Freedom Remembered

Born: October 2, 2024
Died: January 12, 2024 in Ghazni, Afghanistan

Spc. Benjamin G. Moore of Robbinsville, N.J., died at age 23 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Ben joined the United States Army in April of 2009 and after completing training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, came to Fort Drum in September 2009. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the NATO Medal.

Burial is at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bordentown, New Jersey

To be updated…

Born: July 8, 2024 in Dover, New Jersey
Died: October 27, 2024 in Khwaja Kinti, Afghanistan

Sgt. Michael D. Kirspel Jr of Hopatcong, New Jersey is known as ‘Krispy’ to his friends. He is a 2006 graduate of Hopatcong High School. He also attended Sussex County Technical School where he specialized in welding. In July of 2006 he left for basic training in the United States Army. He arrived at Fort Drum in September of 2009. His previous duty assignments include Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Michael had previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October of 2007 through November of 2008. His awards and decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor device, three, Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, the Marksmanship Qualification Badge and the Driver Mechanic Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He was also a graduate of the Combat Lifesavers Course. Mike was looking forward to the end of his enlistment in March of 2010. He leaves his mother and stepfather, Dawn and Christopher T. Roberts, Sr., his father and stepmother, Michael D. Kirspel, Sr. and Josephine, his brother: Samuel J. C. Roberts, stepbrother, Christopher T. Roberts, Jr., stepsister, Carissa Incorvaia and stepbrother, Christopher Menendez. He died at age 23 near the village of Khwaja Kinti, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
Army
3rd Battalion
6th Field Artillery (Strike)
1st Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York

Burial is at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Dover, New Jersey

To be updated…

Born: April 2, 2024
Died: December 3, 2024 in Kirkuk, Iraq

Spc. David P. Mahlenbrock, 20, of Maple Shade, N.J.; assigned to the 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; killed Dec. 3 when an improvised explosive device detonated as he was clearing a route in Kirkuk, Iraq.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 8086

Born: December 24, 2023
Died: October 19, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Francisco R. Jackson of Elizabeth, New Jersey enlisted in the Marines in October 2009 and was serving his first combat deployment. His Awards and Decorations include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. He died at age 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
1st Battalion
11th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Rosehill Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: December 6, 2024 in Argentina
Died: September 21, 2024 in Zabul, Afghanistan

Petty Officer 3rd Class (SEAL) Denis C. Miranda of Toms River, New Jersey moved with his family to New Jersey in 1987. He was a 2003 graduate of Toms River High School East where he was a member of the school’s swim team. During his sophomore year in 2001, Denis was picked by the Asbury Park Press as a key newcomer to the team. In 2002, he was picked as a key returning swimmer. Denis did all he could to give back to his family and often reminded his two brothers of the sacrifices their parents had made for them. Denis entered the Navy the following September of 2003 and attended aviation technical training at NAS Pensacola, Florida. After technical school, he was assigned to Patrol Squadron 8 in Jacksonville, where he worked as a maintenance technician until November of 2006. He was accepted to BUD/S in early 2007, and after SEAL qualification training, he was assigned to an east coast SEAL team. Before becoming a SEAL in 2007, he served at Patrol Squadron 8 in Jacksonville, Fla. He also attended hospital corpsman “A” school before entering Naval Special Warfare. He leaves his parents, Patricia and Christian Miranda, his brothers, Alan and Kevin, his fiancé, Lacy Cromwell and his best friend Eugene Lewis III. He died in a helicopter crash at age 24 during combat operations in the Zabul province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Also killed in the crash were, Army Maj. Robert F. Baldwin, Army Sgt. Marvin R. Calhoun Jr., Lt. (SEAL) Brendan J. Looney, Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonah D. McClellan, Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) David B. McLendon, Army Staff Sgt. Joshua D. Powell, Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class (SEAL) Adam O. Smith, and Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew G. Wagstaff.
Navy SEAL
East Coast-based SEAL Team

Burial is at Ocean County Memorial Park in Toms River, New Jersey

To be updated…

Born: April 23, 2024 in Yauco, Puerto Rico
Died: August 22, 2024 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan

Spc. Pedro A. Millet Meletiche of Elizabeth, New Jersey graduated in 2008 from Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy, a campus of Elizabeth High School. While there, he played on the baseball team and was a standout student. He enlisted in the Army shortly after graduation to pay for college and a better future. He had been deployed to Afghanistan for less than a month. He died at age 20 at Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
Army
1st Battalion
66th Armor Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
4th Infantry Division
Fort Carson, Colorado

Rosedale Mausoleum in Linden

To be updated…

Born: January 5, 2024
Died: August 15, 2024 in Ba Qubah, Iraq

Sgt. Jamal M. Rhett, 24, of Palmyra, New Jersey spent his early years in Philadelphia before moving to New Jersey at age eleven. He graduated in 2003 from Burlington County Institute of Technology and enrolled in Bloomfield College. After attending one year of college, he joined the United States Army to earn money to continue his education. Jamal was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq serving as a combat medic, and hoped to work in the medical field one day. Jamal was respectful and maintained a positive attitude throughout his life. He leaves his mother, Michelle Watson among others. He died at age 24 in Ba Qubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with grenades. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He leaves his mother, Michelle Watson, his father, Thornell Rhett, and his two siblings, Tonya, Jason, and Tamisha.
Army
1st Battalion
21st Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
25th Infantry Division
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

Burial is at Chelten Hills Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Born: August 16, 2024
Died: November 27, 2024 in AR Ramadi, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Michael A. Schwarz of Carlstadt, New Jersey graduated from Becton Regional High School in 2004. Along with his brother, Michael served in the borough’s volunteer fire department. Their father, headed the department for years. As a young child, he spoke often of enlisting in the Marine Corps, and his resolve only strengthened as he grew older. The events of 9-11 reinforced his determination. In high school history class, he showed interest in this country’s military history. Only his passion for off-road driving could rival his desire to join the Marines. He would hop in his customized Jeep and head to the Meadowlands or to Pennsylvania with his older brother and a group of friends for adventures that often ended with busted parts. He spent a great deal of time working on the Jeep, but fortunately he was good at it, following in the footsteps of his father and brother, both auto mechanics. Mike was a free spirited young man who understood the dangers of being in the Marine Corps and accepted it. He died at age 20 from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.
Marines
1st Battalion
6th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey

Born: December 18, 2024 in Pennsylvania
Died: July 1, 2024 in Camp Bucca, Iraq

Airman 1st Class Carl J. Ware of Glassboro, New Jersey is the son of Carl and Rose Ware. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in February of 2004 as a member of the Security Forces. Carl loved the military. He had achieved his dreams, had a wife, an adored daughter and a long-sought position in Air Force security work. He loved being a father more than anything and he aspired to be a cop since high school. He was a great son and a great brother. He loved playing golf and volunteering at base functions and was especially a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Christine, his daughter, Caitlyn, his parents, Carl and Rose Ware and a sister, Angela. He died at age 24 of a non-combat-related cause at Camp Bucca, Iraq.
Air Force
15th Security Forces Squadron
Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii

Burial is at Manahath Cemetery in Glassboro, New Jersey

Born: September 25, 2024 in Morocco
Died: June 14, 2024 in Kirkuk, Iraq

Spc. Farid Elazzouzi, of Paterson, New Jersey came to the United States in March of 2005 after winning a visa. He quickly took up residence in South Paterson and lived with roommates from Morocco. He briefly worked at a restaurant, but almost immediately joined the Army after arriving. He hoped the military could provide more money, aid his English, and capitalize on his physical strength. He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2005, completing his basic training at Fort Jackson and he deployed to Iraq in July of 2006. Four months prior, he applied to become a naturalized citizen. On July 4, immigration officials were set to hand Army Spec. Farid Elazzouzi a certificate of citizenship with his photograph attached. Farid was killed in Iraq weeks before the scheduled ceremony. He died at age 26 in Kirkuk, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Sgt. Derek T. Roberts and Spc. Val J. Borm. Immigration officials awarded Farid posthumous citizenship, a naturalization process open to immigrants killed during military duty.
Army
2nd Battalion
35th Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Infantry Combat Team
25th Infantry Division
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

Buried in Moracco