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Run for the Fallen:
Those we'll remember, kilometers 34-44
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July 30, 2011 |
34. Sergeant Nicholas A. Gummersall,
Pocatello, August 6, 2007 |
Sergeant
Nicholas Gummersall, a member of the 2nd
Infantry Division of the 23rd Infantry Regiment
based in Fort Lewis,
Wash., was killed on August 6, 2007 in Baqubah,
Iraq, when an improvised
explosive device exploded near his patrol.
Nicholas is remembered as a
fiercely competitive, fearless, confident,
tough, witty and loyal friend who believed he
could accomplish anything and exuded an aura of
invincibility. He was a standout athlete who
once broke his arm in a football game and begged
the coach, with no success, to let him back on
the field.
Nicholas’s commander in
Iraq
described him as ''larger than life.'' The day
before he died, the commander said Gummersall
had just returned from a particularly dangerous
mission. While other soldiers were discussing
the hazards, Nick simply ruffled his hair,
smiled and said, ''It was just another great day
in Iraq.''
Another soldier described
Gummersall as a mentor who would work extra
guard duty so his comrades could sleep in.
Gummersall's motto in
combat, according to the soldiers who became
like family to him, was, ''Go big or go home.''
Gummersall was helping to
distribute humanitarian supplies when he was
killed.
He had served two previous
tours in Iraq
and a tour in
Afghanistan
before his most recent deployment in June 2006.
He would likely be alive today had the tour not
been extended by an additional three months.
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35. Specialist Vincent G. Kamka, Idaho
Falls, October 4, 2007 |
Vincent
Kamka was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th
Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat
Team, 82nd Airborne Division,
Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
He died
October 4, 2007, in
Bayji, Iraq,
of injuries received while serving his country
in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He was born
May 14, 1984, in
Idaho Falls, Idaho,
to Chuck and Brenda Kamka. He grew up in
Idaho Falls
and graduated from
Skyline High
School in 2003. He
lived in Everett,
Washington, for one year, and had been
serving in Iraq
for a year as a specialist in the U.S. Army.
Vince firmly believed in
the cause he was fighting for in Operation Iraqi
Freedom and served his country with great pride.
He was a member of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He
enjoyed target practice with bow and arrow and
guns, hiking, video games and taking walks with
his mother.
Survivors include his
parents, Chuck and Brenda Kamka of Idaho Falls;
brothers, Brendan McHugh, Christopher Kamka,
David Hayes, and Joseph Kamka;
sisters, Mia Chase,
Lisa Heimerl, Yvette Wise, Mary Tracy and
Connie Kamka, Cassandra Cantero and Bangladesh
sister, Shaba Alam; grandmothers, Dorothy Kamka
and Vivian Kinnie.
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36. Major Stuart Adam Wolfer, Emmett, April
6, 2008 |
Army
Major Stuart Adam Wolfer, a 36 year old father
of Lillian, Melissa and Isadora, was assigned to
the 11th Battalion, 104th
Division. On
April 6, 2008 while working out in
the Fitness
Center in the Green Zone in
Baghdad,
Iraq, Stuart and another
officer were killed by an incoming mortar
attack.
In 1993, Stuart graduated
Washington
University, St
Louis Missouri,
with a Bachelor of Business Administration and
was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant
in the Army ROTC program. Due to cutbacks in the
military, Stuart was placed in the Army
Reserves.
Moving to
Los Angeles
in 1996, Stuart attended
Law School
at Loyola
University,
graduating in 2002 with his JD. In Augus,t 2004,
he was called to active duty as a logistics
officer at Ft. Buehring, Kuwait, where he served
until October, 2005, and was promoted to Major.
In December he was
re-activated to the MNSTC-I/J3 and arrived at
Phoenix Base in the Green Zone January 2008.
While serving in the Green Zone Stuart was a
member B’nai Baghdad (a Jewish lay-led minyan);
a liaison to the Iraqi Jewish Community; a
participant in the Green Zone Council; Iraqi
Boy/Girl Scout Troop and a member of the
cricket team amongst the
multi-nationals.
Stuart said that if
Iraq
is to develop leaders, it needs to start with
the youth.
He resided in
Emmett, Idaho,
working as a regional representative for
Thomas-Reuters Legal Division in
Idaho
and Montana.
Lee Anne Wolfer, his wife of six years, called
him a “loving and amazing father. He was truly a
special, unique, dynamic person. He was
straighforward, ethical and he stuck to the
law.”
Stuart is also survived by
his parents, Esther and Len Wolfer,
Boca Raton, Florida,
and sister Beverly Wolfer Nerenberg, her husband
John Nerenberg and their four children.
“We are only failing him if
we let his message, his love for all people and
commitment to change for peace, be silenced with
the end of his life,” his family said.
