Freedom Remembered

Born: February 25, 2024
Died: October 1, 2024 in Zabul, Afghanistan

Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson of Omaha, Nebraska died at age 26 after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while conducting a combat patrol in Zabul province, Afghanistan. Nelson was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, Norfolk, Va. He entered the Navy in the engineering career field and graduated boot camp on October 11, 2005. He then attended service school training at Great Lakes, Ill and was rated as a Machinist’s Mate. After graduating from Navy technical training, Nelson was accepted to attend Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training in Coronado, Calif. He graduated SEAL Qualification Training with Class 260 in November 2006. In December 2006, he reported to his East Coast based Naval Special Warfare Unit where he served until his death in 2011. PO Nelson was a highly decorated and seasoned combat veteran. In 2009 he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In March 2011, Petty Officer Nelson deployed again to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Sea Service Ribbon (2 awards), NATO Service Medal, Expert Rifle ribbon, and Expert Pistol ribbon.

Burial is at Voss Mohr Cemetery in Chalco, Nebraska

To be updated…

Born: October 28, 2024 in Hastings, Nebraska
Died: August 7, 2024 in Helmand province, Afghanistan

Sgt. Joshua J. Robinson, 29, of Omaha, Neb., died Aug. 7 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Marines were assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Also killed was Marine Sgt. Adan Gonzales Jr. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, Dec. 1, 2003 and deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. His personal service awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment with Four Bronze Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and NATO Medal ISAF-Afghanistan. Sgt Robinson was also the recipient of the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon.

Parkview Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: December 29, 2023
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara of South Sioux City, Neb., died at age 26 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. Johnny enlisted in the United States Navy in February, 2003. After graduating Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in April, 2003, he reported to his initial service school training at Norfolk, Virginia. Upon completion of his initial training, he reported to Naval Air Station Sigonella Security Detachment, Sicily in June, 2003. In August, 2006, he reported to Public/Ordnance Safety Security Force, New London, Groton, Connecticut. He then reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in January, 2008. His awards include, the Bronze Star with “V” device, Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and the Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9926

To be updated…

Born: May 25, 2024 in Sioux City, Iowa
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb., was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Neb. He died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. Patrick graduated in 1999 from Lincoln Southeast High School. Pat leaves his girls, Candie Reagan, Veronica Reagan and Payton Hamburger, his mother and stepfather, Joyce and DeLayne Peck, his father and stepmother, Douglas and Shaune Hamburger, two brothers, Michael and Christopher Hamburger, his grandparents, Willard and Jacque Hamburger, and three stepsiblings, Jessica Francis, Jeremy Francis and Joshua Francis. He was posthumously promoted to Staff Sgt.

Wyuka Cemetery

to be updated…

Born: August 22, 2024 in Norfolk Nebraska
Died: May 14, 2024 in Omaha Nebraska

Sgt. Robert C. Schlote of Norfolk, Nebraska graduated from Norfolk Senior High School in 2003. In 2002 he enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard and volunteered for four tours of duty beginning in 2004 with his first deployment and is last beginning in January of 2011. He leaves his wife, Tiffany, his daughter, Blair, his parents, Roger and DeAnne Schlote, four brothers, Bill Schlote who is currently serving with the Nebraska National Guard in Afghanistan, Brad Schlote, Justin Schlote and Josh Schlote, a sister Jennifer Schlote of Norfolk, and his best friend Will Duncan among others. He died at age 26 in Omaha, Nebraska from a non-combat related medical illness.
Army
National Guard
195th Forward Support Company
Nebraska Army National Guard
Omaha, Nebraska

Burial is at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk, Nebraska

To be updated…

Born: April 7, 2024
Died: April 19, 2024

Petty Officer 3rd Class Micah A Hill, 27, of Ralston, Nebraska enlisted on the United States Navy in June of 2004. After graduating recruit training at Great Lakes, Illinois he attended Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut. He later served on the ballistic submarine West Virginia and the carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower. He reported to the Enterprise in November of 2009. He died at age 27 as a result of a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the USS Enterprise as a machinist’s mate. At the time, Enterprise was deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting operations in support of Operation New Dawn.

Burial is at Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park in Omaha, Nebraska

To be updated…

Born: November 15, 2024
Died: April 16, 2024 in Nangarhar, Afghanistan

Spc. Joseph B. Cemper Warrensburg, Missouri formerly of Papillion, Nebraska died at age 21 at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an Afghan National Army soldier attacked with multiple grenades. He was assigned to the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky. He joined the Army in September 2009, arriving at Fort Campbell in February 2010. His awards and decorations include, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Burial is at Cedardale Cemetery in Papillion, Nebraska

To be updated…

Born: October 15, 2024
Died: August 30, 2024 in Malajat, Afghanistan

1st Lt. Mark A. Noziska of Papillon, Nebraska is a 2004 graduate of Papillion La Vista High School and went on to attend Creighton University before completing a criminal justice degree in 2008 from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The youngest of three children, he wanted to join the Army following the events of September 11th while he was still a sophomore in high school. He ultimately joined the National Guard after high school and signed up for active duty with the Army after college. While in the National Guard, he was named the 2005 Soldier of the Year. Mark’s ultimate goal was to be an FBI agent. He was a dedicated soldier who loved serving in the Army. His other passions were football, water sports, boating and playing basketball with his friends and the Cornhuskers. Mark is the son of Dee and Bill Noziska. He died at age 24 in Malajat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Army
1st Battalion
22nd Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
4th Infantry Division
Fort Carson, Colorado

Burial is at West Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Grande Island, Nebraska

Born: February 14, 2024 in Philippines
Died: June 14, 2024 in Iraq

Spc. Val John Borm of Sidney, Nebraska attended school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The family moved to Sidney in 2000 and John graduated from Sidney High School with the Class of 2005. He enlisted in the Army in August of that same year. He was deployed to Iraq in September of 2006, and was most recently assigned as a Gunner on a Humvee. He liked to play computer games in his free time, and was also an avid paintball competitor. John was the son of Larry Gene and Lolita Alvarez Gonzaga Borm. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers Ernest Borm and Anastacio Gonzaga. He died at age 21 while serving in the Army in Kirkuk, Iraq. Also killed were Sgt. Derek T. Roberts and Spc. Farid Elazzouzi.
Army
B Company
2nd Battalion
35th Infantry
Fort Shafter, Hawaii

Burial is at Pleasantview Cemetery in Lodgepole, Nebraska

Born: April 14, 2024 in Burlington, Colorado
Died: July 11, 2024 in Samarra, Iraq

Master Sgt Linda A. Tarango-Griess of Sutton, Nebraska grew up in North Platte the daughter of Agustin and Juanita Medrano Tarango. She was a member of the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department and was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She graduated in 1989 from Kearney Senior High before attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she earned her degree in criminal justice in 1994. Linda enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard in May 1990. After graduating from UNK, she worked at the Youth Development Center in Geneva for a couple years. Linda married Douglas L. Griess at the Prince of Peace Church in Kearney on April 16, 1994. For the past few years she has been employed full time in the National Guard. Her unit was called up for duty in November 2003 and was deployed to Iraq in February 2004. She was looking forward to coming home on leave in just two weeks. In addition to her parents, she also leaves her husband, Doug, a sister, Vicky Tarango-Smith and a brother Agustin Tarango Jr. Linda was killed at age 33 when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle in Samarra, Iraq.
Army
National Guard
267th Ordnance Company
Lincoln, Nebraska

Burial is at Sutton Cemetery in Sutton, Nebraska