Freedom Remembered

Born: August 27, 1986 in Fort Worth, Texas
Died: March 11, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq

Pfc. Amy A. Duerksen of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland grew up an Army brat, the third generation of a military family. But she never really expressed an interest in joining the military herself, until she started looking into financial aid for college. She decided on the Army, enlisting in April, and was deployed to Iraq with her unit on Christmas Day. She had a kindness and gentleness for people that caused you to warm to her quickly. Warm smiles, encouraging words and affectionate hugs were the order of the day with Amy. She loved people, and they knew it. Her grandfather, Wayne Duerksen, is a Navy veteran who served in World War II, said she was the sweetest, most wonderful little girl, adding that she was only 5’1″. Nobody had a better granddaughter. Amy’s father, Doug is an active duty Chaplin and her sister was currently in training at Fort Sam Houston. In addition to her grandfather and her father, she also leaves her mother, Michelle Duerksen, and two biological siblings, Paul and Kim Branch. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joey. Her awards and decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, and the Army Service Ribbon. Burial was with full military honors. She died at age 19 from a non-combat-related injury in Baghdad.
Army
4th Combat Support Battalion
1st Brigade
4th Infantry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas – Sec 1 Row A Site 32

Born: August 17, 1970
Died: May 24, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq

Sgt 1st Class Robert E. Dunham of Baltimore, Maryland graduated in 1988 from Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School, where he studied industrial electronics. He was an honors student who loved playing basketball in community leagues. He grew up in the Park Heights community in west Baltimore. He was the married father of five boys, and had been serving in Iraq since January. He joined the Army the same year he graduated and trained at Fort Dix, N.J., to work with communications equipment. He was stationed in Germany, Kansas and Arkansas before his family settled in Georgia. He served in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, in Bosnia and in Somalia and had received special-forces training before his latest tour in Iraq. He also served as a minister of music for churches wherever he was stationed, including in Georgia. He was a skilled piano and organ player and directed his church choir. His passion really was for ministry. He He died at age 36 Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Staff Sgt. Russell K. Shoemaker.
Army
1st Brigade Transition Team
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas

Burial is at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, Arkansas – Sec L Site 725

Born: August 17, 1984 in Trinidad And Tobago
Died: October 19, 2005 in Tikrit, Iraq

Sgt. Kendell K. Frederick of Randallstown, Maryland was born in Trinidad and had been in the United States about six years. He graduated from Randallstown High School in 2004 where he was a model student, with strong academic skills, exemplary behavior and an athletic prowess that he displayed on the school soccer team. Over the years, Kendall matured into a focused and capable young man who was proud to wear his military uniform. Most were not surprised when he decided in his junior year to pursue a career in the military. He looked forward to joining the Army. But after 10 months in Iraq, he had lost some of his excitement. Just three weeks before his death he was home on leave and spent time with old friends and visited cadets at Randallstown’s Junior Navy ROTC program, where had been a platoon commander. He had matured into a thoughtful young man, a soldier who loved military life and leadership, but not war. He had come home from wrenching experiences in Iraq, including enduring the death of comrades. Although he was scared, he decided to return to Iraq because he loved the Army and believed in doing his duty. He was pursuing United States citizenship when he was killed at age 21 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during convoy operations Tikrit, Iraq. Upon his burial at Arlington National Cemetery, Kendall was awarded American citizenship.
Army
Reserve’s
983rd Engineer Battalion
Monclova, Ohio

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8291

Born: September 17, 1983 in Loveland, Ohio
Died: August 1, 2008 in Tani, Khowst Province, Afghanistan

Sgt. Ryan P. Baumann of Great Mills, Maryland lived in Germany for part of his youth, where his mother was a civilian nurse for the Defense Department. After moving back stateside with his family, he attended Great Mills High School, graduating in 2003. Growing up he played soccer, baseball and showed an interest in photography. He won awards for his photography from the School Board and did the photos for a walking guide to St. Mary’s County. Ryan was a quiet, well mannered and a fun-loving young man. He was planning to be married in January 2009 to Lauren, who he had met while in high school. He joined the United States Army in 2004, and had previously served a year in Iraq, from 2005 to 2006. Ryan knew the risk, but he loved the people in Iraq because they appreciated him for what he was doing for their country. He felt he was making a difference. His Awards and Decorations include, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-Wheeled Vehicles and Weapons Qualification, M4 – expert. He was posthumously awarded, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He leaves, his father Robert Baumann, his mother and stepfather, Cindy and Gary Lohman, his sister, Christina and his fiancee, Lauren Smith. Ryan died at age 24 in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Army
4th Battalion
320th Field Artillery Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8282

Cpl. Kurt S. Shea, 21, of Frederick, Md., died May 10 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Birth: December 14, 1982 – Centreville, Maryland
Died: April 14, 2003 – Baghdad, Iraq

Burial: Mileo Family Cemetery, Centreville, Maryland

Born on Sep. 5, 1989 in Baltimore, MD
Died on May 11, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq

Specialist Michael E. Yates Jr. of Federalsburg, Maryland, attended Colonel Richardson High School and was not fond of bookwork, he like doing things with his hands. Sports, hunting, motorcycles and cars were his interests. He once persuaded a group of friends to jump off a pier over the Choptank River. The friends were nervous about the leap, but Michael wasn’t. He jumped in and then egged on his friends until they did the same. He was nice to everybody, so everybody loved him. Not finding a lot of options in life to fulfill his obligations and goals in life, he obtained his GED and enlisted in the Army 2 years ago. He very much liked being a soldier, working as a Calvary Scout assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, based out of Grafenwoehr, Germany. Mike was exactly the kind of trooper needed in the scout platoon; a scrapper who wasn’t afraid to lock horns. Mike was deployed to Iraq and had obtained a month-long leave home for April 2009. When he returned to Iraq, he found the stress of being separated from his large, close-knit family back home, especially his young son, to be something he needed help with. Although he liked his military service, he didn’t like being in Iraq, a place he called “a screwed up country they call Iraq.” He was getting the help he needed at the military stress clinic at Camp Liberty stress-counseling center near Baghdad when on May 11 he was one of 5 military personnel killed during shooting rampage by an Army soldier at the center. Michael was promoted posthumously from PFC to Specialist and awarded the Bronze Star.

