Currently browsing: Fallen Soldier
Soldiers’ Angels calls on Americans to actively observe Memorial Day
May 25, 2011 by Nicki Faulk
Soldiers’ Angels calls on all Americans to actively observe Memorial Day this May 30 by participating in an official Moment of Remembrance or undertaking other acts in honor of the over 1.3 million service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Established by Congress, National Moment of Remembrance asks Americans to pause in an act of remembrance for one minute on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time. The Moment can be as informal as ringing a bell, a moment of silence, a prayer or singing at a concert, etc.
Additional acts of Memorial Day remembrance can include the following:
- Visit a local VA hospital to learn the stories of patients’ fellow soldiers who never came home
- Use blogs, Facebook or other online resources tell the stories of family members who died in service to the country
- Read the names of fallen heroes on websites such as Honor the Fallen.
- Throw a care package party or write letters of encouragement for a hard-hit unit or the Mortuary Affairs units that care for America’s fallen heroes (for info, email events@soldiersangels.org)
- Visit a local military cemetery or memorial to stand in quiet solidarity with those who have lost their brothers and sisters in arms on the battlefield
- With conscious awareness of those who have made our safety possible, enjoy a weekend vacation or celebration in “the land of the free because of the brave”
- Attend a local parade
- Fly the American flag (at half-staff until noon and then full height until dusk, if possible)
- Use Angels Mail to tell your story of a fallen hero (send it to angels@soldiersangels.org and we will post it for you)
Please make a commitment to promote the National Moment of Remembrance and other Memorial Day activities to local leaders and businesses. This is a time to come together in honor of those who have given their lives so that we may continue to live free. In this shared remembrance and shared activities, we connect in gratitude as one America.
River Falls mourns loss of a hero
September 18, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sgt. Gordon’s loved ones:
Army officials say a Stryker Brigade soldier who fell ill in southern Afghanistan has died at a military hospital in Germany.
According to an Army statement, 22-year-old Sgt. Robert David Gordon II of River Falls, Ala., got sick last Friday and died Wednesday at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. His illness was not disclosed but is described as not related to combat.
Gordon enlisted in the Army more than four years ago in Montgomery. He was assigned to the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, which was sent to Afghanistan in July.
Pinson mourns loss of a hero
August 21, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to PFC VanOsdol’s loved ones:
VanOsdol was a 2005 graduate of Pinson Valley High School and was assigned to the Army’s 172nd Support Battalion, Schweinfurt, Germany.
Alabama loses another hero
August 14, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Captain Luce’s loved ones:
The soldier was serving as Team Commander in Qole Gersdar, Afghanistan when his vehicle was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device. He was assigned to 1st Battalion 20th SFG in Huntsville, AL.
Two other soldiers were killed in the attack including Sergeant First Class Severin W. Summers 43 of Baton Rouge, LA and Sergeant First Class Alejandro Grenado 42, of Tatum, TX.
Funeral Services were held for Luce at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Chapel on Fort Bragg, NC Thursday.
Baldwin County loses a hero
August 12, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lance Corporal Ferrell’s loved ones:
“Please pray for us, pray for me, pray for my family”
Pam’s son, Lance Corporal Bruce Ferrell, Junior, was killed Monday fighting the war on terror in Afghanistan. The 21-year old Marine machine-gunner known as “Little Bruce” or “Bubba” … was on foot patrol with his unit when an I.E.D. went off. The blast killed him instantly.
“He wanted to serve his country,” says Pam. “He was proud to be a Marine.”
Pam says tragedy seems to follow the Ferrell family. Her 21-year old daughter was recently killed in a car accident.
“To lose two children within two years…I’m just going to need a lot of prayers from everybody.”
Bruce immediately joined the Marines after he graduated from Baldwin County High School in 2006. He had been overseas since May, serving a seven-month tour of duty. Bruce was recently engaged to be married.
Eufaula mourns loss of a hero
August 11, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sgt. Evans’ loved ones:
“They got out (of the vehicle) and then shots were fired,” his father said. The family was informed of the incident Friday evening. More on this story will appear in the midweek edition of The Eufaula Tribune, available Tuesday morning.
Walker County mourns loss of a hero
June 5, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Parrish’s loved ones:
Dusty Parrish of Walker County was an Army medic and a graduate of Jasper’s Walker High School. Karen Tucker, a friend of one of Parrish’s cousins said that Parrish was due to come home in July.
Huntsville mourns the loss of a hero
June 4, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to SSG Hall’s loved ones:
SSG Jeffrey Hall of Huntsville was in Afghanistan when he was killed in a roadside bombing. WAFF 48 News was told Hall was a platoon leader and one of three soldiers killed in the IED attack.
This wasn’t Hall’s first tour of duty in Afghanistan. He’s described as a man of high character and morals, and as a decorated soldier who will be greatly missed by his community.
Hall attended Westminster Christian Academy his freshman year of high school and was enrolled at Grissom High School from 1997 to 1998. He spent the next two years up until graduation at Huntsville Christian Academy.
“He’s left a rich deposit into my life personally,” said pastor Dr. Reggie Whitton. “I remember him as if I’d seen him yesterday.”
Whitton recalled the first day he met hall.
“I asked him, ‘What do you want to do with your life after graduation?’ And he immediately said, ‘I’m going to join the Army.’”
On Wednesday Whitton scanned the handwritten student application Hall filled out, where he said Jesus was his favorite character in the bible.
“One of the questions I asked him was, ‘What do you do on weekends?’ He said, ‘I visit my grandparents, who are sick. and I help them with their household things and their yardwork.’”
Hall attended a community college in Syracuse and enlisted in the Army, where he made his way up to a Ranger, one of the most elite and dangerous groups in combat.
His family called his loss one from which they’ll never recover, saying the United States has lost a great soldier and son. He was also a husband and father of a 1-year-old little girl. Finally, he is a hero who many will remember for his dedication and ultimate sacrifice.
“If I could speak to him personally I would just embrace him and tell him how proud and thankful I am for him and of him,” Whitton said. “He’s a hero.”
Alabama Loses a Hero
May 20, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sergeant Lee’s loved ones:
Lee’s mother, Norma Lee, said her son had just recently undergone surgery on his appendix and had not been out of the hospital for more than two weeks. She questioned whether he should have been back into combat so soon.
The soldiers were members of the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment and deployed earlier this year with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lee, who joined the Army in 2006 and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan, had re-enlisted in December and was scheduled to return home in July.
Athens mourns loss of a hero
January 20, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Private Turner’s loved ones:
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