New Honored Fallen Heroes
SSG Bryan Burgess – USA – Oceanside, CA – DOD 03/29/2011
Bryan was born in Cleburne TX. Bryan joined the Army in 2003 inspired by fighting for our nation against terrorism. Bryan was sent to boot camp in Ft Benning GA. After boot camp Bryan was stationed at joint base Lewis McCord under the 2/4 Stryker Regiment. Bryan was deployed for the first time in 2004 to Iraq. After returning home he married the love of his life Tiffany Burgess in 2006. Bryan was deployed to Germany with his wife in tow. Bryan was assigned to the 4/2 Cav unit. Alot happened for Bryan he was married, stationed in a different country, had just had his first child with Tiffany, a beautiful daughter named Makya, and in 2008 he welcomed a beautiful son Zander. When he thought life was settling in, the Army did what it does best and kept him moving….he was deployed for the second time to Iraq and added a few months for measure making his deployment 15 months! As soon as the unit returned 2009 his family was returned to the states but this time to Ft Campbell KY under the prestigious 101st Airborne Division and the greatest unit known to man THE No Slack battalion! Bryan made family wherever he was and No Slack was no different. In 2010 No Slack was deployed to Afghanistan. It was a bad deployment, they all were but this one would prove to be different. Within 3 weeks from coming home the command had a mission, Strong Eagle III. Strong Eagle III was expected to take 24-48 hours to complete, sadly and with great losses the fight lasted nine days. Bryan lost his life on March 29th, 2011 during that mission. Bryan was honored to serve his country and loved his job. Bryan was an amazing husband, father and son! A hole will forever be in the hearts of the people he loved and touched.
SSgt Bryan Durman – USAF/Lexington Police – Versailles, KY – DOD 4/29/2010
Police Officer Bryan Joseph Durman was a 27-year-old father, husband, son, brother and friend. He loved warm chocolate chip cookies, the KY Wildcats, lifting weights, being a wrestling coach, and most of all being a dad. After working all night, he would still come to watch his son Brayden play tee ball on Saturday mornings. You would have thought it was a major league game, the way he paced back and forth by the dugout and cheered. His smile would light up as he embraced Brayden coming off the field.
Bryan served his country for 6 years in the United States Air Force, joining just before September 11th. He obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was a proud member of the Air Force Honor Guard. He was an Avionics Technician, working on heat-seeking technology systems for the F-15 and F-22 fighter jets. He was stationed in England, Iceland, and North Carolina before meeting his wife Brandy who was also in the Air Force. Bryan and Brandy had a whirlwind romance and dated for only three months before they got married in December 2004. Bryan was in his military uniform and Brandy was in a Christmas sweater. It wasn’t planned, but it was perfect. I guess when you know, you know!
Fast forward to 2005, Bryan and Brandy welcomed a son, Brayden. Bryan was a wonderful Dad and loved his son fiercely. When Brayden was only 9 months old, Bryan and Brandy were both deployed to the Middle East and Brayden had to go stay with his grandparents in KY. When Brandy and Bryan returned from deployment, Bryan said I do not want to renew my contract. I don’t want other people to raise our son. So, they both agreed at the end of their contracts that they would move back to Kentucky to raise Brayden.
Bryan moved back in 2007 to begin his career as a Lexington Police Officer. Brandy was still stationed in North Carolina while he was in the academy. During this time Bryan was a single dad to Brayden. Brandy commuted to Kentucky to see Bryan and Brayden often but had to fulfill her contract. Bryan’s academy classmates knew of his commitment to his son and what a great Dad he was. They knew that Brayden always came first. Bryan would read Brayden a story and sing him to sleep every night before studying with classmates for the police academy the next day. Bryan graduated from the academy in August of 2008 and Brandy moved back to Kentucky that summer.
