3 U.S. troops killed in Pakistan

According to various media reports, three American soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack today in northwest Pakistan. Four Pakistanis were killed in the savage bombing, including children, and at least 120 were wounded.

The U.S. troops, who were in Pakistan in a training capacity, were helping local forces on a convoy to a reopened school that had been previously blown up by terrorists. Pakistani police say the bomb was remotely detonated.

"The United States condemns this vicious terrorist bombing," the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said in a written statement. "We express our condolences to the families of the deceased and our sympathy and support to the wounded."

The Unknown Soldiers will be following this story in the coming days and weeks. The names of the U.S. troops killed will be released by the Pentagon after families of the fallen have been notified.

'The Hurt Locker' gets 9 Oscar nominations

I have written extensively about "The Hurt Locker," which I consider the best American movie of the decade. Today, Hollywood gave the film some major recognition, with nine Oscar nominations. "Avatar," which I have also posted about on this blog, had the same nomination count. The fact that the two films tied is stunning, considering Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq war film has made about $580 million less at the U.S. box office than ex-husband James Cameron's special effects extravaganza.

I generally have little interest in celebrities or watching them honor themselves. But I am admittedly very pleased that Jeremy Renner, who played Staff Sgt. Will James in "The Hurt Locker," received a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Renner visited the CNN.com newsroom in June 2009 to discuss the little-known film with CNN.com Live anchor Naamua Delaney, who left CNN shortly before I did. If you watch the interview, which is embedded below, you will see how deeply affected Renner was by this role. It is also obvious, particularly as he discusses one powerful scene, how much he respects the men and women of the Armed Forces, as well as the Iraqi people.

My favorite scene in "The Hurt Locker" does not involve IEDs or gun battles with insurgents. It is a transition masterfully portrayed by Bigelow, showing Renner's character going from the unforgiving streets of Iraq to the boring aisle of a grocery store at home. That moment taught me a lot about how hard coming home must be for many veterans, and helped me understand why some are having such difficulties adjusting to the homefront. To me, the film has no agenda except helping Americans appreciate that our troops, while not superhuman or perfect, do extraordinary things.

If you haven't seen "The Hurt Locker" on the big screen, you will probably get another chance now that it is a frontrunner at the Academy Awards. Regardless of how many nominations it got, the film is well worth your time and money.

Afghanistan soldier dies at Walter Reed

The Pentagon just sent out a news release informing the public that Sgt. Carlos Gill, who was serving in Afghanistan, succumbed to an undisclosed illness at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

According to the Defense Department, Sgt. Gill was flown out of Afghanistan from Kandahar Air Field on December 19, 2009. He was serving in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

The 25-year-old soldier lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and was stationed at Fort Lewis in the state of Washington before his deployment.

Further information is limited, but this site will certainly post more if it becomes available. In the meantime, let's all think about this fallen soldier's loved ones.

War coverage vanishes amid Haiti crisis, political drama

The earthquake in Haiti, Senator-elect Scott Brown's upset victory in Massachusetts, and the debate over health care are all big stories. The crisis in the Caribbean, where U.S. troops are now stationed to help, is particularly important due to human suffering at a scale the world has not witnessed since the 2004 Asian tsunami. Still, even in the face of these challenging stories, there is no excuse for the media all but abandoning the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which do not pause because of other world events.

A study released by Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism finds that the devastation in Haiti accounted for 27% of news coverage in the week of January 18-24. Next was the Massachusetts Senate race, with 21%. The economy and the challenges facing the Obama administration both had 7%, and the health care debate came in fifth at 5%.

The Haiti story deserved to get the most media coverage during that period, so I have no argument there. But failing to give two wars with real human consequences anywhere near the same level of attention is a deriliction of duty by the national media. Between the dates this survey was compiled, the Pentagon identified eight casualties from the war zones. That means eight different families and a countless number of friends and fellow troops lost someone close to them during America's continuing post-9/11 struggle. Did that not merit at least a measurable amount of media attention?

Pfc. Gifford Hurt, who gave his life in Iraq on January 20, did not join the military to become a national celebrity. But that doesn't mean 24-hour cable news networks don't have time to honor his sacrifice, even while covering other important news. Having corresponded with his grieving mother last week, I know that even a few moments devoted by one of the big networks would have meant the world to her.

