Freedom Remembered

Born: September 22, 2024 in Key West, Florida
Died: July 14, 2024 in Afghanistan

Pfc. Brandon M. King of Tallahassee, Florida is the son of USCG Ret. Gary and Carolyn King. Although he was born in Florida, Brandon was educated in Bellevue and Kent, Washington. He joined the United States Army in September of 2009 arriving at Fort Campbell in April of 2010. His Awards and Decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Weapons Qualification. In addition to his parents, he leaves his brother, Sgt. G. Stephen King, II, and a sister, Porsche. He died at age 23 at Combat Outpost Nolen, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. Brandon was a true gamer and always enjoyed a spirited game of spades.
Army
1st Battalion
320th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Jacksonville National Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida - Sec 2 Site 789

Born: October 31, 2024 in Tillamook, Oregon
Died: August 17, 2024 in AL Anbar, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Caleb J. Powers of Manfield, Washington attended Mansfield High School, graduating in 2001. Caleb struggled with attention deficit disorder in elementary school, but in spite of lacking focus in his early life, he did show signs of his pending future decisions, by dressing up as a soldier every Halloween. His mother once bought an Army cot a yard sale, and from then on, Caleb slept on it every chance he got. He dreamed of becoming a Marine. This dream was fostered by mentors that Caleb met while at Child Care USA. While there, he forged some lifelong friendships with at least a couple of the employees and Marine volunteers. It didn’t matter what else Caleb was doing, it seemed that his every thought after living at Child Care USA was focused on giving back to either his community or to his country. Becoming a Marine could mean that he could do both. I addition to fighting in the war, he wanted to also come back and mentor other children in his community, just like he had experienced as a child. As a teenager, Caleb went to live with an Aunt and Uncle, Jackie and Mike Tubling, in a farming community where he thrived working on a Wheat farm. This experience was also a positive one for Caleb in many ways. In addition to the structure of farm life, he also learned and enjoyed working on vehicles. A week after graduating school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Having already served one tour in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, he was serving a second deployment to Iraq and was a mere two weeks away from being back home again among his family and friends. He was killed at age 21 by enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq. Among the survivors are his parents, Tracy Powers and John Powers, his aunt and uncle, Jackie and Mike Tupling and a sister, Rosanna.
Marines
2nd Battalion
4th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 8003

Born: June 13, 2024
Died: June 22, 2024 in Nimruz province, Afghanistan

Cpl. Joshua R. Dumaw of Spokane Valley, Washington is a 2005 graduate of West Valley High School in Spokane Valley. He was an avid snowboarder, liked to play basketball and went on frequent camping trips with family and friends. Joshua enlisted in the Marine Corps in June of 2007 where he served as a military police officer assigned to MP Company for the air wing. His Awards and Decorations include, the Good Conduct Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon, among others. Josh didn’t have to be a Marine. Giving up an opportunity to work in his family business, he felt confident in his decision to join the Marine Corps. Before Josh joined the Marines, he delved into the electrical field but soon discovered that it did not provide enough adventure for him. The Marine Corps came naturally to Josh and he excelled quickly from rank of Private to Lance Corporal in two short years, receiving one of his promotions while deployed in Iraq in 2008. Josh had successfully completed MP training and was looking towards his future, working in the law enforcement field after his career with the Marine Corps. He and his wife, Kailyn, were expecting their first child, who was born September 21, 2010, weighing 7 lbs 6 ozs. He leaves his mother and stepfather, Jennifer and Mike Gorman, his father and stepmother, Andrew and Gia Dahlman, three brothers Adam, Kyle and Christopher, a sister Abby, a stepbrother Austin, and a stepsister Ann. Joshua died at age 23 while supporting combat operations in Nimruz province, Afghanistan.
Marines
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Marine Corps Air Station
Cherry Point, North Carolina

Burial is at Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington - Sec 1 Row E Site 1

Born on Oct. 7, 1957 in Panama

Died on Dec. 21, 2004 in Mosul, Iraq

Julian was buried in Fir Lane Memorial Park in Spanaway, Washington.

Born: October 4, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado
Died: May 2, 2024 in Khakrez, Afghanistan

Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman of Yelm, Washington was born the son of Alice and Neal Vermillion. He grew up on a farm near Goldendale, the son of Alice Eschelman and Jim Coleman and graduated in 1988 from Goldendale High School and knew he wanted to be a special forces soldier. He left for basic training immediately after graduation and the following February he was married to his high school sweetheart, Barbie. A week later, he left for Germany. Mark was serving his third tour in Afghanistan where he deployed to in December 2009 and was scheduled to be there until August 2010. Over time, he had been stationed in Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Fort Bragg, N.C., and most recently, Fort Lewis. He joined the Army’s special forces in 1999, training at Fort Bragg, where he learned to speak Thai. He was eligible for full retirement in 2008 but re-enlisted for five more years. He had even talked about another five, retiring after a 30-year career. his Awards and Decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal. Coleman earned the Special Forces qualification tab, the Ranger qualification tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. He and his wife have two children, Jessica and Brett. He is also survived by his mother Alice Fay Eshelman, his adoptive-father James Coleman, and his father Harley Neal Vermilion. Mark died at age 40 at Khakrez, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Army
2nd Battalion
1st Special Forces Group
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Burial is at Centerville Cemetery in Centerville, Washington

Born: February 19, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois
Died: July 13, 2024 in Afghanistan

Cpl. Jason M. Bogar of Seattle, Washington grew up in the Seattle and Everett areas and attended Bothell High School before earning his high school degree in a Job Corps program in Mount Vernon. He was 17 when he enlisted in the Washington National Guard in 2001. In 2004 he left for his first tour in Iraq and over the next four years served two more tours in Afghanistan. Jason talked of joining the Special Forces for another tour of duty. He also had talked of attending art school. He entertained the idea of being an international correspondent taking pictures of places, all over the world. Jason learned from his family about protecting others. The compassion, kindness and tenderness he exhibited toward the younger and more vulnerable people around him and he had no use for self-indulgence. While the role of a tough warrior in Afghanistan, he welcomed every opportunity to participate in humanitarian missions, especially those helping children. Jason was a curious adventurous spirit who loved soccer, baseball, photography, spending time on the family ranch in Montana, teasing his sisters, and being a soldier. His Awards and Decorations include, The Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (Posthumous), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge. He died in the northeastern province of Kunar, where militants launched one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. troops since the 2001 invasion. He died at age 25 of wounds sustained when his outpost was attacked by small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from enemy forces in Wanat, Afghanistan. Also killed were 1st Lt. Jonathan P. Brostrom; Sgt. Israel Garcia; Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers; Cpl. Jason D. Hovater; Cpl. Matthew B. Phillips; Cpl. Pruitt A. Rainey; Cpl. Gunnar W. Zwilling; and Pfc. Sergio S. Abad.
Army
A Company
2nd Battalion
503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne)
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
Vicenza, Italy

Burial is at Lake View Cemetery in Seattle, Washington

Born on Nov. 15, 1965 in Bremerton, WA

Died on Nov. 2, 2007 in Afghanistan

Sergeant 1st Class Johnny C. Walls, the son of Jimmie Charles Walls and Patsy H. (Gray) Johnson, grew up in Bremerton, Washington, where he was a 1985 graduate of Bremerton High School. He served for 22 years in the United States Army, enlisting in September 1985. He did tours of duty all across the globe, his career varied with duties such as a field artillery specialist, moving on to a gunnery sergeant, and drill instructor and he completed his associates’ degree from Central Texas College in 2006. He served in Desert Storm, in Iraq from April 2003-March 2004 and was currently on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, arriving there in April 2007. Johnny died in Uruzgan, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire during combat operations. He was a cannon crewmember serving on a transition team. Transition teams serve as advisers to the Afghanistan military and police. He was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kansas. Johnny was known for his quiet strength and sense of humor.

