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Sgt Howard P. Allen
22
Mesa
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Baghdad, Iraq
9-26-2005
He was assigned to Phoenix. "Sgt. Allen was a fine soldier, a wonderful husband, father, son, and friend to many." Allen graduated from high school in 1993 and was a member of both a school program for marketing studies and an anti-drunk driving organization. He is survived by his wife, Patience; 3-year-old son; and stepchildren ages 12 and 10. "He'll never see his son grow up. He'll never be there to walk Caitlyn down the aisle when she gets married. He'll never be here to teach Edwin how to drive." "He'll never be here for me to grow old with. He was my life. He was my love. He was my heart and soul."
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Staff Sgt. Martin R. Apolinar
28
Glendale
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Wardak Province Afghanistan
5-29-2011
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Spc. Raymond S. Armijio
22
Phoenix
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Sgt. Aron C. Blum
22
Tuscon
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Al Anbar Province, Iraq
12-28-2006
Even after being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder that only a bone-marrow transplant might correct, Aron C. Blum didn't initially want to be shipped back to the United States. "The kid was so upset he wasn't being sent back to his unit." He wanted to stay there. He felt very bad about leaving his guys short in Iraq. That was he worst thing for him." Blum, 22, of Tucson, Ariz., died Dec. 28 in San Diego of aplastic anemia the failure of the bone marrow to make new blood cells, a condition that strikes only two in 1 million Americans. With his immune system destroyed by the anemia, an E. coli infection overwhelmed his body. A graduate with honors from high school in 2002, Blum played baseball, football and soccer and enjoyed acting. As a youngster, he was a Boy Scout and he played in the Sahuaro Little League. He was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. "Aron was loved by all and will be deeply missed." |
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Lance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs
21
Sierra Vista
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Sgt. 1st Class Christopher R. Brevard
31
Phoeniz
| Even as a child, Christopher R. Brevard was enraptured with the military. By age 9, his bedroom ceiling was strung with model warplanes and camouflage net, and his favorite backyard pastime was playing battle games, complete with homemade slingshots and trip wires. He was a daredevil who loved motorcycles and skydiving and often spent his weekends four-wheeling or snowmachining with his family. He was a 1994 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Richardson. Brevard was born in St. Louis and spent his formative years _ from ages 6 to 16 _ in Tucson, Ariz., until his Air Force father was transferred to Alaska in 1991. He met his future wife in 1995 when they were assigned to the same unit at Fort Richardson. He is survived by two daughters Emily, 9, and Jessica, 7. "His children were his life,".
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Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm
22
Flagstaff
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Spc. Thomas H. Byrd
21
Cochise
| Byrd was based in Fort Benning, Ga., was a 2003 graduate of Tucson's Santa Rita High School. The couple married 18 months ago in a courthouse ceremony in Tucson while Thomas Byrd was home on leave. Though she worried about her husband's safety, she understood and admired his decision to join the service. "He didn't do it because he had to, he did it because he wanted to." When he left for Iraq in January on his first deployment, "he went believing that he was going to make a difference." "He wanted to give the (Iraqi) people the same freedoms we have. He always put other people before himself. He had a huge heart of gold." At Santa Rita, Byrd had a sense of humor that cracked up his classmates, a gift for making quirky observations about everyday events. "It was a great season when he was there, because he would keep us laughing all the time." Byrd also is survived by his parents, Michael and Julia Byrd, and a 15-year-old brother, Michael Jr. "I am so proud of my son. I am just bursting with pride." "He is a hero and he will be missed by many."
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| Spc. Isaac Campoy made it a goal to serve in the military. He joined the Army a month after graduating from high school in 2001. "He loved everything about the Army. He wanted to go to war and he served with all his heart." He was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He was described as an honest man who was always there for people and looked out for everyone. After military wanted to go to college and then work for the U.S. Customs Service. "He was a straight person. He had no greed," "He loved his family and he would worry about us."
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Sgt. Sean K. Cataudella
28
Tucson
| Sgt. Sean K. Cataudella wrote to his parents from Iraq that he was spending part of his time chasing down Iraqi men who were shooting off machine guns in the streets and the other part handing out candy to Iraqi children. "Sean was such a compassionate guy. He felt for those kids." He was stationed at Fort Hood and was serving as a scout in Iraq, going ahead of other troops to scope out enemy terrain. "He did it because he loved his country and he was always an adventurous soul." Cataudella joined the Army eight years ago after high school and also served in Bosnia. He didn't have a chance to see his youngest child, Kai, born while he was in Iraq. Other survivors include his wife, Naomi, children Alex, 7, and Damon, 3.
