This time in the death of Staff Sergeant Darrell Kasson, a buddy of frequent commenter (and content contributor when he was deployed) Pogue. I'll let him pick up the thread.
I've attached the press release and photo. The cleaned up version is below. SSG Kasson was performing the function of a Gunnery Sergeant with our battery before he mobilized with the 259th. We'll miss him.Pogue
An Arizona Army National Guardsman died Sunday in Iraq . Staff Sergeant (SSG) Darrel Kasson, 43, of Florence , AZ., was killed on Mar 4, 2007 in Iraq when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded near his vehicle. Staff Sergeant Kasson was deployed with the Arizona Army National Guard’s Phoenix – based 259th Engineer Company and was a member of Alpha Battery, 2-180th Field Artillery Battalion.
“Our thoughts are with Sergeant Kasson’s family, loved ones and unit members during this time,” said Major General David P. Rataczak, The Adjutant General of the Arizona National Guard. “Sergeant Kasson was a patriot who served his country selflessly. The Arizona National Guard has lost a valued family member.”
The 259th Company was mobilized in August 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They left Arizona for Camp Shelby , MS in August 2006 for training until they deployed to Iraq in November, 2006. The 259th Company’s mission in Iraq is to perform Security Forces Operations that includes area security, route security, and convoy escort activities.
Sergeant Kasson’s family would also like to add the following:
On behalf of the Kasson Family we would like to thank all of those who have been praying for Darrel these 6 months while he was deployed to Iraq .Darrel loved the Lord, his family, and his country very much. Darrel is going to be missed by those who knew him in church, the community and the Department of Corrections where he had been employed for the past 19 years.
Darrel passed on doing one of his greatest passions and that was serving his country. He had served faithfully with the Arizona Army National Guard for the past 20 years.
Funeral arrangements are being made and are forthcoming.
Thank you very much for all of your concern for the Kasson family.
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.
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