I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Joint Guardian. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
Sgt. 1st Class Elis Angel Barreto Ortiz
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz, 34, from Morovis, Puerto Rico, was killed in action Sept. 5, 2019, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation. ~ DoD News Release
On Thursday, September 5th Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz was stopped outside of an Afghanistan National Directorate of Security checkpoint when he and a Romanian soldier with the NATO-led Resolute Support mission was killed when a powerful car bomb exploded near their vehicle
Next came another car bomb that exploded near an Afghan military base in Logar Province which killed and wounded a total of 15 civilians.
A final attack, which had been intended to target U.S. forces who were responding to the initial explosion, wounded at least nine U.S. Special Forces soldiers. ~ Stars and Stripes
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide car bombing. ~ News Source
Elis Angel Barreto Ortiz was born in Morovis, Puerto Rico. One of his oldest childhood friends, Miguel Otero of San Juan described him as “a tremendous friend, always happy “.
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When Barreto enlisted in the Army in August 2010 friends and family say he was following in his father’s footsteps.
Julio Torres, the Army recruiter who signed Ortiz into the U.S. Army in 2010 recalled Ortiz:
“He was a great person, honest, caring and full of hopes and dreams. I do carry a burden for his death, but in this line of duty, there is a risk.”
Sgt 1st Class Barreto Ortiz left his fellow service members, who affectionately called him “Papi”, struggling with their loss. Sgt Tylar Sieck spoke to the most notable attributes of his character and how he impacted the company:
“This guy touched so many people’s lives. He had a way of making people laugh; often cracking a wide, cheesy smile in photographs.”
According to Sieck, Sgt Ortiz encouraged soldiers to speak up when they needed help, especially while on missions. Ortiz told his troops he was always there to help.
“Everyone is trying to act like we’re fine, because that’s what we do as paratroopers, but at the end of the day, we know we’re struggling.”
Sgt Sieck remarked that he intends to employ what he learned from Barrero in being honest about needing help.
Col. Arthur Sellers, commander 3rd Brigade Combat Team released the following in a statement:
“With honor and courage, Sgt 1st Class Barreto answered our nation’s call to deploy and serve in Afghanistan. In this most difficult time, his loved ones are now surrounded by a community of love and caring by members of our Paratrooper Family Readiness Group." ~ News Source
Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Action Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, the Army Driver and Mechanic Badge.
Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter.
I Got the News Today" is a series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifices made by our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, Joy of Fishes, SARBill and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write but are an important service to those who have died and allows our community to show respect for the fallen and express condolences to those who mourn them. These posts usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service member(s) mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.