Author Topic: Please send you thoughts and prayers to my sister and her children... (Read 9152 times)

swede_dish · « **on:** August 31, 2007, 08:12:33 pm »

http://www.mlive.com/news/chronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1187880358172540.xml&coll=8

Iraq chopper crash breaks hearts here
Thursday, August 23, 2007By Heather L. VanDykehvandyke@muskegonchronicle.com with wire reports
The Norton Shores mother-in-law of a U.S. soldier killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Iraq Wednesday wants people to know Matthew Tallman "wasn't just a number."

"I just want him to count," Norton Shores resident Vicki Whiting said of Tallman. He was the husband of Whiting's daughter Nicci, a 1998 graduate of Mona Shores High School.

Tallman, 30, was one of 14 soldiers aboard the UH-60 helicopter that went down in northern Iraq. The military said it appeared the aircraft was lost due to mechanical problems and not from hostile fire.

Whiting stressed that the 14 soldiers were individuals whose deaths devastated their friends and families.

In addition to his 27-year-old wife, Tallman leaves behind the couple's 1-year-old son, Ryley, and 6-year-old daughter, Sandie.

"There was a whole little family destroyed," Whiting said. "He wasn't just a number. I want people to know Matthew Tallman existed."

At the time of the accident, Tallman -- who was based at Fort Lewis in Washington state -- had served just two months in Iraq. Prior to that, he had served a year in Afghanistan, Whiting said.

"He was a good father, good husband and good human being," she said. "He was delighted to have his little princess (Sandie) and his little 'bubba boy."'

Tallman was a crew chief for the Black Hawk unit and "loved his job, loved being in the air," Whiting said.

The identities of the soldiers had not been released by the military Wednesday. The helicopter's two pilots and two flight crew members were based at Fort Lewis, base spokesman David Kuhns said
The Black Hawk had just picked up troops after a mission when it crashed, said Lt. Col. Michael Donnelly, a military spokesman in northern Iraq.

The 10 troops picked up were based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, according to a statement by Col. Timothy M. Ryan, rear detachment commander of the 25th Infantry Division.

Among those who died were troops from Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio, according to news reports.

The crash marked the worst single-day death toll in Iraq since January. The deadliest helicopter crash during the war occurred in January 2005 when a transport helicopter went down in a sandstorm in western Iraq, killing 31 U.S. troops.

Tallman, a California native, was set to serve 15 months in Iraq, rather than a full 18 months as first thought, Whiting said. He had considered serving with the U.S. Coast Guard next, she said.

He had met Nicci in 2000 while both were in Army training in Virginia, and they were married the same year, Whiting said. Nicci is no longer in the Army.

Whiting said she and her husband, Carter Whiting, of 2122 Maryland, feel as if they've lost a son. Tallman was an only child and his father preceded him in death.

"He adopted my husband as a father, and my parents as grandparents," Whiting said.

She said although her family hadn't known Tallman long before the couple married, he was accepted into the family "right from the get-go."

"He was fantastic. He was hysterical. He just fit in our family," Whiting said.

Meanwhile, Whiting said her family plans to fly out to visit their daughter "in the next few days." Nicci currently is staying at the military base while funeral arrangements are pending.

"She has a good support system there," Whiting said.

Tallman also is survived by his sister-in-law Jennifer Whiting, of Norton Shores; brother-in-law Bill Whiting, of Norton Shores; his mother Virginia Tallman, of California; and Nicci's grandparents Roger and Blanche Dykehouse of Fruitport Township.

milker · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2007, 08:15:18 pm »

omg i'm so sorry about those terrible news. My thoughts to your sister and your family.

Milker.

AlanBama · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2007, 08:17:15 pm »

Oh Jen, I am so sorry to hear this was your sister's husband! I saw this story on TV and had no idea anyone would have a connection to someone I knew...

My deepest sympathy to your whole family on this tragic loss.

Love,

Alan

Dan J. · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2007, 08:17:23 pm »

My deepest sympathies go out to you and all of your family & the families that were impacted by this tragedy.

Dan J.

cjc · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2007, 08:27:45 pm »

Jen, so sorry to hear about your family;s tragic loss, My thoughts will be with you. Cristy

Teresa · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2007, 09:18:33 pm »

Jen,

My heart breaks for your sister and her kids. I will keep them and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Big hugs
Teresa

xyahka · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2007, 09:22:58 pm »

So sorry to hear this..

all my condolences to your sister and her son

RapidRod · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2007, 09:26:38 pm »

My condolences to you and your family for your loss.

ademas · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2007, 10:48:07 pm »

I'm so sorry to hear this, Jen...my condolences to your sister and kids, and to all of your family.
just incredibly sad.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2007, 10:56:09 pm »

Sorry sorry to hear this/read this news. My thoughts are with you and your family for your loss.

aztecan · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2007, 11:15:54 pm »

Dear Jen,

My heart goes out to your sister and her family. I am so sorry to hear this sad news.

((((((((HUGS))))))))

Mark

thunter34 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2007, 11:22:53 pm »

Oh, hon....so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you, your sister & her family.

