Aaron Fairbairn, KIA Afghanistan July 4, 2009
Two International Security Assistance Force service members were killed in an improvised explosive device strike that occurred in eastern Afghanistan this morning.
"On this sad day, we continue with our mission as we remember the lives of our fallen soldiers. The true commitment and the determination of these fine soldiers are helping to make a difference in the lives of the people of Afghanistan" said Brig. Gen. Éric Tremblay, ISAF spokesperson.
"We remain resolute in meeting our obligation towards the citizens of Afghanistan and we will carry on fighting the enemies of this country to improve security and allow progress to take place for all Afghans."
It is ISAF policy not to release the nationality of any casualty prior to the relevant national authority doing so.
It is about 1 a.m. here along America's North Shore. A few short hours ago, word began to spread on Twitter about the loss of two of our finest in Afghanistan.
David M. Masters posted the following about 6 p.m. EDT:
# I'm so sorry, Aaron… You are MY hero… I love you… #thankyouaaron 25 minutes ago from web
Shelley, Beau and Sascha are enroute to Dover to meet Aaron's body, given in service this Independence Day. I love you, Aaron. about 2 hours ago from web
That you, @BobBurg. Please spread the word, "Thank you, Aaron," for making the ultimate sacrifice this Independence Day. about 6 hours ago from web
I'd like to see "Thank you, Aaron," show up on the Trending Topics for giving his life on Independence Day in Afghanistan. about 7 hours ago from web
On Independence Day, a few hours ago, they killed my son, Aaron in Afghanistan. about 7 hours ago from web
Killing my son, Aaron and the Officer. about 7 hours ago from web
When a suicide bomber, driving a truck breached the perimiter and pushed the button… about 7 hours ago from web
He was minding his own business BS-ing with an Officer on base in Afghanistan… about 7 hours ago from web
They killed my son, Aaron! about 7 hours ago from web
The hashtag #thankyouaaron is presently number 1 in Trending Topics. Hundreds, thousands of people are repeating the hashtag. Expressions of sorrow are being addressed to Mr. Masters and his family.
Here is the Masters family. It is a real "Brady Bunch". The couple, David and Shelley, are weight loss and diet experts.
Aaron has a MySpace page. This is what he said about himself:
Hey my name is Aaron Fairbairn, I am 20 and in the army. I like to ride dirtbikes, go muddin and all of that kind of stuff. One of my favorite things to do is work on my truck when I break it. I have a yamaha yz 125 I haven't got to ride it much because of work but i plan to go race it sometime.
The official announcement has not yet been released. It appears that Aaron was one of the two soldiers killed in a large Taliban attack on a base in Paktika. That is just a "maybe" until DoD releases the info. They hold it back a couple of days so that the families can all be notified.
Words cannot express the sorrow I feel at the loss of this young man. My thanks go to his family for his service and his sacrifice.
Table of contents for Fairbairn
- Aaron Fairbairn — KIA Afghanistan July 4 2009
- Pfc. Aaron E. Fairbairn, 20, of Aberdeen, Washington
- Air Assault into Zurok
- Pfc. Justin Casillas and Pfc. Aaron Fairbairn — the rest of the story
