Archbishop Broglio mourns American troops killed in Iran war, calls for peace
As American military casualties rise, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is asking the faithful to remember the fallen and pray for an end to the conflict.
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Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, offered condolences July 20 to the families of U.S. troops killed or missing in the war with Iran and called for prayers for a swift end to the conflict.
“The continued conflict with Iran has occasioned more victims,” Archbishop Broglio said in a statement. “On behalf of all the faithful of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, I express heartfelt condolences to the families whose loved ones have been killed or are missing in action — most recently in Jordan.”
“At the same time I urge all men and women of good will to pray for peace among nations and a quick resolution to the current dispute,” he added. “May there be no more innocent victims on either side so that all peoples might enjoy security and tranquility.”
The archbishop’s statement followed the deaths of two U.S. troops during Iranian missile and drone attacks on a military base in Jordan. As Zeale News previously reported, 19-year-old Pvt. Isabella Gonzales of Texas was killed July 17, and 25-year-old 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan of Hawaii was killed July 18. The military said both died while supporting U.S. operations against the Iranian attack.
Four other U.S. troops were evacuated to hospitals in Jordan for treatment and later released, Zeale News also reported.
The Pentagon on July 21 identified another soldier killed in the conflict as Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Swinton died July 19 during the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian attack drone at Erbil Air Base in Iraq, the Pentagon said. He is survived by his wife, 6-year-old son, and 4-year-old daughter, according to the New York Post.
“I didn’t think this would be the last time I ever saw you. I have no words. I was informed this morning that my husband, Michael, was killed while serving in Iraq. I’m navigating how to process this so please bear with me,” Mia Gonzalez-Swinton wrote in a Facebook statement.
The Pentagon said the incident, which injured another service member, is now under investigation.
According to the outlet, Swinton’s death brings the number of American service members killed since the war began Feb. 28 to 17.
