Remember Our Heroes
Army Pfc. Jason R. Watson, 19, of Many, La.
Pfc. Watson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 10, 2009 in Salerno, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Army Spc. Peter J. Courcy.
IED kills two 101st soldiers
By Chris Smith
The Leaf-Chronicle
Two 101st Airborne Division soldiers died Tuesday when an improvised explosive device exploded near their vehicle in Salerno, Afghanistan.
Spc. Peter J. Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas, and Pfc. Jason R. Watson, 19, of Many, La., died in Salerno from their injuries, according to a news release Thursday from the Department of Defense.
The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Campbell.
According to a Fort Campbell media release, Courcy was an infantryman who entered the Army in July 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2007. His awards and decorations include: the Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Courcy is survived by his wife, Mara, of Colony, Texas; son, Anthony Luke, of Fisco, Texas; mother and step-father, Mary and Christopher Bush, of Frisco, Texas; and father, Jon Mitchell, whose whereabouts are unknown, according to the release.
According to the Fort Campbell release, Watson was an infantryman who entered the Army in September 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2008. His awards and decorations include: the National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Sharpshooter Badge; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Watson is survived by his mother, Cynthia, of Walterboro, S.C.; father, Robert, of Converse, La.; and twin brother Charles, of Maney, La.
A memorial service for the soldiers will be held in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony the second Wednesday of each month.
Army Pfc. Jason R. Watson was killed in action on 02/10/09.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Army Spc. Peter J. Courcy
Remember Our Heroes
Army Spc. Peter J. Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas
Spc. Courcy was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 10, 2009 in Salerno, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Army Pfc. Jason R. Watson.
IED kills two 101st soldiers
By Chris Smith
The Leaf-Chronicle
Two 101st Airborne Division soldiers died Tuesday when an improvised explosive device exploded near their vehicle in Salerno, Afghanistan.
Spc. Peter J. Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas, and Pfc. Jason R. Watson, 19, of Many, La., died in Salerno from their injuries, according to a news release Thursday from the Department of Defense.
The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Campbell.
According to a Fort Campbell media release, Courcy was an infantryman who entered the Army in July 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2007. His awards and decorations include: the Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Courcy is survived by his wife, Mara, of Colony, Texas; son, Anthony Luke, of Fisco, Texas; mother and step-father, Mary and Christopher Bush, of Frisco, Texas; and father, Jon Mitchell, whose whereabouts are unknown, according to the release.
According to the Fort Campbell release, Watson was an infantryman who entered the Army in September 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2008. His awards and decorations include: the National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Sharpshooter Badge; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Watson is survived by his mother, Cynthia, of Walterboro, S.C.; father, Robert, of Converse, La.; and twin brother Charles, of Maney, La.
A memorial service for the soldiers will be held in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony the second Wednesday of each month.
Army Spc. Peter J. Courcy was killed in action on 02/10/09.
Army Spc. Peter J. Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas
Spc. Courcy was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 10, 2009 in Salerno, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Army Pfc. Jason R. Watson.
IED kills two 101st soldiers
By Chris Smith
The Leaf-Chronicle
Two 101st Airborne Division soldiers died Tuesday when an improvised explosive device exploded near their vehicle in Salerno, Afghanistan.
Spc. Peter J. Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas, and Pfc. Jason R. Watson, 19, of Many, La., died in Salerno from their injuries, according to a news release Thursday from the Department of Defense.
The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Campbell.
According to a Fort Campbell media release, Courcy was an infantryman who entered the Army in July 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2007. His awards and decorations include: the Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Courcy is survived by his wife, Mara, of Colony, Texas; son, Anthony Luke, of Fisco, Texas; mother and step-father, Mary and Christopher Bush, of Frisco, Texas; and father, Jon Mitchell, whose whereabouts are unknown, according to the release.
According to the Fort Campbell release, Watson was an infantryman who entered the Army in September 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2008. His awards and decorations include: the National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Sharpshooter Badge; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Watson is survived by his mother, Cynthia, of Walterboro, S.C.; father, Robert, of Converse, La.; and twin brother Charles, of Maney, La.
A memorial service for the soldiers will be held in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony the second Wednesday of each month.
Army Spc. Peter J. Courcy was killed in action on 02/10/09.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Army Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby
Remember Our Heroes
Army Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, 44, of Missoula, Mont.
Lt. Col. Derby was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 9, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Sgt. Joshua A. Ward, Pfc. Albert R. Jex and Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge.
Battalion commander killed in Iraq
By Michelle Tan
Staff writer
Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, commander of 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, was killed Monday in a suicide car bomb attack in northern Iraq that also killed three of his soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter.
Derby, 44, of Missoula, Mont., was the 19th Army lieutenant colonel killed in Iraq since the beginning of the war and is believed to be one of only three battalion commanders killed by hostile fire in that war. The other soldiers killed in the attack were Sgt. Joshua A. Ward, 30, of Scottsville, Ky.; Pfc. Albert R. Jex, 23, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge, 22, of Leominster, Mass.
The soldiers belonged to Derby’s personal security detachment. The interpreter, whose name was not released, had served with U.S. forces for three years before being assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry. He was scheduled to become a U.S. citizen in May.
The soldiers’ battalion belongs to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, of Fort Hood, Texas. The brigade deployed to Iraq in December and is on its third tour in Iraq.
The attack in Mosul was the deadliest single attack against American forces in Iraq in nine months, according to The Associated Press.
Derby, who went by the name Gary, and his soldiers were on their way to a combat operating outpost in a western Mosul neighborhood about 11 a.m. Monday when his Humvee was hit by the suicide car bomber, Army officials said.
The AP reported that the blast occurred as the American vehicles were passing near an Iraqi police checkpoint. A statement from the U.S. military said three soldiers died at the scene of the attack, while a fourth soldier and the interpreter died at a military hospital.
The last time a single attack claimed this many lives was May 2, when four Marines were killed in a roadside bombing in Anbar province, according to AP. Four soldiers were killed Jan. 26 when their OH-58D Kiowa helicopters crashed in Kirkuk, but officials have said the crash did not appear to have been caused by hostile fire, according to AP.
In the early morning hours Tuesday, more than 1,500 soldiers stood in formation on the landing strip of the airfield at Forward Operating Base Marez as the remains of the fallen soldiers were loaded onto a C-130 Hercules for the journey back to the United States. A memorial service for the men took place Friday at FOB Marez.
“We honor Lt. Col. Derby and the members of his PSD who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom for not only the people of Iraq but for the lives of our citizens in America as well,” Col. Gary Volesky, commander of 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry, said during the service, according to information from Multi-National Division-North. “Of all the soldiers I have known and lost during my time in the Army, I have never lost a closer friend than Gary Derby.”
Maj. John Cogbill, the executive officer of 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, became the interim battalion commander, and a new commander has been identified and will take command soon, according to information provided by 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry.
Derby enlisted in 1985 as a cavalry scout in the Montana National Guard and was commissioned as an armor officer in 1989, according to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry’s Web site. He has served as a tank platoon leader, company executive officer and battalion maintenance officer with 3rd Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany; operations officer of the Sacramento Recruiting Battalion in California; company commander with 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Ga.; and as a staff trainer at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
After attending the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Derby was assigned to 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Hood, where he served as a battalion S-3 when the unit deployed to Baqubah, Iraq, from 2003 to 2004, and later as the brigade’s executive officer, from 2004 to 2005. From 2005 to 2006 he served as the 4th ID and Multi-National Division-Baghdad chief of operations in Baghdad, and his most recent assignment was as the deputy chief of staff of 4th ID.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Army Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leak clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals, and the Combat Action Badge. He also had the Order of Saint George and Order of Saint Maurice bronze medallions and the covenant Tarantula Belt Buckle #358.
Before the Feb. 9 attack, nine colonels and 25 lieutenant colonels had been killed supporting Operating Iraqi Freedom, according to data compiled by Army Times. Eight of the colonels were in the Army; 18 lieutenant colonels were soldiers. Of the 18 Army lieutenant colonels, 12 were killed by hostile action.
One Army colonel and eight lieutenant colonels, six of them Army, have been killed in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Services held for Mont. soldier
The Associated Press
BILLINGS, Mont. — Lt. Col. Gary Derby, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, was remembered Feb. 27 as a dedicated soldier, a devoted father and a loving husband.
Derby, 44, of Missoula, died Feb. 9 in Mosul in an attack that killed three other soldiers and an interpreter.
Brig. Gen. David Hogg, the military presiding general officer at the service, said Derby was a proud Montanan, a solid soldier and a true friend who died serving his country.
Capt. Robert Tindall, who served under Derby, said Derby cared about his soldiers and gave company officers the freedom to command.
The memorial service was held at Faith Chapel in Billings. Derby was to be buried Feb. 27 at Fort Harrison State Veterans Cemetery, west of Helena.
Derby was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas.
Battalion commander remembered for leadership, family devotion
The Associated Press
Brig. Gen. David Hogg recalled his first meeting with Garnet R. Derby in Iraq in 2003. He recalled Derby as a “gruff, knuckle-dragging guy.”
“He was a superb, dirty-boots officer,” Hogg said. “He understood leaders lead from the front.”
Derby, 44, of Missoula, Mont., was killed Feb. 9. when his vehicle was destroyed by a car bomb. He was assigned to Fort Hood and was on his third tour in Iraq.
Derby joined the Montana Army National Guard in 1985 as a cavalry scout. He was an ROTC member at the University of Montana, where he earned a degree in physical education.
Hogg said he used to tease Derby about his given name, Garnet. That was before Hogg knew about Montana’s Garnet Mountains. Derby took the ribbing, Hogg said, but responded with a “Sir, give me a break.”
About 90 days before the end of each of his tours, Derby would start a letter-writing campaign to his children, Todd said. The daily missives were a countdown, eventually to the number of seconds, until the family would be reunited.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda, and their children, Jennifer, Matthew and Benjamin.
Army Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby was killed in action on 2/9/09.
Army Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, 44, of Missoula, Mont.
Lt. Col. Derby was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 9, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Sgt. Joshua A. Ward, Pfc. Albert R. Jex and Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge.
Battalion commander killed in Iraq
By Michelle Tan
Staff writer
Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, commander of 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, was killed Monday in a suicide car bomb attack in northern Iraq that also killed three of his soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter.
Derby, 44, of Missoula, Mont., was the 19th Army lieutenant colonel killed in Iraq since the beginning of the war and is believed to be one of only three battalion commanders killed by hostile fire in that war. The other soldiers killed in the attack were Sgt. Joshua A. Ward, 30, of Scottsville, Ky.; Pfc. Albert R. Jex, 23, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge, 22, of Leominster, Mass.
The soldiers belonged to Derby’s personal security detachment. The interpreter, whose name was not released, had served with U.S. forces for three years before being assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry. He was scheduled to become a U.S. citizen in May.
The soldiers’ battalion belongs to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, of Fort Hood, Texas. The brigade deployed to Iraq in December and is on its third tour in Iraq.
The attack in Mosul was the deadliest single attack against American forces in Iraq in nine months, according to The Associated Press.
Derby, who went by the name Gary, and his soldiers were on their way to a combat operating outpost in a western Mosul neighborhood about 11 a.m. Monday when his Humvee was hit by the suicide car bomber, Army officials said.
The AP reported that the blast occurred as the American vehicles were passing near an Iraqi police checkpoint. A statement from the U.S. military said three soldiers died at the scene of the attack, while a fourth soldier and the interpreter died at a military hospital.
The last time a single attack claimed this many lives was May 2, when four Marines were killed in a roadside bombing in Anbar province, according to AP. Four soldiers were killed Jan. 26 when their OH-58D Kiowa helicopters crashed in Kirkuk, but officials have said the crash did not appear to have been caused by hostile fire, according to AP.
In the early morning hours Tuesday, more than 1,500 soldiers stood in formation on the landing strip of the airfield at Forward Operating Base Marez as the remains of the fallen soldiers were loaded onto a C-130 Hercules for the journey back to the United States. A memorial service for the men took place Friday at FOB Marez.
“We honor Lt. Col. Derby and the members of his PSD who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom for not only the people of Iraq but for the lives of our citizens in America as well,” Col. Gary Volesky, commander of 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry, said during the service, according to information from Multi-National Division-North. “Of all the soldiers I have known and lost during my time in the Army, I have never lost a closer friend than Gary Derby.”
Maj. John Cogbill, the executive officer of 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, became the interim battalion commander, and a new commander has been identified and will take command soon, according to information provided by 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry.
Derby enlisted in 1985 as a cavalry scout in the Montana National Guard and was commissioned as an armor officer in 1989, according to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry’s Web site. He has served as a tank platoon leader, company executive officer and battalion maintenance officer with 3rd Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany; operations officer of the Sacramento Recruiting Battalion in California; company commander with 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Ga.; and as a staff trainer at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
After attending the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Derby was assigned to 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Hood, where he served as a battalion S-3 when the unit deployed to Baqubah, Iraq, from 2003 to 2004, and later as the brigade’s executive officer, from 2004 to 2005. From 2005 to 2006 he served as the 4th ID and Multi-National Division-Baghdad chief of operations in Baghdad, and his most recent assignment was as the deputy chief of staff of 4th ID.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Army Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leak clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals, and the Combat Action Badge. He also had the Order of Saint George and Order of Saint Maurice bronze medallions and the covenant Tarantula Belt Buckle #358.
Before the Feb. 9 attack, nine colonels and 25 lieutenant colonels had been killed supporting Operating Iraqi Freedom, according to data compiled by Army Times. Eight of the colonels were in the Army; 18 lieutenant colonels were soldiers. Of the 18 Army lieutenant colonels, 12 were killed by hostile action.
One Army colonel and eight lieutenant colonels, six of them Army, have been killed in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Services held for Mont. soldier
The Associated Press
BILLINGS, Mont. — Lt. Col. Gary Derby, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, was remembered Feb. 27 as a dedicated soldier, a devoted father and a loving husband.
Derby, 44, of Missoula, died Feb. 9 in Mosul in an attack that killed three other soldiers and an interpreter.
Brig. Gen. David Hogg, the military presiding general officer at the service, said Derby was a proud Montanan, a solid soldier and a true friend who died serving his country.
Capt. Robert Tindall, who served under Derby, said Derby cared about his soldiers and gave company officers the freedom to command.
The memorial service was held at Faith Chapel in Billings. Derby was to be buried Feb. 27 at Fort Harrison State Veterans Cemetery, west of Helena.
Derby was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas.
Battalion commander remembered for leadership, family devotion
The Associated Press
Brig. Gen. David Hogg recalled his first meeting with Garnet R. Derby in Iraq in 2003. He recalled Derby as a “gruff, knuckle-dragging guy.”
“He was a superb, dirty-boots officer,” Hogg said. “He understood leaders lead from the front.”
Derby, 44, of Missoula, Mont., was killed Feb. 9. when his vehicle was destroyed by a car bomb. He was assigned to Fort Hood and was on his third tour in Iraq.
Derby joined the Montana Army National Guard in 1985 as a cavalry scout. He was an ROTC member at the University of Montana, where he earned a degree in physical education.
Hogg said he used to tease Derby about his given name, Garnet. That was before Hogg knew about Montana’s Garnet Mountains. Derby took the ribbing, Hogg said, but responded with a “Sir, give me a break.”
About 90 days before the end of each of his tours, Derby would start a letter-writing campaign to his children, Todd said. The daily missives were a countdown, eventually to the number of seconds, until the family would be reunited.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda, and their children, Jennifer, Matthew and Benjamin.
Army Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby was killed in action on 2/9/09.
Army Sgt. Joshua A. Ward
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. Joshua A. Ward, 30, of Scottsville, Ky.
Sgt. Ward was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 9, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, Pfc. Albert R. Jex and Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge.
Army Sgt. Joshua A. Ward remembered
The Associated Press
Brian Grumbler remembered how friendly and accepting Joshua A.
Ward was to him as a new guy to the guard duty station when he first arrived at Fort Hood.
“Everyone knows when you first get to your duty station they treat you like you have leprosy for the first three to four months,” said Grumbler.
“But the first day I got there, I walked in as cocky as I could be and Josh looked at me and said, ‘Hey dude, we drive the same truck,’” he said.
Ward, 30, of Scottsville, Ky., was killed Feb. 9 in Mosul after bomb detonated near his vehicle. He was a 1997 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Hood.
Friends and family said Ward was someone who had a never-give-up attitude. “Everything he did was a competition,” said his brother, Johnny. “Who had the bigger truck, who had the bigger tires. It was always a competition. But it made him stronger, it made me stronger.”
Ward received a football scholarship to Texas A&M-Blinn College, but a car accident that shattered his elbow prevented him from going.
He is survived by his sons, Joshua and Zane, and their mother, Misty his fiancée, Deonna and his unborn son, Alexander, due July 6.
Army Sgt. Joshua A. Ward was killed in action on 02/09/09.
Army Sgt. Joshua A. Ward, 30, of Scottsville, Ky.
Sgt. Ward was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 9, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, Pfc. Albert R. Jex and Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge.
Army Sgt. Joshua A. Ward remembered
The Associated Press
Brian Grumbler remembered how friendly and accepting Joshua A.
Ward was to him as a new guy to the guard duty station when he first arrived at Fort Hood.
“Everyone knows when you first get to your duty station they treat you like you have leprosy for the first three to four months,” said Grumbler.
“But the first day I got there, I walked in as cocky as I could be and Josh looked at me and said, ‘Hey dude, we drive the same truck,’” he said.
Ward, 30, of Scottsville, Ky., was killed Feb. 9 in Mosul after bomb detonated near his vehicle. He was a 1997 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Hood.
