GOLD STAR MEMBERS

Staff Sgt. Aceves, 30, was born in El Paso, Staff Sgt. Aceves grew up in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. He joined the Army after he graduated in 1999 from Ysleta High School in El Paso. Staff Sgt. Aceves was based at Fort Hood before serving two duty tours in Iraq. He was currently serving in Afghanistan as part of the 7th Engineering Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, N.Y.  Staff Sgt. Aceves was last in Dallas in August for a two-week visit of rest and recovery. He was due to return to Dallas in April, his family said. He is survived by his wife, Leticia Aceves of Dallas; their four children, all of Dallas; two children in El Paso from a previous marriage; his parents, who live in El Paso; two brothers; and two sisters.

Alvarez was born and raised in Roscoe, graduating from high school there — where he was active in sports — but spent several years in Big Spring before enlisting in the Army, Miller said. Hewas remembered as being very popular among friends and colleagues. He is survived by his wife, Myra; his mother and step-father, Belinda and Pete Garcia; sister Christina; and several other family members.

Block, was a Vidor native, joined the military in July 2005 as a military police officer and was assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, since January 2007. She was deployed to Iraq in May. Block’s military awards and decorations included the National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Block was described by family members an outgoing person who always wanted to help. “She loved people,”  “She was out to help people with whatever she could.” Block had plans to pursue a career in law enforcement, her relatives said.

Duckworth entered the Army at 18, almost immediately after graduating from Clear Lake High School in Houston. He was on his first deployment to Iraq, which began in August 2006 and would have ended next month.

"He wanted to serve his country; he wanted to make a difference,"   "He felt honored to serve his country."

Duckworth's family told the newspaper that he excelled in JROTC during high school and was selected to attend a national ROTC meeting for outstanding leaders. He loved sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys and NASCAR.

Spc. Jermaine D. Franklin, an Arlington High School graduate who joined the Army in 2004

Loyalty to comrades prompted Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Goyet, a 2007 Sinton High School graduate, to volunteer for duty in Afghanistan, family members said. “He was the happiest, smiliest boy, the most loving son in the world,” Martha Goyet, a dental assistant in Portland, said about her only son. “He would hug me so hard it would hurt.” Goyet, the youngest of three siblings, served one tour in Iraq as a mortar man, family members said. Afterward he was assigned to a Marine Expeditionary Unit on a Navy ship based in Japan for seven months before volunteering in March to go to Afghanistan “All he had to do was bide his time, but Mark had a sense of commitment to friends he grew up with who didn’t make it back or were badly injured in Afghanistan. “He was extremely dedicated and I was supportive of his decision.” “When your son tells you it’s his sense of duty you can’t argue with that.” Before deployment his parents visited Goyet while he was staying in Twentynine Palms, Calif., with his older sister Jenna Cordy and her husband, Joshua. “One of his fellow Marine’s family lost everything while he was in Iraq and the soldier couldn’t afford to get home despite having the leave approved,” the proud father said. “Mark gave him the money.” Serving others began at home. While in high school, Goyet read Dr. Seuss books to children at Welder Elementary School and volunteered to help youngsters shop during the Sinton For Youth Children’s Christmas shopping spree.  He enlisted after his high school graduation. Goyet was an all-district pick in football and basketball in the 2006-07 school year before joining the Marines. “Mark was a tough football player, who would get in and get after it,” said his coach, who now coaches at Sealy High School. “His effort was second to none, and he was a pleasure to be around — a wonderful kid who did what was asked of him. He wanted to please.” Goyet is survived by his parents and two sisters, Cordy, 26, and Brianne Schumann, 31, of Riviera.

Doyle Hufstedler  was an Eagle Scout. Proposed to his wife on bended knee in front of a full football stadium. He became a leader in the Army. He and his wife Grace looking forward to the birth of his first child. Doyle Hufstedler III grew up in Abilene, Tex., the son of Doyle Hufstedler Jr. and Kathleen Hufstedler . He was just the kind of All-American boy that everyone would want. An Eagle Scout, "Little Doyle ," his nickname to distinguish him from his father, embodied the Boy Scout motto, which speaks to honoring God and country and being dutiful to both. Was a man of honor, integrity, swam on the Abilene High School team for three years but was not a big-time athlete. All the time he was in high school he wanted to attend Texas A&M and be a member of the Corps of Cadets. Despite a counselor's prediction that Hufstedler 's dyslexia would make it impossible to graduate, Hufstedler prevailed and graduated, serving in the corps for four years. There he met Leslie, who was a year ahead of him in college. It was love at first sight, she said. Although he didn't know it, she stayed around College Station to be near him as he finished his last year. At halftime of the annual rivalry game with Texas, Doyle was waiting on his knee at the end of the saber arch' made by fellow cadets. Leslie walked under the arch and said yes. "He loved being a husband, and was so excited about being a father". He would stand in 140-degree heat in Iraq for two hours just to call home. He was a very passionate person, and very loyal. When he believed in something, he believed in it 110 percent. Doyle 's Army experience included six months at Fort Leonard Wood, then a move to Fort Riley on March 31, 2003.  Leslie and Doyle got involved in the First United Methodist Church, they liked to go to Pillsbury Crossing for picnics, and to City Park for the Arts in the Park concerts. Doyle also liked to work in his woodshop in the basement, and he loved working on a 1940s-era Jeep.

He liked to be called Benjamin by his friends. Throughout his high school years,  Ira Benjamin Laningham IV of Zapata used his love of music and his skills on the trumpet to play taps at military funerals. Laningham, 22, considered the soldiers fallen heroes and wanted to honor them. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. Laningham was born Sept. 1, 1988, in Greenfield, Mass., but spent much of his life in Zapata, near the Texas-Mexico border. Laningham graduated from in 2006 from Zapata High School. After spending two years at Texas A&M International University studying music, Laningham's heart returned to his original choice of joining the service. He had aspirations of becoming an Army Ranger. Ira Benjamin Laningham's wife, also serves in the military. After three months of dating, the two decided to marry a week shy of deployment so they could be deployed together last October. 

He was born August 9, 1984 in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, a son of Juan Manuel Lopez, Sr. and Tina Marie Murph Criss. He attended the public schools of Florence County.  Corporal Lopez was a member of Faith Kingdom Builders Outreaching Ministries, Florence, SC. He was also a member of The Inner Court Apostolic Church, Florence, and Faith Mission Outreach, Texas.

Jose was known in his family for epic wrestling matches that rumbled throughout the house, his powerful throw during family baseball games, his insatiable appetite and, most importantly, his fierce, protective love for his family, friends and country. He lived and breathed the idea that what he was doing was honorable. “He loved it. That’s what he did. That’s what made him happy. That was his purpose in life — protection — whether it was family, friends or country.”

Jose enlisted shortly after he graduated from Mathis High School in 2007. Maldonado split his childhood between living with his mother in Baytown and with his aunt and uncle, George and Alicia Williams, in Mathis. He moved to the town of 5,200 permanently in high school. The move was a big change for Maldonado, who had a troubled childhood and had fallen behind at school.  By the time he enrolled in Mathis High School, he lagged a year-and-a-half behind other students. They worked tutoring him at school sometimes until 6 p.m. Before long, the determined, hardworking teenage boy caught up to his peers. Despite the move from Baytown to Mathis midway through his high school career, Maldonado melded seamlessly with his Mathis classmates. He excelled in baseball, often acting as a leader who inspired other players to do better, said team mates who played with him in 2007, the year Maldonado was named to the All-District team. Maldonado joined the football team. Maldonado never knew his biological father. The loss of his father left a gaping hole in his life that they always figured Maldonado would someday fill. The family plans to bury Maldonado in Falfurrias, next to his father. They called him “Piglet” because of his ears and the way he turned pink when he got embarrassed.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata grew up in the small town of Pecos, Texas, played high school football and joined the Army as a teenager to make it his career. "Whatever he was required to do, he was willing to do,".  "Even giving his life for his country."  Villareal Mata is survived by his wife, Nancili, and his children, Eric, 16, and Stephani, 7. Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Saiz, who worked in the same office with Mata, said Mata knew everything about the vehicles he worked on, from electrical systems to engine mechanics. "Everyone wanted to be around him," Saiz said. "He was the most knowledgeable in his area of expertise."

Garrett was a 2002 graduate of Rockport-Fulton High School.  A member of First Baptist Church of Rockport, enjoyed surfing and played varsity tennis and soccer in high school. He was described McLead as an adventure seeker who changed from a moppy-haired teen to a clean-cut soldier overnight. Garrett had a great smile and always was happy.

 Matthew  was tough on the outside but had a soft spot for animals.

While deployed in Afghanistan, Ogden, a King High School graduate, didn’t ask his family to send his favorite snacks. Instead he requested food for the animals he cared for.

“He was concerned with the underfed, flea-ridden dogs over there,” “He requested dog food and flea control.”

As a child, Matthew brought home every type of stray imaginable: dogs, goats, chickens, reptiles and even a rat.

“He would cradle them in his arms and whisper, ‘It’s going to be fine now, it’s going to be fine,’

"He was caring for a baby turtle in a bowl, waiting for it to grow up so he could return it to the wild".

