Comments for The War Comes Home to Fort Leavenworth.

The War Comes Home to Fort Leavenworth.

2006-11-18T05:56:37Z

This post will be up top all day. New stuff comes in below.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 1171-06 November 17, 2006
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DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Nov. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations.

Killed were:

Col. Thomas H. Felts Sr., 45, of Sandston, Va. He was assigned to the Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Spc. Justin R. Garcia, 26, of Elmhurst, N.Y. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

FROM THE CAC COMMAND:
Flags on Fort Leavenworth will be flown at half-staff on Friday, 17 November in honor of Colonel Thomas H. Felts, who was killed in Iraq on 14 November. COL Felts was assigned to Fort Leavenworth in the School of Advanced Military Studies. He had been in Iraq since January 2006 and was attached to 1-6 MITT, 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry Division. There will be a Memorial Service Friday, 17 November from 1100 to 1200 hours in the Main Post Chapel. COL Felts' family welcomes the Fort Leavenworth community, a reception will follow.

FROM THE FAMILY OF COL FELTS:

The family of Thomas H. Felts, Colonel, United States Army, would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the many friends and loved ones who have shown so much support to them in their time of loss.

Colonel Felts dedicated his life to the service of God, family and country. He made a huge difference in the lives of all those he touched. He demonstrated that conviction by volunteering for the post in Iraq. He knew the dangers of being in harm's way. Yet, he remained committed to securing the future of our own children by defeating forces of hatred and violence and showing people what is possible if they embrace tolerance and peace. He laid down his life as he lived it, in the name of Love.

Colonel Felts' funeral and burial will be in Virginia. Please refrain from contacting the Fort Leavenworth residence and in lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Army Emergency Relief in order to help Soldiers and their family members.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

Update: Raven 04's comment deserves to be up here.

I'd like to personally thank the family of COL Felts for their strength and you, Sir, for your guidance and mentoring on this difficult battlefield. Your sacrifice is great, and difficult for all of those whose lives you touched to bear. We shall never forget you, your dedication to this mission, your excellent sense of humor and friendly laughter. I was the driver of the vehicle behind COL Felts' vehicle that night and am the team's Logistics Advisor. We just held a memorial for him here, in Iraq, and miss him dearly. COL Felts mentored us professionally and personally, treating us like his own family since day one, when we started training at Fort Hood back in January. We miss you, Sir, but know that to truly honor you we must redouble our efforts to complete this mission in your vision, 'Git-R-Done', and ensure the safe return home of the rest of the team you so diligently built and sustained.

Comment from janne on 2006-11-22

2006-11-23T04:31:23Z

Raven 04 ~ You said it so eloquently. Thank you for reminders of Tom, he was an amazing man. We will continue praying until the last one comes home. Git-R-Done!

Comment from Raven 04 on 2006-11-20

2006-11-20T19:15:12Z

I'd like to personally thank the family of COL Felts for their strength and you, Sir, for your guidance and mentoring on this difficult battlefield. Your sacrifice is great, and difficult for all of those whose lives you touched to bear. We shall never forget you, your dedication to this mission, your excellent sense of humor and friendly laughter. I was the driver of the vehicle behind COL Felts' vehicle that night and am the team's Logistics Advisor. We just held a memorial for him here, in Iraq, and miss him dearly. COL Felts mentored us professionally and personally, treating us like his own family since day one, when we started training at Fort Hood back in January. We miss you, Sir, but know that to truly honor you we must redouble our efforts to complete this mission in your vision, 'Git-R-Done', and ensure the safe return home of the rest of the team you so diligently built and sustained.

Comment from BB on 2006-11-20

2006-11-20T06:17:01Z

Tom was initially a member of the 1-327th Infantry, Bastogne Bulldogs, as an Infantryman. Later, he was transferred to the Military Intelligence career field. He was a SAMs graduate and a great father.

Comment from SangerM on 2006-11-19

2006-11-20T04:26:26Z

Thanks Barb!!

Comment from Barb on 2006-11-18

2006-11-19T05:43:42Z

I found a couple of references to things he authored (or co-authored) here: http://www.stormingmedia.us/authors/Felts_Thomas_H_.html Also, here is a news item with a little more on his record of service: http://www.kshb.com/kshb/nw_local_news/article/0,1925,KSHB_9424_5151705,00.html

Comment from SangerM on 2006-11-18

2006-11-19T04:48:37Z

Does anyone know where to find a bio on Col Felts? The name and his face are awfully familiar to me, and he's wearing MI insignia, but I for the life of me, I can't imagine where I know him from. It's really disturbing because I feel like that's a face I know looking out at me from that picture...

Comment from HomefrontSix on 2006-11-18

2006-11-18T22:17:29Z

Godspeed, sir. My prayers are with his family and friends.

Comment from Mitch on 2006-11-18

2006-11-18T19:39:46Z

COL Woods was promoted posthumously. He was a promotable LTC when he was killed. Not that it matters. I know that we provide different military honors based on rank, but in my mind death has a way of making those distinctions insignificant. Every grave in a national cemetery is equally hallowed ground.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2006-11-18

2006-11-18T14:05:38Z

I've found two Colonels, but one of them, a Colonel Westhusing, died of non-combat injuries. It looks like the first Colonel killed in combat was a California Guardsman: Army Col. William W. Wood 2005-10-27 44, of Panama City, Fla.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, California Army National Guard, Modesto, Calif.; killed Oct. 27 when he was directing security operations in response to the detonation of an improvised explosive device in Baghdad. During this response, a second IED detonated near his position.

Comment from Heartless Libertarian on 2006-11-17

2006-11-18T05:12:27Z

I may be wrong, but is COL Felts now the highest ranking officer killed in action in the GWOT, at least not including any casualties in the Pentagon?

Comment from Cassandra on 2006-11-17

2006-11-17T22:02:05Z

When the boundless spirit Has no place to roam The heart will sadly whisper This world is not my home When the sweep of wind along the grass Bows down to destiny When the last bright star has fallen Lord, who will comfort me?

Comment from Mitch on 2006-11-17

2006-11-17T19:27:57Z

Wonderful memorial service and reception. Great, strong family. Where do we get such men ... and women?