Freedom Remembered

Born: June 14, 1987 in Manassas, Virginia
Died: April 23, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Sean T. Callahan of Warrenton, Virginia joined the Marine Corps in March 2008 and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2009 to October 2009 and most recently in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December of 2010. His awards include, the Purple Heart Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He died at age 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
3rd Battalion
9th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9515

To be updated…

Born: July 6, 1989 at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Died: March 2, 2011 in Frankfurt, Germany

Airman First Class Zachary R. Cuddeback of Stanardsville, VA., died at age 21 as a result of a shooting at Frankfurt Airport, Germany. He was assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Zac was a graduate of William Monroe High School in Stanardsville, Virginia. And after spending a year at Old Dominion University, where he played on the Monarch’s Ice Hockey Team, he joined the United States Air Force in 2009.
He leaves his mother, Celia “De” Loyet, his father, Bob Cuddeback, his brother and best friend, Tim Cuddeback, and his puppy, Einstein.

Burial is at Saint Joseph Cemetery in O’Fallon, Illinois

To be updated…

Born: October 28, 1980
Died: January 28, 2011 in Parwan, Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Venetz Jr of Wading River, New York enlisted in the United States Army in February of 2001, out of Prince William, Virginia as an infantryman, and attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. His first assignment was with the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas, where he was assigned to a scout platoon. During this time he deployed to Cuba and twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2007, Venetz volunteered to become a Special Forces Soldier. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in March, 2009, and was assigned to A Co, 2nd Bn., 7th SFG (A). His military education includes, the Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Basic Airborne Course, Army Sniper Course, and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course. His awards and decorations include, two Bronze Star Medals, one with valor, two Purple Heart Awards, four Army Commendation Medals, with two for valor, Army Good Conduct Medal , National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. He leaves his wife and two children among others. SFC Venetz died at age 30 in Parwan province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident. Tony leaves his wife Deb, two children, Alexa and Jace, his parents, Anthony Sr and Marion, and two sisters, Erika and Andrea.
Army
Company A
2nd Battalion
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9509

To be updated…

Born: August 29, 1988 in Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Died: December 15, 2010 in Ghazni, Afghanistan

Spc. Sean R. Cutsforth, 22, of Radford, Virginia is a graduate of Brentsville District High School where he participated on the baseball, swimming and football teams and also in youth sports leagues. He joined the United States Army in September of 2008 arriving at Fort Campbell in February of 2009. His awards and decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. He died at age 22 at Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.
Army
3rd Battalion
187th Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9604

To be updated…

Born: April 21, 1984
Died: November 22, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Cpl. William K. Middleton of Norfolk, Virginia grew up in Richmond, Virginia and is a 2002 graduate of L.C. Bird High School. Growing up he played soccer and traveled for tournaments, including to Holland at age 12. He also graduated in 2007 from of Old Dominion University in Norfolk where he studied communication. During his junior year at Old Dominion, he studied abroad and played soccer in England. Kyle joined the Army in 2009 arriving at Fort Campbell in August of 2009. His awards and decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal, teh Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge. He leaves his father, Clarence Middleton and his mother, Marlene Blackburn, and a brother, Zach among others. He died at age 26 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Army
2nd Battalion
502nd Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9669

To be updated…

Born: August 10, 1990
Died: October 14, 2010 in Afghanistan

Pfc. Tramaine J. Billingsley of Portsmouth, Virginia is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School where he wrestled, played soccer and was a drum major in the marching band. He was also a member of the Reserve Officer’s Training Corp. His father served twenty one years in the military before retiring. His older brother, Trevon, was in the Army and his twin, Tramal, was in the Navy. So it was no surprise to know that Tramaine also wanted to do his part. He joined the Army in September 2009. He was serving his first tour overseas. His Awards and Decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge. He died at age 20 while conducting combat operations between Moqur and Darreh-Ye-Bum, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Army
7th Squadron
10th Cavalry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
4th Infantry Division
Fort Carson, Colorado

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9680

To be updated…

Born: April 26, 1983
Died: September 17, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Jaime C. Newman of Richmond, Virginia entered the service in July 2003 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2004. His awards and decorations include, Purple Heart Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge. He leaves his son Damarques, a daughter Jaidan, his mother, Helen C. Newman and father, Angel Ramos. He died at age 27 in the Zhari district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Army
1st Battalion
502nd Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia Court House, Virginia – Sec 5 Row 39 Site 17

To be updated…

Born: October 22, 1983
Died: September 9, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

1st Lt. Todd W. Weaver of Hampton, Virginia enlisted in the Army in October of 2006, arriving at Fort Campbell in April of 2009. His awards and decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab. He is a graduate of Bruton High School in York County and attended the College of William and Mary, where he was a cadet in ROTC. He joined the Army National Guard, then served a 10-month deployment in Iraq in 2004. In 2008, Todd received his bachelor’s degree in government and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He was commissioned into the U.S. Army through William and Mary’s ROTC program. He leaves his wife, Emma, a daughter Kiley, his parents, Don A. Weaver and Jeanne N. Weaver. He died at age 26 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the
Army
1st Battalion
320th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9183

To be Updated…

Born: February 10, 1988 in Portsmouth, Virginia
Died: August 31, 2010 in Logar, Afghanistan

Spc. Matthew E. George of Grantsboro, North Carolina formerly of Virginia attended Kempsville High School. Growing up he played Little League baseball and was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He joined the Army in the spring of 2009. He completed more than 180 missions with his platoon, serving as driver, gunner and dismount. His Awards and Decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, a Certificate of Achievement, the Parachutist Badge, and the Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Badge. He leaves his parents, Donnie and Bridget George, two sisters, Michelle and Kelly and a brother, William. He died at age 22 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was posthumously promoted from Private First Class to the rank of Specialist. Also killed were Sgt. Raymond C. Alcaraz, Staff Sgt. Vinson B. Adkinson III and Pfc. James A. Page.
Army
173rd Brigade Support Battalion
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
Bamberg, Germany

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9682

To be updated…

Born: August 29, 1976 in Fort Riley, Kansas
Died: August 14, 2007 in Taqqadum, Iraq

Chief Warrant Officer Jackie L. McFarlane Virginia Beach, Virginia was a 1994 graduate of Lake Taylor High School where he was a member of the track and field team. He joined the Army a few months after graduating. Jackie was high spirited, supportive and a joy to be around. He and his wife married as teenagers and celebrated their 13th anniversary in July 2007. Jackie was a part time minister at Victory Christian Faith Center and one of his most memorable sermons was about choosing words carefully and trying not to think negatively about people. He died at age 30 in Taqaddum, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a helicopter crash. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer Christopher C. Johnson, Staff Sgt. Sean P. Fisher, Staff Sgt. Stanley B. Reynolds and Spc. Steven R. Jewell.
Army
1st Battalion
52nd Aviation Regiment
Task Force 49
Fort Wainwright, Alaska

Burial is at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia