Freedom Remembered

Born: May 31, 1984 in Hartford, Connecticut
Died: September 24, 2010 in Fallujah, Iraq

Pfc. Gebrah P. Noonan of Watertown, Connecticut graduated from Watertown High School in 2002. He attended Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York and Fordham University in Bronx. He enlisted in the Army in the fall of 2009 before heading to basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, deploying to Iraq in July of 2010. Gebrah was an avid New York Yankee fan and enjoyed going to games at Yankee Stadium. A true patriot, Gebrah believed in the values of this country. He loved listening to and singing the National Anthem, and was a big fan of President Ronald Reagan. He leaves his parents, William Noonan and Ling Chin Noonan, two brothers, Ariel and Adlai Noonan, a sister, Sheminith, two stepbrothers, Patrick and Paul Jacques. He died at age 26 in Fallujah, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident. His favorite line of scripture was Proverb 28:2 ‘Because of the transgression of the land, many are its princes; but by a man of understanding and knowledge right will be prolonged.’
Army
3rd Battalion
15th Infantry Regiment
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
3rd Infantry Division
Fort Stewart, Georgia

Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, New York

To be updated…

Born: February 25, 1985 in Hartford, Connecticut
Died: August 22, 1010 in Paktika, Afghanistan

Sgt. Steven J. Deluzio of South Glastonbury, Connecticut is a 2003 graduate of Glastonbury High School where he was a co-captain of the ice hockey team. The team won the state championship in 2003. Steve also received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Hartford in 2009. As a member of the Vermont National Guard, he was currently serving his second combat deployment, having previously served a tour in 2006 to Iraq. As a civilian he worked as an accountant at the CPA firm J.H. Cohn in Glastonbury. The avid sports fan especially loved the New York Yankees and Boston Bruins. He was also involved in Glastonbury Little League as an umpire and also coached his team to the Town championship in 2009. His Awards and Decorations include, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, and the Navy Unit Citation from that deployment. For his service in Afghanistan, Steven was also awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, NATO Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army Good Conduct Medal. He leaves his parents, Mark C. and Diane Lysik DeLuzio, his brother, Sgt. Scott DeLuzio, his fiancée, Leeza Gutt among others. He died at age 25 at Paktika, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire.
Army
National Guard
172nd Infantry
86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Jericho, Vermont

Burial is at Holy Cross Cemetery in Glastonbury, Connecticut

Born: January 5, 1975 in New Haven, Connecticut
Died: November 26, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq

Capt. Jason R. Hamill of New Haven, Connecticut was one of a set of triplets. He attended grade school in Salem and graduated from East Lyme High School in 1993 where he participated in wrestling, running track and playing the drums in the school band. He then graduated from the University of Connecticut with an engineering degree in 1998. When he got to college, being a member of the ROTC program and studying engineering took up most of his time. He accepted his commission upon college graduation in January 1998. That same day, he gave his father a silver dollar, part of an Army tradition. The tradition calls for the first person to salute the newly commissioned officer to be ‘coined.’ Jason served in Kosovo and Afghanistan and he and his wife were planning to start a family when he returned from Iraq. He and his wife married in 2005 and were in the middle of fixing up their home in Killeen, something that Jason was very enthusiastic about. He would get so tickled learning about landscaping, and growing flowers, planting shrubs and trees. Jason believed very strongly that the U.S being in Iraq made a difference. He leaves his wife, Karen, his parents Richard, who is retired Navy and Sharon Hamill, a brother, Jeffrey, two sisters, Stephanie and Tonya. He died at age 31 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad. Also killed were, 1st Lt. David M. Fraser and Pvt. Joshua C. Burrows.
Army
3rd Battalion
67th Armor Regiment
4th Brigade
4th Infantry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas – Sec 25 Site 163A

Born: June 4, 1990 in Norwich, Connecticut
Died: April 1, 2010 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Tyler O. Griffin, 19, of Voluntown, Connecticut is a 2008 graduate of Griswold High School. He died April 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
his mother and stepfather, Susan Perry Wilding and and John Wilding, a sister, Sarah Catania, a stepsister, Erin Wilding, and life long friend Tristan. He was preceded in death by his father, Brian Griffin.
Marines
1st Battalion
2nd 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 9153

To be updated…

Born: May 10, 1982 in New London, Connecticut
Died: May 25, 2010 in Bethesda, Maryland

