Freedom Remembered

Born: September 24, 2024 in Flint, Michigan
Died: July 21, 2024 in Guam

1st Lt. Robert D. Gerren of Gladwin, Michigan graduated Gladwin High School in 1994 where he rose to the top of his class. Bobby also excelled at Saginaw Valley State University while earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration. Throughout his hometown he was known as a model student and citizen. He was mature, handsome and athletic. He dreamed of being a pilot and joined the Air Force where he was an electronic warfare officer. Bobby had been stationed in Pensacola, Fl., Shreveport, La., and San Antonio, Texas during his tour with the Air Force. Once on active duty, Bobby completed Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida. After receiving his navigator wings, he attended Electronic Warfare Officer Training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Upon completion of that program, he began initial qualification training at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, where he was tops in academics, and was assigned to fly the B-52H at Barksdale’s 20th Bomb Squadron, 2d Bomb Wing in 2007. In addition to his duties as a fully qualified B-52 Electronic Warfare Officer, he also excelled as a Facilities Manager for the 20th Bomb Squadron. He deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in June 2008, in support of the Department of Defense’s continuous bomber presence in the Pacific Area of Responsibility. There he served as a Vehicle Control Officer for the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron. Lieut Gerren was an Electronic Warfare officer with over 350 flying hours qualified in the T-6, T-1, T-39, T-43 and B-52H aircraft. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and most recently, 2d Operations Group Electronic Warfare Officer Aircrew of the Quarter. He was one of six victims of the B-52 crash near the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. He leaves his parents, Linda Gerren, and Duane and Rebecca Gerren, his sister, Jennifer Patton, his stepsister, Tara Blackmer. He was 32.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 8882

Born: January 10, 2024
Died: November 8, 2024 in Italy

Capt Cartize B. Durham of Bossier City, Louisianna was a 1995 graduate of Airline High School where he was a standout football player. In school he was also a member of ROTC and achieved the highest rank, commander of the cadets. It was during his freshman year he knew wanted to become an officer in the Air Force. As a student he stood out with his committment to excellence. Later he attended Louisiana Tech University earning his bachelor’s degree. “Bull” had dreams of joining the service since he was a young boy. He wanted to serve his country as well as take care of his growing family. He was commander of a material management flight for the wing. While stationed in Italy, he had the opportunity to meet Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. The meeting was a proud moment in his military career. Capt. Durham was killed at age 30 in the crash of an Army Blackhawk helicopter near Aviano Air Base, Italy. Also killed in the crash were Staff Sgt. Robert D. Rogers, Staff Sgt. Mark A. Spence and Senior Airman Kenneth P. Hauprich Jr., also assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, and Army pilots Capt. Christian P. Skoglund and Chief Warrant Officer David Angelo F. Alvarez, both assigned to the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment.
Air Force
31st Fighter Wing
Aviano Air Base, Italy

Burial information is unknown at this time

Born: Dec. 11, 1982 in Buffalo, New York
Died: November 8, 2024 in Italy

Staff Sgt. Mark A. Spence of Buffalo, New York graduated from Clarence High School in 2001, completed a year’s study at the University at Buffalo, and then joined the Air Force in 2003. He continued his college studies while in the service, compiling a perfect 4.0 grade point average. He went from being the fastest runner in an elementary school track meet to competition with the cross country and football teams at Clarence High School. He expected to graduate soon from Park University with a degree in criminal justice. His maternal grandfather, Donald Rhoads, who died in January, helped design airplanes and led to Sgt. Spence’s enlistment. He was coming home in June and was going to take the New York State trooper’s exam. He wanted to become a detective in the State Police. Spence led a group of eight airmen whose job was calibrating avionic sensors on F16 fighter jets. He is survived by his wife; his parents and two brothers. He and his wife were expecting the couple’s first child in May 2008. Mark was also an avionic sensors team leader and also enjoyed photography and travel. He entered the service in 2003 and arrived on station Jan. 2004. He was 24. Amigone Funeral Home.
Air Force
31st Fighter Wing
Aviano Air Base, Italy

