|
 
PFC Miller KIA September 6, 2007
PFC. Mykel F. Miller, 19, was
killed in action on September 6, 2007 in the Zabul Province of Afghanistan while serving his first tour of duty in Operation
Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 158th infantry Regiment, Arizona Army National Guard Phoenix. Myke
graduated from Desert Vista High School in 2006 and shipped out for basic training shortly afterward. he was then deployed
for active duty in January of 2007. He loved his family dearly and although he leaves behind two much younger brothers, they
will always remember their older brother as his spirit will live on through the many lives he touched and as they grow up
they will hear the stories of the incredible man their big brother turned out to be. He will be fondly remembered by many
people as he was a very outgoing young man with a big heart and an even bigger personality. Like many young men, he really
enjoyed hanging out with is friends but his number one love was motorcycles. As an active member of the "Devil Riders"
club, he had recently purchased his first motorcycle, and although Myke will never get to take a ride on that new bike, we
are sure he is burning up the highway in heaven. A passion for two wheels and speed is one of the things that helped him stay
focused while he fought a hard battle that ultimately took his life. While in the military, he had the opportunity to assist
in some surgical procedures in the battlefield and had realized that he would like to pursue a medical career once he returned
home. We are so proud of Mykel as he "lived" more in nineteen years than many people do in a lifetime. He approached
every situation with iron will determination and a great sense of humor. Mykel will be greatly missed by all his family and
friends but remembered as a Patriot and hero. Submitted by loving mother: Maria Miller
Jeremy E. Christensen KIA NOVEMBER
27, 2004
Jeremy was born on September 24th,
1977 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He joined the Army when he was 18, and reported to Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri for his basic training.
He graduated from basic with honors. After some special schooling in Georgia, he returned to Portland and worked for the Army
National Guard. He also had a job as a Bails Bonds Man in Vancouver, Washington. While working as a bondsman, he traveled
through out Washington and Idaho for his job. Eventually, he was transferred to New Mexico to manage the Bail Bonds
office there. When September 11th happened, he decided to transfer from the National Guard and re join the Active Army. This
time he was sent to basic again at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He graduated from there and was now a Tanker. He loved that job.
I guess boys like to play with the BIG toys. Jeremy's unit was was sent to Schwienfurt, Germany, where they continued
to train. Eventually, he was deployed to Iraq, at the beginning of the war. He was involved in many missions over there, including
taking Fallajua, and Moseul Iraq. He was an excellent Soldier, and well respected by all of his men in his unit. Since he
was a little older than most of the other Soldiers, he became a mentor for many of them, as this war was very hard on some
of the younger Soldiers, Jeremy was up for promotion in December of 2004, but he was killed just before that date on November
27th 2004, while on a routine patrol, he was driving the M1 A1 Abrhams Tank on a road in Ad Duilavah, Iraq. The
Bradley vehicle in front of him broke down, and he pushed it out of the way, and took the lead. As they came up to the school
with children playing in the yard, the tank ran over a bomb that had been payed into the road, so it couldn't be seen.
Since he was driving with the hatch open and his gun on his lap, he took the brunt of the impact and was killed by the concussion.
Thankfully, his crew escaped with only minor injuries. Many of the school children also died that day. Jeremy was the
Tank Commander and could man any position on the Tank, he happened to be driving that day, as his regular driver was
hit when small arms fire the day before, but not killed. Jeremy was very athletic, loved to play mud football, and was
an avid New York Jets fan. He loved his large extended family, his Soldiers, and he truly believed in his mission. He was
very sympathetic to the Iraqi Children, he loved kids. Often he would stop the Tank and give the children candy and water.
He truly cared about the little children over there. I
am extremely proud of the man he grew up to be, and very proud of what he did for all Americans. His unit was awarded a Centcom
Valorous Medal for their bravery in Fallujah, the second one awarded during the war. He also was awarded the Bronze Star for
his individual acts of heroism. Loosing my oldest Grandson has changed my life forever, and with a very broken heart, I have
to remind myself just how proud I am of all that he did accomplish in his very short life. Submitted by loving Aunt: Jan
Entenmann
PFC Andrew
Jon Shields KIA May 31, 2008 Afghanistan PFC Andrew Jon Shields, was
killed in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan on May 31, 2008 when a suicide car bomber drove into the Humvee Andrew was in. He was
19 years old when he was killed. He had only been deployed in Afghanistan for approximately 1 month when he was killed. Andrew
was an Airborne Combat Medic of the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. Andrew was born on September 8, 1988, and grew up in Vancouver/Battle Ground, WA. He is survived
by his father, Jon J. Shields and step-mother Carol Shields, his mother, Wendy Campbell and younger sister Ryleigh Campbell
and many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is also survived by his fiancee Loren. Andrew was a Fire Cadet during his senor year of high school. Once out of the service, he wanted
to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a police officer, or either a firefighter or paramedic. Andrew loved hunting,
"muddin", hanging out with his friends and fire cadet brothers and sisters, and being with his family! But
more than anything , since he was a toddler, Andrew always wanted to be in the army. We were told that his troop/unit was
already calling him "Doc". He loved helping people. He had a special gift of giving and helping. He was one of the
most patriotic people in the U.S.A. He loved his country, and died for it. When Andrew told us he had signed up for the Army, we were so proud of him, and scared. We knew that
something could happen while he was deployed, but we never thought it would happen to Andrew. He was so full of life,
and so strong, and his smile lit up the world. He loved life an adventure. We thought if anyone would make it back alive it
would be Andrew. But now, he is our angel and has always been and will always be, OUR HERO!
