Michael,

I am so sorry to hear about Janson and the other Sky Soldiers.  I too have been a supporter of the Sky soldiers and reconized too many names on the KIA list for the 173rd... Matt, Hugo and Matthew and now Jason and his battle buddies...  This is heartbreaking news.  Two of Jason's battle buddies are from GA as a Patriot Guard Member we are working on honoring our fallen 173rd Sky Soldiers as I write this...Please take comfort that we are many who know that your son and the other SKY Soldiers are true American Heros.. They all fight and I am afraid sometimes die for our freedoms... Jason will never be forgotton...

If I can do anything for you please let me know...

Lisajan

Any Soldier supporter , Patriot Guard Member, Ga Mentor Team Coordinatior

lisajan@bellsouth.net

Michael,

Our sympathy for your family's loss go out to you and yours.  You can start to breath normally again now knowing that he has completed the mission that he was sent to do in the way that he chose to do it, and can no longer be harmed. He is now resting from his life's labors, (that although short, was probably intense) in safer hands. 

Our thoughts are with the families of all the fallen.

Gran

Michael,

Where could I possibly start.

How could I have the right words to say when words are not enough.

As a parent of a soldier that was in harms way, I know the constant ache of concern.

After hearing of close calls to her life I repeatedly feared what you have experienced. 

You mentioned the value of his death, I can assure you that his life and service had great value to us. 

His attitude of love and concern towards the local children, and his dedication of three tours to his purpose in serving, make him more than a Hero in my eyes. He is a brother to the soldiers he served beside. He died defending them and gave his life in the hope that they wouldn't have to give theirs. 

His soul lives on, and so does yours, so you will meet again.

If I could, I would take your sadness, wrap it up, and I would carry it away.

Please accept my condolences to your family, and know that many here on this site will be praying for you and yours.

Respectfully Yours,  door

Michael,

I have two boys, and one is a U.S. Army Infantry Soldier just starting his first tour in the Korengal Valley, and I am so proud to be his mother, as I am sure you are of Jason.  Yes, it's scary, but it is also very rewarding to know that I have brought up a son that is strong, couragous, self-sacrificing, and honorable.  He was very aware of what he was getting into...we have a long line of family members who have served and died for their country, and the freedoms we all share.  It takes a very strong person to stand up for what he believes in, and actually do something about it.  Jason is that kind of man, and you should be very proud of the man you raised.

I thank you and Jason's family for your service to our country, and my sincere sympathy for your loss.  For your loss is our country's gain...and the value of his service cannot be measured.

Here's is a poem I came across sometime ago...hope it will help in some small way.

AWARENESS

God--let me be aware.

Let me not stumble blindly down the ways,

Just getting somehow safely through the days,

Not even groping for another hand,

Not even wondering why it all was planned,

Eyes to he ground unseeking for the light,

Soul never aching for a wild-winged flight,

Please, keep me eagar just to do my share.

God--let me be aware.

God--let me be aware.

Stab my soul fiercely with others' pain,

Let me walk seeing horror and stain.

Let my hands, groping, find other hands.

Give me the heart that divines, understands.

Give me the courage, wounded, to fight.

Flood me with knowledge, drench me in light.

Please, keep me eager just to do my share.

God--let me be aware.

By Miriam Teichner

Jason was aware...like all our son's and daughter's in harms way...they are "AWARE", and that is what makes them a treasure to our country and to our families.

TO ALL THAT SERVE...I SAY WITH MY WHOLE HEART...THANK YOU.

Tamra

Hey Angela I think there is a possibilty that my son lil glen was waiting for the plane at the same time your Chris was .He was to be in Afganistan on the 14 his birthday He left Ft. Hood last friday His last name is Millner 1st Infantry if possible let me know please .your photo looks familiar Thanks Big Glen

Michael,

I would hope no one would take the safety of any of our military members for granted.  Their safety is so tenuous.  I am so sorry you're going through this.  My heart aches for you.  I know Jason was a very brave young man and obviously, extremely dedicated to his job.  There are no words that I can offer that will comfort you or your family through this.  I will keep you, your family, and all of the people whose lives have been touched by Jason and are now hurting in my prayers.

