Tag:

Afghanistan

Col. Kenneth Yeasky, Decorated Army Veteran From NJ, Dies Suddenly (TRIBUTE) Col. Kenneth Yeasky, Decorated Army Veteran From NJ, Dies Suddenly (TRIBUTE)
Col. Kenneth Yeasky, Decorated Army Veteran From NJ, Dies Suddenly (Tribute) Col. Kenneth John Yeasky, of Belvidere, passed away unexpectedly on March 3, 2024, his family writes in his obituary on the MacFadden Funeral Home website. He was 60 years old. Ken was born on July 3, 1963 to Mary Ann “Tommie” Tomczyk and the late Edwin Yeasky.  He grew up in Carteret and graduated from Green Brook High School (Somerset County). Ken had a distinguished 38-year military career at multiple levels in different branches. He graduated from Kean University with a bachelor's in industrial engineering, and had graduated from numerous other military schools. "He wanted to be…
Organs Of NJ Army Sergeant Killed In Motorcycle Crash Will Help Four Others Live Organs Of NJ Army Sergeant Killed In Motorcycle Crash Will Help Four Others Live
Organs Of NJ Army Sergeant Killed In Motorcycle Crash Will Help Four Others Live The organs of a U.S. Army sergeant from the Jersey Shore who was killed in a motorcycle crash will help four other people live. Dennis Andrew Vaccaro, 27, crashed on Tuesday, June 14, in Ocean Township, and was kept alive so he could donate his organs. Further details on the crash were not immediately known. An airborne combat medic in the U.S. Army, Dennis achieved the rank of sergeant, and spent five years in the military, including a tour of duty overseas in Afghanistan, his obituary says. He was apparently a student at Monmouth University, according to a statement published by school o…
NJ Marine, 33, Killed By Missile Helping In Ukraine, Organization Says NJ Marine, 33, Killed By Missile Helping In Ukraine, Organization Says
NJ Marine, 33, Killed By Missile Helping In Ukraine, Organization Says Pete Reed, a 33-year-old New Jersey native and global activist, died helping civilians in Ukraine on Friday, Feb. 2. Reed was "actively aiding in the evacuation of Ukrainian civilians when his evacuation vehicle was hit with a reported missile in Bakhmut," according to Global Outreach Doctors.  Pete Reed helps an elderly woman evacuate in Ukraine.Albert Lores A Bordentown native and US Marine veteran, Reed served as the country director for the nonprofit, and founded Global Response Medicine, a different nonprofit. "The GoDocs team is devastated by this news, as are our humanitarian ai…
'Invincible' Harrison Firefighter Who Served In US Marines, Law Enforcement Dies 'Invincible' Harrison Firefighter Who Served In US Marines, Law Enforcement Dies
'Invincible' Harrison Firefighter Who Served In US Marines, Law Enforcement Dies Vincent Doffont spent much of his life serving and protecting his country as a U.S. Marine and, later, his community in Hudson County as a sheriff's officer, police officer and firefighter. Doffont, 37, died suddenly this weekend, leaving those who knew him in shock and profound grief. "He was one of the hardest men I have ever met," wrote friend Blake Upton. "I always thought of him as invincible." Doffont, indeed, seemed indestructible as a football running back, defensive back and placekicked for the St. Mary's High School Gaels from 1999 through 2002. He was praised for his "speed, s…
Murphy To White House: NJ Welcomes Afghan Refugees Murphy To White House: NJ Welcomes Afghan Refugees
Murphy To White House: NJ Welcomes Afghan Refugees Afghan refugees are more than welcome in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy told President Biden over the weekend. Reacting to the Taliban-driven turmoil in Afghanistan, Gov. Murphy wrote that "New Jersey stands ready to provide safe harbor, support, stability, and peace to Afghan refugees." Gov. Phil Murphy's tweet welcoming Afghan refugees to New JerseyTwitter @GovMurpny Murphy, who announced the letter via social media over the weekend, said he was "making it clear that we welcome these brave individuals and their families to the Garden State." Meanwhile, the U.S. Northern Command @jointb…
Pilot Killed In PA Plane Crash ID'd As Air Force Vet Pilot Killed In PA Plane Crash ID'd As Air Force Vet
Pilot Killed In PA Plane Crash ID'd As Air Force Vet The pilot who died in a plane crash Friday at a Pennsylvania airport has been identified as a 50-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran. Andy Travnicek was heading north in a T-6 Texan when the plane suddenly veered to the left and crashed into the grass and caught fire at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport around 12:35 p.m. Travnicek, the sole occupant of the air craft, was a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a commercial airline pilot and a certified flight instructor. The plane was part of the GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team, which flies World War II-era aircrafts. …
Special Forces Soldier From Washington Township Killed By Afghanistan Roadside Bomb Special Forces Soldier From Washington Township Killed By Afghanistan Roadside Bomb
