Freedom Remembered

Born: December 6, 1983 in Lewistown, Montana
Died: May 24, 2004 in Iraq

Pfc. Owen D. Witt of Sand Springs, Montana attended Benzine Country School through the eighth grade, and graduated from Garfield County High School in 2001. He was involved in the 4-H, basketball team. He lived with his family on a working ranch in Montana and he loved to be at the ranch spending time with his family. He was an artist, working at painting in oils. Eventually, he wanted to raise a family and paint. He would goof off at times, imitating comic routines and speaking with fake accents, and he once thought he might become a comedian. He was not a studious child. He gave his teachers lots of trouble, but they all loved him. He also loved to paint landscapes, sing and act in school plays and had dreams of playing the guitar and be a big country western singer. Owen was extremely affected by the events of September 11, 2001, and was determined to defend the United States. His mission was to serve his Country, which he chose by enlisting in the United States Army after high school. Owen was a terrific person. He was kind, loving and caring with a great sense of humor and wonderful smile. He liked country and western music and was a very gregarious fella. He is survived by his mother and father, Karen and David; grandparents, Alvin and Patsy Clark; three brothers, Cody, Kelly, and Troy and a special friend, Janina among others. He was 20.
Army
1st Squadron
4th Cavalry
1st Infantry Division
Schweinfurt, Germany

Burial is at Steve Forks Cemetery in Garfield County, Montana

Born: October 5, 1990 in Fresno, California
Died: March 7, 2010 in Konar province, Afghanistan

Pfc. Nicholas S. Cook of Hungry Horse, Montana was born the third child of Jeffery and Charlotte Cook. He graduated early from Columbia Falls High School in 2008 after first attending Canyon Elementary, Columbia Falls Junior High in Hungry Horse,where he lived with his grandparents, Chuck and Kathy Taylor. While still in school he played both T-ball and baseball. He also started wrestling at age six with Columbia Falls Little Guy Wrestling, continuing until he reached the maximum age limit. He played one year of flag football with Kalispell Parks and Recreation, before going on to Little Guy Football, playing until junior high where he continued to play with the school team. He also played for Columbia Falls High School until he was injured. As a child he enjoyed playing with and showing his goats at the Flathead County fair. He won several times in the pack goats division and also the harness goats competition. This was something that he enjoyed doing with his grandfather. He first became interested in the military just after high school and decided to join for the opportunity to travel and gain experience in life. Nick was scheduled to come home for a visit in just two weeks and had plans to go to Alaska to snowboard for a few days. Snowboarding was his life. That and the Army. Nick knew he would always want to live where there was snow and couldn’t imagine himself anywhere else. While stationed in Italy with the Army, he took trips to Austria and the Alps to be able to ‘shred”. His Awards and Decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Pending posthumous awards were the Purple Heart Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. Nick died at age 19 in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.
Army
2nd Battalion
503rd Infantry Regiment
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
Camp Ederle, Italy

Burial is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, Montana

Born: July 9, 1983 in Billings, Montana
Died: February 13, 2010 in Zhari, Afghanistan

Sgt Jeremiah T. Wittman of Darby, Montana attended Bench and Lockwood Elementaries and Castle Rock Middle School before moving with his mom to Powell, Wyo., for a few years. He earned his high school diploma from Trapper Creek High in Darby and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004. He grew up riding dirt bikes with his sisters and father in the Pine Hills, where he asked for his ashes to be scattered. He’d ride when it was 10 below. Even when he was stuck on a tricycle, he’d jump it off the precipice into the unfinished basement of his parent’s home. He had been in Afghanistan since the spring of 2009. He only had two months left to serve in Afghanistan and was looking forward to coming home and being with his family. Jeremiah was killed by a suicide bomber while he was on a foot patrol in Afghanistan. Jeremiah is survived by his two daughters and wife, Karen; father Robert Wittman; mother Cynthia Church; and sisters Charity and Jenell. He died at age 26 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. His wishes were to be cremated and for his ashes to be scattered on his father’s land in Pine Hills.
Army
1st Battalion
12th Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
4th Infantry Division
Fort Carson, Colorado

Burial location is unknown at this time.

Born September 1, 1980
Died: January 20, 2010 at Lorengal Outpost, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Thaddeus S. Montgomery of West Yellowstone, Montana grew up in Decatur, Alabama then left after high school to travel across the country eventually settling in Montana, where he worked at Yellowstone National Park before joining the Army. The military suited him since he had an urge to see the world and because of his love for the outdoors. He joined the Army on March 3, 2003 and was serving his fourth deployment after having served two previous tours in Iraq and one in Korea before deploying to Afghanistan in June of 2009. While serving in the war zone, he would ask family members to send care packages for his guys and he’d send lists of everybody else’s needs. He also solicited care packages from businesses in the states. In one of his letters, he asked the editor of Arizona Highways magazine for copies of the monthly publication for his platoon to read. The exchange led to a bond between Montgomery and the magazine and even a television appearance in Arizona over the Christmas holidays. His Awards and Decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, two Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and an Expert Infantry Badge. Thaddeus died at age 29 at Lorengal Outpost, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He is survived by his son, Thaddeus, his mother, Debra Hays, father, Thaddeus Montgomery Sr., a sister, Stephanie, and his brother, Dustin Border.
Army
2nd Battalion
12th Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
4th Infantry Division
Fort Carson, Colorado

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8972

Born: December 30, 1988 in Sidney, New York
Died: January 11, 2010 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Nick Uzenski of Franklin, New York is a 2006 Franklin High School graduate where he participated in the FCS Drama Club, Spanish Club, SADD, Student Council (Student Council officer), Varsity Club (Vice President of the Varsity Club), Varsity Baseball, Varsity Basketball (Captain of the Varsity Basketball Team). He was also the Senior Prom king in 2006. He then attended Tompkins County Community College prior to his enlistment in the Marine Corps in January 2008. Nick had been serving in the United States Marine Corps for two years, following in the footsteps of his father and an uncle, who were also Marines. He was athletic and in his free time, he enjoyed rock climbing, running, canoeing and just being outdoors. Nick had arrived in Afghanistan in the fall of of 2009, and was expected back stateside for a leave in June 2010. His Awards and Decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal ISAF and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Nick is the son of Bill Uzenski and Lisa Uzenski. Nick is survived by his mother, Lisa Uzenski, his father, William and stepmother, Rebakah Uzenski; his sisters, Kaitlin and Cassidy; stepsister, Faith; and his three younger brothers, Zebadiah, Zechariah, and Jathniel; his great-grandma Brundege, with whom he shared a special bond and especially enjoyed their joint fondness of the New York Yankees; his grandparents, James and Audrey Archibald, his grandfather, Alan (and Heidi) Jordan among others. Nick died at age 21 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed were, Staff Sgt. Matthew N. Ingham of Altoona, Pennsylvania and Cpl. Jamie R. Lowe of Johnsonville, Illinois.
Marines
3rd Reconnaissance Battalion
3rd Marine Division
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Okinawa, Japan

Burial is at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, Montana

Died Nov. 27, 2009 in Iraq

Pfc. Michael A. Rogers, 23, of White Sulphur Springs, Montana enlisted in the Army in May 2008 and arrived to Fort Drum in May 2009. He served as an automated logistical specialist with the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). He deployed in October 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and died November 27 from a non-combat related incident at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq. Michael’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal.

Born: December 7, 1983
Died: December 23, 2004 in Al Anbar, Iraq

Cpl. Raleigh C. Smith of Lincoln, Montana joined the Marine Corps in part to help pay for college later. He wanted to return to Troy one day to teach history. He was remembered as a zany child who made a small town laugh, and as a soldier troubled by what he had seen in the fighting that eventually took his life. Raleigh spoke of worrying about his brother to sixth-graders when his former teacher Terry Herman asked him to visit her class and tell the children about his experiences in the Iraq invasion. Smith had hoped to attend college with money from the military and return to Troy and teach history. He was an outdoorsman who even enjoyed panning for gold and was also a cross-country runner whose medals hang in the family’s living room. Most people in Troy knew Smith as the kid who would strap on roller blades, tie a cape across his back and take to the streets with a garbage-can lid for a shield and a wooden sword. He died as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq at age 21.

Marines
3rd Battalion
5th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Milnor Lake Cemetery in Troy, Montana

Born: October 5, 1975
Died: April 30, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq

Cpt. Andrew. R. Pearson of Billings, Montana attended Valley View Elementary, a local middle school and was a freshman at C.M. Russell High School before the family moved to Billings in 1991, graduating from Billings Senior High. After graduation, he worked for Lockwood IGA. He played football growing up and loved to hunt and fish. Andrew entered the military in June of 1998 and was a graduate of the United States Military Academy. For the 2001 academy yearbook, Andy chose a quote from President John F. Kennedy to accompany his photo: “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility, I welcome it.” His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab. Drew loved Montana. Hunting, fishing and bike-riding were some of his favorite pastimes. He lived life to the fullest and was even know to take part in a “Great Jackalope Hunt.” He also was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, no matter how hard his dad tried to convert him. He died at age 32 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Spc. Ronald J. Tucker. Drew is survived by his wife, Jon Marie; children Danny, Gaby, Cheyenne and Kristopher, father Ronald (Sandy) Pearson, mother Sue (Shawn) Scott, stepmother Rene (Jay) Johnson,; sisters Heather and Jennifer; brothers Wayne and Hugh; grandparents Carlton and Irene Pearson, and Julian and Yvonne Kobasziar, uncles Jack Kobasziar, Alex Pearson and Bob Wigdorski, and an aunt, Kathleen Reed.
Army
1st Battalion
22nd Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
4th Infantry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 8-GG Row 13 Site 3

Born May 12, 1977 in Great Falls, Montana

Died June 30, 2008 in Bethesda, Maryland

Sergeant Jimmy McHale, of Fairfield, Montana. The son of retired Airman Joel McHale and his wife Bonnie, Jimmy moved around a lot growing up, moving to Fairfield when his father retired. Montana gave him the opportunity to enjoy camping in the Bob Marshall area. He also enjoyed golf, chess, other challenging games, video gaming, hockey and was a computer whiz. He spent 7 years in the Fairfield schools, and after graduating in 1995 from Fairfield High School, he joined the United States Army. First serving as a mechanic at Fort Carson, Colorado. When his enlistment ended, he still served his country by joining the Montana Army National Guard. He rejoined the Army in 2005 and was working as a bomb detector, a job he dearly loved. “Mac”, as his fellow soldiers called him, possessed great optimism about life, he was funny and although a man of few words, he always had words of wisdom. He knew how to keep his soldiers calm and in check. Several times he passed up promotions because he loved his job and soldiers so much. Fearless and proud of his work, he was assigned to the 40th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, based at Baumholder, Germany. He was on his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was severely injured by a roadside bomb on July 22, 2008, in Taji. He was being treated at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. His family removed him from life-support on July 30 and he passed away with his family near him. He lives on through organ donation. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Accommodation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, Global War on Terrorism Medal, two National Defense Medals and the Combat Action Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is buried at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Fairfield, Montana.

Born Feb. 8, 1985 in Montana  

Died Jan. 27, 2009 in Helmand, Afghanistan