CW3 Matt Wagstaff Laid to Rest in Bluffdale, UT

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50404215-76/wagstaff-family-utah-army.html.csp

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50419243-76/wagstaff-pilot-afghanistan-army.html.csp

SGT Marvin Calhoun Laid to Rest in Elkhart, Indiana

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20101003/News01/10030306/-1/googleNews#

Jonah McClellan laid to rest: Soldier, father, man of faith | The Columbian

Jonah McClellan laid to rest: Soldier, father, man of faith | The Columbian

Update

I just want to let you know that we are doing as well as can be considering the circumstances.  I will give more details, there are just so many, once I have the time to reflect...

Nick and his soldiers held a beautiful Memorial service for all of the fallen last Friday at 1300 Afghanistan time.  Nick had the unimaginably difficult responsibility of speaking about his three soldiers, Matt Wagstaff, Jonah McClellan and Marvin Calhoun.  The wives of his soldiers tell me it was nothing short of moving.  There were a large number of military dignitaries present to celebrate these soldiers including General Petraeus, General Rodriguez, General Campbell and many others who I didn't have a chance to write down.  Nick tells me that he wasn't nervous about his audience, but he was hoping to not lose his composure.  Despite how difficult his job, he made it through without breaking down.  He was very relieved for that.  Once the video from the event arrives back in the states, and the families of the fallen receive their copies, we will have a viewing of it for all the Lancer families.  I know for certain it will help with the grieving process and begin to provide some closure.  Nick tells me that last Friday was the first day his entire company of soldiers were in the same room since last January.  They were all "back in the saddle" completing their various missions the following day.

On the home front, things have been very chaotic providing support to our one local widow, offering opportunities for the wives of the surviving soldiers to grieve and coordinating gatherings, tributes and travel to funerals.  Once the 24 hour waiting period had lapsed after the final notification of kin had occurred my phone has rung consistently with people seeking information and support.

Marin and Lindsey showed up on my doorstep Thursday morning and helped me care for Emmy and comforted me between phone calls.  It was exactly what I needed, I am so grateful for their help.

That evening, our company was briefed on what information could be shared, it became even more apparent to me then what an incredible group of families I am working with.  Their strength is nothing short of inspiring.  Friday morning, one of our spouses welcomed everyone into her home for some playtime for our children and some "group therapy" for the spouses.  Right now, our wives are struggling with a great deal of survivor's guilt and are in great need of talking it out with eachother.

Saturday morning was our Video Teleconference FRG Meeting.  It had been on the calendar weeks ago as a celebration for the halfway mark of the deployment, but it now served as a much more important gathering.  Our soldiers and their wives were able to meet at one (virtual) table to discuss how we intend to move forward.  After the formal meeting concluded, we had"open mic" where families could privately meet and see one another.  Because our internet connection is poor, most of our families have not been able to see one another in months.  Nick and I got very positive feedback, which was an incredible relief to us both.

At my request, Kris drove in to help me on Friday night and Mom arrived on Saturday.  Emmy is as cheerful and active as ever, which under most circumstances I would love, but it has made it very difficult for me to complete all that I need to for our grieving Lancer families.  I feel so blessed to have their help, and the help of everyone who have offered.  Thank you all so much.

I am in the process of tying up some loose ends and packing.  Mom and I leave with Emmy and the dogs tomorrow to travel to Kris and JP's house in Indiana.  From there, I will be leaving Thursday morning for Battle Ground, Washington for CW2 Jonah McClellan's viewing and funeral services.  Friday night, I will be flying back to Indiana for SGT Marvin Calhoun's funeral on Saturday morning (it is taking place in Elkhart, Indiana).  Monday morning I am traveling to Orem, Utah for CW3 Matt Wagstaff's viewing and funeral services.

This tragedy has rocked us all to our core.  Despite the incredible pain that so many people are struggling with, there have been so many examples of God's work in the last week and months prior to this tragedy.  One of our widows has confirmed that to me as well.  I just don't know how we would get through this without our faith and our trust in God.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Five 101st Airborne soldiers are confirmed to be among 9 killed in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan.

