Military Monday - Memorial Day is NOT for me!

(This is a repost from 2015, but it still applies. Remember those that gave their all for our freedom this Memorial Day. They aren't here to thank, but raise a glass in their honor.)

That title might be a bit confusing. I don't mean that I don't celebrate Memorial Day. I mean that I don't expect or want you to thank me for serving on Memorial Day. There's a holiday to thank me and other veterans and it's called Veterans Day. Memorial Day is the day that we remember those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

Memorial Day is for people like this man:

And this man:

And this one:

And this one:

Last, but certainly not least, two Soldiers that went through the Defense Language Institute when I was a Drill Sergeant. First is Andrew James Creighton...a sweetheart of a Soldier. I don't think there was a single one of us who wasn't proud of him and heart-broken when we got the news that AJ Creighton died in Afghanistan. You can see a very touching tribute to AJ here and read more about this man's life here.

Second, Jacques Earl "Gus" Brunson. He went to DLI for awhile before reclassing Infantry. He kept in touch with the drills after leaving and we knew he was in Iraq collecting items to give to the Iraqi children. He was in the National Guard and volunteered for this tour in Iraq because it would be better money for his two children. He was the first casualty for our cadre of Drill Sergeants to hear of.

These Soldiers may not all have been members of my family tree, but they are members of my military family.

That's not to say that there aren't women that need remembering, but I don't have any in my family tree to be memorialized on this day.

As far as family traditions Memorial Day seemed to have little to do with the military in my family. Memorial Day was the time when flowers were placed on the graves of all of my ancestors. My mother still treks to the old family cemeteries each year to visit their graves. I make the trek as a part of going home, but not as a part of Memorial Day. I probably would if I lived anywhere near "home," but I don't.

I actually like the thought of remembering ancestors on Memorial Day even if it isn't the intent of the holiday (you can read more about Memorial Day here), but I still don't want to be thanked for my service today. What I want is for you to remember those that died so you could live in the country and world you do...even with all its flaws. When you're grilling and sitting in the backyard having a beer have a drink in honor of those men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Military Monday - SGT Herbert S. Phillips

SGT Herbert S. Phillips - Simonstown Cemetery, Greentown, PA

Not a part of my Phillips family. At least as far as I know. Greentown is too far from Hazleton and Phillips too common a name for me to try to make any connection. I was plotting/photographing the legible tombstones in Simonstown Cemetery on BillionGraves and I saw this tombstone and just wanted to share it.

I have to start out by saying that I was so terribly disappointed in how Simonstown Cemetery was being taken care of, but I'm not going to go too far into detail about that. I've got pictures and plan on writing up another post. I hadn't brought anything with me to clean/dust off any tombstones. I really need to get a cemetery kit together and keep it in my car right next to my camera bag and hiking gear. As it was I had a walking stick with me and that was all. The tombstones are all getting overgrown and covered in lichen. I've seen a big change in just over the past 5 years and I wanted to share this before it become completely unreadable.

"SGT Herbert S. Phillips

Co. M. 393rd Regt. 99th Div.

Born Nov. 8, 1913

Killed in Action in Belgium

Dec. 17, 1944

At rest in

U.S. Military Cemetery, Belgium

Son of

Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Phillips"

Rest in Peace, SGT Phillips. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Military Monday - Memorial Day is Not for Me

That title might be a bit confusing. I don't mean that I don't celebrate Memorial Day. I mean that I don't expect or want you to thank me for serving on Memorial Day. There's a holiday to thank me and other veterans and it's called Veterans Day. Memorial Day is the day that we remember those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

Memorial Day is for people like this man:

And this man:

And this one:

And this one:

Last, but certainly not least, two Soldiers that went through the Defense Language Institute when I was a Drill Sergeant. First is Andrew James Creighton...a sweetheart of a Soldier. I don't think there was a single one of us who wasn't proud of him and heart-broken when we got the news that AJ Creighton died in Afghanistan. You can see a very touching tribute to AJ here and read more about this man's life here.

Second, Jacques Earl "Gus" Brunson. He went to DLI for awhile before reclassing Infantry. He kept in touch with the drills after leaving and we knew he was in Iraq collecting items to give to the Iraqi children. He was in the National Guard and volunteered for this tour in Iraq because it would be better money for his two children. He was the first casualty for our cadre of Drill Sergeants to hear of.

These Soldiers may not have been members of my family tree, but they are members of my Army family.

That's not to say that there aren't women that need remembering, but I don't have any in my family tree to be memorialized on this day.

As far as family traditions Memorial Day seemed to have little to do with the military in my family. Memorial Day was the time when flowers were placed on the graves of all of my ancestors. My mother still treks to the old family cemeteries each year to visit their graves. I make the trek as a part of going home, but not as a part of Memorial Day. I probably would if I lived anywhere near "home," but I don't.