Staff Sgt. Edwin Rivera of Waterford, Connecticut is the son of Ceferino and Gladys Rivera and graduated in 2000 from Waterford High School. He joined the Connecticut Army National Guard in 2002, initially as a chemical weapons specialist eventually transferring and becoming a combat infantryman. He graduated from the United States Army’s Airborne and Mountain Warfare schools along with the Warrior Leader’s Course. He was serving his second tour with the Connecticut National Guard, and was prepared to greet the Afghan children with pencils that he freely gave out. Edwin was always a cheerful and giving person. In his civilian life, Edwin worked the evening shift as a security guard at a nuclear power plant. Edwin was extremely compassionate and easily empathized with people. He carried out each task with with pride. He leaves his wife, Yesenia, and two sons, Rolando and Lorenzo, his parents, two sisters, Naomi and Miriam Rivera. He died at age 28 at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland of wounds sustained May 20 when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire at Contingency Outpost Xio Haq, Afghanistan.
Army
National Guard
1st Battalion
102nd Infantry
Norwalk, Connecticut

Burial is at Jordan Cemetery in Waterford, Connecticut

Born: April 29, 1987 in Hartford, Connecticut
Died: September 3, 2006 in Al Anbar, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Philip A. Johnson of Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut joined the Westover Young Marines at age 11 and joined the corps after his 2005 graduation from Enfield High School fulfilling a lifelong dream. He was involved with the wrestling team during his Junior year and was a member of Voices Incorporated, a choral program that integrated both Enfield High Schools. He enjoyed music tremendously and played several instruments including saxophone, drums, keyboards, and bass guitar. His musical idol was Paul McCartney, who he got to see in concert. Philip’s love for his country was strong and true. He wanted nothing more than to be a Marine from the time he knew what a Marine was. He was a focused and thoughtful young man. When he found out he was going to Iraq, he was hell-bent on going. He had no fear whatsoever. And while Johnson’s family was supportive of his deep desire to be a Marine, they also had some reservations about his service in Iraq. Phillip was an impressive young man who was active in church and committed to his faith. His personal awards include, One Purple Heart, One Combat Action Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and National Defense Medal. He was the son of Louis and Kathy Johnson. In addition to his parents, Louis and Kathy Titus Johnson, he is survived by a sister, Jessica. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather; Richard J. Titus and paternal grandparents; William L. and Helen Plona Johnson. He died at age 19 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
Marines
3rd Battalion
2nd Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at New Hazardville Cemetery in Hazardville, Connecticut

Born: March 1, 1964
Died: December 29, 2009 in Bala Morghab, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt Ronald J Spino of Fayetteville, North Carolina, grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut where he attended Holy Cross High School. He then attended Teikyo Post University, now known as Post University and worked in the records room of Waterbury Hospital. At the age of 29, he enlisted in the Army, starting his military career as a soldier medic and then became a military nurse and paratrooper. He was most recently in charge of the intensive care unit and forward surgical unit, which meant he jumped out of military planes, landed on the front lines and would treat wounded soldiers. He was currently serving his third tour during the war and was due to come home in 20 days, where he was expected to be released from the military. Each tour was initially to Iraq, but on this last tour his company was split, and Robert was sent to Afghanistan to an international base. Ronald was killed at age 45 when he and two soldiers came under fire from an Afghan insurgent at the gate of a military base. He is survived by his wife, Betty, who also serves in the Army, a daughter, Kandice, his parents, Rita and James Spino, two brothers, Glen and James Jr., and a sister, Maryanne. His Awards and Decorations include, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal. He also has the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and a Parachutist Badge.
Army
274th Forward Surgical Team
44th Medical Command
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, North Carolina – Sec 8A Site 732

Born: September 6, 1968 in Waterbury, Connecticut
Died: October 16 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq

