Ore. woman killed in Iraq to be honored with medal

The Daily News.com  June 29, 2012

Seven years after she was killed by a roadside bomb, an Oregon woman advising the Iraqi police will be honored with a medal.

The Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/MdlnJD) that Sen. Ron Wyden will present it to Debi Klecker’s brother, Greg, in a ceremony July 6 at Bend.

It is the civilian Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom.

Klecker worked two decades for the Marion County sheriff’s office and then on the board of the state public safety training agency. She had moved to Central Oregon and was a contractor for DynCorp International when she died at 51.

She wasn’t eligible for the posthumous award of the Purple Heart, a military medal. A campaign in recent years by family members and others resulted in the civilian medal.

Iraq releases Former Marine, DynCorp Civilian Contractor, Michael Copleland’s body after dispute

The body of an Oklahoma contractor who was found dead in Baghdad is being flown back to the U.S. after a two-week bureaucratic debate over whether the Iraqi government would perform an autopsy on his remains.

Tulsa World  June26, 2012

Officials say Michael David Copeland, 37, of Colbert in southern Oklahoma, is one of the first Americans working for the U.S. government to die in Iraq this year. He was found unresponsive June 9 in his living quarters. Foul play is not suspected in his death.

Copeland previously served in the Marines and later with the Oklahoma Air National Guard. He was a contractor with DynCorp International at the time of his death.

Copeland’s case is a snapshot of the new reality of working in Iraq for Americans who, over the years, were accustomed to vast privileges and influence that disappeared when U.S. troops left last December.

Iraq agreed to release the remains of the Oklahoma man after negotiations with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. His body was flown out of Iraq Tuesday afternoon.

Civilian Contractor Michael Copeland DynCorp dies of unknown causes, Iraqi’s detain body

Colbert family pleads to have loved one’s body returned to U.S.

KXII News OK  June 4, 2012

A Colbert family is inconsolable at the loss of their young son and husband working overseas in Iraq. Now, they’ve received even more devastating news.

Mike Copeland spoke with his son, Michael, for the last time Friday night. About 12 hours later, he was told his son had died. On top of dealing with their loss, they said the Iraqi government will not release his body. And now, they’re struggling with the U.S. Government to bring Michael home.

“They came to the door and knocked on the door but I couldn’t open it, because I knew that if I did my life would be changed forever.”

Angela Copeland found out Saturday that her husband, Michael, was dead of unknown causes.

“Sure enough I opened the door and they came in and told me they found Michael deceased in his living quarters,” she said.

Michael Copeland worked for DynCorp International doing aircraft maintenance in Iraq for less than a week before he died.
His father, Mike, said after the company notified them about Michael’s death, they were told his body will remain in Iraq.

“I don’t look for us to go to war over a thing like this but I see no excuse at all for the Iraqi government to hold his body. That doesn’t make sense to us,” he said.

“Of course I felt sad, but mostly I felt angry because I know for a fact that’s not something that Michael would agree with. We as a family don’t agree with that,” Angela said.

Mike Copeland said he contacted the State Department and DynCorp for help, but was told that because U.S. military presence has ceased in Iraq the Iraqi government is in charge.

“Everyone I’ve spoke with is always sorry for our loss, but they say there’s nothing they can do. I find it very difficult to believe that my government…there’s nothing they can do to bring my son home from Iraq?” Asked Copeland.

“If someone comes into the United States and they were to die, it would be the same thing. We’re basically under the Iraqi law.”

U.S. Congressman Dan Boren said they are working with the State Department to get Michael’s body back to the U.S. but it may take a long time because it’s the first death in Iraq since the troops were pulled out.

“We’re actually looking at three different options: one by a U.S. Citizen, one by the Iraqis but are having a U.S. Citizen watch and the other is to bring the body back to the U.S. to do an autopsy,” said Boren.

“He was a good man and we loved him. And we don’t feel like he’s being treated fairly by his country that he served and we want them to take steps to bring him home. We want them to bring him home,” said Mike Copeland.

“We’re not doing good. Because not only are we having to deal with the loss but, we’re having to deal with the battle to get him back home,” said Angela Copeland

DynCorp International released a statement saying:

“We are currently waiting for the Iraqi Government to approve the release of his remains for transport back to the U.S., where the U.S. Government will conduct an autopsy.”

