Freedom Remembered

Born: July 5, 1990
Died: February 17, 2011 in Southwest Asia

Airman 1st Class Christoffer P. Johnson of Clarksville, Tennessee graduated from Clarksville High School in 2008. He died at age 20 due to a non-combat related incident in Southwest Asia. He leaves his parents, Marcus and Julee Johnson, and two siblings, Katelyn and Seth Johnson.
Air Force
423rd Security Forces Squadron
Royal Air Force Alconbury, England

Burial is at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida – Sec 605 Site 57

To be updated…

Born: August 19, 1985 in Clovis, New Mexico
Died: December 27, 2010 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Garrett A. Misener of Cordova, Tennessee is a Cordova High School graduate. Growing up, he was active at the Bellevue Baptist Church, where he played a stand-up bass. He also spent his early years in Sandy, Utah prior to moving to Memphis at about age eleven. Garrett had wanted to be a Marine practically his whole life. His grandfather, whom he admired, was a decorated veteran who served during three wars. Garrett was currently serving his fourth combat deployment, having previously served three tours of duty to Iraq. He first deployed to Iraq in February of 2005 through the following September. And again from July of 2006 through February of 2007. The last Iraq deployment was from September 2008 to April 2009. His latest deployment was in July 2010 to Afghanistan and he was expected to return stateside in about two months. He also served in Africa and one on a ship in the Caribbean. His awards include, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He died at age 25 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He leaves his mother and stepfather, Jannette and Dan Zaccagnino, his father and stepmother, Gary and Susan Misener, and two sisters, Jana and Anne Misener.
Marines
2nd Battalion
9th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Terrace Grove Cemetery in Belen, New Mexico

To be updated….

Born: November 30, 1986
Died: December 8, 2010 in Wasit, Iraq

Pfc. David Dustin Finch of Bath Springs, Tennessee is a 2005 graduate of Humboldt High School where he served as Captain of the football team. During his Junior year he was Most Valuable Player. He attended Bethel University where he studied civil engineering and played football there as well. After much thought and careful consideration he decided to postpone his education and enlisted in the United States Army in 2009. In August of 2010 he deployed to Iraq. His Awards and Decorations include, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon. He leaves his wife, Heather, his mother, Beth Newmann, and a sister, Autumn among others. He died at age 24 in Wasit province, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.
Army
2nd Squadron
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Fort Hood, Texas

Rose Hill Cemetery in Humboldt, Tennessee

To be updated…

Born: October 8, 1988 in Knoxville, Tennessee
Died: November 28, 2010 in Sikeston, Missouri

Senior Airman Tre Porfirio of Saint Marys, Georgia and Knoxville, Tennessee is a 2007 graduate of Camden County High School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and left in August of 2009 for what was to be a six month deployment in Afghanistan. But just three months later on November 21, 2009 he was wounded when he was shot three times in the back. The attack took place in a very remote area of Afghanistan, where his unit was installing communications lines. His story received national attention when he underwent advanced pancreatic cell transplant surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After several surgeries, doctors at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington determined his damaged pancreas had to be removed. They worked with doctors at the University of Miami to salvage islet cells from his pancreas. Those cells were injected into his liver, allowing that organ to begin producing the insulin normally produced by the pancreas. The procedure had never before been performed on a trauma patient. On Feb. 18, 2010 the self described, ‘combat nerd’ returned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He leaves his son, Landon, his father Karl Porfirio, four brothers, Damian, Paul, Adam and TJ. He died at age 22 while visiting friends over the Thanksgiving holiday in Missouri. He received the Purple heart after being wounded in Afghanistan.
Air Force
88th Communications Squadron
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Burial is at Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee – Sec I Site 3790

Born: August 18, 1984 in East Ridge, Tennessee
Died: November 14, 2010 in Kunar province, Afghanistan

Spc. Nathan E. Lillard of Knoxville, Tennessee grew up in McMinn County and graduated in 2003 from Lenoir City High School. He had aspirations of serving in the military throughout high school. At one point the respectful and soft-spoken Nathan lived in Knoxville where he worked at Modern Supply Company prior to beginning a second stint in the Army. Nate joined the Army in November of 2006 arriving at Fort Campbell in August of 2009. His Awards and Decorations include, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. He leaves his mother, Helen Hyatt, and his stepfather, Edward C. Hyatt. He died at age 26 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Army
Alpha Company
1st Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

McMinn Memory Gardens in Athens, Tennessee

To be updated…

Born: October 12, 1968 in Gastonia, North Carolina
Died: June 17, 2005 in Qaim, Iraq

