ARMY 1st LT. LOUIS E. ALLEN (Milford, Pennsylvania)

Lieutenant Allen was best known as Mr. Allen to his students at George F. Baker High School. He was also a husband and father of four boys named Trevor, Collin, Sean and Jeremy who were ages 2-6 when he died. He drove more than an hour each way to the high school where he taught science. He loved kids and had a real passion for his students, according to Superintendent Joseph P. Zanetti. He died on June 8, 2005 after an explosion in Tikrit. He was 34 years old. Allen enlisted in the National Guard in 1999. His friends said that he always had a way of making people feel good. His principal described him as someone who was very special to the students and staff alike. Many people said he was the best teacher at the school. Fellow teachers said that “everyday he took good care of all of his students and friends.. and made us laugh". He was extremely proud of his students.

Being in the Army National Guard Reserve, he worked full time as a science teacherand one weekend a month training for his Reserve duty. "He deployed to Iraq for many reasons - for patriotism, to support his friend who was already there and having some trouble. He went to help”. Mr.

Allen had what he called 'Lou's Rules' as a way to come to understand his system of life. "The benefits of teaching always outweigh the drawbacks, being a good dad is measured by the love of your children and good behavior, fall in love and let the chips fall where they may, quote every movie like you wrote it, sing every song like you wrote it, treat others like you want to be treated."

USMC CORPORAL CHRISTOPHER DAVID BORDONI (Ithaca, NY)

Christopher David Bordoni, born August 3, 1990 in Ithaca, NY, died April 3, 2012 as a result of injuries sustained January 18, 2012 in Afghanistan. Christopher was a graduate of Ithaca High School, class of 2008. He was an exceptional athlete with a passion for soccer. Christopher loved to laugh and make others laugh as well, especially with playing practical jokes. Chris had a determined mind and excelled in everything he wanted to accomplish. He pushed himself to prepare for his most important achievement: becoming a United States Marine.

Chris was an exceptional United States Marine. He served two tours in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Receiving the Leatherneck Award for High Shooter in Boot Camp, he went on to receive four Expert Marksmanship Badges. Chris also received the Purple Heart and many medals and honors for his exemplary service. He was dedicated and strong willed in achieving his goal of becoming the best Marine on every level.

On a personal level, he was thoughtful and caring, particularly towards his wife. She was shy and has said she got nervous when people came to speak to her. He knew this and would always calm her with his kind words. Knowing his support for her, she managed to speak at his funeral in front of hundreds of people. He continues to inspire all of us.

ARMY PFC. JACOB FLETCHER (Bayshore, NY)

When Jacob Fletcher was 8 years old, he filled out an advertisement in a magazine to enlist in the Army. When he was not successful the first time, he tried again. His mother said she had recruiters calling her house thinking her son was adult. She said “he always gave me a run for my money!” An only child with a tremendous sense of humor, Fletcher was an athlete in high school on the varsity wrestling team and he also played lacrosse. He was raised with a spiritual outlook on life, Fletcher embraced his Jewish heritage got a tattoo the Star of David. After the attacks on 9/11, he decided to enlist in the Army feeling a responsibility to help protect his country.

While serving in Iraq, he wrote letters home commenting on the difficult conditions in that country for the Iraqi children people. He was someone who always thought of others. For example, in one letter to his mother, he asked her to send a care package to one of his friends who did not receive any mail from home. As a tribute to her son’s character and service, his mother started an organization called Jacob’s Light Foundation which has sent more than 400,000 pounds of care packages to the active troops.

At the cemetery, his headstone has his name, rank and says “courage and compassion”. He was killed in Iraq on November 13, 2003. He 28 years old.

ARMY PFC. SEAN SCHNEIDER (Janesville, Wisconsin)

Sean graduated from Janesville Craig High School in 2000 and while he was quietly contemplating a military career for some time, the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 solidified his decision to pursue the military as a career. His high school humanities teacher said that in 27 years of teaching, that Sean was one of the most caring students he had ever taught. The teacher said he was the kind of “kid you would like to have in class, or as an employee….the kind of kid you would want as a friend”.

