IN MEMORY
Seventy FIVE in 2005
Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Falkel, 22, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., died on Aug. 8, 2005, in Deh Afghan,
Afghanistan, when his unit was conducting combat operations and was engaged by enemy forces using
small arms fire. Falkel was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. Christopher M. Katzenberger, 25, of St. Louis, Mo., died on Aug. 9, 2005, in Bagram, Afghanistan, of
injuries sustained earlier that day in Ghazni, Afghanistan, where an improvised explosive device detonated
near his HMMWV during convoy operations. Katzenberger was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th
Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C.
August 19, 2005
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier, who was supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Capt. Jeremy A. Chandler, 30, of Clarksville, Tenn., died Aug. 11 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, while he was
conducting training operations at Forward Operating Base Ripley. The incident is under investigation.
Chandler was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Sgt. Edward R. Heselton, 23, of Easley, S.C., died on Aug. 11, in Orgun-E, Afghanistan, when ordnance
exploded near the vehicle he was driving as his unit performed a route clearing mission. Heselton was
assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve's 391st Engineer Battalion, 415th Chemical Brigade, Greenville, S.C.
By Steven Donald Smith
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2005 – The second annual "Tribute to the Troops" motorcycle ride is scheduled to
roll through the American heartland over the Sept. 11 weekend.
Universal South recording artist Rockie Lynne, a Minneapolis resident and former Army paratrooper, will
headline a concert in Minneapolis at the end of the "Tribute to the Troops" motorcycle ride in September.
The tribute ride, which will include several hundred bikers, is a means to honor servicemembers who gave
their lives for freedom and to raise money for local Minnesota and Wisconsin military families who lost loved
ones in recent military engagements. The bikers will visit the homes of many these families to pay their
respects.
The event will conclude with a benefit concert headlined by Universal South recording artist Rockie Lynne, a
Minneapolis resident and former paratrooper with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division.
"We may not personally know the pain of losing a family member in this war, but we want to do
something to say a sincere thank you to those who are feeling that loss." Lynne said. "We are visiting
each individual family to acknowledge that their loved one was important to us."
Event organizer Gregg Schmitt added that "through these efforts we convey our gratefulness and appreciation
to all those who have served."
Last year's ride was an emotional event for many of those who participated. "If you were there, you can
understand what a powerful day this was. If you weren't, words cannot describe what a powerful, moving
experience it was," Lynne said. "While we can't possibly understand how their families feel and what they have
sacrificed, we can empathize and feel for them."
The 2004 Tribute to the Troops struck a cord with many of the families as well. "Gregg and Rockie are my heroes.
When I heard all the motorcycles come down the street, I couldn't believe so many strangers cared so much about
the loss of my son," said Mary Herrgott, whose son Pfc. Edward James Herrgott was killed in Iraq.
This year each family will receive a plaque, a letter of thanks, a commemorative flag and a DVD copy of Lynne's
original song "Home," a heartfelt personal tribute to a friend killed while on duty, according to a Tribute to the
Troops press release. This is not the first time Lynne has written a patriotic song. His previous tune "Red, White
and Blue," speaks to the fact that the U.S. military is comprised of individuals from all walks of life, yet when it
comes to protecting the nation, they form a selfless and cohesive unit, Lynne said.
This is also not the first event in which Lynne has donated his time to support the troops. Earlier this year Lynne
performed at an "America Supports You" salute to the troops concert at the Pentagon. America Supports You
is a Defense Department program that spotlights how Americans are supporting the U.S. military.
The 2005 Tribute to the Troops is actually three separate motorcycle rides that cover different parts of Minnesota
and Wisconsin. All three routes will converge on Hamel, Minn., where the benefit concert will take place. The
concert will also feature the regional bands The Killer Hayseeds, G.B. Leighton, and Brat Pack Radio. Tickets to
the show will be available at the door on the day of the event.
According to a Tribute to the Troops press release, all donations collected at the concert will be given to
the Wounded Warriors Hospital Fund, a nonprofit organization that purchases comfort items, such as
televisions and computers for military medical facilities.
Related Sites:
Tribute to the Troops
http://www.tributetothetroops.org/
Wounded Warrior Hospital Fund
http://www.woundedwarriors.org/
America Supports You
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/
The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Both soldiers died on August 18, 2005, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device
detonated underneath their HMMWV during ground assault convoy operations.
The soldiers were assigned to the Army's 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 555th Maneuver
Enhancement Brigade (Provisional), Fort Lewis, Wash.
Killed were:
1st Lt. Laura M. Walker, 24, of Texas.
Sgt. Robert G. Davis, 23, of Jackson, Mo.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
The Department of Defense announced the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom. They died on August 21 near Baylough, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device
detonated near their HMMWV during patrol operations. The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd
Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.
Killed were:
Spc. Blake W. Hall, 20, of East Prairie, Mo.
1st Lt. Joshua M. Hyland, 31, of Missoula, Mont.
Sgt. Michael R. Lehmiller, 23, of Anderson, S.C.