Bryan loved being a police officer. If ever there was a person who was made for the job, it was him. He excelled as a patrolman, even earning a lifesaving award and many other letters of appreciation. He completed the Spanish Immersion Program to help him serve his community better. He was passionate about the job and all those who met him said he was kind and fair. His brothers and sisters in the department said he was always quick to back them up and always there when needed.
On April 29th, 2010, Bryan was dispatched to a very routine call, a noise complaint. When Bryan arrived, there was one person sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle playing loud music. Bryan began speaking to the person in the vehicle and had called for backup. At that time, a person unrelated to the call accelerated, purposefully hitting Bryan and killing him instantly. The offender had assaulted nine other officers prior to that night. He had said to several people that he was going to kill a cop one day and he made good on that promise.
The life of a young husband, father, son, brother, and friend was abruptly cut short that night just because of the uniform he wore. Bryan was so full of love, life, purpose, and determination. His memory lives on through all those who knew him.
MSgt Brandon Fountain – USAF – Niceville, FL – DOD 11/5/2023
Brandon, the eldest of seven children, was born on 13 October 1985 to Christopher and Kristine Fountain in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up in Eagle, Wisconsin, where he lived a true farm boy life. Growing up, he loved riding horses and had one of his own. Brandon also loved hunting and fishing. At a young age, he had a passion for rock music; his favorite bands were Alice in Chains, Nine Inch Nails, and White Zombie.
Although Brandon dreamed of becoming a professional hockey player in the NHL, he eagerly enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Specialist. Master Sergeant Fountain entered the Air Force in December 2004 and has previously served as United States Air Forces Europe’s first SERE and Personnel Recovery Air Advisor, 435th Contingency Response Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Superintendent of the USAFs only developmental test and evaluation parachutist program, 412th Operations Support Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California, and SERE Program Manager for the Korean Theater of Operations, 607th Air Operations Center, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Brandon most recently served as the SERE Superintendent assigned to 1st Special Operations Support Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida. He recently arrived from Special Operations Command Central as the Personnel Recovery Program Manager, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Additionally, he has deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. MSgt Fountain prided himself on his expertise and mission contributions as a jump master, master parachutist, and SERE specialist, accumulating 975 jumps while on Active Duty. This is where his true passion lay, amongst the BLUE SKIES! He proudly served our great nation for 18 years and 11 months.
Brandon was the definition of charismatic. His presence was strong and light, his electric smile could shift moods, and his love for life was tangible. Behind the clouds, there is always a blue sky. May we find him there, where he was happiest. He was a proud and loving father to Henry Fountain and cherished their adventures together. He was an amazing stepfather to Amelia, Piper, Clover, and Ridley Willford. Naturally, Brandon took the Willford girls in as his own. He was excitedly awaiting the birth of his son, Christian Brandon Erickson Fountain.
Brandon’s life will continue to be lived within the stories that family and friends share amongst each other. He will be remembered as a wonderful father and husband and become Christian’s first hero in life.
Brandon is survived by his wife, Kimberly Fountain, his two sons, Henry, and Christian Fountain, and his four stepdaughters, Amelia, Piper, Clover, and Ridley Willford.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one device
Air Force Commendation Medal with four devices
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with one device
Outstanding Unit Award with six devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2010 Commandant Award, Airman Leadership School, Fairchild AFB, Washington
2012 USAFE SERE NCO of the Year, Ramstein AB, Germany
2013 USAFE SERE NCO of the Year, Ramstein AB, Germany
2016 Distinguished Graduate, Vosler Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Peterson AFB,
Colorado
2016 AFMC SERE NCO of the Year, Edwards AFB, California
2018 412 TW, NCO of the 2nd Quarter, Edwards AFB, California
2018 412 OSS, NCO of the Year, Edwards AFB, California
2019 412 OG, SNCO of the 1st Quarter, Edwards AFB, California
2020 412 OG, SNCO of the 1st Quarter, Edwards AFB, California
2020 Air Force Test Center Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, Edwards AFB, California
2020 PACAF AFSPECWAR SERE SNCO of the Year, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
2021 SOCCENT AFSPECWAR SERE SNCO of the Year, MacDill AFB, Florida
Capt Zach Hollingsworth – USMC – Lebanon, OH – DOD 10/08/2021
Zachary (“Zach”) Lee Hollingsworth passed away on October 8, 2021, at the age of 35. Born on November 5, 1985, in Wilmington, Ohio to parents David and Lisa Hollingsworth, he is survived by Krista Hollingsworth, their son Jaxton Hollingsworth, brother Nate (Ann) Hollingsworth, sister Leah (Ayo) Ademiluyi, and maternal grandparents Patricia and Lee Smith. He was “Uncle Zach” to Traverse Hollingsworth, Amari Ademiluyi, Israel Ademiluyi, Zuriel Ademiluyi, and Selah Ademiluyi. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Carrie (“Granny”) and Don Hollingsworth.