I actually like the thought of remembering ancestors on Memorial Day even if it isn't the intent of the holiday (you can read more about Memorial Day here), but I still don't want to be thanked for my service today. What I want is for you to remember those that died so you could live in the country and world you do...even with all its flaws. When you're grilling and sitting in the backyard having a beer have a drink in honor of those men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Military Monday - Remembering my Uncle

My uncle, Edward Thomas Brown, Jr., passed away sometime on Friday, January 30th. I found out as I was driving to a Scout class this weekend. Not the best drive after that news and being cheerful in class wasn't happening either. We knew he was sick for a few weeks. Cancer. By the time it was discovered it had really progressed. We knew it all didn't sound good, but you never know how long you'll have after such a serious diagnosis. I did think I would have at least a little more time though. I had emailed his wife and asked what time and phone number would be good to call this Sunday. My husband, boys, and I wanted to be able to talk to him again even if the cancer kept him from being able to talk back. We never got another Sunday to say goodbye. It makes his passing even harder to deal with. We didn't call quickly enough.

I thought I transcribed this clipping before, but I couldn't find it. Either way I'm sharing it today. I don't know when or if an obituary will be published. I do know that he will be cremated and his ash will be scattered in the Pacific. Thank goodness for FindAGrave where I could at least create a virtual memorial.

"Ensign Edward T. Brown

Ensign Brown Navy Aviator

Ensign Edward T. Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Brown, 576 West Green street, this city, recently was designated a naval aviator and received his 'wings of gold' at the U.S. Naval Auxiliary Air Station, New Iberia, La.

He now is serving aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet, with its home port at San Diego, Calif.

During his training, he gained ground and flight experience that fully qualified him for all-weather flying and primary anti-submarine missions, and completed carrier landing qualifications aboard the anti-submarine warfare support aircraft carrier, the USS Lexington, in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ensign Brown, whose father is assistant principal at the H. F. Grebey Junior High School, was graduated from the University of Scranton and entered the service in June, 1962. he is an alumnus of Hazleton high School, class of 1958."

Military Monday - Fort Carson GWOT Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, 2010-2013

Fort Carson GWOT Memorial stone, 2010-2013

These photos were taken shortly after Memorial Weekend on Fort Carson. All of the flags, flowers, bottles and various token were left behind by friends and loved ones as a tribute to those they lost. We need to remember ever single one of them!

Roll Call

SSG Matthew J. West 30 Aug 2010
SPC Timothy L. Johnson 16 Sep 2010
SSG Carlos A Benitez 14 Oct 2010
PFC Tramaine J. Billingsley 14 Oct 2010
SGT Rafael Martinez, Jr. 14 Oct 2010
PFC Dylan T. Reid 16 Oct 2010
SGT Robert C. Sisson, Jr. 21 Feb 2011
SGT Ken K. Hermogino 9 May 2011
PFC Eric Daniel Soufrine 14 Jun 2011
SSG Lex Lee Lewis 15 Jul 2011
MSG Charles Levan Price III 12 Aug 2011
CPT Drew Edward Russell 8 Oct 2011
CPT Joshua Sean Lawrence 8 Oct 2011
SPC Christopher L. Mendonca 4 Dec 2011
SSG Allen Robert McKenna Jr. 21 Feb 2012
SSG Daniel Joseph Brown 24 Mar 2012
SrA Bradley R. Smith (3 Jan 2010)**
SSG Christopher L. Brown 3 Apr 2012


SSG David P. Nowaczyk 15 Apr 2012
1LT Alejo R. Thompson 11 May 2012
SGT Tofiga J. Tautolo 27 May 2012
Maj (sic) Walter D. Gray 8 Aug 2012
CSM Kevin J. Griffin 8 Aug 2012
MAJ Thomas E. Kennedy 8 Aug 2012
SPC Mabry J. Anders 27 Aug 2012
SSG Christopher J. Birdwell 27 Aug 2012
SPC Kyle R. Rookey 2 Sep 2012
SSG Mark H. Schoonhoven 20 Jan 2013
SPC Charles P. McClure 2 May 2013
SPC Trinidad Santiago Jr. 2 May 2012
SSG Joe A. Nunez-Rodriguez 30 May 2013
SPC Ember M. Alt 18 Jun 2013
SPC Robert W. Ellis 18 Jun 2013
SPGT William R. Moody 18 Jun 2013
SSG Joshua J. Bowden 31 Aug 2013
SFC Liam J. Nevins 21 Sep 2013
SSG Patrick H. Quinn 13 Oct 2013

May all of our Service Members come home for good soon!

Fort Carson 2003-2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004-2005 memorial post
Fort Carson 2005-2006 memorial post
Fort Carson 2006-2007 memorial post
Fort Carson 2007-2009 memorial post
Fort Carson 2009-2010 memorial post

Military Monday - Fort Carson GWOT Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, 2009-2010

Fort Carson GWOT Memorial stone, 2009-2010

These photos were taken shortly after Memorial Weekend on Fort Carson. All of the flags, flowers, bottles and various token were left behind by friends and loved ones as a tribute to those they lost. We need to remember ever single one of them!

