Freedom Remembered

Born: August 22, 2024 in Douglasville, Georgia
Died: October 13, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Scott D. Harper, 21, of Winston, Ga., died Oct. 13 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Scott was a 2008 graduate of Alexander High School, where he was an outgoing student and active in Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. He was also a member of the golf team. Scott served as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps. He not only loved his country, but he loved his family, his community, loved hunting, fishing and playing his guitar. He leaves his father and his wife, Brian and Angela Harper, his mother, Deborah Busbin Staples, his brother, Mitchell Staples, his sister, Amber Staples, a step-brother, Joseph Hulsey and a step-sister, Holly Harpe.

Burial is at Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery in Winston, Georgia

To be updated…

Born: July 6, 2024 in Texas
Died: October 6, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Benjamin W. Schmidt, 24, of San Antonio, Texas, died Oct. 6 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Ben is a graduate of Alamo Heights High School. He left on his second tour of Afghanistan in September and was scheduled to end his deployment in May 2012.

Burial is at Fort Sam Houston National in San Antonio, Texas - Sec C1 Row W2 Site D131

To be updated…

Born: April 4, 2024 in Flint, Michigan
Died: September 28, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Sprovtsoff, 28, of Davison, Mich., died Sept. 28 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Sprovtsoff was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, Calif. SSgt Sprovtsoff is a 2001 graduate of Davison High School. Nick completed his marine basic training and was serving as an amphibious assault vehicle driver. His awards include a Bronze Star with combat V, Army Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat V, Army Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons and two Good Conduct Medals.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9633

To be updated…

Lance Cpl. John R. Wimpey Cagle, 19, of Tucker, Ga., died Sept. 28 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was a light armored crewman who joined the Marine Corps in June of 2010 and was promoted to lance corporal in March. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Empire Memorial Gardens

To be updated…

Born: September 4, 2024 in El Paso County, Texas
Died: September 28 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Christopher Diaz, 27, of Albuquerque, N.M., died Sept. 28 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. Chris attended La Cueva High School and was part of the ROTC. His awards include, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award), and Letter of Appreciation. He is the son of Sandra Lee Delgadillo and Salvador Diaz. Ft. Bliss National

To be updated…

Capt Ryan K. Iannelli, 27, of Clarksboro, N.J., died Sept. 28 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Air Group 29, 2nd Marine Air Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. He was a 2002 graduate of Kingsway Regional High School. He also attended Oral Roberts University from fall 2002 until his graduation in spring 2006. He played baseball for the Golden Eagles during his entire school career at ORU. He was part of the team that advanced to the NCAA Super Regional. Ryan played in the outfield and was a pinch runner. He was posthumously promoted from 1st Lieutenant to Captain.

Burial is at Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Williamstown, New Jersey

To be updated…

Born: April 6, 2024
Died: September 24, 2024 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: April 11, 2024 in Coshocton, Ohio
Died: September 21, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Terry C. Wright, 21, of Scio, Ohio, died Sept. 21 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Rock Hill Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: January 15, 2024
Died: September 19 2011 at Camp Pendleton, California

Maj. Jeffrey C. Bland of Champaign, Illinois graduated in 1992 from Galesburg High School and attended the University of Illinois before becoming a Marine on June 10, 1997. During his military career his awards include, two Navy Marine Corps Commendation medals, the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Air Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and the Korean Defense Service Medal. He leaves his wife, Heather, a daughter, Aliana, his parents, Carl and Janet Bland, his three sisters, Cynthia Marquith, Christine Ross and Julie Griffin.

Arlington National Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: November 23, 2024
Died: September 19 2011 at Camp Pendleton, California

Capt. Thomas J. Heitmann, 27, from Mendota, Illinois was commissioned in 2008. He was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39, of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Air Station Miramar. His awards and decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He leaves his parents, Tom and Mary Therese Leonard Heitmann, a brother, Aaron Heitmann, four sisters, Rachel Christensen, Hannah Pozzi, Sarah Henkel, and Mary Elizabeth Heitmann.

Burial is at St. Theresa’s Catholic Cemetery in Earlville, Illinois

To be updated…