This week marks the fifth anniversary of the IGTNT tributes begun by diarist i dunno. In IGTNT diaries we aren’t Democrats, Republicans or members of any other political party. We’re citizens, bearing solemn witness and paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of fallen service personnel and their families.
This past Sunday night the body of Airman Staff Sgt. Phillip Myers, 30, of Hopewell, VA, an Air Force explosive ordnance disposal craftsman who died saving the lives of others in Afghanistan, arrived at Dover Air Force Base. The world was watching, as for the first time in 18 years, the media was allowed to cover the return of our nation’s war dead – with the permission of SSgt. Myers’ wife Aimee and family.
Please join me in welcoming home an American hero who served in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan. May we honor his memory and sacrifice as we mourn alongside his family, friends, community and unit.
Staff Sgt. Phillip A Myers, 30, of Hopewell, VA and Lakenheath, UK From the DoD:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Myers, 30, of Hopewell Va, died April 4 near Helmand province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
SSgt Phillip Myers’ family was the first to be asked under a new Pentagon policy whether it wished to have media coverage of the arrival of their loved one at the Dover AFB mortuary, the entry point for service members killed overseas. SSgt Myers’ wife, Aimee, who would be flying from their home in Lakenheath, UK to attend the solemn ceremony with other family members, consented. You can see the care and honor with which SSgt Myers was brought back to his native soil here (begins with Defense Secretary Gates informing us of the lifting of the ban): According to the Richmond Times Dispatch, SSgt Myers’ mother, Treasa Hamilton of Polkton, NC, said she is glad news media coverage will allow Americans to see how respectfully the military honors its dead.
Myers' mother, Treasa Hamilton of Polkton, N.C., said yesterday that such media coverage will allow Americans to visualize better what is happening overseas. "They hear 30 people killed in Iraq -- they've gotten used to it," Hamilton said. "This brings it back to the forefront. They can actually see the soldiers coming home." Myers' wife, Aimee Myers, permitted the coverage because her husband believed in his role overseas and would want the public to witness the dignity with which the war dead are returned home, Hamilton said. Aimee Myers was unavailable for comment. "It was all very well done," Hamilton said of Sunday evening's ceremony in Dover. "It was very respectful."
In addition to being husband to wife Aimee, SSgt Myers, was father to 5 year old Dakotah and 2 year old Kaiden. SSgt Myers had been scheduled to leave Afghanistan in mid-May and would have been moved to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, according to his mother. SSgt Myers’ mother also told the Times Dispatch that her son was a member of an explosive ordnance disposal team, and part of his job was to disarm improvised explosive devices.
"It took a lot of courage and nerves of steel, because he was constantly handling explosives and on the lookout for explosives," Hamilton said. She said Myers had served in Iraq and Kuwait, as well as in Afghanistan, and that he had conducted bomb sweeps in Washington to protect then-President George W. Bush. Myers attended Hopewell High School and joined the Air Force in 1999, Hamilton said. Relatives described him as a dedicated military man who believed he was protecting his friends, his family and his country.
According to EADT24 SSgt Myers was named the Air Force Civil Engineering Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year in the Royal Air Force at Lakenheath, UK, where he was based.
In a statement to base personnel today, Col Jay Silveria, commander of the 48th Fighter Wing, said: "It is with great sadness that I inform you of the loss of a talented Liberty Wing airman. "Sgt Myers was an exceptional NCO, dedicated warrior and valued patriot who died in an effort to protect his comrades. His family, squadron wingmen here and in Afghanistan, and countless friends in the United Kingdom and across the United States Air Force will mourn his death."
He was also a Bronze Star recipient. In this March 19, 2008 photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, Lt. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr., then 3rd Air Force commander, left, presents Staff Sgt. Phillip Myers, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, with a Bronze Star medal during an Airmens Call at RAF Lakenheath, England.
~Source
This slide show is about SSgt Myers and the care with which the military honors its fallen, with narration by Reed Williams of the Richmond Times Dispatch.
Also, the Frick and Frack radio program which airs on WHAP in Hopewell, VA remembered their high school classmate in this tribute.
In addition to his wife, children and mother, SSgt Myers is survived by his wife and children, as well as his mother, father, brother and stepfather, grandparents and many other relatives, friends and his unit.
A ceremony to honor SSgt Myers is reported to have taken place today in England. The town of Hopewell, VA would also like to honor him if his family wishes it. He will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery per his request on April 27.
Rest in eternal peace, SSgt Phillip A. Myers. 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 4,265 deaths and 1 more pending notification of his/her next of kin while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. 676 American troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
About the IGTNT series:
|
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.