Family of slain soldier blames exhaustion

[frogcycle]

Family of slain soldier blames exhaustion

Published June 27 2007

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/state/hc-27172125.apds.m0199.bc-ct--soldjun27,0,6977828.story?coll=hc-headlines-local-wire

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The family of a soldier killed in Iraq Monday blamed his death on exhaustion, saying soldiers there are not getting enough rest.



Pfc. Andre Craig Jr., 24, of New Haven, died of wounds sustained from the explosion of a roadside bomb in Baghdad.

Craig, a graduate of Wilbur Cross High School, was an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kan.

He entered the Army in October 2005 and began serving with the 1st Infantry Division in March 2006. This was his first deployment to Iraq.

Craig, whose nickname was Dre, called his family by cell phone Saturday to tell them he was on 24-hour security duty, said Erik Brown, his godfather and family spokesman. After that, Craig went out on a mission and was killed, he said.

"He was very tired, he was exhausted," Brown said Thursday. "Due to that exhaustion, we believe that's why we lost Andre. The soldiers are not getting rest, they're tired."

An Army spokeswoman at Fort Riley did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the family's assertions.

Brown and family members wore T-shirts with Craig's picture and the words, "Dre 2007 in God we trust."

Craig, 24, returned to New Haven recently for a brief visit to celebrate his birthday and to meet his infant daughter, Taylor, who was born while he was serving in Iraq.

Craig described "deplorable" conditions in Iraq, including women being raped and feces in the street, Brown said.

"They're terrorizing each other and we have our soldiers in the middle of a civil war," Brown said.

Still, Craig was happy doing his job, Brown said. Family and friends said Craig, who had been in Iraq about six months, wanted to be a state trooper and had planned to go to college.

The governor has ordered that flags be flown at half staff until Craig's burial.

"He took on the most hazardous duties to protect our country's freedom," Rell said in a statement. "His bravery, his courage and the sacrifice he made for each and every one of us will never be forgotten."

Craig was the 38th military member with Connecticut ties to die since the war began in 2002. Two Connecticut civilians have also been killed.

Craig lived with his 22-year-old brother, Jonathan.

Craig and his five siblings were close to their mother, a nurse's aide at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven, said family friend Khabira Hill.

Craig's family plans to hold a funeral service in New Haven and have him buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Jonathan Craig's eyes welled up with tears as he recalled his brother's last visit with his daughter.

"The last words he said he said to me in the living room is take care of my daughter as if you were a father to her until I come back," Jonathan Craig said.

[midnight]

1. This is just so sad. Another lost soldier for the surge.

Please bring them all home-alive.....

[Bobbieo]

2. Add 'Heat' exhaustion - It was 111 degrees in Baghdad today.

and it was 111 degrees in Yuma today. I live in an AC house with a swimming pool and wear a bathing suit most of the day to keep cool.

He wore full body armor - right!!! Bring 'em home ASAP

[frogcycle]

3. N.M. soldier dies of apparent heatstroke

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/06/ap_heatstroke_070627/



The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jun 27, 2007 6:27:06 EDT

VEGUITA, N.M. — A New Mexico family is mourning the loss of a 20-year-old soldier who died from a non-combat-related illness while serving in Iraq.

The Department of Defense said Army Pfc. Henry G. Byrd III died Sunday in Landstuhl, Germany, after becoming ill last week. The Defense Department gave no details, but Byrd’s family said the soldier died after collapsing from apparent heatstroke...

[EFerrari]

4. Kick

:mad:

[Solly Mack]

5. the number of deaths in Iraq isn't wedded to incrementalism

nothing gradual about the daily dying

[lonestarnot]

6. He looks tired in the pic. So fucking sad. Bushitler I hate you more with every passing soldier's

death you lying fucking serial killer!

[ninkasi]

8. That struck me, too

His picture is haunting. A young, handsome man, but with such a sad look on his face, as if he knew then what was going to happen to him. My deepest condolences to his family, they have lost one of their own loved members, sacrificed to Bush's ego, and the greed for oil.

[Le Taz Hot]

7. Everytime I see the

beautiful, precious face of one of our brave soldiers that have passed, I cry. Literally. Goddess help us, what a waste of precious life. WHERE THE HELL ARE THE PRO-LIFERS NOW??? I know it's not healthy to hate but I don't know what else to feel towards the greedy mother fuckers who sent this beautiful young man, and all the rest, to this needless war for the sake money.

I hope to goddess these people have the worst karma coming to them.

[uppityperson]

9. k&r