Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

US 'sole survivor' to leave Iraq
BBC ^ | Saturday, 25 August 2007 | n/a

Posted on 08/25/2007 8:47:30 AM PDT by fishhound

A US soldier is to return home from Iraq under a military proviso known as the "sole survivor" rule after losing both of his brothers in the war.

Jason Hubbard, 33, will be re-united with his family in Clovis, California after his brother Nathan, 21, died in a helicopter crash in Iraq on Wednesday.

His other sibling Jared Hubbard was killed by a roadside bomb in 2004.

The "sole survivor" policy, which has allowed Jason to leave Iraq, formed the premise of movie Saving Private Ryan.

Nathan and Jason Hubbard had joined the army in 2005, shortly after their brother, Jared, died aged 22.

Jared died in Ramadi along with his best friend from school, Jeremiah Baro, and the two friends were buried next to each other in Clovis.

After his first son's death, his father Jeff Hubbard said: "I hope and pray it comes to a good solution because there's been a tremendous sacrifice.

"And it would just be awful if it didn't accomplish something great."

Nathan died this week when a helicopter crashed during a night mission in the Tamim province that surrounds Kirkuk, an oil-rich city 180 miles (290 kilometres) north of Baghdad.

A military official said facts gathered indicated the crash was almost certainly due to a mechanical problem and not hostile fire, although the final cause remained under investigation.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: fallen; homewardbound; hubbard; iraq; militaryfamilies
I will keep these in my prayers.
1 posted on 08/25/2007 8:47:32 AM PDT by fishhound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: fishhound

I cannot imagine how I would react knowing my brother’s helicopter had crashed. Just tragic.


2 posted on 08/25/2007 8:48:56 AM PDT by SoldierMedic (Rowan Walter, 23 Feb 2007 Ramadi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

Isn’t there a story about the Seventh son of the Seventh son and not having to serve in the military?


3 posted on 08/25/2007 8:51:14 AM PDT by RC2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RC2

I don’t know.


4 posted on 08/25/2007 8:53:08 AM PDT by fishhound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

In WWII a ship went down carrying five brothers ... the Sullivan’s ..... after that no siblings were allow to serve on the same ship or something to that affect ... movie: “The Fighting Sullivans” (Shortly after the events described in this movie, President Roosevelt finally decreed that family members would no longer serve together)


5 posted on 08/25/2007 9:19:53 AM PDT by SkyDancer ("There is no distinctly Native American criminal class...save Congress - Mark Twain")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

My wife heard that Jason was in the chopper behind his brother’s...
Is that true ? I haven’t been able to find any details.

thanks


6 posted on 08/25/2007 10:07:37 AM PDT by stylin19a (Go Bears !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


7 posted on 08/25/2007 3:01:29 PM PDT by combat_boots (She lives! 22 weeks, 9.5 inches. Go, baby, go!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

That’s how I know it but I heard there was a father and son serving in Iraq. Did you hear that?


8 posted on 08/25/2007 11:47:30 PM PDT by fishhound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

It was the USS JUNEAU.

At the time, it was a great recruiting ploy when all five joined at the same time.

But the Navy actually tried to prevent them from serving on the same ship. But someone pushed.. Can’t remember, but I think it was the brothers themselves who insisted..


9 posted on 08/25/2007 11:56:19 PM PDT by Experiment 6-2-6 (Admn Mods: tiny, malicious things that glare and gibber from dark corners.They have pins and dolls..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: combat_boots

that’s beautiful, stern too.


10 posted on 08/26/2007 12:10:57 AM PDT by fishhound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

I’ve heard of a lot of father/son over there plus a mom or two ...


11 posted on 08/26/2007 7:27:36 AM PDT by SkyDancer ("There is no distinctly Native American criminal class...save Congress - Mark Twain")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Experiment 6-2-6

A real tear jerker of a movie ... dad brought it home from the library one day and we all watched it ....


12 posted on 08/26/2007 7:28:43 AM PDT by SkyDancer ("There is no distinctly Native American criminal class...save Congress - Mark Twain")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

I may be wrong but I thought the sole survivor rule was volunteer based. You can elect to stay but are allowed to depart if you want too . Not a mandatory.

Anyone know current SOP for DOD ?

Prayers to families that suffer such loses.


13 posted on 08/26/2007 7:37:24 AM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson