Freedom Remembered

Born on May 31, 1984 in Boise, ID

Died on Apr. 7, 2008 in Iraq

Sgt. Michael T. Lilly, of Boise, Idaho. The things in life that meant the most to Michael were Idaho, the United States, being a soldier and his family. Growing up, he was most often out in the sunshine with his family, spending time in the family’s cabin at Warm Lake, riding his bike, hiking and hunting. Inside activities he enjoyed were computers, gourmet cooking, playing the piano and his guitar. His beloved grandparents taught him how to play golf among other hobbies. In school, he wrestled, was in the Cub Scouts and wrote stories. In high school, he met the love of his life, Miseda, whom he courted while working at the Dairy Queen. He graduated from Borah High School in 2002. Michael had always wanted to serve our country as a soldier in the United States Army. Spurred by the attacks of September 11 the year before, Michael enlisted during the summer of 2002 and attended Basic Training and Infantry Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon his return to Boise from Fort Benning, he was assigned to Fort Lewis Washington, where he was sent to South Korea to serve for a year. Upon his return he became engaged to Miseda. Before his first deployment to Iraq, Michael and Miseda wed on July 9, 2004 at Whitney Baptist Church. They returned to Fort Lewis, and then were transferred to Vilsek, Germany, assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. He was deployed to Iraq for a second time in August 2007. He was killed on April 7 in Sadr City, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked using a rocket-propelled grenade.

Michael was buried in the Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery in Boise.

Born: October 18, 1967 in Fort Myers, Florida
Died: June 1, 2005 in Kirkuk, Iraq

Sgt. 1st Class Virgil Case of Mountain Home, Idaho graduated from high school in Collinwood, Tennessee and joined the Army in October of 1986. He met the love of his life, Claudia, and her two children, while they were in Fort Bliss, Texas in 1989. They were wed in 1991 and were later blessed with two more daughters. 1991 was also the year that he joined the Army National Guard. During his life, he served 18 years in military service. He took pride in working full time at the Mountain Home Army National Guard Armory and being a member of the 145th Support Battalion. He was called to serve in Fort Bliss, Texas in June 2004, and from there deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq in December 2004. He enjoyed being with his family, serving his country, hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He was always working on various projects in his spare time. His smile, great sense of humor, and loyalty to his family and country endeared him to his community and his fellow soldiers. Virgil is survived by his wife Claudia; their children Stevie, Randy, Danielle, and Harlee; his uncle Ken; sisters Vivian and Vicki; and his brothers Frank and Randy. He was preceded in death by his parents. Virgil died at age 37 while serving his country in Kirkuk, Iraq.

Army
National Guard
145th Support Battalion
116th Brigade Combat Team
Mountain Home, Idaho

Burial is at Shiprock Cemetery in Shiprock, New Mexico

Born April 22, 1987 in Glendale, AZ

Died Sep. 20, 2009 in Kuwait

Senior Airman Matthew R. Courtois was the son of Steve and Sue Courtois and grew up in Lucas, Texas. He graduated from Allen Texas High School in 2005 and joined the Air force in January of 2006. He headed to the technical school at the Lackland base for the Security Forces Apprentice Course and reported to the Mountain Home Base in Idaho in June of 2007. He served as a security forces patrolman as part of the Security Forces Alpha Flight, 366th Security Forces Squadron. He served a tour of duty in Iraq from June 2007 until February 2008. Matt was an Eagle Scout and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He loved shooting, especially paintball, playing X-Box, singing karaoke, chasing his step kids, and hanging out with friends and family. He was very into outdoors and loved building fires. Deployed for a second tour in July of 2009, he died September 20 as a result of a non-hostile incident on Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase, Kuwait. Matt had married his wife Cheyenne on June 27, 2009 and she survives along with two step-children; a brother John; and two sisters, Carrie and Amy. He is buried at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.

Birth: Jan. 19, 1978 in Blackfoot, Idaho
Death: Feb. 23, 2009 in Iraq

Cpl Michael B. Alleman of Logan, Utah was raised in Dalton, Georgia and Idaho before moving to Utah in 1998. He graduated in 1996 from Southeast Whitfield High School in Dalton, then attended University of Georgia and Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, before making his way to Utah State University. He taught 4th grade for two years in Las Vegas before moving back to Cache Valley and teaching 5th grade at Nibley Elementary for two years. He loved spending time with the children and helping them learn the importance of an education. He later quit his teaching job to join the army. Michael was a man passionate about his patriotism and devoted to his country. He relished teaching American history in his classes at Alleman at Nibley Elementary where he was an an engaging teacher who cared deeply about every student. He was a good family man and although he was in Iraq, he called and sent packages and frequently checked his wife’s blog. He was an outdoor person who enjoyed hiking and biking and was always working at least two jobs. Michael was a member of the 51st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, which was deployed in September for a 12-month tour. He was killed at age 31 while serving in the Army in Iraq. He is the son of Boyd and Susan Alleman. He is also survived by his wife Amy and their two sons among others. Also killed were Cpl. Michael L. Mayne and Cpl. Zachary R. Nordmeyer.
Army
5th Squadron
1st Cavalry Regiment
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team
25th Infantry Division
Fort Wainwright, Alaska

