Capsules of Pa. National Guardsmen killed in Iraq (one is 19 yrs old)

[uppityperson]

Details on Pennsylvania National Guardsmen killed in Iraq on Tuesday:

Gennaro Pellegrini Jr.31- Just weeks before he left to train for service in Iraq, Gennaro Pellegrini Jr. fulfilled a dream by winning his first professional boxing match with a fourth-round knockout at the famous Blue Horizon boxing arena.

Pellegrini's pro debut in May 2004 received local media attention, partly because was a police officer and partly because he would be leaving to train for Iraq shortly afterward. In those reports, Pellegrini conceded being "mad" about his service being extended through the military's stop-loss program; he had been two weeks away from completing his guard service.

John Kulick 35- Whitpain Township Fire Marshal David M. Camarda learned of 35-year-old John Kulick's death early Wednesday. Kulick was the township's assistant fire marshal and worked in the department for seven years.

Nathaniel DeTample 19- Nathaniel "Nate" DeTample, 19, of Falls Township, was the son of Lower Makefield Township Detective Glenn DeTample, said Lower Makefield's Police Chief Kenneth Coluzzi, who spoke on behalf of the family on Wednesday. "He was loved by all the police officers. He was a good, good boy," Coluzzi said.

more @ link. 19 years old.
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/local/12350817.htm

[Dogmudgeon]

1. John Kulick was a family friend

I didn't know him all that well. He was the nephew of a friend of my Mother's.

There's nothing more I can add that doesn't involve expletives.

--p!

[uppityperson]

5. Aw dang, so sorry.

expletives are well understood. sorry for the family and friends and this occupation is affecting more and more of us.

[wisteria]

2. "He was a good, good boy".

This is so tragic, he didn't even get the time to fully grow up and experience life. Nineteen is to young to die. And the others, so very sad, young men with promising futures-all gone now.

[OKNancy]

3. So sad

Just when I think I'm getting numb something tears at my heart like this.:cry:

[sintax]

4. Pa. soldiers suffer deadliest day in Iraq

Pa. Soldiers Suffer Deadliest Day in Iraq

Thursday August 11, 2005 3:01 AM

By KATHY MATHESON

Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Pennsylvania is mourning the deaths of seven National Guard soldiers killed in Iraq in less than four days, including five slain during the deadliest day of the war for the state's soldiers, the governor announced Wednesday.

``It brings home the crushing reality of this war,'' Gov. Ed Rendell said at a Capitol news conference.

The five killed Tuesday include Gennaro Pellegrini Jr., a 31-year-old Philadelphia police officer; John Kulick, a 35-year-old firefighter from Montgomery County; and Nathaniel DeTample, the 19-year-old son of a Bucks County detective.

The National Guard declined to say Wednesday how or when the three died, or to confirm the deaths of the two other soldiers Rendell was counting. Two additional Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers were killed Saturday in Iraq.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5202565,00.html

[uppityperson]

6. The number just changed to 1844

It was 1843 when I posted this topic. It changes as I watch. fuck.http://icasualties.org/oif/

[jurassicpork]

7. I read this on Daily Kos.

The reason why we're more upset about this than the conservative bloggers?

The troops are worth something to them until they're dead. Then their coffins are hastily buried and never photographed. It's obvious that they support the war not the troops. With liberals, it's the other way around. We cares about their loved ones, even though many conservative, obviously, also have loved ones in Iraq. But we can extend our passion, our empathy. Their passion extends only as far as their rigid, circumscribed ideology.

But you don't need me to tell you all that this policeman's death is an outrage. The stop-loss clause is the most abominable atrocity in the military today, something rarely invoked before this war on terror. In fact, I read a report recently that the newest scam on servicemen approaching their DEROS is that they're presented with two options: Re-enlist and get that fat re-up bonus (our armed forces in Iraq are at this point basically money-driven mercenaries) or not re-enlist, get stop-lossed and get nothing.

America. What a fucking country.

JP
http://jurassicpork.blogspot.com

[Historic NY]

8. * is not just killing soldiers, he is killing off parts of communities....

A cop, a fireman and a boy.......the National guard should never be there, its meant to defend the homefront & the state. Its not right.....:mad:....were not only losing soldiers but people we depend upon to serve our cities, towns & villages.