“Beloved” will never truly encapsulate how family and friends will remember Zach. He was charismatic, loyal, loving, and kind. Zach’s joyful spirit and incredible sense of humor made everything more fun and colorful. He gave you his full attention, keyed into what you needed, and had a unique ability to make you feel good about yourself. He loved talking to people and many conversations would last for hours, ranging in topics from hunting and music to philosophy and psychology.
Zach was a protector, a natural-born leader, and an entrepreneur. His passion and self-motivation were inspiring, and he seemed to have an endless bank of ideas, many of which were centered around bringing people together and benefiting the greater good. His life was dedicated to serving others, particularly veterans and the most vulnerable or overlooked. He was an amazing father to four-year-old Jaxton, who was always right by his side while he scouted for deer or cleared a tree.
Zach was a very active kid who excelled in athletics, including as a member of his Knothole baseball team and the Wilmington City Schools basketball program. He attended Capitol University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and was a three-time Capitan on the basketball team.
His military career began after college at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. After his commission, he attended Field Artillery MOS School at Fort Sill, OK, and was part of the 1st Battalion 10th Marines, stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. He deployed in 2010 with Alpha Battery in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
After his active-duty military career, he taught history and coached basketball at Centerville High School, and then later went back to work for the military; this time as a Contracting Officer for the Department of Defense at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. While working full-time, he obtained his Master of Business Administration from Ohio University, which helped him co-found and launch Have a Shot of Freedom Whiskey Co. The company’s mission was always bigger than making great whiskey for Zach. Despite its success, he never took anything out of the business for himself. All profits were either reinvested back into the company or given away to help veteran causes. Freedom Whiskey was created to pay homage to those who served while honoring the individuals in all military branches who have toiled to make America great.
An avid outdoorsman, Zach felt most at peace out in the country or deep in the woods. We imagine him sitting around the campfire in Heaven, boots up, listening to George Strait with that big infectious smile on his face. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
CW2 Jennifer C Hunter – USA – Ovalo, TX – DOD 6/27/2015
Anyone who knew our daughter, CW2 Jennifer C. Hunter, could describe a woman with a loving energy who cherished her family, always showed a zest for life with her laughter and sense of humor, had a genuine smile that was contagious, made it easy for others to relate to her with her authentic personhood, consistently showed care and thoughtfulness for others, had a generosity without flair, a tenderness and compassion for others life concerns, an unassuming character who somehow always stood out for the depth of her faith and trust in a God who she felt blessed her without fail her entire life. Deploying 3 times to Iraq and being exposed to the burn pits did not dampen her resolve to faithfully serve her country regardless of cost. I miss her so…as does all her family. Just by knowing her she made and is making us better people even now.
