Freedom Remembered

Born: September 17, 1989 in Berryville, Arkansas
Died: August 29, 2010 in Nangahar, Afghanistan

Spc. Bryn T. Raver of Harrison, Arkansas is the son of Charles and the late Sandra R. Shook. He entered the Army in February 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2008 where he served as a military policeman. His Awards and Decorations include, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and weapons qualification, M4 expert. He leaves his wife, Pvt. Kellie S. Raver, daughter Elisha, and his father, Charles B. Raver, two brothers, Justin and Brandon. Bryn was of the Baptist Faith. Bryn loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, 4-wheelers, racing and being with friends and family. He died at age 20 at Nangahar, Afghanistan, of wound sustained when their military vehicle was struck by rocket propelled grenade on Aug. 28 at Nangahar, Afghanistan.
Army
1st Brigade Special Troop Battalion
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Silver Hill Cemetery in Tyler Bend, Arkansas

To be updated…

Born: August 28, 1969 in Arkansas
Died: July 31, 2007 in Tunis, Iraq

Sgt. Bradley W. Marshall of Little Rock, Arkansas began his military career in the United States Army from 1990 through 1994. In 2006 he re-enlisted as a paratrooper with dedication and commitment. In his leisure, Brad enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, camping and hiking mostly because of the bonding time it allowed him to share with so many of his family and friends. He loved to build and reconstruct homes and was exceptionally proud of his finished work. He leaves his wife, Gina, two sons, Wesley and Tanner, his parents Wayne and Fran Marshall and a sister, Kim. He was a member of Bingham Road Baptist Church. He died at age 37 in Tunis, Iraq, of wounds sustained from enemy indirect fire. Also killed was Spc. Daniel F. Reyes.
Army
2nd Battalion
377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne)
25th Infantry Division
Fort Richardson, Alaska

Burial is at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas

Born: August 16, 1985
Died: April 07, 2007 in Zaganiyah, Iraq

Pfc. Rodney L. McCandless of Camden, Arkansas was always concerned about how his actions would be perceived by children who looked up to him. It was for this reason that he never took up smoking, drinking or drugs. Being a role model was important to him, and he lived his life accordingly. He enlisted the United States Army in August of 2005, completing Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia in October 2005. He completed the Basic Airborne Course in February of 2006 and reported to the 82nd Airborne Division in April of 2006. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist’s Badge. Rodney leaves his parents, Lynn and Rhonda McCandless, a sister, Chastity, and two brothers, Ron and James. He died at age 21 in Zaganiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. Also killed were Capt. Jonathan D. Grassbaugh, Spc. Ebe F. Emolo and Spc. Levi K. Hoover.
Army
5th Squadron
73rd Cavalry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Jones Prairie Cemetery in Leggett, Texas

Born: July 10, 1980 in Mt.Clemens, Michigan
Died: March 22, 2007 in Iraq

Sgt. Freeman L. Gardner Jr, of Little Rock, Arkansas was educated in Detroit where he was the recipient of multiple awards in High School, including 1st place as a National winner in developing a detailed computer program with the “Ford Motor Company” for gifted High School Computer Programmers. He was a graduate of Little Rock Central High School, with a 4.0 gpa, with high honors in his AP classes and received a scholarship for “computer engineer”. While attending the University of Oklahoma he was involved in numerous campus activities and became a member of the Zeta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in November of 1999. Freeman was an avid reader and loved studing Biblical history and was always quenching his thirst for learning on computers and technology. He enlisted in the United States Army in June of 2004 to obtain valuable work and leadership experience. He served as a “Signal Systems Support Specialist”, he helped maintain or supervise the battlefield communications systems. Later that year, he was married in December of 2004 in Oklahoma City. He was deployed to Iraq in June 2006 and his unit is expected to return home in June or July of 2007. Freeman was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle and soldier. He was a quiet man with a gentle demeanor, who loved helping people. He never knew a stranger. His Awards and Decorations, include, the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal. He died at age 26 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on combat patrol.
Army
18th Engineer Company
3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
2nd Infantry Division
Fort Lewis, Washington

Burial is at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, Arkansas – Sec K Site 36

Born: September 2, 1962
Died: April 24, 2004 in Iraq

Staff Sgt. Billy J. Orton of Humnoke, Arkansas realized his dream of serving in the military. when he enlisted in the United States Army, in 1981. He had served deployments in Alaska, Panama, Egypt, and Iraq. Billy was known for constantly chewing tobacco, having his glasses slip down his nose and being able to find supplies no matter how disorganized they were. His life revolved around his family and his love for the military. His Awards and Decorations include, four ARCOM’s, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, two Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Multinational Force and Observers, Arkansas Federal Service Ribbon, two Arkansas Service Ribbons, Arkansas Emergency Service Ribbon. He leaves his wife, Margarita, his three children, Manaser, David and Benjamin, his mother, Dorothy Orton, a brother, Leo, two sisters, Barbara and Linda. He is also the son of the late Troy Orton. Billy was killed at age 41 when mortar rounds hit his camp in Taji, Iraq. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Those who served with him called him a ‘true soldier’.
Army
National Guard
39th Support Battalion
39th Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division
Hazen, Arkansas

