Freedom Remembered

Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Ward, 24, of Oak Ridge, Tenn., died April 6 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit in Zabul, Afghanistan with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. Chris grew up in Arcadia, Fla. He was in Junior ROTC and stayed in Arcadia to finish high school when after his mother moved to Oak Ridge, Teenesee about 10 years ago. He came to Oak Ridge in July 2004 and attended Oak Ridge High School before getting a GED later. He enlisted in the Army in 2006 at 17 and had been in Iraq twice. His mother said this was his first tour in Afghanistan.

To be updated…

Born: July 29, 1989
Died: May 7, 2012 in Ghazni, Afghanistan

Sgt. Jacob M. Schwallie of Clarksville, Tennessee died at age 22 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. Jake was a 2007 graduate of Rossview High School. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He leaves his parents, Thomas C. and Melinda Schwallie, his sister, Rachel C. Schwallie and a stepbrother, Stuart Schwallie. Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 10101

Born: June 6, 1989
Died: April 26, 2012 in Bethesda, Maryland

Spc. Jason K. Edens of Franklin, Tenn., died at age 22 in Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained April 15, in Laghman province, Afghanistan, when the enemy attacked his unit with small arms fire. Edens was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge-Expert with Rifle.

Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens

To be updated…

Born: April 19, 1981
Died: March 8, 2012 in Camden, Tennessee

Staff Sgt. Brian L. Smith II formerly of Hendersonville, Tn., currently of Bossier City, Louisiana, graduated from Family Christian Academy. Before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1999, he joined the Civil Air Patrol. Brian was stationed at Shaw AFB and Barksdale, LA. He proudly served our country in Korea, Kuwait, Guam and Iraq. Brian is preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Ivan Smith; grandmother, Lorraine Smith; grandfather, John L. Myers. Survived by wife, Jessica Smith of Bossier City, LA.; step-son,Liam Fox; step-daughter, Ava Sermon; father and mother, Brian Lee Smith ,Sr. and Kinney Myers Smith of Gallatin, TN.; brothers, Nicholas James Smith of Hendersonville, TN. and Nathan James (Nikki) Smith of White House, TN.; father in-law and mother in-law, Robert and Loretta Sermon of Benton, LA. Brian passed away March 8, 2012 in Camden, Tennessee, the victim of a traffic accident. Middle Tennessee State’s Veteran Cemetery.

The above information is from Brian’s obituary.

Born: August 5, 1973 in Jackson County, Tennessee
Died: November 21, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class Dennis R. Murray of Red Broiling Springs, Tennessee died at age 38 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered 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 is a 1991 graduate of Hermitage Springs School. Bucky joined the United States Army in September of 1991 arriving at Fort Riley in February 2011. He was on his first deployment to Afghanistan having been there since April and was serving as an armored crewmember. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

To be updated…

Born: May 8 1982
Died: October 8, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Capt. Joshua S. Lawrence, 29, of Nashville, Tenn., died Oct. 8, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade. He was assigned to the1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. He entered the Army in 2005 and joined the unit in May of 2011. Among his awards and decorations are, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Korea Defense Service Medal. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Forestlawn Cemetery in Goodlettsville

To be updated..

Born: April 6, 1990
Died: September 24, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Franklin N. Watson, 21, of Vonore, Tenn., died Sept. 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Company D, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Knoxville, Tenn. Frankie graduated from Sequoyah High School in 2008 where he was a proven leader on the football field. After graduation, Frankie worked as a deputy in the Monroe Co. Sheriffs Department and patrol officer for the Madisonville Police Department. He joined the Marines in July 2010.

Hiwassee Church of God Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: July 14, 1983
Died: May 12, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Kevin B. Balduf of Nashville, Tennessee died at age 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. he was assigned to 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is a 2002 graduate of David Lipscomb High School, where he participated on the football team as a guard and a linebacker. Anyone who knew Kevin realized that he was destined to serve in the military. The idea formed when he was still in elementary school. During his formative years he and his twin brother, watched military movies and Kevin would wear camo clothing, already showing his devotion. After serving an enlistment period, he took a two year hiatus, but returned in 2008 to the job he loved. He was currently serving his second tour to Afghanistan, and had also served a deployment to Iraq. Among his awards are, the the Bronze Star, awarded for bravery during his first deployment to Afghanistan.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9620

to be updated…

Written by: CMM

Born: August 13, 1973 in Knoxville, Tennessee
Died: April 27, 2011 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan

Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr of Knoxville, Tenn., died at age 37 at the Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from gunfire. He was assigned to the 56th Operations Group, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. In 1991 he graduated from Karns High School where he brought home the state trophy at 119 pounds. The win led to a congressional appointment to the Air Force Academy, where he served as captain of the wrestling team and most-valuable player. He received his silver wings in 1997. His awards and decorations include, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, one oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit with valor device and two oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Overseas Ribbon (short and long), the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Longevity Service, three oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Training Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Non-Article 5 NATO Medal and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9517

To be updated…

Born: December 22, 1982 in Havana, Cuba
Died: March 29, 2011 in Konar, Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class Ofren Arrechaga of Clarksville, Tennessee entered the Army in February of 2001 arriving at Fort Campbell in July of 2001. He was an Infantryman, assigned to Bravo Company. His awards and decorations include, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge. He died at age 28 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire in Konar province, Afghanistan. He leaves his wife, Seana, his son, Alston, his daughter Tristian, his parents, Roberto Alvarez, Sr and Marta Alvarez, a brother, Robert Alvarez, Jr and sister Claudia Arrechaga-Rodriguez.
Army
2nd Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, Kentucky – Sec 6 Site 0536

To be updated…