Congressman Boren said the State Department found no signs of foul play while investigating Copeland’s death.

The family is asking the public to help them bring Michael’s remains back home by contacting state representatives

The Defense of Freedom Medal Held Hostage by The Defense Base Act

WHY HAVE I NOT RECEIVED THE DEFENSE OF FREEDOM MEDAL?

The Defense of Freedom Medal is an award held to be the equivalent of the Purple Heart and is awarded to Civilian Contractors injured in the war zones. 

One question we get here repeatedly is why have I not received the Defense of Freedom Medal?   The question comes from severely disabled Civilian Contractors wounded in horrific explosions and insurgent attacks.

WHO IS HOLDING YOUR MEDAL HOSTAGE?

The company you work for is responsible for requesting  that you receive the medal and providing the documentation that you have indeed suffered a qualifying injury.

As all Injured War Zone Contractors know the minute you must file a Defense Base Act Claim you are automatically placed in an adversarial relationship with your employer.   Your Employer and the Defense Base Act Insurance Company are considered equal entities in the battle you have entered for your medical care and indemnity.

Your Employer is required to assist the insurance company in denying your claim.  Under the War Hazards Act the Employer/Carrier must prove to the WHA Tribunal that they have diligently tried to deny your claim.

It appears that your Defense of Freedom Medals could be held hostage by your Employers due to the adversarial relationship the Defense Base Act has created.

When KBR, DynCorp, Blackwater, Xe, et al, provide documentation of your injuries to the DoD they have just admitted that you are indeed injured and to what extent.

Specific information regarding injury/death: Description of the situation causing the injury/death in detail to include the date, time, place, and scene of the incident, and official medical documentation of the employee’s injuries and treatment. The description must be well documented, including the names of witnesses and point of contact (POC) for additional medical information, if needed.

These admissions sure would make it hard for Administrative Law Judges like Paul C Johnson to name them as alleged.   ALJ Paul C Johnson has yet to award benefits to a DBA Claimant in a decision based on a hearing.

KBR who can never seem to find their injured employees medical records holds the key to the Defense of Freedom Medal.

Certainly there are other lawsuits outside of the DBA that the withholding of this information is vital too.

For those of you who still give a damn after being abused by so badly simply because you were injured-

The Defense of Freedom Medal may find you many years down the road once an Administrative Law Judge says you were injured.

We recommend that you contact your Congressional Representative or Senator and have them request this Medal if you qualify for it and would like to have it.

If you are still litigating your claim it SHOULD serve to legitimize your alleged injuries.

Family says DynCorp lied about killing

Courthouse News  March 6, 2012

DETROIT (CN) – A family claims in Federal Court that DynCorp International covered up the shooting of their son, who allegedly was shot to death by a drunken co-worker in Iraq.
The family of the late Justin Pope sued DynCorp and 12 of its employees, including the alleged shooter, Kyle Palmer.
The family claims Palmer was drunk when he shot and killed Justin Pope in front of at least 11 other DynCorp employees on March 4, 2009. They say in the complaint that “Defendant Palmer pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the case of United States v. Kyle Palmer … and on March 29, 2010, was sentenced to, among other things, three (3) years in prison for the crime.”
The men worked as security specialists for DynCorp in Kirkuk, Iraq, assigned to protect American diplomats and dignitaries. DynCorp is a private military contractor based in Falls Church, Va.
Pope, a Detroit native who served two tours of duty in Iraq, was 25 at the time of his death.
Pope’s family claims DynCorp and the alleged witnesses conjured up a story to cover up the facts of his death.
The complaint states: “Defendant Palmer in his drunkenness, pulled out a gun, pointed it at Justin’s mouth, pulled the trigger, and shot Justin to death

