Freedom Remembered

Born on Feb. 3, 1985 in Mission Hills, CA
Died on Nov. 12, 2004 in Al Anbar province, Iraq

Nicholas moved to Nevada when he was a youngster, first living in Laughlin, then Las Vegas. His parents were divorced, and Nick also spent time with his father in California. Nick was a member of the Naval Sea Cadets during his junior high school years. He attended Chaparral High School for one year where he participated in the Naval R.O.T.C. program and played football. He then attended Bonanza High School and was a member of the U.S. Army J.R.O.T.C program, varsity football team and the lacrosse team. He was also on the wrestling team where he won the silver medal for his school in the Nevada High Schools Olympics Newcomers Competition. He graduated in 2003, and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps. His mother had tried to talk him out of enlisting in the Marines, suggesting the Air Force might get him a chance to be stationed at Ellis AFB, but Nick insisted he wanted to be the best there is. A Marine. Stationed at Camp Pendleton, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force and was known for volunteering for the most dangerous missions while deployed. He died while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province. There were 54 Marines in his unit, and they made sure it was stated at Nick’s funeral that they were all with him when he passed and that they loved him very much. Nick was survived by his mother Eleanor Dachtler and stepfather George Dachtler; his father Albert Anderson and stepmother Lisa Anderson; his fiancée Amanda Barnicoat, serving with the United States Air Force, and a brother Jackson. Jackson was 10 years old at the time of his brother’s death. A few weeks earlier he had dressed up in fatigues in honor of his big brother for Halloween trick-or-treating. Jackson wore the same outfit to his brother’s funeral.

Nicholas was buried in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura, California.

Born: September 10, 2024 in Pensacola, Florida
Died: June 4, 2024 in Kuwait

Sgt. Steven M. Theobald of Goose Creek, South Carolina enlisted in the regular Army on July 18, 2024 serving for three years. On April 26, 2024 he began serving in the Army Reserves throughout the next 26 years served his country with honor. Stationed at places such as Fort Sill, Fort Bragg and Fort Sam Houston, he always called South Carolina “home.” During his years of service he served in the 116th Engineer Company, 1/145th Field Artillery, 7th Infantry Division, and the 202nd Cavalry. His military awards include two Army Good Conduct Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Noncommissioned Officer Development Program Ribbons, two Army Overseas Ribbons, Overseas Service Bar and two Armed Forces Reserve Medals. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003-2004 with the 7th Infantry Division. On March 28, 2010, he began his second deployement in the Middle East, assigned to the 287th Convoy Security Company, 164th Transportation Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, based at Livingston, Alabama, as a transportation noncommissioned officer in Kuwait. On June 4 he was killed at the age of 53 in a military vehicle rollover north of Camp Arifjan in which two other soldiers were injured. He died doing what he loved and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Steve leaves his wife, Heike Braun Theobald, a daughter, Jessica Theobald, two sons, Christopher and Daniel Theobald, his mother and stepfather, Geraldine Gullette Rabon and Joseph Rabon, three sisters and five brothers. His father, Martin MacHale Theobald died in 2003.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9467

Born Oct. 30, 1988

Died on June 2, 2024 in Baghdad, Iraq

Pvt. Francisco J. Guardado-Ramirez, of Sunland Park, New Mexico, was called Frank by those who knew and loved him. A graduate of Santa Teresa High School in Santa Teresa, N.M., Frank enlisted in the Army in June of 2008 and arrived at Fort Stewart, Georgia, in November 2008. He was assigned to the 1stBattalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia. His unit’s duty there was to conduct humanitarian missions, delivering bags of grain, drinking water and pre-packaged meals. He was serving as a convoy gunner inside a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle that struck an overpass. He was ejected after the vehicle’s turret struck the structure and transported to the 28th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, where he died.

Born on Oct. 7, 1957 in Panama

Died on Dec. 21, 2004 in Mosul, Iraq

Julian was buried in Fir Lane Memorial Park in Spanaway, Washington.