On September 11, when the second plane hit, I immediately called my daughter, stationed at Ft. Sill, and told her America was under attack and wasn’t sure how widespread it was so please be careful and watch your surroundings. Her response was, “Sure Mom, okay.” Her call came a short time later, “Mom, they hit the Pentagon, the Army side.” And then a confession, “Mom, you know I love the boys with all my heart, but right now if they sent me, I’d go to the Pentagon, those are my people.” And then, “Remember in Naples when Dad left after being called in due to Desert Storm, I felt like he abandoned us, but now I understand why he left.”
It is truly inexpressible to capture the willingness of military members to give their all for each other and to understand the deeper sacredness of who they are for each other. They are called upon to reach their highest levels of performance in the sky, on the ground, and on the water in situations that most people could not imagine. They possess an inner strength to face fear and adversity with courage, a mental toughness to overcome obstacles and challenges with calculated self-confidence, and a stoic tactical awareness to see their duty completed, regardless of the cost. They do it for their families and only hope their families understand and have their back, even as they have each other’s back. And we had Jennifer’s back fully as she took care of her people, working to make sure they got home safe.
Our daughter told us in a hundred different ways after she came back from her deployments in Iraq why she did what she did, “Glad my boys can grow up free and not taught to hate at such a young age,” “Mom, the atrocities against women, I never want that for you.”
In her 15 years of military service, Jennifer was stationed in various places around the world including posts in the United States, Germany, Italy, and three tours in Iraq, and always gave her best wherever she landed. Her awards include a Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, six Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Army Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, an Army Service Ribbon and three overseas Service Ribbons.
Our Jennifer passed away Saturday, June 27, 2015, in Fort Carson, Colorado after suffering a slow agonizing, unbearable physical pain that racked her whole body. With a very rare brain cancer due to her exposure to burn pits on two different deployments to Iraq, even then she asked us not to hate the U.S. Army, so she signed up and gave an oath to do her duty, which she fulfilled as long as possible. Although the burn pits were abolished in 2010 due to the high incidence of rare cancers in our deployed military members, Jennifer had already made 2 of her 3 deployments. Her doctor, who worked with Special Ops and had seen this type of death more times than he wanted to, had the necessary paperwork to sign Jennifer up on the government burn pit registry.
Jennifer was born December 21, 1978, in Okinawa, Japan to us, Craig and Donna Kleman. After graduating from Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas, she enlisted in the United States Army on June 28, 2000, after participating in JROTC throughout her high school years, where she gleaned so many of the positive attributes that made her stand out in faithful service to and for her country and fellow military members. From her earliest years, she showed a keen interest in serving in the military. Two of her great-grandfathers served during WWII, her grandfather during the Vietnam War, and her father during Desert Storm. She was proud to carry on the military tradition of her family and would be even more so knowing the two young sons she left behind enlisted in the U.S. Army. One in the Signal Corps like his mother, and the other a Combat Medic—her influence on all her family, friends, and fellow soldiers continues even today.
SGT Alessandro Plutino – USA – Tybee Island, GA – DOD 8/8/2011
SGT Alessandro L. Plutino aka Sandrino by his family and friends was killed on 08 Aug 2011 in Paktia Province Afghanistan where his team was on the containment side of a direct action raid when they were attacked by the enemy. Although the enemy was vanquished, Sandrino was mortally wounded. He was on his 6th deployment, having served 3 deployments in Iraq and 2 others in Afghanistan. Sandrino was an Alpha Team leader in Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. His awards included the Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, 3 Army Commendation Medals,3 Army Good Conduct Medals 3 Army Achievement Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 2stars, Iraq Campaign Medals w/2 stars, GWOT Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon,2 Bronze Star Medals – 1 with V device, Meritorious Service Medal w/ V device and a Purple Heart.
He wrestled and played football at Pitman High School, Pitman, New Jersey, Western New England College in Springfield, MA., and Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA where he graduated with a degree in Criminology in 2005 and immediately proceeded to enlist. He enjoyed snowboarding, fishing, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his family and friends, especially his fiancée Natalie, the love of his life. He wondered why people would often “thank him” for just doing his job, one that he chose to do while “fully knowing the hazards of his chosen profession”. Sgt. Plutino is missed every day by his mother Dianne, father Sandro, sister Brennarae his fiancée Natalie, and many more family and friends.