Master Sgt. Michael L. McNulty of Knoxville, Tennessee graduated from Larkin High School in Elgin, Illinois in 1986. Michael enlisted in the United States Army upon graduation from Larkin High School in Elgin, Ill., in 1986. After completion of initial entry training, he was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, Fort Lewis, Washinton. After a brief separation of service, he reenlisted April 1994. McNulty then served with the 327th Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky. and later served with the 27th Infantry Regiment and 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as a rifle squad leader, an instructor, and a reconnaissance squad leader. His awards and decorations included the three Bronze Star Medals, one with Valor Device, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, five Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Military Freefall Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Ranger Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, and the Purple Heart. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of master sergeant. He leaves his wife, Paula, four children, Cyle, Eric, Katie and Rebecca, his parents Davis and Ann Marie McNulty. He was killed at age 36 while conducting combat operations in Qaim, Iraq.
Army
Headquarters
Army Special Operations Command
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8194

Born: January 22, 1986
Died: October 23, 2006 in Al Anbar, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Richard A. Buerstetta of Franklin, Tennessee is a 2004 graduate of Franklin High School who was a leader with a positive influence on others. He was an energetic and athletic young man who was affected profoundly by the events of September 11th. Even as a young teenager, he knew he wanted to serve in the military. After joining the Marine Forces Reserve, he was a student at Middle Tennessee State University when he was called to active duty. He was killed at age 20 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Tyler R. Overstreet. He leaves his parents, Madeline and Paul Buerstetta, a brother, a sister and his fiancée. A bridge in Williamson County on Highway 96 and Highway 100 in Fairview now bears the name of Cpl. Richard Buerstetta in his memory.
Marines
Forces Reserve
3rd Battalion
24th Marine Regiment
4th Marine Division
Nashville, Tennessee

Burial is at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee – Sec JJ Row 16 Site 31

Born: October 20, 1985
Died:August 28, 2010 in Babur, Afghanistan

Sgt. Patrick K. Durham of Chattanooga, Tennessee entered the Army in August 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell January 2007. His awards and decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal and Weapons Qualification: M4 rifle (expert). He was currently serving his second tour of duty, and was scheduled to come home in December of 2010. Patrick is the son of the late Tammy F. Henderson and Sammy K. Durham. He grew up in the Suck Creek area with his grandparents and his uncle Danny. He leaves his wife, Kristy, two sons, Elijah and Jordan, a daughter, Cheyenne, his father, Sammy, a brother, Sgt Brandon L. Durham, and three sisters, Nikki, Samara and Kristi. He died at age 24 in Babur, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.
Army
1st Battalion
320th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Francis Cemetery near Signal Mountain, Tennessee

To be updated…

Born: October 28, 1984 Tennessee
Died: August 8, 2010 in Germany

Cpl. Kristopher D. Greer of Ashland City, Tennessee best known as ‘Daniel’ is the oldest of three children and graduated from Harpeth High School. As a Marine reservist he deployed to Afghanistan in early 2010. He joined the Ashland City fire department as a volunteer in March 2005 and became a full-time employee two years later. He served as a firefighter and EMT. He joined the Pegram Volunteer Fire Department in July 2001 and volunteered there for four years before transferring to Ashland City. Daniel always wanted to be a firefighter and was also passionate about his desire to serve his country. He joined the Marine Corps on April 3, 2006. He was serving his first deployment, and the unit was part of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. His Awards and Decorations include, the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He leaves his wife, Stacy, a son, Ethan, his mother, Gina Foster Breeden, his father and stepmother, Kris Greer and Mary Jo, a brother, Army Spc. Dylan Greer and a sister, Mikaela. Dan died at age 25 of wounds received Aug. 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marine
Forces Reserve
4th Combat Engineering Battalion
4th Marine Division
Knoxville, Tennessee

Burial is at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee – Sec JJ Row 16 Site 30

Born: August 13, 1981 in Boyd County, Kentucky
Died: March 15, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Terry W. Prater of Speedwell, Tennessee grew up in Speedwell near the Claiborne-Campbell county line and graduated in 1999 from Powell Valley High School. He worked in area coal mines before joining the Army and planned to make the military his career. As a Staff Sgt, he was serving his second deployment, having been in Iraq since October of 2006. Although he was scared to death, he didn’t want to show it, and he even loved being on the front lines of the war. In 2004, he received a Purple Heart and Silver Star for shoving a soldier out of the way when someone threw grenades at them. Terry was injured in the attack. However, he returned to Iraq after recovering from his injuries, including losing part of his jaw bone and having shrapnel embedded in various places on his body. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Centex Bass Hunters. Terry was a loving husband and father and loved fishing and also hunted deer and turkey. Terry leaves his wife, Amy, and two children, Bryson and Madisen, his mother and stepfather, Cheryl and Bruce Hurley, his father and stepmother, Terry D Prater and Elizabeth Prater and two brothers, Shane Prater and Ilas Hurley. He died at age 25 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations. Also killed were Army Staff Sgt. Blake M. Harris, Army Sgt. Emerson N. Brand and Army Pfc. James L. Arnold.
Army
1st Squadron
8th Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Ashes scattered on Lake Norris where he loved to fish.