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Staff Sgt. Charles D. Allen
28
Wasilla
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Baghdad, Iraq
1-4-2007
Charles D. Allen was an expert at bow fishing _ a technique he learned from his father and a pastime he was crazy for. "We almost crashed a car because he thought he saw a carp jump out of a lake," said his wife. He was a medic assigned to Fort Lewis and was on his second tour. He'd spent 10 years in the Army and had been stationed in Georgia, Louisiana and North and South Carolina. In Iraq, he was willing to leave the relative safety of a base when an infantry battalion came calling: It needed someone to help spell its team of tired front-line medics. On his first day, he was mortared while treating wounded at the scene of a car bombing, made several runs to the field hospital under fire and had a car bomb go off within 100 yards of his Stryker. "Sgt. Allen thanked me for the opportunity and asked if he could go back tomorrow," On his time off, Allen played video games and watched cartoons with his 7-year-old son, Orion.
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Sgt. Kurtis D. K. Arcala
22
Palmer
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Tikrit, Iraq
9-11-2005
Sgt. Kurtis D.K. Arcala, 22, of Palmer, Alaska, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment at Fort Stewart. He was about a week away from finishing his second tour of duty in Iraq.
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Pfc. Alan R. Blohm
21
Kenai
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Baghdad, Iraq
12-31-2006
Alan was born to Christopher and Denise (Vennix) Blohm on July 26, 1985, in Kawkawlin, Mich. He played defensive tackle for Bay City Western High School where he graduated in 2004. Alan worked as a commercial salmon fisherman during the summers in Kenai, from the age of 14 until he enlisted. He was a member of St. Bartholomew Lutheran Chruch. He was also a member of the American Legion George H. Plumley Memorial Post 20 in Kenai. Alan joined the U.S. Army in September 2005 while living in Alaska. He completed basic training and advanced individual training as a combat engineer at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in January 2006. He then completed airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., in February 2006. He was a member of the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and was assigned to Fort Richardson. His parents stated that Alan became actively interested in the military while a junior in high school, and wished to pursue a career with the state troopers once he completed his military service. He chose to follow in the footsteps of both his grandfathers, Alan Blohm (after whom he was named) who served in the Army and was assigned to Fort Richardson 50 years prior to Alan's assignment, and Chet Vennix who served in the Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War. Alan was once quoted in the paper as saying, 'The First Amendment is what makes this country great,' and lived and breathed his dream accordingly. Alan had a deep belief in helping others and a strong desire to serve his country. Family members will remember his devotion, his smile and his love for all of his family and friends, especially his cousins. Alan's favorite phrase 'luv it' was expressed often to family and friends. His sense of duty and loyalty to his country and family were what led him to be a part of the mission." He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Patricia Vennix. He is survived by his parents, Christopher and Denise Blohm; his brother, Jeremy Blohm; sister, Kiana Blohm; his grandparents, Alan and Leona Blohm; grandfather, Chet Vennix; niece, Kaelin Blohm; aunts and uncles, Renee and Randy DeShano, Dennis and Lisa Vennix, Blaine and Debbie Vennix, Maria Vennix, Craig and Gayle Vennix, Terry and Tina Vennix, Chad Vennix and Janelle Vennix, Diana and James Zirul of Kenai, Kevin and Julie Blohm, Lori Blohm and Patti and Greg Satkowiak; and many cousins.
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Sgt. Matthew C. Bohling
22
Eagle River
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Ar Ramadi, Iraq
9-5-2005
"One of my favorites stories was warning him not to stand up in a canoe at Nancy Lake. He ended up upside down only moments later, but he's a good swimmer, so he didn't have any problems," He was assigned to Fort Benning and volunteered to go to Iraq for a first tour in 2003. Bohling's father, Charles, said he, "loves the typical Alaska lifestyle and is happy with gun or rod in hand. Fun is at its best for him if a four-wheeler is involved." Bohling had an infectious spirit and his ability to brighten up even the darkest day. "Impetuous, kind of fits, in fact - that's something that got him into a little trouble on more than one occasion, but he also had a giant heart and an honest love for people and those are things that got him out of trouble on more than one occasion," He is survived by his mother, Sandra.
