DOD ANNOUNCES NAMES OF SERVICEMEMBERS KILLED

DefenseLink ^ | 10/21/01 | n/a

[2Jedismom]

No. 530-10
October 21, 2001

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOD ANNOUNCES NAMES OF SERVICEMEMBERS KILLED IN HELICOPTER ACCIDENT

The Department of Defense announced today the names of two servicemembers killed in Friday's helicopter crash in Pakistan. Killed were Spc. Jonn J. Edmunds, 20, of Cheyenne, Wyo. and Pfc. Kristofor T. Stonesifer, 28, of Missoula, Mont.

The two Army Rangers were passengers in a Blackhawk helicopter that crashed while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Hostile fire has been ruled out as a cause of the crash, which remains under investigation.

Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered his condolences to the families of those killed.

"They and all who are participating in Operation Enduring Freedom are heroes. They put their lives on the line on behalf of freedom and on behalf of America, and they do it each and every day. I'm so very proud of them and their comrades in arms," he said.

"As the president has said," added Myers, "they did not die in vain."

[blam]

God bless these American warriors.

[Professional]

Fatherland, Motherland, Homeland. It is exactly why I used the word. Nationalism. About time this country valued itself above the United Nations, Somalia, Haiti, etc................

[Ozymandias Ghost]

I wonder why "hostile fire" was so quickly ruled out given that CBS reported a similar craft came under fire today in Pakistani airspace? (Pentagon confirmed according to a thread here on FR.)

[Joe 6-pack]

Their unit 1SG will have a roll call. Their names will be called. They will not answer.

God bless you, Rangers...

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Thank you..

[FrogMom]

Their unit 1SG will have a roll call. Their names will be called. They will not answer.

"Last Roll Call" always makes me cry, it's an incredibly touching tradition. And then they play Taps and EVERYONE cries.

[arm958]

I'm curious about the pilots and their experience. This type of accident is too easy to avoid

In hindsight, they are all avoidable. However, I'm giving the pilots the benefit of the doubt, since they didn't have the benefit of your 20-20 hindsight. I've never flown a chopper, and certainly not at night, with the dust blowing, in some God forsaken land. Don't be too quick to judge.

[Semper911]

Spc. Jonn J. Edmunds, 20, of Cheyenne, Wyo.

Pfc. Kristofor T. Stonesifer, 28, of Missoula, Mont.

Thank you for volunteering to defend and protect our country. We will not forget you.

[joey'smom]

"These are two of America's best..." Rest in peace, God bless your families.

[anymouse]

May their families find comfort in knowing that these fine soldiers gave their lives in combat defending freedom. Our condolences go out to them.

[Illbay]

Until we face up to the fact that the "integrated military" has been a dismal, social-engineering failure, the p.c. will continue. I agree with your sentiments exactly.

[Gimme]

God Bless them.

[JAWs]

Or Airmen and Coastgaurdsmen.

[tillacum]

We weren't there, so let's not ask,"what happened". It happened, whether it was easy "not to" or whatever.

[World'sGoneInsane]

God Bless the servicemen, and their families, who died defending our freedom and the ideals of America.

[Neets]

God Bless and keep these warfighters.

[Mrs. P]

Soldiers, army guys, Marines, what ever they serve as, they FIRST were some woman's baby boy.

[EuroFrog]

You think FrogMom doesnt know that? Her husband and son are both veterans with proud military careers that covers three of our services. Her son-in-law is currently in the military. She and her husband work with the military every day on a military base. Get your flag out of her nose, hers is bigger than yours.

[Recon by Fire]

I was in the army for over 20 years and it is insulting for you to call me a warfighter.

Most everyone that I know prefers to be called whatever your particular service branch calls you.

If I am in the army call me a soldier, because that is what I am.