NOONIE FORTIN

IN MEMORY -- IRAQ

Hopefully you are listening to "Fallen Not Forgotten" by Ray Boltz. While the song mentions a Father I think it is still appropriate for this particular page. I heard this song at Freedom Fest a few years ago when the Maitland Church Youth Group performed a very moving tribute to our men and women in uniform and I'm glad they continue to perform this each year.

This page honors the women who have died serving our country while in Iraq or or nearby countries.

USN PO1C Cherie Morton, 40, of Bakersfield, CA died in her quarters in in Qalali, Muharraq in Bahrain. She was assigned to Naval Security Force, Naval Support Activity Bahrain as a Petty Officer First Class (E-6) Command Career Counselor for the Southwest Asia area. Cherie had served 15 years in the Navy and was twice awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal on four occasions. She was born in Rockville, IL and graduated from West Rockford High School. Cherie is survived by her father, Richard Gary; her mother, Mary Hughes—both of Rockville, IL; and her son, Brian Trevor of Los Angeles, according to a news release. An investigation continues.

USA SPC Keisha M Morgan, 25, of Washington, DC died in Baghdad of a non-combat related incident. She was assigned to the Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX as a signal support systems specialist and this was her second tour in Iraq. This incident is under investigation. Keisha graduated from Wilson High School before joining the Army inn September 2007. It is reported that she had a seizure, was responsive but died later. She is survived by her mother Diana Morgan and others. She was buried in Arlington on Monday 3 March.

USA SGT Tracy Renee Birkman, 41, of New Castle, VA died in Owesat, Iraq from non-combat related injuries. She was assigned to the 626th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY and was on her third tour in Iraq. Tracy was a light vehicle mechanic who enlisted in the Army in 1988. She is survived by her three sons along with her parents, Phyllis and Gerald Griffith.

USA SPC Ashley (Segura) Sietsema, 20, of Melrose Park, IL died in Kuwait City, Kuwait while supporting OIF from injuries she suffered in a vehicle accident. She was a healthcare specialist and ambulance driver assigned to the 708th Medical Company, 108th Medical Battalion, 108th Sustainment Brigade, Illinois National Guard, North Riverside, IL. Ashley was driving an ambulance that was transporting a patient from Camp Arifjan to Camp Buehring when it rolled over and hit a light pole. She died on the scene. Originally from River Grove, IL Ashley joined the IL National Guard in December 2004 before graduating in June 2005 from East Leyden High School in Franklin Park. She had been deployed since July and in Kuwait since 3 September. She is the 16th casualty from the Illinois National Guard and the fourth female Illinois Guard casualty. Ashley is survived by her husband Max, mother Olivia Segura, brother Kyle and many other family members and friends.

USA SPC Christine M Ndururi, 21, of Dracut, MA died in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait while supporting OIF from a non-combat illness. She was assigned as an automated logistical specialist to the 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX. Her death is under investigation. Originally from Kenya her family moved to Massachusetts in 2002. Christine graduated in 2005 from Dracut High School and enlisted in March 2006. She was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment since September 2006. Her awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Army Service Ribbon. Chrsitine is the first female soldier from the Merrimack Valley area to die during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Christine had called home the day before to say she was heading to Kuwait from Fort Hood and she wasn’t ill at that time. She was taken to a hospital a short time after her arrival in Kuwait. She is survived by her mother; father Wilson Wachira; brothers George, Simon, Ambrose; and sister Faith.

USA SSG Carletta S (Ward) Davis, 34, of Anchorage, AK died along with three other men in Tal Al-Dahab from wounds she suffered when an IED detonated near the Humvee she was in. She was a health care specialist assigned to the 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y. Carletta graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1991 and enlisted in the Army in October 1994. Her first assignment was with Company B, Area Support Medical Battalion at Fort Hood, TX and she was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina from October 1996 to April 1997. In March 1999, she was reassigned to the 54th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), Fort Lewis, WA where she served as a flight medic. In January 2002 Carletta was assigned to the 702nd Main Support Battalion at Camp Casey, South Korea until she returned to the 54th Medical Company in February 2003. In April 2007 she arrived at Fort Drum and was assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team. Carletta’s deployment to Iraq with 1st BCT was her third tour, having served there from April 2003 to March 2004 and again from December 2004 to November 2005. During one of those tours she was wounded and received a Purple Heart. Her other awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon. She planned to return to Alaska after this tour in Iraq and become a physician’s assistant. Carletta is survived by her husband, three sons and her mother Lavanda Napier.

USA 2LT Tracy Lynn Alger, 30, of New Auburn, WI died south of Baghdad in Shubayshen when an IED exploded near her Humvee while on patrol. She was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. She was in charge of convoys transporting supplies but she wouldn’t stay in the wire and often went on the convoys herself. Tracy graduated from Chetek High School and went to the University of Wisconsin—River Falls then worked as a graphic artist as well as a certified nursing assistant. Throughout her life Tracy was a rodeo barrel-racer aboard her horse Tango and had been president of the Wisconsin Girls Barrel Racing Association. Her mother had been in the National Guard and after 9/11 Tracy decided to join the Guard as well. Meanwhile her sister served in the Air Force. Tracy is survived by her mother Pauline Knutson of New Auburn and her younger sister, Tanya Leo.

Two women serving as Master-at-Arms with the Navy at the US Naval Support Activity Bahrain were murdered by a male sailor who then attempted suicide. This incident happened within their barracks and is thought to be a jilted boyfriend’s shooting spree. DoD listed both women as being there in support of OIF.

USN MASN Anamarie Sannicolas Camacho, 20, of Panama City, FL died in Bahrain from injuries she received during a non-combat incident. In fact it has come out that she was murdered by another sailor who had a previous relationship with her roommate. She was serving as a Master-at-Arms Seaman (E-3) assigned to the US Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Her mother apparently lives in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the North Pacific. Anamarie was originally from Tinian and decided to join the Navy after graduating from the Tinian Jr. and Sr. High School. She enlisted in June 2006 and arrived in Bahrain in August 2007. She always had big smiles and was filled with energy. Her remains were expected to arrive on the island and a memorial service was set for the following day. She is survived by her mother Jovy San Nicolas Paulino of Tinian and a sister Joana Lynn San Nicolas-Killoren.

USN MASN Genesia Mattril Gresham, 19, of Lithonia, GA died in Bahrain from injuries she received during a non-combat incident. In fact it has come out that she was murdered by another sailor who had a previous relationship with her. She was serving as a Master-at-Arms Seaman (E-3) assigned to the US Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Genesia enlisted in November 2006 and was assigned to this unit in March 2007. She and the sailor accused of shooting both of these women had been in a volatile relationship. He had threatened her in the past, was punished and ordered to stay away from her. It’s obvious he didn’t adhere to those restrictions. After shooting her and Anamarie he turned the weapon on himself but didn't die. He has since been discharged from the Navy with no benefits from either the Navy nor the VA. She is survived by her mother, Natalie Gresham; father, Joseph Webb; grandmother, Mattie Gresham; brothers, Marques Moreland and Ezra Gresham; sister, Ashlee Gresham; and many other family members and friends.

USAR SSG Lillian (Cobbin) Clamens, 35, of Lawton, OK died in Baghdad from wounds suffered when Camp Victory in the Green Zone was attacked with rockets. She was assigned to the 1st Postal Platoon, 834th Adjutant General Company, Miami, FL as part of the Army Reserve 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command. Lillian had been in the USAR for 17 years as an administrative clerk for her unit and was a full-time postal worker. Lillian, originally from Omaha, NE, joined the Army Reserve after graduating from Omaha Central High School in 1990. She liked it so much she went active duty and served in Korea; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; and Vilseck, Germany but eventually returned to the USAR and worked as a civilian at the US Southern Command Headquarters in Miami. She met Raymond Clamens while in Germany in 1996 and they married a year later. In 2005 the family moved to South Florida. Lillian deployed in July 2006. She sent Raymond a message on Monday that she had arrived safely from Talil into Baghdad and was expecting to be in the US over the weekend and home in Homestead, FL in time for Halloween with him and her three children. Lillian is survived by her husband Raymond Clamens; her son Ayinde Williams; her daughters Lana and Victoria; her mother Dorothy Cobbin; her sister Dana Cobbin and niece Sierra Cobbin.

USAR SPC Rachael L Hugo, 24, of Madison, WI died in Bayji from wounds she received when her unit came under attack from an IED as well as small arms fire. She was assigned to the 303rd Military Police Company, 97th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, U.S. Army Reserve, Jackson, MI. Rachael was a dedicated soldier and a combat medic. She was a 2001 graduate of Madison East High School and had been working toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Viterbo University in La Crosse. She worked as a home health aide for the La Crosse County Health Department and was also employed by Meriter Hospital in Madison as a nursing assistant in the hospital’s mobile unit during breaks from school. Her unit deployed to Iraq a little more than a year ago. She is survived by her parents Kermit and Ruth Hugo, brother Scott and great uncle Robert Hugo.

