R.I.P., Maj. Tad T. Hervas
Name: Army Maj. Tad T. Hervas
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Age: 48
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From: Coon Rapids, Minn.
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Assigned to the 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota National Guard, Rosemont, Minn.
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Incident: Army Maj. Tad T. Hervas died Oct. 6 at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a noncombat-related incident.
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Died: October 06, 2009
(Taken from wcco.com) The Department of Defense announced Wednesday that 48-year-old Maj. Tad. T. Hervas of Coon Rapids died Tuesday at Contingency Operating Base in Basra.
Lt. John Hobot, with the Minnesota National Guard, says authorities are relying on military reports and the details are still under investigation.
"Yesterday morning, they showed up about 10 o'clock," recalled Ned Hervas, Tad's father. "When you see two soldiers at your door, you don't have to ask. You know what that is."
Hervas is the latest casualty in the War on Terror.
Ned knows his son was healthy and strong, and that's why he just doesn't understand how he died.
Ned and his wife have a Blue Star hanging on their front window. It's a symbol of pride for families of those in America's military, and that's especially true for the Hervas family.
"His mother displayed that proudly," recalled Ned.
Now that star also stands for sadness since learning about their son's death.
Ned recalls the great time he had with Tad, including trips to the cabin and long days hunting and fishing. But as great as those times were, he knows his son's love was military, the time he spent representing and fighting for his country.
Tad was out of the military when 9/11 happened but got right back in to serve soon after. He was on this third tour of duty when he died. He was stationed at the U.S. Command Center in Iraq, where he monitored patrols in the area.
"They'd patrol the area and talk to the locals, it was not a rich area, it was poor neighborhoods. They'd give them water and candy," Ned said about his son's time in Iraq.
The U.S. Military will only say that Tad died of "non-combat related injuries." His body will be flown back to the U.S. in a couple days and then the autopsy will happen.
"Good solider, good soldier and a fine person," Ned said about his son.
He and his wife will continue to display their Blue Star flag in their home, but the Blue Star will soon turn to gold to symbolize Tad's death.
"We're just proud of what he did," Ned said, as he choked up.
Lt. John Hobot, with the Minnesota National Guard, says authorities are relying on military reports and the details are still under investigation.
"Yesterday morning, they showed up about 10 o'clock," recalled Ned Hervas, Tad's father. "When you see two soldiers at your door, you don't have to ask. You know what that is."
Hervas is the latest casualty in the War on Terror.
Ned knows his son was healthy and strong, and that's why he just doesn't understand how he died.
Ned and his wife have a Blue Star hanging on their front window. It's a symbol of pride for families of those in America's military, and that's especially true for the Hervas family.
"His mother displayed that proudly," recalled Ned.
Now that star also stands for sadness since learning about their son's death.
Ned recalls the great time he had with Tad, including trips to the cabin and long days hunting and fishing. But as great as those times were, he knows his son's love was military, the time he spent representing and fighting for his country.
Tad was out of the military when 9/11 happened but got right back in to serve soon after. He was on this third tour of duty when he died. He was stationed at the U.S. Command Center in Iraq, where he monitored patrols in the area.
"They'd patrol the area and talk to the locals, it was not a rich area, it was poor neighborhoods. They'd give them water and candy," Ned said about his son's time in Iraq.
The U.S. Military will only say that Tad died of "non-combat related injuries." His body will be flown back to the U.S. in a couple days and then the autopsy will happen.
"Good solider, good soldier and a fine person," Ned said about his son.
He and his wife will continue to display their Blue Star flag in their home, but the Blue Star will soon turn to gold to symbolize Tad's death.
"We're just proud of what he did," Ned said, as he choked up.
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