Roll Call

1LT Tyler E. Parten 10 Sep 2009
SFC Duane A. Thornsbury 12 Sep 2009
SGT David A. Davis 19 Sep 2009
PFC William L. Meredith 21 Sep 2009
SSG Justin T. Gallegos 3 Oct 2009
SGT Christopher T. Griffin 3 Oct 2009
SGT Joshua M. Hardt 3 Oct 2009
SGT Joshua J. Kirk 3 Oct 2009
SPC Stephan L. Mace 3 Oct 2009
SSG Vernon W. Martin 3 Oct 2009
SGT Michael P. Scusa 3 Oct 2009
PFC Kevin C. Thomson 3 Oct 2009
SPC Kevin O. Hill 4 Oct 2009
SPC Jesus O. Flores 15 Oct 2009
SPC Daniel C. Lawson 15 Oct 2009
SSG Glen H. Stivison 15 Oct 2009
PFC Brandon M. Styer 15 Oct 2009
SPC Kimble A. Han 23 Oct 2009



SPC Eric N. Lembke 23 Oct 2009
PFC Devin J. Michel 24 Oct 2009
SGT Eduviges G. Wolf 25 Oct 2009
SGT Jason A. McLeod 23 Nov 2009
SGT Kenneth R. Nichols Jr. 1 Dec 2009
SGT Elijah Rao 5 Dec 2009
SPC Brian R. Bowman 3 Jan 2010
PFC John P. Dion 3 Jan 2010
SGT Joshua A. Lengstorf 3 Jan 2010
SGT Ryan J. Hopkins 8 Jan 2010
SPC Robert J. Donevski 16 Jan 2010
SSG Thaddeus S. Montgomery 20 Jan 2010
SPC Bobby J. Pagan 13 Feb 2010
SSG John A. Reiners 13 Feb 2010
SGT Jeremiah T. Wittman 13 Feb 2010
SSG Michael D. Cardenaz 20 Feb 2010
PFC JR Salvacion 21 Feb 2010
SGT Sean M. Durkin 9 Apr 2010
SGT Michael K. Ingram, Jr. 17 Apr 2010

SGT Grant A. Wichmann 24 Apr 2010
SGT Nathan P. Kennedy 27 Apr 2010
SPC Eric M. Finniginam 1 May 2010
MAJ Jeffery P. Toczylowski 3 Nov 2005**
PFC Charlie C. Antonio 19 Apr 2010
SPC Zakary A. Gansert 15 Jul 2010
SPC Pedro A. Millet Meletiche IV 22 Aug 2010
SPC Chad D. Clements 30 Aug 2010
CH (CPT) Dale A. Goetz 30 Aug 2010
SSG Casey J. Grochowiak 30 Aug 2010
SSG Jesse Infante 30 Aug 2010
SSG Kevin J. Kessler 30 Aug 2010
1LT Mark A. Noziska 30 Aug 2010

May all of our Service Members come home for good soon!

This memorial transcription was difficult to do. As I began inputting the names I noticed large numbers of casualties on October 3rd, 2009 and again on August 30th, 2010. The loss of any of our service members is tragic. Seeing so many taken at once compounds the loss. You can tell that something big happened those days. 

I found an article in the New York Times that explains what happened in the October attack. These service members were stationed at a remote outpost in Afghanistan near the Pakistani border. It occurred in broad daylight and was estimated that 300 insurgents took part. You can read the entire article here.

The only article that could be found on the August 30th, 2010 incident was via Fox News*. They were killed by roadside bombs in Afghanistan. The AP's article was published the day of the attacks and the details seem sketchy and a little contradictory. You can read it here.

*I try not to make it a habit to post articles from untrustworthy news sites, but this was an Associated Press repost. I just wish I could have found the AP linked article.

**I'm not sure why Major Toczylowski's name was placed on this stone when he died in 2005. My best guess would be that it was somehow overlooked when the 2005 stone was created and they were rectifying that by memorializing him on the most recent stone. The year was not a typo. He did pass in 2005.

Fort Carson 2003-2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004-2005 memorial post
Fort Carson 2005-2006 memorial post
Fort Carson 2006-2007 memorial post
Fort Carson 2007-2009 memorial post

Military Monday - Fort Carson GWOT Fallen Soldiers' Memorial 2007-2009

Fort Carson GWOT Memorial stone, 2007-2009

These photos were taken shortly after Memorial Weekend on Fort Carson. All of the flags, flowers, bottles and various token were left behind by friends and loved ones as a tribute to those they lost. We need to remember ever single one of them!

