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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: April 25, 2007 Two 20-year-old Oregon men killed in Iraq The Associated Press Oregon soldier killed in Iraq OTIS, Ore. — A soldier from this small coastal city was one of nine paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division killed this week by a suicide bomber in Iraq, his father said. Mike Vaughan, 20, of Otis and the other soldiers were members of the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bragg, N.C. It was the deadliest attack on the 82nd Airborne since 1969. Twenty other soldiers were injured in Monday’s attack in the small town of Sadah, U.S. officials said. Vaughan, whose rank was not immediately available, is the third Lincoln County soldier to die in Iraq in the past six weeks. Lance Cpl. Nathanial Windsor, 20, of Newport died March 11 and Sgt. Nicholas Lightner, 29, of Toledo died March 21. The soldier’s father, George Vaughan, told The Oregonian that his son had been home on leave in March. “He had seen enough,” Vaughan said Tuesday. “He wanted to come home and go to school. But he was proud to be serving, and even though he was afraid to go back, he went because of his comrades and to finish off his commitment.” Mike Vaughan signed up to join the Army before he graduated from Taft High School in Lincoln City, his father said. Two months after his 2004 graduation, he went to boot camp. “I am a disabled vet from the first Gulf War, and I think he wanted to be involved,” George Vaughan said. The young soldier’s grandfather, Bill Vaughan, is a Korean War veteran. While home last month, he spent time with his school friend, Jesse Branum-O’Dell. “He was outgoing, a fun person to be around,” Branum-O’Dell said. “He did tell me some things that were going on with the war, and he definitely saw some things that other people would have never believed. “I got the feeling something was bothering him, like he didn’t want to go back out, but he never came out and said that.” _____________________________ Ore. Marine killed in Iraq, family says BURNS, Ore. — A Marine from Oregon has been killed by an improvised explosive device in Iraq, his family said Tuesday. Lance Cpl. Dale Peterson, 20, was killed in action but the family was still learning details, said his older sister, Melissa Davies, from his mother’s home in Burns, where family members have gathered. Peterson was with the 2nd Combat Engineer battalion of the 2nd Marine Division, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He joined the Marines after graduating from Redmond High School in 2005. Davies, 23, who lives in Boise, Idaho, said her brother was the second-youngest of four siblings, the rest all sisters. “Our world revolves around each other,” she said. “We talk to each other every day.” She said Dale had been in Iraq for less than a month. The Department of Defense had not confirmed Peterson’s death, citing a policy of allowing families to grieve privately for 24 hours before a public announcement. “It’s just a tragedy,” said Gunnery Sgt. Brent Sowders of the Marine Corps Recruiting Office in Bend. “He was a great friend, great brother in arms,” said Sowders, who talked to Peterson’s widow, “Reggie,” Tuesday morning. “In my eyes, I just lost a brother,” Sowders said. Peterson is the second Central Oregon Marine killed in action in less than a year. Lance Cpl. Randy Newman of Bend was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol last August. Peterson was the 87th military service members from Oregon or with close ties to the state killed in the war in Iraq, according to a list compiled by Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s office. Current Comments: God Bless you for your service and sacrifice. I pray that the Lord comforts and heals your family. Semper Fi Peter Roy - Independence, Or - April 25th, 11:11 AM My deepest sympathy goes out to your family. As the mother of a soldier, I am so proud of the service your son gave but am sadden by your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you Dale and thank you for being so brave. You will not be forgotten. Tamara Clason - Morristown, Ohio - April 25th, 11:21 AM Theres nothing anyone can say to offer comfort at this time, but thankyou for raising a son who cared enough to want to keep people the world over, safe and allow us all our freedom.We all owe you a debt of gratitude,thankyou. my deepest sympathies. Aletia Pieris ( [email protected] ) - Northampton,England - April 25th, 2:03 PM Another tragic day for the Oregon coast. I knew Michael Vaughan and had the privilege of writing about his wrestling exploits and his decision to join the Army in 2004 as sports editor for The News Guard newspaper. My condolences go out to Mike's family. For everyone else, let this be another object lesson on why this criminal war is exactly that. There is no amount of oil or corporate wealth which justifies these deaths. War-supporting die hards had better do some long, hard soul searching. Josh Kulla - Portland, OR - April 25th, 2:08 PM We wait to see if our son is one of the 9 fine men killed. There are no words to express how we feel about the death of your son. Sorry just isn't enough. Mom - Mesa AZ - April 25th, 5:14 PM May the Great Spirit bless your young warrior in his journey in the Spirit World. May he watch and keep safe the family that is grieving and missing a son and brother. Pray that all our soldier men and women will return home. My youngest daughter is serving in Iraq. Edward Yava - Phoenix,Arizona - April 25th, 6:10 PM My son Ryen was with your son during the attack. I know how you feel. If you would like to contact me please feel free to do so: [email protected] Jerry W King - Bowersville, GA - April 25th, 7:58 PM My sincere condolences go out to the families. Working at Soldiers' Angels, we are fortunate to get to know many Heroes personally; the loss of ANY breaks our heart - even those unknown to us. As long as our Heroes are in harm's way, we will support them. And I thank God every day that there are wonderful, brave souls who protect me and mine. Without them, I would not be me. May the families find peace in knowing the good for which their loved ones sacrificed, and healing in their hearts. Jackie Mason ( [email protected] ) - Celina OH - April 26th, 6:23 AM We know words must seem so empty after your tragic loss. We have a son currently serving in Iraq, also from Camp Lejuene, and are saddened at the caualties each day. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all and comfort you with the "peace that passes understanding". Gary and Rhonda White - Bristow, Oklahoma - April 26th, 7:05 AM Josh, everyone that is in Iraq, volunteered to be there, and wants to be there. Your misunderstandings are not your fault, you are just a confused civilian. Let us do our job, and you can do yours. Actually, as a reporter you wouldn't have a job without us, (defenders of 1st amendment). So basically, we love serving our country, even guys like you, and we are motivated to keep helping the Iraqis. To us, your negative comments are farts in the wind. Enjoy your freedom to respond. Semper Fi. Sgt. Matt - Ramadi, Al Anbar - April 26th, 7:36 AM Thank you Mr. and Mrs. George Vaughan for raising such a fine young man. Our Country is a better place for fine American folks like you. Your sons life shall never be forgotten in vain. Lance Cpl. Dale Peterson, 20 Semper Fi. Semper Fi - Ashland, Oregon - April 29th, 9:56 PM Thank God America still has people like the above Marines and their families. Good, solid, Americans who raise children that love their freedom and country and are willing to fight for us all. We owe all of you a huge debt of gratitude for your courage, dignity, and sacrifices. Without you we have nothing. God speed and hurry home to be welcomed as the heroes that you are. FormerAshlandTimberman - McCall, ID - May 1st, 4:28 PM The war probably would have ended long ago had it not been for the unrelenting undermining that you fools have done from the start. It has encouraged the enemy and discouraged our troops shame on you Josh). Just remember the show of thumbs on election day in Iraq that was the true will and courage of the Iraq people and that can't be distorted. God bless, guide and protect all the young men and women who have risked their lives and given up their comfort to fight for what they believe in! C - Ashland - May 1st, 7:17 PM This is strange, My name is also Mike vaughan and i have lots of Williams in my family, the world will now be different place with out Mike vaughan's, my condolences to the Vaughan family. Michael Vaughan ( [email protected] ) - Medford - May 10th, 11:07 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us