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37. Sergeant Michael T. Lilly, Boise,
April 7, 2008 |
Sergeant
Michael T Lilly was assigned to the 1st
Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry
Regiment. He was deployed to
Iraq
for the second time in August, 2007, and killed
on April 7, 2008, in Sadr
City when enemy forces attacked
using a rocket-propelled grenade.
In memory of Michael T
Lilly
We will miss
you forever
In memory of
those who have gone before
And of those
who have gone since
With
grateful hearts we will never forget
For we know
too well the price of freedom
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38. Corporal Jessica A. Ellis, Burley,
May 11, 2008 |
Jessica
Ellis was born in Burley,
Idaho
on June
26, 1983. She also lived on
Boise and
Twin Falls.
She graduated from Lakeview (Oregon)
High School in 2002, where she was active in
cross country, track and field, and the swim
team.
After high school graduation she attended
Central Oregon
Community College in
Bend, while working
summers as a US Forest Service firefighter. She
earned an Associate of Arts degree.
In September, 2004, Jessica
entered the US Army with the goal of becoming a
Medic.
After successful completion
of basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood,
Missouri, and the Combat
Medic training program at Ft. Sam Houston,
Texas, she was assigned to the Army’s 101st
Airborne Division.
Corporal Ellis completed
her first 12-month combat tour in
Iraq
in 2006.
She earned the Combat Medic Badge for
treating a wounded comrade under direct enemy
fire on this first tour.
She left for a second
Iraq
tour in October, 2007.
She served both tours as a
combat medic with the 2nd Brigade
Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade
Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault).
Fellow soldiers called her
“Doc” Ellis, perhaps the highest accolade a
combat soldier can bestow on a military medic.
The combat engineer unit Jessica was working
with was attacked during a route clearance
mission in northwest
Baghdad the evening of May 11, 2008 (Mother’s Day). The
Buffalo
armored vehicle in which Jessica was riding was
struck by multiple explosively formed penetrator
warheads.
She died in the attack.
She was awarded the Bronze
Star and Purple Heart.
Corporal Jessica A. Ellis
was buried with full military honors at
Arlington
National
Cemetery in
Arlington,
Virginia.
Her courage, cheerful
spirit, and devotion to fellow soldiers were
noted many times to her family by the 101st
Airborne Division. She is honored at the
Division’s Memorial for the
Fallen,
Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
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39. Specialist Randy L.J. Neff,
Blackfoot, July 22, 2009 |
Specialist
Randy L.J. Neff served with the 4th
Engineer Battalion out of
Fort Carson, Colorado.
He was killed in northern
Afghanistan
on July
22, 2009.
Randy was a dedicated,
motivated and devoted husband, son, brother,
soldier and friend.
He had an ability to put
the people around him at ease and make his
comrades laugh until their sides ache. Randy
graduated from
Blackfoot
High School in 2006. The military
helped him overcome hardships he faced growing
up and he was excited about going to
Afghanistan
and serving his time there.
He is survived by his
loving wife, Madelyn Neff, his mothers Sandy
Davis of Blackfoot and Patricia Corrente of
Colorado Springs; his siblings
LCP Michal Neff, Craig
(Stacey) Davis, AbrieAnn Neff, Jaime Douglas,
Alexa Richards and Aubrie and Brianea Corrente.
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40. Sergeant Joshua J. Kirk, Bonners
Ferry, October 3, 2009 |
SGT
Joshua John Kirk was born in
Thomaston, Maine,
July 19, 1979. Assigned to
the 3rd Squadron, 61st
Cavalry Regiment out of
Fort Carson, Colorado,
he deployed for the second time to
Afghanistan
in May, 2009, in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom.
He served as team leader in
1st Platoon, B Troop, at Combat
Outpost Keating in the Kamdesh district of the
Nuristan
province of Afghanistan.
On
October 3, 2009, Joshua and seven of
his comrades were killed during one of the most
furious battles seen in eight years of fighting
in Afghanistan.
It was the heaviest loss of life for
U.S.
forces in a single battle since July, 2008, and
the largest single loss of life for
Fort Carson
since Vietnam.
Joshua’s family and friends
are inspired and comforted by the words of
General George S Patton, who, like Josh, served
in the U.S. Cavalry: “It is foolish and wrong to
mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank
God that such men lived.”
Among Sgt Kirk’s awards and
decorations are a Bronze Star Medal, a Bronze
Star with “V” for valor, a Purple Heart, and an
Army Commendation Medal with “V.”
