Chula Vista, Calif. Killed in combat in Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

April 2:

Army Capt. James F. Adamouski, 29, of Springfield, Va. Killed when UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Marine Lance Cpl. Brian E. Anderson, 26, of Durham, N.C. Killed in a non-hostile accident west of Nasiriyah, Iraq, when his vehicle apparently snagged low-hanging power lines. Assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Spc. Mathew G. Boule, 22, of Dracut, Mass. Killed when UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Army Master Sgt. George A. Fernandez, 36, of El Paso, Texas. Died after being shot in northern Iraq. Assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Marine Pfc. Christian Daniel Gurtner, 19, of Ohio City, Ohio. Killed in southern Iraq by an accidental discharge of a personal weapon, unclear whether his own or someone else's. Assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4th Class Erik A. Halvorsen, 40, of Bennington, Vt. Killed when UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Scott Jamar, 32, of Granbury, Texas. Killed when UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Army Sgt. Michael F. Pedersen, 26, of Flint, Mich. Killed when UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Eric A. Smith, 42, of Rochester, N.Y. Killed when UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Navy Lt. Nathan D. White, 30, of Mesa, Ariz. Pilot of F/A-18C Hornet lost over Iraq. No other details immediately available.

April 1:

Army Sgt. Jacob L. Butler, 24, of Wellsville, Kan. Killed in action in Assamawah, Iraq, when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle. Assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, Fort Riley, Kan.

Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph B. Maglione, 22, of Lansdale, Pa. Killed in non-combat weapon discharge at Camp Coyote, Kuwait. Assigned to Bridge Company B, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Folsom, Pa.

March 31:

Spc. William A. Jeffries, 39, of Evansville, Ind. Evacuated from Kuwait and died as a result of a sudden illness in Rota, Spain. Assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard.

Army Spc. Brandon Rowe, 20, of Roscoe, Ill. Killed in action in Ayyub, Iraq, by enemy artillery. Assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

March 30:

Marine Capt. Aaron J. Contreras, 31, of Sherwood, Ore. Killed in a UH-1N Huey helicopter crash in southern Iraq. Assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA)-169, Marine Aircraft Group-39, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Marine Sgt. Michael V. Lalush, 23, of Troutville, Va. Killed in a UH-1N Huey helicopter crash in southern Iraq. Assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA)-169, Marine Air Craft Group-39, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Marine Sgt. Brian D. McGinnis, 23, of St. George, Del. Killed in a UH-1N Huey helicopter crash in southern Iraq. Assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA)-169, Marine Aircraft Group-39, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

March 29:

Marine Staff Sgt. James W. Cawley, 41, of Layton, Utah. Killed during a firefight with enemy forces. Assigned to F Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Salt Lake City.

Army Cpl. Michael Edward Curtin, 23, of Howell, N.J. Killed when a taxi carrying a car bomb drove up to an Army checkpoint in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2-7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Army Pfc. Diego Fernando Rincon, 19, of Conyers, Ga. Killed when a taxi carrying a car bomb drove up to an Army checkpoint in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2-7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Army Pfc. Michael Russell Creighton Weldon, 20, of Palm Bay, Fla. Killed when a taxi carrying a car bomb drove up to an Army checkpoint in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2-7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Marine Lance Cpl. William W. White, 24, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Killed in a non-hostile vehicle accident in Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Army Sgt. Eugene Williams, 24, of Highland, N.Y. Killed when a taxi carrying a car bomb drove up to an Army checkpoint in central Iraq. Assigned to the 2-7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

March 28:

Army Sgt. Roderic A. Solomon, 32, of Fayetteville, N.C. Killed when a Bradley Fighting Vehicle rolled off a cliff in a non-hostile accident in Iraq. Assigned to the 2-7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

March 27:

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Menusa, 33, of Tracy, Calif. Killed in combat. Assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Marine Cpl. Robert M. Rodriguez, 21, of Queens, N.Y. Killed in action when the tank he was riding in fell into the Euphrates River during combat operations northwest of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jesus A. Suarez Del Solar, 20, of Escondido, Calif. Killed in combat. Assigned to the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

March 26:

Marine Maj. Kevin G. Nave, 36, of White Lake Township, Mich. Killed in a non-hostile vehicle accident in Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

March 25:

Marine Pfc. Francisco A. Martinez Flores, 21, of Los Angeles. Killed during convoy operations when his tank plunged off a cliff into the Euphrates River. Assigned to the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.

Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Michael Vann Johnson, Jr., 25, of Little Rock, Ark. Killed in combat, when shrapnel from a grenade hit him in the head. Assigned to Naval Medical Center, Third Marine Division Detachment, San Diego.

Marine Staff Sgt. Donald C. May, Jr., 31, of Richmond, Va. Killed during convoy operations when his tank plunged off a cliff into the Euphrates River. Assigned to the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.

Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick T. O’Day, 20, of Santa Rosa, Calif. Killed during convoy operations when his tank plunged off a cliff into the Euphrates River. Assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.

Air National Guard Maj. Gregory Stone, 40, of Boise, Idaho. Died from wounds received by a March 22 grenade attack in a tent at Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait. Assigned to the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, Boise, Idaho.

March 24:

Marine Cpl. Evan James, 20, La Harpe, Ill. Drowned while trying to cross the Saddam Canal in southeastern Iraq. Reservist with the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Peoria, Ill.

Marine Sgt. Bradley S. Korthaus, 28, of Davenport, Iowa. Drowned while trying to cross the Saddam Canal in southeastern Iraq. Assigned to Engineering Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Peoria, Ill.

Army Spc. Gregory P. Sanders, 19, of Hobart, Ind. Killed in action in Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor, Fort Stewart, Ga.

March 23:

Army Spc. Jamaal R. Addison, 22, of Roswell, Ga. Killed when ambushed by enemy forces in Iraq. Assigned to the 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Marine Sgt. Michael E. Bitz, 31, of Ventura, Calif. Killed in action in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Lance Cpl. Brian Rory Buesing, 20, of Cedar Key, Fla. Killed in combat in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Lance Cpl. David K. Fribley, 26, of Fort Myers, Fla. Killed in action in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Cpl. Jose A. Garibay, 21, of Orange, Calif. Killed in combat in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Pvt. Jonathan L. Gifford, 30, of Decatur, Ill. Killed in action during operations on the outskirts of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Cpl. Jorge A. Gonzalez, 20, of Los Angeles. Killed in action in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Pfc. Howard Johnson II, 21, of Mobile, Ala. Killed when ambushed by enemy forces in Iraq. Assigned to the 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Marine Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, 42, of Enfield, Conn. Killed in action in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick R. Nixon, 21, of Gallatin, Tenn. Killed in action during operations on the outskirts of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine 2nd Lt. Frederick E. Pokorney, Jr., 31, of Nye, Nev. Killed in action in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Cpl. Randal Kent Rosacker, 21, of San Diego. Killed in combat in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Slocum, 22, of Thornton, Colo. Killed in action in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams, 31, of Yuma, Ariz. Killed in action on the outskirts of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

March 22:

Navy Lt. Thomas Mullen Adams, 27, of La Mesa, Calif. Killed when two Royal Navy Sea King helicopters collided over international waters. Assigned as an exchange officer with the Royal Navy's 849 Squadron since October 2002.

Marine Lance Cpl. Eric J. Orlowski, 26, of Buffalo, N.Y. Killed by an accidental discharge of a .50 cal machine gun in Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert, 27, of Williams Township, Pa. Killed in a grenade attack while sleeping in a tent at Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait. Assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Army Reserve Spc. Brandon S. Tobler, 19, of Portland, Ore. Killed in a non-hostile vehicle accident in Iraq. Assigned to the 671st Engineer Brigade, Portland, Ore.

March 21:

Marine 2nd Lt. Therrel S. Childers, 30, of Harrison County, Miss. Killed in action in southern Iraq. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, 28, of Los Angeles. Killed in action in southern Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

March 20:

Marine Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, 36, of Waterville, Maine. Killed in a CH-46E helicopter crash in Kuwait. Assigned to the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron --1, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.

