2014

November 2014 Casualties

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We remember these recent heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael A. Cathcart, 31, of Bay City, MI, died Nov. 14, in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, of wounds received from small arms fire while on dismounted combat operations.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.

Sgt. Maj. Wardell B. Turner, 48, of Nanticoke, MD, died Nov. 24, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his vehicle with a vehicle borne improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to Headquarters, United States Army Garrison, Fort Drum, NY.

Spc. Joseph W. Riley, 27, of Grove City, OH, died Nov. 24, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his vehicle with a vehicle borne improvised explosive device.   He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC.

October 2014 Casualties

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We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Maj. Jonathan D. Walker, 44, of Merriam, KS, died Oct. 1, in Doha, Qatar, of a non-combat related incident at Camp As Sayliyah. The incident is under investigation. He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.

Cpl. Jordan L. Spears, 21, of Memphis, IN, was lost at sea Oct. 1 while conducting flight operations in the North Arabian Gulf.   He was assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-163, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA.

Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal, 19, of Riverside, CA, died Oct. 23, in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. The incident is under investigation.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, whose headquarters element deploys from Camp Pendleton, CA.

Cmdr. Christopher E. Kalafut, 49, of Oceanside, CA, died Oct. 24, in Doha, Qatar, of a non-combat related incident at Al Udeid Air Base. The incident is under investigation. He was assigned to Naval Amphibious Liaison Element, Combined Forces Air Component Center, U.S. Central Command.

September 2014 casualties

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We remember this month these five heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Spc. Brian K. Arsenault, 28, of Northborough, MA, died Sept. 4, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his unit was engaged by enemy small-arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC.

Sgt. Charles C. Strong, 28, of Suffolk, VA, died Sept. 15, in Herat Province, Afghanistan while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Maj. Michael J. Donahue, 41, of Columbus, OH, died Sept. 16, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an enemy attack.  He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC.

Stephen Byus, 39, of Reynoldsburg, OH, died Sept. 16, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an enemy attack.  He was a member of the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime in Columbus, OH, working as a supply specialist, and assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan while deployed.

Sgt. 1st Class Andrew T. Weathers, 30, of DeRidder, LA, died Sept. 30, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from wounds sustained when the enemy attacked his unit with small arms fire Sept. 28, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

July 2014 Casualties

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We remember these four heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villotcarrasco, 23, of Parma, OH, died as a result of a non-hostile incident June 19 aboard USS James E. Williams (DDG-95) while the ship was underway in the Red Sea.

Pfc. Donnell A. Hamilton, Jr., 20, of Kenosha, WI, died July 24, at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, from an illness sustained in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

Staff Sgt. Benjamin G. Prange, 30, of Hickman, NE, died July 24, in Mirugol Kalay, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

Pfc. Keith M. Williams, 19, of Visalia, CA, died July 24, in Mirugol Kalay, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

June 2014 Casualties

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We remember these 12 heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Capt. Jason B. Jones, 29, of Orwigsburg, PA, died June 2, in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, of wounds received from small-arms. The incident is under investigation. He was assigned 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.

Pfc. Matthew H. Walker, 20, of Hillsboro, MO died June 5, in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by enemy fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY.

Spc. Terry J. Hurne, 34, of Merced, CA, died June 9, in Logar province, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY.

Staff Sgt. Scott R. Studenmund, 24, of Pasadena, California; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, KY.

Staff Sgt. Jason A. McDonald, 28, of Butler, GA; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, KY.

Spc. Justin R. Helton, 25, of Beaver, OH; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 18th Ordnance Company, 192nd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Bragg, NC.

Cpl. Justin R. Clouse, 22, of Sprague, WA; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

Pvt. 2nd Class Aaron S. Toppen, 19, of Mokena, IL; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

Staff Sgt. David H. Stewart, 34, of Stafford, VA, died June 20, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Cpl. Brandon J. Garabrant, 19, of Peterborough, NH, died June 20, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Lance Cpl. Adam F. Wolff, 25, of Cedar Rapids, IA, died June 20, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Sgt. Thomas Z. Spitzer, 23, of New Braunfels, TX, died June 25 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.

May 2014 Casualties

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We remember these five heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Pfc. Daniela Rojas, 19, of Los Angeles, California, died May 3, in Homburg, Germany, due to a non-combat related illness.  She was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Chief Warrant Officer Deric M. Rasmussen, 33, of Oceanside, CA, died May 11, in Mazar E Sharif, Afghanistan, as the result of a non-combat incident. He was assigned to the Company C, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood, TX.

Command Sgt. Maj. Martin R Barreras, 49, of Tucson, AZ, died May 13, in San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, from wounds suffered on May 6, in Harat Province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, TX.

Spc Adrian M. Perkins, 19, of Pine Valley, California, died May 17, in Amman, Jordan, from a non-combat related injury.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

Pfc. Jacob H. Wykstra, 21, of Thornton, CO, died May 28, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained as a result of an aircraft accident. The incident is under investigation.  He was assigned 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

The Month of May is Designated “Honor and Remember Month”

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Military Fallen Heroes Recognized With Special Events and Celebrations

 Chesapeake, VA, March 2014 – Men and women who have died in military service to America will be the subject of a month of solemn ceremonies, special events and public recognition that will begin with the annual “Virginia Run for the Fallen,” a four-day, 245-mile tribute run from Fort Story in Virginia Beach to Arlington National Cemetery.

“The time has come to do more than set one day a year aside to pay tribute to the men and women of our armed services who have given their lives for America and to recognize the life-changing loss experienced by their families,” said George Lutz, founder of Honor and Remember, an organization dedicated to the establishment of a national symbol of remembrance and to presenting this special tribute to every family that has lost a loved one in military service. “Memorial Day is an important holiday,” said Lutz, “but I believe Gold Star Families, (families of the fallen) deserve more than a day that has become for many just an extra day off from work for shopping and having a barbecue.”

In addition to the Virginia Run for the Fallen, which will take place from May 1 to May 4 (see separate news release), America’s Honor and Remember Month,  Honor your Hometown Hero, will place a special emphasis on recognizing all fallen military by encouraging the families, friends and comrades, across the country to contact their local media outlets and submit information about their loved one with the hope that the media will do something each day of the month to recognize the sacrifice of that individual life. Likewise, businesses will be encouraged to create a display containing photos and information about fallen heroes from their town or neighborhood.

“I’d like to see every business, civic group, media outlet and neighborhood do something special every day of the month to pay tribute to the men and women who gave all in defense of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans,” said Lutz. “This is a real opportunity for everyone to make a positive statement about the cost of liberty.”

Honor and Remember, Inc. is a non-profit organization established to promote the Honor and Remember Flag. “America does not currently have a tangible public symbol that is specifically dedicated to express respect and gratitude for the lives lost in defense of our freedoms,” said Lutz. “The Honor and Remember Flag fills that void.”

About the Honor and Remember Flag

             The Honor and Remember Flag was unveiled at a ceremony on Memorial Day, May 26, 2008, at the MacArthur Memorial Museum in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. The mission of Honor and Remember is to create, establish and promote a nationally recognized flag that will fly continuously as a visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms. The flag honors all military lives lost from our nation’s inception, not only in action but also as a result of serving.

Personalized flags are regularly presented to individual families of fallen service members. Each personalized flag contains the name, theater of operation and date of death of the individual. The flags are presented at both private and public occasions.

Honor and Remember, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  For more information, please visit www.honorandremember.org.

February 2014 Casualties

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We remember these 7 heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

PFC Joshua A. Gray, 21, of Van Lear, KY, died Feb. 10, in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident currently under investigation.   He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY

SPC Christopher A. Landis, 27, of Independence, KY., died Feb. 10, on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from wounds received when the enemy attacked his dismounted patrol with a rocket propelled grenade in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC

SPC John A. Pelham, 22, of Portland, OR, died Feb. 12 in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was struck by enemy small arms fire.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC

SFC Roberto C. Skelt, 41, of York, FL, died Feb. 12 in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was struck by enemy small arms fire.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC

Master Sgt. Aaron C. Torian, 36, of Paducah, KY, died Feb. 15, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, NC

Lance Cpl. Caleb L. Erickson, 20, of Waseca, MN, died Feb. 28, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC

Master Sgt. David L. Poirier, 52, of North Smithfield, RI, died Feb. 28, from a non-combat related incident currently under investigation.  He was assigned to the 157th Operations Support Squadron, Pease Air National Guard Base, NH

January 2014 Casualties

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January 2014 Heroes

We remember these 7 heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Sgt. Jacob M. Hess, 22, of Spokane, Wash.,
Sgt. First Class William K. Lacey, 38, of Laurel, Fla.,
Chief Warrant Officer Andrew L. McAdams, 27, of Cheyenne, WY,
Sgt. Drew M. Scobie, 25, of Kailua, Hawaii,
Sgt. Daniel T. Lee, 28, of Crossville, Tenn.,
Spc. Andrew H. Sipple, 22, of Cary, NC,
Chief Warrant Officer Edward Balli, 42, of Monterey, Calif.