SubscribeOn 15 March 2009 on our way back to the FOB from assessing a future school site in Kot, the lead vehicle of our 4 vehicle convoy (I was in the 4th truck) struck an IED. The truck was occupied by SSgt Timothy Bowles, SGT Christopher Abeyta, SPC Robert Weinger and SPC Norman Cain, four great guys. Two of them were killed instantly and the other two passed shortly after being medevac’d out.
SSgt Timothy Bowles
SGT Christopher Abeyta
SPC Robert Weinger
SPC Norman Cain
RIP guys, you’ll all be sorely missed.
March 23rd, 2009 - 1:50 am
Stateside, we’re always a few days getting the news…but we have heard about these fine gentlemen. I wish I could find words to express the combination of humility, sorrow and gratitude their untimely deaths provoke in me..but alas, words fail me. Sending you all lots of prayers from CA.
(As a side note – just discovered your blog today…thank you for sharing your stories. My bf’s headed (back) to the box soon, first time to ‘stan, though, so it’s good to get some boots-on-the-ground perspective.)
March 23rd, 2009 - 2:24 am
So deeply sorry.
March 23rd, 2009 - 2:54 am
Hi Mike,
We were saddened to hear the news. Tim had requested some books from our organization late last fall, and several volunteers sent some along. We’ve added him to the Memorial Wall on our website.
Tim’s parents live in my state, and I want to assure you that Tim is receiving the honor and dignity he deserves. Tim was brought home on Saturday with the Patriot Guard in attendance at the airport, and they’ll be at the National Cemetery again Monday when he is laid to rest. The governor has ordered flags across the state be lowered to half-staff Monday as well.
Please let us know at Books for Soldiers if there’s anything at all that we can do for you or the rest of PRT Nangarhar. It would be an honor to help.
–Julie
(Site Admin, booksforsoldiers.com)
March 23rd, 2009 - 8:43 am
What a horrible tragedy, I’m so sorry for all of you who knew them and for their families. God Bless all of you who put your lives on the line for our country.
March 24th, 2009 - 5:32 am
My deepest sympathy to all of you for the losses. Please know there are many, many folks holding all of you, and the families, in our prayers.
March 24th, 2009 - 9:44 am
What a tragedy…I’m deeply sadden by the loss of these young lives. I’m deploying in January and I pray for all of you everyday.
March 24th, 2009 - 8:59 pm
I am one of Norman’s cousins. I came by your page on accident but am very glad that I did. I cannot imagine what you must be going through there at this time, as I know what we are going through here. You all mean the world to us for what you are doing and I wish you the safest remainder of your deployment.
March 25th, 2009 - 9:36 am
No matter what I write I know it will not lessen the pain felt by those whose lives these fine gentlemen touched. Just please know that my heart goes out to you, your fellow military comrades and their families.
Keep your head down and your spirit up.
March 25th, 2009 - 9:55 am
Mike: I am so very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your team members. This has got to be a heavy thing to get through. I’ve only just recently found your blog and I thank you for taking the time to journal your experiences over there. We here (I’m in Oklahoma) can not begin to realize the horrors you have seen; the sadness, pain and outrage you must feel. For my part, I feel blessed that you and others are protecting our right to be free. Thank you.
March 25th, 2009 - 10:07 am
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 03/25/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
March 25th, 2009 - 2:01 pm
‘In his youth and strength, his love and loyalty, he gave all that mortality can give.’ Gen. MacArthur.
Rest in Peace. Ssgt Bowles, Spc Cain, Spc. Weinger, Sgt Abeyta
March 25th, 2009 - 10:39 pm
Rest in Peace brothers…
Thank you for posting God bless you and stay safe.
March 26th, 2009 - 12:00 am
Hey, man, do me a favor. Give your IO Capt. Dustin a big hug for me from his troops back home. we’re thinking of all of you guys and wish you a safe return. thanks for all your hard work.
Joker.
March 26th, 2009 - 8:44 am
I’m so sorry to hear about your lose. You have an indescribable strength that only soldiers like you possess. My thoughts and prayers go to you and your troop.
Wishing you a safe return.
March 26th, 2009 - 8:04 pm
Words cannot describe this huge loss.. Know that our hearts are heavy with you.
We will keep praying for God’s hedge of protection to be around you and every one else . My heart just aches.
Thankful you are safe.
Hugs from this mom.
March 27th, 2009 - 2:06 pm
Rest in Peace guys…
Thank you for posting this and God bless you all.
April 1st, 2009 - 1:53 pm
Hi Mike,
I am SPC Norman Cain III’s aunt. Please let everyone know that we love them and we are praying for their safety. We will be looking for the homecoming of our soldiers. SPC Norman Cain III, SGT Christopher Abeyta and SGT Robert Weinger are Heros!!!! We thank all of you for the jobs you are doing.