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Sgt. Caleb P. Christopher
25
Chandler
| Sgt. Christopher was born in Chandler on January 13, 1982. He attended Chandler schools and was in the first graduating class at Hamilton High School in 2000. He was an avid wrestler, wrestling all four years through high school. He attended ASU from 2000 to 2001 and as a result of the attack on 9/11 was motivated to enlist into the United States Army. Sgt. Christopher served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 2002-2005 serving one tour in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq. He then served one year as an Army recruiter in Southern California. Since June 2006, Sgt. Christopher was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, TX. He deployed on his second Operation Iraqi Freedom tour in October 2006. Sgt. Christopher's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, two Iraq Campaign Medals, and Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and US Army Reserve Recruiter Badge. Sgt. Survivors include his father, Edward Christopher of Chandler; two brothers E-Jay and his wife, Jenny Christopher of Mesa, Jeremiah and his wife, Kristen Christopher of Nacogdoches, TX, one sister, Sarah Christopher of Chandler, maternal grandmother, Cella Simons of Dryden, NY, and paternal grandparents, Robert and Wanda Christopher of Gilbert. Caleb is also survived by his fiancée, Rebecca Cadro of New Orleans, LA and 5 nieces: Marissa, Morgan, Tara, Moriah, and Alexis.
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Command Sgt. Major Eric F. Cooke
43
Scottsdale
| By the time he reached his 40s, the military had turned him around. He earned two college degrees, Cooke reached one of the Army's highest noncommissioned ranks command sergeant major. Cooke, 43, who grew up in the Phoenix area. He was based in Friedberg, Germany, where he met his wife of 23 years, Dagmar. Cooke also served in the 1991 Gulf War, where he earned a Bronze Star. "The U.S. Army did for that boy what I could not have done for him," said his mother. "They turned him into a man and a man among men, and that is not a mother bragging." Other survivors include his father, Cord Cooke, of Mesa, Ariz.
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Lance Cpl. Budd M. Cote
21
Marana
| Several friends of Cote described him as a fun-loving person who was planning on moving to San Diego with his wife and starting a family after his tour in Iraq. Cote would have celebrated his first wedding anniversary on Dec. 20. He and his 19-year-old wife, Zoraida, had no children. Friends said Cote shipped out in September for his first tour of duty in the war-torn country. "He loved his job. He was very proud of what he did," "He was the most positive, energetic, fun, lovable person. He was amazing. There was no one ever like him." Cote attended both Marana and Mountain View high schools before moving temporarily to Las Vegas. He returned to Tucson and attended Canyon del Oro High but dropped out and got his GED before joining the Marines. Besides his wife, he is survived by his father, Roland, and mother, Marcy, of Las Vegas; brothers Alex and Christopher; and sister Tiffiany.
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Sgt. Aaron B. Cruttenden
25
Mesa
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Spc. Douglas C. Desjardins
24
Mesa
| One of Douglas C. Desjardins Jr.'s loves was driving tanks. The soldier was recently promoted to gunner but still wanted to drive tanks. "He used to brag," "He would say how he saw a wild pig and shot it with his tank. He shot it with a big .50-caliber gun on his tank." He was a 2000 high school graduate and was assigned to Giessen, Germany. His family and friends called him "Dougie" throughout his childhood, but he didn't like it and preferred his military name, "DJ." DJ was adventurous and a "people person," He would "give a stranger the shirt off his back if he knew it would help." He was shy as a boy, but "came out of his shell later in high school." He loved the Phoenix Suns and would try to attend games whenever he was home. "He always kept us laughing," "He had a quick wit and a comeback to anything someone said." He also is survived by his stepfather, Jim Surprenant.
