Blue to Gold: ARMY Staff Sgt Kenneth W. Bennett

ARMY Staff Sgt Kenneth W. Bennett, twenty-six, of Glendora, California, died November 10, in Sperwan Gar, Afghanistan.
Kenneth Wade Bennett, twenty-six, of Glendora, Calif., was killed in the Sperwan Gar area of Kandahar province. He was assigned to the 53rd Ordnance Company of Lewis-McChord’s 3rd Explosive Ordnance Battalion.

EOD companies belonging to the 3rd battalion are serving throughout southern Afghanistan in small teams this year, attaching themselves to infantry units patrolling through dangerous terrain in the Taliban’s birthplace.

Bennett was on his third deployment to Afghanistan. He served there from August 2007 to November 2008 and from March 2010 to March 2011. He deployed for his last mission there in September.

Bennett joined the Army in 2004 and trained to become an explosive ordnance technician in 2006. He has been assigned to Lewis-McChord since 2009.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 bronze loops, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, as well as other awards and ribbons.

He is the 32nd Lewis-McChord soldier to die in Afghanistan this year, and the first from Lewis-McChord units in his EOD battalion since the spring of 2010.

Read more: http://sgt-jim.blogspot.com/2012/11/rip-staff-sgt-kenneth-w-bennett.html

Kenneth Wade Bennett, 26, of Glendora, Calif., was killed in the Sperwan Gar area of Kandahar province. He was assigned to the 53rd Ordnance Company of Lewis-McChord’s 3rd Explosive Ordnance Battalion. EOD companies belonging to the 3rd battalion are serving throughout southern Afghanistan in small teams this year, attaching themselves to infantry units patrolling through dangerous terrain in the Taliban’s birthplace. Bennett was on his third deployment to Afghanistan. He served there from August 2007 to November 2008 and from March 2010 to March 2011. He deployed for his last mission there in September. Bennett joined the Army in 2004 and trained to become an explosive ordnance technician in 2006. He has been assigned to Lewis-McChord since 2009. His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 bronze loops, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, as well as other awards and ribbons. He is the 32nd Lewis-McChord soldier to die in Afghanistan this year, and the first from Lewis-McChord units in his EOD battalion since the spring of 2010.

Read more: http://sgt-jim.blogspot.com/2012/11/rip-staff-sgt-kenneth-w-bennett.html

Read more: http://seemydeath.com/military/3991-staff-sergeant-kenneth-w-bennett-26-killed-by-ied-during-combat-operations-in-sperwan-gar-afghanistan.html#ixzz2CVcDKXaN
Follow us: @seemydeath on Twitter | seemydeath on Facebook

Read more: http://seemydeath.com/military/3991-staff-sergeant-kenneth-w-bennett-26-killed-by-ied-during-combat-operations-in-sperwan-gar-afghanistan.html#ixzz2CVcDKXaN
Follow us: @seemydeath on Twitter | seemydeath on Facebook“EOD companies belonging to the 3rd battalion are serving throughout southern Afghanistan in small teams this year, attaching themselves to infantry units patrolling through dangerous terrain in the Taliban’s birthplace. Bennett was on his third deployment to Afghanistan. He served there from August 2007 to November 2008 and from March 2010 to March 2011. He deployed for his last mission there in September. Bennett joined the Army in 2004 and trained to become an explosive ordnance technician in 2006. He has been assigned to Lewis-McChord since 2009” (source: Army EOD sergeant from JBLM killed in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive http://blog.thenewstribune.com/military/2012/11/11/army-eod-sergeant-from-jblm-killed-in-afghanistan-by-an-improvised-explosive/ ).
His service record indicates Staff Sgt. Kenneth W. Bennett was “decorated.” Service awards include “the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 bronze loops, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal", as well as other numerous otherawards and ribbons.

Read more: http://seemydeath.com/military/3991-staff-sergeant-kenneth-w-bennett-26-killed-by-ied-during-combat-operations-in-sperwan-gar-afghanistan.html#ixzz2CVcDKXaN
Follow us: @seemydeath on Twitter | seemydeath on Facebook“EOD companies belonging to the 3rd battalion are serving throughout southern Afghanistan in small teams this year, attaching themselves to infantry units patrolling through dangerous terrain in the Taliban’s birthplace. Bennett was on his third deployment to Afghanistan. He served there from August 2007 to November 2008 and from March 2010 to March 2011. He deployed for his last mission there in September. Bennett joined the Army in 2004 and trained to become an explosive ordnance technician in 2006. He has been assigned to Lewis-McChord since 2009” (source: Army EOD sergeant from JBLM killed in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive http://blog.thenewstribune.com/military/2012/11/11/army-eod-sergeant-from-jblm-killed-in-afghanistan-by-an-improvised-explosive/ ).
His service record indicates Staff Sgt. Kenneth W. Bennett was “decorated.” Service awards include “the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 bronze loops, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal", as well as other numerous otherawards and ribbons.

