Freedom Remembered

Capt. Aaron D. Istre, 37, of Vinton, La., died March 24 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the HHC, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood, Texas. Capt Istre received numerous military awards throughout his career. He was deployed in December 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He joined the military in November 1998 and was assignment to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood since June 2009. Istre deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2005 to November 2006. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December 2011. His awards and decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal.

Visitation:
Thursday, April 5, 2024
10:00 AM until 9:00 PM
Matthews and Son Funeral Home
511 N. Cutting Ave.
Jennings, LA 70546

Visitation:
Friday, April 6, 2024
8:00 AM until 11:00 AM
Matthews and Son Funeral Home
511 N. Cutting Ave.
Jennings, LA 70546

Service:
Friday, April 6, 2024
11:00 AM
Matthews and Son Funeral Home
511 N. Cutting Ave.
Jennings, LA 70546

Funeral information courtesy of Matthews and Son Funeral Home

To be updated…

Born: August 2, 2024
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, La., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. Rob enlisted in the United States Navy on August, 1998. He graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in November, 1998. Chief Reeves completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School, Coronado California in December, 1999. He served on two West Coast based Special Warfare Units from February, 2000 to April, 2004. He served in two East Coast based Special Warfare Units from February, 2004 to August, 2011. His awards include, the Bronze Star Medal with ‘V’ for valor (4), Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ for valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with “V” for valor, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation (2), Navy Good Conduct Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Expert Rifleman Medal, and Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal.

There is a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia that honors CPO Reeves - Sec K Site 265

To be updated…

Born: November 8, 2024 in Shreveport, Louisiana
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. He enlisted in the United States Navy in September 1996. After graduating Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois in December, 1996, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training in Coronado, California. Soon after graduating BUD/S in August, 1997, he attended Naval Recruit Officer Training Corps at the University of Texas until September, 2001. He then reported to Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command in Coronado, California for follow-on training and was then assigned to a West Coast based SEAL Team until April, 2008. He reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in May, 2008. His awards include, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” device for valor (2), Joint Service Commendation Medal with Combat “V” device for valor, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9937

To be updated…

Born: August 27, 2024
Died: July 9, 2024 in Logar, Afghanistan

Sgt. Christopher P. Soderlund of Pineville, La., died at age 23 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with rocket-propelled grenade fire. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La. He joined the United States Army in March 2006. After training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was stationed at Fort Irwin, California. He arrived at Fort Polk, Louisiana in November 2007. Soderlund deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from December 2007 to January 2009. He deployed with his unit in October 2010 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Burial is at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Ball, Louisiana

To be updated…

Born: August 1 1983 in Big Spring, Texas
Died: July 4, 2024 in Logar, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Michael J. Garcia of Bossier City, La., died at age 27 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 20th Support Command (CBRNE), Fort Polk, La. His awards include, the Bronze Star with a “V” for valor; three Purple Hearts, a NATO Medal, Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, an Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, and Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, a Combat Action Badge, a Senior EOD Badge, an EOD Badge and numerous other awards. He leaves his father, David Garcia, Jr., siblings, Cindy Elizardo, Debra, Richard Sr., Amanda and Jason Garcia, a son, Elijah Cade Pilcher, and two goddaughters, Selena Manzano and Brooklyn Gray.

To be updated…

Born: May 31, 2024
Died: June 26, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville of Harvey, La., died at age 33 as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device on the border of the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Daniel is a 1995 graduate of West Jefferson High School. He had been serving in the Air Force since 1997, joining the service to build a solid life for his family. He leaves his wife, LaShana, his children, Jadelynn, Ayjah-Danielle and Daniel, his parents, Gertrude and Rev. Joseph Hampton and Daniel Washington, and his siblings, Tyranique Mason, Dominique Evans, Monique Louper, Joseph Hampton and Marquice Videau.

Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Gretna, Louisiana

To be updated…

Born: April 1, 2024
Died: June 9, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Matthew T. Richard of Iota, Louisiana died at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He joined the Marine Corps in July 2008 and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan. He leaves his parents, Jeff and Alicia Ardoin Richard, a brother, Joshua Paul Richard, a sister, Laura Elyse Richard, brother-in-law, Bryce Thomas LeBlanc, his Love, Adrianna Marie Ponce.

Burial is at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Iota, Louisiana

To be updated…

Born: June 30, 2024
Died: April 2, 2024 in Babil, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Quadi S. Hudgins of New Orleans, La., attended Sarah T. Reed High School graduating in 2003. In June of that same year he joined the United States Army as a radio and communications security repairer and was assigned to the Maintenance Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, since June 2010. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2005 to September 2006. His awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbons, Air Assault Badge, and Basic Marksman Qualification Badge. He died at age 26 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their position with indirect fire in Babil, Iraq.
Army
Maintenance Troop
Regimental Support Squadron
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9614

To be updated…

Born: December 29, 2023
Died: January 5, 2024 in Afghanistan

Spc. Christian J. Romig of Kenner, Louisiana is a 2005 graduate of Grace King High School where he participated on the wrestling team. He joined the United States Army in May of 2008 arriving at Fort Campbell in November of 2009. His awards and decorations include, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Combat Action Badge. He died at age 24 of wounds suffered at Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device. He leaves his parents, Leamen M. Romig Sr. and Rebecca L. Romig.
Army
Cavalry Scout
Alpha Troop
1st Squadron
61st Cavalry
4th Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Hoffstadt Cemetery in Kentwood, Louisiana - Private Cemetery

To be updated…

Born December 3, 2024 in Shreveport, Louisiana
Died: November 9, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Dakota R. Huse of Greenwood, Louisiana is a 2009 graduate of Huntington High School in Shreveport where he participated on the wrestling team and played Soccer. He was also involved in the Student Council and the Science Club. He entered into the delayed entry program during high school for the Marines and was currently serving in Afghanistan for two months. He leaves his mother, Donna Huse, three sisters, Lesley, Samantha, and Sabrina, a brother, Dusty. He died at age 19 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Dakota was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Marines
2nd Battalion
9th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial information unavailable at this time. (A private family burial is slated for a later date)

To be updated…