He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Born: July 29, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington
Died: April 11, 2024 in Char Bagh, Afghanistan,

Spc. Joseph T. Caron of Tacoma, Washington Graduated in 2007 from Washington High School where he was a member of the Air Force JROTC, varsity wrestling and varsity football. He joined the United States Army the following August. He deployed to southern Afghanistan in September of 2009. He died at age 21 in Char Bagh, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. Joe leaves his father, Jeffrey Caron, his mother, Tani Hubbard; stepmother, Karen Caron, stepfather, Mark Hubbard, sisters, Cassandra and Kayla, and brother Joshua. Among his military Awards and Decorations are the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. He also participated in Martial Arts at the Lenderman Acadamy. Joey died at age 21 in Char Bagh, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
Army
2nd Battalion
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood, Washington

Born: October 4, 2024 in Colville, Washington
Died: January 26, 2024 in Kirkuk, Iraq

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd of Colville, Washington loved to ride dirt motorcycles and four-wheelers. He lived in Orient, Washington until the age of ten when his family moved to Colville and where he completed his education in 1997. Ben found his first inspiration in helicopter flight school, his first love with his wife, and his greatest love with his family at the birth of his daughter Ashlyn. He was a young man defined by his loyalty to God, family and country. Ben lived in Orient, WA until the age of ten when his family moved to Colville and where he completed his education in 1997. While home on leave in 2004, he met Shelly Gordon at a New Year’s Eve Party. Their budding love led to a four-month courtship and marriage on April 29, 2024 at the V.F.W. Legion Hall in Colville followed by a honeymoon in Disney World. Following his June 2007 graduation from flight school the couple moved to Carthage, NY. Ben and Shelly enjoyed time with their dogs and sharing Friday “date nights” with dinner and a movie. He joined the Army in October 2000. He completed his Warrant Officer training in 2005 and came to Fort Drum to fly the Kiowa Warrior in November, 2007. He deployed is support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in October 2008. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantry Badge, the Parachutist Badge and posthumously, the Bronze Star Medal. He deployed overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom last October. He was among four soldiers who died when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed Jan. 26 in Kirkuk, Iraq. Benjamin is survived by his wife and child, his mother, Marti Todd; father, Alan Wiley; brother Nick Todd and wife Betty; brother Daniel Todd; grandmother Joyce Todd-McPhee among others. He died at age 29 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from wounds sustained when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew G. Kelley, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski.
Army
6th Squadron
6th Cavalry Regiment
10th Combat Aviation Brigade
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York

Burial is at Mountain View Cemetery in Colville, Washington and a memorial marker is at Arlington National Cemetery - Sec 60 Site 9065

Born: December 30, 2023 in Washington D.C.
Died: March 29, 2024 in Dashat, Afghanistan

Spc. James L. Miller of Yakima, Washington grew up in a military family living throughout many areas as his father relocated with the United States Army. In 1990, the family settled in Alaska where James graduated in 2007 from Chugiak High School in Chugiak, Alaska. He then attended Yakima Valley Community College in Washington where he met his future wife, whom he married on June 14 2008. Later that year the couple welcomed a baby girl. It was around this time that James enlisted in the Army arriving at Fort Lewis in January of 2009. James enjoyed playing video games, especially on his Xbox 360, hunting, fishing, riding his four-wheeler, playing paintball with friends, and playing cards at the Caribbean Casino in Yakima and RC’s in Sunnyside. James died at age 21 in Dashat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was expected back stateside in just three months, something he was pretty excited about. James leaves behind his wife, Katie and daughter, Peyton, and his parents Kim Miller and Nick Miller, and a sister, Mandie.
Army
4th Battalion
23rd Infantry Regiment
5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team
2nd Infantry Division
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Burial is at Zillah City Cemetery in Zillah, Washington