Growing up, he was always tinkering with vehicles and motorcycles so when he joined the military, he wanted to be a mechanic on tanks, which he became. Always an outdoorsman, he liked to run, hunt and canoe. He was tall, over 6 feet, and often towered over others in photographs. He left behind his wife and dog, Hercules and loved them both very much. He also loved America and believed in fighting for the rights and freedoms that we enjoy so that others could live freely. Those who knew him talk about his love of discussing ideas. In October 2003, he and his unit found out that they were going to Iraq. Sean was excited about the upcoming deployment and felt he was finally getting the chance to fulfill his purpose.

In early March 2004 his unit deployed to Iraq and he died shortly thereafter in an accident involving the truck in which he was traveling in a town called Diwaniayh. He received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.

ARMY STAFF SERGEANT NATHAN JON VACHO(Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin)

Nathan was a 1995 graduate of Ladysmith Wisconsin High School. In high school he was on the football team and the school newspaper staff. He also was a member of the civil air patrol. He attended Lake Superior College in Duluth Minnesota and was certified as a licensed practical nurse. He began his army career March 24, 1998, when he enlisted into the Army Reserve as a military firefighter. His military training and experience in the civil air patrol during high school. He served for four years in the engineer unit in Minnesota beforetransitioning into the Army medical career field in 2002. He was required to complete a52 week residence Practical Nurse Course which he graduated from in 2003.

In 2005, he completed the Army Emergency Technician Refresher Course. Nine years into his military career, he was mobilized as a health care specialist and deployed with his

unit to Iraq.

Only two weeks into his deployment, he was killed in action at the age of 29.He received multiple medals honoring his service. He was posthumously (meaning after his death) promoted to Staff Sergeant and awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge. He had planned on serving in the military for a full 20 year career.Friends described him as someone who always had a smile on his face and a joke or funny story to tell. A fellow soldier who served with him in Iraq described him as not good, but outstanding. “He went out of his way to help any of the soldiers in our company, regardless of whether we were on his team or not”. Many people noted his deep love for his father and daughters. We will be sending the quilt you create to his parents.

ARMY SGT. ELIJAH TAI WAH WONG (New York, NY)

Elijah Tai Wah Wong came from a poor family on New York City’s Lower East Side projects. His father was of Chinese descent, but Wong and his siblings were raised with Modern Orthodox Jewish values through their Jewish mother. Wong is remembered by his sister as an outgoing, funny and mischievous child who attended grade school at Yeshiva Rabbi Jacob Konvitz and from there went on to Israel to finish high school on a kibbutz. After graduation, Wong joined the Israel Defense Forces and served in the Golani corps.

Returning from Israel, Wong enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, married his wife, Lizeth, and became a father of three children. She said, “Eli didn’t wait for someone to say to do something, he just went ahead and did it. He always saw the good side of everything and always tried to make people laugh”. He would always learn jokes just to make people laugh. He was also a talented artist, even though he did not spend a lot of time drawing as an adult. His sister said he was the kind of person who tried to save the world one person at a time and truly believed he could…. Eli believed that humanity is good and ultimately good will prevail”.

He was killed on February 9, 2004, in Iraq, while defusing a bomb. He was 42 years old.

AIR FORCE 1 st LT. ROSLYN L. SCHULTE (Ladue, Missouri)

Roslyn, or “Roz” as her friends called her, was always a stellar student who as a young student participated in the International Model United Nations in The Hague. She was also a star athlete who played lacrosse in high school and later at the Air Force Academy. She was a generous member of her community in Missouri. She could have gone to an Ivy League university, but instead chose to attend the Air Force Academy as she dreamed of being a fighter pilot since she was 12. She attended the Academy and was among the top in her class, graduating in 2006. She was its first female graduate killed in combat.

Initially, Schulte wanted to be a pilot but instead pursued a degree in military intelligence. She would tell her dad that now she got to do research and decide where the planes should go based on what she learned. He said that was just like her as she was a leader.

Her friends said that Roz “looked as beautiful in a mouth guard or an evening gown. We remember that when Roz spoke, you listened….and if you didn’t, your arm might be sore soon! ”

She was killed on May 20, 2009, near Kabul, Afghanistan, when her vehicle struck an explosive device. She was 25 years old and left behind her parents, a brother and a boyfriend who is also in the Air Force and was planning on proposing to her later that year.

USMC SGT. JAMES ALLEN COLEMAN (Clinton, Indiana)

“Jimmy”, as his little sister Mary calls him, was a tender hearted guy. He was ten years older than Mary in their family of ten children. She recalls him sitting on their porch in Indiana for hours at a time playing his guitar and can still recall how much he enjoyed playing “You Are My Sunshine”. When his sister was only about 4 years old, they had a bad fire in their home. She remembers being in her bedroom, the smoke was everywhere and she was so scared. But she should not have been as her big brother would save her. He came in the room and told her “I’m your horsie, so you just lay on my back, grab my neck tight and you don’t have to be scared.” She did as he said and he crawled through the thick smoke with Mary on his back getting her to safety. He would never have left that house without her.

Jimmy came from a family that knew the definition of service probably more than any other American family in history. Five of his brothers served in WWII at the same time. Later, he and another brother served in the Korean War at the same time. While in Korea, he wrote letters home about the horribly cold weather. One of his fellow soldiers recalled that it got so cold that

the waterfalls would freeze. One of his fellow heroes, John Murphy who won the Purple Heart in Korea said that “Jimmy was one the bravest soldiers I ever knew.” In August of 1950, Jimmy went Missing In Action (MIA) for 12 days. Involved in a fierce battle, he was stuck behind enemy lines and eventually managed to be reunited with his Company. In April of 1951, Jimmy’s plan to make a career in the military came to an end when he was Killed In Action (KIA) at the age of 23.

His sister describes life as being very different in 1951 when Jimmy died. There were so many soldiers that went Missing In Action (MIA) and Killed In Action (KIA) in the Korean War, that the military did not come to all the homes to notify families when soldiers were killed. Instead, the names of those listed as MIA or KIA would be announced on the radio at the same time every evening. So her family would gather nightly to listen to the announcements and her mother would cry every night for the other families who just learned the news about their son being on those lists. They did not learn about Jimmy’s fate from the radio. First, they received a letter saying he was MIA and awhile later received a letter telling them he had been killed. His body was never recovered.

LT. MICHAEL McGREEVY, NAVY SEAL (Portville, NY)

Mike was born in 1975 and grew up in upstate New York. During his high school years, there was not much he did not do. He wrestled, played soccer and hockey, but his true passion was running. He set his school’s record for the 800-meter run. He was likewise hard working in the classroom. Not only was he in the Honor Society but he was always looked for new and challenging learning experiences. For example, he wanted to learn to speak German but it was not one of the languages offered at his high school.  This didn’t stop Mike. He bought German books and taught himself.  He even took the New York State Regents exam in German and passed it! 

As a classmate, Mike displayed great citizenship. He was known to defend classmates from bullies, encouraging respect for all, was always ready to help others

and was active in student government.   After high school, he attended the US Naval Academy where he was Class Secretary and graduated first in his class! After the Naval Academy, he applied for the Navy SEAL training, he was not accepted. Mike did not give up and chose to serve two years on a ship and to reapply. He not only went on to graduate from the SEAL training, but he was named Honor Man of his class.

Mrs. Incognoli, a teacher at TZE, knew Mike her whole life and described him as simply an exceptional human being; one of humility, honor, and subtle pride. He lived his life constantly striving to be a better person, while fully enjoying each day, however challenging it might be. Whether he was planning out missions as a SEAL, helping a friend or neighbor in need, or enjoying his time as a husband and father,   Mike did everything with purpose, joy and a calm integrity.

Mike was killed in action on June 28, 2005 in Afghanistan while he and other SEALS were attempting to rescue 4 fellow teammates under enemy fire on the ground.   Mrs. Incognoli that Mike would want us to live as follows: To know we can make a difference in the little things we do everyday and to: Do Justice, Walk Humbly and Love Greatly.

ARMY SPECIALIST LORI ANN PIESTEWA(Tuba City on the Navajo Reservation, Arizona)

Lori Ann became the first Native American woman in history to die in combat with the U.S. military

and the first woman in the U.S. military killed in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She was also a single and very proud mother of a 3 year old girl named Carla and 4 year old boy named Brandon. They are now being raised by her parents.

Lori Ann’s Hopi Tribe name of “Kocha-Hon-Mana” means White Bear Girl. She was born on December 14, 1979 in Arizona. Her father is a full-blooded Hopi Native American and her mother is Mexican-American. Her service was part of a long military tradition in her family. Her paternal grandfather served in the U.S. Army in World War II. (Navajos were instrumental to the U.S. victory in WW II where they served in combat and as Code Talkers. The enemy was unable to interpret their Native language, so were

could relay messages safely that could not intercepted by the enemy) Lori Ann’s father was also a veteran who was served a full tour of duty with the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War.

In high school, Lori Ann was already on the path for her military career. Establishing herself as a loyal American and leader, she served as a commanding officer of the Junior ROTC program. An energetic student and tough competitor, Lori pitched and played second base on her high school softball team. She later married her high school sweetheart, also a Navajo and in the Army, but they later divorced.

On March 23, 2003, the convoy in which her vehicle he was traveling ran into an ambush and came under a torrent of fire. She drove at a high speed, successfully evading the enemy fire until her vehicle was struck by artillery causing her humvee to crash. She and two other female soldiers survived the crash with injuries while 3 other soldiers in the Humvee died. All 3 women were taken as Prisoners of War but Lori Ann died soon after from her wounds. The two other women survived.

Army Reserve Lt. Col. Shawn M. Pine (San Antonio, Texas)

Son of a career military man, Shawn Pine grew up moving from Army base to Army base and always knew he would enlist. His father served 30 years with the U.S. Army. Pine went to summer school so he could graduate from high school a year early. His family then moved to Israel and he served with the Israeli army in 1974. (U.S. citizens can have dual citizenship with Israel, meaning they are citizen of both countries) The Israeli Army then asked him to give up his American citizenship which he would not do, so he moved back to the U.S. to attend college.

He graduated from Georgetown University majoring in foreign relations and later earned a Master’s Degree in Mid-eastern Studies from the University of Texas. He joined the U.S. Army, where he served for about 15 years and as an elite Army Ranger. During that time he got married, had 3 children and settled in San Antonio Texas. Described as a charming man with a

stubborn streak, he loved to engage in political debates, always playing the role of devil’s advocate. He grew up with the idea that you owe an obligation and loyalty to your country. After the attacks on 9/11, he joined the Army reserves after having left military life.

Wherever he was stationed, Shawn found people he could help. In Afghanistan, he met a little girl who supported her family by selling scarves and he bought some each week to send home to his family. Earlier on the day he died, he had mailed out a box of these scarves to his family. He died on May 20, 2009 near Kabul, Afghanistan. He is buried next to his father in Arlington National Cemetery. He was 51 years old.

NAVY ENGINEMAN 2 nd CLASS MARK IAN NIETO (Fond du Lac, WI)

Marc was killed while working on the U.S.S. Cole. This Navy ship will be in NYC this Memorial Day 2014. On October 12, 2000, it was in the port of Yemen in the Middle East when it was the target of a terrorist attack while the ship was refueling. The terrorist ran a boat with explosives into the ship creating a 40 foot hole in the ship killing 17 crew members and injuring 39 others. The ship was on a mission to support the UN embargo on Iraq. He was born on July 25, 1976 and graduated high school in 1994. Having a father in the Marines must have inspired him to a military career. He enlisted in the Navy that same year and was 2 weeks away from finishing his 6 year commitment when he died. He worked in the engine room on the USS Cole and loved repairing machinery. He oversaw the Cole's air-conditioning

and reverse-osmosis water purification systems. He was known as being able to break down and rebuild almost anything. His biggest joy in life was his vehicles and working on the engines. Even when he was younger, he always loved repairing engines. Marc was also a bodybuilding fanatic and jokester who dispensed nicknames to the young sailors who worked with him. As a dedicated sailor, he was very proud to serve his country in the Navy. In his six years of service, he was promoted five times and earned nine commendations including the Navy Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He is remembered by his family, friends and shipmates for his strong resolve, relentless determination and infectious sense of humor, which kept them everyone alert. He is survived by his parents, a stepfather and siblings. He was buried at sea but also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery.

AIR FORCE CAPT. MARY THERESE KLINKER (Lafayette, Indiana)

Operation A nurse in with the Air Force in the Vietnam War, Mary was awarded two medals after

she died for her work trying to save children. In fact, it was while she was trying to save orphaned children. She knew the inherent risk of the Operation she volunteered for, but felt it was worth risking her life to save the children. She was the last American nurse to die in Vietnam, but not the first.

Klinker volunteered for the Air Force in 1969 while the Vietnam War was going on. In 1974, she was a flight nurse assigned to the Phillipines. Once the city of Saigon fell into the hands of our enemy in the war, President Ford ordered an airlift of all orphans, many of whom had American fathers, to the U.S. Mary’s squadron’s motto was: "Anything, Anywhere, Anytime" and was tasked with bringing those children from Vietnam to the Philippines. Klinker volunteered for the humanitarian effort, which became known as Operation Babylift.

One nurse who was on a later flight in the Operation recalled seeing hundreds of orphans a two-story villa lying on mats crying, cooing, playing and sleeping. She recalled the apprehension and fear that they all felt as the flight took off to go into this dangerous area and wondering if their plane would be shot down by the enemy. On April 3, 1975, Klinker died when her plane crashed. Her name is listed on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.

USMC CAPT. JENNIFER J. HARRIS(Swampscott, MA)

Jennifer was an overachiever in high school. She won several scholarships including one from the Parent-Teacher Council. She graduated from high school in 1996. She then headed to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annanpolis where she organized a "Toys for Local Children" group. She modeled it after a similar program started by a teacher at her high school. She also sent annual checks to the local group.

After the Naval Academy, she could have gone into the Navy or Marines and chose the Marines where she wanted to be pilot. She trained in Quantico in Virginia, Pensacola in Florida and Corpus Christi in Texas. She was then assigned to an infamous squadron called the "Purple Foxes" with a lengthy combat history. She finished her training as a helicopter pilot at the end of 2002 and was assigned to Iraq to fly helicopters carrying both supplies and troops between Iraq and Kuwait. When a Marine lay wounded on a battlefield, Jennifer flew her helicopter in during day or night to him her fellow soldier. She had completed two tours of duty in Iraq before this third tour.

Her final mission came in daylight. She volunteered to transport blood supplies but insurgents shot down her chopper, killing Harris just days before she was to return home to Swampscott. Someone said she was too close to leaving for her to go, but Jennifer insisted that she wanted to fly as that was why she was there.

USMC PFC. HAROLD CHRIST AGERHOLM(Racine, WI)

Harold grew up in Racine, Wisconsin and worked for a year after high school as an operator. In the height of WWII, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942. He received the Medal of Honor for risking

his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Marianas Islands in the Pacific in July of 1944. When the enemy launched a fierce, determined counterattack against our positions and overran a neighboring artillery battalion, Harold immediately volunteered to assist in the efforts to check the hostile attack and evacuate our wounded. Locating and appropriating an abandoned ambulance jeep, he repeatedly made extremely dangerous trips through heavy rifle and mortar fire and single-handedly loaded and evacuated approximately 45 soldiers who were injured, working tirelessly and with utter disregard for his own safety during a grueling period of more than 3 hours. Despite intense, persistent enemy fire, he ran out to aid 2 men whom he believed to be wounded Marines but was himself mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper while carrying out this hazardous mission. His brilliant initiative, great personal valor and self-sacrificing efforts in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor and is bestowed by the President.

ARMY SGT. KEICIA M. HINES (Citrus Heights, CA)

Keicia M. Hines was working in the arms room handing out weapons when she met Sean Hines. They married on Christmas Eve in 2001. Her husband recalls that the humor was constant in their relationship as they clowned around a lot and he was in love with her. Kecia was 27-years-old when she died after being struck by a vehicle in Mosul, Iraq in January of 2004. She was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. Kecia loved the movies and loved to shop. The day before she died, she sent her husband an e-mail asking him to order some clothes and shoes from a trendy store. In the e-mail she told her husband she was "exhausted and couldn't wait to get home and that she loved him.”

According to her mother, she was having a difficult time being in Iraq seeing all the devastation. She was a sensitive person. Her mom would tell her to just take it one day at a time. On the same day that Coleman learned of her daughter's death, received a package from Hines containing a purse stuffed with beads, money and a note that said "I love you, Mommy." Even though she was at war, she still managed to put together a package and gift for her mother. She will be remembered as a good daughter, wife and soldier. Her fellow soldiers recall her bubbly laugh and infectious smile who made life more fun.

ARMY STAFF SGT. ALICIA BIRCHETT (Mashpee, MA)

(Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe)

An uncle of Alicia’s found a note she wrote before being deployed on this last tour of duty which read: "I am doing this to make you proud." Alicia was a career military officer and at 29 she had already served five international tours of duty from Germany, to Korea and Iraq. She had 12 years of service at the time of her death at age 29 in Iraq in August of 2007. She also is survived by her husband, three young sons: Joe, Julian and Silas, ages 2-7.

After graduating Falmouth High School on Cape Cod in 1995, she then enlisted in 1996. Relatives said she was the person who always put everyone else first. She was a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and described as a strong, loving, giving person who loved to take care of people.

In the Army, she worked as a mechanic. Iit was a tough job that she loved. It gave her a chance to travel, serve her country and make her family proud. Her military decorations include the Bronze Star.

ARMY SPECIALIST DOUGLAS J. GREEN (Sterling, VA)

Douglas grew up in Northern Virginia and was known for caring about his high school, its students, teachers and the community that surrounded it. He also cared about his country and shortly after graduation from Potomac Falls High School, he joined the Army in 2007. His aunt recalls him as “one of the nicest human beings on the face of the Earth. He was an amazing person.” The assistant principal at his high school describes Doug simply as being “just so genuinely nice to others. He always communicated a sense of caring for his teachers, his classmates and his school.” His principal said he was “a pretty selfless kid.” His ethic of service was such that when he decided he wanted to go serve his country, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone who knew Doug’s character.

Besides his character, he was also a student who was involved in activities in high school as diverse as playing football and lacrosse yet also acting in the school play such as “Footloose”. He was voted “Most Likely To Stay Forever Young” by his classmates in the school yearbook. To his parents, he was “all that they could want in a son”. He was a happy child who grew up to be a strong man who loved his country, his family, his friends, comrades, and his sweetheart. He was “a unique person who tried to ease stress with his humor.”

After completing the Army’s basic and advanced training in Georgia, he was sent to Alaska in March of 2008. He then served two tours of duty. His first tour was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and his final tour was in Operation Enduring Freedom. His fellow soldiers recall him always trying to be the calming force, trying to lighten the mood and reassure them everything would be okay. His positive attitude was one of his most notable qualities. He died on Aug. 28, 2011, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan at the age of 23 when insurgents attacked his unit using a makeshift bomb. He is survived by his Green’s parents and sister.

NAVY SEAMAN JAMES RODERICK McDANIELS (Norfolk, VA)

James was only 19 years old when the attack occurred which took his life and he was on his first overseas deployment. He was a towering figure standing at 6 feet and 4 inches tall, but to his friends and family, he was known as 'Little Mac'. As a high school student, he played basketball (No. 24 on the Norview H.S. Pilots) and later enjoyed pickup games with his Navy buddies. He was known at his high school as being quiet but always friendly and contributed to his school. Driven by a love of adventure and a sense of duty, James chose to join the Navy. He planned to stay in the Navy for three years, then use the money he saved to attend college. The baby-faced 19-year-old set off sailing to the Middle East on a Navy destroyer and felt it was one of the most exciting things he had ever done. He emailed with his sister daily telling her how excited he was and how much he loved the experience. James was also going to be a father in another four month at the time of the attack. He knew it was going to be a boy and wanted to nickname his son ``Ace'', but he never got the chance to meet his son.NAVY SEAMAN RECRUIT LAKIBA N. PALMER

(SAN DIEGO, CA)

During high school, Lakiba was a track star and good student. She wanted to join the Navy for stability and a sense of purpose. Friends recall her pride in wearing her Navy uniform. "She missed her family when she was away but she was so proud of what she was doing, seeing the world and serving her country”. She was a real athlete, very aggressive, very competitive and spoke up for herself. Her never wavered in her desire to make something of her life.

A star hurdler and sprinter, she was the anchor on a relay team that went to the regional finals in her senior year. She was selected by a local newspaper in its academic honor roll of athletes. She was very popular, highly regarded for her good attitude and her refusal to give up" said her math teacher. She maintained a top grade-point average despite missing school because she was needed to babysit young children in her extended family.

Friendly to everyone, so dedicated to doing well at track and never one to complain about going to practice every day, she was a stellar teammate. She was also known for having great fashion sense and wearing a constant smile. She graduated in June 1996, was married and had a young child when she joined the Navy in 1997.

Lakiba was killed while working on the U.S.S. Cole. This Navy ship will be in NYC this Memorial Day 2014. On October 12, 2000, it was in the port of Yemen in the Middle East when it was the target of a terrorist attack while the ship was refueling. The terrorist ran a boat with explosives into the ship creating a 40 foot hole in the ship killing 17 crew members and injuring 39 others. The ship was on a mission to support the UN embargo on Iraq.

ARMY STAFF SGT. ROBERT MILLER (WHEATON, IL)

Rob was born in 1983 to Maureen and Philip Miller. He was a very active child and his first friends were the children of Cambodian refugees whose stories about the horrors of their country under the leadership of a brutal dictator named Pol Pot made a deep impression on Rob.

As a young boy, Rob played many sports: baseball, gymnastics, basketball and track. He was also a Boy Scout and played the trumpet and tuba. He had a lively curiosity about the world and particularly interested in history. In high school, he spent hours every day in the gym and was co-captain of the school’s gymnastics team in his junior and senior years, leading them to fifth place in the state tournament. He worked at a local gym as a janitor at night and then, because of his patience, teaching the autistic children. Rob followed his passions, from learning Latin and other foreign languages, but those passions did not always include doing homework. Growing up, planned to apply to the Naval Academy but could not because he was color blind. He was not discouraged and his resolve strengthened after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He wanted to be in the Army Special Forces, even though he knew the training would be challenging and take years. After a year of college, he enlisted and began several years of training until he attained the title of Special Forces Sergeant and assigned to an Airborne Special Forces Group. How grateful his soldiers would be for his dedication to his training and for the values with which he was raised. He was awarded 2 Army Commendation Medals for Valor for his courage under fire during his first deployment in 2006 in Afghanistan. He returned in 2007 for a 2nd tour of duty. On January 25, 2008, his patrol was engaged in a gun battle. After the engagement, they were assessing the damage and had no cover when they were ambushed. Rob was less than 20 meters from enemy forces. Nonetheless, with total disregard for his own safety, he called for his men to quickly move back to covered positions as he charged the enemy alone with no cover and under overwhelming enemy fire. In doing so, he provided protection for his team, even though he endangered his own life. He was shot in his upper torso and ignored the wound, continuing forward to push the enemy back and killed 10 insurgents. His extraordinary valor ultimately saved the lives of 22 soldiers. President Barack Obama awarded him The Medal of Honor,

after his death for his heroism and selflessness.