Freedom Remembered

Spc. Brian Tabada, 21, of Las Vegas, Nev., died Feb. 27, in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire and a rocket propelled grenade. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Brian joined the United States Army in August of 2008 arriving at Fort Campbell in January of 2009. He served as a fire support specialist. His awards and decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge. He leaves his father, Muncko Kruize and Leinette Mahan.

Palm Memorial Park Cemetery Northwest in Las Vegas, Nevada

To be updated…

Born: October 8, 2024
Died: August 21, 2024 in Al Karmah, Iraq

2nd Lt. James J. Cathey of Reno, Nevada was killed at age 24 by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Al Karmah, Iraq. He leaves his wife, Katherine and an unborn son, his father, Jeff, his mother Caroline, a sister, Joyce, daughter, Casey.
Marines
2nd Battalion
2nd Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada - Sec 4F Site 182

To be updated…

Born: January 29, 2024 in Placer County, California
Died: May 19, 2024 in Baghdad, Iraq

Pfc Alejandro R. Varela of Fernley, Nevada was born in Roseville and grew up in the Orangevale area of Sacramento County. Known best as, Alex, he attended San Juan High School and Casa Robles High School before moving to Fernley, Nevada to live with his father. He was known to friends and family as Alex. He was sent to Iraq in October of 2006 and had come home for two weeks in January of 2007 to celebrate his 19th birthday. He leaves his parents Rinda and Roger, a sister Jennifer, and a brother Roger, stepbrother Shane Pope, and stepsister Kirsten Bendure. He died at age 19 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Christopher Moore, Sgt. Jean P. Medlin, Spc. David W. Behrle, Spc. Joseph A. Gilmore and Pfc. Travis F. Haslip.
Army
1st Battalion
5th Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks, California. There is also a memorial bench in his honor was placed on the grounds at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Born: June 15, 2024
Died: May 19, 2024 in San Diego, California

Naval Air Crewman 3rd Class Sean M. Ward of Lovelock, Nevada attended elementary school in Fallon before the family relocated to Lovelock. He then attended Pershing County High School where he played baseball, basketball and football in high school and was named MVP. He was also in the national honor society and served in student leadership groups. Sean comes from a long line of servicemen in his family. His dad, Mike, served in the army and has helped other families cope with loss. Sean was aboard the HH-60 Seahawk helicopter that plunged into the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. The crew was part of the HS-6 anti-submarine squadron, based in San Diego and operating from the USS Nimitz. Sean was 20.

Burial is at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada - Sec 4F Site 387

Born: July 10, 2024 in Washoe, Nevada
Died: October 11, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Frank R. Zaehringer III of Reno, Nevada enlisted in the United States Marine Corp two years after graduating from Wooster High School in 2005. He was currently serving his second tour of duty which began in August of 2010. Frank had wanted to join since about the age of sixteen. He leaves his wife, Cassie, his parents, Frank and Sharon Zaehringer, and a sister, Nicole. He died at age 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
2nd Battalion
9th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

To be updated…

Birth: August 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Death: August 9, 2024 in Southern Ramadi, Iraq

Spc. Ignacio Ramirez of Henderson, Nevada was known to most as Nacho and attended Basic High School where he played defense and returned punts for the football team. Growing up he played on the Henderson Little League team, playing third base, the outfield and was on the All-Star team. Nacho was a happy person who lived life to the fullest. He was very active and loved sports from baseball to bungee jumping. He joined the Army to better his life and help his country. Everywhere he went he made friends, and if you knew him, you would know that if you were down he could always find a way to cheer you up. If you needed an ear to listen he would be there. He was not quick to judge others and he was honest man who put others before himself. He leaves his parents, Marina and Robert Vance, and siblings, Ofelia Espinoza, Sidney Jimenez, Ivan and Jasmine Ramirez, and James and Tia Vance. He was killed at age 22 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. Also killed were 1st. Sgt. Aaron D. Jagger and Spc. Shane W. Woods. Ignacio was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge, and the Honor of the Dragon, a unique award given to chemical specialists.
Army
1st Battalion
37th Armor Regiment
1st Armored Division
Friedberg, Germany

Burial is at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada - Sec R Site 1204

Born: August 21, 2024 in Orange County, California
Died: December 6, 2024 in Bayji, Iraq