USN MASA Shayna Ann Schnell, 19, of Tell City, IN died from injuries she received in a vehicle accident in Dubai. DoD has listed her as being in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was serving as a Master-at-Arms Seaman Apprentice (E-2) assigned to Naval Security Force Bahrain, Jebel Ali Detachment, United Arab Emirates working base security. Shayna was a passenger in a vehicle, under contract by the Navy driven by a local man, enroute to a doctor’s appointment when the accident occurred following a tire failure sending the vehicle into a brick wall which collapsed onto the vehicle. She suffered a massive brain injury in the accident that occurred on 25 September. Shayna graduated from Perry Central High School in 2006 and enlisted in the Navy that July. She was a bug Tom Petty fan. She went to Great Lakes’ IL for her boot camp followed by Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX where she trained to become a master-at-arms before she was deployed to Bahrain. Shayna is survived by her father and stepmother Doug and Peggy Schnell; sister Nichole; two brothers Trent and Tyler (who is also in the Navy); and her grandmother Linda Terry.

USA CPT (Dr) Roselle M. Hoffmaster, 32, of Cleveland, OH died in Kirkuk of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. It was unclear how she was hurt. She was a surgeon assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. The circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation. Roselle was initiated into the Phi Beta Kappa sorority in November 1997 and became a 1998 graduate of Smith College (where she excelled in cross country, track and field) with a biochemistry degree. Then in 2004 she graduated from Case Western Reserve University’s medical school. After graduating from Case Western in 2004, she was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps and continued her training in internal medicine at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. She was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in July 2007 and deployed to Iraq in September. She is survived by her husband Gordon and her parents.

USA SPC Marisol Heredia, 19, of El Monte, CA died at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX of injuries suffered from a non-combat related injury 18 July in Baghdad. Marisol was assigned as a petroleum supply specialist to the 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX. The circumstances surrounding her injuries and subsequent death are under investigation. However it is reported that she was refueling a generator at the time, then there was a spark and the gasoline spilled on her, burning 80 percent of her body—all but her feet. Her family has said that her wounds had become infected and she took the turn for the worse. She had been in the 15th Brigade since May 2006 and deployed to Iraq in October 2006. Marisol had graduated a half year early from El Monte’s Mountain View High School where she studied French and followed her older sister Claudia into the Army. She became the first female soldier from the San Gabriel Valley to die in the 4 1/2-year-old Iraq War. She was returned to Baton Rouge, LA for her wake and funeral. Burial will be on Sunday, which would have been her 20th birthday, in the Port Hudson National Cemetery in Zachary, LA. She is survived by her mother Rosa; sisters Claudia Billiot, Carolina and Azusena Heredia; stepfather Jose Luis Dominguez and her fiancé USA SGT Travis Beaumont as well as many other family members and friends.

USA SPC Kamisha J Block, 20, of Vidor, TX died in Baghdad from injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. She was assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, TX as an MP. Kamisha is the first woman from Southeast Texas to be killed in Iraq. She graduated from AIM Center High School in Vidor in 2005 and joined the Army. Kamisha turned 20 on 4 August and was due to return home next month. She worked at the local Waffle House during high school where she also hung out with her friends. She’ll be buried in Mansfield Cemetery. She is survived by her parents Jerry and Jane Block of Vidor, sister Shonta Godeaux, grandmother Gertrude Stuckey, several aunts and uncles, one nephew Hyden Godeaux, and close friends Amanda Buck, her mother Arnette Buck, Debbie Strother and many more.

Two women were killed in Taji when the enemy attacked using indirect fire with mortars.

USA SGT Princess C Samuels, 22, of Mitchellville, MD was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX and had been in Iraq since February. She had also been in Afghanistan. Princess became the fourth Maryland woman to die in the war. She was a 2003 graduate from Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, MD in Prince George’s County where she played soccer, was a cheerleader and a gifted artist. Though she had been accepted at art school Princess decided to join the Army instead because she wanted to see the world. She was trained as an imagery specialist in military intelligence. She will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. She is survived by her mother Anika Lawal of Waldorf, brother Jubril, aunt Kathy Smith, her poodle Skylar and many other relatives and friends.

USA SPC Zandra T (Worthy) Walker, 28, of Greenville, SC was assigned to 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX as an aircraft refueler. Graduates of Woodmont High where they both ran track, Zandra and her twin sister Yolanda Worthy-Weathersby entered the Army together in January 2000. Zandra got out in April 2005 but rejoined in April 2006. Yolanda was serving in Kuwait, while Zandra’s husband Kenneth Walker was a civilian air traffic controller working in Kuwait. The twins had been home in June for the funeral of their younger Katrina from brain cancer. The twins were always together except when deployed. Zandra (whose nickname was Neicy) is survived by her husband Kenneth Walker; her parents Dwight and Connie Worthy; sisters Yolanda, Charlita and Amber; and many other family members and friends.

USA SSG Alicia A (Finklea) Birchett, 29, of Mashpee, MA died in Baghdad from injuries suffered from a non-combat related accident. She was assigned as an engineer mechanic to the 887th Engineer Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. An investigation is under way. Alicia (known as Little Brown Bee) was a member of the Wampanoag tribe from the Cape Cod area. She grew up in Mashpee and was described as an adventurous woman who was dedicated to her country and family, and proud of her heritage. Her family has been told that she was changing a flat tire when the brakes of the truck failed resulting in her death. Alicia’s tribal custom of keeping a fire lit from time of death until burial is being done at her aunt’s home in Mashpee along with American Indian music playing in the background. Alicia graduated in 1995 from Falmouth High School and went into the Army at 17. She had served in Germany and Iraq as well Fort Campbell and had been living in Waynesboro, TN. She will be buried in a traditional Wampanoag ceremony with drums, prayers and tobacco—all part of the Wampanoag cleansing ritual—instead of a military funeral at the Old Indian Cemetery. Alicia is survived by her husband Joe Louis Birchett; three sons Joe Louis Birchett III, Julian X. Birchett and Silas V. Birchett, all of Waynesboro, TN; mother, Dorothea (Jackson) Finklea of Wareham; stepfather, Elie Pilet of Mashpee; and father Alvin Finklea of New York; sister of Teresa Jackson and Elie Pilet Jr. both of Tennessee, Moise Finklea of Mashpee and Eli Finklea of Wareham; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

USA CPT Maria Ines Ortiz, 40, became the first Army nurse to die in Baghdad from wounds suffered during a mortar attack on the Green Zone. Maria was assigned to the 28th Combat Support Hospital, 3rd Command as the head nurse for the intermediate care ward where she attended to Iraqi civilians and American soldiers. She had been caring for patients at the hospital inside the fortified district and not wearing body armor because she felt safe inside the walls of central Baghdad’s Green Zone district. Maria had been born in Pennsauken, NJ, raised in Bayamon, PR and listed NJ as her home. She had been assigned to the Kirk US Army Health Clinic in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD prior to volunteering to be deployed to Iraq in September. She enlisted in the Army in 1991 and got her nursing degree in 1999 from the University of Puerto Rico followed by her master’s degree in quality management from the Massachusetts National Graduate School in 2004. Before being assigned to Kirk as the Chief Nurse of general medicine Maria had been stationed in Puerto Rico, Korea and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Maria is survived by her parents, four sisters—one of whom is her twin Maria Luisa Medina, and her fiancé Juan Casiano.

USA SPC Michelle R (Stearns) Ring, 26, of Martin, TN died from enemy mortar fire while she was on guard duty at Camp Liberty in Baghdad. She was assigned to the 92nd Military Police Battalion, Fort Benning, GA as a petroleum supply specialist. She had hoped to retrain and become an MP upon re-enlisting two weeks before her death. Michelle was born in Portland, OR and grew up in McMinnville, OR before her family moved to Alaska in 1992 where Michelle graduated from Chugiak High School and considered Alaska as her home. While in Alaska she was known as Michelle Stearns. She left the Anchorage area in 1999 after her boyfriend, Marc Hopfenspirger (the father of her first son), was killed but had hoped to return to Alaska. Michelle enlisted in the Army in August 2005 with the hopes of making a better life for her children and was deployed to Iraq in October 2006. She loved fishing, hiking and anything outdoors. Michelle became the first female soldier with Oregon ties to die in the Iraq war, although she's not the first Oregon woman killed there. Civilian contractor, Deborah D. Klecker, 51, of Bend died in June 2005. However Michelle is the 106th service member with ties to Oregon or southwest Washington to die. She is survived by her two sons, Marc Hopfenspirger (living in OR) and Brandon Ring (living in TN), her parents John and Shirley Stearns, and her sisters Karen Harbuck of Wasilla, AK and Marilyn Haybeck of McMinnville, OR. Michelle will be buried at Williamette National Cemetery near Portland, OR.

USA SGT Trista L Moretti, 27, from South Plainfield, NJ died in Nasir Lafitah when her unit was attacked by insurgents using indirect fire with mortars. She was assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. Trista worked nights and slept during the day. She was off duty and asleep in her trailer when the mortars hit it. Trista graduated in 1998 from South Plainfield High School where she excelled in athletics. She had wanted to become a teacher but changed her mind. Trista’s former neighbor and best friend, Gloria Anthony, had served in the Army. She was inspired to enlist after hearing Gloria’s stories about her time serving. Trista joined the Army in 2003 and became a signal intelligence analyst and paratrooper. She became the first from South Plainfield to die in Iraq. She is survived by her parents Frederic and Judy Moretti as well as her sister Jennifer and many other family members and friends.