Born on Aug 14, 2024 in Kermit, TX

Died on Sep. 24, 2004 in Al Anbar province, Iraq

The word warrior in the dictionary is said to describe a person who shows great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness. Warrior was a word used often in describing Timothy, or Shane as he was known to most by. After his death, his unit gathered for a memorial service and his commanding officer said, “We come here to seek closure and try and understand why a friend, a fellow human being has been lost. We try to understand and respect the fact that he was dedicated to his duties, executed them as a Marine flawlessly and paid the ultimate sacrifice because he understood his call to duty.” Shane’s path in life was not an easy one. He had some struggles growing up, but he was a great kid with a good spirit. Whatever he had in life, he earned; nothing was handed to him. Sonora, Texas is where he was from; a town of about 3,000 people, and Shane was a popular football player there. He graduated from high school and on October 27, 2003, enlisted in the Marine Corps. Shane never complained, never fell out and never quit. His work ethic pushed him to keep improving himself. His sense of humor helped not only keep him, but his platoon going. Shane did not want to let anyone down and protecting his fellow Marines was important to him. He deployed to Iraq with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, California and three weeks after arriving he was killed by small-arms fire while advancing and engaging with enemy forces. His squad leader said Shane was a true warrior his last moments, never giving up. He saved the lives of other men in his squad. Shane’s father talked about Shane’s desire to serve and protect his country, dying a warrior during a battle with the enemy, serving a purpose for the good of his country. A warrior. Shane is survived by his father and stepmother, Wendell and Ann Folmar; mother, Callie Smith Folmar; one brother, Brandon Folmar; one stepsister, Mrs. Raven Brown; and one stepbrother, Jacob Spivey.

PFC Folmar is buried in the Sonora Cemetery.

Born on Oct. 28, 1984 in Harrisburg, IL

Died on Nov. 10, 2004, near Fallujah, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Aaron C. Pickering was a student at Marion Illinois High School until his junior year, when he transferred to Harrisburg. Aaron excelled at golf, he was all-conference his freshman and sophomore years, finishing 2nd his freshman year. He also loved to hunt and fish and won 1st place in the 58th Illinois State Championship Junior Goose Calling contest and he won a Senior Goose Calling contest in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated in 2002 and the following year enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. This was his dream; he was a fighter would not give up on his dream. He was not afraid of anything and loved the Marine life. Aaron was initially trained at Camp Pendleton then transferred to the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii. Aaron left for Iraq in August 2004, assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Two weeks after turning 20 years old, Aaron’s life was taken as a result of enemy action. The following day, Veteran’s Day, his family was notified of his death. Aaron’s only other sibling was his sister Carrie Brooke Pickering who was killed in an automobile accident in 1999 when she was 17. Aaron is survived by his mother and stepfather, Lisa and Sam Short; father and stepmother, Carl and Theresa Pickering; stepbrothers Travis Short, Dustin Short and Dylan Short; stepsister, Christine Harmon; and several other relatives.

He was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion, Illinois.

Born on Mar. 2, 1985 in Grand Island, Neb.

Died on May 26, 2024 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Kyle W. Codner was the only son of Wain and Dixie Codner. Kyle grew up on a farm east of Shelton, Nebraska, a town of under 1,200 people. He gave of himself to his community by being involved in sports, speech, drama in school and was active in his church’s youth group. Very unselfish, he could always make people laugh and was rarely seen in a bad mood. A leader in his school’s government, Kyle stood a lanky 6’2″ tall and was a guard on the school’s basketball team, earning an all-conference status. His desire to give to his community spilled over into his desire to give to his country and on June 16, 2003, he enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating with honors from high school. Based at Camp Pendleton, California, Kyle’s physique quickly filled out, and his squad leader, Cpl. Matthew C. Henderson, also from Nebraska, took Kyle under his wing. Both Matthew and Kyle were only sons and they took on the roles of big and little brother. Set to deploy to Iraq in early 2004, Kyle’s mother and his fiancée Megan Kirkover came out to California to visit him before he left. Kyle insisted on splurging on these two women who meant the world to him, putting them up in an expensive hotel and treating them to fancy dinners. Assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, Kyle deployed in February for a seven-month tour in Iraq. His duty was a combat engineer, looking for land mines and IED’s. He called and emailed home once a week but didn’t let his family know how dangerous his role was. He didn’t want to worry them. He did remind them that freedom isn’t free and that people seem to forget that. On May 26, Kyle and Matthew were killed in action by enemy forces. Besides his parents and fiancée, Kyle is survived by his sister Melissa. His funeral was held at the high school because the entire town closed down that day and the entire town attended his funeral. His fiancée Megan read a poem there, which contained the line, “Loving a Marine isn’t always what they say, and loving him comes with a high price to pay.”

