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Sunday, June 01, 2008

War Hits Close to Home...




State Marine Dies In Iraq
Waterbury Man Remembered For Positive Attitude

DAVE ALTIMARI And SHAWN R. BEALS
Hartford Courant Staff Writers

June 1, 2008

WATERBURY — - A former Wilby High School student who talked about going into the Marines all through high school died in his first tour of duty in Iraq.

The military notified 21-year-old Christian Cotner's family on Friday that he had died. Details about how he died have not been released, and the military has not publicly announced his death.

Cotner is the 42nd person with ties to Connecticut to die in either Afghanistan or Iraq.

The news of his death came the same day U.S. officials announced that the number of military deaths had plunged in May to the lowest monthly level in more than four years. U.S. officials said 21 American service members were killed in May, one more than the lowest monthly figure for the war set in February 2004.

When reached by phone Saturday at their Waterbury home, Cotner's parents said they could not talk about their son's death yet. Funeral services are pending.

A Crescent Street neighbor, Ned Kurtz, remembered him as a nice young man who liked being a Marine.

"He was a very nice kid," Kurtz said. "He was polite and helpful. I can't say enough about him. He had a positive attitude about the Marine Corps."

Read More about this Fallen CT Hero here.

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MOSUL GREETINGS - U.S. Army Capt. John Karcher shakes hands with an Iraqi civilian during a search for weapons and bomb paraphernalia in Mosul, Iraq, May 24, 2008. Karcher is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sarah De Boise

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Home from Iraq, wary Marine fatally wounded

This is beyond horrible.

By THOMAS J. SHEERAN, Associated Press Writer

CLEVELAND - On leave from the violence he had survived in the war in Iraq, a young Marine was so wary of crime on the streets of his own home town that he carried only $8 to avoid becoming a robbery target.

Despite his caution, Lance Cpl. Robert Crutchfield, 21, was shot point-blank in the neck during a robbery at a bus stop. Feeding and breathing tubes kept him alive 4 1/2 months, until he died of an infection on May 18.

Two men have been charged in the attack, and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason said Friday the case was under review to decide whether to seek the death penalty.

"It is an awful story," said Alberta Holt, the young Marine's aunt and his legal guardian when he was a teenager determined to flee a troubled Cleveland school for safer surroundings in the suburbs.

Crutchfield was attacked on Jan. 5 while he and his girlfriend were waiting for a bus. He had heeded the warnings of commanders that a Marine on leave might be seen as a prime robbery target with a pocketful of money, so he only carried $8, his military ID card and a bank card.

"They took it, turned his pockets inside out, took what he had and told him since he was a Marine and didn't have any money he didn't deserve to live. They put the gun to his neck and shot him," Holt told The Associated Press.

The death penalty is too good for these scumbags. Far too quick. I'd recommend handing them over for a Marine boot-shining party, but I wouldn't want the Marines to have to deal with pieces of garbage so far beneath them.


You can read the rest here, but it isn't going to be a comfortable read.

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ALL-HANDS CALL - U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, answers questions during an all-hands call with servicemembers assigned to Camp Navarro in Zamboanga, Republic of the Philippines, June 1, 2008. Mullen is on a eight day tour visiting Asian Pacific nations, their leaders and service members assigned to the region. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley Story - Special - More Photos

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In Today's News - Sunday, June 1, 2008

Quote of the Day
"The price of liberty is, always has been,
and always will be blood:
The person who is not willing to die for his liberty
has already lost it to the first scoundrel
who is willing to risk dying
to violate that person's liberty!
Are you free?"

-- Andrew Ford

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Australia Ends Iraq Combat Operations
Iraq cites problems with US security pact
Iraqi Army, Gimlets Work to Provide Aid
Iraqi Army Recruiting in Basra
Brigade Stabilizes Iraqi Province, Moves Into Support Role
Defense Secretary Cites Importance Of Getting 'End Game' Right in Iraq

Operation Enduring Freedom
Asian Nations Get Pitch From Gates For More Support in Afghanistan

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Jailed Hezbollah Spy Returns to Lebanon From Israel
Hezbollah says releases Israeli soldiers' remains

Other Military News
U.S., China Spar Over Missiles
Report: Blackwater Buys Brazilian Fighter Jet
U.S. "dismayed" more Russian troops sent to Abkhazia
US aid ships could soon leave Myanmar coast

Religion of Peace??
Annulment of Muslim Marriage Over False Virginity Claim Sparks Outrage in France

Worldwide Wackos
Iran warns IAEA on nuclear cooperation

Politics / Government
Hillary States Victory Case
Puerto Rican Primary Exit Poll
Delegate Tally
Clinton ponders next move in marathon race
Video: Pivotal DNC meeting Saturday
Bill Clinton Debunks Brutal Vanity Fair Article
McClellan: Bush Should Have Fired Rove
Obama breaks with controversial church - Video
Ending dollar peg won't solve Gulf inflation: Paulson
Anti-U.S. beef protest draws 100,000 S.Koreans
U.S. tells Thailand it wants democracy, not coup - Video
Cost drives Senate climate debate