God Bless you all and stay safe.
Love,
Aunt Deb
April 1st, 2009 - 4:14 pm
May you and your team know that the 3 Illinois Soldiers that you lost were given a royal homecoming and beautiful services. The communities were lining the streets with flags and respect for each of your soldiers. Our thoughts here at home have often switched to those of you soldiers who still have to face the daily fight. Keep your heads up, your fallen soldiers in your hearts, and stay safe. May god bless each and everyone of you. You are in our thoughts daily. Thank you for serving our country and keeping us here at home in Illinois posted . Wishing you all a safe return home!
April 3rd, 2009 - 8:57 am
Just stopped by again to say hello & to see how you were holding up.
Keep safe!
April 5th, 2009 - 6:22 am
Bramelo
Our brothers will be sorely missed, i will never forget any of them. This is an awesome page!! Believe in the lord and know that they are in a better place. I’m comin down this month so get my bed ready and i’m gonna hug the puddin right out of ya. If anybody wishes to get a copy of these brave men go to myspace.com and copy the memorial picture our CA guy Moreno made it’s really awesome. my email address is burtch07@yahoo.com, i go by the user name nicky j. it really is a great picture. rip my brothers from PRT Nangarhar
love Supplies Finest SSgt Burtch
April 8th, 2009 - 4:01 pm
Thank you for your blog. Spc Cain was my husband. I was honored to be his wife and support him. Sgt Weinger and him were very close friends. These four men – as well as every man willing to make such a sacriice – are my heroes.
Norman was a true soldier. But he was also a devoted family man. I could not have asked for a better husband. Life will never be the same again. Norman owns a part of me that no one will ever be able to touch. I am fortunate enough to say that I was married to my soulmate, best friend, and the best man I’ve ever known.
The families of this sad event know that they are in my thoughts and my heart. I want the rest of the troops to know this as well. I am a proud Delta company wife. I will always be Delta company. As long as my brothers are there, a piece of me will be too. I hope and pray for the safe return of all the troops.
Thank you for being there for my husband. Thank you for making him smile. Thank you for supporting him. I will forever be in your debt.
April 9th, 2009 - 8:20 pm
This message is for Brigette
I will continue to pray for you and all loved ones . Your husband is also one of my heros. My youngest son, PFC Andrew, is stationed alongside these best of the best. I am so sorry for your loss and being a widow myself, no.. life is never quite the same. Please email me if you need someone who understands or if you just need to vent. Hugz and prayers.
April 10th, 2009 - 3:59 pm
Mike,
I just found your blog today and how sad that this is the first post I read. I’ve been a longtime supporter of the troops and have been involved with Soldiers Angels for years. It’s a fabulous organization and I get so much out of my relationships with our brave men and women that I have found through them. Currently I have a penpal (who has blossomed into a very good friend) stationed at Fenty so that’s how I found you, I was researching where he was and stumbled across the blog. I’m so sorry for your loss and am daily aware of the dangers you all face. I appreciate all your hard work, your dedication to service and country and the selfless job that you all tirelessly do each and every day. I am working my way through your blog entries right now and I have a feeling I may be a frequent reader of yours from now on. Thank you for taking the time to blog from over there. I know you guys have to wait online for computers sometimes. And thank you for all that you do every day. You and your fallen commrades will be in my prayers.
April 30th, 2009 - 2:29 pm
Cannot say how saddened I am to here of this great loss and so late after the fact. I can remember talking to 3 of these fine young soldiers when your unit was ripping in. I will continue to think of the rest of the guys until your tour there is complete. Keep your heads held high, do them justice and continue the mission, for they will surely be watching down on all of you.
May 13th, 2009 - 4:50 am
My thoughts are with you all. Heads up and “charlie mike”. Safe returns, O’D JBAD ’08
July 18th, 2009 - 2:56 am
Mike,
I found your blog today and I remember when I found out yall had lost these four braves men. I cant imagine your pain, Cals pain and the rest of the crews pain. I know I was numb when I found out because I worried for all of you.. and I was so sad for the families that lost their family members and I cant imagine the pain the families feel and how their lives have changed forever.. I am so greatful that Cal is heading home. I am the lucky one my husband is heading home..The things yall have faced is something some Americans can never understand. Its truly so sad. These Men will always be Heros, You are all Heros yall sacrifice so much for our freedom and for that I will be forever greatful. Thanks for posting this I wish I had found it sooner.. God Bless!!
July 31st, 2009 - 3:43 pm
rip guys.
Just read about this tragedy in the tribune today, it brought me to tears. Wanted to tell these fallen heros thanks for being soo brave and standing up for our country. You have done our fellow americans proud. God bless you guys and your families. RIP you are missed