Burial is at Hazen Cemetery in Hazen, Arkansas

Born: June 16, 1970 in Searcy, Arkansas
Died: October 13th in Landstuhl, Germany

Spc. Ronald W. Baker of Cabot, Arkansas is the son of Carolyn and Wayne Baker. He and his father owned a gun shop together back in Arkansas. Ronald enjoyed shooting rifles, hunting, and working on cars. He also enjoyed playing pranks on his friends. Ronald enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard after the events of September 11th in October of 2001. He joined as a medical supply clerk and he loved his job. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expedition Medal, and The Purple Heart. In addition to his parents, he leaves his wife, JoAnn a daughter, Alexis, a brother, Chris and a sister Kim. He died at age 34 in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained Oct. 7th when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol vehicle in Taji, Iraq.
Army
National Guard
39th Support Battalion
Lonoke, Arkansas

Burial is at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, Arkansas – Sec L Site 40

Born: March 18, 1990 in Harrison, Arkansas
Died: July 4, 2010 in Arghandab, Afghanistan

Spc. Clayton D. McGarrah of Harrison, Arkansas is a 2006 graduate of Harrison Senior High School. He is the son of Orville ‘Bo’ and Michele Schermerhorn McGarrah. ‘Clayboy’, as he was know by many, joined the Army in late summer of 2009 and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Parachutist’s badge. Clay loved his wife Emily, Fox News, hiking, hunting, supervising people, football, UFC Tapout, gaming, eating out, and spending time with his family, especially hanging out and attending Razorback games with his brother. He is survived by his wife Emily, and his parents Michele and Orville McGarrah, his sisters, Elizabeth Hanson and Emilie McGarrah, and a brother, James McGarrah. Clay died at age 20 at Arghandab, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device and rocket-propelled grenade fire. He was a member of Faith Assembly of God Church.
Army
2nd Battalion
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, N.C.

Burial is at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Harrison, Arkansas

Born: June 18, 1980 in Little Rock, Arkansas
Died: November 2, 2003 in Al Fallujah, Iraq

Sgt. Keelan L. Moss of Houston, Texas is a 1998 graduate of Eisenhower High School. That same year he enlisted in the United States Army completing basic training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill. He was deployed in April of 2003 and was expected back stateside to celebrate an early Thanksgiving. Something he was looking forward to, being able to see his wife and children and other family who were planning to come to see him. That visit was to take place in just two more days and he was so excited about it, that he was having difficulty sleeping. Keelan was a gifted writer who wrote letters home that seemed almost poetic. He also wrote his children often. Keelan killed at age 23 in an attack on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter near Fallujah, Iraq. He was one of six soldiers from that base killed in an attack on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying troops to the Baghdad International Airport. He leaves his wife, Jenifer, three children, Keelan, Marjani and Dakari, his mother, Velma Moss-Deawayne, a brother, Ralph, a sister, Travanna, among others.
Army
B Battery
2nd Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
Fort Sill, Oklahoma

Burial is at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock, Arkansas – Section I, Site S475

Birth: September 14, 1969 – Little Rock, Arkansas
Died: September 12, 2003 – Ar Ramadi, Iraq

Burial: Fredonia Cemetery, Judsonia, Arkansas

Born: December 24, 1986 in Harrison, Arkansas
Died: June 11, 2010 in Jalula, Iraq

Spc. William C. Yauch of Batesville, Arkansas attended Batesville High School, graduating in 2005. He enlisted in the United States Army in August of 2007 and reported to Fort Lewis in December of 2007. He was serving his first deployment. He married to Mallory Rhodes on February 16, 2008, at North Heights Church of Christ in Batesville where he was a member. Chris’s civilian and military education include a test-based equivalency high school diploma and Military Occupational Specialty 11B (Infantryman) Qualification Course. His Awards and Decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon. Chris died at age 23 in Jalula, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. In his leisure he enjoyed paint ball, riding his motorcycle, and tinkering with his car. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother and stepfather, Lucretia and Dennis Robertson, and his father and stepmother, Kurt and Debbie Yauch, and four step-sisters, Jenny, Rachel, Barbara, and Brenda among others.
Army
5th Battalion
20th Infantry Regiment
3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
2nd Infantry Division
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Burial is at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Batesville, Arkansas