“Within 24 hours, defendants commenced a series of events as part of a conspiracy amongst and between themselves as well as, at some point, agents of the United States government, to deceive and mislead the public – and Justin’s family, plaintiffs herein, in particular – with regard to the facts and circumstances of Justin’s death, withholding the truth from them.
“Among the falsehoods that Defendants affirmatively told plaintiffs and/or communicated to the public, at various times from March 4, 2009 to the present and continuing, were the following:
“a. That Justin was alone when he was killed;
“b. That Justin shot himself;
“c. That Justin was intoxicated, in violation of DynCorp policy;
“d. That Justin was shot by his own firearm;
“e. That Justin was shot because he and Palmer were pointing their guns at one another;
“f. That Justin, while intoxicated, pointed his gun at Palmer’s head;
“g. That Justin’s death was exclusively his fault; and
“h. Other falsehoods.
“Among the facts that defendants deliberately concealed from plaintiffs were the following:
“a. That defendant Palmer shot and killed Justin;
“b. That Justin was shot from a distance of at least several feet;
“c. That there was no evidence that Justin had ingested alcohol or any other intoxicants;
“d. That there were at least eleven (11) people in the room at the time that Justin was shot;
“e. That there was widespread ingestion of alcohol and intoxication amongst DynCorp employees, including but not limited to individual Defendants
Palmer, Fleming, Hillestad, Augustine, Igo, Tanner, Isaac [Doe 1] and Doe #’s 2-7, the night of Justin’s shooting death;
“That while DynCorp claimed to have a policy of zero tolerance for alcohol ingestion by DynCorp employees on its premises in Iraq, in fact, alcohol abuse was permitted, tolerated, authorized, condoned, approved, known, and promoted by Defendant DynCorp;
“That defendant DynCorp had ordered all its employees who were present in Justin’s room when he was shot and killed to go into a room and not come out until they had agreed upon a story as to how it had happened so they could conceal the truth; and
“Other pertinent information.
“Plaintiffs to this date have never been provided any information regarding the medical treatment that was provided to Justin after he was shot and before he died.
“Plaintiffs to this date have never been provided any of defendant DynCorp’s investigation reports or information about the internal investigation that supposedly occurred after the shooting.”
Even after Palmer’s conviction and sentencing, DynCorp continues to stick to its fabricated story, Pope’s family says.
They add: “The acts, false statements and omissions of defendants, described above, were intentional, willful, wanton, and designed to cause pain and injury. They were malicious, and were performed in violation of and with deliberate indifference and/or in reckless disregard of plaintiffs’ respective emotional well-being. …
These craven acts of dishonesty, some of which occurred immediately after Justin’s death and in the wake of his family’s shock and grief, and continue to this day, consisted both of fabricating events that did not happen (e.g. telling Justin’s family that ‘he shot himself’) and of intentionally withholding information regarding the circumstances of his death from the family. These acts of dishonesty were committed directly by defendants, and as part of the conspiracy, alleged herein, amongst defendants and with agents and officials of the United States government.”
Pope’s family seeks exemplary damages for conspiracy to intentionally inflict emotional injury, and intentional infliction of emotional injury.
They are represented by William Goodman, with Goodman Hurwitz

Please see the original and read more here

Nation in a State: Meals ready, on America’s frontline pressure cooker

Youth from Odaipatti village in Tamil Nadu risk their lives to work as cooks in U.S. forward military bases.  It’s no cakewalk

Their pay did not include medical or life insurance, neither was there any clarity about compensation in case of death. That they could be summarily removed — sometimes with just three hours notice — in case of a health problem or vision difficulty was something the young men did not know about before taking up their jobs.

The Hindu February 16, 2012

Odaipatti may not be aware of it but the far-flung village, tucked away in the foothills of Megamalai in southwestern Tamil Nadu, has played a substantive role in subsidising U.S. war costs in Iraq and Afghanistan. For many years, this fertile village, along with neighbouring Govindanagaram, has provided an army of formally trained bakers, cooks, and other catering specialists to various U.S. military bases in active combat zones for salaries from as low as $550 to $700 a month.

Bharathkumar Sekar is only 25 years old, but he is already a two-war veteran. He served as a head baker at the U.S. Forward Operative Base Kalsu, located in Iskandariya, Iraq, and later at Kandahar in Afghanistan. The equally young B. Thangaraj managed dining halls at U.S. army camps in Kirkush, Iraq, before moving to Helmand in Afghanistan.

E. Srinivasan, K. Manikandan … the list is long. Villagers tell me that by now more than 100 youth from the two villages have worked at military camps either in Iraq or Afghanistan or both, and those with the right qualifications continue to be recruited by U.S. military contractors.

“We knew we were taking risks. There were many rocket attacks inside our army camps. At times rockets even landed on top of my kitchen, Bharathkumar said, explaining that “it was bombproof.”