Friends and family said Ward was someone who had a never-give-up attitude. “Everything he did was a competition,” said his brother, Johnny. “Who had the bigger truck, who had the bigger tires. It was always a competition. But it made him stronger, it made me stronger.”
Ward received a football scholarship to Texas A&M-Blinn College, but a car accident that shattered his elbow prevented him from going.
He is survived by his sons, Joshua and Zane, and their mother, Misty his fiancée, Deonna and his unborn son, Alexander, due July 6.
Army Sgt. Joshua A. Ward was killed in action on 02/09/09.
Army Pfc. Albert R. Jex
Remember Our Heroes
Army Pfc. Albert R. Jex, 23, of Phoenix, Ariz.
Pfc. Jex was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 9, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, Sgt. Joshua A. Ward and Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge.
Respected soldier ‘was there for everybody’
The Associated Press
Daniel Aureli, the brother of Albert R. Jex’s mother, Cathleen MacFarlane, recalled a man skillful with a hammer and wrench.
“When it seemed like things weren’t going to get fixed, Albert always said, ‘Putty and paint makes it what it ain’t,’” Aureli recalled.
Jex, 23, of Phoenix, was killed Feb. 9 when a suicide car bomber blew up his vehicle at a police checkpoint in Mosul. He was assigned to Fort Hood
“Specialist Jex was a tremendous soldier. Only the best of the best serve on teams like the Personal Security Team, and that was Albert: all-American, the best of the best,” Brig. Gen. Thomas Cole said.
He was named after his great-uncle Albert Jex, who was killed while in the service of his country, and then was nicknamed “Albie” after a video game puppet.
Jex would make a joke in the most tense moments and make everyone around him feel more at ease. “He was a sweetheart,” said classmate Cassandra Trautwein. “He was there for everybody. He really was. It didn’t matter who you were, what your social, political goal was, he was there for you. He accepted everybody.”
He also is survived by his wife, Monica.
Army Pfc. Albert R. Jex was killed in action on 02/09/09.
Army Pfc. Albert R. Jex, 23, of Phoenix, Ariz.
Pfc. Jex was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 9, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, Sgt. Joshua A. Ward and Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge.
Respected soldier ‘was there for everybody’
The Associated Press
Daniel Aureli, the brother of Albert R. Jex’s mother, Cathleen MacFarlane, recalled a man skillful with a hammer and wrench.
“When it seemed like things weren’t going to get fixed, Albert always said, ‘Putty and paint makes it what it ain’t,’” Aureli recalled.
Jex, 23, of Phoenix, was killed Feb. 9 when a suicide car bomber blew up his vehicle at a police checkpoint in Mosul. He was assigned to Fort Hood
“Specialist Jex was a tremendous soldier. Only the best of the best serve on teams like the Personal Security Team, and that was Albert: all-American, the best of the best,” Brig. Gen. Thomas Cole said.
He was named after his great-uncle Albert Jex, who was killed while in the service of his country, and then was nicknamed “Albie” after a video game puppet.
Jex would make a joke in the most tense moments and make everyone around him feel more at ease. “He was a sweetheart,” said classmate Cassandra Trautwein. “He was there for everybody. He really was. It didn’t matter who you were, what your social, political goal was, he was there for you. He accepted everybody.”
He also is survived by his wife, Monica.
Army Pfc. Albert R. Jex was killed in action on 02/09/09.
Army Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge
Remember Our Heroes
Army Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge, 22, of Leominster, Mass.
Pfc. Roberge was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 9, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds s sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, Sgt. Joshua A. Ward and Pfc. Albert R. Jex.
Hundreds pay homage to fallen Hood soldier
The Associated Press
LEOMINSTER, Mass. — Hundreds of mourners have paid homage to a soldier who was killed Feb. 9 in Iraq.
More than 1,200 people attended the funeral of Army Pfc. Jonathan Roberge on Feb. 19, including children home from school who waved American flags as the hearse carrying the casket drove past to St. Cecilia’s Church.
The 22-year-old was killed by a suicide car bomber near Mosul, Iraq, while on patrol in a Humvee. The family said he went to Iraq in December.
Monsignor James Moroney said Roberge wanted to make people safe and make a difference in the world.
Roberge was a 2005 graduate of Leominster High School’s Center for Technical Education. The soldier has two younger sisters and a younger brother.
Army Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge was killed in action on 02/09/09.
Army Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge, 22, of Leominster, Mass.
Pfc. Roberge was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 9, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds s sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Lt. Col. Garnet R. Derby, Sgt. Joshua A. Ward and Pfc. Albert R. Jex.
Hundreds pay homage to fallen Hood soldier
The Associated Press
LEOMINSTER, Mass. — Hundreds of mourners have paid homage to a soldier who was killed Feb. 9 in Iraq.
More than 1,200 people attended the funeral of Army Pfc. Jonathan Roberge on Feb. 19, including children home from school who waved American flags as the hearse carrying the casket drove past to St. Cecilia’s Church.
The 22-year-old was killed by a suicide car bomber near Mosul, Iraq, while on patrol in a Humvee. The family said he went to Iraq in December.
Monsignor James Moroney said Roberge wanted to make people safe and make a difference in the world.
Roberge was a 2005 graduate of Leominster High School’s Center for Technical Education. The soldier has two younger sisters and a younger brother.
Army Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge was killed in action on 02/09/09.
Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach, 21, of Bridgewater, Mass.
LCpl. Preach was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 7, 2009 from wounds he received Jan. 24 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.
Boston Globe -- BRIDGEWATER - Kevin T. Preach was a familiar face in this town, where friends, coaches, and teachers long believed he was destined to become a Marine. But the news that he died last Saturday from injuries suffered during a combat mission in Afghanistan has nevertheless shocked almost everyone.
"It's a hard thing to realize that he's dead," said Phil Moreau, Preach's youth football coach, standing in the front of Town Hall. "He was a kid who always had a smile on his face and never refused to do anything that he was told to do. And he always talked about becoming a Marine."
Moreau and other residents said the main topic of conversation in town in recent days has been Preach, the first service member from Bridgewater to die in combat since the Vietnam War.
Preach, a lance corporal gunner, was riding in a Humvee on Jan. 24, when an improvised explosive device detonated. He lost both legs, a hand, and was badly burned. Another Marine who was in the Humvee died. Preach had been in a medically induced coma until his death last Saturday.
His mother, Laurie Hayes, was in Texas yesterday, where he had been hospitalized.
Since World War I, the town has lost 42 service members. A plaque hanging in the tidy office of Roderick Walsh, the town's director of Veteran Services, bears their names. Soon, Walsh will take it down and add Preach's.
Walsh said there has been a surge in the number of young adults from Bridgewater who have signed up for the military in recent years. "Many have returned from combat, but sadly, this young man didn't," he said.
Brianna Kelliher, Preach's girlfriend of two years, said in a telephone interview that she is receiving an outpouring of support, but that as the days go by, adjusting to life without him will be difficult.
"I think it's going to be much harder when he's not the center of attention like he is now," she said. "So many people have been helping me, but I know that in a couple of months, I will still be thinking about him each and every day."
Kelliher said she last talked with Preach about two weeks before he was injured. It was a two-hour conversation that was almost cut short. "His phone card ran out of minutes and I was upset because I still wanted to talk with him, to tell him things."
But Preach called back about 10 minutes later. "We said our I-love-yous but we never said 'goodbye.' It was always, 'See you later.' "
At a diner not far away from Town Hall, several locals sat over coffee or ham and eggs and chatted about Preach.
David Waugh, 47, said he often saw Preach at Emma's Pub, a popular hangout. Waugh said he never saw Preach with alcohol, only a soft drink, which he always ordered with a hamburger.
"It's just the saddest thing in the world, for someone so young to die like that," Waugh said. "Everybody knew he was in pretty bad shape, but when he died I think a lot of people were shocked."
Moreau said his son, who at 21 is the same age as Preach, will deploy to Afghanistan this spring.
Moreau's son and Preach bumped into each other at a restaurant in South Carolina two weeks before Preach went to Afghanistan last November.
"They instantly recognized each other from back home, and they became friends, just like that," Moreau said.
He admitted that as the days go by and his own son's deployment draws nearer, there might be some sleepless nights.
"You hope you don't get that call, that you don't look out your window and see someone in uniform with a sad face walking to your door."
Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach died 02/07/09 from wounds received in battle on 01/24/09.
Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach, 21, of Bridgewater, Mass.
LCpl. Preach was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 7, 2009 from wounds he received Jan. 24 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.
Boston Globe -- BRIDGEWATER - Kevin T. Preach was a familiar face in this town, where friends, coaches, and teachers long believed he was destined to become a Marine. But the news that he died last Saturday from injuries suffered during a combat mission in Afghanistan has nevertheless shocked almost everyone.
"It's a hard thing to realize that he's dead," said Phil Moreau, Preach's youth football coach, standing in the front of Town Hall. "He was a kid who always had a smile on his face and never refused to do anything that he was told to do. And he always talked about becoming a Marine."
Moreau and other residents said the main topic of conversation in town in recent days has been Preach, the first service member from Bridgewater to die in combat since the Vietnam War.
Preach, a lance corporal gunner, was riding in a Humvee on Jan. 24, when an improvised explosive device detonated. He lost both legs, a hand, and was badly burned. Another Marine who was in the Humvee died. Preach had been in a medically induced coma until his death last Saturday.
His mother, Laurie Hayes, was in Texas yesterday, where he had been hospitalized.
Since World War I, the town has lost 42 service members. A plaque hanging in the tidy office of Roderick Walsh, the town's director of Veteran Services, bears their names. Soon, Walsh will take it down and add Preach's.
Walsh said there has been a surge in the number of young adults from Bridgewater who have signed up for the military in recent years. "Many have returned from combat, but sadly, this young man didn't," he said.
Brianna Kelliher, Preach's girlfriend of two years, said in a telephone interview that she is receiving an outpouring of support, but that as the days go by, adjusting to life without him will be difficult.
"I think it's going to be much harder when he's not the center of attention like he is now," she said. "So many people have been helping me, but I know that in a couple of months, I will still be thinking about him each and every day."
Kelliher said she last talked with Preach about two weeks before he was injured. It was a two-hour conversation that was almost cut short. "His phone card ran out of minutes and I was upset because I still wanted to talk with him, to tell him things."
But Preach called back about 10 minutes later. "We said our I-love-yous but we never said 'goodbye.' It was always, 'See you later.' "
At a diner not far away from Town Hall, several locals sat over coffee or ham and eggs and chatted about Preach.
David Waugh, 47, said he often saw Preach at Emma's Pub, a popular hangout. Waugh said he never saw Preach with alcohol, only a soft drink, which he always ordered with a hamburger.
"It's just the saddest thing in the world, for someone so young to die like that," Waugh said. "Everybody knew he was in pretty bad shape, but when he died I think a lot of people were shocked."
Moreau said his son, who at 21 is the same age as Preach, will deploy to Afghanistan this spring.
Moreau's son and Preach bumped into each other at a restaurant in South Carolina two weeks before Preach went to Afghanistan last November.
"They instantly recognized each other from back home, and they became friends, just like that," Moreau said.
He admitted that as the days go by and his own son's deployment draws nearer, there might be some sleepless nights.
"You hope you don't get that call, that you don't look out your window and see someone in uniform with a sad face walking to your door."
Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach died 02/07/09 from wounds received in battle on 01/24/09.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Army Spc. James M. Dorsey
Remember Our Heroes
Army Spc. James M. Dorsey, 23, of Beardstown, Ill.
Spc. Dorsey was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 8, 2009 in Kamaliyah, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident.
The Defense Department on Monday announced the death of 23-year-old Spc. James M. Dorsey of Beardstown, Ill. Dorsey died Sunday in Kamaliyah, Iraq.
DOD says the circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation. Further details were not immediately released.
A statement says Spc. James M. Dorsey, 23, of Beardstown, Ill., was found unresponsive by fellow troops in Baghdad on Feb. 8 and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Dorsey was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at the Central Texas
Army Spc. James M. Dorsey was killed in a non-combat related incident on 02/08/09.
Army Spc. James M. Dorsey, 23, of Beardstown, Ill.
Spc. Dorsey was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Feb. 8, 2009 in Kamaliyah, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident.
The Defense Department on Monday announced the death of 23-year-old Spc. James M. Dorsey of Beardstown, Ill. Dorsey died Sunday in Kamaliyah, Iraq.
DOD says the circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation. Further details were not immediately released.
A statement says Spc. James M. Dorsey, 23, of Beardstown, Ill., was found unresponsive by fellow troops in Baghdad on Feb. 8 and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Dorsey was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at the Central Texas
Army Spc. James M. Dorsey was killed in a non-combat related incident on 02/08/09.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Army Spc. Christopher P. Sweet
Remember Our Heroes
Army Spc. Christopher P. Sweet, 28, of Kahului, Hawaii
Spc. Sweet was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172d Separate Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany; died Feb. 6, 2009 in Kirkush, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
Army Spc. Christopher P. Sweet remembered
The Associated Press
While on leave, Christopher P. Sweet would return home and help take his ailing father to the doctor.
“He was a very nice boy. He was helpful to the family,” said Cindy Natividad, who managed the housing where his family lived.
Sweet, 28, who grew up in Kahului, Hawaii, and lately called Springfield, Ill., home, died Feb. 6 in Kirkush in a non-combat incident. He was a 1999 high school graduate and was assigned to Grafenwoehr, Germany.
Natividad recalled Sweet as a skinny kid who put on weight during high school, but came back from the Army in good physical shape.
Sweet was a heavy-vehicle operator and a training specialist. He joined in January 2006 and completed basic training at Fort Sill.
His advanced individual training was completed at Fort Bliss, and his first assignment was to South Korea as a motor transport operator.
“His presence will be missed by all the soldiers of the Task Force Black Knights. His dedication to his duty, to his family and to his faith were an inspiration to us all,” the military said in a statement.
Sweet is survived by his mother, Christina, and father, Peter.
Army Spc. Christopher P. Sweet was killed in a non-combat related incident on 02/06/09.
Army Spc. Christopher P. Sweet, 28, of Kahului, Hawaii
Spc. Sweet was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172d Separate Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany; died Feb. 6, 2009 in Kirkush, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
Army Spc. Christopher P. Sweet remembered
The Associated Press
While on leave, Christopher P. Sweet would return home and help take his ailing father to the doctor.
“He was a very nice boy. He was helpful to the family,” said Cindy Natividad, who managed the housing where his family lived.
Sweet, 28, who grew up in Kahului, Hawaii, and lately called Springfield, Ill., home, died Feb. 6 in Kirkush in a non-combat incident. He was a 1999 high school graduate and was assigned to Grafenwoehr, Germany.
Natividad recalled Sweet as a skinny kid who put on weight during high school, but came back from the Army in good physical shape.
Sweet was a heavy-vehicle operator and a training specialist. He joined in January 2006 and completed basic training at Fort Sill.
His advanced individual training was completed at Fort Bliss, and his first assignment was to South Korea as a motor transport operator.
“His presence will be missed by all the soldiers of the Task Force Black Knights. His dedication to his duty, to his family and to his faith were an inspiration to us all,” the military said in a statement.
Sweet is survived by his mother, Christina, and father, Peter.
Army Spc. Christopher P. Sweet was killed in a non-combat related incident on 02/06/09.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Milton E. Suggs
Remember Our Heroes
Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Milton E. Suggs, 51, of Lockport, La.
CWO4 Suggs was assigned to the 38th Operational Support Airlift Detachment, Hammond, La.; died Jan. 30, 2009 of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.
Pilot was an avid aviator, dedicated soldier
The Associated Press
Milton E. Suggs was known for his love of flying. Other aviators called him more than able and said that part of his mission in Djibouti was flying a plane described as a “VIP transport,” intended for dignitaries such as members of Congress and high-ranking officers.
“He was an exceptional aviator,” said Keith “Doc” Dockery, base manager at Air Logistics in Galliano, where Suggs worked and was a friend for more than 20 years.
Suggs, 51, of Lockport, La., died Jan. 30 at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, of injuries from a non-combat incident. He was assigned to Hammond, La. He was an avid aviator who owned his own Piper aircraft.
“He was very knowledgeable and very skillful, probably the best,” Dockery said. “He was dedicated to anything he undertook. If he told you he was going to do something, he would take it to the bank. If he gave you his word, it was.”
Suggs and his wife, Kim, were married in 1994 in the living room of their Lockport home. Both have long reputations for civic involvement in Lockport. He also is survived by one daughter, Sophia Suggs, and one grandchild, Erica Hurst.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Milton E. Suggs was killed in a non-combat related incident on 1/30/09.
Larger Images
Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Milton E. Suggs, 51, of Lockport, La.
CWO4 Suggs was assigned to the 38th Operational Support Airlift Detachment, Hammond, La.; died Jan. 30, 2009 of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.
Pilot was an avid aviator, dedicated soldier
The Associated Press
Milton E. Suggs was known for his love of flying. Other aviators called him more than able and said that part of his mission in Djibouti was flying a plane described as a “VIP transport,” intended for dignitaries such as members of Congress and high-ranking officers.
“He was an exceptional aviator,” said Keith “Doc” Dockery, base manager at Air Logistics in Galliano, where Suggs worked and was a friend for more than 20 years.
Suggs, 51, of Lockport, La., died Jan. 30 at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, of injuries from a non-combat incident. He was assigned to Hammond, La. He was an avid aviator who owned his own Piper aircraft.
“He was very knowledgeable and very skillful, probably the best,” Dockery said. “He was dedicated to anything he undertook. If he told you he was going to do something, he would take it to the bank. If he gave you his word, it was.”
Suggs and his wife, Kim, were married in 1994 in the living room of their Lockport home. Both have long reputations for civic involvement in Lockport. He also is survived by one daughter, Sophia Suggs, and one grandchild, Erica Hurst.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Milton E. Suggs was killed in a non-combat related incident on 1/30/09.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Marine Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, 23, of Forsyth, Mont.