Roll Call

SSG Robert R. Pirelli 15 Aug 2007
SGT Edmund J. Jeffers 19 Sep 2007
SSG Eric T. Duckworth 10 Oct 2007
SPC Kenneth J. Iwasinski 14 Oct 2007
SSG Jarred S. Fontenot 18 Oct 2007
SGT Daniel J. Shaw 5 Nov 2007
SSG Patrick F. Kutschbach 10 Nov 2007
SPC Brynn J. Naylor 13 Dec 2007
SGT Mikeal W. Miller 27 Jan 2008
PFC Joshua A. R. Young 28 Jan 2008
SSG Gary W. Jeffries 28 Jan 2008
SGT James E. Craig 28 Jan 2008
CPL Evan A. Marshall 28 Jan 2008
SPC Brandon A. Meyer 28 Jan 2008
SGT Christopher C. Simpson 17 Mar 2008
SSG Michael D. Elledge 17 Mar 2008
SSG Chad Alan Barrett 2 Feb 2008
MAJ Mark E. Rosenberg 8 Apr 2008




SFC Dave Ezell 30 Apr 2008
SSG Frank J. Gasper 25 May 2008
CW3 Robert C. Hammett Jr. 24 Jun 2008
SPC Kevin R. Dickson 2 Aug 2008
SPC Steven J. Fitzmorris 25 Aug 2008
SPC Christopher T. Fox 29 Sep 2008
SGT Michael K. Clark 7 Oct 2008
SSG Timothy H. Walker 8 Nov 2008
SPC Armando A. De La Paz 13 Nov 2008
SPC Stephen M. Okray 24 Dec 2008
SSG Christopher G. Smith 24 Dec 2008
SPC Stephen G. Zapasnik 24 Dec 2008
SGT Darrell L. Fernandez 31 Jan 2009
WO1 Judson E. Mount 7 Apr 2009
SGT Edward Forrest Jr. 10 Apr 2009
PFC Bryce E. Gautier 10 Apr 2009
SFC Bryan E. Hall 10 Apr 2009
CPL Jason G. Pautsch 10 Apr 2009
SSG Gary Lee Woods Jr. 10 Apr 2009

PFC Steven T. Drees 28 Jun 2009
SPC Gregory J. Missman 9 Jul 2009
SFC Jason J. Fabrizi 14 Jul 2009
SPC Randy LJ Neff Jr. 22 Jul 2009
SGT Joshua J. Rimer 22 Jul 2009
CW2 Douglas M. Vose III 29 Jul 2009
PFC Patrick S. Fitzgibbon 1 Aug 2009
PFC Richard K. Jones 1 Aug 2009
SGT Jonathan M. Walls 1 Aug 2009
SGT Matthew Ingram 21 Aug 2009
PFC Matthew E. Wildes 27 Aug 2009
SGT Youvert Loney 5 Sep 2009
SSG Randy M. Haney 6 Sep 2009

May all of our Service Members come home for good soon!

Fort Carson 2003-2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004-2005 memorial post
Fort Carson 2005-2006 memorial post
Fort Carson 2006-2007 memorial post

Military Monday - Fort Carson GWOT Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, 2006-2007

Fort Carson GWOT Memorial Stone 2006-2007

These photos were taken shortly after Memorial Weekend on Fort Carson. All of the flags, flowers, bottles and various token were left behind by friends and loved ones as a tribute to those they lost. We need to remember ever single one of them!

Roll Call

SSG Ryan Eugene Haupt 17 Oct 2006
SGT Norman Robert Taylor III 17 Oct 2006
SGT Kenneth Eric Bostic 30 Oct 2006
LTC Eric John Kruger 2 Nov 2006
PFC Albert Markee Nelson 4 Dec 2006
PFC Roger Alfonso Suarez-Gonzalez 4 Dec 2006
SGT Yevgeniy Ryndych 6 Dec 2006
SPC Elias Elias 23 Dec 2006
SSG Jae Sik Moon 25 Dec 2006
PFC Clinton Tyler McCormick 27 Dec 2006
SGT John Michael Sullivan 30 Dec 2006
PFC Ming Sun 9 Jan 2007
SPC Collin Ryan Schockmel 16 Jan 2007
PFC Allen Brenton Jaynes 20 Jan 2007
SPC Michael Christopher Balsley 25 Jan 2007
SGT Alexander Henry Fuller 25 Jan 2007
SPC Rowan Dale Walter 23 Feb 2007
SSG Joshua Ryan Hager 23 Feb 2007






SPC Travis Wayne Buford 23 Feb 2007
SGT Robert Michael Carr 13 Mar 2007
SGT Joe Polo 29 Mar 2007
SPC Walter Freeman Jr. 4 Apr 2007
PFC Derek A. Gibson 4 Apr 2007
PFC Brian L. Holden 9 Apr 2007
CPL Ismael G. Solorio 9 Apr 2007
PFC Brett A. Walton 9 Apr 2007
PFC Kyle G. Bohrnsen 10 Apr 2007
SPC Brian A. Botello 29 Apr 2007
SGT Alexander J. Funcheon 29 Apr 2007
SSG Jay E. Martin 29 Apr 2007
PFC Zachary R. Gullett 1 May 2007
PFC Roy L. Jones III 10 May 2007
SPC Matthew E. Baylis 31 May 2007
SPC Justin A. Verdeja 5 Jun 2007
SGT Eric L. Snell 18 Jun 2007
PFC Jerimiah J. Veitch 21 Jun 2007
SGT William E. Brown 23 Jun 2007



