Freedom Remembered

Born: August 18, 2024 in East Ridge, Tennessee
Died: November 14, 2024 in Kunar province, Afghanistan

Spc. Nathan E. Lillard of Knoxville, Tennessee grew up in McMinn County and graduated in 2003 from Lenoir City High School. He had aspirations of serving in the military throughout high school. At one point the respectful and soft-spoken Nathan lived in Knoxville where he worked at Modern Supply Company prior to beginning a second stint in the Army. Nate joined the Army in November of 2006 arriving at Fort Campbell in August of 2009. His Awards and Decorations include, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. He leaves his mother, Helen Hyatt, and his stepfather, Edward C. Hyatt. He died at age 26 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Army
Alpha Company
1st Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

McMinn Memory Gardens in Athens, Tennessee

To be updated…

Born: October 12, 2024 in Gastonia, North Carolina
Died: June 17, 2024 in Qaim, Iraq

Master Sgt. Michael L. McNulty of Knoxville, Tennessee graduated from Larkin High School in Elgin, Illinois in 1986. Michael enlisted in the United States Army upon graduation from Larkin High School in Elgin, Ill., in 1986. After completion of initial entry training, he was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, Fort Lewis, Washinton. After a brief separation of service, he reenlisted April 1994. McNulty then served with the 327th Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky. and later served with the 27th Infantry Regiment and 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as a rifle squad leader, an instructor, and a reconnaissance squad leader. His awards and decorations included the three Bronze Star Medals, one with Valor Device, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, five Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Military Freefall Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Ranger Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, and the Purple Heart. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of master sergeant. He leaves his wife, Paula, four children, Cyle, Eric, Katie and Rebecca, his parents Davis and Ann Marie McNulty. He was killed at age 36 while conducting combat operations in Qaim, Iraq.
Army
Headquarters
Army Special Operations Command
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 8194

Born: January 22, 2024
Died: October 23, 2024 in Al Anbar, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Richard A. Buerstetta of Franklin, Tennessee is a 2004 graduate of Franklin High School who was a leader with a positive influence on others. He was an energetic and athletic young man who was affected profoundly by the events of September 11th. Even as a young teenager, he knew he wanted to serve in the military. After joining the Marine Forces Reserve, he was a student at Middle Tennessee State University when he was called to active duty. He was killed at age 20 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Tyler R. Overstreet. He leaves his parents, Madeline and Paul Buerstetta, a brother, a sister and his fiancée. A bridge in Williamson County on Highway 96 and Highway 100 in Fairview now bears the name of Cpl. Richard Buerstetta in his memory.
Marines
Forces Reserve
3rd Battalion
24th Marine Regiment
4th Marine Division
Nashville, Tennessee

Burial is at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee - Sec JJ Row 16 Site 31

Born: October 20, 2024
Died:August 28, 2010 in Babur, Afghanistan

Sgt. Patrick K. Durham of Chattanooga, Tennessee entered the Army in August 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell January 2007. His awards and decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal and Weapons Qualification: M4 rifle (expert). He was currently serving his second tour of duty, and was scheduled to come home in December of 2010. Patrick is the son of the late Tammy F. Henderson and Sammy K. Durham. He grew up in the Suck Creek area with his grandparents and his uncle Danny. He leaves his wife, Kristy, two sons, Elijah and Jordan, a daughter, Cheyenne, his father, Sammy, a brother, Sgt Brandon L. Durham, and three sisters, Nikki, Samara and Kristi. He died at age 24 in Babur, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.
Army
1st Battalion
320th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Francis Cemetery near Signal Mountain, Tennessee

To be updated…

Born: October 28, 2024 Tennessee
Died: August 8, 2024 in Germany

Cpl. Kristopher D. Greer of Ashland City, Tennessee best known as ‘Daniel’ is the oldest of three children and graduated from Harpeth High School. As a Marine reservist he deployed to Afghanistan in early 2010. He joined the Ashland City fire department as a volunteer in March 2005 and became a full-time employee two years later. He served as a firefighter and EMT. He joined the Pegram Volunteer Fire Department in July 2001 and volunteered there for four years before transferring to Ashland City. Daniel always wanted to be a firefighter and was also passionate about his desire to serve his country. He joined the Marine Corps on April 3, 2006. He was serving his first deployment, and the unit was part of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. His Awards and Decorations include, the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He leaves his wife, Stacy, a son, Ethan, his mother, Gina Foster Breeden, his father and stepmother, Kris Greer and Mary Jo, a brother, Army Spc. Dylan Greer and a sister, Mikaela. Dan died at age 25 of wounds received Aug. 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marine
Forces Reserve
4th Combat Engineering Battalion
4th Marine Division
Knoxville, Tennessee

Burial is at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee - Sec JJ Row 16 Site 30