Pfc. Thomas C. Siekert of Lovelock, Nevada was a 2004 graduate of Pershing County High School where he participated on the school’s track team. Everyone who knew him said he was a pleasure to be around and could be seen as a child riding his bicycle with a pizza box in his hand and a big smile on his face. Thomas entered the Army in February of 2005 and arrived at Fort Campbell in June of 2005. He is survived by his mother, Margaret William, and his father, Curtis Siekert. He died at age 20 from non-combat related injuries in Bayji, Iraq.
Army
Company A
1st Battalion
187th Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
3rd Brigade Combat Team
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Big Meadow Cemetery in Lovelock, Nevada

Born: August 20, 2024
Died: March 23, 2024 in An Nasiriyah, Iraq

1st Lt. Frederick E. Pokorney Jr of Tonopah, Nevada graduated from Tonopah High School in 1989. Fred played on the varsity basketball and football teams at school, and the basketball team made the state finals both years that the shy 6 and a half foot center played. Growing up, he learned to work hard and fend for himself. He had moved with his father and stepmother his junior year of school. When his father moved away to another job, Fred stayed to complete school. He lived with several families during this time, and proved to be a hard worker and independent. He worked most any job he could to earn money, holding positions in construction, and working as a waiter, a dishwasher and a cook. He enlisted in the Marines and enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Oregon State University in 1997 to become an officer. He played on a basketball team for U.S. Navy reservists. He majored in anthropology and graduated in 2001. Fred leaves his wife, Rochelle, a daughter, Taylor, a brother and a sister. He was killed at age 31 in action near Nasiriyah, Iraq. Fred was Nevada’s first known casualty in the war with Iraq.
Marines
Headquarters Battery
1st Battalion
10th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 7861

Born: September 21, 2024 in Evanston, Illinois
Died: June 30, 2024 in Tangi Valley, Afghanistan

Spc. Matthew R. Hennigan of Las Vegas, Nevada is a graduate of Silverado High School where he specialized in wrestling and lettered four years, making the varsity team as a freshman. In his senior year in the Sunrise Region tournament, he won third place in the 189-pound weight class with four wins and one loss. A a young boy, he played catcher in Little League baseball. Matt was eager to enlist in the military and had been asking his parents permission since he was about 16. After graduation, he was able to persuade them to consent. Matthew loved the Army life and was extremely proud to be wearing the uniform. His Awards and Decorations include, the Purple Heart medal, Army Achievement medal, Army Good Conduct medal, National Defense Service medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, Army Service ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon, NATO medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. He leaves his father, Joseph Hennigan, mother, Suzanne Hennigan and three brothers, James, Joseph, and Edward Hennigan. He died at age 20 at Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered earlier in Tangi Valley, Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked his unit with machine gun fire.
Army
173rd Special Troops Battalion
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
Bamberg, Germany

Burial is at Palm Memorial Park in Las Vegas, Nevada

Born: October 21, 2024 in Reno, Nevada
Died: September 25, 2024 in Deh Chopan, Afghanistan

Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart of Fernley, Nevada is the son of Steve and Sandy Stewart. He attended Wooster High School and graduated from Washoe High School, enlisting in the United States Army soon after in 1989. His military career spanned eleven years through active duty in the Army, the Army Reserve and Guard, serving in Operation Desert Storm, Kuwait, and in Korea and Afghanistan. Pat enjoyed the outdoors, particularly hunting or fishing and even rock hunting. He was united in marriage to Roberta in November of 2003. His Awards and Decorations include, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), the Nevada Distinguished Service Medal, the Nevada National Guard Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Senior Crewman Badge, the Expert Rifle Badge, and the Expert Pistol Badge. He was awarded the Air Medal, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, posthumously. In addition to his parents, Pat leaves his wife, Roberta, a son, Raymond Stewart, and a stepdaughter, Alexandria and his brother, Jason. He died at age 35 in combat in Afghanistan when his Chinook helicopter was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade. The CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan.
Army
National Guard
113th Aviation Regiment
Stead, Nevada

His ashes were scattered over his and his wife’s handfasting site in the Virginia highlands.
A memorial marker is in place at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada - Sec Wall Site 7676.
He also has a memorial marker in place at Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wisconsin - Veterans Ridge 1 South