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Pfc. Adare W. Cleveland
19
Anchorage
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Baghdad, Iraq
2-19-2007
Adare was born Jan. 14, 1987, in Ontario, Ore. Adare became a resident of Anchorage in September of 2000. He attended school at West High School and Family Partnership, later joining the U.S. Army. He was employed at Carrs, Airline Support, Chilis Too, Thrifty Car Rental, and Qdoba during the period between 2001 and 2005. Adare was affiliated with Ore-Ida Judo Club as a youth, Boy Scouts and the West High choir and band. He won awards for student of the month and military awards as well. He enjoyed country music and ranching. A family member wrote: "Adare could be a real charmer. As a child, I used to take him to the airport to watch the planes and have a picnic. He had numerous friends, including some of the homeless. He wanted to join the Anchorage Police Department. His first motivation for wanting to join was to be able to drive the cars fast. When he decided on the Army, he chose the cavalry, as his great-grandfather and a favorite uncle had been cavalry." He is survived by his mother, Dianne Cleveland; father, William Simonds Jr.; grandmothers, Delores Palmer and Betty Simonds; sister, Maylyn Cleveland; aunt and uncle, Nikki and Lee Cleveland; surrogate mother, Esther Wehr; and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
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Staff Sgt. Carletta S. Davis
34
Anchorage, Alaska
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Tai Al-Dahab, Iraq
11-5-2007
Davis, 34, who grew up in Anchorage, a medic, was there for the third time in less than five years.
Davis, who graduated as Carletta Ward from East High School in 1991, joined the Army in 1994. She hoped to become a physician’s assistant when her military career ended, her mother said. As a flight medic, Davis spent much of her adult life in harm’s way. Besides the deployments to Iraq, she served six months in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1996-97 and a year in South Korea in 2002. “It was hard, but she said ‘Hey, I’ve gotta do it,’ ” said Davis’ mother. “She didn’t never worry. She just didn’t like the fact she was going for a third time.”
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Gunnery Sgt.
Christopher L. Eastman
28
Moose Pass
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Helmand Province, Afghanistan
7-18-2010
GySgt. Eastman was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, out of Camp Pendleton, California. He deployed in April 2009. Eastman also deployed to Iraq in 2008 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000. His military awards and decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation and Certificate of Commendation. Christopher will always be remembered by his friends and family as a man who would gladly put his life on the line for you, day in and day out, without thinking twice about it. He was a loving husband, father, brother, and son. His Family will miss him dearly and know he is in a better place now. GySgt. Christopher Eastman and his wife were expecting their second child in a couple of months. He is survived by his wife, Rocio Eastman, and his 4 yr old daughter, Joy; his mother Joy Marie Eastman of Moose Pass, Alaska, 7 brothers and sisters as follows: Cindy Ticknor of Centralia, Washington; Loren Eastman of Seward, Alaska; Tanya Kern of Trout Creek, Montana; Jason Eastman of Chehalis, Washington; Joseph Eastman of Hawaii; Jordan Eastman of Anchorage, Alaska; and Adrianna Taylor of Onalaska, Washington
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Spc. Michael I. Edwards
26
Fairbanks
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Tall Afar, Iraq
7-7-2006
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Lance Cpl. Grant B. Fraser
22
Anchorage
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Haditha, Iraq
8-3-2005
One day while Grant B. Fraser was trundling around the house in his diapers and slippers, his father asked, "Sprout, why are you so happy?" Grant paused, then answered, "Because mommy and daddy are happy at me." He was assigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base. Friends and relatives remembered Fraser as spontaneous, mischievous and witty. They talked about the big ears that jutted out from his head, the "award-winning" smile, and his favorite nickname, Tnarg _ "Grant" spelled backward. He had a wide range of interests: Acting, mountain biking, skiing, playing the piano, scuba diving, rock climbing, tennis and sailing. He left the University of Alaska at Anchorage in 2002 and enlisted in the Marines. " "What a happy guy he was that day. After boot camp and there was a tree trunk where his long graceful neck used to be. Grant was exactly where he wanted to be." He is survived by his parents, Sharon Long and James Fraser.
