In Memoriam

[cassiesmom]

In Iraq - at 0530, while they were sleeping - 6 June 2011

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of five soldiers who were supporting Operation New Dawn.

They died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with indirect fire. They were assigned to the1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Killed were:

Spc. Emilio J. Campo Jr., 20, of Madelia, Minn.;

Spc. Michael B. Cook Jr., 27, of Middletown, Ohio;

Spc. Christopher B. Fishbeck, 24, of Victorville, Calif.;

Spc. Robert P. Hartwick, 20, of Rockbridge, Ohio; and

Pfc. Michael C. Olivieri, 26, Chicago, Ill.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Help honor fallen Homer Glen soldier
Flags for Pfc. Olivieri

HOMER GLEN — Residents can help honor Pfc. Michael Olivieri and his family by lining the streets of Bell Road between 143rd and 159th, and 159th Street, between Bell and Gougar, during his funeral procession Thursday to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Flags can be picked up at the village offices, on the west side of the building, 14933 S. Founders Crossing (Bell Road and 149th), until 4:30 p.m. daily and at the Homer Township Library, 14320 151st St., from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Flags also can be picked up at Dominick’s on Bell Road; Animal Care Clinic, 13061 W. 143rd St.; Sears, Bell Road and 159th; and Blueberry Hill Restaurant.

The funeral procession will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday from Modell Funeral Home, 12641 W. 143rd St.

[Grace]

England

British Army WO2 Grant Armstrong of the Light Dragoons died on 4th June 2011 from cancer after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year.

WO2 Armstrong had served two tours of duty in Afghanistan as well as a tour in Iraq and four tours in Bosnia. After surviving Taliban bullets and bombs, he prepared for a battle with cancer.

WO2 Armstrong was buried on 14th June 2011 with full military honours at Swanton Morley Cemetery in Norfolk, England.

His funeral was held on what would have been his eighth wedding anniversary. His wife Donna, released a white dove as a symbol of hope and freedom.

Soil from the soldier's birthplace in Northumberland was specially brought in to cover his grave.

Note: we have included WO2 Armstrong on this website as a tribute to a soldier who served in Afghanistan. May he rest in peace.

[phesina]

Yes, indeed, he fully deserves to be memorialized here. Thank you, sir, and rest in peace.

[Grace]

13 June 2011

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation New Dawn.

They died June 13 in Wasit province, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Nicholas P. Bellard, 26, of El Paso, Texas; and

Sgt. Glenn M. Sewell, 23, of Live Oak, Texas.

[Grace]

14 June 2011

26-year-old US Army Staff Sergeant Jeremy A. Katzenberger from Weatherby Lake, Missouri was killed in action in Paktika province, Afghanistan on 14th June 2011 in a battle with enemy forces who attacked his unit.

SSgt. Katzenberger served with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. He had previously served four tours in Iraq and three tours in Afghanistan. He joined the army in 2004.

SSgt. Katzenberger leaves his wife Colleen and baby son Everett James, and his parents Robert and Peggy. He would have celebrated his first Father's Day on Sunday.

[Grace]

14 June 2011

20-year-old US Army Private First Class Eric D. Soufrine, from Woodbridge, Conn., died on 14th June 2011 from wounds suffered when a bomb exploded near his unit. The incident happened in Farah province, Afghanistan.

Pfc. Soufrine served with the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Pfc. Soufrine joined the army in May 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in December. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and NATO Service Medal.

He leaves his parents, Michael and Donna, an older brother Joshua and older sister Rebecca.

[Grace]

15 June 2011

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pvt. Ryan J. Larson, 19, of Friendship, Wis., died June 15 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.