The Soldier I wrote about this morning...

[frogcycle]

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/wheatonsun/news/249114,6_1_NA09_SOLDIER_S1.article

"The military-issued lights that illuminated Kevin Landeck's way through night raids in Iraq left much to be desired. So the 26-year-old first lieutenant called his parents in Wheaton and asked them to send him a weapons light whose beams would help him navigate through dark buildings.

Since the light cost $400, Paul Jepsen, an Oak Park firefighter, collected donations for the instrument, which was delivered to Kevin Landeck last week.
But the soldier never got a chance to use the light. He was killed instantly Feb. 2 when an IED exploded near a Humvee in which he was riding, his family learned that evening.
...



"As Rich Landeck recalled that last time he spoke with his son, he shook his head over the fact that Kevin had to ask him for an adequate light.

"We shouldn't have to take up a collection," he said. "There is no question that (the military) should have the biggest and best of everything."

Kevin had served as an infantry platoon leader since he was sent to Iraq six months ago.

During the online conversation, Rich asked Kevin for a front-lines perspective on the effectiveness of President Bush's highly debated and controversial 21,500 troop surge.

Kevin replied that sending more troops to Iraq is useless since the operation's success is dependant on the help of the Iraqis.

"He went off on me like a rocket ... he had to vent," Rich recalled. "He said their hands are tied. He said it doesn't matter how many troops they send here, they're still going to get cut to pieces unless the Iraqis start cooperating."

[frogcycle]

1. I drove by the funeral home

shortly after his body was escorted there by the Patriot Guards. The last of the bikers were just leaving.

Both of my daughters attended the same high school he did. The cemetery has been closed for years to new (customers?) - someone donated the plot.

[judaspriestess]

2. RIP brother

I hope his parents take to the cause of exposing what his son was going through. My condolences.

[brokensymmetry]

3. Condolences. K&R. n/t.

Sometimes, there just aren't any words. This is one of those times.

[babylonsister]

4. What a bloody waste, every last one of them, soldiers and Iraqis.

And for what?:cry:
Speaking of equipment shortages, I hope Murtha saw this article.

[frogcycle]

5. good point

His name was only released 2 days ago - this interview had to be done just yesterday. I'll send it to Murtha, and everyone else I can think of (Olbermann, of course). It should get picked up by AP, if anyone in the newsmedia had an ounce of courage and/or responsibility.

This paper, by the way, is a very conservative suburban paper in a very republican affluent region (I'm neither of those). This paper endorsed Roskam over Tammy Duckworth. The tide continues to turn, perhaps.

[bdamomma]

6. oh, god this has been going on long enough, they want us out

and these soldiers have been saying that for a long time. And the equipment has probably had it, all the wear and tear, sending more troops into a war without equipment is putting these young people into a meat grinder is right, not enough equipment and not enough training, and all I see is Cheney and Bush smirking away, I would love to smack the those smirks off their faces.

[Nikki Stone1]

9. You're right on babylon sister

:kick:

[frogcycle]

13. I tried to email Murtha

his website only accepts email from constituents - gives you a link to go find your own congresscritter. Mine, of course, is Denny Hastert, so i won't be wasting my breath there.

I did send the link to Olbermann. They could send Lisa Myers to talk to a few guys like this and get a good (bad) story.

I'd be willing to bet that of the 140,000 plus over there, you could not find a half dozen still thinking it is worthwhile. It's a damned killing field.

There have been quite a few fatalities lately from vehicle rollovers. Olbermann did a piece last week showing how they are taught to drive to run the gauntlet from one place to another. Pretty much like maniacs - weaving in and out, wrong side of road, up over curbs - anything to avoid slowing down long enough to be a target. So now we are getting an increase in fatalities from vehicle accidents. I have to think that rolling a humvee would not be all that hazardous to occupants at moderate speeds - if the roof doesn't collapse, you might get tossed about, but not killed. So they must be rolling them at really high speed. One died when the humvee flipped into a ditch and he was under water ten min. He lived but had severe brain damage, died in hospital in germany.

There is so, so much about this thing that We The People don't know, and yet we are paying for it, in dollars and lives, and in our county's honor.

[GCP]

7. FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH

FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH FUCKBUSH

IF THERE IS SUCH A PLACE AS HELL, HE'S GOING THERE FOR ALL ETERNITY.

[Midlodemocrat]

8. How much longer? How many more have to die for this lie?

So, incredibly heartbreaking.

[riderinthestorm]

10. My daughter knows this family, went to school with them.

It's just so sad....

This is actually pretty amazing that it ran, without spin, in the Wheaton Sun though - this town is very, very, very red.

Another Dem in Wheaton - wowza! :hi:

[frogcycle]

15. I have to wonder what the scumbag Peter Roskam

whose campaign against Tammy Duckworth included recitation of the then-popular phrases "stay the course" and "cut and run" has to say about this. He lives less than a mile from this family. Would he accuse this father of "emboldening the enemy" (today's pug catchphrase) for mentioning these comments?
He did backpedal over the "cut and run" phrase as applied to Tammy, since her legs were blown off in Iraq when her helicopter was shot. Tried to say he didn't mean her specifically, just dems in general, or some such weasely crap. He still won.

