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On this Memorial Day, we, as Americans, pause to remember our fallen Servicemembers.  19 US Servicemembers were killed in action throughout May 2009.

Three incidents account for ten of these deaths.   

Specialist Jake R. Velloza, 24, of Portola, CA, and Specialist Jeremiah P McCleery, 22, of Inverness, CA were killed in action (KIA) on 02MAY09 at a camp south of Mosul.  The Department of Defense lists the official cause of death as "Hostile - small arms fire."  "They died from wounds sustained after they were shot by enemy forces."  The circumstances surrounding incident are under investigation, and it would be more appropriate for readers to learn the details of this story through online news organizations, like http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12288931. 

My team took particular interest of this attack.  A reader sent a question in regards to this incident recently.  The response:  "My team is conscious of this threat, and, believe me, we worry about it."  Details may be found on a variety of websites, like http://www.aljazeerah.info/News/2009/May/3%20n/2%20US%20Soldiers%20Killed,%203%20Injured%20by%20an%20Iraqi%20Soldier%20in%20Mosul,%2043%20Iraqis%20Arrested.htm

Commander Charles K. Springle, 52, of Beautfort, NC, Major Matthew Houseal, 54, of Amarillo, TX, Sergeant Christian E. Bueno-Galdos, 25, of Paterson, NJ, Specialist Jacob D. Barton, 20, of Lenox, MO, and Private First Class Michael Edward Yates Jr, 19, of Federalsburg, MD were killed in action on 11MAY09 at Baghdad (Camp Liberty).  The Department of Defense lists the official cause of death as "non-hostile - small arms fire."  They died from "injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident."  The circumstances surrounding incident are under investigation.  Readers may read more about the incident on most news websites, like http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-shooting12-2009may12,0,1052210.story

Major Jason E. George, 38, of Tehachapi, CA, First Lieutenant Leevi K. Barnard, 28, of Mount Airy, NC, and Sergeant Paul Brooks, 34, of Joplin, MO were killed in action (KIA) on 21MAY09 in Baghdad (Dora).  The Department of Defense lists the official cause of death as "hostile - IED attack."  They died "of wound sustained when their unit was attacked by enemy forces using improvise explosive devices while on dismounted patrol."  The circumstances surrounding incident are under investigation.  Readers may read more about the incident on most news websites, like http://raleigh.mync.com/site/raleigh/news/story/35180/three-nc-soldiers-killed

The three Soldiers are part of the North Carolina National Guard unit that recently arrived in country and control US bases in the Baghdad area, including the one at which my team resides.  A memorial service will be held in the near future.

Readers can see a by month list of casualites of OIF here:  http://icasualties.org/Iraq/prdDetails.aspx