Please read the entire article here

Department of Labor District Offices Dead in the Water

Military contractor death is a loss for Oklahoma soldiers in Afghanistan

KRMG Talk Radio Tulsa by April Hill  December 5, 2011

Spc. Douglas Pugh, of Company A, 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team scans the mountainside on Oct. 2, as fellow troops move through the Sangar Valley. The Afghan National Army and the 45th IBCT moved through the valley to dissipate insurgent activity, but to also connect with the people

We had another recent death in Afghanistan.

This time, it was a Tulsa man who works as a military contractor.

Bob McCullough had a sudden heart attack at 55-years-old while working for DynCorp.

Some of our KRMG listeners may think that sounds sad, but wonder why his death is making news.

There’s one big reason.

He played an important role for our Oklahoma soldiers and their families, and they might never have heard his name until now.

By all accounts, McCullough was a mechanical magician who could fix anything.

He recently moved from Iraq to Afghanistan.

His job was to make the military vehicles mine resistant and ambush protected.

He had just started putting reinforced armor on the bottom of each one.

The roadside bombs under the military vehicles are the reason we have lost so many Oklahoma soldiers in recent months.

His efforts were working to save our soldiers overseas.

In the missions with vehicles with McCullough’s armor, only one soldier came back with an injury, and that was only a broken ankle.

His memorial service was Saturday at Victory Christian Church.

He was so well know by the soldiers overseas, that they held a military funeral for him in Afghanistan

A DynCorp representative spoke to family and friends at Saturday’s service.

She said, “They held a memorial for him at Kandahar Airforce Base on Novermber 30th, and it was attended by a lot of people. You guys should be really proud of him.”

McCullough leaves behind his wife Debbie and five children.

A medical examiner’s office on the east coast is performing an autopsy.

Please see the original here

Defense Base Act Class Action Lawsuit

Today  Injured War Zone Contractors and Scott Bloch filed a

Class Action Lawsuit

against the

Defense Base Act Insurance Companies

and some Employers.

Scott Bloch files complaint for $2 billion against major government contractors like

KBR, Blackwater/Xe, DynCorp, G4S/Wackenhut/Ronco Consulting

and the global insurance carriers

AIG, CNA, ACE, Zurich,

on behalf of thousands of former employees,

for

unlawful, fraudulent and bad-faith mistreatment of

injured employees and their families  

Brink Vs. CNA et al

The Defense Base Act Compensation blog and it’s contributors invite you to

Join our Class Action here

The truth will be exposed

WASHINGTON, DC (September 26, 2011) –

Since 2003, top government contractors like Blackwater, KBR, DynCorp, CSA/AECOM and ITT have been perpetrating a fraud on their employees and on the American public.  The silent warriors who work for these companies, many of them decorated former military service members, have been injured, mistreated and abandoned by the contracting companies and their insurance carriers who have been paid hundreds of millions of dollars in premiums.

“It is a grave injustice,” Bloch said, “to those who rode alongside American soldiers, including Iraqi and Afghani Nationals, to be case aside without the benefits of the law.  We are supposedly trying to bring them the rule of law.  We are supposedly trying to encourage them in democractic institutions.  We are the ones asking them to believe in justice and individual rights.  This is a travesty to all Americans and those around the world who look to America for an example of humanitarian aid and proper treatment of workers.”

This is a lawsuit for damages in the amount of $2 billion to remedy the injuries and destruction caused to the lives, finances and mental and physical well being of thousands of American families and others whose loved ones were injured while serving America under contracts with the United States.  It seeks an additional unspecified amount to punish the companies who made massive profits while causing this harm to people unlawfully and maliciously and working a fraud on the American public who paid them.
“This abusive and illegal scheme by the defendants has been allowed to go on for too long.  We are talking about loss of life, suicide, loss of homes, marriages, families split up, “ Bloch said, “and the culprits are the large government contractors who should have treated their employees better, and the mega-insurance companies who were paid a hefty sum to make sure the employees were taken care of with uninterrupted benefits in the event of injuries in these war zones.”
This complaint is filed due to actions and omissions of defendants, in conspiracy with others, and individually, to defeat the right of American citizens and foreign nationals to receive their lawful benefits and compensation under the Defense Base Act (“DBA”),  as it adopts the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (“LHWCA”).
The lawsuit explains that those sued engaged under the RICO statute in an enterprise of fraudulent and or criminal acts to further their scheme to defeat the rights of individuals who have been injured or suffered occupational diseases, and death, while on foreign soil in support of defense activities under the DBA.   These acts were perpetrated repeatedly through bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, using telephones, faxes, and United States mail .
“These are heroes, decorated by America’s Armed Services,” said Bloch.  “Some of the foreign contractors were decorated special forces soldiers from their countries who assisted the United States in combating threats.  The sheer disregard for human dignity and law is reprehensible and deserves punishment.  These families and many others who have been harmed need treatment, need compensation, need redress of the wrongs that have been perpetrated by these huge companies and insurance carriers for the last 10 years.  They have earned $100 billion per year on the backs of these people, with the blood of these plaintiffs and those whom they represent.”
The was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and covers individuals from all over the United States, South Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan and other counties.

