Mountain Man Memorial March

Honor*Through*Action

The 19th Annual Mountain Man Memorial March planning is underway and we look forward to seeing everyone!  Book your travel for this year's event taking place April 10-11, 2026.  Join us as we host our Gold Star Families and celebrate the lives of our fallen Veterans!

We thank the Mountain Man Memorial March faithful who have been the bedrock in the continued growth of our event and Veteran & Gold Star community which continues to Honor our Fallen and support our Gold Star Families!  To the new participants in 2025, we thank you for joining the MMMM family and we look forward to seeing you in future events.  We are so thankful for our participants, volunteers, partners and sponsors!  

For 2026, the Mountain Man Memorial March will again partner with Legacies Alive (https://legaciesalive.com/), a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization directly supporting Gold Star Families.  Legacies Alive will again cook three hot meals for all registered participants and volunteers.  THANK YOU Legacies Alive for providing!!

FRIDAY AFTERNOON LUNCH, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

SATURDAY - PRE RACE – BREAKFAST, 6:00 – 8:00 AM

SATURDAY - POST RACE - LUNCH / DINNER – NOON TIL 6:00 PM

The 2026 Mountain Man Memorial March will continue to offer both the March events and the Run events. We look forward to having everyone return to Gatlinburg in 2026 to join with our Military and Veteran community!

We are thankful to both the City of Gatlinburg and the Sevier County Schools to keep the 2026 Mountain Man Memorial March start and finish at the Pi Beta Phi Elementary School (125 Cherokee Orchard Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738) and pre/post race activities adjacent to the school.

We expect no major changes to the courses and you can find them a last year's link - 2025 Mountain Man Memorial March Course Maps can be found here: 18th Annual Mountain Man Memorial March Routes.  The bridge construction in Emert's Cove area (vic mile 20) is complete - so no detour over the rocks!!!!!!!!

2025 Full Marathon Course Map (updated 2.25.25) 

2025 Half Marathon Course Map

2025 10K Course Map

2025 5K Course Map

In addition to in-person racing and the usual categories in the team march, individual march and run events, we will also continue to offer a virtual racing option in 2026.  We believe many MMMM veterans want to return, but the virtual option will be there if you cannot make it to Gatlinburg and still wish to be a part of this tremendous event and mission.  Virtual racers will still receive the same race shirt and participant medal, but will not compete for placing since conditions will vary at each of their location.  We hope this slight change to the format offering will accommodate all of our previous MMMM family and allow us to continue to grow the race in Honor of our Fallen and in support of the Gold Star Families left behind.     

The run events include a full 26.2mi marathon, a 13.1mi half marathon, a 10K run and a 5K run. The run events are further divided into categories based on gender and age.

The march events have two distances - the full 26.2mi marathon and the 13.1mi half marathon. The march event subcategories will be defined further as follows -  an individual, as a team (5 members), in a civilian category or in a military qualification category.  Competitors in the Military category, whether competing as a team or as an individual, must be affiliated with a military organization or military type organization. Military teams or individuals may register in the civilian categories but civilians without military affiliation may not register in military categories. The March categories are further divided into Heavy and Light categories.  Heavy categories and Light categories have uniform and ruck sack weight requirements - see here. Individual march events will be further divided into categories based on gender and age.  See the official rules for a complete breakdown of categories and uniform requirements.

Pre-race packet pick-up will be published as we get closer to the date of the race. All registrations will be online only!  We are working with other organizations & vendors to also be available during both Friday and Saturday.  

GOLD STAR FAMILY CEREMONY:  The Gold Star Family Ceremony will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026 in the Mills Auditorium located within the Gatlinburg Convention Center.  We will be reaching out to the Gold Star Families registered with more information.  

OPENING CEREMONY: The race events on Saturday, April 11, 2026 will begin at 7:30 AM with the opening ceremony and followed by the race beginning at 8:00 AM. Winners of the run and march events will be recognized and prizes awarded throughout the day as the events culminate. 

The route begins in Gatlinburg and makes it way through Gatlinburg and into the Smoky Mountains. The route consists of paved road, gravel road, and other uneven terrain. The route is made of up of flat stretches, rolling hills, and steep climbs. Water points, snacks, medical aid and support staff will be positioned and available along the route, but it is highly recommended that all participants carry appropriate water and fuel to properly finish their race.