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Lance Cpl. Michael A. Downey
21
Phoenix
| He was stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
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Pfc. Joseph J. Duenas
23
Mesa
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Pfc. Christopher M. Eckhardt
19
Phoenix
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Spc. Andrew C. Ehtich
21
Mesa
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Spc. Michael D. Elm
25
Phoenix
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Khowst, Afghanistan
10-14-2011
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Sgt. Anthony D. Ewing
22
Phoenix
| "He was always an outgoing, optimistic person," "He always made people smile no matter what." He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Hood His father, John Ewing, who served in the Air Force, said his son believed every man should serve at least two years in the military. He joined at 19 about the time his older brother was deployed to Iraq. Ewing "was a guy you could always count on to pick you up," He "was an outstanding motivator that could make you feel better with nothing but his signature smile and a wisecrack." He also is survived by his mother and stepfather, Pamela and Matthew Brown. Ewing was a bit of a class clown, the kind of student you could not bring yourselfself to discipline for minor interruptions because they were often funny. "He was just one of those kids you really liked,"
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Cpl. Billy C. Farris
20
Bapchule
| When baseball legend Joe Garagiola Sr. visited a mission school in the Gila River Indian Community, the first child he met was Billy B. Farris, then 5. "I told him that Joe knew a lot about baseball, and Billy said that he wanted to learn," "He and Joe talked. About a week later, Joe came down again and asked where Billy was. He had a bat, ball and glove for him. Ever since then, Bill has been a big baseball fan." He was a 2004 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Lewis. Although Farris was born in Wyoming as a Cheyenne-Arapaho Indian, he moved the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona when he was 2. "I call Billy a son of Gila River. He knows the songs, traditions and customs better than a lot of people," He never forgot his ties to the mission. He often came to the school and rode around on a golf cart helping a maintenance worker pick up trash on the playground. He is survived by his parents, Elizabeth and Larry Antone.
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Pfc. Dustin J. Feldhaus
20
Glendale
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Cpl. Charles P. Gaffney Jr.
42
Phoenix
| Gaffney was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky. Gaffney entered the Army in August 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in November 2007. An M4-rifle expert, he received several awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Survivors include his wife, Latticia Gaffney; daughters Cara and Mia; and father Charles Gaffney.
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Sgt. Christian A. S. Garcia
30
Goodyear
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Major Troy L, Gilbert
34
Litchfield Park
| Gilbert finished undergraduate pilot training in 2001, was deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq in September and logged more than 130 combat hours, the Air Force said. He planned to attend U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth next year, once he returned from Iraq. "He's someone we all knew here," "A great guy, great pilot." He is survived by his wife and five children who live outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Gilbert's family issued a statement Sunday through Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz., where Gilbert had been assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron since 2003 and was assistant director of operations, executive officer of wing flying, a flight commander, and chief of training. "While the loss of Troy has been devastating to us, we should not fail to pray for those who are still involved in the unsafe conditions in Iraq and in other parts of the world where the lives of our brave military are in danger," read the statement.
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Sgt. Christopher Gonzales
25
Winslow
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Lance Cpl. Michael J. Halal
22
Glendale
| Encouraged by his parents to join the Marine Corps, Michael J. Halal grew from a troubled teenager into a determined man. It was his second tour in Iraq. Halal was stationed at Camp Lejeune. He knew the military would have taught his son discipline. "At that time, of course, we were at peace time". Halal is survived by his wife, Tina.
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Sgt. 1st Class Todd M. Harris
37
Tucson
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Staff Sgt. Ryan E. Haupt
24
Phoenix
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Sgt. Frank B. Hernandez
21
Phoenix
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Lance Cpl. John L. Holmason
20
Surprise
| Holmason was born January 16, 1985, in Portland to Tim and Karleen (Orr) Holmason. Having grown up in Scappoose, he was active in the Boy Scouts earning the rank of Eagle Scout, and he graduated from Scappoose High School in 2003. Among the things he most enjoyed were golfing, snowboarding, hunting, the out-of-doors, and camping. He is survived by: parents Tim and Paula Holmason; mother Karla Comfort; stepfather Mark Comfort; siblings Hailee, Hunter and Jaden Holmason, and Josh and Jacob Comfort; stepsister Kaysha Comfort; aunt Julie Pentecost; uncle Greg Orr; grandparents Dick and Julie Holmason, John and Harriet Orr, Cheryl Orr, Jennie Brown, Jan Kramer, and Tom and Carole Moquin; and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
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Pfc. Sam W. Huff
18
Tucson
| Not many people, including her parents, considered Sam W. Huff to be obvious Army material. She was petite -- just over 5 feet tall -- didn't play any major sports and was best known at Tucson's Mountain View High School for her striking beauty and sharp fashion sense. But the marching band drum major was also feisty and persistent, a conductor with a loud voice and commanding presence. With relatives who had served in the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, the 18-year-old had precise career goals: a tour of duty in the military, a college degree in psychology and a job at the FBI profiling criminals. After graduating from high school last year, Huff completed the grueling months of basic training and then, around Christmas, visited her old stomping grounds before being deployed to Iraq. "She told me basic training was really hard, how she was having problems with her knee and that they tried talking her out of the Army," "But she pleaded with them to stay. She would have felt as if she failed. She was tough." Her parents, Robert Huff, 50, a retired police detective-turned-musician, and Margaret Williams, 52, a former Marine and communications supervisor for a suburban Tucson police department, accepted the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal on her behalf during the service.
