Day of Mourning today for Virginia servicemen killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash

The Commonwealth of Virginia is paying its respects today to the Virginia servicemen killed on August 6, 2011, in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed and killed 30 American military members.

Governor Bob McDonnell, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran who retired in 1997 as a Lieutenant Colonel, declared that all state flags fly at half staff in memory of those American heroes killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. He also encouraged Virginia's citizens to fly flags at half staff and to donate to military service charities.

The tragedy took the lives of Navy SEALs with ties to Virginia. The Governor commented:

“While details surrounding the helicopter tragedy over the weekend are still being investigated, the human impact of the loss of these servicemen upon their families, their units, and the Virginia military community are profound.

“It is with a heavy heart that I ask all Virginians to join me in a day of mourning and remembrance for those who lost their lives defending our country and to offer their support and thanks to the families and military community they left behind. While no show of gratitude can ever replace what was lost during this tragedy, it is in times like these that Virginians need to rally to offer the care and support that can make a difference in the lives of all those touched by the tragedy.”

The Governor called upon citizens who wish to show their support through monetary donations to organizations such as the Navy SEAL Foundation, which provide support and financial assistance above what the U.S. Department of Defense provides, particularly immediate financial support and tragedy assistance to families. Virginians can text SEAL to 90999 to donate $10 or go online to the organization's website to make a donation.

Other support organizations for military families include Armed Forces Relief Trust, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation.

On Thursday the Department of Defense released the names of those killed in the crash:

Sailors assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Unit
- Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.
- Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, Calif.
- Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer(SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Ark.
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist)Kraig M. Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL)Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Conn.
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minn.
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Mass.
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Mo.
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, W.Va.
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, La.
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Mich.
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, Calif
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.
- Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah
- Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Neb.
- Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa.
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Fla.
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah

Sailors assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Unit
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif.
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, ofSaint Paul, Minn.

Soldiers
- Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Aurora, Colo.
- Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.
- Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Neb.
- Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.
- Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.

Airmen assigned to 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, NC
- Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla.
- Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif.
- Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa.

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift