Some Gave All!
"Greater love has no one than this,
than to lay down one's life for his friends."
This being true, how great is it then for those who lay down their lives for those they don't even know or even yet for those who are their enemies? Many often fail to realize that our troops who have shed their blood did not only do it for America, but for the liberty and freedom of many different peoples throughout the world. This page is in honor of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and gave all with their life!
If you know someone who has paid the ultimate price for freedom and would like to have his or her picture on this page, please attach their picture to an email and send it to webmaster@redshirtfridays.org. Please send ONLY 1 PICTURE to be included on the website along with a small sentence for a description to be placed under said picture. In addition, try to make sure that the size of the picture is no larger than 600px X 480px. Thank you!
Updated: 2012/10/30
On August 16th, 2012 Michael R. Demarsico was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan. He was only 20 years old. Michael was a great person. He was selfless, he put others before himself. Michael chose to become the point man for his platoon because he wanted to keep them safe. After finding 15 IED's Michael was killed when he came across his 16th. Michael leaves behind a Mother and a Father, 3 sisters, and 1 brother. But you cannot forget his loving community and friends. The day that Michaels body came home thousands gathered along the route to pay their respects to the fallen soldier. At Michaels funeral once again thousands gathered from the funeral parlor to the cemetery. He was truly loved by many. He will always be our hometown hero.
-Nicole Snow
Note from the editor: Here is a YouTube video of Michael's Funeral Procession
Also, read or leave comments about Michael on
God Bless Michael, all his Friends and especially his Family in support and remembrance.
-Reuben Moore (Webmaster @ RedShirtFridays.org)
Pfc. Matthew J. England, my beloved son, my only child, died June 8, in A Najaf province, Iraq, while serving in Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. Enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas. He entered active-duty service in September 2009 as an armor crewman, deployed in August of 2010 and expected to return home in August of 2011 following his one-year tour of duty. He is sadly missed by his Grandfather, Doug England a retired member of the Air Force, his two Uncles, Chris and David England, his Aunt Kari England all of Bartlett, Tn. As well as, Mary and Billy Rubin, Matthews Great Aunt and Uncle, of Memphis, TN. His mother Pamela Hengen of Gainesville, MO. As well as, Alyssa Blache and their precious little daughter Daphanie. A father couldn't be more proud of his son the way that I am, Matthew is a hell of a man, a grandson, a nephew. We talked and shared things only a father and son could have, these talks and every aspect of his life will endure forever in me. There is no one or nothing, even war, even his death that will be able to take that away from me. Matthew's life made a real and permanent difference to our lives, as well as his friends and extended family. A little about Matthew my son, in case you had never had the opportunity to know or meet him, between his grandfather and I, he inherited his handsome and good looks, his winning smile and outstanding sense of humor. He was clever, always surprising, one would never know what he would come up with next. Us three (my father, myself and Matthew) were so very close, inseparable, we looked alike, spoke alike, walked alike and were mischievous together. We earned and gained attention everywhere we went, we had so much fun, uncountable great times. His birth and his death have changed my life forever. I am so proud of Matthew, what he stood for, serving his country, his bravery, his courage, the ultimate sacrifice so that others may have a better life.
In loving memory of my beloved son Matthew Joseph England: Forever with love; his Father, Daniel Joseph England.
Bartlett, Tenn.
Marine SGT. Ryan Lane - In late July 2009, a young Marine SGT. Ryan Lane was on his second deployment in Afghanistan. Sgt. Lane had given up a promotion to SSGT. in order to be deployed with his Marines that he so diligently trained and trained with. Sgt. Lane and his small light armored recon team of Marines were given a mission to secure and hold a building in a stronghold of Taliban fighters. SGT. Lane and his Marines did just that before taking heavy ...Taliban mortar fire. SGT. Lane ensured the safety of his Marines before regarding his own life. His bravery and sense of duty saved the lives of his Marines. SGT. Lane paid the ultimate sacrifice.
SSgt. Andrew S. Bubacz - He was killed over in Afghanistan as a result of a head injury on November 12, 2010, he was 23 years old. Andrew was a beloved husband, son, brother, and a new uncle to a niece who although he saw over video chat from his bases, never was able to meet in person. People loved Andrew for his outgoing personality and his ability to emanate love. He is a Hero to everyone and especially those close to him. He touched the heart of everyone that he met. He truly is an amazing person.
Spc. Alexis V Maldonado - Died on August 21, 2010. To read his story click here!
Benjamin Moore - Specialist with the U.S. Army, died on January 12, 2011. To read his story click here!
Sgt. Gary M. Henry
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Age: 34 years old
Died: August 4, 2008 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Unit: Army, 38th Military Police Company, 38th Infantry Division, Indiana Army National Guard, Danville, Ind.
Incident: Killed in Baghdad of wounds suffered from a makeshift bomb.
- You are very missed Gary Michael, and always in our hearts. We love you.
James Wettish - 1/18/89 to 7/16/09
My brother, SPC James D. Wertish was killed in Iraq on July 16th, 2009 from indirect fire caused by a rocket attack at the base in Basra. He was killed along with 2 of his fellow soldiers, SPC Daniel Drevnick, and SPC Carlos Wilcox. They were great friends and the best soldiers. Please keep them in your hearts so they are never forgotten.
God Bless!
Medal of Honor
PO2 (EOD2) Mike Monsoor, a Navy EOD Technician, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his fellow Seals. During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEAL'S were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of two's, with the coffin moving up the center. As Mike's coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin.
The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero.
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Sergeant Merlin German (USMC) was born in Manhattan, New York on Nov. 15, 1985. He enlisted in the Marine Corps 08 September 2003 and received a meritorious promotion to Private First Class out of boot camp. in April 2004, Sergeant German transferred to his first permanent duty station, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division where he served as a Field Artillery Cannoneer.
Shortly after, Sergeant German was assigned to his unit, he was sent to Machine gunner's Course. Among the Corporals and Sergeants, he was the only Private First Class to attend the course. Sergeant German's outstanding leadership skills helped him to graduate second in his class.
In September 2004, Sergeant German's unit was attached to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines and became part of Weapons Platoon for convoy security. His unit was charged with safely transporting prisoners and cargo, and Sgt. German participated in over 150 successful missions. Sergeant German's Platoon Sergeant and Company Commander applauded him for his keen sense of spotting improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In the first six months of deployment, Sergeant German found 8 IEDs without anyone sustaining injuries. On 21 February 2005, Sergeant German's squad was on a mission to recon an unknown route from Jordan to Baghdad. While en route to Camp Ramadi, Sergeant German spotted an IED while standing in the turret at his Mk-19 machine gun. With no time to alert the driver, their HUMVEE was hit on a left side by a gas-fed shape charge explosive. Sergeant German was blown clear of the vehicle, and his fellow Marines helped extinguish the flames that had quickly burned 97% of his total body surface area.
Sergeant German was immediately transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany where doctors stated Sergeant German had NO chance of living. He had a quick turn-around flight to the burn unit at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio and he arrived on 25 February 2005. He was cared for as an inpatient for 17 months, and then resided as a guest of the Fisher House before purchasing his own home in San Antonio.
He fought bravely for more than three years but died in the hospital on Friday, while recovering from his most recent operation.
Please visit www.merlinsmiracles.com.
Staff Sgt. Blake M. Harris died in the line of duty 03/15/07 |
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Sgt. Lea Robert Mills 7/1/1984 Killed in action 4/28/2006 Iraq.
Once a Marine always A Marine! - Masaryktown, FL.
Lea was killed by IED while riding in the vehicle like the one in the picture. Lea lives on in the form of Lea’s Prayers & Postage a nonprofit organization to fund packages for troops. Lea’s Mom Dee Mills heads up this Effort. See our sponsor’s page for more info.
PHOTO COURTESY U.S. ARMY
Cpl. Adam D. Quinn, 22, of Orange City
Cpl. Adam D. Quinn, 22, of Orange City, was killed in Afghanistan when an IED exploded near the vehicle he was riding in. Quinn was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. His buddies remembered him as a leader who could always make others feel good.