Freedom Remembered

Born: January 31, 2024
Died: August 19, 2024 in Pech, Afghanistan

Spc. Christopher S. Wright of Tollesboro, Kentucky is a 2005 graduate of Lewis County High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in June of 2005 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning as an infantryman. Upon graduating from the Basic Airborne Course, he served as a rifleman assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash., and later was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Armor Calvary Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. In 2009, Chris was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program at Fort Benning, Ga. Following graduation from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, he was assigned to Company C in June 2009 where he served as a rifleman and a squad automatic weapons gunner. His military education included the Basic Airborne Course, the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, and the Sniper Course. His Awards and Decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with combat start, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Purple Heart. He leaves his father and stepmother, James Cochran and Michele Cochran, and his mother, Linda Dennis, three brothers, Zachary Pope, Zane Pope and Andrew Dennis, and his sister, Mary Ann Dennis. He died at age 23 in Pech, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.
Army
1st Battalion
75th Ranger Regiment
Hunter Army Air Field, Georgia

Burial is at East Fork Cemetery in Vanceburg, Kentucky

To be updated…

Born: January 26, 2024 in Grayling, Michigan
Died: August 22, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Jason D. Calo, 23, of Lexington, Kentucky is a 2005 graduate of Mancelona High School where he played quarterback for the Varsity Football team and was active wrestling. He joined the Marine Corps in November 2006 and was promoted to sergeant July 1, 2009. He previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2008 to April 2009 and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in June 2010, according to the 2nd Marine Division release. His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He leaves his wife, Sarah, his children Allison and Achilles, his mother Jeri Manville, stepfather Thomas Manville, and brothers Adam and Justin Calo. He died at age 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
2nd Battalion
6th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

To be updated…

Born: May 2 1977 San Diego, California
Died: August 18, 2024 in Afghanistan

Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Collin T. Thomas of Morehead, Kentucky grew up on military bases before his father retired from the Marine Corps and the family moved back to Morehead. He enlisted in the Navy in 1997, two years after graduating from Rowan County High School and attended Morehead State University. His Awards and Decorations include, two Bronze Star Medals with combat “V” distinguishing device, a Purple Heart, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with combat “V” distinguishing device, a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Six Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Two Combat Action Ribbons (Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom), Four Good Conduct Medals; the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Iraq Campaign Medal; Marksmanship medals among others. He leaves his parents, Lt. Colonel, Clayton Thomas USMC (retired) and Paula T Thomas, his sister Meghan and his fiancée, Sarah Saunder. He died at age 33 during a combat operation in eastern Afghanistan. Thomas was assigned to an east coast-based SEAL team.

Burial is at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Morehead, Kentucky

Born: August 18, 2024 in Boyd County, Kentucky
Died: February 02, 2024 in Ashraf, Iraq

Pfc. Scott A. Messer of Ashland, Kentucky is a 1999 graduate of Ashland Paul G. Blazer High School where he played quarterback to running back to wide receiver, where ever the football team needed him. Scott didn’t seem to mind, in fact, he thrived on the diversity and used the opportunity to show off his many abilities. He was known for his wild punt return style. He would crisscross the field to try and break one for a touchdown. He would run 200 yards just to gain 10. Whenever he caught a punt you never knew where he was going. The opposition just block all over the field and he would run forever his coach recalled. Scott enlisted in the United States Army in September of 2004, arriving at Fort Campbell in February of 2005. He wanted to reenlist at the end of his time and go back in the medical field to help the wounded. He leaves his wife, Jennifer, two daughters, Hailee and Natalie, his mother, Joyce Johnson, and his father, Victor Messer. Scott died at age 26 when his Humvee accidentally rolled over during convoy operations in Ashraf, Iraq. He had been at home for 15 days on leave after spending six months in Iraq, and had been back in Iraq for about two weeks.
Army
1st Squadron
32nd Cavalry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland, Kentucky

Born: August 15, 2024 in Bell County, Texas
Died: April 16, 2024 in Lexington, Kentucky

Master Sgt. Clinton W. Cubert of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky was known as “Corn bread” among his friends. He was always ready to organize a fishing or hunting expedition. One of his passions was a fishing trip on the Kentucky River with friends. He loved his family, his friends, and he loved this country that he lived in. Everyone could learn a lot from the life of Clinton. He was a great father, husband and soldier. He adored his daughters, Alisha and Sarah, and he loved spending time with them hunting, fishing and boating. Clinton has been presented with the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge for his service in Iraq. He was recognized by the Kentucky State Legislature in resolutions passed by both the House and the Senate. He is survived by his wife, Amy and their daughters, Alisha and Sarah. He is the tenth Kentucky Army National Guard soldier to lose his life as the result of combat action in Iraq. Clinton died at age 38 in the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations in Samarra, Iraq, on Sept. 11, 2005.
Army
National Guard
2113th Transportation Company
Paducah, Kentucky

Burial is at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky - Sec U Site 121

