Freedom Remembered

Born: April 19, 2024
Died: March 8, 2024 in Camden, Tennessee

Staff Sgt. Brian L. Smith II formerly of Hendersonville, Tn., currently of Bossier City, Louisiana, graduated from Family Christian Academy. Before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1999, he joined the Civil Air Patrol. Brian was stationed at Shaw AFB and Barksdale, LA. He proudly served our country in Korea, Kuwait, Guam and Iraq. Brian is preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Ivan Smith; grandmother, Lorraine Smith; grandfather, John L. Myers. Survived by wife, Jessica Smith of Bossier City, LA.; step-son,Liam Fox; step-daughter, Ava Sermon; father and mother, Brian Lee Smith ,Sr. and Kinney Myers Smith of Gallatin, TN.; brothers, Nicholas James Smith of Hendersonville, TN. and Nathan James (Nikki) Smith of White House, TN.; father in-law and mother in-law, Robert and Loretta Sermon of Benton, LA. Brian passed away March 8, 2024 in Camden, Tennessee, the victim of a traffic accident.

Visitation with the family
Tuesday, March 13th from 4-8 p.m. and
Wednesday the 14th from 10 a.m. until time of service

Funeral service with full military honors will be held;
Wednesday, March 14th, 2012 at 12 PM
Austin and Bell Funeral Home, White House Chapel with Pastor Timothy Abshire officiating.

Interment will follow at the
Middle Tennessee State’s Veteran Cemetery

The above information is from Brian’s obituary.

Sgt. 1st Class Dennis R. Murray, 38, of Red Broiling Springs, Tenn., died Nov. 21 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan. He is a 1991 graduate of Hermitage Springs School. Bucky joined the United States Army in September of 1991 arriving at Fort Riley in February 2011. He was on his first deployment to Afghanistan having been there since April and was serving as an armored crewmember. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

To be updated…

Born: May 8 1982
Died: October 8, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Capt. Joshua S. Lawrence, 29, of Nashville, Tenn., died Oct. 8, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade. He was assigned to the1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. He entered the Army in 2005 and joined the unit in May of 2011. Among his awards and decorations are, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Korea Defense Service Medal. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Forestlawn Cemetery in Goodlettsville

To be updated..

Born: April 6, 2024
Died: September 24, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Franklin N. Watson, 21, of Vonore, Tenn., died Sept. 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Company D, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Knoxville, Tenn. Frankie graduated from Sequoyah High School in 2008 where he was a proven leader on the football field. After graduation, Frankie worked as a deputy in the Monroe Co. Sheriffs Department and patrol officer for the Madisonville Police Department. He joined the Marines in July 2010.

Hiwassee Church of God Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: July 14, 2024
Died: May 12, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Kevin B. Balduf of Nashville, Tennessee died at age 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. he was assigned to 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is a 2002 graduate of David Lipscomb High School, where he participated on the football team as a guard and a linebacker. Anyone who knew Kevin realized that he was destined to serve in the military. The idea formed when he was still in elementary school. During his formative years he and his twin brother, watched military movies and Kevin would wear camo clothing, already showing his devotion. After serving an enlistment period, he took a two year hiatus, but returned in 2008 to the job he loved. He was currently serving his second tour to Afghanistan, and had also served a deployment to Iraq. Among his awards are, the the Bronze Star, awarded for bravery during his first deployment to Afghanistan.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9620

to be updated…

Written by: CMM

Born: August 13, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee
Died: April 27, 2024 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan

Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr of Knoxville, Tenn., died at age 37 at the Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from gunfire. He was assigned to the 56th Operations Group, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. In 1991 he graduated from Karns High School where he brought home the state trophy at 119 pounds. The win led to a congressional appointment to the Air Force Academy, where he served as captain of the wrestling team and most-valuable player. He received his silver wings in 1997. His awards and decorations include, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, one oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit with valor device and two oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Overseas Ribbon (short and long), the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Longevity Service, three oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Training Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Non-Article 5 NATO Medal and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9517

To be updated…

Born: December 22, 2024 in Havana, Cuba
Died: March 29, 2024 in Konar, Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class Ofren Arrechaga of Clarksville, Tennessee entered the Army in February of 2001 arriving at Fort Campbell in July of 2001. He was an Infantryman, assigned to Bravo Company. His awards and decorations include, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge. He died at age 28 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire in Konar province, Afghanistan. He leaves his wife, Seana, his son, Alston, his daughter Tristian, his parents, Roberto Alvarez, Sr and Marta Alvarez, a brother, Robert Alvarez, Jr and sister Claudia Arrechaga-Rodriguez.
Army
2nd Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, Kentucky - Sec 6 Site 0536

To be updated…

Born: September 28, 2024
Died: February 19, 2024 at Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany

Lance Cpl. Andrew P. Carpenter, 27, of Columbia, Tennessee graduated from Columbia Central High School in 2002. He enlisted in the United States Marines Corps in 2007 and was currently serving his second deployment in Afghanistan having been there since the fall of 2010. He was due back stateside in the spring of 2011. Andrew was married in 2010, and he and his wife were expecting a son to be born in a few weeks. 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 Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. He leaves his wife, Crissie, an unborn son, Landon, (who was born a month later on March 18, 2024), his parents, Kevin and Cindy Kikendall Carpenter, two sisters, Jamie King, and Katrina Kutzleb, among others. He died at age 27 of wounds he received on February 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
3rd Battalion
8th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbia, Tennessee

To be updated…

Born: July 5, 2024
Died: February 17, 2024 in Southwest Asia

Airman 1st Class Christoffer P. Johnson of Clarksville, Tennessee graduated from Clarksville High School in 2008. He died at age 20 due to a non-combat related incident in Southwest Asia. He leaves his parents, Marcus and Julee Johnson, and two siblings, Katelyn and Seth Johnson.
Air Force
423rd Security Forces Squadron
Royal Air Force Alconbury, England

Burial is at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida - Sec 605 Site 57

To be updated…

Born: August 19, 2024 in Clovis, New Mexico
Died: December 27, 2023 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Garrett A. Misener of Cordova, Tennessee is a Cordova High School graduate. Growing up, he was active at the Bellevue Baptist Church, where he played a stand-up bass. He also spent his early years in Sandy, Utah prior to moving to Memphis at about age eleven. Garrett had wanted to be a Marine practically his whole life. His grandfather, whom he admired, was a decorated veteran who served during three wars. Garrett was currently serving his fourth combat deployment, having previously served three tours of duty to Iraq. He first deployed to Iraq in February of 2005 through the following September. And again from July of 2006 through February of 2007. The last Iraq deployment was from September 2008 to April 2009. His latest deployment was in July 2010 to Afghanistan and he was expected to return stateside in about two months. He also served in Africa and one on a ship in the Caribbean. His awards include, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He died at age 25 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He leaves his mother and stepfather, Jannette and Dan Zaccagnino, his father and stepmother, Gary and Susan Misener, and two sisters, Jana and Anne Misener.
Marines
2nd Battalion
9th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Terrace Grove Cemetery in Belen, New Mexico

To be updated….