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.
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Spc. Aaron S. Aamot
22
Custer
|
Jelewar, Afghanistan
11-5-2009
Aaron was raised in Whatcom County on a small farm in Custer, WA. He was active in the Critters & Co. 4-H Club and the Ferndale FFA. The Whatcom Youth Fair and the Northwest Washington Fair were favorite events for Aaron.
The attacks on September 11, 2001, gave Aaron the determination to serve his country in the armed forces. After graduating from Ferndale High School in 2006, he went to Basic Training in Fort Benning, Georgia. After being stationed at Fort Lewis, Aaron enjoyed his role driving a Stryker vehicle in the newly formed 5th Stryker Brigade. The 5-2 SBCT deployed in July 2009 to the area around Kandahar. Aaron was driving his Stryker on a patrol when it hit a buried explosive. He is survived by his parents, Mark and Julie (Hinds) Aamot of Custer; siblings, Matthew (Angela), Joshua, Nellie (Ricky) Huisman, Benjamin (Catrina); Dale; Ethan; and Daniel. Grandparents are the late Arnold Aamot and Charlotte (Reeck) Aamot of Bellingham, and William and Donna (McDougle) Hinds of Sedro-Woolley. Aaron was a devoted uncle to nephews, Elijah, Samuel, Oliver, and Nathaniel, and nieces, Evelyn, Janett, Ella, and Catherine. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Spc. Carlo E. Alfonso
23
Spokane
|
Sadr City, Iraq
8-27-2008
Whether it was pitching in to do some heavy lifting or lightening the mood with a joke, Carlo E. Alfonso was the kind of guy you always wanted around. "He was a great family man and a brother to us all," said a fellow soldier with the 40th Engineer Battalion. "He took the work out of work." He was assigned to Baumholder, Germany. Alfonso moved to Spokane from the Philippines in 1997 with his mom, and he and his wife Rose Marie met as fellow students at West Valley High School. The couple has a 2-year-old son, Kyle. "He was friends with everybody," "Nobody hated him. He was a really sweet person." He was working toward obtaining his U.S. citizenship at the time of his death. A few weeks earlier, he also re-enlisted in the Army for another four years. He earned the nickname Carlo "there you go" Alfonso for his ability to escape tackles on the football field. "He made us laugh and smile when we needed it."
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Major Phillip D. Ambard
44
Edmonds
|
Kabul, Afghanistan
4-27-2011
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Pvt. Michael A. Baloga
21
Everett
|
Muqdadiyah, Iraq
7-26-2007
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Capt. Daniel B. Bartle
27
Ferndale
|
Helmand Province, Afghanistan
1-19-2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sgt. 1st Class
Clifford E. Beattie
37
Medical Lake
|
Baghdad, Iraq
5-22-2011
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
1st Lt. Robert N. Bennedsen
25
Vashon
|
Qualta, Afghanistan
7-18-2010
"He was my energy, the son anybody would be happy to have, a friend you only find once in your life if you're lucky," said a family friend. His high school, is where he set state and school records in football. Family and friends filled the bleachers for a heartfelt farewell for a young man known for his smile. "Robert loved with no bounds - if you were in trouble he was there to help," said a friend. "I want to thank him for protecting our country for serving our community and for being out there when none of us were." He was like a son to so many - his extended family included the fire department where he served. "He will always have our heart. You will always be our hero," said his football coach. "Robert, take it easy and keep doing what you do best - just keep smiling," said a friend. Robert also won a state wrestling championship, and academic awards as well. His picture is now placed in one of the fire trucks. And his football number, No. 32 will be retired - this season is dedicated to Robert.