Read more: http://seemydeath.com/military/3991-staff-sergeant-kenneth-w-bennett-26-killed-by-ied-during-combat-operations-in-sperwan-gar-afghanistan.html#ixzz2CVc0WjDN
Follow us: @seemydeath on Twitter | seemydeath on Facebook

Read more: http://seemydeath.com/military/3991-staff-sergeant-kenneth-w-bennett-26-killed-by-ied-during-combat-operations-in-sperwan-gar-afghanistan.html#ixzz2CVc0WjDN
Follow us: @seemydeath on Twitter | seemydeath on FacebookStaff Sgt. Kenneth W. Bennett, 26, of Glendora, Calif., died Nov. 10, in Sperwan Gar, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when he encountered an improvised explosive device during combat operations. He was assigned to the 53rd Ordnance Company (EOD), 3rd Ordnance Battalion (EOD), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Read more: http://seemydeath.com/military/3991-staff-sergeant-kenneth-w-bennett-26-killed-by-ied-during-combat-operations-in-sperwan-gar-afghanistan.html#ixzz2CVc0WjDN
Follow us: @seemydeath on Twitter | seemydeath on FacebookStaff Sgt. Kenneth W. Bennett, 26, of Glendora, Calif., died Nov. 10, in Sperwan Gar, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when he encountered an improvised explosive device during combat operations. He was assigned to the 53rd Ordnance Company (EOD), 3rd Ordnance Battalion (EOD), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Blue to Gold: ARMY Spc Daniel L. Carlson

ARMY Spc Daniel L. Carlson, twenty-one, of Running Springs, California, died November 9, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
While the Friday death of Army Spc. Daniel L. Carlson, twenty-one, of Running Springs, California, is still under investigation, Glendora mourns the loss of another fallen soldier.

Carlson died in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan, but his death was determined to have not derived from combat.

Carlson was a CH-47 Chinook helicopter repairer serving his first combat deployment, according to Army officials. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

Carlson, who is survived by his wife and parents, was raised in Glendora and attended middle school in Glendora before the family relocated to Running Springs. Carlson still has extended family members residing in Glendora.

Carlson earned several awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, among many others.

Rockets Fired From Egypt as Israel Hits Hamas HQs

Sources in Israel also tell us that rockets are now coming out of Egypt's Sinai peninsula, as well as the continued rain from Gaza.

This after Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil visited Hamas' front lines, and President Mohamed Morsi berated Israel for their actions.

According to the Israeli Defense Forces, one of the Gazan rockets hit electrical cables, which feed Gaza, knocking power out to the northern part of the area.

Israel hit Hamas Headquarter buildings, in Gaza, over night, so as to avoid casualties.

Israel is continuing airstrikes into Saturday, as they try to end the confrontation, before ground troops become required.

The Cabinet has authorized the call up of seventy-five thousand reservists, sixteen thousand of which have already received word.

Review: Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2

Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2, hit theaters at midnight Thursday/Friday.

As the last movie in the Twilight Saga, it had a lot of closing up to do.

After the Cullens are falsely accused of turning a child into a vampire, the Volturi are coming to destroy them.

The epic battle between the Volturi and the Cullens with their werewolf allies, clearly takes place, as you can see in the trailer.

There's a lot of build up before that, mostly with Bella getting used to being a vampire, and the Cullen's gathering vampire allies, to help them against the Volturi threat.

Yes, there is an actually rather spectacular twist, near the end of the movie, though apparently those who read the books, won't be quite as surprised as those who didn't.

We won't say anything more, so as not to spoil the movie, but Twilight fans will love this last installment, those just going along to the movie should enjoy it as well.

O, and despite the rumors, there isn't anything after the credits, though there is some pretty decent music during them.

Walmart Workers Planning Black Friday Strike

Walmart workers are planning another strike, this one to take place on Black Friday.