PFC Cory F. Hiltz 28 Jun 2007
SGT Giann C. Joya-Mendoza 28 Jun 2007
SGT Shin W. Kim 28 Jun 2007
SGT Michael J. Martinez 28 Jun 2007
CPL Dustin L. Workman II 28 Jun 2007
SSG Robb L. Rolfing 30 Jun 2007
SPC Steven A. Davis 4 Jul 2007
SGT Eric A. Lill 6 Jul 2007
SFC Sean K. Mitchell 7 Jul 2007
SPC Christopher D. Kube 14 Jul 2007
SPC Robert D. Varga 15 Jul 2007
SPC Justin R. Blackwell 5 Aug 2007
PFC Jeremy S. Bohannon 5 Aug 2007

May all of our Service Members come home for good soon!

Fort Carson 2003-2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004-2005 memorial post
Fort Carson 2005-2006 memorial post

Military Monday - Fort Carson GWOT Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, 2005-2006

Fort Carson GWOT Memorial stone, 2005-2006

These photos were taken shortly after Memorial Weekend on Fort Carson. All of the flags, flowers, bottles and various token were left behind by friends and loved ones as a tribute to those they lost. We need to remember ever single one of them!

Roll Call

SPC Christopher L. Hoskins 21 Jun 2005
SPC Nicholas R. Idalski 21 Jun 2005
SPC Brian A. Vaughn 21 Jun 2005
SFC Christopher Wade Phelps 23 Jun 2005
SSG Jeremy Alexander Brown 3 Jul 2005
SSG Scottie Lee Bright 5 Jul 2005
CPL Lyle Jim Cambridge 5 Jul 2005
SPC Hoby Frank Bradfield Jr. 9 Jul 2005
PFC Eric Paul Woods 9 Jul 2005
SGT Timothy James Sutton 11 Jul 2005
SPC Ronnie David Williams 16 Jul 2005
SPC Ernest Wayne Dallas Jr. 24 Jul 2005
SSG Jason Wayne Montefering 24 Jul 2005
SGT Milton Manuel Monzon Jr. 24 Jul 2005
PFC Ramon A. Villatoro Jr. 24 Jul 2005
SPC Robert Adam Swaney 30 Jul 2005
SSG Brian L. Morris 21 Aug 2005
PFC Elden D. Arcand 21 Aug 2005



CPL Joseph Larry Martinez 27 Aug 2005
CW2 Dennis Patrick Hay 29 Aug 2005
2LT Charles Robert Rubado 29 Aug 2005
CPL Jeffrey Allen Williams 5 Sep 2005
SSG Brian Lee Freeman 7 Nov 2005
CPL Robert Christopher Pope II 7 Nov 2005
PFC Mario Alberto Reyes 7 Nov 2005
1LT Justin Shawnsonte Smith 7 Nov 2005
SGT Tyrone Lanard Chisholm 11 Nov 2005
SGT Denis Javier Gallardo 22 Nov 2005
SFC Eric Paul Pearrow 24 Nov 2005
CPL Jared William Kubasak 12 Dec 2005
SGT Timothy Rick Boyce 15 Dec 2005
1LT Joseph David de Moors 7 Jan 2006
MAJ Douglas Amuel La Bouff 7 Jan 2006
MAJ Michael Ray Martinez 7 Jan 2006
CPL Dustin Lee Kendall 15 Jan 2006
CPL Walter B Howard II 2 Feb 2006


SSG Curtis Tyrone Howard II 22 Feb 2006
SGT Gordon Foster Misner II 22 Feb 2006
SPC Thomas Joseph Wilwerth 22 Feb 2006
SGT Dimitri Muscat 24 Feb 2006
SGT Luis Ricardo Reyes 18 Nov 2005
PFC Grant Allen Dampier 15 May 2006
SSG Marion Flint Jr 15 May 2006
CPL Brock Lyle Bucklin 31 May 2006
SFC Daniel B. Crabtree 8 Jun 2006
CPL Luis Daniel Santos 8 Jun 2006
SSG Alberto Virrueta Sanchez 24 Jun 2006
SGT James Patrick Muldoon 29 Jun 2006
PFC Nicholas Alexander Madaras 3 Sep 2006
PFC Nathan Joseph Frigo 17 Oct 2006

May all of our Service Members come home for good soon!