Kyle was buried in Shelton Cemetery and on the top of his headstone are three words etched over his name, “Freedom Isn’t Free.”

Born on April 28, 2024 in Louisiana

Died on May 24, 2024 in Numaniyah, Iraq

Maj. Culver was known by his middle name, Wayne. One of two sons born to Ronald and Betty Culver, he played baseball, was member in his church’s youth group, and was an active member in the Boy Scouts where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Wayne graduated from Northwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1984 and joined the military in 1988 and graduated from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in 1989 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. Major Culver served a majority of his 22-year career with 1-156th Armor Battalion and 2-108th Cavalry Squadron in Fort Humbug in Shreveport. He served one tour during Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991 and two tours in Iraq, the first from 2004-05 and again in 2010. Wayne also responded numerous times for State emergencies to include Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008. Wayne was promoted to Major on August 28th, 2006. Wayne deployed to Iraq in January 2010, as an executive officer with the 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, from Shreveport. He never asked his troops to do anything he would not do himself and was considered a soldier’s soldier. His unit’s duty was to conduct force protection and convoy security throughout the multi-national coalition during the responsible draw down of U.S. Forces in Iraq. He died May 24 in Numaniyah, Iraq, when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Major Culver received numerous military honors and awards during his 22 years in the Guard, including the Combat Action Badge, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with campaign star, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, numeral three and bronze hourglass, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Louisiana War Cross with two fleur-de-lis, the Louisiana Cross of Merit, the Louisiana Commendation Medal, the Louisiana Emergency Service Medal with one fleur-de-lis, and the Louisiana Longevity Ribbon with three fleur-de-lis. Major Culver also was a member of the Order of Saint George and recipient of the Order of Saint George Medallion, which is the top award given to the most deserving of members of the Army’s mounted force by the United States Armor Association and the United States Army.

Born: on August 17, 2024 in Managua, Nicaragua
Died: on May 21, 2024 in Ash Shura, Iraq

Amilcar was a quiet teenager, a student at Southridge High School in South Miami, Florida when he enlisted in the United States Army a week after witnessing the 9-11-2024 terrorist attacks on his country. He appreciated his life, and that of the life of his family who had moved to America. He felt it was his duty, and honor, to serve. He attended his Armor One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, then reported to Fort Stewart, Georgia, and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. He served with them for eight years, and participated in all of the Battalion and Brigade training exercises and combat deployments during this time. He trained on multiple occasions at Fort Stewart, the National Training Center and in Kuwait. Amilcar deployed four times to Iraq, and despite his quiet and reserved personality, he advanced quickly. He personified everything that a soldier is about: he was professional, honest and a tremendous leader. Amilcar died at the age of 26 when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. Staff Sgt. Gonzalez was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. His previous awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Army Good Conduct Medal (second award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. SSG Gonzalez also earned the Combat Action Badge, and the Drivers Badge for both a wheeled and track vehicles. His mother, Ana, his father, Amilcar and his brother, Jonathan, survive him.

Burial is at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South Cemetery in Miami, Florida

Born on Aug. 19, 1990 in Jackson, Mississippi

Died on May 18, 2024 in Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Philip P. Clark lived most of his life in Gainesville, Florida. Philip enjoyed being the center of attention and the life of the party. He was the class clown for the 2008 graduating class of Buchholtz High School. The teachers would hate him and love him at the same time because he was always respectful but he also joked around. Sometimes it would be real quiet in class and then Philip would make a bird sound. It would make everyone laugh. There was one topic that never inspired humor in Philip. He was extremely patriotic. His charisma and charm were evident in his strong character. Small in size, he was 5′ 7″ and 160 pounds; Philip never let that get in the way of what he wanted. His grandfather was an Air Force Colonel and from an early age Philip liked to dress up in military clothing. He was in the Air Force ROTC during school until deciding his senior year to join the Marines because in his words, “They are the best of the best.” He continued his humorous lifestyle after enlisting in June, often getting drill sergeants laughing when the setting wasn’t exactly for that. Philip’s chest, shoulders and arms were enormous for his small size. He had been lifting weights for three years and it showed. In the summer of 2009 he was introduced to Ashton and they married three months later in October. He used the line from a country song, “You had me from Hello” to propose. Philip deployed to Afghanistan in December 2009, after spending Thanksgiving with his family. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, N.C. and was promoted to lance corporal March 1, 2009. He died May 18 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province.

Burial: Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.