Sgt. Johnson was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 27, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Sgt. David W. Wallace III.
Montanan killed in blast called ‘perfect Marine’
By Matthew Brown
The Associated Press
BILLINGS, Mont. — A sergeant killed this week in Afghanistan was described Thursday as a country boy from a cattle ranch who grew up to become “the perfect Marine” and a loving father to two children.
Trevor J. Johnson, 23, was a fifth-generation rancher who grew up south of Forsyth near Colstrip. He was killed Tuesday in an explosion in Helmand province.
His parents, Colleen and Thomas Johnson, said their son was leading a foot patrol charged with clearing a route of explosives when he was struck by the blast from an improvised explosive device.
They said their son, who joined the Marines right out of high school, routinely took the point position on patrols during his three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It was never about him. It was always about the guys in the unit with him,” Colleen Johnson said.
A second Marine from Camp Lejeune, Sgt. David Wallace of Sharpsville, Pa., also was killed Tuesday. Wallace’s mother said her son was killed in an explosion, but it was unclear if the two deaths were related.
A Marine spokesman, Lt. Philip Klay, said no additional details were available.
Johnson was an engineer with the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is survived by his wife, Nicole, a 3-year-old stepson, Landan, and the couple’s 8-month-old daughter, Aspyn.
“He was such a great dad, and just before he deployed he made sure there was new playset out in the backyard for his two kids,” Colleen Johnson said.
Johnson’s fellow Marines had nicknamed him “Hollywood,” in part because he had been called up on stage during a USO show in Iraq that featured the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, his mother said.
Johnson’s grandfathers had both served in the military, and he decided he would follow in their footsteps while still a young boy, his parents said.
That future was sealed after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, his father said. After that day, Thomas Johnson said his son adopted a personal slogan: “I can defend those who can’t defend themselves.”
When he was a junior at Colstrip High School, his parents took Johnson to visit at least seven universities and vocational programs, hoping he would pick a different path. But they said their son was insistent and joined the Marines within months of graduating.
Terry Taylor, a Vietnam veteran and friend of the Johnsons who owns a hardware store in Colstrip, had counseled Trevor on life in the military before the 18-year-old was shipped off to boot camp.
“He was, in my opinion, the perfect Marine,” Taylor said. “He had the chiseled good looks, he had the athletic ability, he had the intelligence, he had the courage and he had the heart to do it ... But he was still Trevor Johnson, a country boy from Rosebud County.”
Johnson was promoted to sergeant at age 20 and received numerous awards for his service and conduct. He had planned to enroll at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall to seek an engineering degree, and then return to the military, his mother said.
Johnson was the 34th service member from Montana to die in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to the office of Gov. Brian Schweitzer.
He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
A memorial service is planned in Colstrip, his father said.
Mont. flags to fly at half-staff in tribute
The Associated Press
HELENA, Mont. — Gov. Brian Schweitzer has ordered that the state and U.S. flags be flown at half staff Feb. 6 and 7 in honor of U.S. Marine Sgt. Trevor Johnson, who was killed in Afghanistan.
Johnson, 23, of Colstrip, died Jan. 27 in an explosion in Helmand province. A memorial service is planned Saturday on the family ranch. He will be buried later at Arlington National Cemetery.
Johnson is survived by his wife, Nikki; and their two children, 3-year-old son Landan and 8-month-old daughter Aspyn.
Marine killed in Afghanistan remembered
The Associated Press
FORSYTH, Mont. — A Colstrip Marine who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan was remembered Saturday as a “hero” who was “always in the front” during his duties in the military.
About 600 people attended the memorial service of 23-year-old Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, who was killed in the Helmand province on Jan. 27 during combat operations.
A procession of more than 100 vehicles stretching about a mile long traveled from a baseball field in Colstrip east to the Johnson family ranch.
As their 3-year-old son Landan and 8-month-old daughter Aspyn sat with family, Johnson’s wife Nikki said her husband was “the most amazing man in the world.”
She described him as “always in the front” during his Marine duties because “he didn’t sign up to sit behind a desk.”
While they may not remember him, their children will “grow up knowing their dad’s a hero,” she said.
Johnson received military honors, including the playing of taps and a volley of gunfire, from fellow Marines. He also was awarded a Purple Heart and a folded American flag was presented to his family during the service, which was attended by Gov. Brian Schweitzer.
Johnson’s father, Tom, said “Trevor did what he was doing for everybody in America,” and he wished he had half the courage his son had.
The younger Johnson, a fifth-generation rancher, was an engineer with the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. His parents said he joined the Marines right out of high school and routinely took the point position on patrols during his three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Feb. 24.
Mustang escorted MT soldier’s body to Arlington
By Chelsi Moy
Missoulian
MISSOULA, Mont. — When Marine Corps Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson of Forsyth was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Tuesday, a small symbol of the fallen soldier’s ranching roots helped carry him there.
It seemed only appropriate that Johnson — a fifth-generation Montanan who grew up riding horses, herding cattle and mending fences — be escorted to his burial plot by Lonesome, a black mustang that once roamed the prairies and forested trails of this state.
Lonesome is one of 52 horses in the Caisson Platoon of the 3rd United States Infantry. Over the past seven years, the mustang has helped pull the caisson for 500 military funerals at Arlington Cemetery, assuming one of two lead spots on a six-horse team.
Prior to his mission out East, however, Lonesome lived in Montana.
How the horse came to assist in Johnson’s interment ceremony on Tuesday took some forethought and initiative by a generous Montanan, who although he never met Johnson, wanted the Marine’s family to have a symbol of the state as they mourned the loss of a loved one so many, many miles from home.
“I felt so bad for his family,” said Mark Sant, an archaeologist from Silver Star, just south of Butte. “He’s just a young ranch kid. He seemed to have liked horses as much as I do.”
All Sant knew about the Colstrip High School graduate was what he read in the newspaper after his death. Johnson, 23, a decorated Marine, was killed by a roadside bomb on Jan. 27 while serving in Afghanistan.
Johnson was a father, son and husband. His memorial service was held Feb. 7 at the family ranch southeast of Forsyth. Six hundred people attended.
When Sant read that Johnson would be buried at Arlington, he e-mailed Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s office to seek help finding Lonesome, a horse Sant had donated to the military several years ago.
One of Schweitzer’s aides contacted the Montana National Guard, which in turn contacted the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, or Old Guard, which assists in burial services at Arlington National Cemetery.
It’s not a request the Old Guard hears often, but one that was easy to oblige, said Maj. Steven Cole.
“It’s stories like this that show the depths of care that all Americans have for their service men and women,” Cole said. “It took someone saying, ‘Can we do this?’ and Chief (Anthony) Direnzo saying, ‘No problem.’ “
Lonesome was born in a Bureau of Land Management holding pen in Montana.
Both his sire, a black mustang, and his dam, a paint from Nevada, were among several mustangs repossessed by the BLM from someone with inadequate holding facilities.
A BLM law enforcement officer first adopted Lonesome before Sant bought him several years later.
“He was a good-looking horse,” said Sant, describing Lonesome as hardy and strong with tough feet. “I know a lot of people who don’t even have to shoe mustangs.”
Sant owned several other horses but had always wanted a mustang. He took Lonesome into the Pioneer and Sentinel mountains, hunting, packing and trail riding for several years. But the horse grew too big for recreational activities, Sant said.
When Lonesome was 7, Sant donated him to the Old Guard.
“I thought it’d be a great honor for him to work at Arlington,” he said.
Lonesome is now 14. For the past seven years, he has split the time between Fort Myer, Va., adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery, and Fort Belvoir, Va., where the military takes the horses for rest and relaxation.
The Old Guard looks for both gray and black horses younger than 9. Most are draft-quarter horse crosses, Percherons, Morgans or mustangs. Cole said that to his knowledge, Lonesome is the only mustang from Montana.
Marine Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson was killed in action on 1/27/09.
Marine Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, 23, of Forsyth, Mont.
Sgt. Johnson was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 27, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Sgt. David W. Wallace III.
Montanan killed in blast called ‘perfect Marine’
By Matthew Brown
The Associated Press
BILLINGS, Mont. — A sergeant killed this week in Afghanistan was described Thursday as a country boy from a cattle ranch who grew up to become “the perfect Marine” and a loving father to two children.
Trevor J. Johnson, 23, was a fifth-generation rancher who grew up south of Forsyth near Colstrip. He was killed Tuesday in an explosion in Helmand province.
His parents, Colleen and Thomas Johnson, said their son was leading a foot patrol charged with clearing a route of explosives when he was struck by the blast from an improvised explosive device.
They said their son, who joined the Marines right out of high school, routinely took the point position on patrols during his three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It was never about him. It was always about the guys in the unit with him,” Colleen Johnson said.
A second Marine from Camp Lejeune, Sgt. David Wallace of Sharpsville, Pa., also was killed Tuesday. Wallace’s mother said her son was killed in an explosion, but it was unclear if the two deaths were related.
A Marine spokesman, Lt. Philip Klay, said no additional details were available.
Johnson was an engineer with the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is survived by his wife, Nicole, a 3-year-old stepson, Landan, and the couple’s 8-month-old daughter, Aspyn.
“He was such a great dad, and just before he deployed he made sure there was new playset out in the backyard for his two kids,” Colleen Johnson said.
Johnson’s fellow Marines had nicknamed him “Hollywood,” in part because he had been called up on stage during a USO show in Iraq that featured the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, his mother said.
Johnson’s grandfathers had both served in the military, and he decided he would follow in their footsteps while still a young boy, his parents said.
That future was sealed after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, his father said. After that day, Thomas Johnson said his son adopted a personal slogan: “I can defend those who can’t defend themselves.”
When he was a junior at Colstrip High School, his parents took Johnson to visit at least seven universities and vocational programs, hoping he would pick a different path. But they said their son was insistent and joined the Marines within months of graduating.
Terry Taylor, a Vietnam veteran and friend of the Johnsons who owns a hardware store in Colstrip, had counseled Trevor on life in the military before the 18-year-old was shipped off to boot camp.
“He was, in my opinion, the perfect Marine,” Taylor said. “He had the chiseled good looks, he had the athletic ability, he had the intelligence, he had the courage and he had the heart to do it ... But he was still Trevor Johnson, a country boy from Rosebud County.”
Johnson was promoted to sergeant at age 20 and received numerous awards for his service and conduct. He had planned to enroll at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall to seek an engineering degree, and then return to the military, his mother said.
Johnson was the 34th service member from Montana to die in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to the office of Gov. Brian Schweitzer.
He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
A memorial service is planned in Colstrip, his father said.
Mont. flags to fly at half-staff in tribute
The Associated Press
HELENA, Mont. — Gov. Brian Schweitzer has ordered that the state and U.S. flags be flown at half staff Feb. 6 and 7 in honor of U.S. Marine Sgt. Trevor Johnson, who was killed in Afghanistan.
Johnson, 23, of Colstrip, died Jan. 27 in an explosion in Helmand province. A memorial service is planned Saturday on the family ranch. He will be buried later at Arlington National Cemetery.
Johnson is survived by his wife, Nikki; and their two children, 3-year-old son Landan and 8-month-old daughter Aspyn.
Marine killed in Afghanistan remembered
The Associated Press
FORSYTH, Mont. — A Colstrip Marine who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan was remembered Saturday as a “hero” who was “always in the front” during his duties in the military.
About 600 people attended the memorial service of 23-year-old Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, who was killed in the Helmand province on Jan. 27 during combat operations.
A procession of more than 100 vehicles stretching about a mile long traveled from a baseball field in Colstrip east to the Johnson family ranch.
As their 3-year-old son Landan and 8-month-old daughter Aspyn sat with family, Johnson’s wife Nikki said her husband was “the most amazing man in the world.”
She described him as “always in the front” during his Marine duties because “he didn’t sign up to sit behind a desk.”
While they may not remember him, their children will “grow up knowing their dad’s a hero,” she said.
Johnson received military honors, including the playing of taps and a volley of gunfire, from fellow Marines. He also was awarded a Purple Heart and a folded American flag was presented to his family during the service, which was attended by Gov. Brian Schweitzer.
Johnson’s father, Tom, said “Trevor did what he was doing for everybody in America,” and he wished he had half the courage his son had.
The younger Johnson, a fifth-generation rancher, was an engineer with the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. His parents said he joined the Marines right out of high school and routinely took the point position on patrols during his three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Feb. 24.
Mustang escorted MT soldier’s body to Arlington
By Chelsi Moy
Missoulian
MISSOULA, Mont. — When Marine Corps Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson of Forsyth was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Tuesday, a small symbol of the fallen soldier’s ranching roots helped carry him there.
It seemed only appropriate that Johnson — a fifth-generation Montanan who grew up riding horses, herding cattle and mending fences — be escorted to his burial plot by Lonesome, a black mustang that once roamed the prairies and forested trails of this state.
Lonesome is one of 52 horses in the Caisson Platoon of the 3rd United States Infantry. Over the past seven years, the mustang has helped pull the caisson for 500 military funerals at Arlington Cemetery, assuming one of two lead spots on a six-horse team.
Prior to his mission out East, however, Lonesome lived in Montana.
How the horse came to assist in Johnson’s interment ceremony on Tuesday took some forethought and initiative by a generous Montanan, who although he never met Johnson, wanted the Marine’s family to have a symbol of the state as they mourned the loss of a loved one so many, many miles from home.
“I felt so bad for his family,” said Mark Sant, an archaeologist from Silver Star, just south of Butte. “He’s just a young ranch kid. He seemed to have liked horses as much as I do.”
All Sant knew about the Colstrip High School graduate was what he read in the newspaper after his death. Johnson, 23, a decorated Marine, was killed by a roadside bomb on Jan. 27 while serving in Afghanistan.
Johnson was a father, son and husband. His memorial service was held Feb. 7 at the family ranch southeast of Forsyth. Six hundred people attended.
When Sant read that Johnson would be buried at Arlington, he e-mailed Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s office to seek help finding Lonesome, a horse Sant had donated to the military several years ago.
One of Schweitzer’s aides contacted the Montana National Guard, which in turn contacted the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, or Old Guard, which assists in burial services at Arlington National Cemetery.
It’s not a request the Old Guard hears often, but one that was easy to oblige, said Maj. Steven Cole.
“It’s stories like this that show the depths of care that all Americans have for their service men and women,” Cole said. “It took someone saying, ‘Can we do this?’ and Chief (Anthony) Direnzo saying, ‘No problem.’ “
Lonesome was born in a Bureau of Land Management holding pen in Montana.
Both his sire, a black mustang, and his dam, a paint from Nevada, were among several mustangs repossessed by the BLM from someone with inadequate holding facilities.
A BLM law enforcement officer first adopted Lonesome before Sant bought him several years later.
“He was a good-looking horse,” said Sant, describing Lonesome as hardy and strong with tough feet. “I know a lot of people who don’t even have to shoe mustangs.”
Sant owned several other horses but had always wanted a mustang. He took Lonesome into the Pioneer and Sentinel mountains, hunting, packing and trail riding for several years. But the horse grew too big for recreational activities, Sant said.
When Lonesome was 7, Sant donated him to the Old Guard.
“I thought it’d be a great honor for him to work at Arlington,” he said.
Lonesome is now 14. For the past seven years, he has split the time between Fort Myer, Va., adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery, and Fort Belvoir, Va., where the military takes the horses for rest and relaxation.
The Old Guard looks for both gray and black horses younger than 9. Most are draft-quarter horse crosses, Percherons, Morgans or mustangs. Cole said that to his knowledge, Lonesome is the only mustang from Montana.
Marine Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson was killed in action on 1/27/09.
Marine Sgt. David W. Wallace III
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Sgt. David W. Wallace III, 25, of Sharpsville, Pa.
Sgt. Wallace was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 27, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson.
Marine left behind stepson, daughter
The Associated Press
SHARON, Pa. — A Marine from western Pennsylvania has been killed in Afghanistan.
Carol Wallace says her son, 25-year-old Sgt. David Wallace, of Sharpsville, was killed by an improvised explosive device on Tuesday in the Helmud Province.
The Department of Defense says 23-year-old Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, 23, of Forsyth, Mont., was also killed. Both were assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Wallace says her son was a combat engineer whose duties included removing and exploding bombs, conducting searches, working on vehicles and construction projects.
Wallace leaves behind a wife, Erica, from Jacksonville, N.C., a stepson, Landon, 5, and a daughter, Brooklyn, 2.
He was 2002 graduate of Sharpsville High School.
Served 2 tours in Iraq before going to Afghanistan
The Associated Press
David W. Wallace III loved sports, particularly football and wrestling, and hunting and fishing.
“He was fun-loving,” said his mother, Carol Wallace. “He was a jokester. Pranks were not beneath him.”
“He was just a goofball,” said Derek Songer, a friend. “He was silly. He always made you smile.”
Wallace, 25, of Sharpsville, Pa., was killed Jan. 27 by a bomb blast in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was a 2002 high school graduate and was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C.
He served two tours in Iraq, from September 2004 to April 2005 and July 2007 to January 2008. He also served in Bangladesh, Dubai and other parts of the world.
Wallace worked hard and gave 100 percent, said John Napotnik, who was his defensive line coach in high school and taught him psychology in his senior year.
Off the field, Wallace impressed people with his quiet friendliness.
“I really liked the kid. He was a great kid,” Napotnik said.
Wallace leaves behind his wife, Erica, a 5-year-old stepson, Landon, and a 2-year-old daughter, Brooklyn.
“He was a real American hero,” said a friend, Ron Haywood.
“He was the type of guy, whatever he did, he did 110 percent.”