Odgen’s brother, Stephen Turner, said his brother was a down-to-earth, no-gimmicks kind of guy who was always ready to help others.

“Whether he pierced your tongue or opened a door for you, he was always there,” Turner said.

Randy was a Ralls Jackrabbit before he was a soldier, wearing maroon and white in just about every sport the tiny high school offered. Baseball, football, a year of basketball, cross country; he loved to run, despite carrying a thick lineman's build. His low, stocky frame could be seen bobbing on two- to three-mile jogs on the dirt roads around his house - runs he took after football practice, Joey. "Come home practically passing out," he said, smiling. "Go play a football game Friday and go to a track meet on Saturday." You couldn't call Randy a natural, but he compensated by throwing himself at the sport. Randy wanted to play catcher - no one was real sure why - and worked hard for two years before becoming a district honorable mention at the position.

Capt. Blake H. Russell,  with the 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Russell, a graduate of Fort Worth's Boswell High School and Texas A&M University, was the aide to a general before the war started and then served two more tours in Iraq. On his latest mission, he was training Iraqi soldiers.  Blake Russell's is survived his wife Bellinda, 7-year-old son Dylan and 3-year-old daughter Haley.  Russell was a field artillery officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. He joined the military in 1989 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2005.  Russell was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart during his career.  Besides his wife, children and father, he is also survived by his mother, Janice Perkins of Fort Worth.

SFC David James Todd Jr.was only 36 years old. He leaves behind five children, Kandace 19, David (bubba) 17, Katelyn (Kelly) 16, Kyle 12, and Madison 3, his Beloved sister, Stephanie Todd Keller, brother in law Christopher Keller, and his parents David Sr.,Mary Todd . He was a great/loving  son, father and soldier. He loved his country and was eager to defend everything the U.S. Flag stands for. His love for his fellow man was always quite evident in all that he did and stood for, coming to the aid of those who needed him. Other people always came first!  David James Todd, Jr., was born (Santa Rosa Hospital) in San Antonio, Texas, May 26, 1972. He attended Highland Hills Baptist School (1st grade to 4th grade), Regency Elementary School School, Bradley Middle School and MacArthur High School. Volunteer Fireman for the Bulverde Volunteer Fire Dept. and Hollywood Park Volunteer Fire Dept. while attending high school. He joined the United States Army May 16, 1991, and was stationed at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas, Scoffield Barracks in Hawaii, Ft. Polk, LA, served in Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq and Afghanistan. His last assignment prior to going to Afghanistan was in New Orleans, La., as ROTC Instructor at Tulane University. He loved to Bar B Q, he was a true Texan that's for sure. Cowboy boots and cowboy hat was a must whenever he was not wearing his Army uniform. He enjoyed going to Rudy's BarB Q when he came home on leave. His love for Bar B Q was found in Afghanistan, where he built a BarBQ pit out of discarded material so he and his men could enjoy eating Bar B Q meat whenever possible. He enjoyed fishing, camping and going on picnics with his family. David loved the outdoors and felt quite comfortable with the Texas heat. He was very proud of his family, something everyone admired and respected. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping with his family, family life to him was very important, and while in Afghanistan was trying to learn to play the banjo. Little did he know he had a banjo here waiting for him. His next assignment was scheduled as ROTC Instructor at Hofstra University, in New York. His two oldest children, who graduated from East Central High School in San Antonio, Tx, this year, were to accompany him to the same college where he would be teaching. Our son was expected to return home in December 2008. SFC David J. Todd, Jr. was responding to the aid of twelve soldiers who came under heavy enemy fire. Twelve men were saved due to his heroic efforts. “No Man Left Behind” was something he always believed in, especially when serving his country.  He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Wren worked two years at a state prison unit in Beeville before joining the Army. Spc. Charles J. Wren, 25, is survived by a wife and two brothers. Wren, nicknamed Chaz. Wren and his brothers had a tough time growing up after the deaths of their parents, who each succumbed to illnesses just 18 months apart when Wren was in elementary school. He was raised by his grandmother in Hondo, where Wren attended Hondo High School before going to work for the state prison system. He was a correctional officer at the Garza West Unit in Beeville from January 2006 to March 2008, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records. Joining the Army "was something that Chaz probably felt like he was always called to do,".  "He was very good at it. He had a lot of guts. He didn't have the ideal childhood, but his grandmother did the best she could, and he loved her. He made something positive out of his life." Wren received the Purple Heart, given to wounded service members, and the Bronze Star, awarded for bravery. Officials with his Army unit could not provide details about the medals, Wren had hurt his knees and taken shrapnel wounds to the face, and was surprised when the Army redeployed him last month.