Born: August 13, 2024 in Boyd County, Kentucky
Died: March 15, 2024 in Baghdad, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Terry W. Prater of Speedwell, Tennessee grew up in Speedwell near the Claiborne-Campbell county line and graduated in 1999 from Powell Valley High School. He worked in area coal mines before joining the Army and planned to make the military his career. As a Staff Sgt, he was serving his second deployment, having been in Iraq since October of 2006. Although he was scared to death, he didn’t want to show it, and he even loved being on the front lines of the war. In 2004, he received a Purple Heart and Silver Star for shoving a soldier out of the way when someone threw grenades at them. Terry was injured in the attack. However, he returned to Iraq after recovering from his injuries, including losing part of his jaw bone and having shrapnel embedded in various places on his body. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Centex Bass Hunters. Terry was a loving husband and father and loved fishing and also hunted deer and turkey. Terry leaves his wife, Amy, and two children, Bryson and Madisen, his mother and stepfather, Cheryl and Bruce Hurley, his father and stepmother, Terry D Prater and Elizabeth Prater and two brothers, Shane Prater and Ilas Hurley. He died at age 25 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations. Also killed were Army Staff Sgt. Blake M. Harris, Army Sgt. Emerson N. Brand and Army Pfc. James L. Arnold.
Army
1st Squadron
8th Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Ashes scattered on Lake Norris where he loved to fish.

Born: August 10, 2024 in Mineola, New York
Died: August 8, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Pfc. Vincent E. Gammone III of Christiana, Tennessee is a 2008 graduate of Eagleville High School where he played trombone in the band and participated in JROTC. He also participated in the Raider Rifle Team and the Drill/Color Guard. He enlisted in the United States Marines in 2008 with plans to fulfill that commitment and then to join the Navy. His longterm goal was to become a police officer. Vince was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. He died at age 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan after a prisoner being transported by Marines attempted to escape. He leaves his parents, Vincent and Lorraine Gammone, his grandmother, Ellie Gammone, and his fiancee, Jessica West among others. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.
Marines
1st Battalion
2nd Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

To be updated…

Born: December 8, 2024 in Utah
Died: June 7, 2024 in Balad, Iraq

Senior Airman William N. Newman of Kingston Springs, Tennessee graduated in 2002 from Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah. After graduation, William left the Mountain West for the east, opting to live with his father in Tennessee. It was there in 2003 that he decided to enter the Air Force Academy. He was a yell leader there and enjoyed break dancing. He was a quiet, obedient child with an infectious smile, who calmly weathered a turbulent family situation without expressing any bitterness. He had hoped to be back in the islands by the end of this month to celebrate his second wedding anniversary in August and take a promotion exam. His widow, Soyong, had bought new clothes for her husband, whom everyone called ‘Willie,’ and had planned a special trip to Mauifor the celebration. Willie was passionate about break dancing, sketching and reading and was considering a career in medicine. He died at age 23 south of Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. The EOD facility located on Hickam Air Force Base was dedicated and named in his honor one year after his death.
Air Force
Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team
15th Civil Engineer Squadron
Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii

Burial is at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee - Sec JJ Row 13 Site 22

Born: January, 17, 1989 in San Diego, California
Died: July 30, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Spc. Michael L. Stansbery of Mount Juliet, Tennessee attended Wilson Central High School where he was on the wrestling team and a participated in the Jr ROTC, graduating in 2007. Michael entered the Army in September of 2007, arriving at Fort Campbell in April of 2010. He served as a Technical Data System Specialist. His Awards and Decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert. He leaves his parents, Michael L. Stansbery Sr., and Tammy Stansbery and a sister, Michelle. Michael was a member of Cooks United Methodist Church. He died at age 21 near Kandahar, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Army
1st Battalion
320th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9254

Born: March 8, 2024
Died: April 24, 2024 in Iraq

Petty Officer Second Class Christopher E. Watts of Knoxville, Tennessee attended Jefferson County High School through his junior year and graduated from Fleming-Neon High School in Neon, Kentucky. He enjoyed art class in school and was always a pleasant student who kept a smile on his face. Chris was full of life but was also a private person who didn’t like attention drawn to him. Growing up, he enjoyed being around the serenity of water, and at times he could be a bit of a risk taker. He joined the Navy in 1995 following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and was honored to be in the military. Chris already had ten years under his belt, and had planned to make it his career. He was killed at age 28 in a waterborne attack in the northern Persian Gulf. Chris was one of three servicemen to die in the attack in the northern Persian Gulf. The three were part of a seven-person boarding team from the Firebolt who were conducting maritime interception operations. A sailing vessel known as a dhow approached the Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal and exploded as the men went to inspect it. He was assigned to the USS Firebolt, forward deployed to Manama, Bahrain. He leaves his mother, Brenda Rainwater, and his son, Jacob Christopher, among others.

Burial is at Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Maryville,Tennessee