Freedom Remembered

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: August 5, 1987 in Danville, Indiana
Died: February 23, 2009 in Balad, Iraq

Cpl. Zachary R. Nordmeyer of Indianapolis, Indiana was a graduate of Ben Davis High School where he participated in the Reserves Officer’s Training Corps. Zach could hardly wait to join the military and in the summer of 2007 he joined the United States Army. He deployed to Iraq in September of 2008 for a year long assignment. He died at age 21 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. Also killed were Cpl. Michael L. Mayne and Cpl. Micheal B. Alleman. Zach leaves his father, Michael, two brothers, Josh and David, three stepsisters, Rachel Klop, Kendra Gregg, and Karen Piehl, a stepbrother, Kristopher Bereman, and a fiancée, Chrissy. He was preceded by his mother, Kimberly Kaye Fair Bereman in 2002. Zachary’s name was added to a wall of honor at Ben Davis High School for its graduates that have died in the line of duty. He became the 18th former student who made the ultimate sacrifice. His awards and decorations include, the Army Service Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Global War on Terrorism and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
Army
5th Squadron
1st Cavalry Regiment
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team
25th Infantry Division
Fort Wainwright, Alaska

Burial is at Floral Park Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana

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

Born: March 29, 1985 in Ypsilanti, Michigan
Death: November 1, 2006 in Hadithah, Iraq

Cpl. Gary A. Koehler of Ypsilanti, Michigan was a Milan High School football and baseball star who later fulfilled his goal of joining the Marine Corps. He graduated in 2003 and had recently married. In football, he was named first team All-Huron League and was the second leading tackler on the team in his senior year. He was first team All-Region in football as well. Gary was a dedicated athlete who volunteered to be deployed to the war a second time even after suffering a gunshot wound 18 months before. He wanted to return to duty in Iraq because he didn’t want to let the guys in his platoon down. Plus, he wanted to do what he could for his country. He married Hilary Moss in a civil ceremony and was planning a formal wedding ceremony at a later date. He leaves his wife, Hillary, his parents, Ron and Mary Goodney Koehler and a brother, Rob. Gary was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Ann Arbor. He was killed at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Hadithah, Iraq.
Marines
1st Battalion
8th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8852

Born: March 2, 1986 in Mesa, Arizona
Died: April 29, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq

Sgt. Alexander J. Funcheon of Bel Aire, Kansas was fun loving, the life of the party and an adventurous kid with plans of serving his community and/or his country. He seriously considered becoming a firefighter for his community. What he actually did was to become a hero to a nation. Growing up, Alex attended Allison Middle School and Heights High School and explored his youth while  riding his bike on the streets of Bel Aire with friends. A typical teenager, Alex and his friends loved to play the usual pranks, like ringing doorbells before hiding. During his formative years in high school, Alex began seeking a better understanding of things of a spiritual nature. He sought a clear understanding of God and wasn’t intimidated to ask questions on the subject. After deciding how best to pursue a life plan, he joined the United States Army. He knew the dangers of enlisting during wartime, and according to his father he wasn’t the John Wayne type, but Alex was set in his decision to perform his obligations while serving in the military. As a military man, he visited the students at Bostic Elementary, who kind of adopted Alex while he was deployed. They sent him care packages, and in turn he sent them emails of his experience. They learned almost firsthand some of the real dangers of what it was like to serve during war time. In Iraq, he was getting ready for a break and had planned to spend it in Germany, but he also promised his Mom he’d be home soon. Alex leaves his parents, Karen and Bob, and a sister, Gloria among others. He died at age 21 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an Iranian made bomb detonated near his unit during combat operations. Also killed were Army Pfc. Brian A. Botello and Army Staff Sgt. Jay E. Martin.
Army
3rd Squadron
61st Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
2nd Infantry Division
Fort Carson, Colorado

Burial is at Kechi Cemetery in Park City, Kansas