Freedom Remembered

Born: in Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Died: April 22, 2011 in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Sgt. 1st Class Scott E. Strohmeier of Carteret, New Jersey graduated in 1995 from Carteret High School. He joined the United States Army in 1995. He deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2003 to February 2004 and again in January 2007 to March 2008. He also deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response from January to March 2010. SFC Strohmeier served the 82nd Airborne Division with distinction during a long career at Fort Bragg. He delivered his most significant contributions through his leadership to young Falcon Brigade paratroopers. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge. Scott leaves his daughters, Samantha and Brianna, his parents, Eugene and Victoria Strohmeier and a sister, Tami Papaleo. He died of natural causes at age 34.
Army
Company F, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Woodbridge Memorial Gardens in Woodbridge, New Jersey

Born: May 30, 1986 in DeRidder, Louisiana
Died: January 22, 2011 in Homestead, Florida

Sgt Amanda O Downing of San Antonio, Texas attended James Madison High School where she was a member of Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. Upon graduation at age eighteen, she enlisted in the United States Army and had served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq during a 15 month tour. After returning stateside in 2009, she began experiencing health issues that prompted her to seek medical advice. Doctors struggled to diagnose her illness for months. By the time the diagnosis of adrenal cancer was made, she was at stage four, the most advanced stage. She was married in October of 2009. She leaves her husband, Andrew, her mother and best friend, Karen Martin, her father, Wayne Older, a brother, Michael Older, her stepfather, Richard Martin, and her step mother, Faye Older. Amanda was 24 years old.
Army
Charlie Company
319th Military Intelligence Battalion
525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade

Burial is at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas

To be updated…

Born: August 17, 1979 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina
Died: December 9, 2004 in Iraq

1st Lt. Andrew C. Shields of Campobello, South Carolina and his twin brother, Philip, both graduated from Wofford College in 2001. The brothers were standout members of the Southern Guards Battalion and the ROTC program. In July 2001, Andrew, a senior majoring in chemistry at the time, was presented with the Distinguished Military Student Citation. The citation is awarded to cadets in the top third of their senior military science class. Both brothers earned bachelor’s degrees in chemistry. The boys were very close, attending labs together and always working hard. Both were excellent students, though they could be difficult to tell apart, and were really highly respected young men. Andrew and Philip were both commissioned as second lieutenants in May of 2001. Both became pilots. Andrew went on to serve in the South Carolina National Guard for five years. He was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and the AWT. He was also a consultant with Water Conditioning, Inc. Andrew never thought of himself as any kind of hero, and he shunned praise when it came his way. Before leaving for Iraq, he visited a group of second-graders and became the class’s pen pal, but he struggled to understand why the children thought so highly of him. Andrew was killed at age 25 in an Apache helicopter accident in Mosul, Iraq. Also killed was Army Chief Warrant Officer Patrick D. Leach. He is the son of Donald and Emily Burnett Shields. In addition to his parents, he leaves, two brothers, his twin, Philip and Donald, and a sister, Julie. Andrew was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star. A portion of Spartanburg County’s Scenic Highway 11, between Interstate 26 and State 9, is dedicated as the 1st Lt. Andrew Carl Shields Memorial Highway.
Army
Platoon leader
1st Battalion
151st Aviation Regiment
National Guard
Columbia, South Carolina

Burial is at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery in New Prospect, South Carolina

Born: August 6, 1987 in York, Pennsylvania
Died: July 18, 2007 in Adhamiyah, Iraq

Spc. Zachary R Clouser of Dover, Pennsylvania graduated from Dover Area High School in 2005 and enlisted in the Army the following September. The hesitant ninth grader wasn’t very excited about high school. But with the steady encouragement of his mother he gradually found himself and began setting and meeting goals. He wanted to graduate from high school and did. He returned to the school during the 2007 Easter holiday and visited some of his former teachers and the students. He grew up playing football, basketball and baseball as well as bowling and precision archery. The avid outdoorsman enjoyed hunting and fishing too. He was also a member of several local car clubs. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 2. He was Posthumously awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. Zach deployed August 6, 2006 to Iraq and participated in numerous combat patrols in Northeast Baghdad and Adhamiyah in support of Operation Together Forward II and the Baghdad Security Plan where he served as both his platoon Sergeant’s M1151 Up-Armor HMMWV Machine Gunner and M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Gunner. He was a integral part of 1st Platoon “Death Dealers”. Zachary was always dedicated to mission accomplishment and displayed unwavering courage and commitment to his fellow Soldiers, Leaders, and the United States Army. He leaves his father and stepmother, Kevin Clouser and Ginger Asper-Clouser, his mother and stepfather, Debra Etheridge and Ronald Etheridge, his siblings, Megan Williams, Ronald Etheridge Jr, Matthew Asper, Shaleana Etheridge, Sean Etheridge and Zachary Asper. He died at age 19 in Adhamiyah, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Luis E. Gutierrez-Rosales, Spc. Richard Gilmore III and Spc. Daniel E. Gomez. Zach had been serving in Iraq nearly 13 months.
Army
1st Battalion
26th Infantry
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Schweinfurt, Germany

Burial information is unknown at this time.