Burial is at Hyrum City Cemetery in Hyrum, Utah

Birth: May 14, 1984 in Idaho Falls, Idaho
Death: Oct. 4, 2007 in Iraq

Spc. Vincent G. Kamka of Idaho Falls and Everett, Washington was a 2003 graduate of Skyline High School in Idaho Falls. Prior to that he attended Longfellow and Westside Elementary Schools, BFA Private School and Eagle Rock Junior High School. He lived in Everett, Washington, for one year, and had been serving in Iraq for a year as a Specialist in the United States Army. Vince firmly believed in the cause he was fighting for in Operation Iraqi Freedom and served his country with great pride. He has three brothers who also serve in the military, as did his father. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed target practice with bow and arrow and guns, hiking, video games, and taking walks with his mother. He is the son of Delore Charles “Chuck” Kamka and Brenda Gale Garvin Kamka. Vince died at age 23 of injuries received while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Bayji, Iraq.
Army
1st Battalion
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Little Butte Cemetery in Annis, Idaho

Birth: May 12, 1987 in Boise, Idaho
Death: April 12, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq

Spc. Borbonus of Boise, Idaho was a 2005 graduate of Boise High School and went into the Army right after graduating. He was a member of the USA Ski-team and Snowboard team where he attended Wood River Middle School. His parents own Falcon Crest Golf Course and Cloverdale Nursery where he worked briefly. John liked various sports, including skiing and lacrosse. He wanted to build his physical strength and thought joining the Army would do it. John was a big bold personality who grew into a tall, accomplished young man who had an impact on others. There are many instances where he influenced things, events, and people in a very positive fashion. He volunteered more than a hundred hours of community service to St. John´s Catholic Church. John changed lives and made a difference. John spoke fondly of family as he enthusiastically shared about snow boarding, traveling, hunting or fishing, yet showed a level of reserve that I respected. He had the ability to make anyone laugh. He could come across as extremely shy, and then out of nowhere he would surprise you with a practical joke, a very imaginative practical joke. It was impossible to go into a conversation with John and not walk away in a better mood with a better outlook on life. Private First Class John Borbonus was a true warrior and embodied characteristics every Soldier should strive to emulate. As a Platoon machine gunner and dismount, his versatility made him irreplaceable. He was attentive and diligent manning the Platoon machine gun. He was proud of his role protecting Soldiers to the right and left of him. Over the course of this deployment John had come to excel in making intelligent and accurate split second decisions. On the 12th of April 2007, John was manning a M240 machine gun in a primary guard position when a dump truck filled with explosives came speeding toward the barriers at the southern end of the Patrol Base. Without hesitation, or regard for his own safety John held his position and engaged the vehicle shooting the driver. John’s heroism that day saved many Soldiers’ lives. He was 19.
Army
4th Combat Brigade,
25th Infantry Division
Fort Richardson, Alaska

Burial is at Cloverdale Memorial Park in Boise, Idaho

Born: March 5, 1966 in Tacoma, Washington
Died: May 9, 2007 in Babil, Iraq

Sgt. Major Bradley D Conner moved from Tacoma to Kellogg, Idaho when he was a youngster. He participated in ROTC at Kellogg High School, where he graduated in 1984. He started attending the University of Idaho, then transferred to North Idaho College. He needed college funding, so he enlisted in the Army on June 24, 1987. He was first stationed in Alabama, where he met his future wife. They married on May 27, 1989. He served in Operation Desert Storm in 1990. He was presently assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), which is stationed at the Army installation but takes its orders from U.S. Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C. He deployed to Iraq in March, his fourth deployment to the country since 2003. Bradly was extremely intelligent and well-spoken. His awards and decorations include three Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Joint Service Commendation Medals, six Army Commendation Medals, seven Army Achievement Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, five Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia -

Born: September 28, 1981 in Pocatello, Idaho
Died: May 8, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq

Sgt. Blake Stephens of Pocatello, Idaho is the youngest child of Trent and Kathleen Stephens. He graduated from Century High School where he was a member of the state championship cross country and track teams his senior year. He participated in Boy Scouts throughout his youth and in 1998 he became an Eagle Scout. His father, Dr Stephens, is a noted biologist and part of the faculty of Idaho State University. Blake grew up running and playing in the hills behind his family home. At age 17 he joined the Army National Guard and a year later he took his basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, finishing top in his class. After taking a leave from the Guard, he took off to Belgium and the Netherlands to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When the events of September 11 occurred, Blake was eager to be called to active duty. He was assigned to help train the National Guard Cavalry unit from Boise as one of the “bad guys.” During exercises against six Abrams A1 tanks, Blake personally took out one tank and captured another with a hand-held rocket launcher, an action for which he earned a commendation for this action. Blake then volunteered to join a Guard unit from Preston that was being deployed. Their deployment, however, was not to Afghanistan , but to help guard Hill Air Force Base in Utah. It was there that Blake met and married the love of his life, Erin, an Air Force Security Forces agent. During the next two years, Erin was deployed three times to Qatar, UAE and Iraq. Blake remained with the Guard for six years before he decided to join the United States Army. Blake was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia, for advanced training. Following another month of training at Fort Irwin, California, Blake’s unit, the 3rd Heavy Combat Team, was deployed to Iraq. When the 4,000-strong battalion went in for its final five mile run before its deployment, Blake was chosen as the flag bearer for that run. He had been in Iraq just two months when he was part of a convoy escorting an Army colonel his vehicle was hit by four improvised explosive devices in Salman Pak, a town 18 miles south of Baghdad. The driver, Spc. Kyle A. Little, was also killed in the blast. Blake was 25. In those two months he had no email contact and made just two phone calls to his wife, Erin.

Army
Headquarters Company
3rd Brigade Combat Team
3rd Infantry Division
Fort Benning, Georgia

Burial is at Mountain View Cemetery in Pocatello, Idaho

Born: November 14, 1985 in Long Beach, California
Died: February 8, 2007 in Al Anbar, Iraq

Pfc. Raymond M. Werner of Boise, Idaho had a contagious personality and was a mentor to other youths. Mature as a young teen, he had the ability to set the tone and atmosphere of his surroundings. Ray moved with his family to Canyon County in the early 1990s and attended East Canyon Elementary School, Vallivue Middle School, and graduated in 2004 from Cole Valley Christian School in Meridian. He turned his life around drastically and instantaneously when he was reborn as a Christian, and had aspirations of working in youth ministry in some way upon his return from Iraq hoping to become a youth pastor. A longtime member of Eagle Heights Baptist Church, he had begun attending services at Calvary Chapel in Boise before he joined the military. Ray loved fishing, camping, skiing, hunting, golfing, sleeping, eating, making people laugh, hanging out with friends and family, going to McCall, and most of all working hard for our country. He was so excited to travel to Europe, Disneyland, New York, and many tropical places. Ray was very athletic and participated in football and wrestling while in high school. He was also the class clown and mascot at Cole Valley Christian High. Ray was a Christian and attended church at Eagle Heights Baptist and also Calvary Chapel. Ray went to church camps when he was younger and became a strong role model and leader to everyone around him. Ray had a special talent with people, it seemed like he actually made you a better person when you hung out with him. He died at age 21 in Karmah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit while on combat patrol. Also killed were Army Sgt. James J. Holtom and Army Spc. Ross A. Clevenger.
Army
Reserves
321st Engineer Battalion
Boise, Idaho

Burial is at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho – Sec 3 Row I Site 249

Born: April 11, 1985 in Nampa, Idaho
Died: February 8, 2007 in Al Anbar, Iraq

Sgt. Ross A. Clevenger of Givens Hot Springs, Idaho attended Kennewick High School as a freshman and graduated from Marsing High School in 2003 and was a student at Boise State University. He earned his Certified Nursing Assistant certification and was looking for his path after three semesters of college. He didn’t have trouble entertaining himself, whether playing video games and watching movies or wandering off on a trail alone while camping in the woods. He enjoyed snowboarding, motorcycles, horseback riding and fishing. An Army reservist, he planned to go into nursing after his service was up. He liked to say some day he would buy a cabin, and his dad could come to live with him when he got old. Ross volunteered to work in demolition as a reservist so he could get a large college scholarship. He initially joined the Army for the school benefits, but soon found that he liked basic training and Army life. He was very proud to be a soldier and kept a positive attitude with his time stateside and his time overseas. Ross was an entrepreneur, selling coffee in the morning to his fellow soldiers in Iraq. Family members bought him an espresso machine and other coffee-making equipment, and he started a business out of his room. He is survived by his parents, a brother and eight half-brothers and half-sisters. He was 22.
Army
Reserves
321st Engineer Battalion
Boise, Idaho

Burial is at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Caldwell, Idaho