War struck close to home again in Maine. I spent an uncomfortable night last night, not knowing the names of the 2 Maine servicemembers who were killed in Mosul yesterday. It wasn't until mid-day today that the names were released. Althought the 2 servicemen weren't anybody I knew, it is still sad to have these deaths so close to home.

http://news.mainetoday.com/midday/index.shtml#3

Gov. John Baldacci has released the names of two soldiers serving in the 133rd Engineer Battalion who died in a rocket attack on their base in Iraq. Sgt. Lynn Robert Poulin, Sr., 47, of Freedom, and Spc. Thomas John Dostie, 20, died in Tuesday's attack.

Poulin was a metal worker with Company A. He was married with two adult children.

Dostie was a mechanic. His parents live in Somerville.

Also, 10 other members of the Maine Army National Guard unit were injured. One was a soldier from New York. Seven returned to duty after being treated. Staff Sgt. Harold Freeman, Jr., and Sgt. Christopher Rushlau were transported to Landstul Regional Medical Center in Germany for treatment. Their conditions were not considered life threatening.

Initial reports said a 122 mm rocket ripped through the tent's ceiling. But the military was investigating whether a bomb was planted at the tent in Forward Operating Base Marez, where the blast sprayed shrapnel as U.S. soldiers sat down to lunch.

Flags will be flown at half-staff to commemorate the loss of Sergeant Poulin and Specialist Dostie on the days of their funerals.

The battalion, whose mission is to maintain and repair everything from airfields and command posts to bridges, is due to return to Maine this spring. It has units in Gardiner, Portland, Skowhegan, Belfast, Lewiston, Norway and Saco.

MaineToday.com/Associated Press