Three items in the local news today about Iraq

[TayTay]

SOLDIER KILLED

Marine from Tyngsboro dies in Iraq

TYNGSBORO, Mass. (AP) _ A Marine from Tyngsboro dies in Iraq.

The Department of Defense says 23-year-old Corporal Paul King was killed Sunday during combat operations in the Al Anbar province.

King was assigned to the Marine’s first reserve battalion, 25th regiment, 4th division, based in Ayer.

The military announced King’s death yesterday.

He enlisted in the military after graduating from Lowell Vocation-Technical High School, and volunteered to return for a second tour of duty in Iraq.

He married his high school sweetheart, who had grown up in the same neighborhood, three years ago.
King’s parents, Paul and Julie King, says it was devastating to get the news of his death from the Marine representatives who came to their home.

At least 39 Massachusetts servicemen have been killed in Iraq since the war began.

SOLDIER’S FUNERAL

Soldier killed in Iraq to be buried in Virginia

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) _ Army Specialist David Babineau (BAB’-en-noh) of Springfield is to be buried today at a private ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Babineau was killed in action on June 16th by Iraqi insurgents at a checkpoint south of Baghdad. Two others also were killed.

The 25-year-old Babineau was the married father of three young children.

Besides his family, those attending will include Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan, congressman Richard Neal and senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry.

A memorial service also will be held Saturday morning at the American Legion in Springfield.

MARINE CHARGED

Marine goes on trial for injuring two in shotgun blast

SALEM, Mass. (AP) _ Testimony continues today in the case of an Iraq war veteran accused of firing a shot into a crowd of late-night revelers in Lawrence.

Attorney Robert Lewin says Marine Sergeant Daniel Cotnoir feared for his family’s safety after someone threw a bottle threw his second-floor window, which overlooks the parking lot.

Cotnoir (COT’-nu-wah) -- who was once named Marine of the Year—is charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Two people leaving local nightclubs were wounded last August when Cotnoir fired a 12-gauge shotgun from his apartment window.

Shooting victim Kelvin Castillo says it was he and his family who were put in fear. Castillo was shot in the leg.



John Kery congratulates 'Marine of the Year' Daniel Cotnoir in July of 2005.

[beachmom]

1. And from Virginia . . .

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=106684&ran=197837

Fallen soldier loved diaper duty, widow recalls



Army Staff Sgt. Mario J. Bievre, who was killed in Iraq on Friday, holds newborn daughter Adrianna while on leave in Hampton Roads in February. COURTESY OF THE BIEVRE FAMILY


By KATE WILTROUT , The Virginian-Pilot
© June 27, 2006



VIRGINIA BEACH - Next week, Angela Bievre would have celebrated her second wedding anniversary. Instead, the young mother is planning her husband's funeral.

Army Staff Sgt. Mario J. Bievre , 34 , died Friday near Baghdad when a homemade bomb exploded near the Humvee he was riding in. The blast also killed Pfc. Paul Beyer of North Dakota. Both were members of the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division .

"He was everything you'd want," Angela Bievre said Monday. "He always made sure my needs were taken care of first."

A soldier for eight years, Mario Bievre was no stranger to combat. He'd finished a tour in Iraq shortly before the couple met in 2003 and had also served in Afghanistan and Bosnia, she said.

Though he was stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and she lived in Virginia Beach, romance blossomed.



The picture of the soldier is important, but I honestly have no idea how to put a picture up. Anyone who can do that, please do, because it's a picture of him with his newborn, showing in a very intimate way what a loss this is.

[TayTay]

2. Staff Sgt. Mario Bievre

God be with his family and friends.

[beachmom]

3. Thanks, Tay Tay.

Regarding the 3rd story you posted, that one is the most heartbreaking of all. Even though that Marine still has his life, he lost his innocence and a sense of normalcy in Iraq. How many more stories like his are we going to hear about, especially in such a troubling counterinsurgency war which is going to lead to a LOT of PTSD cases?

[TayTay]

4. I agree Beachmom

That picture with the Sen was taken about 3-4 weeks before the shooting incident. This poor man has been abandoned by his country at his moment of need. Sigh!