USA SPC Karen N Clifton, 22, of Lehigh Acres, FL died in Baghdad from wounds suffered when the Humvee she was driving was hit with a rocket propelled grenade. Three other soldiers were wounded. She was assigned to the 554th Military Police Company, 95th MP Battalion, Kaiserslautern, Germany. While in Iraq she was technically assigned to 544th MP CO, Forward Platoon, 630th MP CO, 759th MP BN, 89th MP Brigade. She is the first female from Lee County in Florida to die in Iraq. Karen had been in Iraq more than a year and always stayed in touch with her family. Her company was due to leave Iraq on 1 June but had been extended to October. Born in Decatur, IL, Karen had grown up there and attended Mt Zion schools and was active in the Mt. Zion Police Department Explorer's Program. She moved to Lehigh Acres in 2002. She loved poetry, music, movies and shopping. After graduating from high school in Fort Myers, FL in 2003 she returned to IL where she enlisted in the Army to become an MP. Karen has been posthumously promoted and awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. Funeral services will be held in Mt Zion, IL and she’ll be buried in Long Creek, IL. Karen is survived by her mother Chris (Maurer) Hancock of Illiopolis, IL; father Doug Clifton of Mt Zion, IL; sisters—Cindy Blackston and her husband Blake of Mobile, AL, and Katie Maple of Illiopolis; stepsister—Heather Maple of Lehigh Acres, FL; former stepfather John Maple; stepbrother Sean Maple of Triumph, IL; grandparents, and many others.

USA PFC Katie M (Soenksen) Rowella, 19, of Davenport, IA died in Baghdad from wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle. She was assigned to the 410th Military Police Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, Fort Hood, TX. She was conducting a security mission when her convoy was attacked. She was due to return home in June. Katie was a 2005 graduate of Davenport North High School where she had played center field on her softball team, enjoyed singing in the choir and prepared herself for a military career by joining the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. She had been influenced by her grandfather who had served in the Army and an aunt who had been in the Air Force. Katie is the 52nd person and the third woman from Iowa to be killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Katie is survived by her husband USA SPC Benjamin Rowella, her parents Ronald and Mary Ann Soenksen, brother Matt Soenksen, sister Sarah (Soenksen) Goodwin, several nieces, grandmother, aunts, uncles and many others. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home. Inurnment will be in National Cemetery, Arsenal Island, with full military honors.

CIVILIAN Carolyn C Edwards, 38, from Montezuma, GA was killed while working in the Green Zone of Baghdad following a missile attack. She had been standing in a doorway and was hit from shrapnel and debris from the rocket. She was there working as a civilian contractor for KBR Industries as a coordinator at the American Embassy of Iraq, a subsidiary of Halliburton. She was due to return home for good in time for Easter—sadly though she is back in time her family is unable to enjoy it with her. Carolyn graduated in 1986 from Macon County High School. She had worked for several companies including the Macon County Family Connection where she served as director. Carolyn also had been the owner and operator of Carolyn Edwards’ Consultant. She was a community leader, always searching for new adventures and experiencing new techniques in technology. Carolyn is survived by her son, Darius Larry; her mother, Mary Ann Tookes Edwards; several aunts and uncles as well as very many friends.

USA SGT Ashly L Moyer, 21, of Emmaus, PA died in Baghdad when an Improvised explosive device detonated near her vehicle killing her and two other soldiers. She was assigned to the 630th Military Police Company, 793rd Military Police Battalion in Bamberg, Germany and had been in Iraq almost a year. She was due to return home in June. Ashly enlisted in the Army Reserve before graduating from Emmaus High School in 2003. She then trained to become a Military Police officer. Her first assignment was guarding high-security detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After returning to PA she decided to go active duty and was then stationed in Bamberg for five months before being sent to Iraq. Ashly’s boyfriend Jake Wells, also a member of her unit, tried to rescue her but was turned back by the flames and rounds of ammunition exploding in the heat. Ashly and Jake were expected back in the US in June and planned to spend two weeks each in PA and TX where Jake is from. Jake wanted to ask Ashly’s father for her hand in marriage. Ashly came from a military family. Her grandfather was a Marine who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and her father was also a Marine. Ashly is survived by her mother Jane (Geyer) Drumheller and stepfather Jeff Drumheller of Milford, her father Michael Moyer and stepmother Deborah Moyer of Lower Macungie, her sisters Karissa Thomas and Teagen Moyer, her brothers Kyle and Tyler Clark, her boyfriend Jake and many other family members and friends. Ashly will be buried on 16 March at Arlington National Cemetery. The Ashly Moyer Memorial Fund has been set up to erect a monument locally in her honor.

USMC CPL Jennifer M Parcell, 20, of Bel Air in Harford County, MD died in Al Anbar Province while supporting combat operations. She was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan as a landing support specialist (E-4) for combat operations and was scheduled to leave Iraq on 1 March and return to Okinawa, where she was stationed. Jennifer graduated in 2004 from Fallston High School and followed her older brother into the Marines in January 2005. They were actually stationed together in Iraq for about a month before being separated. Jennifer enjoyed boating, scuba diving, yoga and music as well as being a whiz at mathematics. She had already received six medals and will no doubt receive a Purple Heart. Jennifer became the fourth woman from the state and 55th Marylander to be killed in Iraq. She was a true humanitarian and had already sponsored an African child through a mission charity and went with her unit to help when Pakistan was devastated by an earthquake last year. She earned the Humanitarian Service Medal for her efforts. Jennifer planned to leave the Marines and attend college when her tour ended in 2009. She was already taking a course at University of Maryland online while in Iraq. Her family plans to hold a funeral service at Mount Calvary Free Will Baptist Church in Aberdeen. She is survived by her parents, other family members including her brother CPL Joseph Parcell who is returning from his tour to be with family and her aunt Martha Benton of Aberdeen.

USMC CPT Jennifer Harris, 27, of Swampscott, MA died northwest of Baghdad when the CH-46E helicopter she was piloting went down killing all aboard. She was assigned to HMM-364, the “Purple Foxes” and was on her third tour of duty in Iraq. Jennifer, an O-3, was due back home next week to fill a position as a Marine instructor for the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. While at Swampscott High School she played flute and graduated fifth in her class. Jennifer was a member of the Student Council and volunteered at the Swampscott senior citizens' dance and the American Heart Association. As a high school junior in 1995 Jennifer wanted to go to the US Naval Academy and that she did in 1996! Graduating from Annapolis in 2000 she went into the Marines and joined an air wing where she became a helicopter pilot. She had always wanted to fly. Jennifer flew big CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters into danger to rescue fellow military personnel. Jennifer loved sailing off Nahant, playing softball, taking dance lessons and especially loved flying. On her first tour in Iraq in 2003 she evacuated wounded from Fallujah. She returned to Iraq for a second time in 2005. She became the first Massachusetts servicewoman to be killed in Iraq. She is survived by her parents Raymond and Rosalie Harris and other family members and many friends.

USAR SPC Carla J Stewart, 37, of Sun Valley, CA, died in Tallil from injuries suffered when her convoy vehicle rolled over. Carla was assigned to the 250th Transportation Company, El Monte, CA. She had wanted to enlist when she was 17 but didn’t until she reached 35. Originally from La Canada Flintridge she was raised there and in Glendale. Carla attended La Canada Flintridge High School and Hoover High School in Glendale before attending Glendale Community College pursuing a career in mechanical drafting. She began working with her father until she finally had the opportunity to enlist. She went to basic training at Fort Jackson, SC and shortly afterwards was deployed to Iraq with her unit and was suppose to return home in March. Carla loved the ballet, mountain hiking, nature, children and animals. She had five cats and one dog. Carla is survived by her mother, Emmy Aprahamian; her father, Edmund Babayan; her brother, Richard Babayan; her estranged husband, Brandon Stewart; and other members of the Aprahamian and Babayan families. She was buried at famous Forest Lawn—Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. Special thanks to her brother Richard for the photo he sent me!

Rick Tyndall wrote—my son, Sgt Randy Tyndall is also with the same unit. He told me that she was always looking at things on the positive side and the two of them shared many stories together. He enjoyed her company very much. It was a sad and an extremely emotional time for my son when he would comment that he would never see her again. I don't know how to get in touch with her immediate family to share this information with them. She was from Glendale California. If you are able to assist me in contacting the family, you have my E-mail address. Thanks for your help.

