Freedom Remembered

On Feb. 25, the armed forces positively identified the remains of Staff Sgt. Ahmed K. Altaie, of Ann Arbor, Mich. He was assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team, Divisional Training Center, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Altaie was kidnapped at gunpoint in October 2006 when he sneaked off base on a motorcycle to visit his Iraqi wife in central Baghdad. On Dec. 11, 2006, a casualty review board declared Altaie “missing – captured” after his disappearance in Baghdad, Iraq on Oct. 23, 2006. Altaie was the final missing soldier and casualty to be recovered from the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn mission.

To be updated…

Born: March 12, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa
Died: December 31, 2023 in Baqubah, Iraq

Cpl Jonathan E. Schiller of Ottumwa, Iowa graduated from Ottumwa High School in 2004 where he was an actively involved student who also played basketball in the ninth and tenth grades. He was active in youth and other high school sports. Prior to joining the United States Army he worked at West Music and at Hibbett Sporting Goods. Jon was also a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. Jon showed leadership skills even during high school, although they may have been of a typical teenagers practical joking leader qualities. But in time, those take charge skills began to serve him well as he got older, particularly as he progressed through the ranks of the military. By all accounts Jon was someone who anyone would have been proud to parent, befriend, or call a comrade in arms. He died at age 20 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated while on a combat patrol. Also killed was Spc. Richard A. Smith. Schiller becomes the 49th Iowan killed in Iraq or Afghanistan from combat. He leaves his parents, William (Bill) and Elizabeth (Liz) Waddle Schiller and two brothers, Charlie and Max Schiller among others.
Army
1st Cavalry
215th Brigade Support Battalion
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Silent City Cemetery in Monroe, Iowa

To be updated…

Born: February 3, 2024 in Escondido, California
Died: July 16, 2024 in Portland, Oregon

Spc Matthew M. Brennan attended Tualatin High School and graduated from the Oregon Youth Challenge Program in 2007. Matt enlisted in the Oregon Air National Guard, then transferred to the Army National Guard about a year later. He served a tour of duty in Iraq. He is the son of Michael and Maria Brennan. In addition to his parents, he also leaves seven brothers and sisters, Scott, Jared, Christina, Ariel, Aiden, Sophia, and Isabella.

Burial is at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon - Sec EE3 Site 2533

To be updated…

Born: January 14, 2024 in Keokuk, Iowa
Died: June 28 2011 in Washington County, Iowa

Sgt Robert W Briggs of Hillsboro, Iowa, formerly of Keokuk, Iowa was employed by the State of Iowa Department of Transportation from November 1999 to April 2005. He served with the National Guard 224th Combat Engineers Co. C in Keokuk and Mt. Pleasant from September 1991 to December 2007 when he was retired due to injuries he sustained while serving in Ramadi, Iraq. Bob enjoyed staying active by hunting, fishing, skiing, golfing and helping other veterans and their families. Bob enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, meeting new people and experiencing new challenges. He was in the first GIVE (Golf for Injured Veterans) class in Riverside, IA, a member of the VFW Post 1797, American Legion Post 94, an advocate for the Wounded Warrior Project and a life time member of AM Vets. He was also the Vice President of English River Outfitters in Washington, IA, an organization “Designed by Veterans for Veterans” that offer a safe outdoor experience with other veterans to help promote healing and closure all at no cost to the veterans. Bob was very passionate about helping other veterans and their families. He and his wife spent many hours and traveled extensively to bring about the necessary changes to legislation on both the local and federal level in support of veterans and both were instrumental in the development of the recently passed “Caregiver Bill” and the passing of the “Iowa Injured Veterans Grant” of which he was very proud of. Bob was loved by many and has touched every person he met, never meeting a stranger and always offering his love and support to others. Bob was also extremely proud of his Native American heritage. He died at age 42 from injuries received on April 16, 2024 for which he received the Purple Heart Award, while serving his country in Iraq. He leaves his wife, Michelle, their children, Ashlea and Cody his parents, Bob and Sandra Steele Briggs, his sister, Brenda and her husband Terry Best.

Burial is at Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa -

The above is from his obituary.

Born: July 11, 2024 in Landstuhl, Germany
Died: June 25, 2024 in Ormond Beach, Florida

Staff Sgt Robert S. O’Neill of Barksdale Air Force Base Shreveport, Louisiana, formerly of Florida graduated in 2005 from Flagler Palm Coast High School and immediately joined the United States Air Force for a six year enlistment. After basic training he entered a technical school for security forces. Robert became a dedicated Non-Commissioned Officer rising through the ranks to become a Staff Sergeant. Robert worked various jobs within his security field, ultimately ending in law enforcement. He is credited with saving three lives in three years and making 23 arrests of poachers and other environmental criminals. He also did a six month deployment to Iraq. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He volunteered for blood drives, food banks, homeless shelters and handicap hunter access. Robert never stopped caring and did an outstanding job displaying character, faith and loyalty. A family statement reads: “Robert was a wonderful and considerate son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle and friend. Robert was a hero to some, a friend to many and will be greatly missed by all”. Robert is survived by his father, Steven M. O’Neill and Catherine M. Horecky, two brothers, Christian and Daniel Reusch, niece, Christina L. Giehl; grandmother, Hilde Elbeck and uncle Marvin Elbeck all of Landstuhl, Germany; Uncle Bobby O’Neill and wife Lynne of New York, NY; aunts, Christine Pageau of Port Orange, FL and JoEllen Pearson and her husband Mike of Norfolk, VA; several cousins, nieces and a nephew. Robert was predeceased by his mother, Elisabeth D. O’Neill and brother Jens Reusch.