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Report: Drug Ballads to Blame for Rise in Mexican Musician Killings
Bodybuilding Champions Plead Guilty to Killing Assistant
Hundreds Involved in Brawl at Kansas City Casino
Family of Missing Ariz. Teen Appeals for Help
Texas Agency Scrutinized for Handling of Sect Case
Mexicans believe drug gangs winning war with gov't
Judge to sentence class-action legal king

Adventures in Political Correctness
Debate Over Plans to Fly 'World's Largest' Confederate Flag Over Busy Tampa Intersection

U.N. News
Soaring living costs cloud U.N. climate talks

Science / Medicine and Health / Technology
UK Mulls Cigarette Smoke Out
'Lorenzo's Oil' Inspiration Dies at 30
Phoenix Lander May Have Uncovered Ice on Mars' Surface
Discovery Crew Performs Inspection - PHOTOS - WATCH
Congresswoman Nervous as Husband Goes to Space
Shuttle Discovery closes in on space station - Video
Liposuction lures men
Video: Part two of the surgery
Indian men pursue perfect body
Video: Eastern way to weight loss
Small PCs big news as economy slows
Bangladesh to cut off unregistered mobile phones
Hutchison Telecom in deal with Apple on iPhone
Dell eyes two-thirds of sales from outside U.S. in 5 years
Time Warner Cable to offer web to TV link
Blu-ray DVD format may not dominate for years
Shuttle astronauts perform cursory wing inspection
Robotic arm of Mars spacecraft leaves 'footprint'

Mother Nature
6.8 Earthquake Strikes in Pacific Ocean Near Taiwan
Helicopter Crashes in China's Quake Zone
Death toll in Colombian landslide rises to 19
Storm Arthur threatens flooding in southern Mexico
Rare rhino numbers in Nepal fall due to poachers
Video: La Nina link in shark attacks?
Plant waste biofuels benefit from food debate
Animals fare better in zoos as experts learn more
AP IMPACT: Hurricane season outlooks of little use
Ky. and Ohio battle over boulder pulled from river
Some villagers linger despite China flood evacuation

News from My Neck of the Woods
Daily Polaroids Detail Last 18 Years of NYC Man's Life

Oddities
Businessman Drops $10,600 From Plane
Teacher Dies Minutes After Retiring From 36-Year Career
Booze Ban On London Underground Spurs Chaotic Night of Partying
Soccer Fans Suffocate in Overcrowded Stadium
Slideshow: Frightening bridal fashion
Smugglers busted over zip wire border racket
Iowa man says he planned to compost pot, not smoke

Other News of Note
Blaze Wreaks Havoc at Universal Studios - PICS - VIDEO
Plane Missing Since 1984 Found in Drying Texas Lake

Fox News
Legendary Clothing Designer Yves Saint Laurent Dies at 71
Pop Tarts: Spice Girls, 'Idol' Founder Simon Fuller Marries in Secret Ceremony

Reuters
InBev close to financing for Anheuser bid: paper
"Sex" sells at theaters in America, Europe - Video
Oil steady at $127
Macedonia PM wins election in shadow of violence
Zimbabwe's Mugabe in Rome for food summit
Not punching the clock
Office betting bad for your health: study
Texas turbine trouble
General Motors share price could triple: Barron's
Sharper Image stores to be closed and liquidated
Ending dollar peg won't solve Gulf inflation: Paulson
Buyout firm KSL amid Esporta bidders: reports
Algerian farmers struggle to exploit price boom
Plant waste biofuels benefit from food debate
UAL, US Airways will not merge right now, CEOs say
Vedanta in $2.6bln deal to buy Asarco
Jamon, jamon: Is Spain's diet a world treasure?
Mom's behavior impacts father's child rearing: study
WITNESS: Royal flaws in focus at birth of Nepal's republic
Charlie Sheen marries real estate agent
Brad Pitt manager denies Angelina Jolie birth report - Video
Red Wings and Penguins taking nothing for granted
Busch wins fourth NASCAR race of season
Merciless Nadal flattens Verdasco
Stanley Cup captains poised for milestones
Australian Strange wins Wales Open by four strokes

Associated Press
Kyle Busch wins 4th Cup race this season at Dover
Drivers putting less gas in tank, then running out
Uganda's children work on dangerous rock pile
Djokovic: Work to do before facing Nadal in Paris
'Sex' sells: Women give Carrie & Co. $55.7M debut
Inflation Watch continues this week on Wall Street
Moore, Kutcher raise funds for homeless initiative
Red Wings beat Penguins to close in on Stanley Cup

News Blaze
Soldiers' Angels and Patriot Guard
Iraq News
Operations in Iraq
FOB Warhorse Memorial Photos
Videos

CENTCOM
Business owners display wares at expo
Seabess break ground on well in Kenya
Conference brings key Iraqi energy leaders together
Civilian reports disrupt Kunar attacks