HONOR*THROUGH*ACTION

Company C, or as it's officially named, Bandido Charlie, first got its namesake in 1967 during the Vietnam War when 1st Lt. Larry A. Garner assumed command of the unit. While in command and leading his troops in battle, Garner would routinely wear a red bandana around his neck, and it didn't take long for his men to follow suit.

After seeing the Soldiers in their red bandanas and in clear violation of uniform regulations, the battalion commander told Garner that he and his men "looked like a bunch of bandidos." Liking the name, Garner immediately began referring to the company as Bandido Charlie.

"His mentality was a somewhat renegade mentality, but they were the best at what they did so they got away with it," said Capt. Robert C. Churchill, the current commander of Bandido Charlie and a native of Flushing, Michigan. "He found a way to rally his men and it was to do something that was against all regulations, but they rallied behind a logo, they rallied behind a red bandana and ultimately behind Larry Garner, who found a way to build a cohesive team."

After renaming the company, Garner acquired more bandanas for his men and worked with the company to design a unit patch and company specific flag, or guidon, the same pattern used on the company's guidon today.

"These men and women were put in horrible positions, and for a man like Larry Garner to come along, he was just a dude that wanted to do the best he could for his men," Churchill said. "He truly had a mission first, but Soldiers always mentality."

Garner would pay the ultimate sacrifice during his service in Vietnam. After relinquishing command of the company, Garner volunteered to lead a small group of Bandidos to rescue a downed helicopter crew on July 30, 1967. Once at the crash site, Garner established a defensive perimeter in preparation of an enemy counter attack, during which he and two other Soldiers were killed defending the downed aircrew.

"To me, that's pretty powerful," Churchill said. "In a draft Army, and in a war that was gaining less support from the people back home, he still raised his hand and said, 'yes, I'll lead some of the Bandidos to help these guys out,' and he paid the ultimate sacrifice for it."

Garner's fighting spirit and dedication to duty still lives on in the unit today.

"What that does to today's Soldiers is it puts them in a mindset that they are part of something special that goes back 50 years," Churchill said. "It breaks us apart from every other unit in the sense that we are different, and with that there's responsibility."

"We have to act better and we have to get better at what we do every day for those that came before us," he added. "And it truly does show in our company."

While the spirit of the Bandidos has lived on in the company, it wasn't until 2005 former Bandido commander Sherwood Goldberg, along with some senior Army leadership, petitioned the Department of the Army to reinstate the company's name and signature guidon. After a unanimous vote from the Soldiers of the company, the Department of the Army approved the unit's official name, making it the only company level unit in the Army to carry a distinctive unit designation.

For Churchill, it's a point of pride to be the commander of Bandido Charlie, and he uses the lessons learned from the past to ensure he provides the best leadership possible to his Soldiers.

"I have to be where the friction is for the company," he said. "I have to put myself in the worst position first to show that the men and women of the company are going to be okay, because that's the responsibility of Bandido Six."

Even for the Soldiers of Bandido Charlie, Garner's reputation and commitment to the Bandido name lives on in the unit. All Bandido Soldiers carry a red bandana with them, and during training, the Soldiers can be seen riding top of their signature M1 Abrams tanks still wearing the iconic red bandanas and flying their unique company guidon.

Hometown: Lexington, VA

Branch: U.S. Army

Unit: 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team

Military Honors: Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart

Date of Sacrifice: June 27, 2012 - KIA in Maidan Shahr, Wardak province, Afghanistan

Age: 24

Conflict: War in Afghanistan, 2001-2021

Stephen Chase Prasnicki was born in Lexington, Virginia, on February 9, 1988. Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, Lexington is home to the Virginia Military Institute (https://www.vmi.edu/)—the oldest state-supported military college in the United States.

Stephen, better known as “Chase” was an excellent student and standout quarterback at Rockbridge County High School in Lexington and was highly recruited by the time he graduated in 2006. His leadership abilities made him a natural for military service, and he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point (https://www.westpoint.edu/) after graduating high school.

While a cadet at West Point, Prasnicki played quarterback and safety for Army’s Black Knights football team. His wife Emily later recalled to CBS Sports, “On the football field, they called him ‘Nitro’ because he was just this full force of power and energy. He gave everything he had into every play he did, whether it was a practice or a game.”