Robert Huff, who spoke with Army officials said that she had spent the night of April 17 guarding an Iraqi police station. At a recent memorial service at Casas Adobes Baptist Church in Tucson, the marching band played two of her favorite ballads, Kirkbride said: one from "Beauty and the Beast," another from "The Little Mermaid." On the stage, a black marching band hat -- adorned with a plume of black and silver feathers -- sat next to her combat helmet.
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Master Sgt. Kenneth E. Hunt
40
Tucson
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Maj. Steven Hutchison
60
Scottsdale
| Steven Hutchison served in Vietnam and wanted to re-enlist immediately after the 9/11 terror attacks, but his wife was against it. Steven signed up in July 2007 at age 59. "He was very devoted to the service. He was assigned to Fort Riley. He became the oldest Army soldier. Hutchison served in Afghanistan for a year before deploying to Iraq in October, heading a 12-soldier team that trained the Iraqi military. Later, he was assigned to help secure Iraq''s southern border. Hutchinson, who grew up in California, taught psychology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on and off between 1988 and 1996, and lectured and taught at two other colleges. The Vietnam War veteran then worked at a health care corporation in Arizona before retiring and re-entering the service.
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Pfc. Albert R. Jex
23
Phoenix
| He 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'. 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,". 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," "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.
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Pfc. John C. Johnson
28
Phoenix
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Spc. Spencer T. Karol
20
Woodruff
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Staff Sgt. Darrell D. Kasson
43
Florence
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Lance Cpl. Quinn A. Keith
21
Page
| A quiet young man who loved fishing, hunting and wrestling, Quinn A. Keith was determined to fulfill his duty in Iraq, his family said. "He was scared to be there, but he knew he had to be there," He was weapons specialist from Page, Ariz. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton. The Marine's uncle, who became his legal guardian after the boy's parents divorced, said one of the best things about the Marine was the love he showed for his family. "He was just one of those kids you wish you could have for a son," Keith, a Navajo, was scheduled to return from Iraq in three weeks and had plans to go deer hunting, his uncle said. Survivors include the Marine's mother.
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Hospitalman
Chadwick T. Kenyon
20
Tucson |
| Chad graduated from Mountain View High School in 2004 and enlisted in the US Navy through the delayed entry program. He was a Navy Hospital Corpsman and was attached to the Third L.A.R. Battalion, First Marinne. Chad was an avid U of A Wildcat fan, had a passion for music and the Boston Red Sox. In his brief life he accomplished many things and served his country with great pride. Chad's military commendations awarded were Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) pin, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew him.
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Pvt. Joseph L. Knott
21
Yuma
| Joseph Knott wanted to be a sniper, but to his family he was a warm, compassionate man who liked to draw and write poetry. "He liked to act tough on the outside," "We used to make fun of him because he'd pose like he's all tough and inside he's a great big marshmallow." He was based at Fort Carson. Knott grew up playing with GI Joes and loved everything related to the military. He was in the varsity band in high school, and drew and wrote poems though he rarely shared them with others. He enlisted in the Army about a year ago in part to emulate his older brother in the Navy. "He was nervous, but at the same time he was excited to be fighting for our country."
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Cpl. Christopher J. Lapka
22
Peoria
| Christopher J. Lapka was halfway through his sophomore year at Arizona State University on a full academic scholarship when he signed up for the Marines. He enlisted less than a week after the Sept. 11 attacks and surprised the family with the news on Thanksgiving Day, 2001. "I told him, 'Son, you have such brains, why would you do that?'" "He said, 'That's what I want to do. I want to go fight.' He wanted to be on the front lines and fight." It was a complete surprise that Christopher would end up joining the Marines. "Since he was 2 years old until he was about 7 or 8, all he wore was camouflage outfits, so I kind of figured he was going to go someplace in that direction," " He had two uncles who were in the Marine Corps." Lapka, of Peoria, Ariz., was stationed at Marine Corps Base, Hawaii. He is survived by his mother and his father, Ken.
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CWO Matthew C. Laskowski
32
Phoneix
| Chief Warrant Officer Matthew C. Laskowski felt good about the work he was doing in Iraq. He was stationed at Fort Carson, Colo.