Contact Scott J. Bloch, PA:
Scott Bloch, 202-496-1290

Brett Benton, Contractor, Killed in Afghanistan

Update

DynCorp International Afghan Police Mentor Killed by IED

June 6, 2011 – DynCorp International is deeply saddened by the loss of team member Brett Benton, 37, of Dry Ridge, Kentucky, who was killed on June 4, 2011 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle near Alingar District, Laghman Province, Afghanistan.

Mr. Benton joined the mission in May 2011, to assist in mentoring and training the Afghan National Police, following more than a decade of law enforcement service in Kentucky.

“Brett was a hero who served our country throughout his life: in the National Guard, as a law enforcement officer in Kentucky and supporting U.S. operations in Afghanistan,” said Steve Gaffney, chairman and CEO of DynCorp International. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”

Under a contract with the U.S. Army, DI assists the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (NTM-A/CSTC-A) by providing specialized training and mentoring services for the Afghanistan Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Afghan National Police (ANP).

Update

Benton and a number of other contractors were killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near them. MSNBC

Update

Details of Benton’s death have not yet been revealed, the statement said. But reports say that he was killed by a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) early this morning.

According to the Kenton County Police website, during his time as an officer, Sergeant Benton worked in the K-9 division with a police dog named Tommy.

Former Kenton County Sergeant Killed in Afghanistan    June 4, 2011 11:49 pm

A man who resigned from the Kenton County Police Department to go to Afghanistan has died.

Sergeant Brett Benton resigned from his job with the department in May.

–

Friends tell Local 12 News that Benton left for Afghanistan to work as a contractor and teach locals how to be better police officers.

–

He’d only been in the country for a couple of weeks when we was killed.

–

Details on the cause and time of death have not been released.

–

Flags are now flying at half-staff in Kenton County in Benton’s honor.

–

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Two New Contractor PTSD Suicides this week

It is with sorrow that knows no bounds this evening

that we must announce that

the contractor community has lost two more lives

to PTSD

only five days apart

They were both former DynCorp employees covered by CNA under the Defense Base Act

Two families, which both include children, left with the horror and guilt that suicide leaves in it’s wake

Out of respect for these grieving families we are withholding details until a more suitable time

Please keep these families in your hearts and prayers

May our departed friends find the peace they were deprived of here

___

To those of you suffering from PTSD,  to those friends of these contractors suffering from PTSD, please do not wait for for your employer or the insurance company to fulfill their obligations.

Both of these deaths could easily have been prevented by proper screening and prompt treatment.

Private Security Contractor Adam Carney’s family must repatriate his body???

Update  April 5, 2011  6pm

Family Still Waits to bury son died in Afghanistan

Two weeks after he died of a massive heart attack, former Atlanta police officer Adam Carney’s body is expected to be returned home from Afghanistan, where he was helping train that country’s nascent police force.

But his parents haven’t planned his funeral yet, saying Adam Carney’s employer, DynCorp International, has provided them with “non-answers” and conflicting information about when they could claim the 34-year-old Navy veteran’s remains.

“No mother wants to bury their son,” Wanda Carney told the AJC on Tuesday. “This has just been more torture. No one should have to go through this.”

The Carneys, who flew in from Ohio soon after learning of their son’s death on March 28, say they were informed Tuesday morning that he would be transported to Dover Air Force Base, where an autopsy will be performed. They hope to have the father of two back in Atlanta by the weekend.

“We couldn’t understand what took so long,” said Adam’s father, Michael Carney. “They kept saying, ‘We don’t know.’ Well, why don’t you know?”

