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KIA 5/19/2007 Varela
Alexander Varela was born Jan. 29th,
1988, in Roseville, CA, where he lived most of his life. While living with his father in Fernley, NV, he enlisted in
the Army. He graduated basic training at Fort Benning, GA, Aug. 11, 2006, was assigned to Fort Hood, TX, and then deployed
to Iraq at the end of October, 2006. He was killed in the Amariyah section of Baghdad when an IED blew up the tank he
was driving, all aboard were killed.
Alex's favorite things to do were ride his quad in the Nevada desert, play paintball
with his buddies and cousin in Folsom, Ca, play Halo on his X-Box 360 with guys at Camp Liberty, and photograph his brother
Roger and skate buddies.
He was my baby and will be missed every day for the rest of my life.
Submitted by loving
mother, Rinda Pope.
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Michael Weidemann was killed while on patrol
in the Anbar Province west of Baghdad when his armored vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. He was serving his second
tour in Iraq for the Army's 1st Battalion, 36th Infrantry Regiment, 1st Brigage, 1st Armored Division.
Submitted
by: Loving sister Catharine
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SPC Mathew D. Taylor Sky Soldier: July 7, 1986
KIA September 26, 2007 OEF Afghanistan
Born on July 7, 1986, in Carmichael, Ca., he passed away on September 26,
2007, in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, at the Brooke Army Medical Center from injuries he sustained in an IED attack while deployed
in Afghanistan on July 23, 2007. Also killed in the attack were 1st SGT Michael Curry, SGT Travon T. Johnson, PFC Adam J.
Davis and PFC Jessy S. Rogers. Mathew was the 50 cal gunner on that Humvee. He fought hard and long to over come his injuries.
God needed a soldier to be by his side, On September 26th, with his mother, his sister and best friend Danny by his side,
Mathew lost his fight.
Mathew was a loving son and brother, he is survived by his mother Patty A. Taylor sister
Heather E. Taylor. Mathew began his military career in April 2006. He attended boot camp, jump school, and AIT training at
Fort Benning, Georgia. He was later stationed in Vicenza, Italy as an Airborne Infantry Soldier with the 1st Airborne Battalion,
503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. After five and a half months he was then deployed to Afghanistan
in May 2007.
Mathew made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Please never forget what he gave and every other
fallen hero.
We love you Mathew and miss you every single day. You were always our hero and will remain our
hero.
Submitted by;
Loving sister and mom
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Michael Williams was like so many Americans.
He had a heart for others. From the time he was a boy, he spent much of his time, money, and energy on those around him. He
joined the Marines in 2001 because he wanted to make a difference in the world. He decided he could do so best by serving
his country. The events of 9/11 solidified his desire to be a defender of freedom.
Although thirty (30) years old
when he joined the Corps, Mike put everything he had into his training. He wanted to be the best at everything he did. He
left his family, a flooring business he owned with his brother in Phoenix, and everything he was familiar with, to go through
Basic Training. He stood out because of his effort, but also because of his age. Most recruits were his junior by at least
ten years. While they joked about his age (calling him "Omar" for Old Man River). they respected and looked up to
him.
During a grueling long distance run referred to as 'the Crucible". Mike fractured his foot... and
ran an additional fourteen (14) miles after that to complete the coarse. On another run, one of his fellow Marines collapsed,
and an exhausted Mike picked him up and carried him the rest of the way. In a letter to Mike's mom, his Platoon Commander
wrote: "I wanted to personally convey to you how well Lance Corpal Williams is doing in our Platoon. You should be proud
of his accomplishments. He is an excellent Marine who I believe will make significant contributions to the Marine Corps and
our Country".
When called on to deploy to Iraq, to participate in Operatiom Iraqi Freedom,Mike didn't
hesitate. He boarded the ship with his platoon, wanting to do his part. While at sea, a Doctor gave him the option to go back,
because of a medical issue, Mike would have none of it. He had trained for this and he would not let his buddies and his Unit
down. He wrote his brother, Joe, from the ship: "I left Phoenix and joined the Marine Corps because I wanted to be able
to say I made a difference in this world. I wanted to feel good about myself and to know my life wasn't a waste of time.
I now have a chance to make a difference in the world".
Mike made that difference...in the way he lived...and
in the way he died. He was killed in Action by mortar fire on March 23rd, 2003 at An-Nasinyah, Iraq. He is survived by his
parents, his brothers, and his fiancee. In his final letter from overseas, Mike summed up his take on life's priorities:
"...all that matters in life is ones relationship with God, and ones relationship with family". Mike Williams gave
up his life so that we in America, and those in Iraq, could have the freedom to pursue both. He is an Enduring Hero.
Submitted by;
Loving father, Joseph
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