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Staff Sgt. William T. Latham
29
Kingman
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Cpl. Jeffery D. Lawrence
22
Tucson
| The question wasn't what Jeffrey D. Lawrence did. It was what he didn't. "He did some modeling. He tried out for commercials. He was in a lot of plays at Palo Verde. He liked bull riding. He liked all sports. He was very involved," He had been stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. His baby, a girl, was named Cadence Freedom. "He had the biggest heart of anybody I had ever known. He was a good brother, a good friend, a good son, good husband and I know he would have been a good daddy." Lawrence also is survived by his wife, Celeste, and father, Daniel.
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Lance Cpl Joshua E. Lucero
19
Tucson
| Joshua E. Lucero stood just 5-foot-2, so he compensated for his size by lifting weights and lashing into the punching bag his parents got him for his 17th birthday. "He used to be a real skinny kid." "Kind of nerdy, with glasses and everything. He got tired of everybody making fun of him, so he bought weights and started lift weights. He was based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. A 2003 high school graduate, he told his father that he wanted to stay in the Marines and maybe become a drill instructor. Beyond that, he thought about becoming a police officer or a firefighter. "All the jobs he wanted to do involved taking care of other people and a lot of adrenaline." He is survived by his mother, Tina; fiancee, Tasha Lepes; and their 16-month-old son, Joey.
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Sgt. 1st Class Brian A. Mack
36
Phoenix
| Brian Mack had put in long, hard years with the Army and could have taken a job as headquarters staff. Instead, he volunteered to be a platoon sergeant to young Army scouts. "Most would have sat back and said, 'I've done my time,' but not Mack." "You couldn't drag him away from troops. He risked his life with us every day, being with his boys." He was based at Fort Lewis. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Ashley, 17. Mack joined the Army at the age of 20, and soldiers recalled him as a great leader, teacher and mentor. For most of the past couple of years Mack was in charge of advanced specialty training across the 4,200-soldier 1st Brigade. "He was the best, and he loved to train soldiers." "He was the most passionate leader and soldier that I ever met."
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Hospitalman Robert N. Martens
20
Queen Creek
| Robert N. Martens was a baseball all-star, a football letterman and former 4-H Club president, but he wasn't afraid to plant a big kiss on his dad in public. "You have these teenage boys that can be pretty ornery," a family friend. He was so respectful and loving toward everybody. I think that's why everyone just loved him." He graduated high school in 2003 and was assigned to Camp Lejeune. He and his best friend, Tommy Brooks, met in 4-H when he was 9. The two played together on the high school baseball and football teams, raised livestock and competed at a shooting range. On weekends, they'd hang with other kids around a bonfire and roll out the karaoke machine. "The worst thing they did was go bowling on a Saturday night." He is survived by his wife, Erin, and their 10-month-old daughter, Riley Jo.
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Cpl. Phillip D. McGeath
25
Glendale
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Helmand Province, Afghanistan
1-18-2012
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Hospitalman Joshua Mcintosh
22
Kingman
| Seaman McIntosh, 22, who enlisted in 2001, served in Iraq as a Navy hospitalman in charge of aiding injured and sick Marines. He was based in Twentynine Palms, Calif. As Kingman High School students gathered last Veterans Day.
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Sgt. 1st Class
Johnathan B. McCain
38
Apache Junction
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Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
11-13-2011
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Spc. Allen E. McPeek
20
Tucson
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Cpl. Casey L. Mellen
21
Huachuca City
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Spc. Hugo V. Mendoza
29
Glendale
| An Army medic who graduated from Trevor Browne High School in Phenoix. He was an avid churchgoer who dreamed of becoming a firefighter.
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Spc. Michael M. Merila
23
Sierra Vista
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Sgt. Jason L. Merill
22
Mesa
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Spc. Damien M. Montoya
21
Holbrook
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Spc. Christopher J. Moon
20
Tucson
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Pvt. Reece D. Moreno
19
Prescott
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Lance Cpl. Marty G. Mortenson
22
Flagstaff
| The last time he was home, Marty Mortenson bought his nephews toys to make up for birthdays he'd missed. He volunteered to shovel snow off neighbors' driveways. He went to a women's prayer group to thank them for praying to keep him safe. And he did all of it in a T-shirt, to feel the winter cold that he missed in the desert. He was based at Camp Pendleton. Mortenson grew up wanting to join the Marines, talking about it with high school friends and saying he was prepared to give his life for his country. He worked as a lifeguard in high school and joined the Marines in May 2002, about a year after graduating. He was on his third tour in Iraq, and family members said he was ready to come home. "During his time in the military, he began to change and the rough, tough stuff became less important." He planned a hike the Grand Canyon with his mom when he got back, and talked about joining a SWAT team, switching to the National Guard, or going to college. He is also survived by his father, Ken.