Born: September 26, 1980 in Charleston, South Carolina
Died: July 28, 2005 in Cykla Village, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Christopher P. Lyons of Shelby, Ohio was born the son of Paul R. and Phyllis R. Humphreys Lyons, and was a 1999 graduate of Shelby High School. He also attended Pioneer Career and Technological Center where he was involved with the Tech Prep Program. Chris was previously a sales representive in the advertising department for the Mansfield News Journal and was a member of the Heartland Christian Center in Wooster, Ohio. He enjoyed literature and loved to play scrabble and started a scrabble club in Mansfield. Chris was married in September of 2003 to Bethany Bull. The couple had a daughter that Chris never got to hold, though he had seen her via the internet and photographs. In addition to his wife, Bethany, he leaves his daughter, Ella, his mother, Phyllis Lyons, and his father and stepmother, Paul and Debbie Lyons. He was killed at age 24 when his unit came under attack by enemy small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades while conducting combat operations in Cykla, Iraq.
Marines
3rd Battalion
25th Marine Regiment
4th Marine Division
Marine Forces Reserve
Columbus, Ohio

Burial is at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio – Sec 19 Site 205

Born: April 2, 1984
Died: December 3, 2004 in Kirkuk, Iraq

Spc. David P. Mahlenbrock, 20, of Maple Shade, N.J.; assigned to the 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; killed Dec. 3 when an improvised explosive device detonated as he was clearing a route in Kirkuk, Iraq.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8086

Born: January 29, 1988 in Placer County, California
Died: May 19, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq

Pfc Alejandro R. Varela of Fernley, Nevada was born in Roseville and grew up in the Orangevale area of Sacramento County. Known best as, Alex, he attended San Juan High School and Casa Robles High School before moving to Fernley, Nevada to live with his father. He was known to friends and family as Alex. He was sent to Iraq in October of 2006 and had come home for two weeks in January of 2007 to celebrate his 19th birthday. He leaves his parents Rinda and Roger, a sister Jennifer, and a brother Roger, stepbrother Shane Pope, and stepsister Kirsten Bendure. He died at age 19 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Christopher Moore, Sgt. Jean P. Medlin, Spc. David W. Behrle, Spc. Joseph A. Gilmore and Pfc. Travis F. Haslip.
Army
1st Battalion
5th Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks, California. There is also a memorial bench in his honor was placed on the grounds at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Born: December 19, 1982
Died: October 22, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq

Sgt. WillSun M. Mock of Harper, Kansas was one of seven children, and the youngest son. He was best known as ‘Will’ to his family and friends, and later known as ‘Mock’ to his comrades. Sometime around Will’s second birthday, he moved with his family to Wichita where he began to learn the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After the family moved to Attica three years later, he was baptized in the Wellington Ward. As soon as he was old enough, Will participated by greeting other members as they arrived at the church. During his formative years, and by now living in Park City, he was beginning to show signs of becoming the man he would ultimately be. Respectful, caring and humble. His high regard for his family also came through when he spoke of them. Especially his parents, and siblings. This story can’t be told without mentioning the words, ‘Strength and Honor’. After all, these words were a large part of Will’s life. He had ‘Strength’ tattooed on one arm, and ‘Honor’ tattooed on the other and he lived these words in everything he did. When the events of September 11th occurred, the words rang out truer than ever for him and he joined the United States Army. Will believed that he could make a difference, and he did make a difference for so many orphans he befriended during his first tour of Iraq. Some of them even called him father. He was currently serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), the Purple Heart (after declining his first), the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Saervice Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon, NATO Ribbon (Kosovo), the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Presidential Unit Citation, and Valorus Unit. He leaves his parents, Michael Wayne Mock and Ann Elizabeth Reida Mock, four sisters, and two brothers. He died at age 23 from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad.
Army
1st Battalion
26th Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Schweinfurt, Germany

Burial is at Harper Cemetery in Harper, Kansas

Born: January 30, 1983
Died: June 23, 2005 in Fallujah, Iraq

Cpl. Chad W. Powell of West Monroe, Louisiana grew up the oldest of three boys. He was a 2001 graduate of West Monroe High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps the following November. During high school, he was a member of the School’s fishing team and was involved in youth programs at his church. Chad had always wanted to be a Marine. His father, grandfather and uncles were all Marines. And he grew up to be a man of integrity. Both of his grandfathers spent memorable times with Chad hunting and fishing, teaching him skills that he would pass down to his own son. At age three, Chad’s son Elijah, already knew the fundamentals of fishing, taught to him by his father. By all accounts, Chad was a good ol’ boy and killed his first buck when he was fifteen. He joined the Marines in November of 2001 and served tours in Afghanistan, Haiti and Iraq. He was currently serving his 3rd deployment and had only three months left to serve. He was expected to return stateside in September of 2005. He leaves his wife, Danielle, his son, Elijah, his parents, Jerry and Brenda Powell, and two brothers, Christopher and Jesse. He was killed at age 22 when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle in Fallujah, Iraq.
Marines
Headquarters Company
8th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Calhoun, Louisiana

Born: October 12, 1968 in Gastonia, North Carolina
Died: June 17, 2005 in Qaim, Iraq

Master Sgt. Michael L. McNulty of Knoxville, Tennessee graduated from Larkin High School in Elgin, Illinois in 1986. Michael enlisted in the United States Army upon graduation from Larkin High School in Elgin, Ill., in 1986. After completion of initial entry training, he was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, Fort Lewis, Washinton. After a brief separation of service, he reenlisted April 1994. McNulty then served with the 327th Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky. and later served with the 27th Infantry Regiment and 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as a rifle squad leader, an instructor, and a reconnaissance squad leader. His awards and decorations included the three Bronze Star Medals, one with Valor Device, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, five Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Military Freefall Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Ranger Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, and the Purple Heart. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of master sergeant. He leaves his wife, Paula, four children, Cyle, Eric, Katie and Rebecca, his parents Davis and Ann Marie McNulty. He was killed at age 36 while conducting combat operations in Qaim, Iraq.
Army
Headquarters
Army Special Operations Command
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8194