I was once involved in a case in which there was a dispute over the Serviceman's Life Insurance pay-out. Back in the day before the turn of the century, the amount paid out was $30,000. I don't know what amount is paid now. Whatever it is, it's not enough for the spouses, children, and other dependents who are left wondering why.
1. Spc. Robert T. Hendrickson, 24, from Broken Bow, Okla., died Feb. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq.
2. Capt. Sean L. Brock, 29, of Redondo Beach, Calif., died Feb. 2 from wounds received as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
3. Lance Cpl. Sean P. Maher, 19, of Grays Lake, Ill., died Feb. 2 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
4. Sgt. 1st Class Sean M. Cooley, 35, from Ocean Springs, Miss., died February 3 in Northern Babil Province, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.
5. Sgt. Stephen R. Sherman, 27, from Neptune, N.J., died Feb. 3 in Mosul, Iraq, from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.
6. Lance Cpl. Richard C. Clifton, 19, of Milford, Del., died Feb. 3 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
7. Staff Sgt. Steven G. Bayow, 42, from Colonia Yap, Federated States of Micronesia, died February 4 in Bayji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.
8. Sgt. Daniel Torres, 23, from Fort Worth, Texas, died February 4 in Bayjii, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.
9. Lance Cpl. Travis M. Wichlacz, 22, of West Bend, Wis., died Feb. 5 as a result of hostile action in Babil Province, Iraq.
10. Spc. Jeremy O. Allmon, 22, of Cleburne, Texas, died Feb. 6 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.
11. Staff Sgt. Zachary R. Wobler, 24, of Ottawa, Ohio, died Feb. 6 in Mosul, Iraq, when his dismounted patrol encountered enemy forces using small arms fire.
12. Spc. Jeffrey S. Henthorn, 25, of Choctaw, Okla., died Feb. 8 in Balad, Iraq.
13. Sgt. Jessica M. Housby, 23, of Rock Island, Ill., died Feb. 9 in Route Golden, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy.
14. Staff Sgt. William T. Robbins, 31, of North Little Rock, Ark., died Feb. 10 in Taji, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries.
15. Lance Cpl. Richard A. Perez Jr., 19, of Las Vegas, Nev., died Feb. 10, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
16. Staff Sgt. Kristopher L. Shepherd, 26, of Lynchburg, Va., died Feb. 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated during clearing operations.
17. Unidentified pending notification of next of kin.
18. Spc. Robert A. McNail, 30, of Meridian, Miss., died Feb. 11 in Iskandariyah, Iraq, when his HMMVW struck another military vehicle.
19. Sgt. Chad W. Lake, 26, of Ocala, Fla., died Feb. 13 in Balad, Iraq, when the vehicle they were riding in overturned.
20. Sgt. Rene Knox, Jr., 22, of New Orleans, La., died Feb. 13 in Balad, Iraq, when the vehicle they were riding in overturned.
21. Spc. Dakotah L. Gooding, 21, of Des Moines, Iowa, died Feb. 13 in Balad, Iraq, when the vehicle they were riding in overturned.
22. Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel, 29, of San Antonio, Texas, died Feb. 13 while performing a canal rescue mission in Balad, Iraq.
23. Pfc. David J. Brangman, 20, of Lake Worth, Fla., died February 13 in Uvanni, Iraq, when a mortar round struck his vehicle.
24. Sgt. 1st Class David J.Salie, 34, of Columbus, Ga., died February 14 in Ba'qubah, Iraq, when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.
25. Pfc. Michael A. Arciola, 20, of Elmsford, N.Y., died Feb. 15 in Al Ramadi, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire.
26. Spc. Justin B. Carter, 21, of Mansfield, Mo., died Feb. 16 in Forward Operating Base McKenzie, Iraq.
27. Spc. Katrina L. Bell-Johnson, 32, of Orangeburg, S.C., died Feb. 16 in Ba'qubah, Iraq.
28. Unidentified pending notification of next of kin.
29. Sgt. Timothy R. Osbey, 34, of Magnolia, Miss., died Feb.16 in Forward Operating Base Iskandariyah, Iraq, when a roadway collapsed, causing the vehicle to roll over.