Marine Sgt. David W. Wallace III was killed in action on 01/27/09.
Marine Sgt. David W. Wallace III, 25, of Sharpsville, Pa.
Sgt. Wallace was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 27, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson.
Marine left behind stepson, daughter
The Associated Press
SHARON, Pa. — A Marine from western Pennsylvania has been killed in Afghanistan.
Carol Wallace says her son, 25-year-old Sgt. David Wallace, of Sharpsville, was killed by an improvised explosive device on Tuesday in the Helmud Province.
The Department of Defense says 23-year-old Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, 23, of Forsyth, Mont., was also killed. Both were assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Wallace says her son was a combat engineer whose duties included removing and exploding bombs, conducting searches, working on vehicles and construction projects.
Wallace leaves behind a wife, Erica, from Jacksonville, N.C., a stepson, Landon, 5, and a daughter, Brooklyn, 2.
He was 2002 graduate of Sharpsville High School.
Served 2 tours in Iraq before going to Afghanistan
The Associated Press
David W. Wallace III loved sports, particularly football and wrestling, and hunting and fishing.
“He was fun-loving,” said his mother, Carol Wallace. “He was a jokester. Pranks were not beneath him.”
“He was just a goofball,” said Derek Songer, a friend. “He was silly. He always made you smile.”
Wallace, 25, of Sharpsville, Pa., was killed Jan. 27 by a bomb blast in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was a 2002 high school graduate and was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C.
He served two tours in Iraq, from September 2004 to April 2005 and July 2007 to January 2008. He also served in Bangladesh, Dubai and other parts of the world.
Wallace worked hard and gave 100 percent, said John Napotnik, who was his defensive line coach in high school and taught him psychology in his senior year.
Off the field, Wallace impressed people with his quiet friendliness.
“I really liked the kid. He was a great kid,” Napotnik said.
Wallace leaves behind his wife, Erica, a 5-year-old stepson, Landon, and a 2-year-old daughter, Brooklyn.
“He was a real American hero,” said a friend, Ron Haywood.
“He was the type of guy, whatever he did, he did 110 percent.”
Marine Sgt. David W. Wallace III was killed in action on 01/27/09.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Army Spc. Michael S. Biltat
Remember Our Heroes
Death remains mystery
Police indicate the gunshot wound was self-inflicted, but Biltat's parents aren't convinced that's the whole story.
By ALFRED DIAZ of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
WALLA WALLA — “I don’t know. I don’t have the whole story. They don’t have the whole of it. And I don’t know.”
Fernando Villagomez has had to repeat those words too many times to family, friends and to himself since the death of his son, U.S. Army Specialist Michael Scott Biltat.
The 22-year-old soldier, who was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., died off base on Jan. 26 at his Oak Grove, Ky., apartment.
Fort Campbell Public Affairs Officer Cathy Gramling explained that as far as military investigations are concerned, nothing is released until all findings are final.
“Typically, the Army doesn’t release anything until the investigation is complete. While civilian investigators will give you a hint, the Army doesn’t do that,” Gramling said in a phone interview on Friday.
The Oak Grove Police Department is also investigating. Unlike the military, it is allowed to give preliminary information. For Villagomez, that information is hard to believe and leaves him with even more unanswered questions.
“My son was having a party in his apartment,” Villagomez said, adding that he wasn’t certain if alcohol was involved, but feels strongly that it was.
“There was a discussion with a cousin — she was living with him — and a third person. And that person and my son, they had some differences in opinion and they said he went to the kitchen and that is when it happened,” Villagomez said.
A self-inflicted gunshot wound is what detectives reported to Villagomez.
“It is really hard to believe. They told me that it happened in his apartment. He was back from Iraq, he went there two times,” Villagomez said.
Biltat was the adopted son of Villagomez. A Pacific Islander, he was born on the Marshall Islands; his birth certificate listed no father. And at age 5 he was sent to live with Fernando and Donna Villagomez of Walla Walla, who adopted and raised him.
The boy attended local schools, including Pioneer Middle School and Walla Walla High School, and played football and baseball his freshman and sophomore years.
“I went to every game. I would talk to him about them. He also played baseball. I think he was between second base and third base,” Villagomez said.
He added that many people who live near Eagan Avenue might remember the 8-year-old boy who always had a good attitude when he delivered newspapers.
“That was Michael. People remembered that little boy because he was always singing when he was delivering the paper ... He never complained, especially on Sunday when he had all the weight of those big papers, and he was delivering them and whistling and not complaining,” Villagomez said.
During his junior and senior years, Biltat moved to Orange County, Calif., to renew his relationship with his biological mother.
“He asked me, ‘Dad. Would it be OK if I went to California for about a year and a half?” The father let him go.
While in California, the young man’s education lacked. And when he returned two years later in 2004 it was without a high school diploma.
“I think that maybe he felt some guilt for not finishing. And he knows I am really big on education,” Villagomez said, pointing out that he is also a GED teacher at Walla Walla Community College.
That fall, Biltat enrolled in his father’s class and in just under three weeks completed his GED, Villagomez said. A week later, after turning 18, Biltat signed on to the U.S. Army, but not without talking to his father.
“I said, ‘Son, is that what you really want? Have you really thought about it? You know that is a big decision.’ He said that is what he wanted to do, and he went and signed,” Villagomez said.
More than a year after signing on, in June of 2006 Biltat entered the Army. Then in November of that year he arrived at Fort Campbell as an infantryman assigned to the First Battalion, 187th Infantry regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
“I was not surprised, honestly I was not surprised ... he was always into soldiers, that was his thing, I was so proud of him and I still am,” Villagomez said.
After two tours of duty in Iraq, Biltat came home this December on leave.
“When he came back, I felt really good because my son made it and he was all right,” Villagomez said.
But a couple of weeks after Biltat returned to Fort Campbell, Villagomez learned his son was dead.
“At first I thought it was a bad joke. And the police said, ‘No sir. We don’t joke about things like that.’ And that is when I realized it was real.”
Though they have been given a preliminary finding, both Fernando and Donna Villagomez are still uncertain of their son’s death.
“Me and my husband, we don’t know what happened yet, so we are asking when the investigating will be done. But we just don’t know ... At this moment we are both mad and upset at this time,” Donna Villagomez said.
Fernando Villagomez added that during his visit, his son talked with him about his future.
“He was thinking of spending years in the Army. I asked him if he was ready to go to college. He said, ‘No, Dad. I am going to be part of the U.S. Army. I don’t really know for how many years. In fact I am going to start training people.”
The two also talked about preparing taxes. And about a week before his death, Biltat e-mailed his father to discuss military write-offs, options to obtain a larger refund.
“To me that is a clear message that he cared for money. So why would he do something like that when he was thinking about more money,” Villagomez said.
But even when the investigations are complete, Villagomez feels there will most likely be questions that will never be answered.
“I don’t know what my son did or saw over there in Iraq. I asked him, ‘Son, tell me what you do there.’ He said to me, ‘Dad, don’t go there. Don’t go there.’ He was not willing to share. I don’t know. I don’t know,” Villagomez said.
What is known is that Biltat was a highly decorated soldier. During his 21/2 years of service, his awards and decorations included Weapons Qualification M4 Expert, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantry Badge and an Overseas Service Ribbon.
“I don’t have the whole story. I don’t know if he went over to Iraq and did things that psychologically were too much for him. I don’t know,” Villagomez said.
Death remains mystery
Police indicate the gunshot wound was self-inflicted, but Biltat's parents aren't convinced that's the whole story.
By ALFRED DIAZ of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
WALLA WALLA — “I don’t know. I don’t have the whole story. They don’t have the whole of it. And I don’t know.”
Fernando Villagomez has had to repeat those words too many times to family, friends and to himself since the death of his son, U.S. Army Specialist Michael Scott Biltat.
The 22-year-old soldier, who was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., died off base on Jan. 26 at his Oak Grove, Ky., apartment.
Fort Campbell Public Affairs Officer Cathy Gramling explained that as far as military investigations are concerned, nothing is released until all findings are final.
“Typically, the Army doesn’t release anything until the investigation is complete. While civilian investigators will give you a hint, the Army doesn’t do that,” Gramling said in a phone interview on Friday.
The Oak Grove Police Department is also investigating. Unlike the military, it is allowed to give preliminary information. For Villagomez, that information is hard to believe and leaves him with even more unanswered questions.
“My son was having a party in his apartment,” Villagomez said, adding that he wasn’t certain if alcohol was involved, but feels strongly that it was.
“There was a discussion with a cousin — she was living with him — and a third person. And that person and my son, they had some differences in opinion and they said he went to the kitchen and that is when it happened,” Villagomez said.
A self-inflicted gunshot wound is what detectives reported to Villagomez.
“It is really hard to believe. They told me that it happened in his apartment. He was back from Iraq, he went there two times,” Villagomez said.
Biltat was the adopted son of Villagomez. A Pacific Islander, he was born on the Marshall Islands; his birth certificate listed no father. And at age 5 he was sent to live with Fernando and Donna Villagomez of Walla Walla, who adopted and raised him.
The boy attended local schools, including Pioneer Middle School and Walla Walla High School, and played football and baseball his freshman and sophomore years.
“I went to every game. I would talk to him about them. He also played baseball. I think he was between second base and third base,” Villagomez said.
He added that many people who live near Eagan Avenue might remember the 8-year-old boy who always had a good attitude when he delivered newspapers.
“That was Michael. People remembered that little boy because he was always singing when he was delivering the paper ... He never complained, especially on Sunday when he had all the weight of those big papers, and he was delivering them and whistling and not complaining,” Villagomez said.
During his junior and senior years, Biltat moved to Orange County, Calif., to renew his relationship with his biological mother.
“He asked me, ‘Dad. Would it be OK if I went to California for about a year and a half?” The father let him go.
While in California, the young man’s education lacked. And when he returned two years later in 2004 it was without a high school diploma.
“I think that maybe he felt some guilt for not finishing. And he knows I am really big on education,” Villagomez said, pointing out that he is also a GED teacher at Walla Walla Community College.
That fall, Biltat enrolled in his father’s class and in just under three weeks completed his GED, Villagomez said. A week later, after turning 18, Biltat signed on to the U.S. Army, but not without talking to his father.
“I said, ‘Son, is that what you really want? Have you really thought about it? You know that is a big decision.’ He said that is what he wanted to do, and he went and signed,” Villagomez said.
More than a year after signing on, in June of 2006 Biltat entered the Army. Then in November of that year he arrived at Fort Campbell as an infantryman assigned to the First Battalion, 187th Infantry regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
“I was not surprised, honestly I was not surprised ... he was always into soldiers, that was his thing, I was so proud of him and I still am,” Villagomez said.
After two tours of duty in Iraq, Biltat came home this December on leave.
“When he came back, I felt really good because my son made it and he was all right,” Villagomez said.
But a couple of weeks after Biltat returned to Fort Campbell, Villagomez learned his son was dead.
“At first I thought it was a bad joke. And the police said, ‘No sir. We don’t joke about things like that.’ And that is when I realized it was real.”
Though they have been given a preliminary finding, both Fernando and Donna Villagomez are still uncertain of their son’s death.
“Me and my husband, we don’t know what happened yet, so we are asking when the investigating will be done. But we just don’t know ... At this moment we are both mad and upset at this time,” Donna Villagomez said.
Fernando Villagomez added that during his visit, his son talked with him about his future.
“He was thinking of spending years in the Army. I asked him if he was ready to go to college. He said, ‘No, Dad. I am going to be part of the U.S. Army. I don’t really know for how many years. In fact I am going to start training people.”
The two also talked about preparing taxes. And about a week before his death, Biltat e-mailed his father to discuss military write-offs, options to obtain a larger refund.
“To me that is a clear message that he cared for money. So why would he do something like that when he was thinking about more money,” Villagomez said.
But even when the investigations are complete, Villagomez feels there will most likely be questions that will never be answered.
“I don’t know what my son did or saw over there in Iraq. I asked him, ‘Son, tell me what you do there.’ He said to me, ‘Dad, don’t go there. Don’t go there.’ He was not willing to share. I don’t know. I don’t know,” Villagomez said.
What is known is that Biltat was a highly decorated soldier. During his 21/2 years of service, his awards and decorations included Weapons Qualification M4 Expert, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantry Badge and an Overseas Service Ribbon.
“I don’t have the whole story. I don’t know if he went over to Iraq and did things that psychologically were too much for him. I don’t know,” Villagomez said.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley
Remember Our Heroes
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley, 30, of Cameron, Mo.;
CWO2 Kelley was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Jan. 26, 2009 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from wounds sustained when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski.
Drum soldier remembered for love of flying
The Associated Press
Matthew G. Kelley had wanted to fly since he was 9, said his father, Col. Stephen Kelley, who is retired. The younger man made the decision to fly Kiowa helicopters because he’d get more flying time.
“He really just wanted to fly,” said his father.
Kelley, 30, of Osborn, Mo., was killed Jan. 26 when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed in Kirkuk. He was assigned to Fort Drum.
A “military brat” born in Germany, Matthew moved with the family from base to base until his father retired. After his family moved back to the United States from Germany, Matthew lived in Salt Lake City, Fort Monroe, Va. Sparta, Wis. and finally Osborn.
He read books about World War II with a voracious appetite, especially if they were about planes. His all-time favorite movie was “Top Gun,” said Chris Kelley, Matthew’s older brother.
He earned the Combat Infantry Badge and always wore it above his pilot wings. When other pilots would razz him about the badge, he’d just tell them they were jealous, his brother said.
He is survived by his wife, DaLana, and children, Megan, 6, and Tyler, 4.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley was killed in action on 01/26/09.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley, 30, of Cameron, Mo.;
CWO2 Kelley was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Jan. 26, 2009 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from wounds sustained when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski.
Drum soldier remembered for love of flying
The Associated Press
Matthew G. Kelley had wanted to fly since he was 9, said his father, Col. Stephen Kelley, who is retired. The younger man made the decision to fly Kiowa helicopters because he’d get more flying time.
“He really just wanted to fly,” said his father.
Kelley, 30, of Osborn, Mo., was killed Jan. 26 when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed in Kirkuk. He was assigned to Fort Drum.
A “military brat” born in Germany, Matthew moved with the family from base to base until his father retired. After his family moved back to the United States from Germany, Matthew lived in Salt Lake City, Fort Monroe, Va. Sparta, Wis. and finally Osborn.
He read books about World War II with a voracious appetite, especially if they were about planes. His all-time favorite movie was “Top Gun,” said Chris Kelley, Matthew’s older brother.
He earned the Combat Infantry Badge and always wore it above his pilot wings. When other pilots would razz him about the badge, he’d just tell them they were jealous, his brother said.
He is survived by his wife, DaLana, and children, Megan, 6, and Tyler, 4.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley was killed in action on 01/26/09.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery
Remember Our Heroes
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery, 31, of Beaverton, Ore.
CWO2 Tillery was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Jan. 26, 2009 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from wounds sustained when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski.
Met wife when stationed at Lewis
The Associated Press
Joshua M. Tillery’s stepfather described him as an excellent father and someone who loved to help people. Tillery also loved to fly.
“He basically had his head on straight on his shoulders,” Roger Trueax said. “He knew where he was going, he knew where he had been.”
Tillery, 31, of Beaverton, Ore., was killed Jan. 26 when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed in Kirkuk, Iraq. He was assigned to Fort Drum.
Tillery loved photography, snowboarding and dirt biking. His mother said he stood about 6 feet tall and had big brown eyes, a strong jaw and an irresistible smile.
The latest in a line of military men, he made forts as a boy.
Kids would knock on the family’s door to ask whether Josh would fix their bikes.
Tillery met his wife-to-be, Stephanie, while they were stationed together at Fort Lewis in Washington. They married a few months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
They have three children — twins, Alec and Colin, who are now 6, and a third son, Hayden, is 2. Stephanie Tillery is pregnant with a fourth child — another boy — expected to be born in May.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery was killed in action on 01/26/09.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery, 31, of Beaverton, Ore.
CWO2 Tillery was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Jan. 26, 2009 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from wounds sustained when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski.
Met wife when stationed at Lewis
The Associated Press
Joshua M. Tillery’s stepfather described him as an excellent father and someone who loved to help people. Tillery also loved to fly.
“He basically had his head on straight on his shoulders,” Roger Trueax said. “He knew where he was going, he knew where he had been.”
Tillery, 31, of Beaverton, Ore., was killed Jan. 26 when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed in Kirkuk, Iraq. He was assigned to Fort Drum.
Tillery loved photography, snowboarding and dirt biking. His mother said he stood about 6 feet tall and had big brown eyes, a strong jaw and an irresistible smile.
The latest in a line of military men, he made forts as a boy.
Kids would knock on the family’s door to ask whether Josh would fix their bikes.
Tillery met his wife-to-be, Stephanie, while they were stationed together at Fort Lewis in Washington. They married a few months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
They have three children — twins, Alec and Colin, who are now 6, and a third son, Hayden, is 2. Stephanie Tillery is pregnant with a fourth child — another boy — expected to be born in May.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery was killed in action on 01/26/09.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd
Remember Our Heroes
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd, 29, of Colville, Wash.
CWO2 Todd was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Jan. 26, 2009 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from wounds sustained when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski.
Army Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin H. Todd remembered
The Associated Press
Benjamin H. Todd discovered a love of flying at age 9, when he flew in his father’s gyrocopter and ultra-light plane, and “the exhilaration of being in the air stayed with him,” said Terry Williams, a family friend.
Todd, 29, of Colville, Wash., was killed Jan. 26 when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed in Kirkuk. He was a 1997 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Drum.
“He was high-spirited and kindhearted,” said Williams. “He was kind of an unassuming guy, not a big talker about himself.”
