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.

Died: February 28, 2024 in Mobile Bay, Alabama

Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge of Cypress Valley, California

To be updated…

Died: February 28, 2024 in Mobile Bay, Alabama

Lt. J.G. Thomas J. Cameron of Portland, Oregon graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2009. He was a 2005 Cleveland High School graduate. While in high school, he was captain of the soccer team and an “A” student. He was a captain of his college soccer team where he played as a Forward. When he scored a goal, he celebrated with leaps and somersaults. LTJGCameron died Feb. 28 when a MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crashed into Mobile Bay during a training mission. He is survived by his parents, Elizabeth and John Cameron and his older brother Alex.

River View Cemetery Portland, Oregon

To be updated…

Born: December 18th, 1985 in Selma, Alabama
Died: February 28, 2024 in Mobile Bay, Alabama

Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew W. Knight of Thomasville, Alabama attended Thomasville High School before attending Faulkner University and the University of Alabama. He then joined the United States Coast Guard. Drew loved his job working with helicopters and serving in the US Coast Guard. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, snow boarding and scuba diving. He is survived by his parents, Ken and Becky Knight of Thomasville, AL; his brother and sister in law, Todd and Tausha Knight of Foley, AL; and his grandfather, Charles Wilson of Thomasville, AL. Drew was also survived by serveral aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives. He was a member of Thomasville Baptist Church.

Funeral information:
Visitation will be held at:
O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home
Friday, March 16, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Funeral services will be at:
Thomasville Baptist Church
Saturday, March 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM

Evergreen Memorial Gardens

To be updated…

Born: January 14, 2024 in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
Died: February 28, 2024 in Mobile Bay, Alabama

Lt Cmdr Dale T. Taylor of Snow Hill, North Carolina was involved in an accident while serving on active duty in the United States Coast Guard. Born January 14, 1976, in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, to Larry and Judy Taylor. He graduated from Greene Central High School in 1994, and graduated Appalachian State University in 1998. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Coast Guard and ultimately served as a MH-65 pilot and instructor. Dale was recognized in the fleet for heroism and awarded Coast Guard Medal for rescue operations at sea, while stationed at the USCG Air Station Savannah, GA. Dale was initially assigned to the Aviation Training Center, Mobile Alabama with the Engineering Branch and was extended to serve as an instructor Pilot. Dale was an example of integrity and exhibited the peace that only accompanies a relationship with Jesus Christ. He was a model husband, inspirational father to his sons and selflessly dedicated to his community. Dale was a volunteer basketball coach and bible study group leader. Dale will be remembered for his integrity, love for Christ and love for people. Survivors include his wife Teresa Dawn, his sons Evan Dale and Emmet Joel of Mobile, AL, Mother Judy and Father Larry Taylor of Snow Hill, NC, sister Hope and her husband Jamie Stapleton of Silver Springs, MD. Dale’s wake will be held at 10:00am followed by an 11:00am memorial service at Cottage Hill Baptist Church on Monday, March 5. The US Coast Guard will have a memorial service on March 8, 10:00am at the Aviation Training Center, Mobile. He was 36.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia - 03/15/2012 - 1:00 PM

The above obituary is courtesy of the Press-Register.

To be updated…

Born: February 24, 2024 in Florida
Died: January 22, 2024

Spc Kevin M Hardin was medically retired from the Army due to combat injuries sustained during a patrol in Samarra, Iraq, Sept. 30, 2007. His military awards include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Combat Medic Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal with Campaign Star and the Army Achievement Medal.

Burial is at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas - Sec 2 Row T Site 1084

To be updated…

Born: December 16, 2024 in Tennessee
Died: March 6, 2024 in Hope Mills, North Carolina

Chief Warrant Officer Two Edward D. Cantrell, 36, of Hope Mills, NC, formerly of Florida died while trying to rescue his two daughters, Isabella and Natalia, after their home caught fire during the night. Cantrell, Special Forces soldier, had served a combat deployment to Iraq and five to Afghanistan, returning from the last mission in August 2011. Among his many awards and decorations they include, four Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor device, four Army Commendation Medals, 11 Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with one star, Kosovo Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, six Overseas Service Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist’s Badge and the Air Assault Badge. He was also the recipient of the Bruce E. Price Leadership Award.

Cantrell and his daughters will be buried together at Arlington National Cemetery following a local service at JFK Memorial Chapel on Fort Bragg.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a funeral Mass on Thursday at 1 p.m.

To anyone interested in making a donation to the Cantrell family:

Checks can be mailed to:
Special Forces Association Chapter 100
care of Duane Cantrell,
4214 Callery Knoll Court
Fayetteville, NC 28306

To be updated…

Born: November 22, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida
Died: February 22, 2024 in Yuma, Arizona

Maj. Thomas A Budrejko, 37, of Montville, Conn., AH-1W Cobra pilot and Executive Officer of HMLA-469. Major Budrejko is a Connecticut native and 1992 Montville High School graduate. Budrejko, 37, a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was an AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter pilot who has flown in three tours in Iraq and was preparing for his second deployment to Afghanistan. He was serving as the executive officer of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 and lived in Temecula, Calif., with his wife and son. Maj Budrejko was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. His personal awards include Air Medal Individual Action with Combat „V‟ (gold numeral 2), Air Medal Strike/Flight (numeral 9), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat „V‟ (fourth award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Sacred Heart Cemetery in New Britain, Connecticut

To be updated…

Born: July 22, 2024 in Bedford, Texas
Died: February 9, 2024 in Temple, Texas

Pfc Joe Christopher Robinson, 21, of Mineral Wells, Texas entered active-duty service in July 2008 as an infantryman. He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood since January 2009. Robinson deployed to Iraq from January to December 2009. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Driver and Mechanic Badge. Robinson was transported by Fort Hood Emergency Medical Services to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and later to Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas, where he died on Feb. 9.

Burial is at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas

To be updated…

Born: October 31, 2024 in Junction City, Kansas
Died: January 26 2012 in Beaufort, South Carolina

HN Velencia Samone Compton of Beaufort, South Carolina graduated from Carver High School in 2008 and enlisted in the United States Navy. HN Compton loved the Navy, and was passionate about pursuing her career there. She was a member of Faith, Hope, and Love Church and will be remembered as a loving mother, daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Survivors include her son; Jayden, her parents, Bobby Hunter, and Michelle Compton, three brothers, Jordan Compton, Javaughn Compton, and Antonio Hunter. She died at age 21.

Burial is at Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia

The above is from her obituary