Chicago-Area Guardsmen Killed In Afghanistan

By Marcus Gilmer on Sep 20, 2008 4:35PM

Joshua Harris, 21, of Oak Park and Jason Vazquez, 24, of Chicago, members of the Illinois National Guard, were killed earlier this week in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. Both were posthumously promoted. Said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, "This is, by far, one of the most difficult and saddest times for the Illinois National Guard. This loss is felt by us all, both overseas and here at home." Harris and Vazquez joined Carol Stream's Pfc. Leonard Gulczynski (Iraq) as Illinois' war casualties this week. Harris and Vazquez were both part of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery, providing security for police mentor teams in Afghanistan. Illinois Senator (and Democratic Presidential Candidate) Barack Obama paid tribute to the soldiers, saying, "These brave young men served their nation proudly and honorably in Afghanistan and Iraq." Our condolences to the families of these brave soldiers.