On April 15, PFC Richard A. Dewater, 21, of Topeka, Kansas lost his life in an ambush by the Taliban while on patrol in the village of Aliabad, Afghanistan. The New York Times happened to have a photographer embedded with the platoon and captured the moments leading up to, during and after the ambush in this photo essay, "An Ambush and a Comrade Lost," as reflected on by members of PFC Dewater’s platoon. The first image is that of PFC Dewater, taken just before he lost his life in service to his country. The account of the attack and the solemn task of retrieving PFC Dewater so that he could begin his journey home is here. Please join me in honoring the service and sacrifice of PFC Dewater and his family.
If you are new to the IGTNT diaries, thank you for coming to pay your respects. IGTNT stands for "I Got the News Today." The phrase is meant to symbolize that terrible knock on the door that any number of families got today, bringing with it the news that a loved one has died. IGTNT is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members honored here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
PFC Richard A. Dewater, 21, of Topeka, Kansas
From the DoD:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. PFC Richard A. Dewater, 21, of Topeka, Kan., died April 15, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device, while on a dismounted patrol near Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
PFC Dewater deployed to Afghanistan on July 27 after having gotten married to his wife Valerie in June. WIBW (click on Fallen Hero video) interviewed his family this week. PFC Dewater was "convinced he would go to Afghanistan and change the world." His stepsister Megan Westbrook reflected: "He was the most positive, good honest person I ever knew." When Rick’s father got a phone call from Rick’s mother with the news he was devastated. "My world just collapsed," he told the WIBW reporter. Bob Dewater recalled that when PFC Dewater told him he was going to become a soldier by saying "I think I’m ready now," he said to his son: "Son – you are the bomb. You are the ultimate. I have nothing but pride and respect for him..." From the Topeka Capital Journal:
Ryan Burge, 23, of Topeka, said he and Dewater were friends from North Topeka and used to play paintball together. "We just heard the news," Burge said Sunday evening. "It’s still real soon for us. Rick was a pretty cool guy. He was the best guy, for real." Burge said some of Dewater’s friends were planning to get together Sunday night to remember the fallen soldier. A photo showing Dewater’s flag-draped coffin arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware was moved by The Associated Press late Saturday. The photo’s release was made possible by a change in policy at the Pentagon, which in February reversed a ban against such photos. Under the new policy, families of fallen soldiers would be able to decide whether photos of their loved one’s flag-draped caskets could be taken and distributed.
PFC Dewater’s mother-in-law lovingly honored her son-in-law in the comments that accompanied the article:
Rick was and always will be a hero to my daughter, his wife. He was a hero in her eyes long before he ever enlisted to serve our country. He was the prince charming all little girls dream of meeting from their early childhood. He proved to be a wonderful husband and ideal son in-law. The entire family is devastated over this tragedy, but his wife, Valerie, will suffer the loss of a soul mate, lover, and best friend. Thank you all for your prayers and warm words of support. Proud Mother In-Law
PFC’s MySpace page has become a memorial to him with friends and family seeking solace in their memories of their fallen friend.
In memory and in honor of PFC "Rick" Dewater. May you rest in peace. Your mission is complete.REMEMBER THEM WELL
Remember our troops- those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those who are still in harm’s way and those who have returned home:
In Remembrance Please take a moment to honor the memories of our fallen service men and women who have passed through this world much too quickly. You can view the stories and remembrances of these heroes at sites such as Iraq Veterans Memorial and Honor the Fallen.
Supporting the Troops If you haven’t had a chance to put together a care package for a unit in Iraq or Afghanistan - it’s such a good feeling to know you are sending our troops things they really need. I’m not talking about the comforts of home – it’s necessities like socks and underwear and soup packets and feminine hygiene products and paper and pens...and school supplies, treats and trinkets they can pass out to the Iraqi and Afghan children. Basic things that they are so thrilled to receive. There are a few ways to do this. You can go through troopcarepackage.com or anysoldier.com. If you go to the anysolider site click on WhereToSend for a searchable database. For example if you search "By Latest Email" you’ll see the troops who most recently have submitted a request for specific items. You then request their mailing address. Operation Helmet is another great organization whose mission is to provide helmet upgrades.
Supporting Our Veterans We have a solemn duty to ensure that our veterans are properly cared for. Consider visiting sites such as StandUp4Vets.org, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Welcome Back Veterans.org and Fisher House to see where your help is needed. Other ways to help can be found in this diary.
The Department of Defense has confirmed 4,273 deaths and 1 more pending notification of his/her next of kin while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. 679 American troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
About the IGTNT series:
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.