Army Ranger Killed on 12th Deployment

Our nation mourns another brave soldier who fell in the line of duty. On Friday, October 1^st, Army Ranger Sgt. 1st Class Lance Herman Vogeler was killed in action by direct enemy fire during an intense firefight in Afghanistan””s Helmand province. He had been previously deployed to Afghanistan seven times, in addition to four tours in Iraq.

“He died doing what he felt called to do,” said his parents”” pastor, the Rev. Peter C. Myers. “Lance did not love war,” Myers said. “But he had a job to do, and he took it extremely seriously.”

Vogeler served his country with honor and dedication. He had completed numerous military education courses, which included the U.S. Army ranger Course, the Infantry Mortar Platoon Course and the Emergency Room Medical Technician Basic Course.

Vogeler has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, among many other medals and ribbons, according to the Army News Release. “I wish the American people could truly understand the dedication and sacrifice that Lance Vogeler made for his country,” Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander, 75th Ranger Regiment, said in the news release. “Since December 2001, Lance has either been in combat **or** training for combat. This was his 12th combat deployment. Lance was the quintessential Ranger, he is a hero to our Nation, the Army, and his family.”

“In an organization full of great men, Lance Vogeler stood out for his leadership, dedication and all of his talents,” said Lt. Col. Michael Foster, commander of 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. “He has done so much for his nation over the past nine years of combat action it is hard to put it into words. His loss will be felt across the whole battalion and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”

Volger is survived by his wife, Melissa, son, Kyle, daughter, Madison,  parents, Timothy and Donna, brother Chris, his grandmother and parents-in law.