Freedom Remembered

Spc. Thomas P. Murach, 22, of Meridian, Idaho died May 4, in Maiwand, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. He graduated from High School in Meridian, Idaho, in 2008. Specialist Murach enlisted in the Army on 24 August 2010. He attended the fourteen-week long Infantry Training Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Specialist Murach’s first duty assignment was Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment and was selected to be a member of the Reconnaissance Platoon as a Sniper. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Senior Sniper for his Platoon. Specialist Murach’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Specialist Murach is survived by his mother, and his brother. Idaho State Veterans Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: August 14, 1992 in Everett, Washington
Died: October 18, 2012 in Khost, Afghanistan

Pfc. Shane G. Wilson, 20, of Kuna, Idaho, died Oct. 18, in Khost, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Shane graduated from Kuna High School in 2011 and looked forward to serving his country upon graduation.
His family released this statement: “Shane died in the service of his country, and this is a very sad day for our family. He wanted to be a military man from a very young age and was proud to be a soldier. Shane was a very humble young man and was indeed one of the best men we’ve ever known. We loved him for so many reasons, including his loyalty, and he knew how to keep a confidence. He was caring and compassionate, and he always placed others before himself. He will be missed by his entire family, including his mother, father, two sisters, grandparents and great-grandparents. We are very proud of him and we do not want him to be forgotten.”

To be updated…

A memorial service will be on
Tuesday, October 30th, 10:00 am, at
Ten Mile Christian Church, located at
3500 W Franklin Rd
Meridian, Idaho

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to:
Idaho Guard and Reserve Family Support Fund
COL Rob Lytle, Idaho National Guard
4040 W. Guard Street
Boise, ID 83705
(208) 272-8302

Spc. Ethan J. Martin, 22, of Lewiston, Idaho, died Aug. 7 in Koragay, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered enemy small-arms fire. Martin was assigned to 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He joined the Army in October 2009, and was assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage in March 2010. Ethan graduated in 2009 from Lewiston High School. He planned to go to nursing school after leaving the Army.
Paradise Valley Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: August 4, 1987
Died: July 3, 2012 in Gayan Alwara Mandi, Afghanistan

Spc. Cody O. Moosman, 24, of Preston, Idaho, died July 3, in Gayan Alwara Mandi, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan. His family issued a statement saying their son told them starting in the third grade that he had wanted to be in the Army. He joined in 2010, at age 22, and loved the idea of protecting his fellow citizens. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and had completed his Eagle Scout badge.

Preston City Cemetery in Preston, Idaho

To be updated…

Sgt. Chris J. Workman, 33, of Boise, Idaho died April 19, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, when his Black Hawk (UH-60) crashed. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. Chris is a 1997 graduate of Minico High School and 2003 graduate of Idaho State University. Following graduation he worked in an escrow business in Boise. When the economy fell out of real estate, he went to work as an auto glass repairman, something he had learned from his father at their family business in Rupert. He joined the service to provide a better living for his family and was always looking for ways to better himself.

Rupert Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: August 21, 1984 in Twin Falls, Idaho
Died: March 24, 2012 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Sgt. Daniel J. Brown of Jerome, Idaho died March at age 27 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. He leaves behind a wife, three month old twin daughters, his parents, and a brother.

Burial is at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Twin Falls, Idaho

To be updated…

Born: July 12, 1991 in Riverside, California
Died: January 15, 2012 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Cochran, 20, of Wilder, Idaho died Jan 15 conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. Ken graduated Parma High School in 2010 where he was well liked and admired by his classmates. Kenny joined the Marine Corps Aug. 30, 2010. He arrived on Okinawa May 27, 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan Nov. 13, 2011 serveing as a water support technician. His awards include, the NATO-International Security Assistance Force Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Burial is at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho – Sec 10 Row S Site 166

To be updated…

Born: January 4, 1983 in Idaho Falls, Idaho
Died: December 3, 2011 in Landstuhl, Germany

Sgt. Ryan D. Sharp, 28, of Idaho Falls, Idaho died Dec. 3, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Nov. 21 at Kandahar province, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan. He joined the Army in October 2002 as an armored crew member. He arrived at Fort Riley in April 2006. This was his third deployment. His awards include the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Combat Action Badge. Rose Hill Cemetery in Idaho Falls, Idaho

To be updated…

Born: November 18, 1983 in Kennewick, Washington
Died: November 10, 2011 in Boise, Idaho

From a very young age David had a passion for serving his country to defend the freedom of all of us here at home. He was an Army Recruiter in Boise, Idaho, serving with the Boise Recruiting Company, Salt Lake City Recruiting Battalion, 6th Recruiting Brigade – North Las Vegas, NV.

David also served two tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving with the 671st Engineering Company and also with the 3rd Infantry Division. He received various awards for being an exemplary soldier and NCO of the Year. This included Army Recruiter awards: Recruiter of the Year, Recruiter Badge (three sapphire stars), recruiter ring, Glen E. Morrell award, and other unit citations.

David had kept in touch with his high school history teacher, Mr, Kiki, over the years and his teacher asked David one day if he would write about what the American flag meant to him. This is what David wrote. It has since been read at Veteran’s Day high school assemblies.

“I joined the United States Army at the age of 17. I was a junior at Central Valley High School when I joined. I wanted the privilege and honor to represent my flag in a foreign country. I have worn this flag for two years in Iraq. I have worn this flag with pride and honor. This flag has witnessed many wars, but the flag I wore saw only what I saw. It watched on the 15th of March 2003 when I walked into Iraq to bring freedom to a country. It watched on the 1st of July 2003, when I held 1SG Christopher Coffin in my arms as he died in combat bearing the same flag that I wore. It watched when I entered a torture room that held girls as young as 14 years of age, freeing them from their prison. It was a symbol for everyone around me during that time. It has always been a symbol and will always be a symbol. For some, when they witnessed me walk into their village or home wearing this flag, they were filled with hope and the emotion of relief from their fears. For some, when they witnessed this flag, they were filled with terror and fear because they themselves caused so much of same feelings in others. For me, this flag that “I wear” represents a light that pierces through the darkest of countries as a hope that there will be a better life. I have a privilege to represent you! You gave me the privilege to carry this flag into combat so that others will have HOPE. I will not fail you nor will I allow this flag to fall. I have made an oath to protect this flag against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help me God!” signed SSG David Biehl

SSG Biehl received his promotion to the heavenly ranks on November 10, 2011. He passed away at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho, from complications resulting in a traumatic brain injury that occurred in July that same year. “You have fought the good fight,” were some of the last words spoken to David by his father shortly before David passed away to be with his Lord and Savior.

David was an avid outdoorsman. He loved his family, friends, and his Band of Brothers. His smile and laughter will always be remembered. He will forever be in our hearts.
Psalm 27

Laid to rest at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery – Boise, Idaho – Sec 2 Row D Site 87

Written and submitted by his mother, D. Biehl

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Born: January 24, 1990 in Caldwell, Idaho
Died: September 21, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Spc. Robert E. Dyas of Nampa, Idaho died at age 21 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan. Dyas joined the Army in January 2009 as a fire support specialist.

Burial is at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho – Sec 10 Row E Site 153

To be updated…