Freedom Remembered

Born: December 26, 1977, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
Died: August 29, 1010 in Hyderabad, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. James R. Ide of Festus, Missouri is a 1997 graduate of DeSoto High School, and knew right away that he wanted to enlist in the United States Army. He served as a dog handler, who trained dogs for bomb sniffing. He was currently working with Daphne, a bomb sniffing dog. Jimmy hailed from a military family, his father was retired Air Force and knew the risk associated with his son’s job. Jimmy was a thirteen year military man, who loved his job and being in the military. He constantly spoke about how much he loved the work he was doing for his country. During his career, he served a tour in Korea and two tours in Iraq, before going to Afghanistan. He died at age 32 at Hyderabad, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He leaves his wife, Mandy, his children, James and Trinity, his parents, James R. and Colleen Ide, a brother, Jason and a sister, Christine.
Army
230th Military Police Company
95th Military Police Battalion
18th Military Police Brigade
21st Theater Sustainment Command
Sembach, Germany

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: August 25, 1982 in Jefferson City, Missouri
Died: April 14, 2006 in Iraq

Lance Cpl. Darin T. Settle, 23, of Henley, Missouri is a 2001 graduate of Cole County High School in Eugene, Missouri. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in December of 2003 completing his basic training in San Diego, California. Darin was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corp with the Combat Logistics Regiment. He is the son of Jim and Arlene Settle. He also leaves his son, Wesley, a sister, Gwen, his fiancé, Angela Moad. He died at age 23 from a non-hostile motor vehicle accident in Anbar province, Iraq.
Marines
Combat Logistics Regiment 2
2nd Marine Logistics Group
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Brazito, Missouri

Born: August 25, 1982
Died: July 5, 2004 in Al Anbar, Iraq

Cpl. Dallas L. Kerns of Mountain Grove, Missouri attended Mountain Grove High School after he moved there while a junior in high school. And while he didn’t live in the small town long, he made a big impression on the people who knew him. He dreamed of joining the Marines. So on August 28 2001 he enlisted and after his initial training in San Diego was assigned to Twentynine Palms in February of 2002. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on Dec. 1, 2003, and was deployed to Iraq for a second tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in February. He was a great boy who became a great man. Dallas loved to listen to music; he enjoyed his car, fishing and physical fitness. His awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the National Defense Medal, the Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon, and the Purple Heart. Dallas died at age 21 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
Marines
3rd Battalion
7th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Twentynine Palms, California

Burial is at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Springfield in Springfield, Missouri – Sec G Row 07 Site 0360

Born: July 22, 1986 in Kirksville, Missouri
Died: August 22, 2010 in Basrah, Iraq

Sgt. Brandon E. Maggart of Kirksville, Missouri is a 2005 graduate of Kirksville High School. He joined the Army in 2006 and served with the Fort Lewis based regiment for his entire military career. Brandon made great strides in becoming a mature young man, being a husband, father and soldier had suited him. He was looking forward to teaching his son the fundamentals of hunting and fishing and all the things that fatherhood brings. The avid St. Louis Cardinals and University of Missouri ‘Mizzou’ sports enthusiast never wavered as a loyal fan. Brandon enlisted in the Army on June 8, 2006 and reported to Fort Bliss, Texas, for basic training and advanced training in his military occupational specialty, 14S – Avenger crewmember. He reported to Joint Base Lewis-McChord on November 9, 2006, and was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. The battalion was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2010. This was his second deployment with the unit to Iraq. He previously deployed from March 2007 to May 2008. His Awards and Decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2 awards), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon, Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, and the Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qual Badge. He leaves his wife, Teresa, his son, Blake, his parents Teddy and Beth Maggart, a brother, Joshua and a sister, Ashley. He died at age 24 at Basrah, Iraq, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.
Army
5th Battalion
5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Burial is at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri

To be updated…

Born: August 22, 1975
Died: April 28, 2005 in Tal Afar, Iraq

1st Lt. William A. Edens of Columbia, Missouri is a 1993 graduate of Mehlville High School in St. Louis. KNown by most as, Wil, he worked for a while after high school before going to Moberly Area Community College, where he was president of the student body and active in drama productions. When he transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia, to complete a degree in Russian and a minor in military studies, he joined Tiger Battalion, the university’s unit of the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps. He led his ROTC team to two back-to-back regional championships in the annual Ranger Challenge. Wil became a college graduate, an Army lieutenant and a newlywed, all in the space of four months. When he was deployed to Iraq, his wife, Christina, was just finishing up medical school. He was known for keeping his college classes in stitches, including with an Arnold Schwarzenegger impression. Wil leaves his wife, and his parents among others. He was killed at age 29 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Stryker military vehicle in Tal Afar, Iraq. Also killed were Sgt. Eric W. Morris, Spc. Ricky W. Rockholt Jr. and Pfc. Robert W. Murray Jr.
Army
1st Battalion
5th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade
25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team)
Fort Lewis, Washington