Born: March 8, 2024
Died: April 24, 2024 in Iraq

Petty Officer Second Class Christopher E. Watts of Knoxville, Tennessee attended Jefferson County High School through his junior year and graduated from Fleming-Neon High School in Neon, Kentucky. He enjoyed art class in school and was always a pleasant student who kept a smile on his face. Chris was full of life but was also a private person who didn’t like attention drawn to him. Growing up, he enjoyed being around the serenity of water, and at times he could be a bit of a risk taker. He joined the Navy in 1995 following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and was honored to be in the military. Chris already had ten years under his belt, and had planned to make it his career. He was killed at age 28 in a waterborne attack in the northern Persian Gulf. Chris was one of three servicemen to die in the attack in the northern Persian Gulf. The three were part of a seven-person boarding team from the Firebolt who were conducting maritime interception operations. A sailing vessel known as a dhow approached the Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal and exploded as the men went to inspect it. He was assigned to the USS Firebolt, forward deployed to Manama, Bahrain. He leaves his mother, Brenda Rainwater, and his son, Jacob Christopher, among others.

Burial is at Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Maryville,Tennessee

Born: September 9, 2024
Died: July 24, 2024 in Iraq

Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch of Louisville, Kentucky graduated from Seneca High School in Louisville in 2005, where he was a well liked member of the ROTC. Robbie could be a bit of a jokester, but he also had a serious side, and would be the first to jump in and stand shoulder to shoulder with you. Robbie had been in the Marines about 14 months and had been in Iraq about four months. His Awards and Decorations include, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Purple Heart Medal, and two Letters of Appreciation. He was a member of Eastside Praise Ministry Center. He leaves his parents, Angela R. Robinson and Mike A. Lynch Jr., two sisters, Melissa and Candace, brothers, Joey and Michael “Tony” Lynch and Randall Thompson. He died at age 20 while conducting combat operations in Rushidiyah, Iraq. Also killed were Cpl. James H. McRae of Springtown, Texas and Cpl. Matthew R. Zindars, of Watertown, Wisconsin. He leaves a brother, Michael
Marines
1st Battalion
12th Marine Regiment
3rd Marine Division
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Okinawa, Japan

Burial is at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky - Sec H Site 1553

Born: November 28, 2024 in Covington, Kentucky
Died: June 19, 2024 in Muhammad AL Ali, Iraq

Sgt. 1st Class William A. Zapfe of Muldraugh, Kentucky was born at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Covington. After six years in Park Hills, the family moved to Dry Ridge, Kentucky near the state police post from 1972 until an accident caused his father’s death. After his father’s death, the family moved to Spokane, Washington, where his mother had family. They later moved to Priest River, Idaho, where the three boys graduated from high school. William entered the military after high school and decided to make it a career. His two brothers, Joseph and Edward, also have served in the military. He died at age 35 from injuries suffered while fighting in Iraq. Also killed was Pfc. Joshua S. Modgling. William was serving his third tour of duty in the Middle East. He was buried next to his father, Joseph Zapfe, who was a state trooper for several years.
Army
1st Battalion
30th Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
3rd Infantry Division
Fort Stewart, Georgia

Burial is at Hill Crest Cemetery in Dry Ridge, Kentucky

Born: January 1, 2024 in Jefferson County, Kentucky
Died: July 13, 2024 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout of Worthville, Kentucky graduated from Carroll County High School. Chris was an accomplished singer and enjoyed preaching at Worthville United Pentecostal Church. On December 7, 2024 he joined the Army and served much of his career as a rigger with the 782nd Main Support Battalion and other quartermaster units on Fort Bragg. Chris re-classed to become a chaplain’s assistant in September of 2006 and was currently serving in that capacity while in Afghanistan. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, three Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and Parachute Rigger Badge. After re-locating to North Carolina, Chris was a member of First Church of Fayetteville. He leaves his wife, Misty, three daughters, Jacqueline, Audreanna and Kristin, and his parents Billy and Sharon Neuner. He died at age 34 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rifle, rocket propelled grenade, and small arms fire.
Army
1st Battalion
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, N.C.

Burial is at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, North Carolina - Sec 1A Site 17

Born: July 14, 2024 in Pekin, Illinois
Died: July 12, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Spc. Nathaniel D. Garvin of Hodgenville, Kentucky grew up in Vine Grove and attended John Hardin High School, graduating in 2007. Known as, ‘Tater’ he enjoyed playing video games, skateboarding, rock music and computers. He also enjoyed fishing in his leisure. Nate’s two older brothers were already serving in the military, and he understood and appreciated the stability that serving could also offer him. His Awards and Decorations include, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with arrowhead, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal; and Weapons Qualification: M4, expert. Nate died at age 20 at Forward Operating Base Frontenac, Afghanistan of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He leaves his wife, Brittany P. Garvin a daughter, Kayleigh, a son, Wyatt, his parents Melanie S. and Clifton W. Garvin, three brothers, T.J. Garvin, Alex M. Garvin, Jeremy A. Garvin, and a sister, Whitney.
Army
96th Aviation Support Battalion
101st Combat Aviation Brigade
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff, Kentucky - Sec 12 Site 792