This weekend is when we remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we enjoy and that so many take for granted. Its easy for us to have fun this weekend and when someone speaks of why we have this weekend we brush it off because the names that are read or that we read about we have no idea who they are or what they did or how they affected things. They rarely affect us, right? Let me share with you some of the Soldiers Ive known who were awesome people and died protecting your freedoms: CPT Michael Medders, OIF, 09/24/08 (my XO who I was a gunner for who saved my life) SPC Andre Mitchell, OIF, 07/31/08 (sacrificed his life so others could get clear) SPC Matthew Morris, OIF, 04/06/08 SGT Gregory Unruh, OIF, 03/19/08 CPT Torre Mallard, OIF, 03/10/08 (Troop Commander that led from the front) SPC Donald Burkett, OIF, 03/10/08 SGT Phillip Anderson, OIF, 03/10/08 SGT Corey Spates, OIF, 02/10/08 SPC Christine Ndururi, OIF, 11/06/07 SFC Johnathan Lowery, OIF, 12/14/07 1LT Jeremy Ray, OIF, 12/20/07 CPT Rowdy Inman, OIF, 12/26/07 SGT Benjamin Portell, OIF, 12/26/07 CPT Thomas Casey, OIF, 01/03/08 MAJ Andrew Olmstead, OIF, 01/03/08 PFC Keith Lloyd, OIF, 01/12/08 SSG Justin Whiting, OIF, 01/19/08 PFC Joshua Young, OIF, 01/28/08 SPC Brandon Meyer, OIF, 01/28/08 SSG Gary Jeffries, OIF, 01/28/08 CPL Evan Marshall, OIF, 01/28/08 SGT James Craig, OIF, 01/28/08 SSG Chad Barret, OIF, 02/02/08 SSG Bryant Mackey, OIF, 02/20/08 CPT Ulises Burgoz-Cruz, OIF, 04/06/08 SSG Chad Caldwell, OIF, 04/30/08 SPC Alex Gonzalez, OIF, 05/06/08 PFC Joshua Waltenbaugh, OIF, 06/03/08 SGT Alejandro Dominguez, OIF, 06/24/08 SPC James Yohn, OIF, 06/24/08 SPC Joel Taylor, OIF, 06/24/08 SSG David Textor, OIF, 07/15/08 SPC Jorge Feliz Nieve, OIF, 08/28/08 SGT Michael Clark, OIF, 10/07/08 SGT Jose Regalado, OIF, 11/12/08 SPC Corey Shea, OIF, 11/12/08 CW2 Christian Humphreys, OIF, 11/15/08 CW3 Donald Clark, OIF, 11/15/08 SFC Miguel Wilson, OIF, 11/21/08 MSG Anthony Davis, OIF, 11/21/08 CPT Warren Frank, OIF, 11/25/08 SSG Solomon Sam, OIF, 12/04/08 SGT John Savage, OIF, 12/04/08 MAJ John Pryor, OIF, 12/25/08 SSG Joseph Ray, OEF, 03/12/06 SGT Kevin Akins, OEF, 03/12/06 SGT Anton Hiett, OEF, 03/12/06 SPC Joshua Hill, OEF, 02/12/06 SGT Edward Heselton, 08/11/05 (best friend a man could ask for and a loss that haunts me till this very day) There are probably more but this just a less than one percent of the total sacrifice during my time in the military. Read the names, and although you didnt know them, know that they gave their lives and we remember them today. I will forever be indebted to many on this list. Hoping each of you have a wonderful memorial day weekend!
Posted on: Sun, 25 May 2014 06:54:23 +0000