Freedom Remembered

Born: March 1, 2024 in Bagley, Minnesota
Died: August 14, 2024 in Paktika, Afghanistan

Sgt. Matthew A. Harmon of Bagley, Minnesota died at age 29 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, while conducting vehicle recovery operations, and encountered a secondary explosion while dismounted. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade Grafenwoehr, Germany. Matthew is a 2000 graduate of Fosston High School. He joined the Army in March 2005, and trained at Fort Jackson, S.C. before serving in Germany from September 2005 through July 2011, when he arrived in Paktika province, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense. His awards and decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Service Medal with one combat star, Iraqi Campaign Service Medal with three combat stars, Naval Unit Citation, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal with two knots, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 4, Driver and Mechanic Badge, and the Combat Action Badge. He posthumously received the purple Heart, and the Bronze Star Medal. He previously served two tours in Iraq before his recent deployment to Afghanistan.

Burial is at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Lengby, Minnesota

To be updated…

Born: October 31, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minn., 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, 1999. After graduating Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois, he attended his initial service school training at Great Lakes Illinois until November, 1999. He then attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at Coronado, California in April, 2000. Upon completion of BUD/S, he reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in July, 2001. His awards include, the Bronze Star Medal with ‘V’ device for valor (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ device for valor, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon (2), Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (3), Iraq Campaign Medal (3), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Rifle Marksmanship Medal and the Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota - Sec 18 Site 1382

To be updated…

Born: October 19, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar of Saint Paul, Minnesota enlisted in the United States Navy in 2007. He became a SEAL in 2008 and was a member of the West Coast SEAL team, according to the Navy. Among his awards are, The Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal. He died at age 24 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed.
Navy SEAL
West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit

Burial is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota - Sec N Site 4821

To be updated…

Born: April 1, 2024
Died: July 12, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Robert S. Greniger of Greenfield, Minnesota died at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is a graduate of Rockford High School. He joined the Marine Corps in November of 2009 and was deployed in March 2011.

Burial is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota - Sec 7 Site 8

To be updated…

Born: August 11, 2024
Died: June 30, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Chad D. Frokjer of Maplewood, Minnesota is a 2002 graduate of North High School. He joined the Marines in the fall of the following year and served two tours in Iraq. He was deployed to Afghanistan on March 27 2011. Chad was married in November of 2010 and the couple learned in January that they were expecting a baby, due to arrive in September 2011. He leaves his wife, Leslie, and their unborn son, Eli, his parents, Brian and Arlene, and a sister, Nichole. He died at age 27 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
1st Battalion
5th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Saint Marys Cemetery in North Saint Paul, Minnesota

To be updated…

Born: May 11, 2024 in Texas
Died: June 6, 2024 in Baghdad, Iraq

Spc. Emilio J. Campo Jr., of Madelia, Minnesota is a 2009 graduate of Madelia High School. He joined the Army in July 2009 and served as a combat medic. He died at age 20 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire. Also killed were Army Pfc. Michael C. Olivieri of Chicago, Ill.; Pfc. Michael B. Cook of Middletown, Ohio; and Spc Christopher B. Fishbeck of Victorville, Calif.
Army
1st Battalion
7th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas

Burial is at Calvary Cemetery in Madelia, Minnesota

To be updated…

Born: December 1, 2024 in Ramsey County, Minnesota
Died: April 16, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Spc. Joseph A. Kennedy of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota died at age 25 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky. Joseph is a 2004 graduate of Simley High School where he wrestled junior varsity for two years in the 135-140 pound weight class. He joined the Army in 2009 and deployed overseas in January 2011. His awards include, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart.

Burial is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota - Sec 30 Site 2680

To be updated…

Born: May 7, 2024 in Minnesota
Died: February 27, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Cpl. Andrew C. Wilfahrt of Rosemount, Minnesota is a 1997 graduate from Rosemount High School. Andy enlisted in the United States Army in January of 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in July of 2010. He died at age 31 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
Army
504th Military Police Battalion
8th Military Police Brigade
8th Theater Sustainment Command
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

Burial is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota - Sec 27 Site 1133

To be updated…

Born: January 11, 2024 in La Crosse, Wisconsin
Died: December 16, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Sean A. Osterman of Princeton, Minnesota graduated from Technical High School in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 2007 and set out to begin his military training. Sean joined the United States Marine Corps in July of 2007 and was promoted to corporal in January of 2009. His awards include, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan campaign medal, Global War on Terrorism service medal and the NATO International Security Assistance Force medal. He was currently serving his second deployment in Afghanistan where his unit had been for just a few weeks. He died at age 21 from wounds received Dec.14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He leaves his father, Retired Marine Reserve Col. Anthony Osterman, his mother, Kelly Hugo, and four siblings, Katie, Olya, Elijah and Sarah.
Marines
2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9504

To be updated…

Born: July 13, 2024 in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota
Died: October 4, 2024 in Shekhabad, Afghanistan

Pfc. Ryane G. Clark of New London, Minnesota died at age 22 in Shekhabad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. He was assigned to the 27th Combat Engineer Battalion (Airborne), 20th Combat Engineer Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C. Ryane became an Eagle Scout at age 15 with Troop 228. Ryane was a 2007 graduate of New London Spicer High School, where he was a wrestler. He then studied law enforcement at Alexandria Technical and Community College. He expressed a desire to serve in the military since the age of five. He started out with the National Guard before being activated to the Army in 2009. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge. On October 9th, 2010, Ryane’s hometown honored him at a New London-Spicer football game. A large flag was flown at half mast, the legion honor guard was on hand, and a moment of silence was given before the game.

Green Lake Lutheran Cemetery in Spicer, Minnesota

To be updated…