That otherwise seemingly sentient human beings can select a creep like him as their representative - grrrr - don't get me started. He had an "R" by his name on the ballot, so they picked him. Because their daddy was an "R" and their grandaddy was an "R".

Anyway, yes, I am one of the small minority in Wheaton - in all DuPage cty for that matter, who don't subscribe to the gospel according to st george.

[Tinksrival]

18. You guys are not alone,

Add another Dupage DUer to the list.

Naperville here! Hi neighbor......:hi:

[riderinthestorm]

22. Hi neighbor!

I'm right on the Naperville/Wheaton line - in fact, my addy has been a Naperville address before....

:hi:

[frogcycle]

27. and hi back

I drove thru the neighborhood enroute to Ace hardware this afternoon - a lot of flags flying. One house - not real close to them, but in the area, has a big "Support George W Bush and our troops" sign in the window.

When, when, WHEN are people going to understand that is an oxymoron? That worn out demagoguery from a couple of years ago rings SO hollow now. I am just stricken by this death, and the twenty three that have occurred since, and the 3094 that occurred before. The revelations coming out daily that validate what we all suspected from the beginning are overwhelming. And yet here is someone presumably with a decent IQ and education (the house is probably well over a mil) still posting that obscene sign.

An article in the Tribune describes yet another anecdote from this same young man describing the no-win situation they are in.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0702070010feb07,1,4153758.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

"Four days after his son's death, Richard Landeck Tuesday found himself reflecting on phone calls and text messages exchanged with a son fighting half a world away.

"Landeck struggled with the dark thought that his son, Kevin, was sent to Iraq under rules of engagement that kept him from effectively fighting the enemy.
"He told me, `We go down the road in our Humvees, and there are roadside bombs going off all around us,'" Richard Landeck said from his Wheaton home. "He said, `Dad, quite honestly, we're scared. What I wanted to do is to scare them ... Since we own the night with our night vision goggles, I wanted to take a few of our guys, go out at night and watch and see who's planting these bombs, and take them out. The military denied me permission to do that. Why are they doing that?'"

" I said, `I can't answer that, Kevin. I don't know.'"



There is also another Daily Herald article:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story.asp?id=278200


This month projects to be the third-highest ever, making three of the past five months rank nos. 3, 4, and 5. The average for the past four months is nearly double that for the four months ending a year ago.

http://www.dbc3.com/Fallen/Fatalities.htm

[riderinthestorm]

21. I worked on the Duckworth campaign. Roskam is despicable

(and yes, he directed that comment at Tammy).

I didn't realize Pete lived that close to the Landecks.... Do you think he or his family give a shit? I just can't imagine the pain for the Landeck family and Bethany, the wife....
:cry:

[frogcycle]

26. ok, it is 1.7 miles

I actually found two Peter Roskam's in Wheaton - one farther east, so maybe I got the wrong one. But if this is correct, Roskam is the "start". You and I are just barely off this map, the the south and west, respectively

[Glimmer of Hope]

11. "He said their hands are tied. ...

He said it doesn't matter how many troops they send here, they're still going to get cut to pieces unless the Iraqis start cooperating."

Is anyone listening? rip Kevin.

[Beaverhausen]

12. Honestly- why are we letting this go on?

I wonder every day...what aren't we in the steets EVERY DAY- why aren't we storming the White House?

I know...I'm not doing it either...but what will it finally take for us to say enough is enough.

GET THEM OUT

[uppityperson]

14. k&r and dammitall

[RamboLiberal]

16. K&R - Thanks for posting this story

Doesn't surprise me that they gave these soldiers inadequate weapon's lights. I'd be curious if the Pentagon bought inadequate lights at an inflated price well over $400.

IMHO it's going to be the drip, drip, drip, of stories like this appearing in local newspapers and TV stations that are going to turn all but the biggest koolaid drinkers against all the damn Repukes.

[frogcycle]

19. agreed - and I am trying to do my part to keep the drip audible...

[frogcycle]

20. So, I wonder if these guys needed better lights to search this building...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070210-08
Feb. 10, 2007

Building explodes in Diyala
Multi-National Division – North PAO

BAQUBA, Iraq – Coalition Forces from Task Force Lightning were searching for a cache and clearing a building in Diyala province when an explosion occurred in the building.

Three Soldiers were killed and four were wounded as a result of the explosion Friday.

The wounded were taken to a CF medical facility for treatment.

The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense.

[Straight Shooter]

17. I can look at his face and see what he looked like when he was 10 years old.

16 years ago, and that's probably about the time the neocons began incubating their plans, setting the wheels in motion, little by little, at first with idealistic aims which then turned into a malicious agenda.

Kevin was a normal everyday kid, probably a bit mischievous, with a twinkle in his eye, and had no idea, nor did his parents, that his death warrant was being filled in little by little by men with grandiose dreams of power and control and money.

RIP, Kevin. You were betrayed by your "leaders."

[yellerpup]

23. "There is no question that (the military) should have the biggest and best of everything."

How is it that $2-3Billion a month can't get these brave troops what they need?