Burial is at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Saint Louis, Missouri – Sec N Site 307

Born: August 15, 1974 in St. Louis, Missouri
Died: December 6, 2006 in Ramadi, Iraq

Capt. Travis L. Patriquin of St. Louis, Missouri moved with his family near Chicago at age eleven when his father accepted a job in the area. Travis clearly wasn’t happy after the move, and after some time he moved back to Missouri to stay with an aunt and uncle. He graduated in 1992 from Francis Howell North High School, earning letters in track and football. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Army. It was clear even during his basic training that he had a great deal of potential. As a result, he went into the special forces. He spoke Arabic, Spanish, two Central American Indian dialects and Portuguese. He sharpened his linguistic skills at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, California and earned a degree from Campbell University in North Carolina. Travis was well rounded in his interest. He could talk about history, politics, and archaelogy, and he used his people skills to converse with many people in their native language. His Army achievements included service in Iraq, Afghanistan, South America and Germany and numerous Special Forces missions and the ability to speak multiple languages. He leaves his wife, Amy, three children, Emily, Harmon and Logan, his parents, Gary and Connie Patriquin, two brothers, Daniel and Steven, and a sister, Karrie, and his aunt and uncle, Reta and Bill Jenkins. He died at age 32 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. Also killed was Spc. Vincent J. Pomante III.
Army
2nd Battalion
3rd Field Artillery Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
1st Armored Division
Giessen, Germany

Burial is at Carty Cemetery in Salem, Missouri

Born: October 8, 1977 in Hume, Missouri
Died: October 26, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Jamie L. Huggins of Hume, Missouri left for Iraq with the 82nd Airborne the same week his first child was born in March. It would be the only time he’d see his daughter. He was a family man, dedicated to his wife and their daughter, Mallory. He was proud to be a soldier, part of him wanted to go over to Iraq to help, but part of him didn’t want to leave his family. Jamie joined the Army in May 1997 to earn money for college and see the world and he wanted to better himself. He earned his Ranger tab in January 2002 and his Combat Infantryman Badge while in Iraq. Jamie was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is survived by his wife, Marissa ‘Danielle’ Huggins and their daughter. He was killed at age 26 while on patrol Oct. 26 when his vehicle was hit with an improvised explosive device in Baghdad. His wife, Danielle died in 2007.
Army
C Company
2nd Battalion
325th Airborne Infantry Regiment
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 7893

Died: July 14, 2010 in Zabul, Afghanistan

Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher of Ballwin, Missouri graduated in 2004 from Marquette High School where he was already learning the value of Patriotism. He had known for quite some time that he wanted to serve his country. He enlisted in the Army in 2006 where he served as an engineer equipment operator and team leader during route clearance operations. He had previously deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and Driver Badge with Driver Wheeled Vehicles. Zach had been married for two years and was eager to get back to the states to see his wife. His commitment to the Army would have been up in just a few months, and Zach had been considering a future career in the medical field. He leaves his wife, Jessica, his mother and stepfather, Susan and James Jacobs, His father and stepmother, Bob and Alicia Fisher, his siblings, Andrew, Clayton, Emily, Alexander and Zoe. He died at age 24 at Zabul Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Army
27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne)
20th Engineer Brigade (Combat)
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is Private

To be updated…

Born: April 28, 1968 in Victorville, California
Died: July 10, 2010 in Paktika, Afghanistan

Sgt. Robert W. Crow of Kansas City, Missouri is the son of the late, Helen Cyr and Robert W. Crow, Sr., and grew up in California. In 2004, he relocated to Missouri where he worked at Heartland Midwest before his employment with Missouri Gas Energy. Wayne joined the Missouri National Guard in December of 2005 and in 2007, he was deployed to Iraq. His Awards and Decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Meritorious Unit Citation. He leaves his wife, Beverly, his children, Robert, III, David, Larry Kern, James Kern, Craig Kern and Meredith Kern, his father, Robert W. Crow, Sr., a sister, Brenda Lopez, a brother, Norman, twelve grandchildren, and a 13th grandchild due in November of 2010. He died at age 42 in Paktika, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Army
National Guard
203rd Engineer Battalion
Joplin, Missouri

to be updated

Birth: May 22, 1983 – Montreal, Missouri
Died: July 12, 2003 – Homburg Hospital, Germany

Burial: Buffalo Prairie Cemetery, Montreal, Missouri