Fort Carson 2003-2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004-2005 memorial post

Military Monday - Fort Carson GWOT Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, 2004-2005

These photos were taken shortly after Memorial Weekend on Fort Carson. All of the flags, flowers, bottles and various token were left behind by friends and loved ones as a tribute to those they lost. We need to remember ever single one of them!

Roll Call

SSG Arthur C. Williams IV 8 Dec 2004
SPC Robert W. Hoyt 11 Dec 2004
CPL Jimmy D. Buie 4 Jan 2005
SGT Joshua S. Marcum 4 Jan 2005
SGT Bennie J. Washington 4 Jan 2005
SPC Jeremy W. McHalffey 5 Jan 2005
SPC Daniel F. Guastaferro 7 Jan 2005
SPC Michael J. Smith 11 Jan 2005
PFC Jesus Fonseca 17 Jan 2005
SPC George R. Geer 17 Jan 2005
SSG Thomas E. Vitagliano 17 Jan 2005
SPC Lyle Rymer 28 Jan 2005
SPC James H. Miller IV 30 Jan 2005
SPC Michael A. Arciola 15 Feb 2005
SSG Jason R. Hendrix 16 Feb 2005
SSG Alexander B. Crackel 24 Feb 2005
SPC Chassan S. Henry 25 Feb 2005
SGT Julio Enrique Negron 28 Feb 2005



SGT Lizbeth Robles 28 Feb 2005
SFC Donald W. Eacho 4 Mar 2005

CPT Sean P. Grimes 4 Mar 2005

CPL Stephen M. McGowan 4 Mar 2005
SPC Wade M. Twyman 4 Mar 2005
SSG Andrew L. Bossert 7 Mar 2005
SPC Michael W. Franklin 7 Mar 2005
SPC Nicholas E. Wilson 11 Mar 2005
SPC Francisco G. Martinez 20 Mar 2005
SPC Samuel S. Lee 28 Mar 2005
SGT Angelo Luis Lozada Jr 16 Apr 2005
SPC Randy L. Stevens 16 Apr 2005
SGT Tromaine K. Toy Sr. 16 Apr 2005
PFC Joseph Labian Knott 17 Apr 2005
PFC Robert Westley Murray Jr. 28 Apr 2005
SPC Ricky William Rockholt Jr. 28 Apr 2005
SSG Juan D. Garcia Arana 30 Apr 2005
SGT Stephen P. Saxton 3 May 2005
SSG Thor H. Ingraham 8 May 2005

SPC Nicolas E. Messmer 8 May 2005
SGT Jacob Mark Si(m)pson 16 May 2005
SGT Antwan L. Walker 18 May 2005*
SGT Charles T. Wilkerson 22 May 2005
SPC Joshua T. Brazee 23 May 2005
CPL Phillip c. Edmundson 1 Jun 2005
SPC Louis E. Niedermeier 1 Jun 2005
SPC Eric James Poelman 5 Jun 2005
SPC Brian Scott Ulbrich 5 Jun 2005
SSG Justin Lee Vazquez 5 Jun 2005
SFC Neil A. Prince 11 Jun 2005
SPC Anthony D. Kinslow 13 Jun2005
SGT Larry R. Kuhns Jr. 13 Jun2005

May all of our Service Members come home for good soon!

Fort Carson 2003-2004 memorial post
Fort Carson 2004 memorial post

*An unobstructed photo of the memorial stone taken several months after the top-most photo so names could be clearly seen.

Military Monday - Fort Carson GWOT Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, 2004

Fort Carson GWOT Memorial stone 2004

These photos were taken shortly after Memorial Weekend on Fort Carson. All of the flags, flowers, bottles and various token were left behind by friends and loved ones as a tribute to those they lost. We need to remember ever single one of them!