Burial was in Maryland Veteran’s Cemetery in Hurlock, Maryland

Born: February 19, 1983 in Heidelberg, Germany
Died: September 12, 2006 in AL Kifl, Iraq

2nd Lt. Emily J.T. Perez, grew up in a military family and lived in many places. Her family is from Belton, Texas and she lived in Germany but went to high school in Maryland. With that background, she had the military bearing and discipline befitting a West Point graduate and Army officer. She was also smart as a whip, athletically gifted, deeply religious and sang in the military academy’s gospel choir. She was a constant learner, always eager for something to learn and share with someone. Born in Germany, where her father was stationed in the Army, Emily attended elementary schools in Germany. Her family moved to Prince George’s County where she attended and graduated from Oxon High School in 2001. While there she was on the track team. Emily arrived at West Point as an accomplished high school sprinter and later became a top triple jumper after volunteering to fill a roster need. She really enjoyed being the person that was in charge. If there was a parade and track meet on the same day, the highlight of her day was probably leading the parade. Although she was from a military family, she was the first to attend a military academy. At West Point, she was the first black woman to serve as corps commander sergeant major, and finished academically in the top 10 percent of her class. After graduating from West Point in 2005, Emily began her assignment at Fort Hood and was sent to Iraq shortly thereafter. She regularly kept in touch with her family, but was particularly communicative with her father because they could both talk military. Besides her parents, survivors include a brother, Kevyn, and her maternal and paternal grandmothers. She died at age 23 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near her Humvee during combat operations in Kifl, Iraq.
Army
204th Support Battalion
2nd Brigade
4th Infantry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at United States Military Academy Post Cemetery in West Point, New York – Sec XXXVI, Row B grave 064F

Born: July 18, 1985
Died: March 3, 2006 in Al Anbar, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder of Finksburg, Maryland was a 2003 graduate of from Westminster High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation. After completing training at Parris Island and Camp LeJeune, he was stationed at Twenty-Nine Palms when he deployed to Iraq in February of 2006. Matt was proud to be a Marine and filled the position with dignity. Just before his deployment, Matt said he volunteered for convoy escort security because in his words, “there was a position that needs to be filled and I’m a Marine”. Matt was a young man who truly loved and embraced life and he lived his twenty years to the fullest. He attended Sandymount Elementary School and loved sports. He played soccer and baseball for many years through various recreational programs. He also loved everything outdoors, including fishing and being at the beach. He loved hiking and spent many days growing up at Cascade Lake at the Skate Park. Matt was a devoted brother and cousin, who enjoyed family parties, playing football games and swimming in the pool. He was a wonderful role model to his younger cousins. Matt was the beloved son of Julia A. Francis Snyder and Albert L. Snyder, and the beloved brother of Sarah Anne and Tracie Lynne. He was killed instantly while on assignment in Al Qaim, Iraq while on a convoy mission for which he volunteered when the Humvee he was traveling in overturned.
Marines
Combat Service Support Group 1
1st Marine Logistics Group
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Twentynine Palms, California

Burial is at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, Maryland – Sec B-10 Row 6 Site 6

Born: May 27, 1980 in Abington, Pennsylvania
Died: January 10, 2006 in Washington, D.C

Staff Sgt Michael J. McMullen of Salisbury, Maryland moved from Pennsylvania with his family at age 14 to Maryland’s Eastern Shore where he graduated from Washington High School in 1999. In 1998, he joined the Princess Anne Volunteer Fire Department, where he began his initial fire service career. The family then moved to Salisbury in 2001 and Michael joined the Salisbury Fire Department in December 2001 as a volunteer and tested for and achieved career status in December 2003. He attained his emergency medical technician, paramedic certificate in 2004 after successfully completing a two-year program at Wor-Wic Community College. His military career began when he joined the Army National Guard in 2000. Michael was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2004 and he had plans to re-enlisted in September of 2006. His goal was to further his career as an officer and a registered nurse. His Awards and Decorations from both the Salisbury Fire Department and the National Guard include, The Army Achievement Award (twice); the Rifle Marksman and Grenade Expert awards; the Maryland State Service Award (twice); and Maryland’s highest honor, the Maryland Distinguished Service Cross, were all bestowed upon him for his military service. From the fire service, Michael earned a Unit Citation and a Departmental Commendation for his involvement in two separate incidents and received the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Medal of Honor posthumously for upholding the finest traditions of the fire service through his recent actions in Iraq. Michael was also an active member of the Salisbury Fire Department’s Special Operations Team, where he held positions as a diver and hazardous materials technician. He is survived by his parents, Robin and David, his sister, Jeanette, brother Brian. He also leaves behind his loving fiancee, Kim Mundorf, who never left Michael’s side throughout his ordeal and whom he planned to marry upon his return from active duty. Michael was wounded Christmas Eve while caring for a comrade who had been injured in an earlier attack. He died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center two and a half weeks later.
Army
National Guard
243rd Engineer Company
Baltimore, Maryland

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8314