30. Spc. Joseph A.Rahaim, 22, of Magnolia, Miss., died Feb.16 in Forward Operating Base Iskandariyah, Iraq, when a roadway collapsed, causing their vehicle to roll over.
31. Sgt. Adam J. Plumondore, 22, of Gresham, Ore., died February 16 in Mosul, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.
32. Staff Sgt. Jason R. Hendrix, 28, of Claremore, Okla., died Feb.16 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, when an explosion occurred while he was conducting combat operations.
33. Sgt. Christopher M. Pusateri, 21, of Corning, N.Y., died Feb.16 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from enemy forces using small arms fire.
34. Unidentified pending notification of next of kin.
35. Sgt. Frank B. Hernandez, 21, of Phoenix, Ariz., died Feb. 17 in Tal Afar, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.
36. Sgt. Carlos J. Gil, 30, of Orlando, Fla., died Feb. 18, in Humaniyuh, Iraq from injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device detonation.
37. 1st Lt. Adam Malson, 23, of Rochester Hills, Mich., died Feb. 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained while on patrol when an improvised explosive device detonated.
38. Cpl. Kevin M. Clarke, 21, of Tinley Park, Ill., died Feb. 19 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
39. Spc. Clinton R. Gertson, 26, of Houston, Texas, died 19 Feb. in Mosul, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy forces small arms fire.
40. Spc. Seth R. Trahan, 20, of Crowley, La. died Feb. 19, in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained while on patrol when an improvised explosive device detonated.
41. 1st Lt. Jason G. Timmerman, 24, of Tracy, Minn., died Feb. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated as they were exiting a military vehicle after it had rolled over.
42. Staff Sgt. David F. Day, 25, of Saint Louis Park, Minn., died Feb. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated as they were exiting a military vehicle after it had rolled over.
43. Sgt. Jesse M. Lhotka, 24, of Alexandria, Minn., died Feb. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated as they were exiting a military vehicle after it had rolled over.
44. Cpl. John T. Olson, 21, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., died Feb. 21 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
45. Lance Cpl. Trevor D. Aston, 32, of Austin, Texas, died Feb. 22 as a result of non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
46. Staff Sgt. Eric M. Steffeney, 28, of Waterloo, Iowa, died February 23 in Tuz, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated.
47. Sgt. Nicholas J. Olivier, 26, of Ruston, La., died Feb. 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on foot patrol.
48. Spc. Jacob C. Palmatier, 29, of Springfield, Ill., died Feb. 24 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.
49. Staff Sgt. Daniel G. Gresham, 23, of Lincoln, Ill., died Feb. 24 in Camp Wilson, Iraq, when a second improvised explosive device detonated while he was responding to a first device.
50. Unidentified pending notification of next of kin.
51. Spc. Adam N. Brewer, 22, of Dewey, Okla., died Feb. 25 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on dismounted patrol.
52. Spc. Jason L. Moski, 24, of Blackville, S.C., died Feb. 25 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on dismounted patrol.
53. Pfc. Colby M. Farnan, 22, of Weston, Mo., died Feb. 25 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on dismounted patrol.
54. Unidentified pending notification of next of kin.
55. Lance Cpl. Andrew W. Nowacki, 24, of South Euclid, Ohio, died Feb. 26 from wounds received as a result of hostile action in Babil Province, Iraq.
56. Unidentified pending notification of next of kin.
57. Unidentified pending notification of next of kin.
58. Unidentified pending notification of next of kin.
I listed 100 dead at the end of January, but I was just way too hopeful that nobody else would be cut down. I figured that since "hostilities" ended way back in May, 2003, nobody else would be killed. I was wrong. Add these eight United States personnel, who served the cause of their President, who will never admit that he was wrong, to the list in January:
And meanwhile, back in Afghanistan, where Osama Bin Laden continues to give orders to Al Qaeda, according to press reports, Spc. Richard M. Crane, 25, died February 8, in Kandhahar.
