I'm away with family for Father's Day and a little break from all the work that's still going on around this story.
Ever since I got back from Afghanistan, I've been scanning the headlines for the story I hoped I wouldn't see. I saw it today.
From the Tribune:
Two Illinois soldiers have died in Afghanistan after their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Kandahar, according to the Illinois Army National Guard.
Twenty-six-year-old Staff Sgt. Joshua Melton of Germantown and 43-year-old Sgt. Paul Smith of East Peoria died Friday, according to the national guard. Two other soldiers in the vehicle were injured.
It was Melton's second deployment after serving with Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2006. He graduated from Central Community High School in Breese in 2001 and enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in November 2000.
Melton was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry based in Marion.
Smith was with Troop C, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry based in Aurora.
Both soldiers had been in Afghanistan since October.
"Staff Sgt. Melton and Sgt. Smith were true patriots, answering the call to duty and supporting their fellow Soldiers during multiple deployments," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard. "They are remarkable, devoted Soldiers who will always be our heroes."
No funeral arrangements have been announced.
First, thank you for all the work you did in Afghanistan, reporting on our loved ones over there, while you, yourself, left your loved ones at home and took the time to show us all a glimpse of what is happening over there. I was so delighted to see my son's face on camera when Genl. Huber was addressing them. I look forward to your half hour special. My prayers are with the families who just lost these two young men in your latest report. Thank you for acknowledging these heroes by name. I am afraid to even ask my son if he knew them. Patrick is still there but is preparing to come home soon! He leaves Ghazni on July 6th. Perhaps you already know, but just in case you don't, there is going to be a big welcome home down Michigan Ave. and ending in Soldier Field sometime the first two weeks in August. We were just notified this week, and we cannot wait to welcome home not only our son, but all these heroic soldiers. Many thanks! ~ Mrs. O'Grady