Why It Matters

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Why It Matters
Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Remembering Our Fallen

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Alexander Vindman
May 26, 2025
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Why It Matters
Why It Matters
Memorial Day
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Captain Bill Jacobsen, 31, KIA 12.21.2004

Sergeant First Class Paul Karpowich, 30, KIA 12.21.2004

1st Lieutenant Will Edens, 29, KIA 4.28.05

Corporal Steven Candelo, 20, KIA 3.26.2008

These are the first soldiers I think of on Memorial Day.

I shared an office with Bill in the month before we deployed from Fort Lewis, Washington. Bill was a few years senior and mentored me upon my arrival to the Lancers, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, while we both served on Brigade Staff. He was amazingly kind an patient. He was killed in a suicide attack that killed 21 soldiers. One I sometimes think would have killed me, if I hadn’t left my Battalion tactical operations center late that morning. He left behind a wife and four children.

Paul died in that same suicide attack. Paul was an activated U.S. Army Reservist supporting our unit. We hit it off because he was also the son of immigrants with roots in Eastern Europe. Paul was survived by his wife.

Will died in an improvised explosive device ambush…

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