7 Fort Bragg soldiers killed in Afghanistan this week

FORT BRAGG -- More than half a dozen Fort Bragg soldiers were killed this week in Afghanistan.Military officials say 24-year-old Sgt. Zachary Fisher of Missouri, 21-year-old Spc. Matthew Johnson of Minnesota, 26-year-old Spc. Jesse Reed of Pennsylvania and 21-year-old Spc. Chase Stanley of California died Wednesday when insurgents hit their vehicle with a roadside bomb.
“We truly mourn the loss of our paratroopers from the 618th Engineer Company, and we will never be able to fill the hole that now exists in our hearts,” Col. Richard G. Kaiser, commander, 20th Eng. Bde said in statement Friday. “These men were in the most dangerous spot on this Earth, doing what is arguably one of the most dangerous jobs that can be imagined--clearing roadside bombs, or improvised explosive devices. They did so willingly, professionally and absolutely without fear. Their whole purpose was to make Afghanistan a safer place for our American troops and our Afghan partners, as well as every citizen of Afghanistan. What more noble and selfless task could there be? They are true American heroes.”
On Tuesday, 23-year-old 1st Lt. Christopher Goeke, 34-year-old Staff Sgt. Christopher Stout and 27-year-old Staff Sgt. Sheldon Tate died in Kandahar City, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked their unit with rifle, rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire.
Wednesday may be the worst single-day loss for Bragg units since April 2007. Nine 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers died and 20 were wounded when a bomb detonated outside a building they were occupying in As Sadah, Iraq on April 23, 2007 .
Funeral services have not yet been set for any of the men.