Many folks in the media, who I worked with for almost nine years, are great at making excuses. When I questioned the lack of Iraq and Afghanistan coverage supposedly due to a "big story," almost none of which had the impact of a true catastrophe like Haiti, I was often told things like "we'll get back to covering the wars soon." The problem is that the fighting continues, and troops in Afghanistan and Iraq can't take a timeout. The way I see it, the media ran out of timeouts a long time ago.

Three Marines killed in Helmand Province

The Pentagon has just announced the deaths of three Marines, who were killed Saturday in Afghanistan's violent Helmand Province. Officials say they died supporting combat operations.

Sgt. Daniel Angus, 28, of Thonotosassa, FL

Lance Cpl. Timothy Poole, 22, of Bowling Green, KY

Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith, 19, of Hornell, NY

The Unknown Soldiers will have more on the lives of these three departed warriors in the days to come. Please keep their families and many friends in your thoughts tonight.

'We have lost a remarkable young man'

I do not believe simply listing a fallen servicemember's name in a newspaper, TV graphic, or website sufficiently honors their sacrifice. It is important to learn more about every person who volunteers to fight for our great country, so we can understand these extraordinary men and women who lay everything on the line so future generations can be free.

Pfc. Gifford Hurt was just starting his career in the military, as this coming Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the young man's enlistment. Tragically, it is also the day Hurt's family plans to bury the beloved 19-year-old soldier, who was killed on January 20 in Mosul, Iraq. An official news release said he was killed in a "non-combat incident" being investigated by the Pentagon. His grieving mother, Lisa Davis, said in an e-mail that she was told her son was the passenger in a Humvee that overturned when the unidentified driver, who is expected to survive, lost control. Even through her grief, Davis, who I have been honored to exchange messages with these last two days, has beautiful memories of her departed child.

"My son was a strong willed individual that loved honor," Davis wrote. "He was a hard worker, loving friend. He would do anything in the world for anyone that needed it. We have lost a remarkable young man and potentially wonderful leader for the U.S. Army."

Davis said Hurt joined the military straight out of high school, fulfilling a lifelong dream to serve his country. While she said Gifford was already well-mannered, nine weeks of basic training at Oklahoma's Fort Sill enhanced his values even further. She recalls many conversations with her son, including some late night and early morning Skype calls while he was in Iraq.

"I wouldn't close my eyes until he called me on Skype and said the same words that he said all the time: 'hey ma,' with his beautiful husky voice," Davis poignantly recalled.

Hurt wanted to serve many years in the Armed Forces, perhaps hoping to follow in his mom's footsteps. Davis served 22 years in the military, retiring in 2007. While Gifford never got the opportunity because of the apparent accident, it is clear that he touched many lives in his brief time on earth.

"I have recieved numerous e-mails from soldiers that he served with, and friends from around the world that knew my son," Davis wrote.

The young hero from Yonkers, New York, also leaves behind his siblings, who relocated to the south. His mom, who is asking for our prayers and will certainly receive them, will undoubtedly miss those late-night Skype conversations in the coming weeks, months, and years. But she knows he can still see her from a much better place than Iraq -- without an internet connection.

"He is probably smiling down on me now, knowing that his memory will never, ever be forgotten."

Image courtesy: Lisa Davis

God will give us justice

In The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas famously shows us that justice can take many years of pain and suffering to emerge from the darkness. But if you believe in God, as I do, you likely have confidence that the world's most vicious, heartless villains will eventually be held to account for their crimes against humanity.

Like the coward he is, Osama bin Laden is purportedly taunting Americans from whatever cave he's hiding in, likely somewhere along the Afghan-Pakistani border. He doesn't have the guts to fight U.S. troops hunting for him head on, instead sending troubled youths to strap on bombs or use children as human shields, so the doomed terrorist issues crackling, propaganda-filled audiotapes.

This time, bin Laden claims responsibility for the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack on a Detroit-bound airliner, according to various media reports.

"The message delivered to you through the plane of the heroic warrior Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a confirmation of the previous messages sent by the heroes of the Sept. 11," the terrorist purportedly said. "America will never dream of security unless we will have it in reality in Palestine," he added.