SGT Jose Regalado – USA – Mesa, AZ – DOD 11/12/2008
My husband, Sergeant, Jose Regalado, was a first-generation Mexican American, born in El Serino, California. From an incredibly young age, Jose developed a love for our country and all of the opportunities he was given simply by living in the United States. Once in high school, Jose joined the JROTC program, knowing that he wanted to join the army after high school graduation. September 11, 2001, solidified his goal and he joined the United States Army immediately after high school. Jose and I met a few short years later with many thanks to our siblings who were married and introduced us to each other where we were married six months later. Jose knew that he wanted to start a family as soon as possible, and found out we were pregnant with our daughter a few weeks before his second appointment. Jose‘s dream of defending our country for future generations now came down to protecting it for our own future generation. Jose was young but an incredibly well-established NCO, who cared for his soldiers and ensured that their safety was his priority. While the military was his lifelong goal, he also enjoyed spending time in the garage working on his truck. He may have been known for disassembling multiple vehicles in our driveway at any given time. Jose was a man of many talents but being a soldier, husband, and dad were his best accomplishments. Jose was killed in action on November 12, 2008, while on His second deployment in Mosul, Iraq.
Sgt Donald “Chad” Stanley – USMC – Paducah, KY – 4/20/2019
Chad enlisted in the Marine Corps alongside his best friend when they graduated high school. He was an AAV crew chief and served back-to-back deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. In between the two, we met online. After a few weeks, I drove to NC from Indiana to meet him for the first time. We just clicked. A little over a month later we married in the Magistrate’s office with two of his Marines as witnesses. A couple of months later we discovered we were pregnant. That fall he left for Iraq and came home the next spring a couple of weeks after our oldest (Atleigh) was born. Seeing her changed his mind about staying in for a career and that summer he came home. He couldn’t see himself deploying again with a child.
Over the next several years we started realizing he hadn’t quite mentally come home from the last deployment. He worked locally for a technology firm while completing his Master’s in Networking & Information Security. He briefly served in the KY National Guard, but that came to an end with an upcoming deployment. By 2012 he was rated by the VA for the first time. In 2014 we welcomed our second girl (Alaina), and he continued to spiral downward. His rating was raised in 2016 and then changed to 100% Permanent & Totally disabled in 2017. He no longer worked and became pretty much housebound.
He lived on suicide watch for several years. Unable to get a solid hold on his mental health and lackluster medical care. We got him back at the end of 2018. He was ready to live again, although we’d never quite be “normal”.
We lost him suddenly in April 2019 due to a medication error from the VA. I woke up the day before our 14th anniversary and found him where he’d collapsed the night before. Our girls were 4 and 13.
My only recourse was a successful investigation by the VAOIG, which substantiated my allegations with his care. Several violations were found, and positive changes were made.
Our youngest is now in 4th grade and our oldest is graduating high school and ready to head to Syracuse University where she was accepted Early Decision.
SPC Christian D. Ward – USA – Lower Salem, OH – 6/28/2019
Army Specialist Christian was born on the 26 January 1996 in Marietta, Ohio. He attended Fort Frye Local Schools from 2003-2012. After his family relocated to North Carolina, he graduated from West Iredell High School. He was a member of the ROTC program, which led him to join the Army in 2015. Chris was deployed to Bulgaria and Romania, and it was there that he displayed his selfless character: he spent most of his free time at a nearby orphanage. Chris’ mentoring and acting as a role model left his impression there, as he fixed broken bicycles and left innumerable gifts which included a new collection of books for a new library. Chris was promoted to Specialist and advanced to crew chief on a UH-60 Black Hawk Medi Vac.(Dust Off). His military awards include the following: Aviation Wings Badge, Army Good Conduct Ribbon, National Defence Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Ribbon with Oak leaf cluster, and Global War on Terrorism ribbon.