USJFCOM
Exercise ensures readiness, displays coordination of the USJFCOM joint enabling capabilities USJFCOM, Microsoft Corp. extend agreement for one year - podcast
Task Force Ramadi helps free enterprise take hold in Iraq
Command unveils new command and control vision - podcast

Multi-National Force - Iraq
Brigade Stabilizes Iraqi Province, Moves Into Support Role
Bridge Linking Baghdad Districts Reopens
MND-B Soldiers capture key criminal (Tarmiyah)
Iraqi National Police discover munitions cache (Baghdad)
Iraqi Security Forces lead Operation Charge of the Knights in Abu Al Khasib
Iraqi Army, Coalition forces conduct clearing operation (Zaganiyah)
Iraqi Security Forces detain 49 suspects in Hit
Four wanted men captured, ten other al-Qaeda suspects detained

DefenseLink
TOP NEWS
Gates Affirms Democratic Principles During Bangkok Visit
Chairman Views Interagency Success In Fight Against Philippine Insurgency
Mullen Visits U.S. Special Ops Forces Helping Philippines Fight Insurgents
Defense Secretary, Joint Chiefs Chairman Expound on Far-Ranging Defense Issues

WOUNDED CARE

Army Stresses Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Treatment Options Emerge

MILITARY NEWS

Geren Tells Cadets to Take Care of Soldiers
Bush Seeks Action on War Funds, Expanded GI Bill
Army Wife First Spouse Naturalized Overseas

IRAQ NEWS

Iraqis Reopen Bridge Linking Baghdad Districts
Troops Detain Suspects, Seize Weapons Caches

AFGHANISTAN NEWS

Marines Launch New Attack in Helmand Province

FACE OF DEFENSE
Battlefield Promotion Lifts NCO to Staff Sergeant

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU

Children of Fallen Warriors Get Remembrance Medals

Weather
Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Germany
Ansbach Aschaffenburg Berlin Berlin-Tempelhof Berlin/Schonefeld Bremerhaven
Darmstadt Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Freiburg/Breisgau Garmisch
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Geilenkirchen Gelnhausen Giessen Kitzingen
Hanau Am Main Heidelberg Mainz Mannheim Nurnberg Stuttgart Trier
Wiesbaden Wurzburg

Gitmo

Guam
Agana Agana Heights Agat Andersen AFB Asan Barrigada

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Japan
Kadena Air Base Okinawa Tokyo Yokohama

Today in History
1638 - The first earthquake recorded in the U.S. occurs at Plymouth, Mass.
1774 - The British government orders the port of Boston closed.
1789 - The first U.S. Congressional Act (administering oaths) becomes law.
1792 - Kentucky becomes the 15th U.S. state.
1796 - Tennessee becomes the 16th U.S. state.
1813 - Capt John Lawrence says, "Don't give up the ship."
1843 - Sojourner Truth leaves NY become an antislavery activist.
1861 - The first Civil War skirmish occurs at Fairfax Court House, Va; The U.S. and The C.S.A. stop mail interchange.
1862 - General Robert E. Lee takes over as Commander of the Confederate forces, after Joe Johnston is wounded at Seven Pines.
1864 - Battle of Cold Harbor, VA.
1868 - In Austin, the Texas constitutional convention meets.
1869 - Thomas Edison patents the voting machine.
1877 - U.S. troops are authorized to pursue bandits into Mexico.
1939 - The British sub "Thetis" sinks in Liverpool Bay with 99 aboard.
1941 - Germany bans Catholic publications.
1947 - The OPA disbands (issued WW II rationing coupons).
1958 - Charles de Gaulle becomes premier of France.
1962 - Oscar 2 (ham radio satellite) is launched into orbit; USAF Major Robert M. White takes his X-15 to an altitude of 40,420 meters.
1970 - Soyuz 9 is launched into orbit for 18 days.
1980 - CNN begins broadcasting.
1991 - In the Phillipines, Mount Pinatubo erupts - the first time in 600 years.

Birthdays
1814
- Union General Philip Kearney
1825 - Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan (cavalry)
1831 - Confederate General John B. Hood
1907 - Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine
1928 - Georgi T. Dobrovolsky, cosmonaut (Soyuz 11)

Passings
1823
- Louis Nicholas Davout French field marshall
1864 - Solomon George Washington Dill, white Civil Rights hero, assassinated by white terrorists in his home in SC.
1968 - Helen Keller
1987 - Rashid Karami Lebanon, PM of Lebanon ten times

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Crosby, Frederick P., USAF (FL); RF8A hit by ground fire, crashed and exploded; KIA, body not recovered

1966
Borling, John L., USAF (IL); F4C shot down; Released by DRV February, 1973 - still serving in the USAF as of 1996; alive and well as of 1998

Myers, Armand J., USAF (OR); F4C shot down; Released by DRV February, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998

1971
Andrade, Father, Civilian Priest (France); Released

Magers, Paul G., US Army (NE); AH1G shot down; KIA, body not recovered

Wann, Donald L., US Army (OK); AH1G shot down; KIA, body not recovered

1975
McDonald, Herman; AWOL, returned to US, discharged

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