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Cpl. Dominique J. Nicholas
25
Maricopa
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Sgt. Michael G. Owen
31
Phoenix
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Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirez
26
Yuma
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Sgt. Brice A. Pearson
32
Phoenix
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Spc. Alyssa R. Peterson
27
Flagstaff
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Spc. Coty J. Phelps
20
Kingman
| Coty J. Phelps would wake up at 4 a.m. to make eggs and watch "Dumb and Dumberer." He once ate four night crawlers, three goldfish and gourmet cat food during a dare at church camp. He was a 2004 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Richardson. "He was a high energy student and friendly," "Had a hard time placing him somewhere because he would find someone to talk to all the time and was a happy-go-lucky kid. "He would go out of his way to help anyone," He also is survived by his father, Robbie.
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Pfc. Lori Pietewa
22
Tuba City
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Lance Cpl. Christopher M. Poston
20
Glendale
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Sgt. Tyler D. Prewitt
22
Phoenix
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Sgt. Markquees A. Quick
28
Tucson
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Pvt. Carson J. Ramsey
22
Windelman
| He wanted his dad to check on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle he planned to buy when he got home. "He liked to hunt and fish." "He was going to get a Harley when he got back. He liked motorcycles." He was based at Fort Hood. A 2001 high school graduate, Ramsey did well academically and loved the outdoors. Carson's latest enthusiasm was bowhunting: He had gotten a compound bow, and was practicing with it in Iraq. "He was a sergeant, and I was a private. In ROTC, he was tough. But as a friend, he was really cool," In addition to his father, Ramsey is survived by his mother Elaine; a brother, Bobby, 29, and two sisters. "Really friendly. He never got in any trouble."
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Gunnery Sgt. Edward T. Reeder
32
Camp Verde |
| His geat aunt can't help but remember the pet raccoon he had when he was 10 and a messy day the animal and its owner had years ago. "The raccoon chased the cat down the chimney, and they had soot all over his house, and he had to clean up all the soot." "My favorite memory is of him and his raccoon." He was based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. After he graduated from high school in 1990, Reeder joined the Marines. He taught other soldiers how to shoot weapons and he also worked as a supply officer. His career led to service in Bosnia, Liberia, Somalia and in the Persian Gulf. "I think he decided that was what he wanted to do." "His father was a cowboy, and maybe the military was a way out of ranch life." He had two children with his wife, a 10-month-old Jarrett and 4-year-old Sarah Ruth.
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Pfc. Seferino J. Reyna
20
Phoneix
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Spc. Jeremiah W. Robinson
20
Mesa
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Pvt. Damiam Lopez Rodriguez
20
Tucson
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Sgt. Frank M. Sandoval
27
Yuma
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Pvt. Anthony J. Sausto
20
Lake Havasu City
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Sgt. Kenneth J. Schall
22
Peroia
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Cpl. Brandon S. Schuck
21
Stafford
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Pfc. Harry N. Shondee
19
Ganado
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Petty Officer 3rd Class
David Sisung
21
Phoenix
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Lance Cpl. Jason E. Smith
21
Phoneix
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Spc. Ismael G. Solorio
21
San Luis
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Sgt. Nicholas R. Sowinski
25
Tempe
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Staff Sgt. Donald V. Stacy
23
Avondale
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Sgt. Carl Thomas
25
Phoenix
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Lance Cpl. John J. Thornton
22
Phoenix
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Sgt. Tina S. Time
22
Tucson
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Pfc. Patrick A. Tinnel
25
Lake Havasu City
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Spc. Robert O. Unruj
25
Tucson
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Staff Sgt. Russell J. Verdugo
34
Phoenix
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Sgt. Mark R. Veccjoone
25
Tucson
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Lt. Nathan D. White
30
Mesa
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Staff Sgt. Jason D. Whitehouse
27
Phoenix
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Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams
31
Yuma
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Spc. Nicholas E. Wilson
21
Glendale
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Sgt. James Witkowski
32
Surprise
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Sgt. Eljah Iai Wah Wong
42
Mesa
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Pvt. Kelly D.Youngblood
19
Mesa
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Lance Cpl. Robert P. Zurheide Jr.
20
Tucson
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