Iggy · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2007, 11:25:00 pm »

You got my thoughts and sincere condolences.

Dragonette · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2007, 05:01:01 am »

Dear Jen,

Although we've never spoken I feel like I know you from your posts, and now I am so sorry and sad to hear.

My condolences and praying for strength for your family.

sweetasmeli · « **Reply #14 on:** September 01, 2007, 05:19:53 am »

Jen, my deepest condolences to you and your family for your sad loss.

You are in my thoughts.

Melia

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #15 on:** September 01, 2007, 06:24:56 am »

Jen,

Matty the Damned offers his condolences to you and your family at this difficult time.

MtD

Nadine · « **Reply #16 on:** September 01, 2007, 07:18:32 am »

I'm so sorry to hear this Jen.

My sincere condolenses go out to you and your family.

(((HUGS)))

J.R.E. · « **Reply #17 on:** September 01, 2007, 08:12:00 am »

Jen,

My deepest condolences go out to you, your sister and her family during this very difficult time

Ray

Andy Velez · « **Reply #18 on:** September 01, 2007, 08:45:38 am »

This is heartbreaking. My condolences to you and to all of your family.

bear60 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 01, 2007, 09:00:26 am »

Sad news indeed. My thoughts are with your family.

GSOgymrat · « **Reply #20 on:** September 01, 2007, 09:27:36 am »

How terrible. I'm so sorry for your loss.

swede_dish · « **Reply #21 on:** September 01, 2007, 11:46:07 am »

Thank you so much for your kind words...they mean the world to me and my sister.

Robert · « **Reply #22 on:** September 01, 2007, 01:25:24 pm »

This is just so sad. I am truly sorry.

robert

megasept · « **Reply #23 on:** September 01, 2007, 03:37:18 pm »

Quote from: swede_dish on August 31, 2007, 08:12:33 pm

http://www.mlive.com/news/chronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1187880358172540.xml&coll=8

Iraq chopper crash breaks hearts here
Thursday, August 23, 2007By Heather L. VanDykehvandyke@muskegonchronicle.com with wire reports
The Norton Shores mother-in-law of a U.S. soldier killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Iraq Wednesday wants people to know Matthew Tallman "wasn't just a number."

So very sorry. In my daily newspaper the military obits often tell you who the people (men) really were, not just their rank, facts. Not numbers! So many young men, and hurt Families. I pray for you and your Sister.

-megasept

david25luvit · « **Reply #24 on:** September 02, 2007, 11:10:39 am »

Consider it done sweetheart.........
My deepest sympathies to the families!

MOONLIGHT1114 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 02, 2007, 12:51:55 pm »

Hi Jen~

I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you, your sister and family. My brother is in the Army and has been to Afghanistan four times already. He is a gunner in the CH-47 Chinooks (double-propeller copters). I have been on edge plenty of times after hearing that a helicopter has gone down. I am terribly sorry that this has happened to your family and that you are all suffering such a loss. We just found out that my brother is going back over in the fall.

Again, my prayers are with you, sweetie. Be strong for your sister.

~Cindy

purpledragonfly · « **Reply #26 on:** September 03, 2007, 10:07:13 am »

Jen, I am so sorry to read this. I will pray for your sister and family. As a exmillitary wife of 23 yrs. and 2 sons that have done tours in the millitary i understand how scarey it all is. IT just makes me mad that so many of our young men and women are being killed over there for what? We need to get our people out of there. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Love, Wendy

JohnOso · « **Reply #27 on:** September 03, 2007, 12:31:41 pm »

Terrible news, Jen.

Very sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you.

John

allanq · « **Reply #28 on:** September 03, 2007, 01:53:43 pm »

Jen,

I'm very sorry to hear of this terrible loss. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Allan

anniebc · « **Reply #29 on:** September 03, 2007, 04:39:55 pm »

Dear Jen

Love, thoughts and prayers are coming to your sister and the rest of your family all the way from NZ.

I hope you all find the strength and get the support you all need to get through this.

Hugs to you all
Jan

manchesteruk · « **Reply #30 on:** September 03, 2007, 05:07:49 pm »

Jen, I'm so sorry to hear about this it's awful. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Chris

BT65 · « **Reply #31 on:** September 03, 2007, 05:10:19 pm »

Wow, Jen. I am so, so sorry to hear about this. My sincere thoughts are with you and your family. Keep on going.
Peace-
Betty

libvet · « **Reply #32 on:** September 03, 2007, 07:01:10 pm »

My thoughts are also with your family. Losing a loved one is never easy.

DCGUY2007 · « **Reply #33 on:** September 04, 2007, 02:04:10 am »

Swede,

this is very very sad news. My prayers and thoughs go out to you and your family

Jerry71 · « **Reply #34 on:** September 04, 2007, 09:04:50 am »

Jen sorry to hear about this. Your family is in my prayers.

Christine · « **Reply #35 on:** September 04, 2007, 10:53:34 pm »

Jen,
My deepest sympathies you and your family.

Christine

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Author Topic: Please send you thoughts and prayers to my sister and her children... (Read 9152 times)

Dan J.