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Spc. Durrell L. Bennett
22
Spanaway
|
Baghdad, Iraq
3-29-2008
As a 10th-grader, U.S. Army Spc. Durrell Lavoy Bennett impressed his teacher with a paper he wrote about martin Luther King. Durrell Bennett attended Lake Placid Elementary School one year in the mid 1990s. He was an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inftry Division. He was stationed at Fort Riley near Junction City, Kan. He had only eight more days left to serve out his tour in Iraq. He had re-enlisted and was to be reassigned to Fort Lewis, Wash., to be near his family. He was very sweet tempered and respectful person. "We used to play with Durrell and his brother, Darnell, when they were small, they were some nice kids growing up." As Durrell grew up he wanted to be like his father, Dempsey, and join the military. Bennett entered the Army in August 2005. Bennett is survived by his father, Dempsey L. Bennett; mother, Doris V. Bennett; brother, Darnell T. Bennett, all of Spanaway, Wash.; sister, Shanetta McCoy, of Nashville, Ga.; grandparents, Amos and Christine Bennett, of Nashville, Ga. and Charlie-Mae Hawthorne, Lake Placid; god parents Sam and Joann Mack Puyallup, Wash. and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and caring friends.
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Spc. Mikayla A. Bragg
21
Longview
|
Khowst Province, Afghanistan
12-21-2011
Mikayla Bragg joined the Army after graduating from Mark Morris High School in 2008. She was deployed in August from Fort Knox in Kentucky to Afghanistan as truck driver with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. Her mother, Sheyanne Baker, lives in Shelton.
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman
40
Centerville
|
Khakrez, Afghanistan
5-2-2010
The Army ran through Master Sgt. Coleman's veins. "He loved his job and he believed in what he was doing."
As a child growing up on a farm in Centerville, Master Sgt. Coleman wanted to join the special forces. He left for basic training immediately after graduation from Goldendale High School in 1988. The high school sweethearts married, and spent one night together in The Dalles, Ore., before he returned to training in Fort Sill, Okla. He left for Germany the next week. Master Sgt. Coleman also had been stationed in South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Fort Bragg, N.C., and most recently, Fort Lewis. He joined the Army's special forces in 1999, training at Fort Bragg, where he learned to speak Thai. The family spent two years in Perth, Australia, when Master Sgt. Coleman was in a foreign-exchange program. He was eligible for full retirement in 2008 but re-enlisted for five more years. The couple had been discussing another five, putting him on track for a 30-year career.
Master Sgt. Coleman's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and many others. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Spc. Matthew J. Emerson
20
Grandview
|
Ninewah Province, Iraq
9-18-2007
Matthew J. Emerson was generous to a fault. Once when visiting his older brother at school, he commented on the rather pitiful 13-inch TV they were watching in his brother's room. "The next day he handed me a receipt. He had gotten me a 22-inch television with a DVD player." "I asked him why he did it, and he said, 'Because I can.'" He was a 2005 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Bliss. Matthew learned the art of joking and getting out of trouble, and the two were partners in crime. He recalled one time he tricked his younger brother into eating dry dog food. Whenever the two would get into trouble, Emerson would always take one of two positions: Take full responsibility for everything, or go along with his older brother's story. "But the skills he taught me, I'll use forever." "Matt was not only my brother, he was my best friend. He was always there to talk to me, help me with my problems." He also is survived by his parents, L.J. and Ginger.
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Staff Sgt. Wyatt A. Goldsmith
28
Colville
|
Helmand Province, Afghanistan
7-15-2011
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Maj. William G. Hall
38
Seattle
|
Al Anbar Province, Iraq
3-29-2008
Marine Lt. Col. William G. Hall, is a Gaefield High School andWashington State University graduate. He who grew up in Skyway south of Seattle, is one of the highest-ranking U.S. military officers killed in the war. He was the second member of the armed forces with local ties to die in Iraq on Saturday. He was on his third deployment there, having arrived in February, and had been promoted to his new rank a month ago. Hall had told his family not to worry about this deployment because there was more to teach than to fight. "I can't tell you how fine this young man was, the finest husband, father, son, Marine, individual warm, gracious, just our very best," Hall "believed strongly in growing, living and learning, and he did all of those things with great courage and integrity," his family said. Hall graduated in 1987 from Garfield, where he had been a member of the school's marching band. He earned a degree in physical education from WSU, where he enrolled in ROTC, which led to his commission in the Marine Corps. In 2006, he earned a master's degree from the University of Phoenix. While his 15-year military career took him many places, Hall's heart remained here, where he grew up nurtured by his adoptive parents, Mildred and the late William Hall. Hall is survived by his wife, Xiomara; daughters Tatianna (Tia), 6, and Gladys, 3; stepsons Xavier, 13 and Xander, 9; his motherMildred Hall, sisters Dolores Perry and Margie Bell; and a host of other relatives.
