The hot breath of war blows by some Denizens.

Not all the fatalities in the war are directly combat-related. There have been two recent deaths due to non-combat causes that have touched the Castle family. There are hazards in the service, in combat or no. And sometimes just living life is dangerous.

As ever, the notifications are simple...

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Col. Jon M. Lockey, 44, of Fredericksburg, Va., died July 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries
sustained from a non-combat related incident.

The incident is under investigation.

Lockey was assigned to Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.For more information related to this release the media may contact the Department of the Army public affairs office at (703) 692-2000.

Jon Lockey was a fellow artilleryman, and we served together at Fort Sill, and again at Fort Leavenworth.

Called to duty in the service of our lord, on Friday, July 6, 2007, Colonel Jon Michael Lockey reported to heaven to serve and stand watch over the family and nation he so loved.

Born on April 28, 1963, to Harold and Patricia Lockey in Hollywood, Calif., he was also big brother to sister, Susan.

Jon attended USMA West Point '85 and received his commission in the Army as a Field Artillery officer. He also attended Monterey Language Institute to study Italian, where he met his wife, Dorothea Jean Lockey. In August of 1987, they were married. Jon was the loving father of two sons, Steven R. Lockey and Christopher J. Lockey.

After receiving a Master's Degree from NMSU, he established residence in Fredericksburg, Va. Jon attended CGSC in Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. and then War College in Carlisle, Pa. He was a devoted father who enjoyed spending his free time with his sons. He was loving husband and wonderful father. He was a respected officer, having attained the rank of colonel. Jon served his country with honor and passed away while stationed in Iraq.

He leaves behind his wife of 20 years, Jeannie; his two sons, Steven and CJ of Fredericksburg; his mother, Pat Lockey, and father, Hal Lockey; sister, Susan Lockey of Bakersfield, Calif. He also leaves behind many family and friends who loved him dearly.

Jon will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery under the direction of Covenant Funeral Service in Fredericksburg. The family will hold a private memorial in Fredericksburg and a public memorial will follow, held at Ft. Meyer Chapel with full military honors. Online guest book may be signed at covenantfuneralservice.com.

In lieu of flowers, our family asks that you thank a soldier and send donations to charities that support our troops.

We love and miss you, Jon. Your day is done.

Close station, march order, Redleg. Your seat at Fiddler's Green awaits.

The second casualty is the son of a co-worker of long time reader and commenter Mike L.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Chief Warrant Officer Scott A.M. Oswell, 33, of Washington, died July 4 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his helicopter struck a power line. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Air Cavalry, Fort Lewis, Wash.

For more information related to this release the media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at (253) 967-0152, (253) 967-0148, or after hours at (253) 967-0015 (ask for the Public Affairs Officer on call).

In Iraq, low-level powerlines pop up all over the place, due to the rather chaotic nature of electrical power provision in the region - not just Iraq. Wire strikes with low-flying aircraft are a common hazard, in addition to bad guys trying to shoot you.

The aviation section at the 'Green has one more rowdy raising a mug.

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