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41. Chief Warrant Officer Mathew
Heffelfinger, Twin Falls, November 8, 2009 |
Matt
was born
Feb. 3, 1980, in
Portland, Oregon
and was taken from us
Sunday, November 8, 2009, while
serving in Iraq
from a helicopter accident. After completing
school, Matt joined the Army to better his life
for his family. He completed his basic training
in Fort Benning,
Georgia. He
then went to Fort Eustis,
Virginia, to train to be
a UH – 60 helicopter mechanic. He was then
assigned to his first duty station in
Savannah, Georgia,
and so very honored to be accepted into the
Nightstalker family, 3/160th SOAR.
He left
Savannah
in July 2005 to attend WOBC in
Fort Rucker, Alabama,
to start flight school. He finished at the top
of his class and loved the mission of the Kiowa,
and so he chose to fly the OH-58D. For the next
year and a half, he went through flight school
while living in Enterprise,
Alabama. After graduating from flight
school, orders came down to be stationed in
Hawaii.
Matt was a fun-loving man
who brightened everyone's day, just by the smile
on his face. He loved to play the guitar with
close friends and also knew how to rock out with
Rock Band. He also loved his family time,
whether it be going to the beach, zoo with his
girls, going on a bike ride, playing games in
the house, going to dinner and a movie or just
being outdoors hiking.
He had an adventurous side
that made him love fast cars, motorcycles, and
just recently this year learned he had a passion
for skydiving. Matt could go anywhere and
lighten up the room by his great sense of humor
and his quirky smile that he always had. Matt
had always strived to be at his best and when it
wasn't enough, he tried harder. He would lend a
helping hand to anyone that would ask and always
brought out the best in everyone.
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42. Lance Corporal Cody A.
Roberts, Boise, August 31, 2010 |
Twenty-two
year old Lance Corporal Cody A. Roberts died
defending the nation that he loved. Cody
embodied the true spirit of the Marine Corps,
believing entirely in his God, Family, and
Country –The three values he lived and died for.
He was an amazing Marine, husband, father and
hero. He made the ultimate sacrifice on the
streets of a city in
Afghanistan
so his son would never have to be afraid for his
life or ours.
Cody’s memory will forever
light up the lives he touched. He will be
forever loved. Cody was part of the most
honorable group of heroes who are putting their
lives on the line every day to keep the
nightmare of terrorism at arm’s length. He
brought great credit to the State of
Idaho.
Cody Roberts was a rifleman
in the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment,
Regimental Combat Team 7, I Marine Expeditionary
Force Forward. For his service, Cody received
the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan
Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal.
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43. Sergeant Nate Beyers, Coeur d'Alene,
July 7, 2011 |
Nate
Beyers, age 24, serving as a sergeant in the
United States Army, was killed in action
July 7, 2011 in
Bagdad, Iraq.
Nathan was dedicated to serving his country, to
serving others, and especially dedicated to his
wife and baby girl. He loved golfing, camping,
fishing, and bow hunting.
His boyish smile and
laughter will be missed by all.
He is survived by his wife,
Vanessa, and daughter, Ella Jo; his parents
Timothy Beyers and Sonja Beyers of Denver,
Colorado; his mother Natalie Bittner, Weir
Texas; siblings Tyler Beyers and Caelyne
Bittner; his grandparents, and two nieces.
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44. Specialist Nicholas "Nick" Newby,
Coeur d'Alene, July 7, 2011 |
Specialist
Nicholas "Nick" W. Newby of
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho,
was killed in action in
Baghdad, Iraq
on July
7, 2011. He was 20 years old.
He was born in
Anchorage, Alaska
on
August 25, 1990, and moved to
Coeur d'Alene with his
family when he was five years old. He graduated
from The Bridge Academy in 2008 and entered
military service at that same time.
Nick was assigned to Bravo
Company, 145th BSB,
as a Mechanic and later deployed in September
2010 as a Rhino Platoon member in support of
Operation New Dawn. His awards include the
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct
Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi
Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on
Terrorism Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon,
Army Overseas Service Ribbon,
Idaho
National Guard
State Service Ribbon and the Combat
Action Badge.
While in
Iraq, Nick was
completing college courses via the internet. He
had plans to complete his Associates Degree at
North Idaho
College before attending
Boise
State University.
He was an avid reader, always seeking knowledge
and truth.
Nick’s family shares that
Nick radiated positive energy and the smile
never left his face. His favorite saying was
"Quit whining" or "Quit yer bit----." His laugh
was both ridiculous and infectious. Nick had a
profound impact on everyone in his life and this
community will forever be changed by his death.
Nick is survived by his
mother Theresa Hart, his father Wayne Newby,
stepfather James Hart, stepmother Brigette
Newby, brother Nathan Newby, half-brother Ryder
Newby, maternal grandparents Roy and Pat Powers,
paternal great-grandmother Blanche Donahue, his
life-long friend Halei Schreiber and numerous
step siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends
and his doggie dog, Jax. He is predeceased by
his paternal grandparents.
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