Atlantic

The U.S. military announced on Thursday that debris found near the sunken Titanic by a remotely operated vehicle was the tail cone of the missing Titan submersible.

“The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families,” said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger. “On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families.”

BREAKING: The U.S. Coast Guard announces that debris found 1,600 feet away from the Titanic wreckage “is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber” of the Titan. pic.twitter.com/gxPIQqK2LZ

— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) June 22, 2023

As you’ve been reading on The Stream, the Titan submersible went missing on Sunday after submerging. The OceanGate Expeditions tourist submersible had five people on board and a 96-hour oxygen supply. Banging sounds were heard near the presumed location of the 21-foot submersible earlier this week, but until Thursday’s announcement by the U.S. military, nothing had been found.

Please join us in praying for the families of all five passengers killed when the Titan imploded. We also thank the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy experts for leading the search and recovery effort.

Middle East

As we continue to pray for the 22 U.S. military personnel injured in a helicopter crash in Syria earlier this month, an inspiring story has emerged about a young American soldier who grew up in neighboring Iraq.

This week, Fox 10 Phoenix told the story of an Iraqi refugee who fled war-torn Baghdad with his family. Now 19, Pvt. Linard Ablahad joined the Army and will be leaving on Friday for Fort Bliss in Texas to serve his new country.

“As a kid, when I was in Iraq, I’d see these tanks and soldiers moving along and I was like, ‘I wish I was like them,’” Pvt. Ablahad told the TV station.

A young man from Iraq says he is excited for the future, as he gives back to America in a big way, after he fled his home in Iraq to the U.S. https://t.co/FGvNTk9Ac3

— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) June 22, 2023

The young soldier believes living in the United States is a privilege.

“Coming to America having safety, better opportunities not only to make your life better but everyone else around you, is big,” he said.

Thank you for your service, Pvt. Linard Ablahad!

Coming Home

U.S. Navy sailors serving aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Porter recently returned to their loved ones in Norfolk, Virginia, after a four-month overseas deployment.

Welcome home, heroes! Thank you for helping keep our country safe.

Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is the author of the recently released Be Bold and co-author of Three Wise Men, Brothers Forever, 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.