Born: February 23, 2024
Died: November 23, 2024 in Afghanistan
Cpl. Nathan J. Goodiron of Mandaree, North Dakota attended Mandaree High School where he played basketball and was a smart, unselfish team player. He attended Minot State University and planned to go back after his military stint to finish his degree. He was an easygoing man who quickly made friends and had a desire to serve his country. He died at age 25 of injuries sustained when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire and rocket propelled grenades in Qarabagh, Afghanistan. Nathan leaves behind a wife, Eileen, stepchildren and toddler son, and a brother, his mother, Harriet and his father, Paul.
Army
National Guard
1st Battalion,
188th Air Defense Artillery
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Burial is at Goodiron Family Cemetery in Mandaree, North Dakota
To be updated…
Born: January 31, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin
Died: June 6, 2024 in Nangarhar, Afghanistan
Travis moved to Bismarck, North Dakota in 1997. He attended Hughes Elementary and graduated from Century High School in 2003. Travis joined the North Dakota National Guard in February 2002. His biggest reason for joining the guards was to serve his country because he was an American and also so his brothers and the young men could live a free life. He attended basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky in the summer of 2002 and AIT in summer of 2003 at Fort Bliss, Texas. He attended Bismarck State College and Minot State University in Business Management and Info Systems until his deployment in 2005. Travis worked at Menards through his high school years, after graduating he worked at Coventry Health Care. Travis received an internship from M.D.U. resources in 2005, and worked in the computer services group until his deployment in 2005. Travis enjoyed each day in his life and had a smile that would brighten each and every day. He loved people and tried to achieve all his goals to the fullest of his ability. He was proud to serve in the North Dakota National Guard and proud to be serving his country. He also enjoyed hunting pheasants with his stepfather and uncles. He went on a big game hunt with his Grandpa Haney in November of 2005, he also loved sports every Sunday. His friends and family gathered for Sunday football, that was a given. In the morning before work or during lunch you could always find him watching ESPN Sport Center. Travis and Keisia spent two and a half wonderful years together. Travis was planning on getting engaged to Keisia in November of 2006, and planning to be married in September of 2008. Travis dearly loved his family, fiancee and friends. He will be deeply missed by his parents, brothers, fiancee, family, friends and also by his guard family currently serving in Afghanistan. Sgt. Van Zoest’s official military burial took place on June 17, 2006, in North Dakota. A local memorial service was held on July 25, 2024 at Roselawn Memorial Park where he was honored at the Veterans Wall of Honor.