IAARNG CSM Marilyn L (Van Cannon) Gabbard, 46, of Polk City, IA was among those killed when the Black Hawk helicopter they were on crashed outside of Baghdad. Marilyn, who was the first woman to obtain her rank in the Iowa Army National Guard, was a full-time member of the Iowa National Guard and was based at Camp Dodge in Johnston, IA but she went to Iraq with another unit that left from Fort Bliss, TX. She had deployed from Iowa on 16 December and assumed her duties in Iraq on 26 December. With 27 years of military service she could have retired but decided to go to Iraq anyway. She was a liaison between the troops and the Guard and was enroute to inspect troops. Marilyn was a native of Madrid and Boone, IA and graduated from Boone High School in 1979. She enlisted as a private in the Iowa National Guard that fall. Marilyn was promoted to Command Sergeant Major in April 2001. She was married to Edward Gabbard for the past decade. Marilyn lived in Polk City with her husband Edward, 65 who is a retired command sergeant major from the Iowa National Guard. Besides her husband Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Melissa Danielson of Maxwell, IA;  stepson, Terry Gabbard of Waterloo; stepdaughters, Mari Jo Scott of La Porte City, IA, Gerri Gabbard of Des Moines, Deborah Pommier of Madrid, Sherri Gabbard of Waterloo and Kerri Wilson of Waverly.

CIVILIAN Andrea “Andi” Parhamovich, 28, of Perry, OH died in Baghdad when the convoy she was in was attacked. Three security guards from Unity Resources Group were also killed. Andi was in Iraq working with the Washington-based National Democratic Institute on International Affairs to help the Iraqi politicians communicate better with their people. She was a softball player before graduating from Perry High School in 1996. She graduated from Marietta College in 2000 with a degree in advertising and public relations and a minor in journalism before working in communications with the Massachusetts Governor's office and Department of Economic Development, Air America Radio and, most recently, the International Republican Institute in Iraq before joining NDI's Baghdad staff in late 2006. She had already formed good working relationships with Iraqi political leaders who have expressed their deep sadness at her murder. She is survived by her fiancé, Michael Hastings, a Newsweek reporter based in Iraq, along with family and friends.

USN MA1 Jennifer A (Young) Valdivia, 27, of Cambridge, IL was found dead in Bahrain. She was assigned to the naval security force for Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, an island country in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Saudi Arabia. DoD lists her as supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her death is considered a non-combat related incident even though Bahrain is considered a hostile fire zone. Investigation was pending and NCIS determined this to be a suicide. She was born in Iowa City on 25 May 1979 and graduated from Orion High School in 1997 before entering the Navy. Jennifer advanced to Master-at-Arms Petty Officer First Class (E-6) in nine years and was the Kennelmaster in charge of the largest kennel in the Navy. In 2005 she earned the title of Sailor of the Year while at the Bahrain Naval Base. Her family requested that contributions be made to the City Animal Welfare - No Kill Shelter, Milan. Jennifer is survived by her mother Debra Hawk, father Chris Young, brother Jeremy Young, grandparents, other relatives and friends.

USAF Sr Airman Elizabeth A Loncki, 23, of New Castle, DE died in the Baghdad area near Al-Mahmudiyah from an vehicle borne improvised explosive device which they were investigating at the time it exploded while attempting to disarm it. She and two airmen also killed were assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, UT. The three airmen were members of an explosive ordance disposal team. She had graduated from Padua Academy in Wilmington, DE in 2001. Elizabeth attended the University of Arizona before enlisting. She enjoyed rock music, swimming, volleyball and being able to match boys push-up for push-up. She deployed to Iraq in August and was due to return home in two weeks. Elizabeth became the first Delaware woman to be killed in the line of duty in Iraq. She is survived by her father Stephen Loncki; stepmother Christine Loncki; sister Olivia Loncki; mother Ann Roberts; stepfather Joey Roberts; several aunts, uncles, grandparents; fiancée SGT Jayson Johnson who was planning to ask her father's permission to marry her; and many other family members and friends.

USN DCFA Sandra S (Grant) Fry, 23, of Linwood, NC died in her sleep on New Year’s Eve after apparently going into cardiac arrest while in the Arabian Sea assigned to the USS Eisenhower as a Damage Controlman Fireman Seaman (E-2). Though she was born in Subic Bay when her father was stationed there Sandra graduated from West Davidson High School in NC. Sandra joined the US Navy so she could serve her country also and became a damage control firefighter. She married John Wolfgang Fry of Virginia Beach, VA and eight months ago gave birth to their son, Alexander Wolfgang Fry. In October 2006 she flew to Iraq where she met up with the aircraft carrier. Sandra is survived by her husband, son and other family members. A trust fund has been set up for her son.

USMC MAJ Megan M. McClung, 34, of Coupeville, WA, died while supporting combat operations was killed in downtown Ramadi in Al Anbar province. She was a Public Affairs Officer (O-4) for the Ready First Combat Team, assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I MEF, Camp Pendleton, CA. Megan was escorting media when she was killed. Megan was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1989 while attending Mission Viejo High School in California. She joined the Marine Corps in 1995 after graduating from Annapolis. She had deployed to Iraq in January. She was in the final month of a yearlong deployment to Iraq. Megan is the only woman graduate of the Naval Academy to die in Iraq as a result of hostile action. Having been a runner and gymnast most of her life she took part in the Ironman Distance Triathalon and this year planned the Marine Corps Marathon Forward race which shadowed the Marines running in Washington, DC. She is survived by her parents Michael and Re McClung living in Coupeville, WA. Megan will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Marine Corps League Detachment 1210 in Washington state has been renamed in honor of her and on Friday 7 Dec 07 the Multi-National Corps-Iraq broadcast studio was named for her.

USA SGT Jeannette T. Dunn, 44, of Bronx, NY died in Taji from a non-combat related injury. She was assigned to the 15th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. Services were held at St Augustine Presbyterian Church in Bronx and burial followed at the Calverton Cemetery. Her survivors live nearby. No photo has been located to date.

NYARNG SGT Denise A Lannaman, 46, of Bayside (Queens), NY died at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait while serving with the Army's 63rd Engineering Company from a non-combat related gunshot wound. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Denise came to the US, became a naturalized citizen and served in the US Navy and Navy Reserve for nine years. She held various jobs such as lifeguard, swimming instructor, electrician, mechanic, etc. Denise had also been a firefighter, scuba diver, paramedic and filmmaker. She had lived in France and England. She decided to join the NY Army National Guard in May 2003. Trained as a truck driver in the Army National Guard, Denise originally was deployed to Iraq with the 1569th Transportation Company, based out of Newburgh, NY in January 2005. When her unit returned to the US, Denise asked to stay so she was then assigned to the 63rd. Following the death of an officer at Camp Arifjan who was accused of shaking down a laundry contractor, Denise also had been questioned. She was told she would be sent home in disgrace but it is unknown if she was accused of being somehow involved with the officer's bribery charge, if it had something to do with her being a lesbian, or if it was something else. But that same day Denise was found dead in a jeep. Was her death a murder or suicide? In September 2007 her mother received a letter from the Army along with Denise's Honorable Discharge certificate! Her survivors include her mother Barbara Lannaman and sister Michelle Forgennie.

USA 1LT Ashley (Henderson) Huff, 23, from Athens, GA was killed near Irbil in a suicide attack on her convoy. A member of the 549th Military Police, 3rd Infantry Division, she was to return home in about six weeks. Ashley grew up in Louisiana and New Jersey. She married Brian Huff in August 2005. She was a 2004 graduate of the University of Georgia and a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. While in Iraq she was helping to create that country’s police force. The Defense Department has not released Henderson’s identity to the public, but the Associated Press reported on Tuesday that a suicide car bombing in Iraq had killed one soldier and wounded two others. Her father notified the media. A memorial service will be held at Fort Stewart. She is survived by her husband Brian and her father Mark Henderson. Grad's death brings reality of war home was an article done in the Review of 2006 section of Red and Black.

19 Sep 06:

USN LCDR Jane E (Lanham) Tafoya, 43, of Owensboro, KY died from natural causes in Bahrain. DoD listed her as supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was an Industrial Hygienist who had served for 18 years in the Navy with the classification of Lieutenant Commander (O-4) and was assigned to the Naval Branch Health Clinic in Bahrain.

USA SGT Jennifer M Hartman, 21, of New Ringgold, PA was assigned to the 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX as a food service specialist. She died in Baghdad from injuries she suffered when a vehicle borne IED detonated near the West Baghdad Substation where she was located. She was inside the patrol base at the time of the explosion but not working at the time of the incident. Jennifer graduated from Tamaqua High School and enjoyed all things that go fast. She enlisted in July 2003 and was deployed to Iraq in December 2005. Jennifer was scheduled to be come home from Iraq on 10 Nov. She is survived by her parents, David and Bernice Hartman, her sister Katie, and brother Brian.

USA 2LT Emily J. T. Perez, 23, of Texas died in Al Kifl when her HMMWV struck an IED. She was assigned to the 204th Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Ft Hood, TX as a Medical Service Corps officer. Emily was a 2005 graduate of West Point and had been in Company G3.She was the first African-American female cadet Corps command sergeant major. She was a letter winning track and field star in high school as well as West Point. She had been a gospel singer and helped start an AIDS ministry at her church. Emily is survived by her parents Daniel and Vicki Perez of Ft Washington, MD, her brother, Kevyn, other family members and may friends. She will be buried at West Point.