Marine Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, 30, of St. Anne, Ill. Killed in a CH-46E helicopter crash in Kuwait. Assigned to the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron -- 268, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Marine Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, 25, of Houston. Killed in a CH-46E helicopter crash in Kuwait. Assigned to the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron — 268, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Waters-Bey, 29, of Baltimore. Killed in a CH-46E helicopter crash in Kuwait. Assigned to the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Date of death not given:

Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Blair , 24, of Wagoner, Okla. Engaged in operations March 24 on the outskirts of Nasiriyah in Iraq, remains were recovered on March 28. Assigned to the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group-28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, N.C.

Army Sgt. George Edward Buggs, 31, of Barnwell, S.C. Killed when convoy was ambushed in Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Marine Pfc. Tamario D. Burkett, 21, of Buffalo, N.Y. Killed in action during operations on the outskirts of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom A. Chanawongse, 22, of Waterford, Conn. Engaged in operations March 24 on the outskirts of Nasiriyah in Iraq, remains were recovered on April 15. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Lance Cpl. Donald J. Cline, Jr., 21, of Sparks, Nev. Killed in action during operations on the outskirts of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Master Sgt. Robert J. Dowdy, 38, of Cleveland. Killed when convoy was ambushed in Iraq. Assigned to 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Pvt. Ruben Estrella-Soto, 18, of El Paso, Texas. Killed when convoy was ambushed in Iraq. Assigned to 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Marine Sgt. Nicolas M. Hodson, 22, of Smithville, Mo. Killed in a vehicle accident in Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Pvt. Nolen R. Hutchings, 19, of Boiling Springs, S.C. Killed in action during operations on the outskirts of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Spc. James M. Kiehl, 22, of Comfort, Texas. Killed when convoy was ambushed in Iraq. Assigned to 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata, 35, of El Paso, Texas. Killed when convoy was ambushed in Iraq. Assigned to 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Marine Lance Cpl. David Edward Owens Jr., 20, of Winchester, Va. Died of wounds received in action on April 12 in central Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Marine Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirez, 26, of Yuma, Ariz. Engaged in operations March 28 in the vicinity of Nasiriyah, remains identified on April 10. Assigned to the Marine Wing Support Squadron-371, Marine Wing Support Group-37, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.

Army Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa, 22, of Tuba City, Ariz. Killed when convoy was ambushed in Iraq. Assigned to 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Marine Sgt. Brendon C. Reiss, 23, of Casper, Wyo. Disappeared during March 23 operations on the outskirts of Nasiriyah; his remains were identified April 11. Assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Army Pvt. Brandon Ulysses Sloan, 19, of Bedford, Ohio. Killed when convoy was ambushed in Iraq. Assigned to 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Sgt. Donald Ralph Walters, 33, of Salem, Ore. Killed when convoy was ambushed in Iraq. Assigned to 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

God bless America, her heros and her families.”

“My local paper printed photos and short bios of all the soldiers killed and missing in Iraq. Seeing their faces really made an impact. May they rest in peace.”

“April 10:

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey E. Bohr, Jr., 39, of San Clemente, Calif. Killed in northern Baghdad while engaging enemy forces. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

..... Jeffrey Bohr was born and raised in a local town 10 miles from me. His dad still lives in Ossian, Iowa. His mother lives in Lansing, Iowa. His dad had just received a letter from Jeffrey the same day that the Monsignor (who had been a Marine himself) and another local, retired Marine arrived at his door to tell him the news.

Jeffrey Bohr's in the local paper”

“amen . . .”

“I have cried and given thanks. My neighbor's son is dead. My son is still alive. Losing my child is my worst nightmare.

I have prayed for my neighbor and will give my thanks in words and financial support. Their son and his family have endured the ultimate sacrifice.

God Bless America.”

