Articles 4.20.2005

The Colorado Springs Gazette has an article on three soldiers killed by indirect fire in Ramadi. Sgt. Angelo L. Lozada Jr., Sgt. Tromaine K. Toy Sr., and Spc. Randy L. Stevens, of the 2-17th Field Artillery, were killed in Ramadi on 4.16.2005. If this was the same incident that injured 3 Iowa National Guard soldiers (7 soldiers were injured in total), a mortar attack struck a building at Camp Blue Diamond around 7:40 p.m. local time, after which the attackers fled into a mosque. A Multi-National Force-Iraq Press Release said the attackers were pursued, with Iraqi National Guardsmen searching the mosque, but the attackers escaped. An Army official told the family of Spc. Stevens that he "was killed while in pursuit of the attackers." A separate National Guard official told New York Newsday that "a vehicle heading towards them detonated."
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The Nashua Telegraph, NH, and News York Newsday have articles on Sgt. Lozada. He was scheduled for R&R leave in less than two weeks. Sgt. Lozada is the father of 3 children, and became a grandfather two months ago. He had been a member of the New Hampshire National Guard since 1994 before joining the Army in 2000. He was 36 years old.
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The Virginian-Pilot, VA, and the Washington Post have articles on Sgt. Toy. He is married and the father of two children, and was last at home on R&R leave in November, 2004. Sgt. Toy joined the Army straight out of high school at the age of 18, had previously served in Kosova, and had recently reenlisted. He played basketball in High School, and enjoyed playing games of 1-on-1 with his younger brother. Sgt. Toy was 24 years old.
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The Flint Journal, MI and the Associated Press have articles on Spc Stevens. He had just returned to Iraq from R&R leave. He was previously awarded a Purple Heart following an incident on 11.2.2004. After an IED struck his vehicle, he and another soldier escaped on foot, but were hit by a suicide bomb while returning to the disabled vehicle. Spc Stevens was 21 years old. He had hoped to some day open a auto body repair shop with his brother.
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Other articles from the region:
- Knight Ridder: Ethnic, political ties seen as key to jobs in Iraqi government
- Christian Science Monitor: Why a black market for gasoline vexes Iraq
- Washington Post: Marines Recount Dramatic Assault At Base Near Syria
- Chicago Tribune (via Yahoo News): Obscure figures hunted in Iraq