May God bless all of you that loved Jason and may He bring you the comfort you need so much.  I hope that knowing so many people care about you and your family and are lifting you up in prayer brings you some comfort.  Jason did what he believed was right and we can never thank him enough.

Prayers,

Mr. Bogar, please accept my most sincere and humble condolences on the loss of your son.  Most of us could live out 100 years and not have a fraction of the impact on the world around us that your Jason did in his all-too-short 25.  I wish to somehow thank you for your sacrifice, but there are no words to do justice to what you've given.  Please know, as I'm sure you do, that tears have fallen from many eyes for your son and for your familly's loss, and that prayers of gratitude for Jason's beautifully lived life, and for peace and comfort in the wake of his loss, are with you.

With a very heavy heart, Kristen

Angela N. (Michael's wife) or anyone with information on the 15 soldiers who were recently wounded ...our family would be honored to send get well wishes along with our love.  Please email or PM if that information is available.  Mr. Bogar...as parents ourselves, it goes beyond expressing our feelings on the loss of your beloved son.  No words....we hurt for you all so much. 

Hello everyone,

We are never notified of the injured.  Its something that we learn from either our husbands, friends, or just people talking.  I have not heard of any names at this time but then again, it hasn't really been talked about much.  Today was the memorial service for the 9 fallen.  It took place inside the chapel but they also had a live feed in the movie theater.  I did not go as I had my children and no one to care for them at the time. But i drove by and there were people lined outside of the theater also so, huge turnout. I listened to it on the radio and it was very moving what the guys had to say abou their brothers in arms.  May God bless their family and friends and all that they loved.

Take care,

Angela

I agree with the wonderful reply you got.  Your son and the 8 others that died, will not be forgotten.  They fought for as long as they could before making the ultimate sacrifice.  My son is over there with the 173rd, just in a different company. but may have been one of the responders to the area.  I don't know what it's like to lose a child at such a young age.  My heart felt condolences to you and your family.  It's a sad time for the family of the 173rd.  Not only is the units grieving for the loss of their friends, the families back here in the state grieve with you as well.  Keep the good memories with you and may god bless you and your family in this difficult time and bring you some comfort.

Sincerely,

Mother of a solider in the 173rd, 503rd, Able company, Afghanistan

Angela is correct in stating we will not know the names of the wounded until we hear from the soliders over there.  At the moment they are at the end of their deployment and are due to arrive in Italy sometime in the next few weeks.  That's when we will start to get the news on the wounded. My son is one of the army medic's over there with the 173rd.  We have not heard from him, but suspect that he may have been called in to help out the company involved. Once he gets back and to a phone, he will be calling home to speak with his dad and running through the events that occurred. As a family member of the 173rd, we have a army liason that keeps tract of the wounded and dead and we mail cards and such to her and she forwards them on to the soliders and their families.  This way it gives the solider and their families some privacy. 

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008056237_soldier17m.html

 Howdy,

Here is the link to the Seattle Times story about Jason Bogar. My son Robert is also from Seattle, and he was enroute to Korengal from Fort Hood when this tradegy occurred. We send our thoughts to the loved ones of our troops.

Arboreally yours,

this article tells a little about several of the young men.  Once you get past the shocking headline, you can learn more about the individuals.  Our country has lost some great heroes...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/17/airborne.soldiers.family/index.html#cnnSTCText

My thoughts and prayers are with them all...

SGT Jose A. Arroyo

Posted today... 3/0

CPL Robert H. Schmidt

Posted 6/29.... 25/0

I requested Robert Schmidt last week and already sent off a hello, going to get Sgt Arroyo right now too... Shelly

Shelly -- how do you tell if they're in the Korengal Valley?  I just checked their posts and didn't find a "clue" word?

Thanks!

--Marilyn