The Associated Press is reporting that the soldiers are all from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, which deployed to southern Afghanistan in March.

All of the families have been notified, according to Fort Campbell spokesman Rick Rzepka.

Killed were:

• Maj. Robert Francis Baldwin, 37, of New Boston, Ill. Baldwin entered the Army in February 1994 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2007. Baldwin was an Aviation Liaison Officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

Baldwin is survived by his wife, Danielle M. Baldwin; daughters Rachel and Meaghan Baldwin; and sons Keegan and Patrick Baldwin, all of Clarksville. He is also survived by parents Gary and Cheryl Baldwin of New Boston, Ill.

• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Gabriel Wagstaff, 34, of Orem, Utah. Wagstaff entered the Army in January 2002 and arrived at Fort Campbell in May 2007.

Wagstaff was a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion.

Wagstaff is survived by his wife, Tiffany A. Wagstaff of Clarksville; and parents Ronald and Suzanne Wagstaff of Orem, Utah.

• Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonah David McClellan, 26, of Minnesota. McClellan entered the Army in August 2003 and arrived at Fort Campbell in September 2006. McClellan was a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion.

McClellan is survived by his wife, Nina S. McClellan; sons Ayden and Renn McClellan; daughter Ayla M. McClellan; and parents Rodney and Susan McClellan, all of Battle Ground, Wash.

• Staff Sgt. Joshua David Powell, 25, of New Berlin, Ill. Powell entered the Army in November 2004 and arrived at Fort Campbell in June 2005. Powell was a UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Battalion.

Powell is survived by his father, David A. Powell of Springfield, Ill., and his mother, Susan B. Needham of Pleasant Plains, Ill.

• Sgt. Marvin Ray Calhoun Jr., 23, of Osceola, Ind. Calhoun entered the Army in June 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in December 2007. Calhoun was a construction equipment repairer serving as a door gunner and was assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion.

Calhoun is survived by his wife, Yamili Sanchez, and daughter, Yohani Sanchez of Fort Hood, Texas, and parents, Marvin Calhoun Sr. and Susan Needham of Elkhart, Ind.

The helicopter crashed Tuesday near Qalat, Afghanistan. International Security Assistance Force officials have said there were no reports of enemy fire at the time. The crash is the worst in four years in Afghanistan.

Maj. Robert Francis Baldwin

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Gabriel Wagstaff

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonah David McCllelan



Staff Sgt. Joshua David Powell

                                            

                                                        Sgt. Marvin Ray Calhoun Jr

Please Pray

Nick is safe.  We ask that you help us to pray for our families affected by the recent helicopter crash.  I will share information when I have it and am able.  The notification of kin process has been completed for our soldiers, but as of now, it isn't finished for the remaining four soldiers from different units.  Army policy states that there is a 24 hour waiting period after the last kin has been notified before the names of the dead are released.  This is, understandably, out of respect for grieving family members.

As of now, this is the official statement released by the army to our Lancer families:

Five 101st Airborne Division Soldiers were killed September 21, when an
International Security Assistance Force helicopter crashed in southern
Afghanistan.

In all, nine ISAF service members were killed when their UH-60 Blackhawk
helicopter crashed in Qalat, Afghanistan.  Two ISAF service members, an
Afghan National Army soldier and a U.S. civilian received injuries in the
crash and were transported to an ISAF medical facility for treatment. 
There are no reports of enemy fire in the area and the cause of the crash
remains under investigation.


The five 101st Airborne Division Soldiers were all assigned to the 101st
Combat Aviation Brigade, which began its deployment to Afghanistan in March
2010.  Notifications have been made to the Families of the fallen.

9 months old, 6 months down & 2 months to R&R!!

