Mike Olbinski

We had a thread awhile ago about people we knew that were over in Iraq right now.

I brought up my friend Ken Davis, who was in the youth group at my church when I was a leader there. I've known him since he was 14, now he's 21 and fighting on the front lines of Iraq.

This is a link to a story that concerns him, but doesn't mention his name:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...1514&ncid=1473

He was part of an 8 man group, and 2 of his buddies were killed, his sergent shot and injured. Now they are 3 men short and continuing on. Ken is a gunner I believe on one of those Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

He was blown from his vehicle, but wasn't injured. It was close though. He was able to call his parents to let them know he was okay.

Prasie God!

Sad thing is, and we don't always think about this I don't think, is that Ken has been with this group of 8 guys for over a year...working, training and living together. To lose 2 guys who are your best friends, who would die for you, has to be harder than any of us know.

Mike

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bratwurst

Everytime I read or hear about one of ours losing their live it really hurts. I am sorry to hear about your friend's unit. I have a coworker who has been deployed to the gulf. I have no idea where he is over there. Drives me nuts sometimes - I really hope he comes back ok.

I found this list of our POW, MIA's. I can't find a casualty list that has names though.

http://www.aiipowmia.com/stats.html

EDIT - found some info on actual casualty names on pentagon.mil

It really sucks to read through it, when you are looking to make sure someone you know isn't among them.

Coyote Tony

I am sure we have all lost some friends and family but there is something about losing a friend in battle that is very different ... most likely because of the trust factor and the means of dying. Keep praying for your friend. God is in charge.

http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/

A great idea of showing your support for those of you who do not kow anyone involved with the deployed military. I signed up last night and have already purchased my care package and am waiting for the soldier's name so i can send it to there.

On a side note:
here is another Ken Daivs ... great guy!
http://www.kendavis.com/

Ever heard of this guy???

cheng

Sorry to hear about this. Having 3 members short on a team concerns me, I hope he will be fine. It is really amazing that many of our soldiers are only 18, 19 years old.

Coyote Tony

Just saw on the news this AM a very similar story of another soldier who was blown from his HumV and injured and back on American soil. Thank God your friend wasn't injured.

AZCB34

My brother in law is with 11th Aviation Rgt attached to 3rd ID (CNNs Karl Penhaul is their embedded reporter as an FYI)...the spearhead division and he is likely at Saddam Intl Airport right now...just a guess of course but it makes sense since he is running with that spearhead into Baghdad. No news is good news.

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