Stephen Paul Snowberger III was born at St Francis Hospital on 9/4/87. He grew up in Hunters Run in Bear with his sister Jessica, brother Jimmy, and foster brother Matt. Morris Green, who was like his grandfather, showed him how to drive, build bird houses and work for money cutting lawns. His dad, Paul, took him on 10 mile bike rides, played ball and did the things that dads do with their sons. After struggling at William Penn, Stevie went to Red Rock Job Corp at 16 where he took on auto shop and got his diploma in a year. That's when the Army came into his life. At 17, he came to his Dad and asked if he could join the Army and he was told to ask his mother. I signed the papers so he could play in the sandbox, that's what he called Iraq. He graduated from boot camp at Fort Still and then stationed at Fort Drum, NY in April of 2005. His unit left in August of that year and Stephen were upset that he couldn't go because of his age. November 5, 2005, we saw our son leave for Iraq. He came home on leave from April 5- April 20. It was like having my little bot home again, watching him play with remote control cars, paint-ball and rockets. May 11, 2006 is the day I got the news and my life would change forever. His fellow Army buddies said he was the kind of kid who would give the shirt off his back. My little boy became a hero at the age of 18.

Submitted by Snowberger's loving mother

KIA 6/20/2007
Major Brookshire

BROOKSHIRE2.jpg



KIA 5/11/2006
Snowberger

Snowberger2a.jpg

BROOKSHIRE2.jpg

Major Sid William Brookshire
Born 9/11/70 in Honolulu Hawaii, Sid married Karin in 1996 and they have two children (Faith Ann 6 yrs. and Bethany Hope, 4 yrs.) He was a Ranger instructor from 1998-2000. In 2002, he was reassigned to Ft. Irwin, CA where he trained troops preparing for the war in Iraq. In the Spring of 2006, they moved to Newport, Rhode Island where he earned a Masters Degree from the Naval War College. Sid was reassigned to Ft. Stewart, GA in July 2006 where he was assigned as the S-3 officer for the Desert Rogues of 1-64 Armor Battalion. He had never been to Iraq and it was his decision to go. He felt that he could not continue to train men to go over there never having been himself. He left for Iraq on May 10, 2007 and was killed a month later on June 20, 2007. His humvee was hit by an IED and five were killed.

Sid was my only son and only child. He was a man of integrity and cared deeply about the men who served with him and under him. He was 36 years old.

Submitted by Brookshire's loving mother


KIA 9-20-2006
MSG Needham
Cigar Man
My favorite photo of my loving husband Robb

MSGRobbcigara.jpg

My husband, MSG Robb Needham, was KIA in Baghdad Iraq on 20 September 2006. He was shot by a sniper as he was preparing to assist in searching Iraqi homes for insurgents. Robb was on a team attempting to train the Iraqi National Police how to do their job correctly, and Robb would enter the homes and hang with the family. He would give candy and little toys to the kids and talk to the parents.

My Robb was a good guy.

Robb and a few Army brothers

Submitted by loving wife

Robba.jpg

KIA 12/1/2005
Brent Adams

Robba.jpg

I was reminded this Christmas season of an old saying I heard years ago that goes something like-- when one door closes, another opens but sometimes we look so long and hard at the closed door we never see the new one that has opened. The opened door came to me this year through the words of a five year old boy named Daniel L. Adams.

As Daniel was happily playing with his new airplane gliders he suddenly announced that incoming mail was coming via the plane. He flew the plane over to us and asked if we could read alien to which we replied no and so he took a few steps back as if on stage and proudly displayed his letter and began to read without hesitation. It's from Daddy he announced. I love you very much; I'm sorry I had to go away but I got shot by some bad guys and had to go to heaven; I love you. With that he quickly ran off to play again. As his mother and I were sitting looking at each other chocking back tears and in a sense "questioning" this letter- a few minutes later Daniel runs back into the room with yet another glider and announced it was yet another letter from Daddy. He begins to read ( because this one too was in Alien speak). I'm sorry we have been broken apart for a while now, I miss you very much. I love you very much. I am in Heaven with God.

Much much later that evening as Daniel lay on the sofa he said softly- Daddy tells me "it's ok Daniel". We ask him how does he know Daddy is all right to which he replied "Daddy is talking to me right now. He talks to me all the time. Can't you hear him?". He goes on to tell us that Daddy tells him that he is in heaven with God and he was given his black-belt and is now a black-belt Angel working with God but watches me all the time. With that said, Daniel once again bounced off the sofa and was on to other things.

I realized at that moment the best gift I was given this season was not something wrapped, not something bought, and not something I could feel and touch and hold. It was this gift- this precious moment in time that had occurred. The peace that came over me with the realization that Daniel was not looking at a closed door but through an open one was just what I needed.

As I came downstairs this morning with the thought that I wanted to share this experience with others, I turned the corner on the landing I was greeted by yet another site. The King nutcracker that I have standing proudly at the bottom of the stairs was wearing two airplane gliders that were obviously gently placed there. I stared at them wondering were these the two airplane messengers? And just who placed them there - two little hands or two bigger ones??? I am looking through the open door today and I saw as well as received the message. Merry Christmas to you in Heaven Brent- apparently you have received your black-belt which I am sure that you have graduated to the highest level of Angel-hood. In your son's eyes - it is obvious that no one stands any taller than you.

Loving you always and missing you more
Submitted by
 Your other Mother Pam
 

 KIA October 10, 2007
Chemical Operations Specialist Frank Leslie Cady III
June 10, 1987

Robba.jpg

Frankie was a force to be reckoned with Talkative, Ambitious and loyal to the core. Frank was a bright individual with a lot of potential. If you knew Frank, chances are you knew you would always be wrong.

Frank was a die hard Dallas Cowboy fan, was always willing to point out why the Cowboys were worthy of his devotion.

After September 11th, Frank had felt that serving in the Army was his destiny. He was always looking out for those that needed it and this was just one more way he could, so he joined the Army. We were all lucky to have known and loved Frankie, we are beyond proud of the man he turned out to be.

October 10, 2007 is a day we will never forget. Still under investigation, his vehicle had rolled in Southern Baghdad, resulting in the loss of Specialist Cady and another soldier, while leaving one other wounded.

Submitted by Cady's loving sister


KIA 10/6/2007
Army Ranger CPL Benjamin Dillon

Robba.jpg