The US death toll in Iraq during July was the lowest month thus far in 2007. Which is good news.

But there are still young men and women dying. And this month so far has been especially hard on the troops and families from Texas.

In this morning’s paper, I read that another local Soldier had lost his life in Iraq — Cpl. Jason K. LaFleur of Lockhart, TX (about 30 miles south of Austin) was killed when his vehicle was hit by an IED.

Whenever I read or hear that another Texas troop has been KIA, I always visit the Patriot Guard Rider forums for more information about the Soldier, and whether or not our riders will be invited to help honor the fallen.

Usually, once a Soldier’s name is released by the DoD as KIA, his/her name is placed in the Watch List, indicating that the PGR is coordinating with the family and Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO). Once we have been invited by the family, the Soldier’s name is placed in the Confirmed Missions discussion folder.

The following is a list of fallen Texans currently on the Watch List:

The Patriot Guard Riders are invited to take part in honoring the sacrifice of these fallen Texans:

I’m not sure how many of these escort missions I’ll be able to attend over the next week or so — but I’ll try to make as many as I can. In the meantime, keep these soldiers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

_______

CORRECTION — LCol. James H. Ayers was not KIA in Iraq. LCol. Ayers was MIA in Vietnam since 1971. His remains were recently identified, and he is at long last coming home:

James H. Ayres always knew he’d be a fighter pilot.

He always made the point clear to anyone who either knew him or met him.

Now, decades after the U.S. Defense Department declared her husband dead, he’s returning home to Pampa.

Researchers say human remains they uncovered in a rugged section of southern Laos are those of Air Force Lt. Cols. James Ayres and Charles W. Stratton, whose plane vanished during a mission in 1971.

Ayres’ long-overdue military funeral will be Friday in Pampa, about 36 years after he was last seen alive.

Stratton, of Dallas, is also to receive burial with full military honors. He was 30 at the time of the crash.

Ayres, a 1955 graduate of Pampa High School, was 21 when he asked Brenda to marry him.

He started out flying a C-123 Army transport, flying more than 350 missions throughout South Vietnam and over Laos. Ayres was later authorized to fly the Phantom.

The fighting in Laos was especially fierce on Jan. 3, 1971. That day, Ayres and Stratton climbed into their Phantom and flew out of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, according to a statement issued by the Defense Department’s Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office.

Their mission was to take out some enemy targets in Lao’s Savannakhet Province. At some point, communication with the plane carrying Ayres and Stratton was lost. Crews of other aircraft reported seeing a large explosion. No one saw them eject.

Doubling back wasn’t an option. There was too much fighting in the area, preventing search and rescue attempts.

The Defense Department declared him dead in 1974.

Welcome home, Sir.

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Wednesday, August 8th, 2007 | Trackback |