“A COMBAT SOLDIER’S PRAYER
This combat soldier’s prayer,
Who has served his time in Hell,
Is may we learn the lessons of war well,
That we not doom future generations,
The same old tales of horror to tell,
To endure what in youth they see mistakenly as glory.
Oh God, do not let our children repeat the same old story.
Make it so that America’s babies live to grow old
In this land of the free and the bold.
Help us throw off the shackles of hate that bind
And grow old in a life of a peaceful kind.
Teach us that there is no glory in war,
Nor honor there that brave men should not abhor.
Teach us instead, one for another our brothers to love.
Shower us with thy Celestial message from above,
That we plant seeds of peace evermore
And make war-no-more!
But if I should die on some far, far away battlefield
Know I answered the call
For a grand principle of freedom to yield.
My fervent prayer is that my death may not have been in vain
Fighting for peace and right for the world to attain.
American roses standing by my side on alien soil dying
In the summer of my youth all the leaves around me falling,
Now I’m lying here still, in sunshine and in shadow,
Longing to hear, “brother next door, I love you so.”
For moldering in the soft ground,
I feel you living and loving in the world above me
Standing tall because I fought that you might be...
Oh look ye down now, and tell me that you still think of me
Honor my red blood, spilt that others might stand free.
Tell me that I did not give my all for you in vain
That brothers and sisters do not look upon my sacrifice
With hateful, or even worse, uncaring disdain.
Do not forget me when my valley’s hushed and white with snow,
Grass growing green in the summer of my meadow
Help me find the peace I lived and died for
Make my lonely grave richer, sweeter be...
That I might too, in your hearts live on, eternally free...

©Gary Jacobson

I feel the pain of every family who has lost someone.”

“And just to clarify. I am horrified at the prospect of servicemen's deaths and thankful to them and their families left behind.

As far as David Bloom, I don't think he's being saluted as a hero of the war. I do think he's being saluted as someone who lived the role of a journalist to its utmost; always searching for a story; always willing to tell it, even if looking silly or dumb... just a journalist's journalist.

He has every right to be saluted by his fellow professionals. That is all.”

“Only the dead have seen the end of war"
~Unknown (by me)”

“President's Message to America's Military and Their Families


In a video message, President Bush thanked America's armed services personnel and their families. The video is airing on armed services TV networks around the country and around the world, wherever American servicemen and women are based, including in the area of hostilities.

"My fellow citizens: When freedom needs defending, America turns to our military. I want to thank those who wear our uniform. Thank you for your sacrifice. And as our men and women in uniform do their job, they count on their families. This time of war has been a time of hardship for many military families. Some of you have been separated from your loved ones by long deployments. You're dealing with added burdens at home, while praying for your husband or wife, or son or daughter, father or mother far from home. All of America is grateful for your sacrifice.

"Over the last few weeks, the world has witnessed what you already know -- that our Armed Forces act with great skill, and great courage, and great humanity. Images of the Iraq people welcoming our troops in cities across that country are a testament to the character of our men and women in uniform.

"Our forces have been given a clear mission -- to end a regime that threatened its neighbors and the world with weapons of mass destruction, and to free a people that had suffered far too long. American and coalition forces are treating innocent civilians with kindness, delivering urgently needed food and medicine, and acting in the highest traditions of the United States military. Our whole nation is proud of the honorable conduct of our military, and I am proud to be your Commander-in-Chief.

"All who wear this nation's uniform have chosen to serve in America's defense and in freedom's cause. You and your families deserve the gratitude of the nation, and the full support of our government. We will give you the tools and training you need to win our nation's battles. And we will keep our commitment to improving the quality of life for our military families.

"This nation has made another pledge: We will never forget the men and women who have fallen in service to America. We owe them our freedom. And we pray that their loved ones will receive God's comfort and God's grace.

"All of you know that great military successes come from years of hard work, training, and commitment. You stand tall in times of conflict, and you stand ready in times of peace. For your daily effort, for your professionalism, and for your patriotism, I thank you on behalf of the people of the United States.

"May God bless our country and all who defend her."”

“thanks for posting that list, bacpac. It was saddening for me hear from a good friend of mine the other night...

"I lost one of my Army buddies (2nd Lieutenant Jeff Kaylor) in Iraq on Monday morning. He was leading his platoon in a reconnaisance mission of Baghdad Airport when he was struck by an incoming grenade. His wife is another Army girlfriend of mine who just returned from Iraq with Jeff's body. She was over there as well, serving as an MP. "

I know how heartbroken I feel when I hear another's personal testimony. It really makes me feel for ALL who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.”