Todd grew up the oldest of three brothers, rode dirt bikes and four-wheelers, played high school football and joined the local Search and Rescue unit as a teenager. He told family those search and rescue skills helped after he joined the Army in 1999 and went into training to be a Ranger.
Todd served two tours in Afghanistan with the Rangers, including the first which was shortly after the 2001 terrorist attack.
“It didn’t harden his attitude about life. He was still an easygoing guy,” Williams said.
Todd is survived by his wife, Shelly, and daughter, Ashlyn.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd was killed in action on 01/26/09.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd, 29, of Colville, Wash.
CWO2 Todd was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Jan. 26, 2009 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from wounds sustained when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski.
Army Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin H. Todd remembered
The Associated Press
Benjamin H. Todd discovered a love of flying at age 9, when he flew in his father’s gyrocopter and ultra-light plane, and “the exhilaration of being in the air stayed with him,” said Terry Williams, a family friend.
Todd, 29, of Colville, Wash., was killed Jan. 26 when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed in Kirkuk. He was a 1997 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Drum.
“He was high-spirited and kindhearted,” said Williams. “He was kind of an unassuming guy, not a big talker about himself.”
Todd grew up the oldest of three brothers, rode dirt bikes and four-wheelers, played high school football and joined the local Search and Rescue unit as a teenager. He told family those search and rescue skills helped after he joined the Army in 1999 and went into training to be a Ranger.
Todd served two tours in Afghanistan with the Rangers, including the first which was shortly after the 2001 terrorist attack.
“It didn’t harden his attitude about life. He was still an easygoing guy,” Williams said.
Todd is survived by his wife, Shelly, and daughter, Ashlyn.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd was killed in action on 01/26/09.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski
Remember Our Heroes
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski, 35, of Bovey, Minn.
CWO3 Windorski was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Jan. 26, 2009 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from wounds sustained when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd.
Soldier was close to retirement
The Associated Press
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A Minnesota woman says her son was among four Americans killed when two U.S. helicopters crashed in northern Iraq.
Ruth Windorski of Grand Rapids says she learned Monday that her 36-year-old son, Philip Windorski Jr., was among those killed in the single deadliest incident for U.S. troops in four months.
Philip Windorski grew up in Grand Rapids, in northern Minnesota, and was recently stationed out of Fort Drum, N.Y.
His mother says Windorski was a couple of years away from retirement, but planned to re-up. She says he was on his third tour of Iraq. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
His mother says Windorski “was a great pilot, and he loved the Army more than anything.”
A U.S. military statement says the crash did not appear to be a result of hostile fire.
His death brings to 75 the number of people with strong Minnesota ties who have died in connection with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski was killed in action on 01/26/09.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski, 35, of Bovey, Minn.
CWO3 Windorski was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Jan. 26, 2009 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from wounds sustained when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd.
Soldier was close to retirement
The Associated Press
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A Minnesota woman says her son was among four Americans killed when two U.S. helicopters crashed in northern Iraq.
Ruth Windorski of Grand Rapids says she learned Monday that her 36-year-old son, Philip Windorski Jr., was among those killed in the single deadliest incident for U.S. troops in four months.
Philip Windorski grew up in Grand Rapids, in northern Minnesota, and was recently stationed out of Fort Drum, N.Y.
His mother says Windorski was a couple of years away from retirement, but planned to re-up. She says he was on his third tour of Iraq. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
His mother says Windorski “was a great pilot, and he loved the Army more than anything.”
A U.S. military statement says the crash did not appear to be a result of hostile fire.
His death brings to 75 the number of people with strong Minnesota ties who have died in connection with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski was killed in action on 01/26/09.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Army Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington, 24, of Swansea, Mass.
Sgt. Harrington was assigned to the 542nd Maintenance Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion, 593rd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.; died Jan. 24, 2009 in Basra, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-hostile accident in his unit motor pool.
Mass. native was father of 2
The Associated Press
FORT LEWIS, Wash. — Relatives of an Army soldier based at Fort Lewis soldier say he has died in a forklift accident in Iraq.
He’s identified as 24-year-old Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington of Swansea, Mass., who was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was assigned to repair Humvees and other light vehicles as a member of the 593rd Sustainment Brigade at Joint Base Balad.
Harrington’s wife, Faith, told The News Tribune of Tacoma she was told at Fort Lewis that he was fatally hit by a forklift Jan. 24. He leaves two children, 5-year-old Joshua and 2-year-old Kaylee.
Harrington’s mother-in-law, Debra Ryan, a newsroom assistant at The Standard-Times in New Bedford, Mass., says she also was notified Jan. 24.
Brother, sister never had ‘sad moment’
The Associated Press
When thinking of her brother, Elizabeth Harrington said the emotions come in waves, but the memories are all golden.
“I can’t be sad when I think of my brother,” she said of Kyle J. Harrington. “I can’t think of one sad moment me and my brother ever had with each other.”
Harrington, 24, of Swansea, Mass., died Jan. 24 in Basra, Iraq, of injuries from a non-hostile accident. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Lewis.
Brian McCann, his former principal, said he remembered Harrington as a “spirited young man” who was very committed to his future wife and friends.
“Once he joined the Army, he just became a man,” his sister said. “He went from my teenage brother to a man overnight.”
They had dreams together. They were going to buy two houses in New Hampshire, near each other.
“I was going to have him walk me down the aisle when I got married,” she said. “I wanted my brother to give me away.”
He also is survived by his wife, Faith, and two children, Joshua, 5, and Kaylee, 2.
“He was an amazing dad and one of a kind,” his wife said.
Army Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington was killed in a non-combat incident on 01/24/09.
Army Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington, 24, of Swansea, Mass.
Sgt. Harrington was assigned to the 542nd Maintenance Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion, 593rd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.; died Jan. 24, 2009 in Basra, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-hostile accident in his unit motor pool.
Mass. native was father of 2
The Associated Press
FORT LEWIS, Wash. — Relatives of an Army soldier based at Fort Lewis soldier say he has died in a forklift accident in Iraq.
He’s identified as 24-year-old Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington of Swansea, Mass., who was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was assigned to repair Humvees and other light vehicles as a member of the 593rd Sustainment Brigade at Joint Base Balad.
Harrington’s wife, Faith, told The News Tribune of Tacoma she was told at Fort Lewis that he was fatally hit by a forklift Jan. 24. He leaves two children, 5-year-old Joshua and 2-year-old Kaylee.
Harrington’s mother-in-law, Debra Ryan, a newsroom assistant at The Standard-Times in New Bedford, Mass., says she also was notified Jan. 24.
Brother, sister never had ‘sad moment’
The Associated Press
When thinking of her brother, Elizabeth Harrington said the emotions come in waves, but the memories are all golden.
“I can’t be sad when I think of my brother,” she said of Kyle J. Harrington. “I can’t think of one sad moment me and my brother ever had with each other.”
Harrington, 24, of Swansea, Mass., died Jan. 24 in Basra, Iraq, of injuries from a non-hostile accident. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Lewis.
Brian McCann, his former principal, said he remembered Harrington as a “spirited young man” who was very committed to his future wife and friends.
“Once he joined the Army, he just became a man,” his sister said. “He went from my teenage brother to a man overnight.”
They had dreams together. They were going to buy two houses in New Hampshire, near each other.
“I was going to have him walk me down the aisle when I got married,” she said. “I wanted my brother to give me away.”
He also is survived by his wife, Faith, and two children, Joshua, 5, and Kaylee, 2.
“He was an amazing dad and one of a kind,” his wife said.
Army Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington was killed in a non-combat incident on 01/24/09.
Marine Lance Cpl. Julian T. Brennan
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Lance Cpl. Julian T. Brennan, 25, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
LCpl. Brennan was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 24, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.
Lejeune Marine dies in Afghanistan
Staff report
A North Carolina-based Marine died Saturday after a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan’s Farah province, according to reports.
Lance Cpl. Julian T. Brennan, 25, was known as “Jules” to his family and friends, according to a report in the New York Daily News. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Brennan was a machine gunner assigned to Camp Lejeune’s 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, the Corps said in a news release.
He aspired to be in show business, the newspaper reported.
Brennan was a “real swell kid, a very good-looking boy who was the darling of the girls,” family friend Charles Marahan told the Daily News. “Jules was made for the stage and the movies. You either have it or you don’t, and he had it.”
Brennan earned an associate’s degree from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan and worked on the Martha Stewart show before joining the Corps, the newspaper reported. He was on his first deployment.
Flags fly at half-staff as tribute
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — New York Gov. David Paterson has directed flags on all state office buildings be flown at half-staff Jan. 30 to honor a local Marine who was killed in Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Julian T. Brennan died Jan. 24 while fighting in the Farah province. The New York City resident was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Paterson offered his condolences Jan. 28 to the 25-year-old Brooklyn resident’s family, friends and fellow Marines.
Brennan is the second Marine from New York City to be killed in Afghanistan this year.
Was married before deploying to Afghanistan
The Associated Press
Julian T. Brennan and his father were playing dominoes and drinking beer a few years ago when the younger man said, “I have something to tell you.”
“And when a 23-year-old says that, it could be anything,” said Bill Brennan. “But we did not expect, ‘I joined the Marines.’ ”
Brennan, 25, of New York City, died Jan. 24 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Brennan graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan in 2006, got his Screen Actors Guild card and began lining up acting gigs while working as a carpenter on Martha Stewart’s show.
He had always been interested in the military. His grandfather earned the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima during World War II, and he nearly enlisted after Sept. 11, 2001.
Thya Merz, his mother, last spoke to him on Inauguration Day — he was a Barack Obama supporter — and he expressed a “deep empathy” for the Afghan people.
His father called him a “happy and ethical warrior.”
He also is survived by his wife, Bettina Beard, whom he secretly married before he shipped out to Afghanistan in November.
Marine Lance Cpl. Julian T. Brennan was killed in action on 01/24/09.
Marine Lance Cpl. Julian T. Brennan, 25, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
LCpl. Brennan was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 24, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.
Lejeune Marine dies in Afghanistan
Staff report
A North Carolina-based Marine died Saturday after a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan’s Farah province, according to reports.
Lance Cpl. Julian T. Brennan, 25, was known as “Jules” to his family and friends, according to a report in the New York Daily News. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Brennan was a machine gunner assigned to Camp Lejeune’s 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, the Corps said in a news release.
He aspired to be in show business, the newspaper reported.
Brennan was a “real swell kid, a very good-looking boy who was the darling of the girls,” family friend Charles Marahan told the Daily News. “Jules was made for the stage and the movies. You either have it or you don’t, and he had it.”
Brennan earned an associate’s degree from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan and worked on the Martha Stewart show before joining the Corps, the newspaper reported. He was on his first deployment.
Flags fly at half-staff as tribute
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — New York Gov. David Paterson has directed flags on all state office buildings be flown at half-staff Jan. 30 to honor a local Marine who was killed in Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Julian T. Brennan died Jan. 24 while fighting in the Farah province. The New York City resident was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Paterson offered his condolences Jan. 28 to the 25-year-old Brooklyn resident’s family, friends and fellow Marines.
Brennan is the second Marine from New York City to be killed in Afghanistan this year.
Was married before deploying to Afghanistan
The Associated Press
Julian T. Brennan and his father were playing dominoes and drinking beer a few years ago when the younger man said, “I have something to tell you.”
“And when a 23-year-old says that, it could be anything,” said Bill Brennan. “But we did not expect, ‘I joined the Marines.’ ”
Brennan, 25, of New York City, died Jan. 24 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Brennan graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan in 2006, got his Screen Actors Guild card and began lining up acting gigs while working as a carpenter on Martha Stewart’s show.
He had always been interested in the military. His grandfather earned the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima during World War II, and he nearly enlisted after Sept. 11, 2001.
Thya Merz, his mother, last spoke to him on Inauguration Day — he was a Barack Obama supporter — and he expressed a “deep empathy” for the Afghan people.
His father called him a “happy and ethical warrior.”
He also is survived by his wife, Bettina Beard, whom he secretly married before he shipped out to Afghanistan in November.
Marine Lance Cpl. Julian T. Brennan was killed in action on 01/24/09.
Army Pvt. Grant A. Cotting
Remember Our Heroes
Army Pvt. Grant A. Cotting, 19, of Corona, Calif.
Pvt. Cotting was assigned to the 515th Sapper Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; died Jan. 24, 2009 in Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
Soldier was based at Wood
The Associated Press
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The Department of Defense says a 19-year-old California soldier has died from injuries from a non-combat related incident in Kut, Iraq.
The department announced Jan. 27 that Pvt. Grant A. Cotting of Corona died Jan. 24.
He was assigned to the 515th Sapper Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Cotting enjoyed video, role-playing games
The Associated Press
Grant A. Cotting’s former classmate and neighbor, Ryan McQuilkin, said Cotting was like a brother to him for about 10 years.
Cotting had talked about a military career for years and enlisted about a year ago, shortly after graduation. “I’m really proud of him,” McQuilkin said. “He did what he wanted to do.”
He described his friend as “geeky” and said Cotting liked to play video games and Dungeons and Dragons, which they played every weekend for almost five years.
Cotting, 19, of Corona, Calif., died Jan. 24 in Kut, Iraq, of wounds from non-combat causes. He was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood.
Cotting’s high school counselor, Martha Santos, called him respectful and inspirational. “He was a quiet student and mostly kept to himself,” she said. “He seemed like the type who was very loyal.”
Pollard Principal Mike Ridgway said Cotting was in ROTC his senior year of high school and planning on a military career. “We are all saddened by his loss,” Ridgway said.
Cotting is survived by his parents, Craig and Amanda.
“He will really be missed,” Amanda Cotting said. “Don’t take anyone for granted.”
Army Pvt. Grant A. Cotting died from a non-combat related incident on 01/24/09.
Army Pvt. Grant A. Cotting, 19, of Corona, Calif.
Pvt. Cotting was assigned to the 515th Sapper Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; died Jan. 24, 2009 in Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
Soldier was based at Wood
The Associated Press
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The Department of Defense says a 19-year-old California soldier has died from injuries from a non-combat related incident in Kut, Iraq.
The department announced Jan. 27 that Pvt. Grant A. Cotting of Corona died Jan. 24.
He was assigned to the 515th Sapper Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Cotting enjoyed video, role-playing games
The Associated Press
Grant A. Cotting’s former classmate and neighbor, Ryan McQuilkin, said Cotting was like a brother to him for about 10 years.
Cotting had talked about a military career for years and enlisted about a year ago, shortly after graduation. “I’m really proud of him,” McQuilkin said. “He did what he wanted to do.”
He described his friend as “geeky” and said Cotting liked to play video games and Dungeons and Dragons, which they played every weekend for almost five years.
Cotting, 19, of Corona, Calif., died Jan. 24 in Kut, Iraq, of wounds from non-combat causes. He was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood.
Cotting’s high school counselor, Martha Santos, called him respectful and inspirational. “He was a quiet student and mostly kept to himself,” she said. “He seemed like the type who was very loyal.”
Pollard Principal Mike Ridgway said Cotting was in ROTC his senior year of high school and planning on a military career. “We are all saddened by his loss,” Ridgway said.
Cotting is survived by his parents, Craig and Amanda.
“He will really be missed,” Amanda Cotting said. “Don’t take anyone for granted.”
Army Pvt. Grant A. Cotting died from a non-combat related incident on 01/24/09.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Army Spc. Matthew M. Pollini
Remember Our Heroes
Army Spc. Matthew M. Pollini, 21, of Rockland Mass.
Spc. Pollini was assigned to the 772nd Military Police Company, Massachusetts Army National Guard, Taunton, Mass.; died Jan. 22, 2009 at Forward Operating Base Delta, near al-Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover.
‘We had lots of plans,’ widow says
The Associated Press
ROCKLAND, Mass. — Rockland is mourning a soldier family members say has died in Iraq.
Twenty-one-year-old Pfc. Matthew Pollini was serving with the 772nd Military Police Company, an Army National Guard unit from Taunton. Flags flew at half-staff in Rockland and the town posted a memorial notice.
Erica Pollini told The Patriot Ledger of Quincy her brother “was a talented, loyal person” who joined the National Guard two or three years ago. She said his unit was activated last fall and he was due home in October. Joseph Pollini told WBZ-TV his older brother “was a hero, a hands-down hero,” and said he followed his brother into the same Guard unit, a dream of service they shared.
Pollini’s 20-year-old wife Sarah, whom he married Dec. 22, told The Patriot Ledger, “we had lots of plans.”
Funeral for Rockland soldier scheduled
The Associated Press
ROCKLAND, Mass. — A soldier from Rockland who died in Iraq last week will soon be laid to rest.
The funeral for Spc. Matthew Pollini will be held Feb. 2.
The Enterprise of Brockton reports that students from some of the town’s schools will stand along the route as a horse-drawn caisson followed by Pollini’s family makes its way down Union Street to Holy Family church.
Members of the National Guard’s 772nd Military Police Company, Pollini’s unit, will march with the casket.
A wake for Pollini will be held Sunday at Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home in Rockland.
The 21-year-old Pollini got married last month just days before he shipped out to Iraq. He died when the vehicle he was in rolled over.
Soldier remembered as fun-loving ‘goofball’ by family
The Associated Press
Erica and Joseph Pollini laughed and cried as they talked about their brother, Matthew M. Pollini. They said he was fun-loving, a “goofball” who liked to make people laugh. “We want the world to know he was a great person,” Erica said. “He still is a person to me.”
Pollini, 21, of Rockland, Mass., died Jan. 22 near al-Kut of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. He joined the Army National Guard in 2005 and was assigned to Taunton, Mass.
He and his wife, Sarah, were married Dec. 22 in a small ceremony in his parents’ living room. Matthew left Dec. 26 for a 10-month tour of duty.