USA PFC Hannah L. (Heavrin) Gunterman McKinney, 20, of Redlands, CA died in Taji from injuries she received when she was struck by a vehicle. Hannah was assigned to the 542nd Maintenance Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, Fort Lewis, WA. When this story was first reported the military claimed that early in the morning darkness Hannah climbed down from a guard tower at Fort Taji and headed across a dusty road to a latrine but she didn’t make it. She was struck by a Humvee, which then sped away. A tank driver found her at least an hour later and rushed her to the base medical center, where she died of internal injuries. HOWEVER--in December it was reported that Hannah had been out with some other soldiers and somehow fell out of the vehicle they were riding in and got run over. The NCO driving the vehicle was later found and has been charged with hit and run along with several other pertinent charges! Hannah was due to return stateside in two months. She had deployed to Iraq in November 2005 and served as a quartermaster at Fort Taji. Her duties included order processing and manning a machine gun on a guard tower at the base, the job she was doing when she was killed. She is survived by her husband, Christopher McKinney, her 22-month-old son Todd Avery Gunterman, her parents Matt and Barbie Heavrin, as well as three siblings. The article War families grieve deaths appeared just before Christmas '06 and it contradicts the info DoD released about her death.

CIVILIAN Donna Marie Kerns, 54, from Memphis, TN died as a result of a vehicle accident while in Amman, Jordan. She had been in Iraq training Iraqi police so I decided to leave her on this list. Donna had retired from the Memphis Police Department after serving there for 26 years. She had been a hostage negotiator as well as a leading investigator of sexual assaults. After retiring from the MPD Donna was contracted as a civilian to train Iraqi police recruits and was on her second trip to Iraq when this accident occurred. She is survived by her mother, three sisters, one brother, two grandmothers, and many others.

8 Jun 06:

USNR HM2 Jaime S. Jaenke, 29, of Bay City, WI died in Al Anbar, Iraq as a result of enemy action when her HMMWV was struck by an improvised explosive device. Jaime was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 from Fort McCoy, WI as a Hospital Corpsman/Field Medic Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5). Originally from Iowa Falls, IA, Jaime had recently moved back there with her daughter and was starting her own business running an equestrian stable. Jaime had been an Emergency Medical Technician with the Ellsworth Ambulance Service in WI before she was activated in January and had been in Iraq about three months. She became the first female Iowan to die since WW II. Jaime leaves behind her daughter Kayla, mother Susan, and other family members. An article about Jaime can be found at Mother Fights For Veteran's Trust Fund Payments!

USMC L/CPL Juana Navarro Arellano, 24, of Ceres, Calif., died from a gunshot wound to the head while in a defensive position 300 meters behind her vehicle, guarding other soldiers during the mission when she was struck by small arms fire while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. She had been assigned as an (E-3) to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan where she traveled with convoys or by herself to refuel military vehicles or provide camps with fuel supplies. However, because of the need for her specialty as a "bulk fuel specialist" Juana was transferred to Iraq in May 2005 where she was attached to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group. Juana had been born in the state of Michoacán, Mexico and became a US citizen at age 13 along with her twin sister. She graduated from Johansen High School in Modesto, CA in 2000 where she was active as with PALS—where students voluntarily work with special education students on academics and social skills. After high school, Juana joined Job Corps in San Francisco. But seeing her twin brothers join the Marines inspired her to act on her desire to join the Corps also. Juana is survived by her parents, Euelia Navarro of Ceres and Raul Navarro of Mexico; brothers, L/CPL Raul Navarro and L/CPL Lorenzo Navarro, both of Ceres; sisters, Maria Navarro and Maira Navarro, both of Ceres, and Beatriz Lopez of Modesto; and grandparents, Lorenzo Arellano, Otilia Cardenas, Raul Navarro and Raquel Navarro, all of Mexico.

USA SPC Amanda Pinson, 21, of Lemay, MO died while waiting for a bus in Tikrit after being hit by shrapnel from an enemy mortar attack. She did intelligence work while assigned to the 101st Military Intelligence Detachment, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) based at Fort Campbell, KY. Amanda had graduated from Hancock High School in 2002 where she had been active in sports. She is survived by her father Tony Pinson, stepmother Regina Pinson, mother Chris Ehlen, and her brother Bryan Pinson.

USA PFC Amy A Duerksen, 19, originally from Copperas Cove, TX. According to reports in the Killeen Daily Herald newspaper she died in Taji from a non-combat related gunshot and had been a radio operator with Delta Company, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Hood, TX. However, according to the Department of Defense when they finally released her name on 22 March, Amy was from Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, died in Baghdad and was assigned to the 4th Combat Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Amy was a 2005 graduate of Charis Christian High School in Copperas Cove before joining the Army in Maryland. After hearing from a woman that I met several years ago I decided to add a little of what she told me. Amy and her sister were frequently home-schooled since they moved around with their Army parents. When they moved to Fort Hood, Amy often selected books from the CCJHS library, where she was remembered as a "kind and thoughtful thirteen-year-old". When she was preparing to deploy at Thanksgiving, she expressed hope of utilizing her radio communication and maintenance skills later in the field of ministry, serving both her nation and her Lord. The KDH front page headline read: "4th Infantry Soldier Remembered As Servant Of God." She was buried in the newly opened Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, where she is the youngest female active-duty soldier interred there. Amy is survived by her parents Michelle and Doug Duerksen, her sister April, grandparents and many friends. Elizabeth Ridderhoff wrote Soldier Girl to honor Amy and other women who have served our country.

USA PFC Tina M Priest, 20, of Smithville, a suburb of Austin, TX died in Taji from a non-combat related injury from a gunshot wound to the chest. She was assigned to the 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. Tina joined the Army after earning certification as a medical assistant but in the Army, she dealt with logistics, getting things where they need to be, and handled a machine gun mounted on a Humvee while deployed to Iraq. Tina had been raped while in Iraq, filed a claim, spoke with her chaplain, and saw a psychologist who stated she was stable but exhausted and sent her back to her quarters. The incident is still under investigation. Survivors include her mother, Joy Priest of Giddings; father, Tim Priest of Smithville; and sisters, Danielle Priest (her twin), Tiffany and husband Robert Reyna of Giddings; and grandmother, Beverly Priest of Smithville.

AKARNG 1LT Jaime Lynn (Krausse) Campbell, 25, originally from Ephrata, WA but residing in Fairbanks, AK died while co-piloting the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, along with CWO Chester Troxel, that crashed near Tal Afar. She was one of two female helicopter pilots assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, Anchorage, AK. Jaime grew up in Washington state where she graduated from Ephrata High School in 1998. She received a degree in interior design in 2003 from Washington State University. Jaime had joined the Washington Army National Guard in 1999 to help pay for her college education, joined the ROTC program and decided to pursue an aviation career. She joined the Alaska Army National Guard in March 2003 and was stationed at Fort Wainwright, AK when she moved to Alaska with her husband, who had been stationed at Fort Wainwright with the Army. Jaime is the first woman in the Alaska Army National Guard’s history to die in the line of duty. She is survived by her husband Sam, an active duty Army captain who is also serving in Iraq, her parents Army CSM Jeff and Miki Krausse, and her sisters--Jessica and Jenny.

USAR SGT Myla L. Maravillosa (pronounced Mar-RA-vi-OS-a), 24, of Wahiawa, HI,  died in Kirkuk of injuries sustained earlier that day in Al Hawijah when her HMMWV was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades. Myla was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. Myla was a 1999 graduate of Leilehua High School and then joined the U.S. Army Reserve. She had attended Leeward Community College and planned to attend Hawaii Pacific University this year but was sent to Iraq on 20 Nov. Myla was only in Iraq for a little more than a month. She is survived by her mother, Estelita Maravillosa.

USAR SGT Regina C. Reali, 25, of Fresno, CA was killed in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near the HMMWV she and another soldier from her unit were in. They were both assigned to the Army Reserve’s 351st Civil Affairs Command, Mountain View, CA. Regina graduated from Fresno High School in 1999 and joined the Army in Sacramento in July 2000, according to the US Army Special Operations Command. She worked at Home Depot in Clovis and was a student at Fresno City College. She deployed to Iraq this summer, was promoted to sergeant in November and was due home in May 2006. Regina is survived by her father, Richard, and brother, Paul.

10 Dec 05:

USA SGT Julia V. Atkins, 22, of Bossier City, LA, died in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near her HMMWV during patrol operations. Julia was an MP assigned to the 64th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, TX. She was on her second tour of duty in Iraq and was scheduled to leave Iraq in February. She planned to attend college and marry SGT Keith Mack. The youngest of four children Julia is survived by her father Billy Atkins, stepbrother Larry Thomas and two stepsisters—Tawanna Thomas and Shiri (Thomas) Selby.

MOARNG 1LT Debra A. (Butler) Banaszak, 35, of Bloomington, IL, died at Camp Victory, Kuwait from non-combat related injuries. DoD listed her as being in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Debra was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1035th Maintenance Company, Jefferson Barracks, St Louis, MO. The company’s job is to repair diesel engines, transmissions, track vehicles and maintenance on other tactical vehicles. She had originally enlisted in the Army Reserve in January 1989 after high school and stayed with the USAR for a year and a half. Debra then joined the IL National Guard for 5 years. She switched to the MO Air National Guard for more than 3 years and had been with the MO Army National Guard for almost 7 years. While with the MONG and after attaining the rank of E-6 SSG, Debra attended the Officer's Candidate School and graduated in September 2000 as a 2LT. Her military position was handling administrative duties for the unit. The 1035th had been in Iraq since April and redeployed to Kuwait where they are expected to remain until returning home in April 2006. Debra had been a career police officer who most recently had worked as a sheriff’s deputy in St Charles, MO. She had received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2000. She was hoping to get a full time job in the MONG when she completed her tour of duty. Debra is survived by her son Mark, father John Butler Jr, mother Barbara Butler, brother Brian Butler, several other relatives and many friends in the military and police agencies.