Chief Warrant Officer Three William I. Brennan of Bethlehem, Connecticut was best known as ‘Will’ by his family. Growing up, he would ride around the neighborhood with Ralph, the family cat, perched on his head. The son of the late Nicholas I. and Rosalie C. Dunne Brennan attended St. John the Evangelist School in Watertown and graduated in 1986 from Holy Cross High School where he was on the lacrosse and wrestling teams. William was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Pine Meadow, CT 4-H Club. He received his associate’s degree from Mattatuck Community College before joining the Army and becoming a pilot. While attending Mattatuck Community College he was serving in the National Guard. After receiving his associate’s degree, William joined the United States Army and pursued his dream of flying helicopters. Following that dream was through an already well worn path inspired by his late godfather, William Horvay, an Army helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam. And his late father was a commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and an uncle was a bomber pilot in World War II and in Korea. Will ultimately served in the armed forces for 13 years, most recently being deployed in January 2004 from Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii to Iraq. He wasn’t nervous about leaving for Iraq. He was a capable soldier whose 15-year military career included a tour in Bosnia and flying surveillance helicopters around New York City after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. What he did not like was leaving behind his wife of six years and his daughters. The separation was so hard for him that in some ways he wondered if his two-week return that summer to his family in Hawaii was a mixed blessing, he would get to see the smiling faces he had not seen since December only to have to leave them again. But he was hoping to finish his tour and then leave Hawaii, where he has been stationed, for a permanent assignment somewhere in the South, where he loved. Will is remembered as a prankster, a fun-loving dad who doted on his daughters. Even as an adult, he was a kid who still collected comic books and had a weakness for Snickers bars. His nieces nicknamed him “Uncle Buck,” after the goofy movie character played in a 1980s comedy by the late John Candy. In addition to his wife and daughters, Will is survived by his grandpa, Paul Horvay Sr., Neil and Marge Brennan, Patrick and Katherine Brennan, Nicholas and T.J. Brennan, Patricia and Harry Traver, Mary-Kate and John Scenti, and Briana and Peter Wall of Woodbury. William died at age 36 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his OH-58D helicopter apparently collided with another OH-58D helicopter and crashed. Also killed was Capt. Christopher B. Johnson.

Army
1st Battalion
25th Aviation
25th Infantry Division (Light)
Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii

Burial is at Evergreen Cemetery in Bethlehem, Connecticut

Born: December 12, 1987 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Died: December 8, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas

Cpl. Xhacob Latorre of Waterbury, Connecticut is a 2005 graduate of Crosby High School where he participated in the ROTC cadet program for three years. As a student, every time there was an event that required audience participation, Xhacob would raise his hand. He was always a happy and friendly child. At age 7, a restaurant owner promised him a job if he could keep a table of 10 laughing for an hour, she said. He did. He was too young to be hired, but he got a fist full of cash from the patrons who gave him a dollar for every joke that made them laugh. He joined the Marine Corps in June of 2005 and trained at Parris Island, South Carolina. He graduated from boot camp on September 23, 2005 and was sent to Camp Lejeune School of Infantry where he received orders to Weapons Company 2nd Battalion 8th Marines. His 1st deployment to Ramadi, Iraq was July 24, 2006 where he spent seven months arriving back to US soil on Feb. 18, 2007. His second deployment to Iraq was October 31, 2007 to May 18, 2008. His third and final deployment was May 18, 2009 to Camp Leatherneck where he transferred from Weapon to Fox Company. In 2007, Xhacob (pronounced, Jacob) married his longtime girlfriend and the couple have a young son. Xhacob was promoted to corporal in June of 2008. Among his Awards and Decorations are the Purple Heart Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal. He was injured on August 10 2009, and was sent to the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he died at age 21 of the wounds he sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Xhacob was a loving and caring father and husband who provided for his family and served his country with his life. He was a happy and fun person throughout his life even in his last few days in the hospital. Xhacob is the son of Nicolasa LaSalle and Daniel LaTorre Sr. In addition to parents and his wife, Frances, he leaves a son, Javier, a brother, Cpl Daniel L. LaTorre. a sister, Nicole M. LaTorre, maternal grandparents, Pablo LaSalle and Ana M. Morales among others.
Marines
2nd Battalion
8th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Connecticut Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut -

Born: March 20, 1983 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Died: May 8, 2005 in Qa’im, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Lawrence R. Philippon of Hartford, Connecticut was a Conard High School graduate, where he played Ice Hockey and Lacrosse. He also attended Central Connecticut State University. Larry had an endless humor and infectious smile. His recital of lines from “Forest Gump” always brought tears of laughter. Larry had been in the United States Marine Corps for two years having enlisted in May of 2002. He had asked to be assigned to the front lines. As a member of the Marine Corps Color Guard, Larry carried the flag at the funeral for President Reagan. Even though he enjoyed the color guard, he really wanted to be in Iraq. For him, that is where it was all happening. With his classic Marine stature, he was chosen to become part of the Washington, D.C. 8th + I barracks Color Guard. He performed in many parades and for funerals at Arlington Cemetery, took part in welcoming ceremonies for diplomats and carried the flag at former President Ronald Reagan’s funeral procession. He is the son of Leesa and Raymond Philippon and the brother of Bryan and Emilee. He was also engaged to be married in December to Olivia Lawrence. Larry was the 24th military member from Connecticut to be killed in Iraq or Afghanistan since March 2002. He was killed at age 22 by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Qa’im, Iraq. His official duties at the time of his death were protecting the Syrian border and conducting security operations to prevent insurgents from crossing the border and setting up strongholds in Iraqi cities. Among his Awards and Decorations are, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Marines
3rd Battalion
2nd 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 8181