“He was a really loyal, trusting person. He always wanted to help people. He was always there to help people. He was always cracking jokes and laughing. He really was the most honest person I ever met,” said his wife.
In October, when Matthew was due back in Rockland, he planned to take his wife on a “mini honeymoon” to Cape Cod. They planned to renew their wedding vows and have their “dream wedding” in 2012.
“He would do anything for me. He was always there for me,” said a brother Joseph Pollini, 17.
Army Spc. Matthew M. Pollini was killed in action on 01/22/09.
Army Spc. Matthew M. Pollini, 21, of Rockland Mass.
Spc. Pollini was assigned to the 772nd Military Police Company, Massachusetts Army National Guard, Taunton, Mass.; died Jan. 22, 2009 at Forward Operating Base Delta, near al-Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover.
‘We had lots of plans,’ widow says
The Associated Press
ROCKLAND, Mass. — Rockland is mourning a soldier family members say has died in Iraq.
Twenty-one-year-old Pfc. Matthew Pollini was serving with the 772nd Military Police Company, an Army National Guard unit from Taunton. Flags flew at half-staff in Rockland and the town posted a memorial notice.
Erica Pollini told The Patriot Ledger of Quincy her brother “was a talented, loyal person” who joined the National Guard two or three years ago. She said his unit was activated last fall and he was due home in October. Joseph Pollini told WBZ-TV his older brother “was a hero, a hands-down hero,” and said he followed his brother into the same Guard unit, a dream of service they shared.
Pollini’s 20-year-old wife Sarah, whom he married Dec. 22, told The Patriot Ledger, “we had lots of plans.”
Funeral for Rockland soldier scheduled
The Associated Press
ROCKLAND, Mass. — A soldier from Rockland who died in Iraq last week will soon be laid to rest.
The funeral for Spc. Matthew Pollini will be held Feb. 2.
The Enterprise of Brockton reports that students from some of the town’s schools will stand along the route as a horse-drawn caisson followed by Pollini’s family makes its way down Union Street to Holy Family church.
Members of the National Guard’s 772nd Military Police Company, Pollini’s unit, will march with the casket.
A wake for Pollini will be held Sunday at Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home in Rockland.
The 21-year-old Pollini got married last month just days before he shipped out to Iraq. He died when the vehicle he was in rolled over.
Soldier remembered as fun-loving ‘goofball’ by family
The Associated Press
Erica and Joseph Pollini laughed and cried as they talked about their brother, Matthew M. Pollini. They said he was fun-loving, a “goofball” who liked to make people laugh. “We want the world to know he was a great person,” Erica said. “He still is a person to me.”
Pollini, 21, of Rockland, Mass., died Jan. 22 near al-Kut of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. He joined the Army National Guard in 2005 and was assigned to Taunton, Mass.
He and his wife, Sarah, were married Dec. 22 in a small ceremony in his parents’ living room. Matthew left Dec. 26 for a 10-month tour of duty.
“He was a really loyal, trusting person. He always wanted to help people. He was always there to help people. He was always cracking jokes and laughing. He really was the most honest person I ever met,” said his wife.
In October, when Matthew was due back in Rockland, he planned to take his wife on a “mini honeymoon” to Cape Cod. They planned to renew their wedding vows and have their “dream wedding” in 2012.
“He would do anything for me. He was always there for me,” said a brother Joseph Pollini, 17.
Army Spc. Matthew M. Pollini was killed in action on 01/22/09.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Andrade Jr.
Remember Our Heroes
Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Andrade Jr., 26, of Chicago
SSgt. Andrade was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Jan. 18, 2009 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle.
Soldier was known for his smile
The Associated Press
Roberto Andrade Jr. joined the Army in 2001 and was finishing his third tour in Iraq. His grandmother said he was hard to miss.
“If people asked you which one was he, you would say, ‘He was the one with the smile.’ He was very soft spoken, but he could command with that smile,” Vicky Munari said.
Andrade, 26, of Chicago, died Jan. 18 in Baghdad when an explosive struck his vehicle. He was assigned to Fort Hood and enjoyed playing soccer, football and basketball.
“His dedication to his job and soldiers were unmatched, and he had a quiet strength about him,” said Lt. Col. Scott McKean, Andrade’s battalion commander. “Staff Sgt. Andrade embodied perseverance, courage and devotion to duty.”
He also is survived by his mother, Sandra Valencia; his father, Roberto Andrade Sr.; and his stepmother, Veronica Andrade.
“He always led by example in everything, and he strived to be the best and expected nothing less from his soldiers,” said Capt. William Hollbrook, Andrade’s company commander. “He was inspiring and his memory will live on with us for the rest of our lives.”
Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Andrade Jr. was killed in action on 01/18/09.
Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Andrade Jr., 26, of Chicago
SSgt. Andrade was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Jan. 18, 2009 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle.
Soldier was known for his smile
The Associated Press
Roberto Andrade Jr. joined the Army in 2001 and was finishing his third tour in Iraq. His grandmother said he was hard to miss.
“If people asked you which one was he, you would say, ‘He was the one with the smile.’ He was very soft spoken, but he could command with that smile,” Vicky Munari said.
Andrade, 26, of Chicago, died Jan. 18 in Baghdad when an explosive struck his vehicle. He was assigned to Fort Hood and enjoyed playing soccer, football and basketball.
“His dedication to his job and soldiers were unmatched, and he had a quiet strength about him,” said Lt. Col. Scott McKean, Andrade’s battalion commander. “Staff Sgt. Andrade embodied perseverance, courage and devotion to duty.”
He also is survived by his mother, Sandra Valencia; his father, Roberto Andrade Sr.; and his stepmother, Veronica Andrade.
“He always led by example in everything, and he strived to be the best and expected nothing less from his soldiers,” said Capt. William Hollbrook, Andrade’s company commander. “He was inspiring and his memory will live on with us for the rest of our lives.”
Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Andrade Jr. was killed in action on 01/18/09.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Army Sgt. Ezra Dawson
Remember Our Heroes
Army Sgt. Ezra Dawson, 31, of Las Vegas, Nev.
Sgt. Dawson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Jan. 17, 2009 in COP Vegas, Afghanistan, when the Chinook helicopter he was in made a hard landing under combat conditions.
Soldier remembered for bravery in combat
The Associated Press
Ezra Dawson joined the Army to improve his life, said his ex-wife, Felicia Tucker. He had been working as a waiter.
“He wanted to better himself, so he figured that would be the way,” Tucker said.
Dawson, 31, of Las Vegas, died Jan. 17 in Konar Province when the Chinook helicopter he was in made a hard landing under combat conditions. He was assigned to Fort Hood.
Dawson joined the Army Reserve in late 1999 as a supply specialist. Five years later, he kept the job but switched to active duty.
Dawson left the military and rejoined in mid-2007. He served as a junior scout and sniper team member, and a leader for a reconnaissance team in the Korengal Valley.
“He would give you the shirt off of his back if you were in need,” said Sgt. 1st Class Lenneth Kim. “Even under attack and enemy fire, he laid next to his fallen soldier and administered aid to him, which ultimately saved his life.”
Dawson grew up and attended school in Oklahoma before moving to Las Vegas as a young man. He was a sometime rapper and stand-up comedian.
Dawson is survived by his wife, Starlia Dorsey-Dawson, and a daughter, Diamond.
Army Sgt. Ezra Dawson was killed in action on 1/17/09.
Larger Images
Army Sgt. Ezra Dawson, 31, of Las Vegas, Nev.
Sgt. Dawson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Jan. 17, 2009 in COP Vegas, Afghanistan, when the Chinook helicopter he was in made a hard landing under combat conditions.
Soldier remembered for bravery in combat
The Associated Press
Ezra Dawson joined the Army to improve his life, said his ex-wife, Felicia Tucker. He had been working as a waiter.
“He wanted to better himself, so he figured that would be the way,” Tucker said.
Dawson, 31, of Las Vegas, died Jan. 17 in Konar Province when the Chinook helicopter he was in made a hard landing under combat conditions. He was assigned to Fort Hood.
Dawson joined the Army Reserve in late 1999 as a supply specialist. Five years later, he kept the job but switched to active duty.
Dawson left the military and rejoined in mid-2007. He served as a junior scout and sniper team member, and a leader for a reconnaissance team in the Korengal Valley.
“He would give you the shirt off of his back if you were in need,” said Sgt. 1st Class Lenneth Kim. “Even under attack and enemy fire, he laid next to his fallen soldier and administered aid to him, which ultimately saved his life.”
Dawson grew up and attended school in Oklahoma before moving to Las Vegas as a young man. He was a sometime rapper and stand-up comedian.
Dawson is survived by his wife, Starlia Dorsey-Dawson, and a daughter, Diamond.
Army Sgt. Ezra Dawson was killed in action on 1/17/09.
Army Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Robinson
Remember Our Heroes
Army Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Robinson, 33, of Lawton, Okla.
SSgt. Robinson was assigned to the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Polk, La.; died Jan. 17, 2009 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Kabul.
Suicide bombing claims Guardsman
The Associated Press
HOPE, Ark. — A soldier from Hope has died as the result of a suicide bombing in Afghanistan.
The Hope Star reported that Army Sgt. Carlos Montel Robinson, 33, was killed Jan. 17 and that his family was informed Jan. 18. Robinson served for years in the National Guard and was on his first overseas deployment. Robinson went to Afghanistan in June.
Hicks Funeral Home in Hope is handling arrangements and said that the military said to expect Robinson’s body to arrive Jan. 23.
The Defense Department had not described the circumstances of his death as of Jan. 21.
Robinson had Okla. ties
The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Arkansas soldier who briefly lived in Oklahoma was killed in Afghanistan, his family said.
Army Staff Sgt. Carlo M. Robinson, 33, died Jan. 17 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle, the Department of Defense said Jan. 21.
Robinson’s hometown was listed by the Pentagon as Lawton, but the funeral home receiving Robinson’s remains and his grandmother, Martha Witherspoon, said he was from Hope, Ark., where he graduated from high school in 1993.
Robinson, 13-year veteran of the army, lived in Lawton for a few months in 2007.
He was assigned to the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Fort Polk, La., the Defense Department said.
Robinson was “the quiet type” growing up and enjoyed playing sports through high school, Witherspoon said.
He re-enlisted in the military multiple times, even though it made his family nervous.
“I always said, ‘We’ve already been through this before, and these kids are going over there and risking their lives again,” ’ said Witherspoon, who had two brothers who served in the military in Vietnam.
Robinson was the only member of his generation of the family to join the military, despite the reservations some of his family members had, she said.
“There’s danger everywhere, I know, but over there, your life is in God’s hands,” she said. “And he’s in God’s hands now.”
Robinson is survived by his daughter, Carneshia, 11, and son Dakaria, 10.
Soldier could make others smile
The Associated Press
Carlo M. Robinson’s grandmother said he was the only member of his generation of the family to join the military, but he was undaunted by the reservations of some of his kin.
“There’s danger everywhere, I know, but over there, your life is in God’s hands,” said Martha Witherspoon. “And he’s in God’s hands now.”
Robinson, 33, of Lawton, Okla., died Jan. 17 after a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle in Kabul. He was a 1993 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Polk.
His grandmother said he was “the quiet type” and enjoyed playing sports through high school. She described him as a patriot and said he re-enlisted in the military many times, even though it made his family nervous.
Robinson went to Afghanistan in June and was on his first overseas deployment. Friends often referred to him as “the dentist” because he could always make people smile.
His fellow servicemen and -women also remembered Robinson as the “quiet type” who was “strong as an ox, yet gentle as a kitten.”
Robinson is survived by his daughter, Carneshia, 11, and son Da’Karia, 10.
Army Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Robinson was killed in action on 01/17/09.
Army Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Robinson, 33, of Lawton, Okla.
SSgt. Robinson was assigned to the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Polk, La.; died Jan. 17, 2009 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Kabul.
Suicide bombing claims Guardsman
The Associated Press
HOPE, Ark. — A soldier from Hope has died as the result of a suicide bombing in Afghanistan.
The Hope Star reported that Army Sgt. Carlos Montel Robinson, 33, was killed Jan. 17 and that his family was informed Jan. 18. Robinson served for years in the National Guard and was on his first overseas deployment. Robinson went to Afghanistan in June.
Hicks Funeral Home in Hope is handling arrangements and said that the military said to expect Robinson’s body to arrive Jan. 23.
The Defense Department had not described the circumstances of his death as of Jan. 21.
Robinson had Okla. ties
The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Arkansas soldier who briefly lived in Oklahoma was killed in Afghanistan, his family said.
Army Staff Sgt. Carlo M. Robinson, 33, died Jan. 17 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle, the Department of Defense said Jan. 21.
Robinson’s hometown was listed by the Pentagon as Lawton, but the funeral home receiving Robinson’s remains and his grandmother, Martha Witherspoon, said he was from Hope, Ark., where he graduated from high school in 1993.
Robinson, 13-year veteran of the army, lived in Lawton for a few months in 2007.
He was assigned to the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Fort Polk, La., the Defense Department said.
Robinson was “the quiet type” growing up and enjoyed playing sports through high school, Witherspoon said.
He re-enlisted in the military multiple times, even though it made his family nervous.
“I always said, ‘We’ve already been through this before, and these kids are going over there and risking their lives again,” ’ said Witherspoon, who had two brothers who served in the military in Vietnam.
Robinson was the only member of his generation of the family to join the military, despite the reservations some of his family members had, she said.
“There’s danger everywhere, I know, but over there, your life is in God’s hands,” she said. “And he’s in God’s hands now.”
Robinson is survived by his daughter, Carneshia, 11, and son Dakaria, 10.
Soldier could make others smile
The Associated Press
Carlo M. Robinson’s grandmother said he was the only member of his generation of the family to join the military, but he was undaunted by the reservations of some of his kin.
“There’s danger everywhere, I know, but over there, your life is in God’s hands,” said Martha Witherspoon. “And he’s in God’s hands now.”
Robinson, 33, of Lawton, Okla., died Jan. 17 after a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle in Kabul. He was a 1993 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Polk.
His grandmother said he was “the quiet type” and enjoyed playing sports through high school. She described him as a patriot and said he re-enlisted in the military many times, even though it made his family nervous.
Robinson went to Afghanistan in June and was on his first overseas deployment. Friends often referred to him as “the dentist” because he could always make people smile.
His fellow servicemen and -women also remembered Robinson as the “quiet type” who was “strong as an ox, yet gentle as a kitten.”
Robinson is survived by his daughter, Carneshia, 11, and son Da’Karia, 10.
Army Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Robinson was killed in action on 01/17/09.
Air Force Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight
Remember Our Heroes
Air Force Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight, 22, of Marrero, La.
Sr. Airman McKnight was assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; died Jan 17, 2009 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Balad, Iraq.
Wanted to follow in family’s military footsteps
The Associated Press
Omar J. McKnight’s father described his son as a quiet, “easygoing kid,” with respectful manners, a good head on his shoulders and an obsession with updating the photos on his MySpace page. Eliot McKnight said he was also the baby of the family, the youngest of three boys.
“He was just a special person, always smiling,” said his mother, Sheryl McKnight. “Anything he could do to help someone, he would.”
McKnight, 22, of Marrero, La., died Jan. 17 from non-combat causes in Balad, Iraq. He was assigned to MacDill Air Force Base and was on his second tour.
As a high school freshman, Omar had dreamed about following in the footsteps of his father, an Army veteran from Operation Desert Storm, and his older brother Trumain, who is now serving with the Air Force’s special operations unit in Iraq.
“His whole life was the military,” Eliot McKnight said. “He did four years in ROTC in high school. It was evident.”
In 2006, three weeks after graduating, Omar joined the Air Force. He attended basic training at Lackland Air Force and he had served as a firefighter at the base in Tampa.
Air Force Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight was killed in a non-hostile incident on 01/17/09.
Air Force Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight, 22, of Marrero, La.
Sr. Airman McKnight was assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; died Jan 17, 2009 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Balad, Iraq.
Wanted to follow in family’s military footsteps
The Associated Press
Omar J. McKnight’s father described his son as a quiet, “easygoing kid,” with respectful manners, a good head on his shoulders and an obsession with updating the photos on his MySpace page. Eliot McKnight said he was also the baby of the family, the youngest of three boys.
“He was just a special person, always smiling,” said his mother, Sheryl McKnight. “Anything he could do to help someone, he would.”
McKnight, 22, of Marrero, La., died Jan. 17 from non-combat causes in Balad, Iraq. He was assigned to MacDill Air Force Base and was on his second tour.
As a high school freshman, Omar had dreamed about following in the footsteps of his father, an Army veteran from Operation Desert Storm, and his older brother Trumain, who is now serving with the Air Force’s special operations unit in Iraq.
“His whole life was the military,” Eliot McKnight said. “He did four years in ROTC in high school. It was evident.”
In 2006, three weeks after graduating, Omar joined the Air Force. He attended basic training at Lackland Air Force and he had served as a firefighter at the base in Tampa.
Air Force Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight was killed in a non-hostile incident on 01/17/09.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Army Pfc. Ricky L. Turner
Remember Our Heroes
Army Pfc. Ricky L. Turner, 20, of Athens, Ala.
Pfc. Turner was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Jan. 16, 2009 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit.
Bragg soldier killed in explosion
The Associated Press
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The Department of Defense says a soldier based in North Carolina has died while fighting in Iraq.
The military said Wednesday that 20-year-old Pfc. Ricky Turner of Athens, Ala., died Jan. 16 in Baghdad after a bomb exploded near his unit. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg.
Turner’s father, James Lee Turner, told WHNT-TV in Alabama that his son wanted to join the military to stand up for his country, and that he died doing what he wanted to do. He said the military told him an improvised explosive device blew up the military vehicle his son was riding in.