Burial is at Craig Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens in Flagler Beach, Florida

The above is from his obituary.

Born: December 6, 2024 in Lima, Ohio
Died: June 25, 2024 at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina

SSgt. Jamal T. Clay of Elida, Ohio graduated in 2004 from Elida High School, where he participated in track, basketball and football. Jamal joined the United States Army in early 2004 and served as a wheeled-vehicle mechanic from 2005 to 2009. He then served as a recovery vehicle supervisor from 2010 to 2011. He was deployed to Iraq from August 10, 2024 to October 21, 2007, and again from December 5, 2008, to November 20, 2009, where he served as a wheeled-vehicle mechanic. During the second deployment, he was the noncommissioned officer responsible for vehicle maintenance at Forward Operating Base Hammer. His military training include, basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Prior to being assigned to the Loyalty Battalion, he attended Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. His awards and decorations include, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (twice), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with a campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon. He had also received the Parachutist Badge and the Drivers Mechanic Badge. He died at age 25 at Womack Army Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina following a parachute malfunction during a routine training exercise. He leaves his wife, Jasmine Taylor, his mother, Georgetta Jennings, his father and stepmother, Henry M. Clay, Jr and Vivian Kaye, a daughter, Janye Clay, a stepson, Jamier Davis, five brothers, Demetrius Clay, Antonieo Clay, David Smith, Anthony Hutchins and Aaron Hutchins, and a sister, Rochelle Clay and maternal grandmother, Josephine Jennings. Jamal was a member of Philippian Missionary Baptist Church.
Army
Company G
1st Battalion
319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lima, Ohio

Born: July 19, 2024
Died: June 12, 2024 in Killeen, Texas

Sgt. Bryan D. Beard, 34, of Constantinople, Kansas entered active-duty service in May 1997 as a petroleum supply specialist. He was assigned to 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, since February 2006. Sgt Beard deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2003 to July 2003, October 2006 to January 2008, and January 2009 to December 2009. His awards and decorations include, two Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, Presidential Unit Citation Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with three combat service stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Sevice Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Serice Ribbon and six Overseas Service Ribbons. He died June 12 from injuries in a motorcycle accident in Killeen, Texas. He leaves his mother, Terrysteen Woods, his father, Nobec Joplin, Jr, a son, Dominick Beard, a stepdaughter, Madison Henry, his brothers, Darnell Woods, Tyson Green, Steven Rogers, Reginald Joplin, and Fredrick Joplin, and a sister, Toni Joplin.

Leavenworth National Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: December 10, 2024
Died: May, 19, 2011 in Fort Bliss, Texas

Spc. Matthew J. Hodges of Georgia attended Evans High School. He also served in the United States Army for three years, and served a tour of duty in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Matt was the 5th generation of his family to serve in combat. He leaves his wife, Rebecca, his father, William Hodges, his mother, Theressa Padgett, and four brothers, William Michael, Robert Wayne, Christopher Michael and Charles Andrew Hodges. He was 26.

Burial is at Bellevue Memorial Park in Grovetown, Georgia

Born: January 26, 2024 in Helena, Montana
Died: May 4, 2024 in Colorado

Sgt 1st Class Richard D. Greene of Townsend, Montana graduated in 1999 from Broadwater High School. Known by most as ‘Shorty’, he briefly worked in construction prior to embarking on a career with the United States Army. His duty stations were Fort Hood, Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, and Fort Carson. At the time of his death Richard was with HHC 1st Squad, 10th Calvary 2nd HBCT Fort Carson, Colorado with a rank of Sgt. First Class. Richard’s service record was exceptional. He served two deployments to Iraq and was set to deploy to Afghanistan June 3rd 2011. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal w/combat Distinguishing Device “V”, 2 Bronze Star Medals, Army Commendation w/combat Distinguishing Device “V”, 4 Army Commendation Medals, 3 Army Achievement Medals, 3 Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, 2 Iraq Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 2 Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, 2 Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Bar, Driver-W (for wheeled vehicles), Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qual Badge, Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Right Side Award, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Ranger Tab and 4 Overseas Service Bar. He married Audrey Stevens on August 2, 2024 and to their marriage, their daughter was born in Fort Hood, Texas in December of 2003. They later divorced. Richard was a sports fan, loved the Grizzly’s, enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, basketball, snowboarding and wakeboarding. He died at age 31 as a result of a motor vehicle accident in Colorado. He leaves his daughter, Hope, his parents, Donna and Richard Greene, two brothers, Nikia and Jason and two sisters, Tammy Allen and Heidi Brown.
Army
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
1st Squadron
10th Calvary
2nd Brigade Combat Team
Fort Carson, Colorado

Burial is on the family ranch in Townsend, Montana

Born: in Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Died: April 22, 2024 in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Sgt. 1st Class Scott E. Strohmeier of Carteret, New Jersey graduated in 1995 from Carteret High School. He joined the United States Army in 1995. He deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2003 to February 2004 and again in January 2007 to March 2008. He also deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response from January to March 2010. SFC Strohmeier served the 82nd Airborne Division with distinction during a long career at Fort Bragg. He delivered his most significant contributions through his leadership to young Falcon Brigade paratroopers. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge. Scott leaves his daughters, Samantha and Brianna, his parents, Eugene and Victoria Strohmeier and a sister, Tami Papaleo. He died of natural causes at age 34.
Army
Company F, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Woodbridge Memorial Gardens in Woodbridge, New Jersey