15 Dec 2007:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 1409-07
December 14, 2007
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DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died in Afghanistan from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gabel, 30, of Crowley, La., who died Dec. 12 at Forward Operating Base Curry, Afghanistan.
Cpl. Joshua C. Blaney, 25, of Matthews, N.C., who died Dec. 12 at Forward Operating Base Curry, Afghanistan.
For further information related to this release, contact the Southern Europen Task Force public affairs office at 011-39-0444-71-7011 or 011-39-0444-71-8020.
Obituaries
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Joshua C. Blaney
Cpl Joshua C. Blaney
Cpl Blaney, 25, of Matthews, NC stationed with 173rd Airborne in Vicenza, Italy passed away December 12, 2007 serving his country in Afghanistan as a result of his convoy being hit by an IED.
Joshua was born September 15, 1982 in Charlotte, NC the son of Dianne B. Massey and Charles Edward Blaney. Josh graduated from Butler High School in 2002. Joshua was an exceptional young man with a compassionate and loving heart for his family and those that were fortunate enough to know him were his friends for life.
Cpl Blaney made the combat jump into Northern Iraq on March 26, 2003 for which he received the Parachutist Badge with Bronze Service Star which opened the northern front and ultimate success of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq he was wounded on December 12, 2003 for which he received a Purple Heart.
Cpl Blaney also served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from February 2005 to February 2006. He was deployed to Afghanistan for a second tour in May 2007, and paid the ultimate sacrifice on December 12, 2007 receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Josh received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge for Iraq and Afghanistan.
Funeral services to celebrate Joshua's life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, December 21, 2007 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, officiated by the Reverend Arnold Kessler. Interment will follow at Charlotte Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are from the 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC. Honorary Pallbearers are Josh's lifelong friends: Joshua Edwards, Brian Williams, Greg St. Martin, Ben Green, Ben Fields, Trent Guilland, and Nick Brooks.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M., Thursday, December 20, 2007 at McEwen Funeral Service Mint Hill Chapel and from Noon to 2:00 P.M., Friday, December 21, 2007 prior to the church service.
Josh is survived by his mother, Dianne B. Massey and husband Eric of Ft. Mill, SC; father, Charles E. Blaney of Matthews, NC; brother, Eddie Allen and wife Misty of Kershaw, SC; sister, Carley Blaney of Matthews, NC; stepsister, Angie Massey of Rock Hill, SC; stepbrother, Todd Massey and wife Kelly of Rock Hill, SC; grandfather, Sidney Belk of Charlotte, NC; aunt and uncles, Greg Belk and wife Sheri of Charleston, SC, Pat Belk of Indian Trail, NC, Amy Belk and husband Mike of Charlotte, NC, and Kenneth Blaney of Yorktown, VA; nieces and nephews, Ashley Allen, Brandon Allen, Austin Surratt, Chase Allen, Matthew Allen, Talayeh Joel, Naiya Ellis, and numerous cousins and friends.
Josh was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Dorothy C. Belk, and his paternal grandparents Eugene and Francis Louise Blaney.
Memorial donations may be made to the Josh Blaney Memorial Fund for Wounded Soldiers, c/o Dianne Massey, 2350 Sunset Circle, Fort Mill, SC 29715.
Online condolences and tributes for the family may be made at www.MeM.com.
Arrangements are in the care of McEwen Funeral Service Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews Mint Hill Road.
Published in the Charlotte Observer on 12/20/2007.
29 Nov 2007
Hello this is CPL Blaney, I have changed company to D Co 1/503. I now have 25 guys that i share with, we live in a single bay in bunk beds all 25 of us in the same room. We have electricity but it is 220v, like in europe. We have to use power converters to use electronics, we enjoy playing video games like Halo 3 and Call of Duty 3, and watching movies. Well that about raps up what is new here for me, let me know if you ahve any other questions.
Sincerely,
Joshua Blaney
08 Oct 2007
Address Has Changed
06 Oct 2007
Hi, im Spc Blaney, Im from Charlotte NC. I live kind of out of the way of major FOBs so mail does not come as often as other places. It would be nice to have movies or magaazines something to take up some of our down time between missions. We are in th process of building our rooms so we can have personal space, so any space saver type items would be good, and maybe a microwave, or refrigerator. Thank you for any contrabutions that you can send.