Information about Pfc. Turner’s awards and honors was not immediately available.
Turner recalled as ‘gentle giant’
The Associated Press
Ricky L. Turner was deployed to Iraq in November and celebrated his 20th birthday there Dec. 22. He joined the Army on Sept. 11, 2006. “He was so proud of that,” said Vickie Turner, an aunt.
“He was a good boy with a big heart.”
Turner, 20, of Athens, Ala., was killed Jan. 16 by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Bragg.
“He was a gentle giant,” said Lt. Col. James Walker, Turner’s ROTC commander. “He was an outstanding soldier.”
The Rev. Mike Webster said Turner joined the Army not only to follow in the footsteps of his stepbrother, Sgt. Jimmy Grimes, but “to find himself. The Army was making him a strong person.”
Turner also is survived by his wife, Nikki.
“He loved to play video games, and he loved to draw. He was an outstanding student in school. Anything he set his mind to he accomplished,” said Tammy Turner, another aunt.
Turner was one of Dorothy Turner’s seven grandchildren. “He was a wonderful person and I’m very proud of him,” she said. “He was very outgoing. When he stayed with us, he loved to fish in our pond and loved animals.”
Army Pfc. Ricky L. Turner was killed in action on 01/16/09.
Army Pfc. Ricky L. Turner, 20, of Athens, Ala.
Pfc. Turner was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Jan. 16, 2009 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit.
Bragg soldier killed in explosion
The Associated Press
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The Department of Defense says a soldier based in North Carolina has died while fighting in Iraq.
The military said Wednesday that 20-year-old Pfc. Ricky Turner of Athens, Ala., died Jan. 16 in Baghdad after a bomb exploded near his unit. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg.
Turner’s father, James Lee Turner, told WHNT-TV in Alabama that his son wanted to join the military to stand up for his country, and that he died doing what he wanted to do. He said the military told him an improvised explosive device blew up the military vehicle his son was riding in.
Information about Pfc. Turner’s awards and honors was not immediately available.
Turner recalled as ‘gentle giant’
The Associated Press
Ricky L. Turner was deployed to Iraq in November and celebrated his 20th birthday there Dec. 22. He joined the Army on Sept. 11, 2006. “He was so proud of that,” said Vickie Turner, an aunt.
“He was a good boy with a big heart.”
Turner, 20, of Athens, Ala., was killed Jan. 16 by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Bragg.
“He was a gentle giant,” said Lt. Col. James Walker, Turner’s ROTC commander. “He was an outstanding soldier.”
The Rev. Mike Webster said Turner joined the Army not only to follow in the footsteps of his stepbrother, Sgt. Jimmy Grimes, but “to find himself. The Army was making him a strong person.”
Turner also is survived by his wife, Nikki.
“He loved to play video games, and he loved to draw. He was an outstanding student in school. Anything he set his mind to he accomplished,” said Tammy Turner, another aunt.
Turner was one of Dorothy Turner’s seven grandchildren. “He was a wonderful person and I’m very proud of him,” she said. “He was very outgoing. When he stayed with us, he loved to fish in our pond and loved animals.”
Army Pfc. Ricky L. Turner was killed in action on 01/16/09.
Army Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Townsend
Remember Our Heroes
Army Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Townsend, 30, of Solvang, Calif.
SSgt. Townsend was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg , N.C.; died Jan. 16, 2009 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident.
Townsend ‘was proud … to serve his country’
The Associated Press
While at basic training or later trying to make the Special Forces, Joshua R. Townsend wouldn’t — couldn’t — give up.
“While many guys were quitting because of the absence of comfort, Josh pushed through the pain and completed the course,” said Rusty Whitt, a fellow soldier.
Townsend, 30, of Solvang, Calif., died Jan. 16 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, of wounds from non-combat related causes. He was a 1997 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Bragg.
In his Facebook profile, Townsend wrote that he enjoyed playing with his three Pug dogs, going to the movies, working on his house and “most of all, spending time with my wife Rachel.”
He loved to listen to his wife singing and playing the guitar, enjoyed Play Station 3 and was a fan of the History Channel.
“He was a fearless, red-bearded Viking with a devil-may-care attitude who was proud and motivated to serve his country,” Whitt said.
Townsend attended Santa Barbara City College and Hancock Community College. He joined the Army in 2003, was a Special Forces weapons sergeant and earned his Green Beret in 2005.
“He kept us laughing constantly,” Whitt said.
Army Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Townsend was killed in a non-combat related incident on 01/16/09.
Army Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Townsend, 30, of Solvang, Calif.
SSgt. Townsend was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg , N.C.; died Jan. 16, 2009 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident.
Townsend ‘was proud … to serve his country’
The Associated Press
While at basic training or later trying to make the Special Forces, Joshua R. Townsend wouldn’t — couldn’t — give up.
“While many guys were quitting because of the absence of comfort, Josh pushed through the pain and completed the course,” said Rusty Whitt, a fellow soldier.
Townsend, 30, of Solvang, Calif., died Jan. 16 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, of wounds from non-combat related causes. He was a 1997 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Bragg.
In his Facebook profile, Townsend wrote that he enjoyed playing with his three Pug dogs, going to the movies, working on his house and “most of all, spending time with my wife Rachel.”
He loved to listen to his wife singing and playing the guitar, enjoyed Play Station 3 and was a fan of the History Channel.
“He was a fearless, red-bearded Viking with a devil-may-care attitude who was proud and motivated to serve his country,” Whitt said.
Townsend attended Santa Barbara City College and Hancock Community College. He joined the Army in 2003, was a Special Forces weapons sergeant and earned his Green Beret in 2005.
“He kept us laughing constantly,” Whitt said.
Army Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Townsend was killed in a non-combat related incident on 01/16/09.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Marine Lance Cpl. Jessie A. Cassada
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Lance Cpl. Jessie A. Cassada, 19, of Hendersonville, N.C.
LCpl. Cassada was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 6, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines held special allure for Cassada
The Associated Press
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Clark said it was the Marines or bust for Jessie A. Cassada.
“No other branch of service was going to satisfy him. It was hard for him to finish his education, but he did it because he was determined to get in the Marine Corps,” said Clark, Cassada’s JROTC instructor.
Cassada, 19, of Hendersonville, N.C., died Jan. 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was a 2007 high school graduate and was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
“He would give his right arm for anyone,” said a friend, Todd Garren.
He is survived by his stepfather, Carroll London, and mother, Patricia Cassada.
“He was outgoing, he loved fishing and loved his family — he loved everyone,” his mother said. “He didn’t have a bad bone in his body.”
On a visit home last spring, the young Marine spoke to a few classes and gave them advice. “Pay attention to what teachers tell you because it’s not as easy you might think it is out there,” Cassada told them.
“He was a fine young man, and I would like the world to know that he was always a patriot and a good kid,” said Joyce Pruitt, a teacher.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jessie A. Cassada was killed in action on 01/06/09.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jessie A. Cassada, 19, of Hendersonville, N.C.
LCpl. Cassada was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 6, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines held special allure for Cassada
The Associated Press
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Clark said it was the Marines or bust for Jessie A. Cassada.
“No other branch of service was going to satisfy him. It was hard for him to finish his education, but he did it because he was determined to get in the Marine Corps,” said Clark, Cassada’s JROTC instructor.
Cassada, 19, of Hendersonville, N.C., died Jan. 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was a 2007 high school graduate and was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
“He would give his right arm for anyone,” said a friend, Todd Garren.
He is survived by his stepfather, Carroll London, and mother, Patricia Cassada.
“He was outgoing, he loved fishing and loved his family — he loved everyone,” his mother said. “He didn’t have a bad bone in his body.”
On a visit home last spring, the young Marine spoke to a few classes and gave them advice. “Pay attention to what teachers tell you because it’s not as easy you might think it is out there,” Cassada told them.
“He was a fine young man, and I would like the world to know that he was always a patriot and a good kid,” said Joyce Pruitt, a teacher.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jessie A. Cassada was killed in action on 01/06/09.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Marine Lance Cpl. Alberto Francesconi
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Lance Cpl. Alberto Francesconi, 21, of Bronx, N.Y.
LCpl. Francesconi was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 1, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Ex-banker wanted to be pilot
The Associated Press
Alberto Francesconi graduated high school in 2005 and then got a job with Bank of America. At 18, he was a personal banker.
“But he always wanted to be a pilot and ‘What better foundation than the military,’ he used to say,” said his wife, Cynthia Francesconi. “He always wanted to strive a little bit more — to make it easier for his family.”
Francesconi, 21, of New York City, died Jan. 1 during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
He and his wife, teenage sweethearts who grew up two blocks from each other, were married in December 2006. They planned to start a family when he returned home from his second tour in June, ending four years of combat duty. Francesconi saw action in Iraq for six months in 2007.
“He will be missed,” said Marine Cpl. Alfonso Matos, who served with Francesconi in Iraq. “He was motivated, dedicated. He loved what he did. He was a good kid.”
“This is especially hard for me, losing Albert, because he pretty much followed in my footsteps,” said Robert Rivera, Francesconi’s older brother and a Navy reservist. “We did everything together.”
Marine Lance Cpl. Alberto Francesconi was killed in action on 01/01/09.
Larger Images
Marine Lance Cpl. Alberto Francesconi, 21, of Bronx, N.Y.
LCpl. Francesconi was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 1, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Ex-banker wanted to be pilot
The Associated Press
Alberto Francesconi graduated high school in 2005 and then got a job with Bank of America. At 18, he was a personal banker.
“But he always wanted to be a pilot and ‘What better foundation than the military,’ he used to say,” said his wife, Cynthia Francesconi. “He always wanted to strive a little bit more — to make it easier for his family.”
Francesconi, 21, of New York City, died Jan. 1 during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
He and his wife, teenage sweethearts who grew up two blocks from each other, were married in December 2006. They planned to start a family when he returned home from his second tour in June, ending four years of combat duty. Francesconi saw action in Iraq for six months in 2007.
“He will be missed,” said Marine Cpl. Alfonso Matos, who served with Francesconi in Iraq. “He was motivated, dedicated. He loved what he did. He was a good kid.”
“This is especially hard for me, losing Albert, because he pretty much followed in my footsteps,” said Robert Rivera, Francesconi’s older brother and a Navy reservist. “We did everything together.”
Marine Lance Cpl. Alberto Francesconi was killed in action on 01/01/09.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Army Spc. Tony J. Gonzales
Remember Our Heroes
Army Spc. Tony J. Gonzales, 20, of Newman, Calif.
Spc. Gonzales was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany, died Dec. 28, 2008 in Sadr City, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.
Spc. slain in Iraq was ‘perfect gentleman’
The Associated Press
The youngest of four children, Tony J. Gonzales went along with almost anything his older sisters wanted him to do. When he was about 8 years old, he would play dress-up with them or would let them tie him to his dad’s desk chair and spin him around.
“Until he got bigger than us, he couldn’t do anything about it,” said Tammy Runzel, one of his three sisters.
Gonzales, 20, of Newman, Calif., died Dec. 28 in Sadr City when a bomb detonated near his vehicle. He was a 2006 high school graduate and was assigned to Baumholder, Germany.
“He wanted to go there to help out his country,” Runzel said. “He had such a great attitude while he was over there. He was proud of what he was doing.”
He grew up to become a perfect gentleman. His sisters said he always reached to open a door for a lady and always grabbed the dinner check.
He wanted to be just like his dad, who retired after working 26 years for the Los Gatos police. The Gonzales’ plan was to finish his service with the Army and come back to join the Los Gatos Police Department.
He also is survived by his mother, Marylynn.
Army Spc. Tony J. Gonzales was killed in action on 12/28/08.
Larger Images
Army Spc. Tony J. Gonzales, 20, of Newman, Calif.
Spc. Gonzales was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany, died Dec. 28, 2008 in Sadr City, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.
Spc. slain in Iraq was ‘perfect gentleman’
The Associated Press
The youngest of four children, Tony J. Gonzales went along with almost anything his older sisters wanted him to do. When he was about 8 years old, he would play dress-up with them or would let them tie him to his dad’s desk chair and spin him around.
“Until he got bigger than us, he couldn’t do anything about it,” said Tammy Runzel, one of his three sisters.
Gonzales, 20, of Newman, Calif., died Dec. 28 in Sadr City when a bomb detonated near his vehicle. He was a 2006 high school graduate and was assigned to Baumholder, Germany.
“He wanted to go there to help out his country,” Runzel said. “He had such a great attitude while he was over there. He was proud of what he was doing.”
He grew up to become a perfect gentleman. His sisters said he always reached to open a door for a lady and always grabbed the dinner check.
He wanted to be just like his dad, who retired after working 26 years for the Los Gatos police. The Gonzales’ plan was to finish his service with the Army and come back to join the Los Gatos Police Department.
He also is survived by his mother, Marylynn.
Army Spc. Tony J. Gonzales was killed in action on 12/28/08.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Army Spc. Stephen M. Okray
Remember Our Heroes
Army Spc. Stephen M. Okray, 21, of St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Spc. Okray was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Dec. 24, 2008 in Southern Iraq of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith and Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik.
2 soldiers from Michigan remembered for devotion
The Associated Press
Two soldiers from Michigan who were among three who died when their vehicle crashed on Christmas Eve in Baghdad are being remembered by relatives for their devotion to their families.
The Department of Defense on Friday identified the soldiers as Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith, 28, of Grand Rapids; Spc. Stephen M. Okray, 21, of St. Clair Shores; and Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik, 19, of Broken Arrow, Okla.
Bobbi Jo Smith told The Detroit News that her husband was an entertainer who loved to hold parties and grill briskets and ribs.
“He really lived for his family. He was that kind of guy,” Bobbi Jo said of her husband, who leaves behind a 15-month-old son.
Smith’s parents are Pastor Virgil Glenn and Donna Smith of the Evangelife Assembly of God Church near Bad Axe, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
Okray’s aunt, Denise Okray, said her nephew loved to hunt and fish.
“When someone was worried or felt like there was a problem, he was like, ‘Shrug it off; it’s OK,”’ Denise Okray told The News. “He was always family-oriented.”
Zapasnik’s mother, Chris Zapasnik, said her son’s company commander told her that he and the two Michigan soldiers were riding in a Humvee when part of a road collapsed, sending the vehicle into a canal. All three were dead when they were pulled from the water several minutes after the crash, Chris Zapasnik told the Tulsa World.
The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Spc. remembered for big heart, risky stunts
The Associated Press
Jeff Okray remembers his brother, Stephen, as a kid building a 15-foot ramp so he could jump over a bush with his BMX bike in their backyard.
The jump failed, but as usual when Stephen Okray tried one of his risky stunts, he didn’t get hurt.
“He never got hurt, he always just bounced,” Jeff Okray said with a chuckle.
Okray, 21, of St. Clair Shores, Mich., died Dec. 24 in Baghdad of injuries from a vehicle roll-over. He was assigned to Fort Carson.
“He was a good kid. Growing up, he had a big heart,” said Okray’s uncle, Dan Okray. “He walked in the room, and it glowed.”
He joined the Army in 2005 and went on to serve in South Korea before deploying to Iraq in September. He loved hunting, fishing, cars and motorcycles.
“It was just a tragic ending to a good kid. Be it here or there. It was tragic either way,” his uncle said.
Jeff Okray said he didn’t know the root of his brother’s devotion to the military.
“We’re not a big military family, and no one was pushing him to do it,” he said. “He had something in him that he wanted to do it.”
He also is survived by his parents, Harry and Mary Beth.
Army Spc. Stephen M. Okray was killed in action on 12/24/08.
Army Spc. Stephen M. Okray, 21, of St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Spc. Okray was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Dec. 24, 2008 in Southern Iraq of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith and Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik.
2 soldiers from Michigan remembered for devotion
The Associated Press
Two soldiers from Michigan who were among three who died when their vehicle crashed on Christmas Eve in Baghdad are being remembered by relatives for their devotion to their families.
The Department of Defense on Friday identified the soldiers as Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith, 28, of Grand Rapids; Spc. Stephen M. Okray, 21, of St. Clair Shores; and Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik, 19, of Broken Arrow, Okla.
Bobbi Jo Smith told The Detroit News that her husband was an entertainer who loved to hold parties and grill briskets and ribs.
“He really lived for his family. He was that kind of guy,” Bobbi Jo said of her husband, who leaves behind a 15-month-old son.
Smith’s parents are Pastor Virgil Glenn and Donna Smith of the Evangelife Assembly of God Church near Bad Axe, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
Okray’s aunt, Denise Okray, said her nephew loved to hunt and fish.
“When someone was worried or felt like there was a problem, he was like, ‘Shrug it off; it’s OK,”’ Denise Okray told The News. “He was always family-oriented.”
Zapasnik’s mother, Chris Zapasnik, said her son’s company commander told her that he and the two Michigan soldiers were riding in a Humvee when part of a road collapsed, sending the vehicle into a canal. All three were dead when they were pulled from the water several minutes after the crash, Chris Zapasnik told the Tulsa World.
The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Spc. remembered for big heart, risky stunts
The Associated Press
Jeff Okray remembers his brother, Stephen, as a kid building a 15-foot ramp so he could jump over a bush with his BMX bike in their backyard.
The jump failed, but as usual when Stephen Okray tried one of his risky stunts, he didn’t get hurt.
“He never got hurt, he always just bounced,” Jeff Okray said with a chuckle.
Okray, 21, of St. Clair Shores, Mich., died Dec. 24 in Baghdad of injuries from a vehicle roll-over. He was assigned to Fort Carson.
“He was a good kid. Growing up, he had a big heart,” said Okray’s uncle, Dan Okray. “He walked in the room, and it glowed.”