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Cpl. Jason A. Karella
20
Anchorage, Alaska
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Delaram, Afghanistan
10-9-2008
Karella, a tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided antitank missile gunner. “He was the vehicle commander, [and had] the best seat on the armored Humvee,” Karella was born in Fairbanks, where much of his family still lives. He spent his senior year of high school at the Alaska Military Youth Academy. Karella was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines out of the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
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Lance Cpl. Jeremih C. Kinchen
22
Slacha
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Anbar Province, Iraq
4-4-2005
Jeremiah started off with G.I. Joes and moved on to video war games. When his first-grade teacher asked what he wanted to be, he already had a plan. "Jeremiah wanted to be a soldier," "That wasn't all that common back then." The reservist was based in San Antonio, Texas. Born in Louisiana, Kinchen moved to Alaska with his family, including parents James and Jeanie Kinchen. A friend from high school, said Kinchen "was pretty much a comedian half the time." "If a spitball went across the room during a test, everyone would look to Jeremiah," he said. "He always wanted to see people on a happy note." He joined the Marines shortly after he graduated from high school in 2001. "We have strong Christian faith, and so did Jeremiah. He was ready."
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Cpl. Michael H. Lasky
22
Sterling
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Anbar Province, Iraq
11-2-2006
Lasky was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage. He was married to Jessica Lasky, also of Soldotna. The couple have a baby girl, Liberty Lynn, who just celebrated her first birthday in October. Lasky finished his first seven-month tour of duty in Iraq last year and came home that October, when he met newborn Liberty. He volunteered to be redeployed for his current tour in March and had been in Iraq since then. "He couldn't wait to get there. He believed in everything he did over there." "His mom wasn't thrilled but I have to support my son's decision and I am very proud of what he did. I'm behind him 100 percent, but that doesn't mean I didn't worry on a daily basis,"
The military had been a part of Mike's life since 1999, when a chapter of the Young Marines formed on the Kenai Peninsula and the teenager jumped at the chance to join. "The day 9/11 hit he went and signed on the dotted line."
Mike became an active member in the Young Marines in 1999 and later became a training officer. Even after starting what he planned to be a lifelong career in the Marine Corps in 2002, he stayed involved with the Young Marines. Teaching the Young Marine participants to respect themselves and have self-esteem was an important mission. Her son, and he was proud of what they accomplished. "He was so dedicated to these kids,"
"He's very outgoing - sports, wrestling, very community oriented. He worked with the veterans. There just isn't probably anybody on the peninsula who doesn't know Mike. Mike grew up on the peninsula, attending Sterling Elementary, Soldotna Middle, Skyview High and Kenai Alternative High schools. He enjoyed much of what Alaska has to offer. "He liked to hunt, fish, do stupid stuff, you know," They remember Lasky from his days teaching and coaching wrestling at Skyview. "Mike was very well liked by all of the students. He was a good strong wrestler." In 2001, Lasky took fifth at 125 pounds to help Skyview win the state fall wrestlin championship. In 2002 Mike graduated from Kenai Alternative.
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Pfc. Joseph I. Love
22
North Pole
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Balad, Iraq
4-9-2006
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Spc. Jacob E. Melson
22
Wasilla
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Tall Afar, Iraq
1-7-2006
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Pfc. Jessy S. Rogers
20
Copper Center
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Sarobi District, Afghanistan
7-23-2007
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CWO Chester W Troxel
45
Anchorage |
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Tall Afar, Iraq
1-7-2006
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Tech. Sgt.
Leslie D. Williams
36
Juneau
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Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
1-25-2011
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Sgt. Daniel E. Woodcock
25
Glenallen
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Dawr, Iraq
3-11-2007
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Spc. Shane W. Woods
23
Palmer
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Ramadi, Iraq
8-9-2006
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These are the names of our FALLEN HEROES. If you have any information how this HERO lived, please email the information and a picture in jpeg to us and we will add it to the name.
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