Roll Call

SSG Billy J. Orton 24 Apr 2004

SSG Stacey C. Brandon 24 Apr 2004

SPC Kenneth A. Melton 25 Apr 2004

SSG Hensley Box 6 May 2004

SFC Troy Miranda 20 May 2004

SGT Justin L. Eyerly 4 Jun 2004

SPC Justin W. Linden 4 Jun 2004

1LT Erik S. McCrae 4 Jun 2004

SPC Eric S. McKinley 13 Jun 2004

SPC Ken W. Leisten 28 Jul 2004

SPC Omead H. Razani 27 Aug 2004

SSG Gary A. Vaillant 5 Sep 2004

PFC Jason L. Sparks 8 Sep 2004

SGT Benjamin Warren Isenberg 13 Sep 2004

SSG David Weisenburg 13 Sep 2004

1LT Tyler H. Brown 14 Sep 2004

SGT David W. Johnson 25 Sep 2004

SPC Robert O. Unruh 25 Sep 2004

CPT Eric L. Allton 26 Sep 2004

PFC Joshua K. Titcomb 28 Sep 2004

SGT Russell L. Collier 3 Oct 2004

SSG Christopher Potts 3 Oct 2004

PV2 Jeungjin Kim 6 Oct 2004

SGT Ronald W. Baker 7 Oct 2004

PFC James E. Prevete 10 Oct 2004

PFC Aaron J. Rusin 11 OCT 2004

SPC Christopher A. Merville 12 Oct 2004

PFC Mark A. Barbret 14 Oct 2004

SPC Bradley S. Beard 14 Oct 2004

SSG Omer T. Hawkins II 14 Oct 2004

SPC Stephen P. Downing II 28 Oct 2004

SGT Maurice K. Fortune 29 OCT 2004

SGT John B. Trotter 9 Nov 2004

PFC Dennis J. Miller Jr. 10 Nov 2004

SSG Sean P. Huey 11 Nov 2004

SSG Marshall H. Caddy 16 Nov 2004

CPT Luke C. Wullenwaber 16 Nov 2004

SGT David Roustum 20 Nov 2004

SPC Sergio R. Diaz-Varela 24 Nov 2004

PV2 Brian K. Grant 26 Nov 2004

PFC Harrison J. Meye 26 Nov 2004

SGT Michael Antonio Smith 26 Nov 2004

PFC Stephen C. Benish 28 Nov 2004

SGT Carl W. Lee 28 Nov 2004

SSG Michael B. Shackelford 28 Nov 2004

SSG Kyle A. Eggers 5 Dec 2004

SPC Edwin W. Roodhouse 5 Dec 2004

SSG Marvin L. Trost III 5 Dec 2004

PFC Andrew M. Ward 5 Dec 2004

SFC Todd C. Gibbs 7 Dec 2004

May all of our Service Members come home for good soon!

Fort Carson GWOT 2003-2004 memorial post.

Military Monday - Fort Carson GWOT Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, 2003-2004

Fort Carson GWOT Memorial stone, 2003-2004

I saw in the newspaper on Memorial weekend that Fort Carson was having a ceremony at their GWOT (Global War on Terrorism) Memorial.  While I wasn't able to attend the ceremony, I did make a point to go down there a few days later to check it out.  It really was a very nice memorial.  A few years ago I had taken photos of and transcribed the memorial at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery and figured that I should do the same here.

My original intention was to get the photos of this memorial up much earlier, but things happen and I was neglecting my blog at the time. Things are busy, but rolling along and it was well past time to get started on remembering these heroes. This memorial stone is for the Soldiers KIA in 2003-2004.

Roll Call

PFC Jesse A. Givens 1 May 2003

CW3 Brian K. Van Dusen 9 May 2003

CW2 Hans N. Gukeisen 9 May 2003

SGT Richard P. Carl 9 May 2003

MAJ Mathew E. Schram 26 May 2003

SGT Keman L. Mitchell 26 May 2003

SSG Michael B. Quinn 27 May 2003

SGT Thomas F. Broomhead 27 May 2003

SSG Michael E. Dooley 8 Jun 2003

SSG Andrew R. Pokorny 13 Jun 2003

SSG William T. Latham 18 Jun 2003

SGT Melissa Valles 9 Jul 2003

SPT Joshua T. Byers 23 Jul 2003

SSG Taft V. Williams 12 Aug 2003

SPC Stephen M. Scott 23 Aug 2003

PFC Vorn J. Mack 23 Aug 2003

SPC Ronald D. Allen 25 Aug 2003

CPT Brian R. Faunce 18 Sep 2003

SSG Frederick L. Miller Jr, 20 Sep 2003

SPC Tamarra  J. Ramos 1 Oct 2003

PV2 Benjamin L. Freeman 13 Oct 2003

SPC Jose L. Mora Jr, 24 Oct 2003

SSG Daniel A Bader 2 Nov 2003

SSG Ernest G. Bucklew 2 Nov 2003

SPC Darius T. Jennings 2 Nov 2003

SPC Brian H. Penisten 2 Nov 2003

SPC James R. Wolf 6 Nov 2003

SSG Dale A. Panchot 17 Nov 2003

CPL Gary B. Coleman 21 Nov 2003

SGT David J. Goldberg 26 Nov 2003

SSG Stephen A. Bertolino Sr, 29 Nov 2003

SPC Rian C. Ferguson 14 Dec 2003

SPC Nathan W. Nakis 16 Dec 2003

SPC Raymond E. Cammel 24 Dec 2003

SPC Justin W. Pollard 30 Dec 2003

CPT Eric T. Paliwoda 2 Jan 2004

CW2 Philip A. Johnson Jr, 8 Jan 2004

CW2 Ian D. Manuel 8 Jan 2004

SGT Christopher A. Golby 8 Jan 2004

SGT Michael A. DiRaimondo 8 Jan 2004

MSG Kelly L. Hornbeck 18 Jan 2004

PFC Armando Soriano 1 Feb 2004

CW2 Matthew C. Laskowski 25 Feb 2004

CW2 Stephen M. Wells 25 Feb 2004

1LT Michael R. Adams 16 Mar 2004

MSG Richard L. Ferguson 30 Mar 2004

SFC William W. Labadie Jr, 7 Apr 2004

SGT Felix M. Delgreco 9 Apr 2004

CPT Arthur L. Felder 24 Apr 2004

CW4 Patrick W. Kordsmeier 24 Apr 2004

May all of our Service Members come home for good soon!

