Ooops, forgot  to toast with you!    (Hey, there's no wine in here.  Have to go to the chat room for that, I guess. LOL)

Heya Bob! Glad to see ya in here.

 I was SO HONORED to meet you on Saturday! Truly! The guy responsible for making one of our heroes? We owe YOU a debt of gratitude, my friend! I wish I had more time to spend with you in OR, but will settle for chats online instead. :) :) :)

Did everyone see the tribute to Rick I posted? There is PGR vid at the end of the post too. AWEsome, as Kaylynn said. They made this non-biker want to go for a ride!

Thank you Bob for your example of a wonderful father.  Thank you for Rick's service and dedication to what he believed in.  I know Andrew and the guys miss him a lot.  We love you and you are in my daily prayers.  If you need anything, please let me know.  May God Bless you always and hold you in his loving and caring arms. 

In Him,

Dianna (Andrew Katt, my soldier)

 

Bob,

I want you to know that I was honored to be there at Rick's service, it was very touching and something that I will never forget. We are very proud of him and every other soldier that has given the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

 It was good to meet you even though it was just a brief meeting. You and your family are in our continued prayers.

God Bless

Angela

 

An article in the NYTimes today about FOB Vimoto in the KOP

 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/world/asia/01firebase.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

and slide show

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/04/30/world/20090430FIREBASE_index.html

has any1 any info on the 3 american soldiers kia in kunar province? cant seem to find out where

Nothing specific except that it's NOT Viper co. They're good.

We need to keep in mind that the Department of Defense will make any official news release/s when the timing is appropriate.  (I think that is at defenselink.mil/)  In the past, we have had rumors and information spread on this website that can be very harmful to family members that need to be informed of these things through the proper channels.   Marty, please correct me if I am mistaken or out of line here.

I have no specific information at all about this.  Prayers for all...

Kaylynn:

We need to keep in mind that the Department of Defense will make any official news release/s when the timing is appropriate.  (I think that is at defenselink.mil/)  In the past, we have had rumors and information spread on this website that can be very harmful to family members that need to be informed of these things through the proper channels.   Marty, please correct me if I am mistaken or out of line here.

I have no specific information at all about this.  Prayers for all...

as long as no names are mentioned this is the best place and quickest to find out info. finding out from these good people puts a lot of people to rest that have heard the story but dont have all the facts. most people here including myself appreciate any info we have to rest out minds when we have sons, daughters and spouses there. thanks for the rplys every1

I have to agree with Kaylynn. The DOD has a very strict protocol to follow when releasing info, especially names. But even mentioning locations can be very difficult for families to deal with, as that leads to stress about their family member. If any information were posted, that would mean someone on the ground was talking and could get in serious trouble, too. Remeber, there are a good number of family members who read but don't post. Posting anything is how rumors get started and grow, leading to more stress with others.

I always tell family members that if you know something, especially if you're not really supposed to know, keep the information to yourself. Maybe if you have to, send personal messages vs. posting publicly, at least until the army releases the information formally.

Sorry to be kind of harsh, but I've seen first hand how awful and stressful things can get at times like this. On one hand we have so many family members trying to get excited about the end of the deployment, but also stressed because the days are just dragging along. We have some amazingly strong families of our married and single Soldiers. I'm so proud not only of the Soldiers, but those Families and others supporting them (you guys, too, of course!). ;)

 ChaoticMom has this nailed.  For those of us who support the soldiers in harm's way, we want to know the story because we are attached to those we support.  For the families who have someone in that situation, the stress here is beyond description.  Small bits of information drive morale and mood up and down like the world's most terrifying rollercoaster.  For their sake, let's button it and sit tight until we get the word.  In the interim, if you are the praying sort, that's something you can do for whomever is involved.  Time spent on that is well spent. 

 To all, thanks for supporting these soldiers.  It is a great thing that you are doing.  

?? I think i get what everyone is sayin, just not sure if it's to be proactive? The Emmons' were asking about an item that's been all over the news. Not releasing any info. And it's not Viper co. is not opsec. Did i miss something in here that got deleated?

  "we want to know the story because we are attached to those we support."

 

Thank you for these words, Bob. This is exactly it. the not knowing that tugs on heart strings. Each package, card, letter that gets sent over there is an extension of ourselves, our hearts.  Thank you for your apt expression of this.

respectfully,

Amy 

 Been awhile since I have been here but with a sad heart here is the DOD..Glad to see y'all still looking out for these guys...

I do too just in a different way...

Thank you all for all you do.

LJ

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DoD Identifies Army Casualties             The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers, and one soldier as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN). The action occurred May 1 near the village of Nishagam, in Konar Province, Afghanistan, where all three were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.                Killed were:               Sgt. James D. Pirtle, 21, of Colorado Springs, Colo. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; and               Spec. Ryan C. King, 22, of Dallas, Ga. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.               These soldiers died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using direct fire.               For more information on Pirtle and King, the media may contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours (254) 291-2591.               Staff Sgt. William D. Vile, 27, of Philadelphia, Pa. is now listed as DUSTWUN from this same incident. He is assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.               For more information on Vile, the media may contact the Fort Riley public affairs office at (785) 240-0469; after hours (785) 210-8867.

 Also Bob please know my thoughts and prayers are with Rick, you and your family...

 Rick will never be forgotten...

LJ