Monday, May 02, 2011

The fallen

April 24th, DoD released the following: "The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation New Dawn. They died of wounds suffered April 22, in Numaniyah, Iraq when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas. Killed were: 1st Lt. Omar J. Vazquez, 25, of Hamilton, N.J.; and Pfc. Antonio G. Stiggins, 25, of Rio Rancho, N.M. For more information media may contact Fort Hood public affairs at 254-287-0106." He is one of eleven US soldiers announced dead in Iraq last month.

Steve Ramirez (Las Cruces Sun-News) notes, "Funeral services for Stiggins, a cavalry scout with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, who was killed in Iraq on April 22, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Christ's Church, 2200 N. Sycamore St., in Roswell. Stiggins will be laid to rest at South Park Cemetery, 3101 S. Main St., in Roswell." The day before, Wednesday, there will be a public viewing at the Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Amanda Goodman (KRQE, link has text and video) reports his body arrived in Roswell Saturday and a military procession followed to the funeral home. His survivors include his parents Angel Mayes and Luke Stiggins and Angel Mayes states, "There wasn't anything couldn't throw at that kid he wouldn't take on. With a sense of humor, I must add."

The Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home obituary includes the following:

Stiggins was born on July 3, 1985, to Angel and Luke Stiggins in Roswell, NM, Those left behind to cherish his memory are his parents, Angel Mayes and husband, Don and Luke Stiggins and wife, Debra Cole-Stiggins; uncles Jim Weiss and wife Christi, Dirk Stiggins and wife Susan, Mark Stiggins and wife Peggy; step-brothers Chance Blackwell and Chris Chavez, step-sister Mariah Chavez; grandfather Robert Whiteis; and cousins Barbara and Tom Gregga; and numerous cousins and extended family. Stiggins was preceded in death by his grandparents Clementine Whiteis, Alvera Joseph and Katherine Stiggins; great grand parents Antonio Chariantano and wife Angela Salazzo Chariantano; Uncle Frank Chariantano and wife Colleen. The families’ wish to extend their gratitude and sincerest thanks for the support of the United States Army, the Patriot Riders, family and friends, and the Roswell Community for their generous out pour of love and support during our time of sorrow and mourning. In lieu of flowers, the families wish to request that memorial donations be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project, the Fisher House Project, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Blue to Gold Star Foundation and the American USO. Information for these organizations may be obtained through Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory, Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register book at andersonbethany.com,


US House Rep Steve Pearce notes the passing, "I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences for the family of Pfc. Antonio Stiggins. Our nation is profoundly thankful for the sacrifices made every day by the members of our armed forces and their families. Pfc. Stiggins will always be remembered for what he gave in defense of our freedoms. His family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."


Bonnie notes that Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "White House Correspondents Dinner" and Kat's "Kat's Korner: You're no Emmett Till" went up yesterday. Today on Law and Disorder Radio (begins broadcasting at 9:00 am EST on WBAI and around the country throughout the week), Michael Ratner, Heidi Boghosian and Michael S. Smith explore the crime of human trafficking with the ACLU's Chandra Bhatnagar and guest worker Sabulal Vijayan; and, with poli sci professor John Ehrenberg, they explore class warfare and economic justice.

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