[frogcycle]

28. It has to pay the $30M bonuses for Halliburton and Blackwell CEO's first

[yellerpup]

30. Stop it, stop it, stop it.

This can't go on. :mad: :nuke: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[midnight]

24. We need to have oversite in the type of equipment that is

needed. We need family's to receive that right to do oversight, and not some corporation. Their needs to be citizen oversight at every level and in every department.

[cmd]

25. Hard to type with teary eyes

My thoughts are with his family. My curses are on Bush.

[frogcycle]

29. They are all our kids

This young man was nineteen. It sounds like he was a great kid - one you'd love to have known, love to have been able to encourage and support in his ambition to be a chemical engineer. His life was very different from Kevin Landeck's, and yet the story is very much the same. A good, promising, much-loved kid blown away because he was somewhere we had no business sending him. Details are sketchy, but Tarryl was a cook, did not expect to be in combat. Chances are he was just trying to get from one place to another, and was picked off like one of the targets in a shooting gallery.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MI_IRAQ_MICH_HILL_MIOL-?SITE=MIDTF&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT



Detroit-area Marine killed in Iraq wanted to be chemical engineer

By KRISTIN LONGLEY
Associated Press Writer
Advertisement

DETROIT (AP) -- A 19-year-old Marine from Macomb County who joined the military to become a chemical engineer has died in Iraq, relatives said Friday.

Pfc. Tarryl Hill was killed Wednesday in Fallujah when his vehicle rode over a bomb, said his aunt, Felicia Hill.

The Pentagon had not officially announced the Marine's death as of Friday evening. Hill said military officials notified the family about 10 p.m. Wednesday that Tarryl Hill died instantly.

"He was one of the best of us," Felicia Hill said, through tears. "It's been really hard on all of us."

Tarryl Hill, a 2005 graduate of Southfield-Lathrup High School in Lathrup Village, was raised by his grandparents in Shelby Township.

He joined the Marines to pay for college, where he wanted to study engineering, said his grandfather, George Hill, whom Tarryl Hill referred to as his father.

"He was proud to be a Marine," he said.

After entering the military as a cook in April 2006, he started to develop an interest in culinary arts.

"He was interested in a lot of things. He was smart," Felicia Hill said. "He never expected to be out on the front lines, and he liked to do everything he could."

His family said Tarryl Hill was very athletic, and loved to play all sports from basketball to darts and regularly assisted with the youth program at his church.

His grandfather last spoke to Tarryl Hill by phone Jan. 31.

"He said, `I'm praying seven times a day, and I'm reading my Bible 10 times a day,'" George Hill said.

The Marine also told his family he had written them a letter. "I haven't received it as of yet," George Hill said. "It will take weeks to get here - longer than his body. I don't know whether I'll be able to open it when I get it."

Tarryl Hill's other survivors include his grandparents, mother, two younger sisters and two younger brothers.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.



http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070210/METRO/702100354

Another aunt, Kim Sifuentes, described Hill as someone who loved the challenge of taking things apart and putting them back together. And he put his skill to use helping others.

"He just had the most pure heart," Sifuentes said. "He would do anything for anybody."

Sylvia Kaub was one of those who benefited from Hill's generous nature.

"When the snow plows would come through and block us in, he would come out and dig us out without even being asked," said Kaub, who lives next door.

Phil Nicholls' 20-year-old daughter befriended Hill a few years ago.

"You always want your kids to be around good influences," Nicholls said. "And Tarryl was that."

[ShortnFiery]

31. What a waste! ... tragic

RIP Kevin Landeck. :cry: :(

Edited to include Tarryl Hill ... our thoughts and prayers are with these young men and their families ... may they be comforted in this time of tragedy.

[frogcycle]

32. I stopped by the funeral home this afternoon

not to go in - but to see if maybe I could get coffee or something for the Patriot Guards. They didn't want anything - I get the impression that is part of their protocol - when they are "on duty" they stay on duty. They were lined up on both side of the entrance, holding flags. Just providing an honor guard. The wackos don't have this one on their list, so that is all it was. I got a flag and joined them for an hour or so. I encourage any DUer to do the same if the situation arises in your area. It is not only an opportunity to pay your respects to the family and friends of the fallen soldier, but, frankly, it is an opportunity to maybe do a little bit to bridge the polarization in this country. Talking with the guys alongside me, I did not get on my soapbox, but I certainly made known my opinion of this war and the deceit and duplicity of our government that is causing these tragic deaths. One of them got a little opinionated - took some shots at "Jihad Jane" (I had not heard that appellation before), "long-haired creeps" in the recent march in Washington as being nonsupportive of the troops. I didn't take him on over that, but I told about the "old vet" whose pictures we saw here. I just said that vet was clearly out there not to grandstand and get on TV but because he wanted our kids out of harms way in an ill-conceived and mishandled war. He actually backed off his hardnosed position and said something generally in agreement - then criticized the press for covering nothing but the celebs - said "I would have liked to have seen an interview of him." So in large part we agreed to disagree but did establish a common ground. After all, we WERE standing shoulder to shoulder in 20 degree weather holding American flags in honor of a fallen soldier. So maybe, just maybe, a seed was planted...