Christian’s death was on 28 June 2019, but part of him lives on as he gave the ultimate gift of life as an organ donor. His heart went to a 17-year-old person, a United States Air Force Veteran who received Chris’ liver and one kidney, and a Department of Defense person who also received a kidney. We believe the selfless actions Christian displayed at the age of twenty three far surpass most people. Without his forethought, other lives would have been lost with his death. Christian is missed deeply by his family, who are proud of his selfless character and LOVE OF COUNTRY both in life and in death.
Returning Ambassador Fallen Hero Families
TSgt Anthony Campbell, USAF – Florence, KY – DOD 12/15/2009
Anthony “Tony” Campbell loved life, his wife and his children, friends and family said — and even got to hear his 2-year-old son, Ryker, count to 10 during their last conversation.
Campbell was an Air Force reservist serving in Afghanistan, but he fulfilled a dream by becoming a police officer back home in Cincinnati in 2008.
Campbell, 35, of Florence, Ky., was killed by a roadside bomb Dec. 15 in Helmand province. He was assigned to Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He went into active duty in the Air Force immediately after graduating from Boone County High School in 1992 and later became a reservist.
Officer A.J. Coursen – Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department – Liberty Township, OH – DOD 1/8/2002
Officer AJ Coursen was ambushed when answering a domestic call in 2002. He was a graduate of Keystone High School. He began his career in fire and law enforcement in LaGrange, OH as an Emergency Medica Technician (EMT 4) in community service. At age 21, he began training at Medina Police Academy. He volunteered much of his time to auxiliary police until taking a full time position as an officer with LaGrange Police Department. He quickly advanced to a Captains position and served a total of 13 years with that department. His dedication to community service led him to a dual career in law enforcement and fire fighting, becoming chief of the LaGrange Fire Department. He was instrumental in acquiring LaGranges largest fire truck. In July, 2000, he married Deborah Jean “D. J.”, and settled in Beaufort, SC.
CWO3 James E. Groves – USA – Kettering, OH – KIA 16 March 2013
CW3 James E Groves III served in 3-17 CAV, 3 CAB. The 37-year-old Kettering Fairmont High School graduate was KIA when the helicopter he was piloting crashed near Kandahar, Afghanistan. His military decorations include Air Medal and Bronze Star. James was an instructor pilot with over 3000 combat hours and 7000 training hours. He was on a check ride with a new pilot, who had 100 hours of experience. They had just completed a live fire run and were coming around for another pass when the helicopter (OH-58 D Kiowa) lost power due to a fuel pickup device failure. James was unable to restart the engine and they crashed. James died due to extent of his injuries. His co-pilot survived but suffered multiple injuries. Groves, who enlisted following commencement in June 1994, was nearing the end of his second tour in Afghanistan, following two in Iraq. Groves was married to Katie Groves with sons, James IV, 12, and Shane, 9. James, who has an older sister, Jeannette, was born in Columbus on Nov. 7, 1975. The family moved to Kettering in 1978. He played baseball while growing up in Kettering and football for Fairmont High School. He attended Rosewood Elementary School, now the city’s arts center, for kindergarten and then went to Indian Riffle Elementary School. At Fairmont, one of his assignments for the student television station was to interview military recruiters. Groves, who attended officer training school and was an instructor pilot, was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division at Hunter Airfield. His resume included military intelligence and air assault.