Submitted by loving Aunt: Jodi Shields
|
|
PFC JEREMY DREXLER KIA MAY 2, 2004
Jeremy was the oldest of three wonderful sons. They were all three born at Ft. Leavenworth Army hospital.
Jeremy was born July 20, 1980. He was such a good baby. Then two years later his brother Tim was born July 18, 1982 and Kenny
March 29, 1984. All three of the boys joined the military around the same time period. Karl the
father of the boys is Coast Guard. His family was all Coast Guard. However none of the boys chose that branch. Jeremy went
in the Army, Tim Navy, and Ken Marines. These boys had a tough time growing up. As hard as we tried, they did not have the
same things other kids had. So in order to do better for themselves they went into the military to take advantage of the education
promised to them. Jeremy did not have that opportunity to use his, his life ended too soon. Jeremy
loved the Army. He grew into such a well adjusted young man. His self esteem improved, and things were starting to turn for
the better for him. He was the type of person that made friends wherever he would go. Never asking for anything in return,
always doing for others. He gave all he had. I heard a story from my son after Jeremy had died that Jeremy cooked his last
piece of hamburger for a stray cat because the cat was hungry. Jeremy’s heart was so big. He loved animals, cared about
everyone and everything. He would come home after working all day and help someone move or mow their lawn. Even though he
could have used the money, he never took it. He gave all of himself in whatever he did. He put time into serving his platoon
above and beyond duty to make sure he did the very best he could. He was the first to go out shooting and the last to go to
bed I have been told. His commander told me stories how he was responsible for saving many lives and the soldiers he was with.
He did not receive honor metals but he deserved to be respected and honored. Jeremy was so worried
that when the other sons were over there in Iraq that I would be so worried about them. These boys are my world; I can’t
bear the thought of losing even one of them. He asked my neighbor to watch over his mom. I was a nervous wreck with him over
there. He did not want me to receive a flag on his behalf he told my neighbor. But I DID. Christmas
2003 was the last time he came home before going to IRAQ. He was so extremely quite during this visit. I could tell something
was worrying him. He kept a happy face the best he could but I knew he must have had moments he feared something bad would
happen to him. I asked him the famous question, god forbid anything would happen to you, do you know where your soul would
go? He assured me all is well with him and God so I drop it immediately. His best friend came
to take him back to Ft. Hood and as Jeremy leaves, I give him a big hug and kiss and told him I loved him. When I went back
inside I felt a heavy black cloud commusing me and I knew then that was going to be the last time I would ever have with him
alive. I cried all day. Could not shake this feeling. He went to Iraq after leaving all his earthly
belongings to his fellow soldiers. Instead to putting his stuff in storage, he had given it to his fellow soldier buddies
to hold until he came back. So even his car was reposed and his stuff was gone after his death. I did not ask them to return
anything. It was my son’s wishes for them to keep that stuff. I did get one of his uniforms, his boots, and a photo
of him with an angel beside him while he was mopping. When I saw this photo, (a year later) my heart felt some peace. He is
with God. Once my son was buried, my heart shattered in millions of pieces, we were soon forgotten.
Kansas has done nothing for our fallen. I have been trying for 5 years to get a memorial built for ALL our fallen only to
be blown off. I have stood face to face with all our state officials many times. I did not get any help, they just walked
away. I have written letters too, nothing. I stand alone in my fight for our soldiers. Others just accept it. I would like
to have something done for our soldiers; I even will provide a statue so it won’t cost the state anything just place
it somewhere honorable and secure. I wish I could get some help from a famous person to help raise the money needed to buy
the land and do it myself but that will never happen for me. Things for me always come with a high price. I wish for help
with my yard issues, a new van, or even help building a new deck but that is only a dream. I have to die knowing I have let
my son down. HE IS FORGOTTEN. But I will never forget him. Jeremy’s soldier buddies gave
him the nickname Spider Monkey because he could go where no other could. He loved Monkey’s. I would love to have a plaque
near the Monkey cage at the Zoo for him but the man that said he would retired. So even that is put off. I continue my fight! His hobbies were collecting Marlyn Mansion CD’s, loved Spider Man, X-man, and Stitch and Pokey man. We tried
to find the Stitch stuff animal but they were not made yet. He wanted to take it to IRAQ with him. Instead he took the Pokey
man dude and a flintstones pillow. The brothers are SGT. Kenneth Drexler Marines AM2 Timothy Drexler Navy Father is Karl Drexler Submitted
by: Loving Mom Debbie Drexler
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