How's this for security, Osama? I am posting this message from an airplane on a blog dedicated to the U.S. troops who are going to take you down. I feel completely secure on this flight, thanks to the brave men and women who have captured and killed the misguided followers of your murderous ideology before they ever reach our shores. America wins, you lose, and the families of the thousands of innocent people you have ordered to death will see you brought to justice.

Not just names

The Pentagon has announced four more casualties over the past week from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am hesitant to simply list their names, even while information about their lives is being gathered, because it's important to remember all four of these men are worth much more than that. In Montana, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania, their families are weeping. All around the nation, people who knew these U.S. troops are also dealing with this crushing news that will forever alter their lives. The Unknown Soldiers will be telling the stories of these American heroes in the coming days.

Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt, 19, died in Mosul, Iraq, January 20.

Staff Sgt. Thaddeus S. Montgomery, 29, killed at Korengal Outpost, Afghanistan, January 20.

Capt. Paul Pena, 27, killed in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, January 19.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon, 52, died in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 17.

Please say a prayer for their families tonight.

Bold, brief, and gone

Image courtesy: Arlington National Cemetery

Earlier this afternoon, I stood at the grave of Marine Maj. Megan McClung in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. Even on a chilly January afternoon, sunlight glistened off the noble headstone, which is flanked on both sides by beautiful floral arrangements. Like other fallen heroes' names, McClung's was familiar, as I wrote hundreds of scripts during my time at CNN.com Live about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But what struck me deeply was the extraordinary inscription engraved on her headstone: "Be bold. Be brief. Be gone."

There is a good reason her name rang a bell. McClung was the first female U.S. Marine officer killed in action during the Iraq war. Yet, as I'm sure those closest to her would testify, there are many appropriate ways to fondly remember Megan. In just 34 years, the Hawaii-born daughter of military parents excelled as a triathlete, gymnast, marathon runner, student, Marine, private contractor, and advocate for wounded veterans. McClung graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and held a master's degree in criminology from Boston University. Tireless energy and a warm smile drew people around the world to this amazing woman of many talents.

According to an archived Associated Press article, McClung had only one month left in her deployment to Iraq when she was killed on December 6, 2006, in Ramadi. Working in a public affairs capacity, she was escorting an embedded crew of Newsweek journalists when her Humvee hit a massive roadside bomb, which detonated and killed her instantly, as well as Army Spc. Vincent Pomante and Army Capt. Travis Patriquin. The journalists were not injured.

I entered Arlington National Cemetery today through the main gate. After walking through the visitor's center, most signs direct you to President John F. Kennedy's grave and other well-known sites. Yet I walked straight down Eisenhower Drive to Section 60, a quiet, somewhat secluded area where heroes from the war on terrorism are buried alongside fallen warriors from previous conflicts. While trudging through the damp grass and seeing name after name, as well as moving mementos left by loved ones, I heard the booming sound of a 21-gun salute. Another fine American was gone.

When I woke up this morning, I did not know all I should about the life and legacy of Megan McClung, who now has a memorial run to benefit wounded Marines named in her honor. Saved in my cell phone is a picture of her headstone, which I will not publish here out of respect for her family. But when I travel down difficult roads in the future, I will pause for a moment and look at the image instead of giving in to depression or despair. "Be bold. Be brief. Be gone." Thank you for your bravery, sacrifice, and inspiration, Megan McClung.

Image courtesy: McClung family

Decorated airman killed in action

The Pentagon sent out this news release moments ago:

Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett, 29, of Knightdale, N.C., died Jan. 19 near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Ginett is pictured above on the right, being presented the Bronze Star for exceptional service as an explosive ordnance team leader in August 2007. In May 2009, Ginett was promoted to technical sergeant, according to the Air Force Times.

An Air Force newsletter published in Iraq mentions Ginett being deployed at Tallil Air Base in 2004. Speaking about how he planned to spend that Christmas, Ginett said: "Probably just working a regular shift -- but I'll make sure to call my family back home."

Tonight, his family mourns. We grieve along with them, as a great American who spent the last years of his life defending our nation is no longer with us.

Image courtesy: Senior Airman Holly MacDonald/U.S. Air Force