USAF A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 21, originally from Riviera Beach, FL died near Camp Bucca near the southern city of Safwan when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle. Elizabeth was an Airman First Class assigned to the 17th Security Forces Squadron, Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX. She became the first woman from Palm Beach County to die in the Iraq war. Elizabeth attended Palm Beach Gardens High School in 2000 and Gold Coast High School in 2001 before moving to Madera, CA to be with her mother and graduate. She decided to enlist in the Air Force to serve her country and earn money for college for a career in law enforcement. She had been a member of the Fresno Playhouse and wrote poetry. Elizabeth will be buried in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She is survived by her parents David Jacobson and Marianne Earheart of California sisters, aunts and grandparents. A couple of nice tributes can be found at Airman at heart of remembrance ceremony!

USA SPC Toccara R. Green, 23, of Rosedale, MD, died in Al Asad when multiple improvised explosive devices detonated near her unit during convoy operations to Camp Korean Village. She was assigned as a motor transport operator in transport operations, escorting and driving in convoys for the Army’s 57th Transportation Company, 548th Corps Support Battalion, Fort Drum, NY. She is the first female soldier from the 10th Mountain Division and the state of Maryland to be killed in Iraq. She had just been home on leave. This was her second tour of duty. A graduate of Forest Park High School in 2000 Toccara loved roller skating, working on cars and fishing. While in school she was the ROTC Class Commander. She attended Norfolk State University in Virginia, where she studied telecommunications and broadcasting before enlisting in January 2003. .Her parents, Yvonne and Garry Green, Sr and her older brother Garry Green, Jr who is in the Marines, survive her.

USA PVT Lavena L. Johnson, 19, of Florissant, MO, died in Balad of non-combat related injuries. She was assigned as a weapons supply manager to the Army's 129th Corps Support Battalion, a logistics support unit at Fort Campbell, KY. She was a 2004 graduate of Hazelwood Central High School where she was an honor roll student with straight A’s her senior year. Lavena played the violin and belonged to the school’s orchestra. She volunteered for American Heart Association walks and donated blood. When she was a senior, Lavena decided she wanted to join the Army. She wanted to travel and wait a while before starting college. Her mother tried to talk her out of it but that didn’t work. Lavena enlisted in September and arrived at Fort Campbell in February and almost immediately deployed to Iraq. Her death remains under investigation since her body shows signs of assault and there was a blood trail outside her tent where she was found. Is this another Pat Tillman style cover-up? Was her death a murder or suicide? Doesn't she deserve a full investigation also? Please sign The Pfc. LaVena Johnson Petition! Her parents John and Linda Carter Johnson survive her along with four siblings.

14 Jul 05:

NEARNG SSG Tricia L. Jameson, 34, of Omaha, NE died in Trebil. Tricia, a health care specialist was responding to a casualty incident when a secondary improvised explosive device detonated near her location while she was trying to treat wounded Marines. She was assigned to 313th Medical Company, Army National Guard, Lincoln, NE and had been in Iraq less than three weeks. Tricia was vehicle commander of an ambulance that was supporting a convoy mission from Camp Korean Village to the Treybul border crossing on the Iraq-Jordan border. While performing that mission, her convoy encountered a separate convoy of US Marines who had been attacked with an improvised explosive device, or roadside bomb. Tricia and her ambulance were called forward to aid the wounded Marines. As the ambulance approached, a second roadside bomb detonated. Stateside Tricia was employed full-time as a health care specialist at the Nebraska National Guard air base clinic in Lincoln. She volunteered for deployment to Iraq. She was a 1989 graduate of Millard South High School and attended Central Community College at Columbus in 1990-91. She is survived by her mother, Patricia Marsh of Omaha; her older brother, Rob; boyfriend, Mike Coldewey; grandmothers, Annamae Donahue and Kathryn Jameson; uncle Bill Jameson; and cousin Marcy Jameson. The Jameson Combat Medic Training Center has been named in her honor in Balad, Iraq.

27 Jun 05:
CIVILIAN Deborah Klecker, 51, originally from Tucker, OR died after a roadside bomb exploded Monday near her Humvee east of Baghdad. She was working for DynCorp International in Iraq for about two months as an international police liaison officer. In that capacity, she mentored and advised Iraqi police officers who had completed their initial training. Deborah had been with the Marion County (OR) Sheriff's Department and served as a deputy sheriff. She held assignments in Patrol and Criminal Investigations; an instructor teaching about crime scene investigations, crimes against persons, and interviews and interrogations; and she served as a mentor and adviser to recruits. She had also been appointed to the board of directors of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training for the State of Oregon. Many police officers in patrol cars and on motorcycles, drove to the Salem Evangelical Church on Locust Street for Deborah’s funeral service. She is survived by her parents, Ray and Millie Klecker, as well as her three siblings.

23 Jun 05:

Early Friday 24 Jun 05 it was reported that five female Marines were killed in a suicide car bombing in Fallujah. As of 11:30 a.m. ET that morning the number changed to three female Marines, two male Marines and a male sailor killed with thirteen others wounded, 11 of whom were women. They were in a 7-ton military vehicle, which was carrying nineteen people, enroute from performing checkpoint searches of female Iraqi civilians. As of Tuesday 28 Jun the numbers changed again showing two women Marines and one woman Naval Reservist were killed. As soon as more information becomes available I'll post it. Meanwhile here is the information I've been able to develop on these most recent losses.

USMC L/CPL Holly A. Charette, 21, from Cranston, RI was a (E-3) mail carrier assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC and had one year left on her enlistment. She had graduated in 2001 from Cranston East High School where she played field hockey and was a cheerleader for the ice hockey team. Holly enlisted in the Marines in 2002 and deployed to Iraq in March 2005. She is survived by her parents, Regina and Edward Roberts; three brothers--Raymond Charette, Edward and Jared Roberts; grandparents; her finance, Alex Rodriguez; other relatives and many friends.

USMC CPL Ramona M. Valdez, 20, was born in the Dominican Republic. Her mother then raised her in Bronx, NY. Following graduation from Jane Addams High School when she was 15, Ramona attended community college. In 2002 she enlisted in the Marine Corps and was married. She was working as a (E-4) communication specialist assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Ramona, eight months from the end of her four-year tour, deployed to Iraq in March. She had talked her mother into moving away from the Bronx and in March her family moved to Reading, PA--a home Ramona never got to see. Ramona had already filled out application forms to become a highway patrol officer in Pennsylvania upon her discharge from the Marines. When she was killed she was four days short of her 21st birthday. She is survived by her husband Armando Guzman who is also in the Marines, her mother Elida Nunez, father Louis Valdez, younger sister Fiorela Valdez and adopted sister Estefani Valdez.

USNR CS1 Regina R. Clark, 43, of Centralia, WA was a Culinary Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class (E-6) deployed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18 out of Tacoma, WA, then Naval Construction Region Detachment 30, Port Hueneme, CA, and was temporarily assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). Regina, a Desert Storm veteran whose father and brother served in the Navy, was called up one week after the terrorist attacks of 11 Sep 2001. She spent four months on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. In 2003, she was sent on a six-month stint in Kuwait. This was Regina’s third tour of duty. She had been in Iraq this time since February and she had finally received her retirement papers in May—she wanted to retire. As a Reservist she was slotted as a mess-hall cook. Prepping food was a big part of her duties in earlier deployments in 2001 and 2003 but this tour was much different. Though Regina had been born in Germany she was raised in the United States. She joined the Navy and married a fellow sailor, but they separated when her son, Kerry Clark, was still a little boy. Regina had worked several years in a deli and bakery but had become a state corrections officer. She was a single mother who is survived by her son Kerry who graduated last year from high school, her mother Mellita Fountain and many friends.

IDARNG SPC Carrie Lee French, 19, of Caldwell, Idaho, died in Kirkuk when an improvised explosive device hit the front of her convoy vehicle and detonated.  Carrie was assigned to the Idaho Army National Guard's 145th Support Battalion, Boise, ID and serving with the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team. She was an ammunitions specialist. Carrie was a 2004 Caldwell High School graduate who enjoyed sports and was a cheerleader. She enlisted in the military during her junior year along with two friends. She wanted to go to law school and the extra money from the Army would help pay her education. This is Idaho’s first fatality of a female soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She is survived by her father Rick French; mother and stepfather Paula & Doug Hylinski; grandparents Ralph & Lida Little and Richard & Betty French; sisters Mikala Hylinski & Sara (French) Gillman; two great-grandmothers; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her brother Jason Stockton.