Special Forces Soldier From Washington Township Killed By Afghanistan Roadside Bomb Washington Township native and U.S. Special Forces soldier Michael J. Goble was killed in combat in Afghanistan. The 33-year-old U.S. Army Green Beret died Monday of injuries sustained by a roadside bomb in Kunduz Province Sunday, Pentagon officials said. The Taliban reportedly took responsibility for the attack, which remains under investigation. More than $20,000 had been raised as of Monday evening on a GoFundMe for Goble, who leaves behind his daughter, Zoey, and partner, Jen. "I have never met a soldier that was more passionate and patriotic than Mike Goble," campaign founder Li…
Former Bergen County Wrestler, 'Rising Star' Paratrooper Matthew Joskowitz Dies In U.S. Army Former Bergen County Wrestler, 'Rising Star' Paratrooper Matthew Joskowitz Dies In U.S. Army
Former Bergen County Wrestler, 'Rising Star' Paratrooper Matthew Joskowitz Dies In U.S. Army Former Bergen County wrestler and rising paratrooper in the U.S. Army Matthew Joskowitz died in North Carolina. Joskowitz's death was not training related and occurred around 9 p.m. on Halloween in his Fort Bragg barracks, division spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Burns said. The non military-related accident is under investigation, Army officials said. Joskowitz, 24, of Hackensack and originally of Fairview, enlisted into the Army in May 2014, and was an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, the U.S. Army said. T…
Newark Man, An Ex-Military Interpreter, Charged With Human Smuggling Newark Man, An Ex-Military Interpreter, Charged With Human Smuggling
Newark Man, An Ex-Military Interpreter, Charged With Human Smuggling A citizen of Afghanistan who became a lawful permanent resident of the United States after working as a military interpreter was indicted Friday for his alleged role in a scheme to illegally bring Afghans into the United States, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.  Mujeeb Rahman Saify, 32,  who has lived in Newark and New York, became a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. in 2009 following a stint as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan.  Authorities say that from August 2016 through February 2017, he worked with groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan to bring tw…
CrossFit Gym 'WILLIAMS' Workout Honors Late Elmwood Park Marine CrossFit Gym 'WILLIAMS' Workout Honors Late Elmwood Park Marine
CrossFit Gym 'Williams' Workout Honors Late Elmwood Park Marine A local CrossFit gym will be holding a charity workout to honor a late U.S. Marine from Elmwood Park who died Memorial Day. The WILLIAMS workout, honoring Cpl. Kenneth Richard Williams Jr., will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 28. A donation fee of $10 is requested. All proceeds will go toward Williams' family. While on active duty, he served his country faithfully, deploying to Japan and Afghanistan multiple times.  More than $4,000 had been raised as of Tuesday on a GoFundMe for Williams' family. "If you knew Kenny, you were lucky," says the page, launched by Reggie Harris…
Fire Damages Iconic Newark Deli Weeks After 'Sopranos' Prequel Filming Fire Damages Iconic Newark Deli Weeks After 'Sopranos' Prequel Filming
Fire Damages Iconic Newark Deli Weeks After 'Sopranos' Prequel Filming UPDATE: The deli's ownership announced later in the day on Tuesday, July 2 that it will reopen for carryout and delivery orders on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. The dining room will remain closed temporarily.  Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant, a staple in downtown Newark for generations, is closed indefinitely following a fire at the business Monday afternoon, the eatery said.  A firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries battling the blaze at the Branford Place eatery, which was reportedly brought under control in about a half hour. None of the dozens of staff and customers were hur…
Midland Park Navy Sailor Dies In Afghanistan Midland Park Navy Sailor Dies In Afghanistan
Midland Park Navy Sailor Dies In Afghanistan Midland Park is mourning the loss of a U.S. Navy sailor who died in Afghanistan. Kevin Yali died on June 19 in an attack, a colleague said on Twitter.  He was 27 years old. A Paterson native, Yali served four separate deployments and had been working as a private contractor when he died, News12 reports. Kevin is survived by his parents, Oscar and Daisy Yali; as well as brothers Oscar Yali and Victor Patrocino. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home in Franklin Lakes. A funeral service will follow at 8 p.m. Cremation will b…
Kenneth Williams Jr. Of Elmwood Park, 27, Was 'Marine's Marine' Who Went Above And Beyond Kenneth Williams Jr. Of Elmwood Park, 27, Was 'Marine's Marine' Who Went Above And Beyond
Kenneth Williams Jr. Of Elmwood Park, 27, Was 'Marine's Marine' Who Went Above And Beyond Kenneth Richard Williams, Jr. of Elmwood Park died on May 27, Memorial Day. He was 27 years old. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, the corporal was deployed to Afghanistan -- multiple times -- and Japan, his obituary says. More than $3,600 had been raised as of Monday afternoon on a GoFundMe for Williams' family to assist with funeral expenses. "If you knew Kenny, you were lucky," says the page, launched by Reggie Harrison.  "He had such a big heart and was willing to give the shirt off his back, even to a stranger.   "He was a Marine’s Marine, always willing to go ab…