Lt Col Mark Jennings – USAF – Austin, TX – DOD 12/14/2009
Mark was an AF pilot. He loved flying, fishing, hunting. He loved the outdoors and the peacefulness of the early morning right before the sun came up. He trained in the deserts of Arizona in preparation for missions over the deserts of Iraq in the mid-90’s. He patrolled the no-fly zone between North and South Korea. He taught the next generation of fighter pilots in the F-16 and was excited that many of them would go on to fly the F-22 or F-35. (It was while he teaching in Arizona at Luke AFB, that we met.) He loved his military brothers and his military family grew with each new assignment. While he enjoyed all of these things, he really wanted a family, he wanted to be a dad. I was also in the AF, with our ops tempo and deployments, I knew there would be some delay before that could come to be. (It’s hard to make a baby when you are both deployed at different times and continents apart…) Mark’s passing was sudden and untimely (as if there is ever a good time?!). Two weeks later, I learned I was pregnant. I love that part of Mark lives on through our daughter. I am so grateful that God blessed us in this way and truly believe that Katie is Mark’s biggest legacy and who he would be most proud of.
PFC James Markwell – USA – Ohio – DOD 12/21/1989
Ranger James W Markwell was born in and Cincinnati Ohio May 29 1968. He had the most beautiful brilliant blue eyes and was a sweet happy baby. He loved people and interacting with them. He was everyone’s go-to friend and if you weren’t friends it was by your choice. He experienced all life brought his way as he rushed towards his destiny.
He played community ball until he was too old to play at which time he moved on to umpiring. He was known for his fairness on and off the field. He was also active in football as the assistant trainer at Princeton high school, was an honor Thespian as well as Spanish club and Spanish dancers (he loved to dance) helped in the school office, was an officer in junior achievement. He loved hunting and fishing,
After high school he attended Findlay College in the PreVet program for 2 years. My plan was for him to move on to Ohio State School of Veterinary Medicine, but his desire to fulfill his destiny as a Ranger took him a different direction. Any time he talked to me about wanting to join the Army I dismissed it with you are to kind and compassionate to be a soldier. I would come to see in later years that is a definite trait in most Rangers. In November of 1988 he strolled into the living room and announced that he had indeed joined the Army on the delayed entry with a Ranger contract. Little would I know until much later how his destiny and God’s mission would affect my life. He left in February of 1989 for basic at Ft Hood, then on to Ft Sam Houston for his medical training before going to Ft Benning for Airbourne and RIP. He was assigned as a medic to C/co 1/75 Ranger Battalion Savannah and arrived in Oct 1989. While serving there he would use his well learned skills as a medic to save to lives during training. Once when a ranger went into anaphylactic shock, and then again when his Lt. would sustain life treating injuries to his leg from a live fire grenade explosion. on Dec 20 1989 Jim would be KIA during the Invasion of Panama, “Operation Just Cause.”
Prior to deploying Jim wrote a death letter that has been used over and over to inspire young soldiers and graduates. I was able to share that letter with then President George HW Bush when we met with him 3 weeks after Jim died. The letter so moved the President he used part of it in his 1990 State of the Union Speech.
“I do not know what lies beyond the fog.Whether it’s a plane ride home for Christmas or the fog never ends. Do not mourn for me. Revel in the life I have died to give you. Everyone, have a beer with me and for me,” Ranger James W Markwell
12-18-89.
Jim has a daughter Brittany.This father and daughter never met Brittany was born 2 month to the day after Jim died. He has 5 grandchildren.
LCpl Taylor Prazynski – USMC – Fairfield, OH – DOD 5/9/2005
Born at the Medical Center at Hill Air Force Base Utah 12 Nov. 1984. He graduated Fairfield High School, Fairfield Ohio and joined United States Marine Corps 5 Nov. 2003. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island South Carolina. 3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment, L Company, 4th Platoon, Squad Automatic Weapon Gunner, MOS 0311, Infantry, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Served in Operation Secure Tomorrow, Port Au Prince, Haiti March-June 2004. Served in Operation Iraqi Freedom January 2005 – May 2005. He was killed in Action 9 May 2005, in Al Karmah, 16km Northeast of Fallujah, Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Awards Include: Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, Site 8111.