Pvt. Christopher L. Palmer, 22, of Sacramento, Calif.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Lance Cpl. Phillip C. George, 22, of Houston, Texas, died Aug. 18 from enemy small arms fire while
conducting combat operations near Taleban, Afghanistan. George was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine
Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Staff Sgt. Damion G. Campbell, 23, of Baltimore, Md., died on August 26, 2005, in Khayr Kot, Afghanistan,
where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during a combat patrol. Campbell was
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, Vicenza, Italy.
September 05, 2005
1st Lt. Derek S. Hines, 25, of Newburyport, Mass., died on Sept. 1, 2005, in Baylough, Afghanistan, when his
unit was conducting security operations and came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Hines
was assigned to the 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Vicenza, Italy.
September 27,2005
The Department of Defense announced the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom. They died southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan, on Sept. 25, when their CH-47 Chinook
helicopter crashed.
Killed were:
Chief Warrant Officer John M. Flynn, 36, of Sparks, Nev. Flynn was assigned to the Army National Guard's
113th Aviation Regiment, Stead, Nev.
Warrant Officer Adrian B. Stump, 22, of Pendleton, Ore. Stump was assigned to the Army National Guard's
113th Aviation Regiment, Pendleton, Ore.
Sgt. Tane T. Baum, 30, of Pendleton, Ore. Baum was assigned to the Army National Guard's 113th Aviation
Regiment, Pendleton, Ore.
Sgt. Kenneth G. Ross, 24, of Peoria, Ariz. Ross was assigned to the Army's 7th Battalion, 159th Aviation
Regiment, Giebelstadt, Germany.
Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart, 35, of Fernley, Nev. Stewart was assigned to the Army National Guard's 113th
Aviation Regiment, Stead, Nev.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
October 10, 2005
The Department of Defense announced the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Steven A. Valdez, 20, of McRea, Ark., died Sept. 26 from enemy mortar fire at Camp Blessing,
Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine
Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Media with questions about this Marine can call the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Public Affairs Office at (808) 257-
8840 or (808) 257-8839.
The Department of Defense announced t the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Robert F. White, 34, of Cross Lanes, W.Va, died west of Kandahar, Afghanistan on Sept. 26 when
his mounted patrol was engaged by enemy forces using small arms fire. White was assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Sgt. 1st Class James J. Stoddard Jr., 29, of Crofton, Md., died in Afghanistan on Sept. 30, when his vehicle
accidentally rolled over. Stoddard was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
Fort Bragg, N.C.
Staff Sgt. John G. Doles, 29, of Claremore, Okla., died in Shah Wali, Afghanistan, on Sept. 30, during patrol
operations when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms
fire. Doles was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, Vicenza, Italy.
Oct 19 2005
Pfc. Benny S. Franklin, 19, of Hammond, La., died in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Oct. 7, of injuries
sustained earlier that day in Helmand, Afghanistan, when he stepped on a landmine during patrol
operations. Franklin was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Staff Sgt. Troy S. Ezernack, 39, of Lancaster, Pa., died in Qalat, Afghanistan, on Oct. 9, of injuries sustained
earlier that day when his combat patrol was attacked by enemy forces using a grenade. Ezernack was
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.
Spc. Scott J. Mullen, 22, of Tucson, Ariz., died in Makati City, The Republic of the Philippines, on Oct. 14, of
injuries sustained there from a non-combat related accident on Oct. 13. Mullen was assigned to the 5th
Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group, U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations
Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Pfc. Joseph Cruz, 22, of Whittier, Calif., died in Bagram, Afghanistan, on Oct. 16, of non-combat related
injuries sustained in an accident at Organ-E, Afghanistan, on Oct. 15. Cruz was assigned to the 1st Battalion,
508th Infantry Regiment, Vicenza, Italy.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Fabricio Moreno, 26, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was killed Oct. 14 in a single-vehicle
accident in Manda Bay, Kenya. Moreno was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, Port
Hueneme, Calif. He was deployed as part of a Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa construction
team.
For further information related to this release, contact Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Public Affairs
Office at 011-253-358-997 or cjtfhoapublicaffairs@hoa.centcom.mil .
November 03, 2005
Staff Sgt. Travis W. Nixon, 24, of Saint John, Wash., died from injuries sustained north of Lwara, Afghanistan, on Oct. 29, when
his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Nixon was
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Sgt. 1st Class James S. Ochsner, 36, of Waukegan, Ill., died in Orgun-E, Afghanistan, on Nov. 15, when an improvised explosive
device detonated near his HMMWV during a supply distribution mission. Ochsner was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 3rd
Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Emory J. Turpin, 23, of Dahlonega, Ga., died Nov. 20 when he drowned in the Seychelles. Turpin was
assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 currently deployed to the Seychelles.
December 2005
Sgt. 1st Class John D. Morton, 31, ofStanton, Ky., died in Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan on Dec. 15, when his dismounted patrol
came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Morton was assigned to the 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range
Surveillance), 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.
Pfc. Jason D. Hasenauer, 21, of Hilton, N.Y., died near Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Dec. 28, when his HMMWV accidentally rolled
over during patrol operations. Hasenauer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne
Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
1st Sgt. Tobias C. Meister, 30, of Jenks, Okla., died south of Asadabad, Afghanistan on Dec. 28, when an improvised explosive
device detonated near his HMMWV during combat patrol operations. Meister was assigned to the Army Reserve's 321st Civil
Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, Texas.