3 Jun 05:

CIVILIAN Linda Joyce (Brown) Villar, 41, who was born in Franklinton, LA and lived in Richmond Hill, GA died in Baghdad from injuries sustained when a mortar round struck a gymnasium where she was doing her morning workout in her forward operating base on Camp Liberty. Linda began working for the US Government in February 1981 and worked in several positions before being assigned to work for the US Army Field Support Command at Fort Stewart, GA as a logistics management supply specialist. She was the acting chief of the Third Infantry Logistics Support Element in Iraq. Linda had worked at Fort Stewart since February 2004 before being sent to Iraq in March 2005. She was suppose to return home to her family on 13 July. She is survived by her husband David Artimez Villar; a daughter, Tanesha Prioleau; her mother, Dorothy Magee of Franklinton; three brothers, Marcus Magee, Bryant and Jimmy Bickham; and four sisters, Stephanie "Renee" Brown, Shelia Young, Carmen "Marie" Brown and Stacy Bickham.

USA PFC Sam Williams Huff, 18, of Tucson, AZ, died in Baghdad of injuries sustained on 17 April in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near her HMMWV. She was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, WA. Sam graduated from Mountain View High School in Tucson in June 2004 where she was the conductor of the school’s marching band. She had two passions in life: music and the military. She did both. Sam followed in her parent’s footsteps in many ways. Her mother, Maggie (Williams) Huff, is a former Marine who served in Vietnam and her father, Robert Huff, is a retired Tucson Police Detective.

CIVILIAN Marla Ruzicka, 28, from Lakeport, CA, died in Baghdad due to injuries from a car bombing. She was a humanitarian worker and founder of the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC) based in New York City. Marla was a basketball player before graduating from Clear Lake High School and Long Island University. She is survived by her parents, Clifford and Nancy Ruzicka, as well as her five remaining siblings including her twin brother Mark.

15 Apr 05:

USA SPC Aleina Ramirez-Gonzalez, 33, of Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, died in Tikrit when a mortar struck her forward operating base. Aleina was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Troop Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA and had been in Iraq since December. This was actually her third time to be sent to Iraq. Aleina had been in the National Guard for 14 years in the southern town of Yauco in Puerto Rico before joining the active Army less than a year ago. She is survived by her father William Ramirez and others.

USA SPC Adriana N. Salem, 21, of Elk Grove Village, IL, died in Remagen when her military vehicle rolled over. Salem was assigned to the 3rd Forward Support Battalion, Division Support Command, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. She was a 2001 graduate of Elk Grove Village High School who wanted to become a police officer. She was active in her high school, playing in the orchestra, participating in Students Against Destructive Decisions and enduring an arduous course that prepared students for becoming physical education aides. Adriana enlisted in the Army following the 11 Sep 01 terrorist attacks. She had been in Iraq for about 20 days at the time of her death but she had already spent 2003 in Afghanistan. She is survived by her parents, Sandra and Shamshoum "Sam" Salem; sisters, Christina Salem-Hasselbrink, Sabrina Salem, Alexandria Salem and Larissa Salem; a grandmother; several aunts, uncles and  nephews; and her dear friend, Linda Jensen.

USA SPC Lizbeth Robles, 31, originally from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, died at the 228th Command Support Hospital in Tikrit. She died from injuries sustained in a military vehicle accident that occurred 28 February in Bayji. Lizbeth was assigned to the Army’s 360th Transportation Company, 68th Corps Support Battalion, 43rd Area Support Group, Fort Carson, CO. She was a fuel provider who deployed with her unit to Iraq in December for her second tour there. Lizbeth turned her love for the United States into a career in the Army. She had previously served in South Korea, Uzbekistan and at various U.S. posts before being assigned to Fort Carson. She loved the Army, as well as driving the tankers and trucks. She had gone home to Vega Baja during the week of Thanksgiving, just before her company deployed to Iraq. She is survived by her husband, who has lived in Colorado Springs for the past year; her father Santiago in Vega Baja; as well as her aunts, Delia Diaz and Judith Robles.

USA SPC Katrina Lani (Johnson) Bell, 32, of Orangeburg, SC died in Baqubah when she was involved in a vehicle accident. Katrina was assigned to the Army’s H Platoon, 418th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, Fort Hood, TX. She was in a convoy delivering goods when the truck she was in overturned and landed on her. Gas was reported to have been leaking out of the vehicle upon the arrival of emergency crews. It is not known whether there were any others in the convoy who perished or whether Johnson was the driver or the passenger of the vehicle. Katrina, originally from Columbia, SC, graduated in 1989 from Airport High School where she was on the track team, a member of the chorus and the band. She was affectionately called “Trina.” She studied at Midlands Technical College to become qualified as a surgical technician shortly after high school. She graduated from MTC around 1992. She worked at several hospitals upon graduation, most recently at The Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg & Calhoun Counties for about a three-month period, from the end of 1995 until early 1996, as an operating room technician. Katrina enlisted in the Army on 3 February 1998. After being assigned to Fort Hood she met Lawrence Bell. They fell in love and married. She gave birth to daughter Gabrielle Dana Bell about a year ago. Two months after giving birth, Katrina was sent to Kuwait. She came home for a couple of months and then was deployed to Iraq before Christmas 2004. She had made it known that her intentions were to continue her career as a registered nurse and that the decision to join the service was partly due to the Army’s promise that they would help her with her education to fulfill her career goals. She loved being in the military. She would say that “I am in the military, and I am here to serve my country.” Her sister Nichole described Katrina as “meek and humble” yet with an inner strength that joining the military helped reveal. Trina called her mother on 11 February and told her that she loved her before they hung up. “I felt like she was saying good-bye.” She is survived by her husband Lawrence Bell, daughter Gabriella Bell, younger sister Nichole Johnson and mother Vivian Johnson Huffman and stepfather Carl Huffman.

ILARNG SGT Jessica M. Housby, 23, of Rock Island, IL, died in Route Golden, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near the convoy she was leading. Jessica, assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1644th Transportation Company, Rock Falls, IL, was driving a truck when the explosion occurred. The convoy was transporting cargo from Convoy Support Center Scania to Camp Stryker, a base at Baghdad International Airport. She had been in Iraq since October. Jessica had an excuse to stay home—she had a heart murmur and had been on a heart monitor, but staying home wasn’t an option. She shipped out bound for Iraq along with about 170 soldiers of the 1644th. Jessica enlisted in the Guard in 1999 before graduating from Rock Island High School in 2000 where she had been a member of the JrROTC program. She joined the military to help pay her college expenses. Before leaving for Iraq, she was attending Black Hawk College in Moline. As a civilian she worked in a pediatrician’s office. She loved baseball and dancing and used to play rugby. She is survived by her mother Deborah Bundy, a brother, aunt and many other relatives and friends.

CIVILIAN Barbara (Geis) Heald, 60, originally of Stamford, CT and residing in Falls Church, VA died in the US Embassy in Baghdad. She worked for the Department of the Army in the Project and Contracting Office—Finance of the Department of Defense. She was in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom helping to rebuild the nation’s public works. The US Embassy is housed in the former Republican Presidential Palace, which was hit by a 120mm rocket. Barbara was a 1965 graduate of Macalester College in St Paul, MN with a BA in political science. After graduation, she married Vietnam Veteran and career soldier Jack "Lee" Heald (who later died in 1996). Barbara applied for and was accepted into the Air Force Officer Candidate School. Upon completion she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in April 1974. She also attended Squadron Officer School in 1976 and a Procurement course. She served with the Air Force at Elmendorf in Alaska and Peterson in Colorado. Meanwhile she earned a master’s degree in business. After leaving the Air Force in March 1981 she was employed in private industry as a materials expediter for several years until she went to work with the Department of Agriculture as a contracting officer. Barbara retired from civil service in 1999. In 2003 Barbara volunteered to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq. Initially she went over for six months then volunteered to extend for another six months. She was at the news conference in the embassy the day Paul Bremer announced that Saddam Hussein had been captured. She joined with everyone joyously cheering that day. She returned to the US to complete some special projects at the Pentagon, also in support of the effort in Iraq. She had returned to Baghdad the second week of January 2005 to start her third tour. But it was not to be. Her remains are now inurned at Arlington National Cemetery alongside those if her late husband Lee. Barbara is survived by her sister Margaret Geis of Yuma, AZ; brothers John Geis of Houston, TX and Eric Geis of Toronto, Canada; and three grown stepchildren.

3 Jan 05:

CIVILIAN Tracy Hushin, 34, a native of Islip, NY on Long Island was killed in an attack on a convoy when a suicide bomber rammed into her car and it exploded at a checkpoint between the protected Green Zone and the road to the Baghdad International Airport. She was driving to her home in Baghdad after returning from a trip to Baghdad International Airport. Tracy had graduated from George Washington University with her bachelor and master’s degrees in International Relations and Economics. She was working for the McLean, VA based consulting company, BearingPoint Inc., in Iraq since July 2003 under a contract for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), providing economic advice to the new Iraqi government. Tracy is survived by her parents, Patricia and Paul Hushin.