SFC Richard C. Ramirez – USA – Azle, TX – DOD 9/11/2018
Sergeant First Class Richard Clifton Ramirez, 36 years old of Azle, Texas passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2018. He was born in Oklahoma City. Rick was a career military man. He served in the Air Force from 2002 – 2004 then in 2005 Rick re-enlisted into the Army where he reclassified to be a 68w Army Medic. Who would have known that during his medic training he would meet his future wife Nancy Morales. Eights months later Rick and Nancy were married in her home town of Newark, Texas and where married 12 1/2 years till his passing. During their years of marriage they had two incredible young men Riley and Caleb Ramirez.
SFC Richard C. Ramirez deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he distinguished himself for exceptional meritorious service by earning the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal. Rick served his country faithfully until his passing.
Rick was a “MANS MAN”, jack of all trades; there was not much he couldn’t do. He was a great man who taught his sons how to live an exemplary life by showing love, kindness and respect to others. Rick treasured and loved his wife beyond all measures. Rick enjoyed the outdoors. He would rather spend his time hunting, fishing, building with his hands and showing his sons life long skills. A beloved Husband, Father and Son, Rick’s memory will forever be etched upon our hearts.
TSgt Joshua Riggs – USAF – Tipp City, OH – 7/12/2012
United States Air Force TSgt Joshua Andrew Riggs was born on April 20, 1977 in Greenville, MI to Robert and Joann Riggs (Crooks). He graduated from Carson City-Crystal High School in 1995. After high school, he attended Grand Rapids Community College and earned a degree in Criminal Justice. He joined the USAF soon after graduating from college. He earned the rank of Airman 1st Class after graduating from basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX in 1998. He stayed at Lackland for Security Forces tech school and then went to his first duty station, Wright Patterson AFB, OH. He met his wife, Elizabeth while stationed there and they were married on August 7th, 1999. He was a Security Forces patrolman, gate sentry and armorer while stationed at WPAFB.
Josh deployed to Al Jaber AB, Kuwait in 2000 and was part of a team that would spend the next 120 days there. He received an Air Force Commendation medal during his time at Wright-Patterson. He was an expert marksman on several different weapons as well. He was given an opportunity to go to Combat Arms training back at Lackland AFB and was given orders to Tyndall AFB, Panama City, FL in 2003.
His daughter, Megan Joann was born in October of the same year at Gulf Coast Medical Center. Josh decided to separate from the Air Force in 2006 and was honorably discharged that year. The family then moved back to Ohio and Josh got a job as a police officer with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. His son, Andrew Robert was born in June of 2007 at Mercy Fairfield Hospital in Fairfield, OH. He reenlisted into the Air Force due to low manning in the Combat Arms career field. The family then moved to Lackland AFB in 2008 so that Josh could be a weapons instructor for the 342d TRS and later, the 343d TRS.
Josh struggled with anxiety, depression and PTSD for many years. On July 12th, 2012, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at Lackland AFB. He is deeply missed by his wife, children, family and friends.
SGT Christopher Terry – USA – Lima, OH – DOD 3/18/2014
To have known Chris Terry is to have known selflessness, integrity, love and laughter. From onesies to full battle rattle, Chris yearned to experience life in the most spectacular of ways. He always went above and beyond for his family, friends and fellow soldiers. He led by example and challenged all to do the same. Chris’ exuberance was infectious and his drive to always pay it forward was inspiring. We are all better for having known this remarkable soldier and ever captivating man. Chris enjoyed running, playing hockey, playing racketball, kicking back with friends and generally having a good time. He followed the Buckeyes (more so after prodding from me) and the Capitals (I was still secretly rooting for the Jackets – sorry babe… I’m Ohio to the core). He was a man without a lap. He could stand and be active, or lay down and nap. Sitting only happened when required to do so. He was a man of many antics and a truly thoughtful partner. He was one of a kind, my best friend and a source of joy still for those who knew him.