Military Monday - Two Free WWII Databases

Wm Turnbach Jr WWII entry

I was researching summer activities for my youngest son's Cub Scout Pack when I came across two links to some databases on the Peterson Air & Space Museum's website.  The first was for a World War II U.S. Army Enlistment Archive.  As the website explains about this archive:

"This site is a searchable archive for World War II era Army enlistment records, generally spanning the years 1938 - 1946. We have records of 8,433,326 U.S. Army soldiers, reservists, and enlistees. Includes enlisted men and women, foreign scouts and nationals, etc. As a base resource for World War 2 U.S. Army Enlistment Archive we have relied on resources available through U.S. government archives and other public resources."

I don't know how they compiled the list of  "**possible alternate first names"  but since he was a cousin, and one I had actually communicated with before his passing, I'm fairly certain the William is correct.  Still, having alternates is certainly helpful if they come up when you search...they don't though. I went back and searched "Willy Turnbach" and got the response that there were no results to my search.  To perfect this search engine and database, I would suggest that the results would link back to anyone that has possible alternate names listed.  Still, if you're at all a veteran researcher with databases like this you'd simply leave out the first name entirely if you weren't getting any hits or just input a partial.

Wm Turnbach Jr WWII Expanded entry

There was also the World War II POW Archive that I checked out through the museum's site:

"This site features records of 143,374 U.S. servicemen/women and civilians who were held captive by Japan and Germany during World War Two. As a base resource for World War 2 POW Search we have relied on resources available through U.S. government archives and other public resources."

You can search both of these archives by first name, last name, alphabetically through links at the bottom of the page, or by partial name searches.  Both archives state that their records may not be complete due to record loss or loss during transfer to the archive due to corruption.  The archives are certainly worth checking out...and they're FREE.  Sure you may be able to find the same information on one of the paid genealogy sites out there, but here you don't have to pay.

A drawback to the whole "free" thing...there are ads that are on the page as well.  I suppose that's the price you pay for using a free site.  They have to pay for it somehow and ads don't really bother me, but it did get a tad annoying when there were 3 ads on the results page interrupting my flow.

I didn't know of any family members that were POWs during WWII so I threw the surname McCain into the POW search engine.  John McCain was a POW in Vietnam not WWII, but when I think of POWs his name pops into my head first (sorry Senator).  As it turns out there were 2 John McCains that were POWs during WWII.

The Personnel File Core Info can give you Name, Serial Number, Rank, Service, Arm (branch within the service), Organization, Parent Unit, and Unit Type.

As you can see from John A. McCain's record some of the information isn't there (no, it wasn't cropped out).  No reason is given as to why.  Perhaps there was no information in those blanks on the records that were entered into the database.  It would certainly be nice to have those last three bits of info, but I'm still impressed and quite frankly with the whole Name, Rank and Serial Number you can try to request information...and hope it wasn't lost in the records fire.

The Expanded Details give you the Detaining Power, Camp, First and Last Report, Area (Theatre), Source, Status.  Then below all of that information is a link where you can click to see the other POWs held at that camp.

The POW Camp that John K McCain was held at

Here we have two McCains each detained in a different theatre and each with a much different outcome.  Our European Theatre McCain was liberated/repatriated and the other died.  Now it says that he died in a ship sinking or shot trying to escape.  Remember to take a look at the first and last reports here.  He was held prisoner for almost 3 years before dying.  So unless they were putting him on a ship to transport him after he became a prisoner, it would be safer to say he was shot trying to escape.

Expanded Details for John K. McCain

Expanded Details for John A McCain

Lots of great info, but with some annoying adverts (yes, I cropped them out of the photos).  Still should be very worth a researcher's time!

Military Monday - Happy Veterans Day!

(This is a repost from previous years to thank those that have served in the military and to remember those veterans in my family as well.)

I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has served honorably in our Armed Forces.  Without our service members past and present our country would not be where it is today. We would not have gained our independence, we would not have unified a divided country, we would not have stopped the atrocities of 2 World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are many conflicts not mentioned which do not make light of the sacrifices that servicemen and women made in them. Sometimes the sacrifice was in time away from family and long hours. At times it was witnessing the horrors of those wars or even succumbing valiantly to them.

Not everyone serves their country as a Veteran does and not everyone can or should. You are unique, respected and given a burden that many would not be able to bear. Whether you served many months or many years in our Armed Forces makes no difference. You served. Thank you!

I'd like to now pay tribute to my family members who have served (I hope I didn't miss any!).