13 Dec 04:

USAR SGT Tina S. Time (pronounced Tee-may), 22, from Tucson, AZ, died near Cedar,  which is near Nassiriya, when she was involved in a head-on crash during a blinding dust storm in southeast Iraq. Tina’s truck collided with another military vehicle, killing her and injuring her co-driver and both occupants of the other vehicle. The incident remains under investigation. She was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 208th Transportation Company, Tucson, AZ. The unit was deployed 7 Dec 2003 and has been in Iraq since February. They were expected to remain there for about 18 months. Tina's tour was set to end in two months. Tina was a 63G/63S Fuel System and Heavy Wheel Mechanic. She worked on medium and heavy trucks for the unit, which has more than 100 members. Tina also was a SAW/50 Cal gunner on the M984E1 recovery vehicle. She was promoted to sergeant in January. Prior to this the 208th had completed more than 60 convoy missions throughout Iraq and Kuwait. She is the first female soldier who also happens to be American Samoan to die from the Tucson area. Tina enlisted in the Army right after she graduated from Leone High School in American Samoa in 2000 and was attending Pima Community College as a computer science major. She is survived by four siblings—three of them are also serving in the military—two are in the Air Force while the other is in the Army and her parents Mary and Toilolo (Mele and Viliamu).

4 Dec 04:

USA SGT Cari Ann Gasiewicz, 28, of Depew, NY died in Baqubah when two improvised explosive devises detonated near her convoy. She was assigned to the 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th MI Brigade, Fort Gordon, GA as a military interpreter fluent in Arabic. Cari had been born and raised in Cheektowaga, NY. She attended Cayuga Heights Elementary School in Depew and graduated from Depew High School in 1994 where she loved to play softball. She attended Canisius College for three years before joining the Army. She had hoped to use her linguistic skills to work for the FBI or CIA when she got out of the Army. Cari is survived by her parents, Paul and Kathleen of Cheektowaga; a brother, Paul Jr. of Cheektowaga; her maternal grandmother, Theresa Battista of Cheektowaga; and her fraternal grandmother, Stephanie Gasiewicz of West Seneca; as well as other family members.

USA SGT Pamela G. Osbourne, 38, of Hollywood, FL died in Baghdad when two rockets impacted her camp. She was assigned to the Army’s Division Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas and worked the supply lines for a tank division. A native of Jamaica Pamela joined the Army in 2001—before the terrorist attacks—and became a US citizen in 2003. Pamela was home for a two-week visit in July. She had been a certified nursing assistant and worked together at Washington Manor in Hollywood, FL before joining the Army. She is survived by her husband Rohan; three children—Tony, Rohan Jr and LaToya who all live in Central Texas; her mother who lives in South Florida and several other family members.
 

6 Oct 04:

ILARNG SPC Jessica Lynn Cawvey, 21, of Normal, IL, born 21 August 1983 died on October 6 2004 in Fallujah when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle. She was assigned to the Army’s National Guard’s 1544th Transportation Company, from Paris, IL. Jessica was killed and two others were seriously injured when an explosive device was detonated near their convoy truck while it was traveling on a main supply route. Jessica, trained as a driver of a 5-ton cargo truck, was a motor transport operator and was part of a cargo truck convey traveling a main supply route between Biap and Taquaddum. She became the 5th member of the 1544th to be killed in Iraq. Originally from Mahomet, Jessica was a 2001 graduate of Mahomet-Seymour High School where her brother is a senior now. She enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 2001. Jessica went from high school to Parkland College in Champaign where she earned an associate’s degree in business administration in 2003, was on the dean’s list and was a Phi Theta Kappa winner. She enrolled in fall 2003 as a junior at Illinois State University in Normal, where she studied accounting and sociology. She was a dedicated young mother, good college student and an independent-minded woman. She is survived by her 6-year-old daughter—Sierra, parents—Kevin and Sandra, brothers--Kevin Jr and Joshua, grandparents--Howard and Donna McGlasson and other relatives.

4 Oct 04:

USA SSG Gina R Sparks, 35, from Drury, MO died at Fort Polk, LA from a non-combat related incident. She had been assigned to the 115th Field Hospital at Ft Polk. Her MOS was 91W which as far as I can tell is a Nuclear Medical Specialist. Gina was medevaced from Iraq and died at Fort Polk. DoD announced her death 21 Mar 07 as being in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. SO I have placed her onto this list!

5 Sep 04:

ILARNG SGT Shawna M. Morrison, 26, of Champaign, IL. died west of Baghdad during a mortar attack. She was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1544th Transportation Company, Paris, IL attached to the 13th Corps Support Command, which oversees distribution of military fuel, food, water and other supplies to U.S. forces across Iraq. She was killed along with SPC Charles Lamb when Logistical Base Seitz was hit by a barrage of mortar fire. She is the first woman from the Illinois National Guard to die in combat in Iraq. A graduate of Paris t Meister coached her in track and taught two of her classes, history and psychology. She ran middle distances in track. The school’s yearbook indexes her in the French club, debate team and band as well. She was particularly interested in the psychology class and studied at the University of Illinois for one semester in 2002. She also took classes at Parkland College. Shawna joined the Illinois National Guard while still a student at Paris High School. She was motivated to sign up as a way of providing for her college, as well as by an enjoyment of the precision drilling she did in Flags. She was a communications specialist in the National Guard, and an expert one. According to her father, Rick Morrison, Shawna sustained shrapnel wounds to the head, which caused her death. In addition to her father, her mother, Cindy, and 17-year-old brother, Allan, survive her. Funeral services were held at First United Methodist Church of Paris with burial at the Edgar Cemetery. A National Guard honor guard attended Shawna’s flag-draped casket and she was buried with military honors. Adjutant Gen. Randall Thomas attended the service, as did LT Gov Pat Quinn, who called her “a special person who had a servant’s heart.” She specialized in communications and was an integral part of the 1544th, Thomas said. “She served with pride, honor and distinction,” he said. “We will never forget her and the ultimate sacrifice she gave her nation. We salute her.”

22 Jul 04:

USA SGT Tatjana Reed, 34, of Clarksville, KY died in Samarra when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle. She was a heavy wheeled vehicle operator assigned to the 66th Transportation Company from Kaiserslautern, Germany. Tatjana was a native of Germany who became a US citizen in 1998. Since joining the Army she has been at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell (with the 101st Airborne) before transferring to Germany in 1999. She had been in Iraq since January. “She loved the Army. She told me not to worry for her, and she was asking about us,” her mother said. Tatjana is survived by her 12 year old daughter Genevieve who lives in Germany, her mother Brigitte Dykty of Clarksville, TN, also a brother and a sister.

NEARNG SFC Linda Ann Tarango-Griess, 33, of Sutton, NE died in Samarra when an improvised explosive device detonated near the convoy vehicle she was in. She and SGT Jeremy J. Fischer, 26, of Lincoln, NE also killed, were assigned to the 267th Ordnance Company, Nebraska National Guard, from Lincoln, NE. I recently heard from one of the women who served with Linda. SSG Leslie Ramonas said that Linda was killed in an IED/Ambush, and her fellow soldiers fought valiantly on her behalf. When Linda's vehicle hit the IED the rest of the convoy came under ambush attack. It was an intense ordeal and firefight. Guard spokesman LTC Bob Vrana said that he believed that Linda is the first female Nebraska National Guard soldier ever killed in combat and the first female military person from Nebraska killed in Iraq from any service branch, active or reserve. Linda and Jeremy both served in the 267th Ordnance Company, based in Lincoln with detachments in Gering and Hastings. The company was sent to Iraq in February. One of the company’s key missions was to add armor plating to Humvee vehicles to make them safer. Linda died hours after talking to her husband, SSG Douglas L. Griess, also a member of the Nebraska Army National Guard. She had called him about 9:30 a.m. Sunday after he sent her an e-mail that he had just been given his mobilization orders. He said that was the last time they talked. Douglas said that Linda loved the military. She was a 14-year veteran, a full-time soldier and served in the supply section of her unit. "She loved to play softball. She liked people in general. I think that is why she liked the military so well because of all the new people she could meet in the military," he said. They met each other in the military while serving in the 67th Support Battalion, Company A, in York. They were married 10 years ago and have no children. Linda's family is originally from North Platte and she graduated from Kearney High School. Her parents, Augustin and Juanita Tarango, still live in there. Augie Tarango, Linda's brother said, "My sister is a hero, we all think of her as a hero, she fought for us so we could be safe in the United States." She always wanted to be a part of the Army. "She was fearless, she went at everything, she didn’t fear anything, she would say come on, what do I have to fear," says Augie Tarango. Her family says she was excited about going to Iraq, that she was part of a maintenance crew and she said she would be safe and out of the way. Her parents talked with her on the phone just forty five minutes before her death. They said if they knew it would be the last time they would talk to her, they would have said more. Her brother says he wanted to tell her that he loved her, that he would never forget her, and that he was proud of her. Now the Tarangos remember the best in a soldier that paid the ultimate sacrifice. "She would give you the shirt off her back", says Augie Tarango, "She was just that type of person."

USA PFC Melissa J. Hobart, 22, of Ladson, SC, died from a non-combat related health problem in Baghdad after collapsing while on guard duty. Hobart was assigned to Company E, 215th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX. Survived by her mother Constance Hobart of Ladson, SC, 26 year old brother Gary, 3 year old daughter. Hobart’s mother said her daughter entered the military "to make a better life for herself." S