He joined the Army in 2005 and went on to serve in South Korea before deploying to Iraq in September. He loved hunting, fishing, cars and motorcycles.
“It was just a tragic ending to a good kid. Be it here or there. It was tragic either way,” his uncle said.
Jeff Okray said he didn’t know the root of his brother’s devotion to the military.
“We’re not a big military family, and no one was pushing him to do it,” he said. “He had something in him that he wanted to do it.”
He also is survived by his parents, Harry and Mary Beth.
Army Spc. Stephen M. Okray was killed in action on 12/24/08.
Army Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik
Remember Our Heroes
Army Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik, 19, of Broken Arrow, Okla.
Spc. Zapasnik was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Dec. 24, 2008 in Southern Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed were Spc. Stephen. M. Okray and Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith.
Okla. soldier killed in accident in Iraq
The Associated Press
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — A soldier from Broken Arrow has died after his military vehicle rolled off a collapsed road in Iraq and into a canal.
Cpl. Stephen Zapasnik was one of three soldiers killed in the accident Wednesday in southern Iraq, according to his mother, Chris Zapasnik. The Defense Department has confirmed the three deaths, but has not released the soldiers’ names.
“He said, ‘Mom, if I ever don’t come back, you know I will always be with you, and I will be with Jesus, and I will be fine,’” Chris Zapasnik told the Tulsa World. “I know that he’s perfectly safe and spending Christmas up there with Jesus.”
Zapasnik said her 19-year-old son was due to return home for his mid-tour leave on Jan. 15. He last spoke with the family on Dec. 17 to check on his ailing father, Gary, who has been hospitalized.
His condition would have allowed Zapasnik to take an early leave.
“I was afraid if I did (have him come home) that I would wreck his rhythm over there and cause him to get hurt,” Chris Zapasnik told the newspaper.
Funeral services are not yet finalized, but Chris Zapasnik said her son will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Zapasnik was assigned to Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. He and two other men were riding in a Humvee when part of a road collapsed, sending the vehicle into a canal, his mother said, relaying the details provided by her son’s company commander. All three men were dead when they were pulled from the water several minutes after the crash.
Army representatives wearing dress greens arrived at the family’s home in Broken Arrow later Wednesday to deliver the news.
Zapasnik said her son enlisted at age 17 and did his basic training at Fort Sill, intending to fight in Iraq.
“He just said, ‘Mom, I need to go over there and take care of things, because if I don’t, who else will?’” she said.
Town mourns soldier killed in Humvee crash
The Associated Press
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Friends and family members remembered a Broken Arrow soldier who died in an accident in Iraq on Christmas Eve as a chubby kid who lost weight to get into the Army.
Stephen Zapasnik, 19, and two fellow soldiers were killed after their Humvee crashed into a canal after a road collapse.
Friends and loved ones gathered Friday at Centennial Middle School in Broken Arrow to say goodbye to Zapasnik. A picture on his casket showed him in uniform, striking a funny pose. It was an image reflected by those who spoke of the teenager who attended Broken Arrow schools.
His brother, Chris Zapasnik, said he regrets he didn’t get the chance to tell his brother just how much he loved and admired him. He said his brother volunteered to man the machine gun on top of his Humvee, a dangerous job because the gunner is an exposed target in a firefight.
“Stephen didn’t have to be a turret gunner,” Chris Zapasnik said. “He is a true American hero.”
Chaplain Greg Bilbruck read e-mails Zapasnik’s family got after his death, including many from soldiers who served with him and their loved ones.
A woman who was married to Zapasnik’s sergeant wrote that she and her husband took him in like a younger brother.
One Thanksgiving, Zapasnik came to their home to eat, and the woman listened as he talked about losing 100 pounds to get into the Army. She then watched him eat several plates of food and pieces of pie, and joked with him that he would be 300 pounds again if he stayed at her house much longer.
“He was an outstanding soldier and a wonderful man,” the woman wrote. “I hope Zap knew how much he was loved.”
Bilbruck told the crowd that Zapasnik was following The Soldier’s Creed, an oath that Army soldiers live by. The creed states that a soldier places the mission first, never accepting defeat and never leaving a fallen comrade.
“That’s what he was doing ,” Bilbruck said. “He gave up his life for our freedom.”
Zapasnik will be buried next week at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Spc. remembered for honesty, faith, kindness
The Associated Press
Stephen G. Zapasnik’s brother, Christopher, called Zapasnik a true American hero because he lived to serve his country.
“He always made me laugh,” the brother said, but also noted that what made his brother great was his “honesty, his faith and his kindness.”
“He always had my back,” the brother said.
Zapasnik, 19, of Broken Arrow, Okla., died Dec. 24 in Baghdad of injuries from a vehicle roll-over. He was assigned to Fort Carson.
He joined the Army when he was 17 and did his basic training at Fort Sill, Chris Zapasnik said. More than anything, he wanted to fight in Iraq.
“He just said, ‘Mom, I need to go over there and take care of things, because if I don’t, who else will?’” said his mother, Chris.
He also is survived by his father, Gary.
The family always knew there was a good chance that he would lose his life in Iraq.
“He said, ‘Mom, if I ever don’t come back, you know I will always be with you, and I will be with Jesus, and I will be fine,’” Chris Zapasnik said. “I know that he’s perfectly safe and spending Christmas up there with Jesus.”
Army Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik was killed in action on 12/24/08.
Army Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik, 19, of Broken Arrow, Okla.
Spc. Zapasnik was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Dec. 24, 2008 in Southern Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed were Spc. Stephen. M. Okray and Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith.
Okla. soldier killed in accident in Iraq
The Associated Press
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — A soldier from Broken Arrow has died after his military vehicle rolled off a collapsed road in Iraq and into a canal.
Cpl. Stephen Zapasnik was one of three soldiers killed in the accident Wednesday in southern Iraq, according to his mother, Chris Zapasnik. The Defense Department has confirmed the three deaths, but has not released the soldiers’ names.
“He said, ‘Mom, if I ever don’t come back, you know I will always be with you, and I will be with Jesus, and I will be fine,’” Chris Zapasnik told the Tulsa World. “I know that he’s perfectly safe and spending Christmas up there with Jesus.”
Zapasnik said her 19-year-old son was due to return home for his mid-tour leave on Jan. 15. He last spoke with the family on Dec. 17 to check on his ailing father, Gary, who has been hospitalized.
His condition would have allowed Zapasnik to take an early leave.
“I was afraid if I did (have him come home) that I would wreck his rhythm over there and cause him to get hurt,” Chris Zapasnik told the newspaper.
Funeral services are not yet finalized, but Chris Zapasnik said her son will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Zapasnik was assigned to Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. He and two other men were riding in a Humvee when part of a road collapsed, sending the vehicle into a canal, his mother said, relaying the details provided by her son’s company commander. All three men were dead when they were pulled from the water several minutes after the crash.
Army representatives wearing dress greens arrived at the family’s home in Broken Arrow later Wednesday to deliver the news.
Zapasnik said her son enlisted at age 17 and did his basic training at Fort Sill, intending to fight in Iraq.
“He just said, ‘Mom, I need to go over there and take care of things, because if I don’t, who else will?’” she said.
Town mourns soldier killed in Humvee crash
The Associated Press
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Friends and family members remembered a Broken Arrow soldier who died in an accident in Iraq on Christmas Eve as a chubby kid who lost weight to get into the Army.
Stephen Zapasnik, 19, and two fellow soldiers were killed after their Humvee crashed into a canal after a road collapse.
Friends and loved ones gathered Friday at Centennial Middle School in Broken Arrow to say goodbye to Zapasnik. A picture on his casket showed him in uniform, striking a funny pose. It was an image reflected by those who spoke of the teenager who attended Broken Arrow schools.
His brother, Chris Zapasnik, said he regrets he didn’t get the chance to tell his brother just how much he loved and admired him. He said his brother volunteered to man the machine gun on top of his Humvee, a dangerous job because the gunner is an exposed target in a firefight.
“Stephen didn’t have to be a turret gunner,” Chris Zapasnik said. “He is a true American hero.”
Chaplain Greg Bilbruck read e-mails Zapasnik’s family got after his death, including many from soldiers who served with him and their loved ones.
A woman who was married to Zapasnik’s sergeant wrote that she and her husband took him in like a younger brother.
One Thanksgiving, Zapasnik came to their home to eat, and the woman listened as he talked about losing 100 pounds to get into the Army. She then watched him eat several plates of food and pieces of pie, and joked with him that he would be 300 pounds again if he stayed at her house much longer.
“He was an outstanding soldier and a wonderful man,” the woman wrote. “I hope Zap knew how much he was loved.”
Bilbruck told the crowd that Zapasnik was following The Soldier’s Creed, an oath that Army soldiers live by. The creed states that a soldier places the mission first, never accepting defeat and never leaving a fallen comrade.
“That’s what he was doing ,” Bilbruck said. “He gave up his life for our freedom.”
Zapasnik will be buried next week at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Spc. remembered for honesty, faith, kindness
The Associated Press
Stephen G. Zapasnik’s brother, Christopher, called Zapasnik a true American hero because he lived to serve his country.
“He always made me laugh,” the brother said, but also noted that what made his brother great was his “honesty, his faith and his kindness.”
“He always had my back,” the brother said.
Zapasnik, 19, of Broken Arrow, Okla., died Dec. 24 in Baghdad of injuries from a vehicle roll-over. He was assigned to Fort Carson.
He joined the Army when he was 17 and did his basic training at Fort Sill, Chris Zapasnik said. More than anything, he wanted to fight in Iraq.
“He just said, ‘Mom, I need to go over there and take care of things, because if I don’t, who else will?’” said his mother, Chris.
He also is survived by his father, Gary.
The family always knew there was a good chance that he would lose his life in Iraq.
“He said, ‘Mom, if I ever don’t come back, you know I will always be with you, and I will be with Jesus, and I will be fine,’” Chris Zapasnik said. “I know that he’s perfectly safe and spending Christmas up there with Jesus.”
Army Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik was killed in action on 12/24/08.
Army Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith
Remember Our Heroes
Army Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith, 28, of Grand Rapids, Mich.
SSgt Smith was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Dec. 24, 2008 in Southern Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed were Spc. Stephen. M. Okray and Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik.
2 soldiers from Michigan remembered for devotion
The Associated Press
Two soldiers from Michigan who were among three who died when their vehicle crashed on Christmas Eve in Baghdad are being remembered by relatives for their devotion to their families.
The Department of Defense on Friday identified the soldiers as Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith, 28, of Grand Rapids; Spc. Stephen M. Okray, 21, of St. Clair Shores; and Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik, 19, of Broken Arrow, Okla.
Bobbi Jo Smith told The Detroit News that her husband was an entertainer who loved to hold parties and grill briskets and ribs.
“He really lived for his family. He was that kind of guy,” Bobbi Jo said of her husband, who leaves behind a 15-month-old son.
Smith’s parents are Pastor Virgil Glenn and Donna Smith of the Evangelife Assembly of God Church near Bad Axe, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
Okray’s aunt, Denise Okray, said her nephew loved to hunt and fish.
“When someone was worried or felt like there was a problem, he was like, ‘Shrug it off; it’s OK,”’ Denise Okray told The News. “He was always family-oriented.”
Zapasnik’s mother, Chris Zapasnik, said her son’s company commander told her that he and the two Michigan soldiers were riding in a Humvee when part of a road collapsed, sending the vehicle into a canal. All three were dead when they were pulled from the water several minutes after the crash, Chris Zapasnik told the Tulsa World.
The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Staff sgt. remembered as outdoorsman, good cook
The Associated Press
Christopher G. Smith took two years of classes at Kellogg Community College, studying for a possible sports medicine career and playing soccer there, before enlisting in the Army in May 2001.
Virgil Smith knew his son was looking for “something big and exciting” to do with his life, but said he never anticipated him joining the Army.
“Chris was such his own man in that way,” Virgil Smith said. “He was very thoughtful in what he would do and once he made a decision, that was it.”
Smith, 28, of Grand Rapids, Mich., died Dec. 24 in Baghdad of injuries from a vehicle roll-over. He was a 1999 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Carson.
Smith, who was on his second tour in Iraq, was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and was an avid University of Michigan fan. He enjoyed socializing and cooking for large groups. He even thought about going to culinary school at one point.
“He cooked literally for 30 to 40 people at a time. He just enjoyed that,” his father said.
He also is survived by his wife, Bobbi Jo, and their 15-month-old son, Adler
Army Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith was killed in action on 12/24/08.
Larger Images
Army Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith, 28, of Grand Rapids, Mich.
SSgt Smith was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Dec. 24, 2008 in Southern Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed were Spc. Stephen. M. Okray and Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik.
2 soldiers from Michigan remembered for devotion
The Associated Press
Two soldiers from Michigan who were among three who died when their vehicle crashed on Christmas Eve in Baghdad are being remembered by relatives for their devotion to their families.
The Department of Defense on Friday identified the soldiers as Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith, 28, of Grand Rapids; Spc. Stephen M. Okray, 21, of St. Clair Shores; and Spc. Stephen G. Zapasnik, 19, of Broken Arrow, Okla.
Bobbi Jo Smith told The Detroit News that her husband was an entertainer who loved to hold parties and grill briskets and ribs.
“He really lived for his family. He was that kind of guy,” Bobbi Jo said of her husband, who leaves behind a 15-month-old son.
Smith’s parents are Pastor Virgil Glenn and Donna Smith of the Evangelife Assembly of God Church near Bad Axe, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
Okray’s aunt, Denise Okray, said her nephew loved to hunt and fish.
“When someone was worried or felt like there was a problem, he was like, ‘Shrug it off; it’s OK,”’ Denise Okray told The News. “He was always family-oriented.”
Zapasnik’s mother, Chris Zapasnik, said her son’s company commander told her that he and the two Michigan soldiers were riding in a Humvee when part of a road collapsed, sending the vehicle into a canal. All three were dead when they were pulled from the water several minutes after the crash, Chris Zapasnik told the Tulsa World.
The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Staff sgt. remembered as outdoorsman, good cook
The Associated Press
Christopher G. Smith took two years of classes at Kellogg Community College, studying for a possible sports medicine career and playing soccer there, before enlisting in the Army in May 2001.
Virgil Smith knew his son was looking for “something big and exciting” to do with his life, but said he never anticipated him joining the Army.
“Chris was such his own man in that way,” Virgil Smith said. “He was very thoughtful in what he would do and once he made a decision, that was it.”
Smith, 28, of Grand Rapids, Mich., died Dec. 24 in Baghdad of injuries from a vehicle roll-over. He was a 1999 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Carson.
Smith, who was on his second tour in Iraq, was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and was an avid University of Michigan fan. He enjoyed socializing and cooking for large groups. He even thought about going to culinary school at one point.
“He cooked literally for 30 to 40 people at a time. He just enjoyed that,” his father said.
He also is survived by his wife, Bobbi Jo, and their 15-month-old son, Adler
Army Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Smith was killed in action on 12/24/08.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Army Pvt. Colman J. Meadows III
Remember Our Heroes
Army Pvt. Colman J. Meadows III, 19, of Senoia, Ga.
Pvt Meadows was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Dec. 16, 2008 at Forward Operating Base Ramrod, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
PV2 Colman J. Meadows III, 19, of Senoia, Georgia, a 2007 graduate of Northgate High School. He was known to everyone as Joseph.
He joined the Army on January 22, 2008, and took his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Currently he was assigned to Military Intelligence as a special electronic devices repairer as part of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas.
Deployed to Afghanistan, he died at Forward Operating Base Ramrod, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
He is survived by his mother, Kelley Hooper and her husband Michael of Sharpsburg; father, Coleman Meadows, Jr. of Jonesboro; half-brother, Montana Meadows of Jonesboro; grandparents, Mary Ann Gobelle and her husband Dave of Scotsdale, AZ; Ken Fore and his wife Cathi of Colorado Springs, CO; Pat Meadows of Jonesboro; George Hooper and his wife Rosemary of Andover, KS; Aunts, Heather Hooper of Edwardsville IL, Theresa Hooper of Andover, KS; Uncles, John Fore and his wife Kim of Sharpsburg, Bud Fore and his wife Nicall of Luthersville, Warren Meadows of Jonesboro, and numerous cousins.
Colman with his "Grammy" (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=32258132)
Army Pvt. Colman J. Meadows III was killed in a non-combat related incident on 12/16/08.
Army Pvt. Colman J. Meadows III, 19, of Senoia, Ga.
Pvt Meadows was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Dec. 16, 2008 at Forward Operating Base Ramrod, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
PV2 Colman J. Meadows III, 19, of Senoia, Georgia, a 2007 graduate of Northgate High School. He was known to everyone as Joseph.
He joined the Army on January 22, 2008, and took his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Currently he was assigned to Military Intelligence as a special electronic devices repairer as part of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas.
Deployed to Afghanistan, he died at Forward Operating Base Ramrod, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
He is survived by his mother, Kelley Hooper and her husband Michael of Sharpsburg; father, Coleman Meadows, Jr. of Jonesboro; half-brother, Montana Meadows of Jonesboro; grandparents, Mary Ann Gobelle and her husband Dave of Scotsdale, AZ; Ken Fore and his wife Cathi of Colorado Springs, CO; Pat Meadows of Jonesboro; George Hooper and his wife Rosemary of Andover, KS; Aunts, Heather Hooper of Edwardsville IL, Theresa Hooper of Andover, KS; Uncles, John Fore and his wife Kim of Sharpsburg, Bud Fore and his wife Nicall of Luthersville, Warren Meadows of Jonesboro, and numerous cousins.
Colman with his "Grammy" (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=32258132)
Army Pvt. Colman J. Meadows III was killed in a non-combat related incident on 12/16/08.
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