Born: April 10, 2024
Died: November 8, 2024 in Italy

Air Force Senior Airman Kenny Hauprich of Fairborn, Ohio was a 2004 graduate of Greeneview High School where he wrestled, played football, sang in the choir, earned As and Bs, had perfect attendance for at least three years and loved being in plays. He was also a counselor at Camp Kern. His smile, bright blue eyes and sparkling personality made it hard not to instantly like him. He had a way to make the room light up when he was around. Even when he got into trouble and was sent to his room he would never stay in it because he hated for someone to be mad or upset at him. His favorite saying was “Remember that I am the good one”. Kenny always gave 150% of himself in everything that he did, whether it was him wrestling as one of the smallest one on the team to practicing with the heavy weights. This motivation carried over to everything he did from making employee of the month the second month he worked at Wendy’s, or making Senior Airman below zone. He had a zest for life that was impeccable! He had dreams that someday he would play football and that he did: not only did he play on the Junior high football team where he did get to shine. Kenny was small in size and didn’t get much playing time but he put his heart into every practice where he gave the star players the practice they needed. It was not unusual to see Kenny run out on the field just to get the kicking tee. Kenny left to go into the Air Force and not only did he become a man but he did grow to over 6 feet tall. He was stationed at Aviano AB where they saw him as an awesome athlete. His nick name was “Gazelle” because he was so quick. He played for the NFL Italy team where he was the starting receiver. Kenny was doing what he wanted to do his entire life and that was to follow in his father’s and mother’s footsteps and serve his country as an Airman in the United States Air Force. His twin sister, also is in the military. As with all his endeavors Kenny was a steller Airman! He was preceded in death by his Grandfather Ronald Duncan. He died along with four other military personnel when the helicopter crashed near the city of Treviso. He was 22.

Burial is at Silvercreek Cemetery Old in Jamestown, Ohio

Born: February 21, 2024 in Germany
Died: November 8, 2024 in Aviano, Italy

Staff Sergeant Roberts D. Rogers was born in Ulm, Germany, the son of Anna and Robert Allen Rogers while his father was stationed there. The family moved to the United States when Robert was 3 months old, living first at Fort Huachuca Arizona and then Sierra Vista, Arizona. Robert attended Shiloh Christian School from kindergarten until his high school graduation, where he was named salutatorian in May 1998. As a child Robert loved to draw, assemble Lego airplanes and helicopters from memory. He would much rather read than watch movies. He helped his Mom keep house, cook, and do laundry — all skills that followed him to his adult life. Robert excelled at everything and especially loved mathematics. As a teenager he belonged to the Civil Air Patrol because of his love for planes and flying. He loved adventure and on his 18th birthday he skydived for the first time. He also loved repelling, rock climbing, white water rafting and was training for his scuba diving license. While in Sierra Vista he attended Cochise College and worked for Marriott Food Service and United Parcel Service. At the time of his death, he lacked only three credits from receiving the associate’s degree in avionics systems technology. He enlisted in the Air Force in 2001 attending basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base, both in Texas. His assignments included Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea; and Aviano Air Base, Italy. He served in various positions within the Air Force Avionics community-including avionics sensors system team member, journeyman and team leader. Other awards were Avionics Flight NCO of the Quarter, July-September 2006; nominated for the 2007 Leo Marquez Award for Aircraft Maintenance; received the Air Force Commendation Medal for his service at Aviano Air Base. He was the 2005 Maintenance Professional of the Year and Lantirns top technician for the 31st Fighter Wing in Italy. He was never content to just tell you how to perform a task, instead he wanted to jump in and show you how it was done. He lived every day to the fullest and his infectious laugh and dry sense of humor lifted spirits daily. Robert was a devoted, “super daddy” and the “best dad ever” to his 5-year-old son, Isaiah Sky Rogers, the center of his life, who lived with him in Italy. He is survived by his mother, Anna (Dan) Showalter; his father, Robert Allen (Carol) Rogers; brother Karl Rogers. Lanea Rogers, his wife, also survives him, as well as many relatives in Germany and Washington state. Robert was killed while serving as the team leader for an avionic sensor team when a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training exercise near Aviano Air Base in Italy. He was buried at Southern Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Arizona - Sec 4 Site 80

Born: May 15, 2024 in San Jose, California
Died: November 8, 2024 in Aviano, Italy

Cheif Warrant Officer David F. Alvarez moved to Lathrop, California at the age of four years. Meticulous in his studies, he earned straight A’s and never missed a day of school from kindergarten through high school. He enlisted in the United States Army after his 1994 graduation from East Union High School in Lathrop California. Stationed at several bases around the globe over his career, he married his wife Rachel two years ago. When he would come home to California on visits, he would bring gifts from the various places he had been to around the world. He also had fascinating stories to tell his family of the things he accomplished and the people he had met. David was a chief warrant officer 2 and was serving as the co-pilot of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter when it crashed during a training mission outside Aviano, Italy. Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 28 Site 579

Born: August 2, 2024 in Racine, Wisconsin
Died: November 8, 2024 in Aviano, Italy

