This Week at War: Every Day is Memorial Day
The Stream's weekly look at the sacrifices of U.S. troops and military families around the globe.
Fallen Hero
The Stream relayed the story of U.S. Army Spc. Gabriel Conde shortly after he was killed in Afghanistan. This week in Colorado, the 22-year-old fallen hero was laid to rest.
While Memorial Day is more than a week away, this past Sunday and Monday‘s solemn events offer an important reminder. With our nation still at war and thousands of military families continuing to grieve the post-9/11 deaths of their loved ones, every day is Memorial Day.
Specialist Conde could have done anything he wanted with his life, yet chose to serve. After making the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, where thousands of American service members have fought for almost 17 years, this courageous soldier now rests at Fort Logan National Cemetery, which is named for Civil War Gen. John Logan, who led the Union’s volunteer army.
Like the selfless patriots before him, Spc. Gabriel Conde was a true volunteer warrior. We will not forget his valiant deeds, nor will we stop praying for his devastated family, before and after Memorial Day.
Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, where about 14,000 U.S. service members are still serving, brave American troops helped their Afghan counterparts push back an attempted Taliban assault this week in the city of Farah. According to CNN, the U.S. military responded with fighter jets and drones when Taliban fighters were first seen on the city’s outskirts.
American troops “eventually arrived in the city to assist Afghan military commanders at their headquarters, helping to call in drone strikes that killed some 28 Taliban fighters,” Lt. Col. Martin O’Donnell told the network.
October 7, 2018, will mark the 17-year anniversary of the war in Afghanistan’s launch.
Iraq and Syria
American troops are still risking their lives in Iraq and Syria, particularly in the perilous border region. This collection of U.S. Army photos shows American and Syrian forces firing mortars at ISIS over the weekend during an offensive operation that the U.S. military is calling “Operation Roundup.” Please keep these warriors in your prayers as they confront evil terrorists in a dangerous land.
Coming Home
The crew of the guided-missile destroyed USS Dewey is back home after three months patrolling the East China Sea, Philippine Sea and Western Pacific.
A U.S. Navy sailor aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey poses for a photo with her daughter after the ship returned to Naval Base San Diego on May 11, 2018.
It’s heartwarming to see this dedicated U.S. Navy sailor reunited with her happy daughter. Welcome home, hero!
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of three books about military heroes: 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo.