Today marks an enormous milestone for our family as we close the book on the first six months of this deployment and we celebrate Emmy's nine month old status!!  I am both overjoyed and amazed that our countdown ticker has hit the halfway point, but admittedly overwhelmed at the thought of facing another six months.  Nick and I agree that setting short-term countdowns in the meantime is imperative, especially at a time like this.  So we are focusing our energy on counting down to mid-November when we reunite for two weeks of Rest and Recuperation!!  (If only I had a penny for each time I've dreamt of the moment we first lay eyes on him at the airport...)  After that point, we will truly be in the home stretch of the deployment; which seems a little less daunting when we look at it from that vantage point.

Each week Emmy seems to be coming more into her own.  She is still in perpetual motion, rolling everywhere she could possible want to go.  She has started pulling herself to her knees; and just today started rocking when on all fours.  She still boasts two teeth.  I am anticipating the next one any day now given the chewing, drool, fussing and her periodic interrupted sleep pattern.  She has become very fascinated by tracing things with her pointer finger and prefers "touch and feel" board books.  She takes her responsibility as our page-turner very seriously, which renders me awestruck no matter how many times she's done it.  She chatters on with her favorite sounds including: "aye," "dadada," "bababa,""lalala" and "vavava," not to forget the eardrum-rattling shrieks that she unleashes at all the least opportune times.  She might develop premature lines from the amount of smiling she does in a day, which is evidence of her happy, playful nature.  I have alternated the framed pictures in our home to my favorites of Emmy and Nick.  Throughout our day, we "converse" with Dada in passing.  Emmy has started grinning and "waving" at the pictures when we are near them.  The thought of Emmy demonstrating her obvious love for Dada in person leaves me misty-eyed.  (Not too much longer, not too much longer, not too much longer...)

Nick is in the throes of his Groundhog's day routine.  His days are filled working excessively long hours flying, completing administrative tasks and counseling his soldiers.  He's dealt with some serious personnel issues ranging from unsatisfactory workmanship, bad attitudes, poor physical fitness,  unprepared family care plans, infidelity, conflict associated with illegitimate children, marriages dissolving and suicide risks; and those are the cases he's mentioned to me.  Who knows how many high risk situations there are yet to be identified.  Only the army would be so intimately involved in it's employees' personal lives, but I understand that it's because there is so much at stake.  A soldier's mind clouded with stressors can ultimately lead to casualties.  So for now, Nick gets to wrestle with everyone's stressors.  I guess that makes him super human...I already knew that.

Working out and Skype calls home is how he fills his nearly non-existant wakeful downtime.  He actually took a "day off" a few weeks ago!  It was his first day with less than 10 hours of work since he arrived in theatre!  He slept in, had a lunch date with Emmy on the computer, took a long shower, drove his Commander's SUV (which is typically in use by someone else) to work, but not before stopping off at the "Green Beans Coffee Shop" for a sandwich and a mocha latte.  While at work, everyone was instructed not to bother him unless there was an emergency, which, thankfully there was not.  He stayed in his office for a few hours before calling it a day.  He was so tickled about his "off day," I can't remember the last time I heard him so "relaxed!"

Our Walk to Afghanistan challenge and Operation Pick-Me-Up have both far exceeded our wildest expectations!  Our families have collectively traveled 5,607.96 miles in our 10,644 mile trek to Afghanistan!!  There is no denying their desire to bridge the distance!!  How appropriate that we have just passed the halfway point!  As for Operation Pick-Me-Up, it has been made clear to us that our Lancers are greatly loved.  Family and friends have come out of the woodworks to support the cause!  It seems that everyone wants to offer support, they have just needed an outlet.  Every project thus far has become so much greater than Nick and I had originally planned!  Thank you for all of your support and your incredibly generous donations of wishlist items to help boost morale!  Our soldiers are amazed by your kindness and Nick and I are deeply moved by your selflessness.  Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I, for one, have found great satisfaction in my ritual of marking an "X" of the calendar and kicking back with a York Peppermint Patty at each day's end.  It's hard to say how much sugar I have ingested over the last six months, but I do believe, I have earned every last bit of it.

9 months old!

On all fours (or fives, including her head).

Fascinated by her ability to wave...

Ravenous Reader:

Deeply intrigued by farm animals.

She was mocking the dogs here, one of her most favorite pastimes.