Captain Christian P. Skoglund of Racine, Wisconsin was a graduate of Jefferson, McKinley, and Park schools (Class of 1994) in Racine; he went to Bible School at Bodenseehof in Germany, went on missions trips to Honduras and Mexico, then to Wheaton (Illinois) College, where he graduated in 2000 with a Degree in Environmental Science. Christian was commissioned through ROTC as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He graduated from Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 2002 and served two years in Korea, one tour in Kuwait, and was currently stationed in Italy. He loved sports and played soccer in high school, soccer and hockey in college, and then was an Armed Services All-Star rugby player. Christian’s world was big and inclusive; he had a smile and encouraging words for everyone. He had enormous enthusiasm, endurance, and compassion. He was committed to his loving Lord and saw all aspects of his life as a gift from Him - so he enjoyed it to the full, and took the responsibility that comes with opportunity. Those from every part of his life remember him with affection and respect, especially from his fellow servicemen. He was Commander of G Company, 52nd Aviation Regiment, based in Aviano, Italy, and was killed in a United States Army Black Hawk Helicopter crash near Aviano, Italy. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 28 Site 1118

Born: May 31, 2024 in Millport, Alabama
Died: August 13, 2024 in Egypt

Sgt. Clifton D. Johnson of Reform, Alabama grew up next door to his grandmother and a few houses down from a girl he had known since he was a teenager. He hoped to marry her someday after he returned back stateside from his tour of duty in the Army. It was no surprise to know that Clifton had always wanted to serve in the military. He sought after a well worn path of other family members with service in the military before him, including his stepfather, his grandfather and several uncles. Clifton even tried to join at the age of 13 or 14 by filling out a form he found in a magazine and mailing it in. He graduated from Pickens County High School where he was named ‘Best Dressed’. Later when he became a soldier, his commanding officer called him the best dressed soldier in his unit. His superiors used him as an example of how to wear the uniform and shine their shoes. He sang in the choir at Providence Baptist Church. Known as ‘Spooky’, by his family and as ‘Bump’ by his comrades, he had been overseas for almost a year and had recently been home for two weeks on leave. He leaves two sons, his girlfriend, Jacinta, his father, Clifton Johnson, his mother and stepfather, Margaret Ann and John Shanklin, and his sister, Kimberly among others. He was killed at age 24 when the Army truck he was driving was involved in an accident.

Burial is at Providence Cemetery in Millport, Alabama

Born: November 13, 2024 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Died: March 15, 2024 in Guam

GMCB2 Jared D Krutke of Sheboygan, Wisconsin had a great love of his Lord, his country and his family. He had graduated from Sheboygan County Christian High School in 2001 and soon after joined the United States Navy. On December 21, 2002, he married Nicole Veldboom. Jared was a member of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 based out of Gulfport, Mississippi. He has been stationed at Camp Covington, United States Naval base in Guam, since October 2006. He was a gunner’s mate on the ships, USS Detroit AOE4 and the USS Ashland LSD48. He attended the Handsboro Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi and the Calvary Chapel in Guam. He enjoyed fishing, hiking, and stargazing while on his ship assignments. Jared was a “big kid at heart” and still enjoyed Lego’s and Star Wars. All who knew him loved him. An optimist, he was always willing to help those in need. Jared died at age 24 while serving in Guam in the United States Navy. He leaves his wife, Nicole, his daughter, Elizabeth, his mother and stepfather, Jackie and Larry Walston, his father and stepmother, Gary and Cami Krutke, two sisters, Brittany Krutke and Jasmine Walston, and a brother, Joe Krutke. Jared was buried in Hartmann Cemetery in Wilson, Wisconsin

Born: Saranac Lake, New York
Died: August 17, 2024

Lieut Jessica E Hill spent much of her life in St. Augustine, Florida and had joined the Coast Guard after she graduated from the University of South Alabama with a master’s degree in marine science. It was what she lived for. Vivacious and adventurous, she spent many hours on a sailboat traveling with her parents on their boat. Jessica had been accepted into the Navy diving school in Panama City, Florida where she had competed and surpassed many other Coast Guard and Navy enlisted personnel. She was accepted and tested in the same diving school that was popularized in the 2000 film “Men of Honor.” The intense diving program offers only a few openings each year for enlisted men and women. Acceptance into the program is determined by several factors, including command approval, physical fitness and swimming capabilities, and is extremely selective. It was very competitive, and she excelled at it. Jessica was currently serving as the Marine Science Officer on Healy since mid-summer 2004. She acted as the onboard Liaison between the science personnel and the Healy command. She also coordinated the on-load of science gear and also served as Healy’s dive officer. She leaves behind her father, William Carl Hill Jr., her mother, Dawn Ellen Zimmerman, a sister, Adrienne Hill Gullett, a brother, William Carl Hill III, stepfather, Rob Zimmerman, stepmothers, Karen Hill, and Sherri Sundberg, step brothers, Cayman Eby, David Kausch and Josh Kausch, step sister, Christina Kausch, fiance, Tim Tully. Jessica died at age 31 during a scientific expedition about 500 miles from the Alaskan coast while conducting a routine SCUBA dive from the ice at 77 12.3 N 177 35.8W.

Cremated: Ashes scattered at sea.