|
|
UPDATE: PENTAGON CONFIRMS SOLDIER'S DEATH; WI NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP FAMILY
Tuesday, December 28th, 2004 -- 9:22 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
The U.S. Military has officially confirmed the death of 36-year-old Staff Sgt. Todd Olson of Loyal. In a press release issued this (Tuesday) morning, The U.S. Department of Defense confirms Olson died on Monday, Dec. 27 in the 67th Combat Support Hospital in Tikrit from wounds sustained in Samarra – a city about 60-miles north of Baghdad -- on Dec. 26, when an improvised explosive device detonated.
Maj. Gen. Albert H. Wilkening of the Wisconsin National Guard released a statement this morning in which he says, (quote) “Words cannot express the sadness the entire Wisconsin National Guard family feels following” Olson’s death. He has ordered flags at all Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities lowered to half-staff until sunset on the day of his funeral service, which has yet to be scheduled.
Now, officials with the Wisconsin National Guard will focus on helping the Olson family through the grieving process. Today (Tuesday), Major General Wilkening hopes to travel to Loyal to meet with the family to offer support. The National Guard has appointed a Casualty Assistance Officer who will spend as much time with the family as necessary to help them with funeral arrangements, benefits, moral support, etc. Critical for closure returning Todd’s body to his hometown for memorial and proper burial.
|
|
|
VIEW OUR ARCHIVE
|
|
