[ Home ] [ Order Form ] [ Feedback ]

Tara Hall

Specialist in The Fighting 69th, Irish Brigade Military Memorabilia

 

News From Iraq
[ News ] [ About the 69th ] [ Catalog ] [ Support th 69th ]

For news about the activities 1st Battalion 69th Infantry (Mechanized), NY Army National Guard go to our "NEWS" page.

Search for:

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ September 11th ] [ News From Iraq ]

Visit
Dedicated to telling the tales of Erin's far flung exiles. http://www.thewildgeese.com/ 
including those who served with
the fighting 69th!

 

Want to learn about the history of the Fighting 69th?
Click here!

The 69th is on active duty in Iraq. 

We will try to keep you posted on the last news

1/13/04 SGT KENNETH GERALD GRIMM VON RONN

SGT Von Ronn was Killed In Action on Thursday 6 January 2005 while 
serving with HHC 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry as a Combat Medic. He was 
lost along with 6 other Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard 
serving with the 69th Infantry.

ARRANGEMENTS:

William M Gagan Funeral Home
1525 Burlingham Rd
Pine Bush NY 12566
845-744-5008

Thursday 13 January and Friday 14 January 1400 - 1600 and 1900 - 2100 hrs each day.

Veteran Corps Commander Tom Fitzsimmons requests that members of the Corps meet at the Funeral Home on Friday 14 January prior to 2000 hrs for a brief ceremony and Final Salute.

Burial Services will take place at the Funeral Home on Saturday 15 
January at 1100 hrs. Internment will be at the Sullivan County Veterans 
Cemetery, Liberty NY.

SERVICE HISTORY: Joined the NYARNG on 31 March 2003 assigned to HHC 1st Battalion 101st Cavalry as a Combat Medic. SGT VonRonn was then further attached to Delta Company 1st Battalion 101st Cavalry, Newburgh, NY as the Company Medic. On 6 April 04 SGT VonRonn was transferred to HHC 69th Infantry to support the May 15th Federal mobilization of the 69th INF Battalion and Delta Company 1st Battalion 101st Cavalry to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He was 20 years old and is survived by his wife.

DIRECTIONS FROM NEW YORK CITY: Take New York State Thruway north to exit 16 (Harriman) Through toll booth to Rt.17 west for about a 1/2 hour to exit 115. At end of ramp make Rt. turn to stop sign then left turn onto Burlingham Rd. Go about 6-7 miles we will be next to last building on left hand side.

DIRECTIONS FROM CONNECTICUT: 84 West over Newburgh Beacon Bridge to 
exit 8 (Rt.52 Walden), West 15 miles to Pine Bush, go through both lights at third light stay straight to where road (y's) bare left at (y) we are second building on right.

DIRECTIONS FROM UPSTATE NEW YORK. Take New York State Thruway south to exit 17 Newburgh. Take Rt.17K west 15-20 miles into Bullville. At light make right onto Rt.302 follow to Pine Bush about 4-6 miles. At traffic light make left, through one light to (y) in road bare left at (y) we are second building on right.

12/9/04 69th KIA

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of SSG Henry Irizarry. He was KIA in Iraq on 3 December 2004 when insurgents set of a remote controlled bomb blowing him out of the right side of his Humvee. Three other soldiers in the vehicle with him survived the attack near the town of Taji, 30 miles North of Baghdad. Born in Puerto Rico, he moved to the Bronx and joined the NY National Guard at age 18 after completing his High School education. He leaves behind his wife Jessica and 4 children. A solid Soldier, he was known in the 69th for his great disposition and warm smile. Regrettably he is the third 69th Soldier KIA. The 69th also lost a Soldier in training at Ft Hood Texas. SSG HENRY E IRIZARRY HHC 1ST BN 69TH INF (MECH) NYARNG June 5th, 1966 - December 3rd, 2004

12/4/04 MORE SAD NEWS FROM IRAQ 

We regret to inform you that another of our 69th Soldiers was killed in a Humvee accident this past Wednesday in Iraq. He was originally from the 101st Cavalry in Staten Island - assigned to D Company of the 69th INF, 256th BCT. May God Bless him eternal rest. The Rear Detachment under CPT Rafael Santiago, 1SG Lee Ortiz, SFC Raul Colon, SP David Monks and the other dedicated soldiers in the Rear Detachment are doing their utmost to assure that our honored dead and wounded and their families receive every priority and entitlement possible. We also have some good news - SP Richard Cornier who was severely wounded in Monday’s savage roadside attack has awaken from his coma and is alert, suffered no brain damage and is in hospital in Germany. That is fantastic news given the early prognosis. This information comes directly from the Battalion to the Veteran Corps and they and we will only report actual details as released by them. Let us all take a moment and bombard St Peter at the Pearly Gates and let him know that all 69th Soldiers will arrive some day - but not right now as they have too much work to do.

12/0204 First Casualties in Iraq

This bad news from the 69th Reg't armory, courtesy of SPC (Specialist) Monks in the 69th Rear Detachment: SGT Engeldrum and SPC Urbina were KIA on 29 NOV 04. They were in the same HMMWV in an eight vehicle convoy while going under an overpass. Their HMMWV was hit by an IED. There were also three wounded, one of whom is not doing very well.