Posted by Bill at March 1, 2005 11:11 AMAfter I saw the news the other day, I figured we were in for another one of these. Thank you for doing this.
Posted by: Jen at March 1, 2005 11:54 AMThese posts just depress the hell out of me.
Which is, I believe, as it should be.
Posted by: lucy at March 1, 2005 12:35 PMWhen's it gonna end? How many more months are we in for this?
Posted by: Keri at March 1, 2005 12:58 PMSigh, it's just too much. It needs to end now. Why don't we take all the people who are in prison for the major crimes (manslaughter, murder, armed robbery) and drop them in Iraq and just let them have at it? I think it would be cheaper than keeping them in jail and it would give them something to do.
Sometimes I just have to say things that probably should not be said, otherwise I wouldn't be me!
Posted by: Jeff A at March 1, 2005 05:01 PMI saw Fahrenheit 9/11 last weekend. I can't get the mother who'd just lost her son out of my mind
Posted by: Anji at March 3, 2005 04:18 AM# 12 was my brother. I miss Jeffrey so very much.
HEY!! IS ANYONE GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO BRING OUR TROOPS HOME??
Oh, wait ... for a minute there I THOUGHT we put people in office that gave a mutha Fu about us and our loved ones that we are loosing everyday.
GUESS THE MOFOS SHOULD HAVE JUST WALKED AROUND WITH SIGNS AROUND THEIR NECKS SAYING :
"I JUST WANT YOUR MONEY, STUPID!!!"
i.e.....Important information for those running for office : (Hey, whoever has the tackiest sign that cost the taxpayers the MOST of their hard earned dollars.............. W I N S !!!!!)
Posted by: Shannon Austill at March 11, 2005 05:49 PMSgt. Christopher Pusateri was my daughters (Christine) husband. She turned 20 yrs.old on feb 6, their 2nd wedding anniversary was feb. 14th and Christopher was killed on feb. 16th.They met in school and were together for a total of 4 years. Christine is now a 20 year old widow. Christopher left the life insurance to his mother and 17 year old brother and christine is left to fend for herself. I wish people would send her ten, twenty bucks, whatever...to help her. The life insurance policies were changed, it used to read... "If surviving spouse is deceased, who do you want it to go to". Now it does not read"if surviving spouse is deceased" so all these wives are getting screwed and nobody knows whats going on The soldiers have so much to get done that they think the paperwork is the same.. to donate to a young widow: Christine Pusateri 91 west third st. Corning, NY 14830 Thank you sincerely, Cindy Please share this with others that care. GOD BLESS
Posted by: cindy swimley at March 12, 2005 02:23 PMSgt. Christopher Pusateri was my son. I just found this website and read what has been posted by Christine's mother, I am absolutely livid! It takes a lot of nerve to ask people for money. He was my son, I raised him, he knew how much I strugled to raise him. Christine used to be on his life insurance policy and Christopher is the one who changed it and took her off and that wasn't even a year ago when he signed the papers! I am sure that he had his reasons why! I love Christine and I feel for her loss, Christopher will always be a loss for the rest of my life, every single day. Christine's life will go on and she will find someone else. It is his brothers and sisters and myself who will live with the pain for the rest of our lives. Christine will be just fine, she was not left to fend for herself, she will get over $1,800.00 every month to live on. That is plenty more than I had to raise 5 children. It is unbelievable that my son lost his life fighting for his country and all she cares about is money. It is the soldier who decides who they want on their life insurance policy and that is all I have left to say. I would like to thank those of you who have sent me cards of concern, in time I will reply to those caring people. I love my son and I am proud of my son, it is not fair that he lost his life at 21. Thank you!
Posted by: Brenda West at March 20, 2005 09:59 PM