Organizers with Organization United for Respect at Walmart, say that over a thousand stores will see strikes.

It is unclear how many employees will participate, as there is no union in the company.

According to the organizers, the strike's goal is "to inform customers about the illegal actions that Walmart has been taking against its employees".

The decision comes after Walmart announced that Black Friday shopping specials will begin at 8pm, on Thursday, which is Thanksgiving.

That decision, by Walmart, has been spoken against by employees and shoppers.

October saw the first ever strikes against the company, which is the largest employer, in the world.

Workers are complaining about poor treatment and low wages.

Chicago Alderman Seeking Ban on Energy Drinks

Alderman George Cardenas, of Chicago's twelfth district, is proposing that the city ban caffeine filled energy drinks.

He made his call just two days after the FDA announced links between energy drinks and deaths.

Cardenas says that the city of Chicago should ban the energy drinks for anyone under the age of twenty-one.

He is the City Council's Health Committee, and has attacked various other things he saw as unhealthy, like sodas, before.

The Alderman sees no reason to ban energy drinks that don't have caffeine in them, as the FDA has not linked anything to them.

Taliban Accidentaly Reveals Email Contacts

Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, spokesperson for the Taliban, made a slight error, Saturday morning.

He accidentally revealed everyone who he sends emails to.

Instead of using the BCC, or blind carbon copy, function he used just plain old CC, showing everyone who received the email, who else got it.

Whilst most of them were Afghani journalists, to whom the Taliban sends their press releases, attack claims, etc., some of them were not.

The others included government officials, scholars, and activists, bringing into question why they're on the mailing list.

All of those non journalist recipients can now expect to be investigated for ties to the Taliban.

Missouri Police Arrest Man Planning Twilight Theater Shooting

Police in Bolivar, Missouri have arrested Blaec Lammers, twenty, on charges that he planned to shoot up a movie theater.

According to police, Lammers had recently purchased rifles and ammunition, with the goal of recreating the July tragedy at a theater in Aurora, Colorado, where thirteen were killed.

He had a ticket to Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 at the B&B Theatre, in Bolivar.

His mother turned him in, Thursday, when he asked her if he should change his target to a Walmart, as he was worried about running out of ammunition.

Lammers is being held at Polk County Jail, on charges of felony assault, making a terrorist threat, and armed criminal action.

Four Vets Killed by Train Remembered

Stouffer, Boivin, Michael, and Lubbers

Four people were killed and seventeen injured, Thursday, when a train crashed into the parade float they were riding, through Midland, Texas.

The parade had been honoring United States' veterans.

Four of the injured remain in the hospital, one of them in critical condition.

The identities of the four dead were released, Friday, they were all US veterans.

Sergeant Major Gary Stouffer, thirty-seven, Sergeant Major Lawrence Boivin, forty-seven, Army Sergeant Joshua Michael, thirty-four, and Sergeant Major William Lubbers, thirty-four.

Midland, Texas is reeling from the tragedy, mourning those lost in it.

Officials are investigating why the train was going so fast through town.

According to parade organizers, no train was scheduled, until hours later, so they thought they were safe.

The parade has been taking place for years, always along the same route, never with any incidents, til now.

Hamas Continues Rocket Fire, Israel Prepares Ground Troops, Egypt Supports Hamas

Iron Dome blocks two incoming rockets

Over one hundred and fifty rockets were fired at Israel, on Friday alone, bringing the total, over the last few days to near six hundred.

Israel's Iron Dome Defense System has intercepted around two hundred of the incoming projectiles.

Almost all of the rockets have been aimed at urban areas, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Three Israelis have been killed and dozens more have been treated by medical staff as Gazan terrorists, led by Hamas, continue their rain of terror.

The Israel Defense Forces' precision retaliation and targeting has killed twenty-eight and injured over one hundred Gazans, most of whom were militants, some of whom were human shields.

Israel is now deciding on whether or not a ground war will be a necessary thing.

The Cabinet has allowed for the activation of up to seventy-five thousand reservists, of whom sixteen thousand have already received the call.

Ground troops have been building up, along and near the border, ever since the first calls went out.

Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil visited Hamas' front lines, showing his country's support for their actions.

Israel held off fire during his visit, a cease fire that was not matched by Hamas, who used the opportunity to fire more rockets.

During Qandil's visit, two thousand Egyptians protested in Tahrir Square, demanding the government act against Israel.