Michael DiScioscia and Charles Robert "Chuck" Buckman

Michael DiScioscia of Kissimmee, Fla., and Charles R. Buckman of Lawton, Okla., American contractors working in northern Afghanistan, were killed on November 30, 2010.

The two men were killed at a firearms range at Camp Shaheen near Mazar-i-Sharif and both worked for a military subcontractor as military mentors. 

A disgruntled Afghan National Army sergeant shot and killed them both. Both the military contractors were unarmed and unable to defend themselves. Speculation is that the cause of this incident was a verbal dispute between one of the Afghan National Army (troops) and these 2 U.S. mentors. 

Michael DiScioscia

Michael Discioscia was born 21 November 1968 in Puerto Rico. While serving in the U.S. Army he was a member of the AMU Pistol Team and served as a Drill Sergeant. He was medically retired after 15 years. His love of training soldiers led him to MPRI where he worked in Iraq on the M16 Transition Program. Mike later worked as a Peace Support Operations Trainer for the US Department of State in Africa. He helped train Burundian soldiers who are now in Mogadishu with the African Union Mission and Nigerian Soldiers who are in Darfur with the United Nations Mission. He later came to work for MPRI in Afghanistan as a NATO Weapons trainer at KMTC. He quickly distinguished himself as a potential leader and on the recommendation of his team leader, he was promoted to Assistant Team Leader and moved to Masar-e Sharif as the RBWT site lead working for team leader Chuck Buckman. They became fast friends. He loved movies and music and was always willing to share the latest titles with team members. Mike never had a bad day and often searched out those who did in order to cheer them up. He is survived by his wife Minerva Gonzalez, two daughters and two granddaughters.

Charles R. Buckman

Charles Robert "Chuck" Buckman was born January 2, 1971 in Ardmore, Okla. Chuck married Heather Lynn Bellisime on May 31, 1997 at Ramona, Calif.  He served in the United States Navy from 1992 to 1995.

He was currently employed as a weapons instructor with Military Professional Resources, Inc. (MPRI). Prior to that he was a police officer with the Lawton Police Department.

Chuck was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, American Legion and National Rifle Association.

Survivors include his wife Heather and children, Bailey Ann, Ruby Jean and Wyatt Buckman, his mother, Reta Ann McCartney of Duncan, two sisters, Charlena Goodman Craig of Duncan, Stephanie Drew of The Dalles, Oregon and a nephew, Wade Arbuckle of Duncan.

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Michael DiScioscia and Charles R. Buckman are in heaven. Let us pray that they are at peace and are with God. Amen

It is a sign of these war-like times and a sign of the times in Afghanistan, in which a man (an Afghani), loses his temper and thinks that it is reasonable to shoot the men he is arguing with. This is the problem. Afghanistan is a country where violence is endemic and is the norm. Afghanis talk during an argument.  And then if they lose the argument, they kill you.  

God help us all. Jesus, Mary and Joseph pray for us.