Freedom Remembered

Born on June 25, 1987 in Michigan

Died June 6, 2010 in Colorado Springs, CO

Michael was a 2005 graduate of the Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs. He continued his education in Georgia and in August 2007 enlisted in the United States Army. In 2008 he joined the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson and deployed with them to Afghanistan. He returned home to America on May 23 and was killed in an automobile accident 2 weeks later. His awards in include Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge and others.

He was buried in Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver in section 45, site 878.

Born on Sep. 10, 1987 in Omaha, Nebraska

Died on June 7, 2010 in Konar, Afghanistan

Spc. Blaine E. Redding was the eldest of two sons born to Teresa Redding and Blaine “Pete” Redding. Blaine was raised and educated in Plattsmouth. Nebraska, and was often seen fishing with his father. Growing up he and his brother Logan, who was very shy, maintained a strong bond. Blaine liked to bring out his brother’s personality by using him as his own personal crash-test dummy, finding all sorts of ways to put bumps and bruises on him. It was all in fun and the two brothers were always there for each other. Blaine grew into an impressive 6′ 4″ and 230 pound young man, with a desire to take the world on, his way. His family meant the world to him; he was honest, committed and fashioned himself after Robin Hood. After high school, Blaine worked for John’s Appliance in Plattsmouth before enlisting in the Army in September of 2007, the third generation of his family to serve. He was deployed to Iraq in 2008-2009. Stationed at Fort Campbell, Blaine found himself in a close knit group of friends from his unit. He also met the love of his life, Victoria “Nikki” Nichole Colwell, and they married on March 13, 2010, in Portland, Tennessee. Two months later he deployed to Afghanistan, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His younger brother Logan, also serving from Ft. Campbell, deployed at the same time. On June 7, 2010, a month into his deployment, Blaine was killed in action along with four other men in his unit when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. A couple of the other soldiers killed were close personal friends of Blaine and Nikki’s. Logan saw the explosion where he was only a few miles away. Logan did the hardest duty he would ever do, escorting his brother’s remains home to Nebraska. Blaine had wished to be buried in flip-flops, swimming trunks, and a t-shirt. Instead, many wore those items to his funeral in his honor.

Blaine’s other wish was to buried next to his grandfather in Oak Hill Cemetery in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. He was.

Born on Oct. 6, 1986 in Conroe, Texas

Died on June 7, 2010 in Konar, Afghanistan

Spc. Matthew R. Catlett was raised in Houston, Texas,  and graduated from Cypress Ridge High School in 2005. An only son with three older sisters in the house, Matthew had talked of enlisting in the military from the age of 12. In October 2006 he entered the United States Army and arrived at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in February 2007.He soon deployed to Iraq, returning home in November 2008. In April 2010 he deployed to Afghanistan assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was one of five soldiers in his unit who died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device June 7 in Konar, Afghanistan. He was awarded several awards and medals in his military career, including an Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal (3 awards); Meritorious Unit Commendation; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge and Weapons Qualification: M4 (expert). Matthew planned on making the Army his career, he loved the life, but  the two things that mattered most to him in his life were his two young daughters.

He was buried in section F1, site 100 at Houston National Cemetery.

Born on May 7, 1981 in San Antonio, Texas

Died on June 4, 2010 in Baghdad, Iraq

Joshua was a son of LCDR John M. Hernandez and Marta G. Hernandez. A talented and gifted musician and singer, Josh touched every life he came in touch with. He loved children, laughter and his country. He served in the United States Marine Corps and achieved the rank of corporal. Joshua served tours in the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan during his career. He was wounded in an IED explosion during Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq, in November of 2004, for which he received the Purple Heart. His father was also in Iraq during that time. Joshua left the Marine’s when his term was over begun working as a civilian contractor providing security for diplomats and the United States Ambassador to Iraq. Joshua apparently died from complications of the shrapnel that he was still carrying in his body. His father, now retired from the Navy, escorted Joshua’s remains home. Besides his parents his children; brothers, John and Moses; beloved grandmothers and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, survive Joshua. He was buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in section 41, site 646. 

 Born on May 25, 1971 in the USA 

Died on June 11, 2010 in Colorado Springs, CO

Master Sgt. Jeremy Matthew Hougdahl  grew up in Bovey, Minnesota, where his dream from an early age was to serve his country. He graduated from high school in 1989 and joined the Marine Corps in June 1989. He separated from the Marine Corps in 1994 and joined the United States Army in January 1997 as an infantryman. He earned his Green Beret in 2000 and became an 18B, Special Forces Weapons Sergeant.  During his military service Jeremy was stationed in several places including   Fort Bragg, N.C.; Stuttgart, Germany;  Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Fort Carson, Colorado. He deployed to Kosovo from March to June 2003, the Balkens in 2004 and once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2005 to March 2005. His military education includes Basic and Individual Training, Basic Airborne School, Warrior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Jumpmaster Course, Air Assault Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE-High Risk) Course, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Accommodation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. His decorations include the Special Forces Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kuwait Campaign with Bronze Service Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, United Nations Medal, and the NATO Medal. Jeremy was currently  assigned to 4th  Battalion, 10th  Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson.  He  died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 39. He is survived by his mother and his children. Jeremy was buried in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota.