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Sgt. Matthew D. Hermmsun
22
Appleton
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Cpl. Brandon S. Hocking
24
Seattle
|
As Samawah, Iraq
3-21-2011
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Sgt. Bryce D. Howard
24
Vancouver
|
Jaji, Afghanistan
8-28-2007
Howard was assigned to Headquarters Support Company, 864th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade. The unit is based in Fort Lewis, Wash. Howard, a technical engineer, entered the military Jan. 16, 2002. He attended initial entry training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and then reported to Camp Henry, Korea, in August 2002, where he served a 12-month tour. He reported to Fort Lewis on Aug. 19, 2003, and was assigned to 864th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade. Howard's civilian and military education includes a high school diploma, Basic Combat Training in 2002, the Technical Engineer Qualification Course in 2002, Warrior Leaders Course in 2004, and Combat Lifesaver Course in 2003, the Defense Department said. His awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal. Howard was posthumously promoted to his current rank from his previous rank of corporal.
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Lance Cpl. Joe M. Jackson
22
White Swan
|
Helmand Province, Afghanistan
4-24-2011
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Cpl. Jeremiah J. Johnson
23
Vancouver
|
Baghdad, Iraq
1-6-2007
There were plenty of things Jeremiah J. Johnson liked: fishing, hunting, shooting off fireworks, playing pranks, tying up his brothers and sisters, building booby traps for fun, studying military manuals, practicing athletic moves on his little brothers, and once downing three triple cheeseburgers at a sitting. "He was just an amazing brother." "He just knew so much. He lit up a room without saying a word, and when he said something, the room just exploded. God, his laugh!" He was assigned to Fort Richardson. Johnson, a 2001 high school graduate, was a hard worker who played soccer and football, and became a star center-fielder for his high school baseball team. "He was ripped, ready, athletic and oh, so cool." "He was such a likable kid, that even when he was getting in trouble, you liked him." He is survived by his wife, Gale, who he met when both were first-graders; a 2-year-old daughter, Rya; and a 4-year-old son, Isaiah.
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Spc. Vincent G. Kamka
23
Everett
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Cpl. Jason M. Kessler
29
Mount Vernon
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
1st Lt. Nicholas A. Madrazo
25
Bothell
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Cpl. Christopher J. Nelson
22
Rochester
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Spc. Adam J. Patton
21
Port Orchard
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Sgt. Jason D. Peto
31
Vancouver
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Spc. Jakob J. Roelli
24
Darlington
|
Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
9-21-2011
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Capt. Joseph W. Schultz
36
Port Angeles
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Lance Cpl. Shawn V. Starkovich
20
Arlington
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Chief Petty Officer
(Seal)
Michael R. Tatham
33
University Place
|
Bali, Indonesia
10-12-2011
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Sgt.1st Class Johnny C. Walls
41
Bremerton
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Spc. Joseph V. White
21
Bellevue
| White, who was homeschooled and took some classes at Bellevue Community College, joined the Army in Seattle on Sept. 19, 2006. He completed basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., and served as an assistant gunner with the 82nd Airborne Brigade at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served one tour in Iraq. He reported to Fort Lewis in March. The son of Doug and Robyn White was a young man of varied interests who once led an Ultimate Frisbee team, solidified his love for Jessica as the two hiked Northwest trails, built Lego structures with his little sisters and played X-Box video games with his brothers. He enjoyed drawing and paintball, too, but mostly he was a “committed loyal brother” to his nine siblings, friend to many and devoted husband, his mother. “Joe had a strong faith in God and knew that no matter what happened in his service to the military that he was in God’s hands ...,” “Joseph White is our hero and will be greatly missed by many, many people.”
|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Sgt. Nathan L. Wyrick
34
Enumclaw
|
Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
10-10-2011
|
|
|
|
|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
