I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and in Operation Inherent Resolve. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
The Department of Defense announced on January 25 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Spc. Antonio I. Moore, 22, from Wilmington, N.C., died January 24, 2020 in Deir ez Zor Province, Syria, during a rollover accident while conducting route clearing operations. The incident is under investigation.
Moore was assigned to 363rd Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade, Knightdale, N.C.
Antonio “Tony” Moore was just 22 years old.
A native of Wilmington, Tony enlisted in the Army in May 2017 as a combat engineer. He was assigned to the 363rd Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade, in Knightdale, N.C. This was his first deployment.
Lt. Col. Ian Doiron, 363rd Engineer Battalion commander, said in a release:
“The 363rd Engineer Battalion is deeply saddened at the loss of Spec. Antonio Moore. Antonio was one of the best in our formation. He will be missed by all who served with him. We will now focus on supporting his family and honoring his legacy and sacrifice.”
Tony’s mother, Chrissy Verreen, wrote on Facebook:
“When you wake up and see his face on TV Specialist Antonio Moore. Just know he is a man that has a good heart, loved to listen to ACDC, read tons of books,loved lizards and snakes and never had a mean bone in his body and always I mean always had a smile on his face… He served his country and died for his country... I am proud to be his mother and have 22 years with him … My Tony is my HERO.. All-day everyday.”
Tony’s aunt, Lionese Felder-Simmons, posted this on Facebook:
“My sister LOST a SON. A father LOST his SON. Siblings lost their BEST FRIEND. Grandparents lost a GRANDCHILD. Aunties and Uncles lost a NEPHEW. His cousins lost a FRIEND. The world lost a GOOD FRIEND, a fellow TEAM MATE, a COLLEAGUE and a SOLDIER. AT the END of the DAY HEAVEN GAINED an ANGEL and overall a LEGACY was lost in Antonio Moore. His KINDNESS, GRACE, UNDERSTANDING and the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and SUPPORT he exhibited was a BLESSING. HE IS, WAS & ALWAYS BE MY SHINING STAR 🌟. Take a piece of him in your everyday and bless someone else.”
NC Governor Roy Cooper ordered all state flags to be lowered on Monday, January 27, until February 2 in Moore's honor. He said:
"Our hearts are heavy with the tragic loss of Wilmington native Spc. Antonio I. Moore. We're honored by his selfless service to this country and are praying for his loved ones and fellow soldiers in the 363rd Engineer Battalion."
Spc. Moore’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
He is survived by his mother, stepfather, three brothers and one sister.
LINKS:
~ DoD News Release
~ News Source
~ News Source
~ News Source
~ News Source
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Rest in peace, Spc. Antonio I. Moore, you have served with honor and will be greatly missed.
About The IGTNT Series
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, JaxDem, Joy of Fishes, SARBill and me, Ekaterin. These diaries are heartbreaking to write but are an important service to those who have died and show our community’s respect for them. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service member(s) mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.