A DynCorp spokeswoman said she understands the Carneys’ frustration but adds the delays were out of the company’s control.

Just when you think you couldn’t be more disgusted than you already are….

Join law enforcement officers for fundraiser in honor of Adam Carney

DECATUR, Ga. – Former military officer and retired APD officer, Adam Carney died of an apparent heart attack in Afghanistan on Monday night. Carney worked overseas as a civilian contractor. The family must pay to have his body flown back to the United States and buried.

The family and Humble Heroes-Police Memorial are hosting a fundraiser on Tuesday, March 29 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at Avellino’s Pizza at 902 W. College Avenue in Decatur.  Avellino’s will, also, be donating a percentage of proceeds to the Law Enforcement Memorial Ride or the Unity Tour.

Carney’s brother, Josh, currently works as an APD officer and patrols the Zone 6 area. He is survived by a three year old and five year old.

DynCorp International Mourns the Loss of LOGCAP Team Member

March 28, 2011 – The DI family is mourning the loss of Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) team member Angela Kiti of Nairobi, Kenya, who was killed on March 27, 2011 during a rocket attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Ms. Kiti, 26, joined the team as a billeting coordinator on February 2, 2011.

“Every one of our team members who leaves the comforts of his or her home in order to help others around the world is a hero. Angela worked with our LOGCAP team in Kandahar and, sadly, is now part of a group of heroic individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice while supporting coalition military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan,” said DI chairman and CEO Steve Gaffney. “We are deeply saddened by this loss and our hearts go out to all of Angela’s loved ones during this difficult time.”

Please keep Angela’s family, friends, colleagues and the entire LOGCAP team in your thoughts and prayers.

Private Military Contract Facilities to Be Inspected

Courthouse News

WASHINGTON (CN) – Defense Department facilities, infrastructure and equipment provided by private military contractors such as KBR, DynCorp, and Fluor Corporation, overseas, are to be inspected for safety and habitability, under rules adopted under the National Defense Authorization Act.
According to the rules, prior to use, the facilities should be “brought into compliance with generally accepted standards for the safety and health of personnel to the maximum extent practicable consistent with the requirements of military operations and the best interests of the agency.”
Contracts will require compliance with the Unified Facilities Criteria 1-200-01 to meet generally accepted standards for fire protection, structural integrity, electrical systems, plumbing, water treatment, waste disposal, and telecommunications networks.
The rules apply to each contract, including task or delivery orders, entered into for the construction, installation, repair, maintenance, or operation of facilities, infrastructure, and equipment for use by Defense Department military or civilian personnel.
The rules were effective in 2010, in temporary form, and have now been adopted permanently.

Please see the original and document here

David Hillman, DynCorp Civ-Pol, retired customs agent, civilian contractor, killed by suicide bomber in Kandahar Afghanistan

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – For the second time this week, western New York has lost a native son overseas. David Hillman, a civilian contractor, fell victim to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan.

The family is grieving, but wants the community to know about David Hillman’s devotion to his country, his loved ones, and friends.

David’s mom, Angeline Hillman, said, “He kept telling us, ‘Don’t worry, everything is safe.'”

David Hillman at age 60 had gone to Afghanistan to help teach the police there how to protect their border.

David’s father, “Bud” Hillman said, “He said he just wanted to go over and help.”

David had been situated in the southern province of Kandahar, which remains a hotbed of Taliban activity. A suicide bomber attacked the customs warehouse where David was working. His family believes the bomber was 12-years-old.

David’s sister, Diane Strawbrich, said, “I don’t know how you fight against a 12-year-old walking in and detonating. I don’t know how you avoid that.”

David had avoided injury while serving in Vietnam. He started his career with the U.S. Customs Service in Buffalo back in 1973. When he decided to come out of retirement and work for a contractor in Afghanistan, he told his family not to worry.  Please read the entire story here

Buffalo News

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection worker who began his career in Buffalo and later moved up the ranks was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan earlier this week, Department of Homeland Security officials said today.

David Hillman, a Western New York native, was working as a border mentor and adviser in Afghanistan when the attack occurred at the Inland Customs Warehouse in Kandahar.

Three other retired Customs workers, Michael Lachowsky, Terry Sherrill, and Vernon Rinus, were injured in the attack.