Blue Star Chronicles

The Dagger Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division based out of Schweinfurt, Germany has suffered huge losses this week. Four men were on patrol when their Humvee was hit by an IED - a 55-gallon drum packed with explosives.

From Stars and Stripes

Sgt. Bacilio E. Cuellar, 24, of Odessa, Texas; Spc. James E. Lundin, 20, of Bellport, N.Y.; and Pfc. Joshua M. Moore, 20, of Russellville, Ky., were killed Wednesday when their vehicle struck an explosive.

All were members of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment “Vanguards,” part of the 2nd “Dagger” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

The Schweinfurt based Soldiers have taken heavy loses.

A spokesperson for the Schweinfurt public affairs office said that a memorial service for the three has not yet been scheduled, but announced that a memorial for another Vanguard soldier, Spc. Clinton Coy Blodgett, killed May 26, and another Dagger soldier, Staff Sgt. Virgil Chance Martinez, of 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, who died May 6, will be held Monday, at 1 p.m., at the Ledward Barracks chapel.

Sgt. Cuellar’s mother left this message on Cuellar’s myspace page:

“To all of you who Love Bacilio and know him: I am Bozzy’s Mom, I was greeted at my door on May 30th at 18:10 p.m. by representatives of the U.S. Army, a chaplain and a grievance officer. They came in and sat Shauna (Bozzy’s sister) and I down. The major got down on his knee to be eye level with us and said these words ‘Ma’am, as a representative of the U.S. Army, I and the U.S. Army regret to inform you that this day May 30th at 14:46 Iraq time your son was on patrol and his vehicle was struck by an ‘IED’ ma’am, Sgt. Bacilio Cuellar did not survive.’

“Sitting here typing this so you all know what has happened and that what you are hearing is not a rumor. I am still in disbelief, Bacilio is an awesome man, father of three incredible boys, husband to beautiful Nicki, brother and man what a son, there are not enough words to express our sorrow and grief. I LOVE YOU FOREVER, LIKE YOU FOR ALWAYS, AS LONG AS I’M LIVING, MY BABY YOU’LL BE! I miss you terribly Bacilio, I love you baby.”

More about Bacilio E. Cuellar and here. Patriot Guard Forum. Guestbook.

Pfc. Joshua Moore had just been home on leave over Mother’s Day. The Logan County Executive has issued an executive order that flags be flown at half-mast until dusk on the day of Moore’s funeral.

Moore was very aware that his life was in danger. Givens said he had left plans for his funeral services while he was here in the past few weeks.

Josh Moore was a basketball player at Lewisburg Middle School, a Babe Ruth baseball all-star, and a high school baseball player. He gave up sports after his sophomore year to go to work. “He could have played varsity his junior and senior years, but he decided it was more important for him to start working at the Lewisburg Minit Mart,” said his high school coach, Ethan Meguiar.

More about Joshua M. Moore and here and here. Guestbook.

Spc. James Lundin had told people that he felt parents should not have to go to war, therefore he felt it was up to young men like himself to fight war. In spite of the difficulties of being at war in Baghdad, he believed in what he was doing.

Lundin, an only child, attended Bellport middle and high schools and enjoyed drawing, skating and snowboarding, his father said.

He was also a brave person and a risk-taker who liked driving fast, his wife said. When he was home in January, he bought a yellow Honda S2000, which he had planned to soup up.

On Friday, his parents, who found out about his death late Thursday after returning from a trip to Arizona, were watching a video of him and his father skydiving on a recent trip home.

Lundin attended Suffolk County Community College in Riverhead, where he finished his high school credits and met his wife.

The young couple met as they both waited for rides home. He initiated the conversation and asked her what she liked to do for fun.

“I said, ‘I like to play video games.’ He said, ‘Marry me,’” said Kristy Lundin, who grew up in Patchogue and now lives with her in-laws.

The couple dated for a brief time before he joined the military.

After being apart for some time, they reconnected and made the spontaneous decision to get married, she said.

The couple had a proxy wedding in January and had planned a formal wedding for June 30. When his tour was extended, they rescheduled it for November, she said.

More about James E. Lundin and here and here. Patriot Guard Forum. Guestbook.

I didn’t know any of these young courageous men personally, but my son did. They were his friends. He tells me they were brave and honorable young men who served our country well.

My heart and prayers go out to their families, their friends and the other young men in their company still serving in the violent areas of Baghdad infested by al-Qaeda, JAM and Iranian operatives. The loss of these young men is a loss for our nation and is felt deeply by all who knew and loved them.

They deserve to be honored by a grateful nation.

Echo Taps courtesy of Castle Argghhh!

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