Born on Nov. 4, 1983 at Fort Bragg, NC
Died on Jun. 11, 2010 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan

Spc. Christian M. Adams was raised in Sierra Vista, Arizona, where he was an alter boy in church. The son of a career Army father, Christian maintained strong feelings about God, country and family. He joined the military in June 2003, shortly after graduating from high school. He worked as a vehicle mechanic and deployed to Iraq from March 2004 until March 2005. After serving three years, left the military. Not happy with civilian life, he re-enlisted in the infantry and was based at Fort Hood, Texas. He came home to Arizona for Christmas 2009 before leaving for Afghanistan in March 2010. Assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, from Fort Hood, he died June 11 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from a non-combat related incident. His military awards include: the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and Army Service Ribbon. He was buried in Fort Huachuca Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Arizona – Sec 10 Site 0658

Born on October 16, 1985

Died on June 9, 2010 near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan

Senior Airman Benjamin D. White of Erwin, Tennessee, grew up in Johnson City and was a 2004 graduate of Science Hill High School. He went on to attend East Tennessee State University until enlisting in the Air Force in July of 2006. A man of Christ, Benjamin was serving as a medic. He faithfully stood by the Pararescueman’s oath “It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These Things I do So Others May Live.” Assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, his unit was responsible for casualty evacuation and he would parachute into danger zones to rescue the wounded. He asked his family and friends back home to pray for our troops, never letting on how dangerous a duty he had, he was always more concerned about others. Ben died in a helicopter crash. He was survived by his Fiancée, Ashley L. Stanley (pictured with Ben here); Father, Anthony Curtis White and wife, Jennifer Lynn; Mother, Brenda A. Shelton-Logozo and husband, Frank; Brothers, Mark Anthony, Zachary Luke and Anthony Evan White; Sister, Laura R. White; and Grandparents, Curtis Buford White, Jan Daye and Steven McCarty.

Benjamin was buried in Mountain Home National Cemetery in Tennessee.

Born on Oct. 21, 1978 in Austin, TX

Died on June 9, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan

Michael P. Flores of San Antonio, Texas, was a 12-year veteran of the United States Air Force. He graduated from John Marshall High School in San Antonio in 1997 enlisted afterwards. Currently assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, he was serving his eighth deployment. He was one of four airmen who were killed June 9, 2010, near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan, when enemy forces downed their helicopter. Michael is survived by his wife, also serving in the Air Force; their 2 children; his parents and 2 siblings. During his service he earned several medals and awards, including 12 Air Medals and the Distinquished Flying Cross. Michael was promoted posthumously from Staff Sergeant to Technical Sergeant.

Burial: Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery

Born on Sep. 10, 1956 in Pensacola, Florida

Died on June 4, 2010 in Kuwait

Sgt. Steve M. Theobald of Goose Creek, South Carolina. Born the son of Martin MacHale and Geraldine Gullette Theobald, Steve enlisted in the regular Army on July 18, 1975 and served for three years. On April 26, 1984, he began serving in the Army Reserves and throughout the next 26 years served his country with honor. Stationed at places such as Fort Sill, Fort Bragg and Fort Sam Houston, he always called South Carolina “home.” During his years of service he served in the 116th Engineer Company, 1/145th Field Artillery, 7th Infantry Division, and the 202nd Cavalry. His military awards include two Army Good Conduct Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Noncommissioned Officer Development Program Ribbons, two Army Overseas Ribbons, Overseas Service Bar and two Armed Forces Reserve Medals. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003-2004 with the 7th Infantry Division. On March 28, 2010, he began his second deployement in the Middle East, assigned to the 287th Convoy Security Company, 164th Transportation Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, based at Livingston, Alabama, as a transportation noncommissioned officer in Kuwait. On June 4 he was killed at the age of 53 in a military vehicle rollover north of Camp Arifjan in which two other soldiers were injured. He died doing what he loved and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Steve was survived by a large close knit family which includes his wife Heike Braun Theobald of Wetzlar, Germany; daughter, Jessica Theobald; two sons, Christopher and Daniel Theobald all of Wetzlar, Germany; mother and stepfather, Geraldine and Joseph Rabon of South Carolina; three sisters; five brothers; and several nieces and nephews. Steve’s father passed away in 2003.

Sergeant Theobald was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Born on  July 28, 1986 in Anderson, Indiana

Died on June 7, 2010 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

United States Marine Sergeant John Rankel was from Speedway, Indiana. While growing up John played a variety of sports and as he grew he mentored and coached several kids. He was a 2005 graduate of Speedway High School where he was a star football player and many expected he would go onto play college ball, but John had a different plan for his life and that was to serve his country. He enlisted in the Marines after graduation. Stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, John served two tours of duty in Iraq before being deployed to Afghanistan in April of 2010, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton. Even after becoming a Marine, John touched many kids lives  by visiting and speaking to children in their history classes about service to others. He constantly pushed himself and others to excellence and had said, “What man is a man who does not make the world better?” Passsionate about being a Marine, John served with distintction and was awarded several medals and awards during his five years of service. John was survived by mother ans stepfather; his father and stepmother; and two brothers. John’s father was 30 years older than his son. He thought that maybe people would think he was John’s hero. But it was not the case. Son was hero to father.

 Burial was in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.