As is our wont, the Master and Mistress of Argghhh! note the deaths of soldiers from the demesne of the Castle. This is a double-whammy of sorts, the death of a soldier from across the river in Independence, Missouri, who was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley. Make it a three-fer - our newest young soldier tapping a keg at Fiddler's Green was also a Redleg, like the Armorer, the Armorer's Father, and the Armorer's Grandfather. I commanded at Fort Riley and am a veteran of the 1st Division, too.
FORT RILEY SOLDIER KILLED IN IRAQSpc. Benjamin Ashley, 22, was killed May 24 in Balad, Iraq, when the vehicle he was driving struck an improvised explosive device.
Ashley was a Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems Specialist assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. His home of record is Independence, Mo.
Ashley entered the Army in March 2004 and began serving in the 1st Inf. Div. in September 2005. This was his first deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
To date, 100 Soldiers from Fort Riley have died while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Specialist Ashley, Centurion of the Fort Riley contingent now holding forth at Fiddler's Green.
Apt, in a sense, to enter the Memorial Day weekend with a memorial post. This is who/what the holiday is about - not just a three day weekend. It will be a *very* tough weekend for Specialist Ashley's family.
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.
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