Lyndhurst Native's Homecoming Surprise For Son Will Melt Your Heart Lyndhurst Native's Homecoming Surprise For Son Will Melt Your Heart
Lyndhurst Native's Homecoming Surprise For Son Will Melt Your Heart Ryan Batista was at bat during a Bloomingdale Little League game when a pitching change was announced. Focused and zoned in, it took a moment for the 8-year-old to notice who was walking toward the mound. But when the youngster saw it was his dad, Lyndhurst native Steve Batista -- a U.S. Marine who had been on deployment in Afghanistan last September -- nothing mattered more than being in his arms. "It was a very emotional day," said Ryan's mom and Steve's wife Jillian Batista, who picked the staff sergeant up at Picatinny Arsenal before high-tailing it to the game.  "So happy everything…
K9-Loving Military Family Fights For Return Of Bomb-Sniffing ‘Mattie Cakes’ K9-Loving Military Family Fights For Return Of Bomb-Sniffing ‘Mattie Cakes’
K9-Loving Military Family Fights For Return Of Bomb-Sniffing ‘Mattie Cakes’ “The emptiness in our home is palpable,” the wife of a Central Jersey Army National Guardsman who had his bomb-sniffing dog taken back by his employer said Friday. “We all miss her,” Deirdre Igoe-Fennessy said. Her husband, Seamus, had been handling and training Mattie the past five years. After the 20-year Guardsman was summoned for long-term active duty in nearby New York, MSA Security took her back. It began as a local story but has begun picking up steam via an online petition and Facebook page. The nearly 7-year-old black Lab has only known the Middlesex County (Old Bridge) coup…
Officer Charged With Voluntary Manslaughter In Shooting Death Of Hasbrouck Heights Man Officer Charged With Voluntary Manslaughter In Shooting Death Of Hasbrouck Heights Man
Officer Charged With Voluntary Manslaughter In Shooting Death Of Hasbrouck Heights Man An inexperienced police officer made an “unreasonable” decision in shooting and killing a Hasbrouck Heights man who’d jumped on the hood of his marked SUV near Dorney Park in Pennsylvania, authorities there said Tuesday. As a result, they’ve brought voluntary manslaughter charges against South Whitehall Township Officer Jonathan Roselle for the fatal July 28 shooting of Joseph Santos, a 44-year-old Paterson native who, records show, had recently moved to a garden apartment near the Hackensack border. Roselle shot Santos five times on the side of the road, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim…
Woodland Park Student-Veterans Get 'Military Makeover' On Lifetime TV Woodland Park Student-Veterans Get 'Military Makeover' On Lifetime TV
Woodland Park Student-Veterans Get 'Military Makeover' On Lifetime TV Two students from Woodland Park's Berkeley College will be featured on Lifetime's "Military Makeover" reality series. You can catch their stories at 7:30 a.m. on April 30 and May 4, on Lifetime. Grovert Fuentes of North Bergen graduated from Berkeley College with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Communications in 2017. He served six years in the U.S. Air Force and developed his passion as a combat photographer. While stationed in Afghanistan, however, his unit was attacked and he sustained injuries that made it impossible to continue this line of work. It was af…
Highly-Decorated Fort Lee Soldier Died Days Shy Of 13th Enlistment Date Highly-Decorated Fort Lee Soldier Died Days Shy Of 13th Enlistment Date
Highly-Decorated Fort Lee Soldier Died Days Shy Of 13th Enlistment Date FORT LEE, N.J. — The remains of soldier Mihail Golin who was killed fighting in Afghanistan are back home, multiple sources report. The remains of 1st Class Sgt. Golin, 34, arrived at Dover Air Force base in Delaware on Wednesday, according to the Washington Post. Four other soldiers were wounded in the Jan. 1 battle -- 2 are stable, and 2 haven't returned to duty, the article says. Golin died Monday as a result of wounds he sustained while engaged in combat operations in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, according to a statement released by the U.S. Army. Golin was born in Riga, Latvia, A…
Fort Lee Soldier, 34, Killed In Afghanistan New Year's Day Fort Lee Soldier, 34, Killed In Afghanistan New Year's Day
Fort Lee Soldier, 34, Killed In Afghanistan New Year's Day FORT LEE, N.J. — U.S. Army Sergeant Mihail Golin of Fort Lee was killed New Year's Day during an operation in Nagarhar Province in Afghanistan. He was 34 years old. “Sergeant First Class Mihail Golin served our nation with courage and distinction, and his death is a loss that will be felt across New Jersey,” Sen. Cory Booker said.  “Let us honor Sergeant Golin’s extraordinary courage by reflecting on his commitment to the nation he loved, and by recognizing the profound debt of gratitude we owe to him and to his family for their sacrifice.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON POST.