Comments for The War Comes Home To Kansas, and Missouri.

The War Comes Home To Kansas, and Missouri.

2007-05-25T19:22:48Z

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 IRAQ
Spc. 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.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2007-05-26

2007-05-26T12:45:01Z

For those unfamiliar with JTG's exhorted toast.. "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong." Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr., Bane of the Barbary Pirates.

Comment from Justthisguy on 2007-05-26

2007-05-26T07:19:09Z

He looks like an earnest fellow in that pic. As a somewhat "excessively earnest" person, myself, I do now stand up, take a sip of the fermented product, and spill some upon the ground while trying to think good thoughts about the guy. Ok, back indoors, now. Would y'all join me in Decatur's toast? Argghhh!

Comment from NevadaDailySteve on 2007-05-25

2007-05-26T03:17:54Z

My thoughts and prayers go out to Specialist Ashley's family. This hits close to home for me. I have a new nephew (by marriage) serving in Balad. He was home in January and married my niece, who is also in the National Guard. I just found out she is scheduled to be called up to go to Afghanistan shortly after he gets home.

Comment from MajMike on 2007-05-25

2007-05-25T20:38:22Z

rest easy young redleg, rest easy.