After graduating in 2010, he served as a Graduate Assistant football coach at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

Prasnicki graduated with honors from the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leaders Course, at Fort Sill (https://sill-www.army.mil/), Oklahoma in 2011. Prior to attending U.S. Army Ranger and Airborne Schools at Fort Benning (https://www.benning.army.mil/), Georgia, Chase was assigned briefly as an Army Recruiter in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He graduated from Ranger School in September 2011 and Airborne School in October 2011.

On November 26, 2011, Prasnicki married Emily Nichols of Yorktown, Virginia, at Langley Air Force Base (https://www.jble.af.mil/). The following day, he departed for his first duty assignment as an Army Ranger—with the 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Airborne Brigade Combat Team (“Sky Soldiers”) stationed at U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg, Germany. Emily was able to join him in Bamberg in December 2011.

While stationed in Germany, First Lieutenant Prasnicki completed Army Pathfinder School. He was trained to provide navigational aid and advisory services to military aircraft.

In late June of 2012, Prasnicki and his team were deployed to Maiden Shar, Wardack province in Afghanistan. He was assigned as a platoon leader. His commander, Capt. Tom Feeney, commented that Prasnicki volunteered to go on patrol the moment he arrived in Wardak—making him “a commander’s dream platoon leader.”

Three days later, on June 27, 2012, was killed when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was 24 years old and had been married to Emily for just seven months. Also killed in the attack was Sgt. James L. Skalberg Jr., 25, of Cullman, Alabama.

For his actions in defending his country, 1LT Stephen Chase Prasnicki was awarded a Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, and Purple Heart. He was laid to rest near his hometown in Buena Vista, Virginia.

January 31, 1985 - 9 July 2011

First Lt. Thomas Joseph Williams Jr., 26, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Daniel Cole, 41, of Knoxville died Saturday when their OH-58D Kiowa Warrior crashed near Caryville’s Exit 141 on Interstate 75 around 5:30 p.m., according to the Tennessee National Guard.

The men served with the 230th Air Cavalry Squadron, Troop C, based at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Louisville. They were conducting a routine training flight, Guard officials said.

Harpeth Hills Funeral Home

Thomas Joseph Williams, Jr. was born January 31, 1985, in Nashville to Thomas Joseph Williams, Sr. and Lynne Tune Williams. In addition to loving parents, Thomas has two loving sisters Ann-Marie and Mary Jo Williams. Thomas’ love of his life for the past 5 years is Nikki Schmidt, who was his fiancé, confidant and best friend.

Thomas touched the lives of so many through all aspects of this life – family, friends, fraternity and military. His ambition and personality affected each person he came across, and he left a lasting legacy in every life he entered.

Thomas was a pilot and a proud patriot. He was an Aviation Officer of OH-58D(R) and Platoon Leader in C/1/230th ACS with the Tennessee Army National Guard at the McGee Tyson Aviation Flight Facility outside of Knoxville.

Thomas was owner and president of Southeast Investment Group, which he started in 2009 in Knoxville, specializing in real estate sales and investments as well as construction and project management. Thomas was especially proud and loved restoring and renovating older and historic homes, particularly the Victorian houses in the World’s Fair Park area in Knoxville.

He was an affiliate broker at ERA Top Producers Real Estate in Knoxville and also was a Project Manager at A & L Construction. As a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Thomas became a real estate agent, affiliate broker and advisor with Coldwell Banker Wallace and Wallace in Knoxville.

Thomas graduated from Hillwood High School in Nashville in 2003 and entered the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, where he graduated in December 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Geography with concentrations in Military Science, business, urban development and land use and planning. During his freshman year at UT, Thomas joined Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and remained active in the organization.

As a cadet, Thomas served with the U.S. Army Reserve and TNARNG, C TRP/1/230th ACS. Thomas was commissioned as a 2LT Tennessee Army National Guard after completing the UT ROTC program. He returned to the UT Army ROTC program in 2011 as an assistant professor of Military Science.

After being commissioned, Thomas became Officer Strength Manager and Interim Company Commander of Det 2 HHT/1/230th ACS. In February 2008, he moved into Liaison Officer of the Det 2 HHT/1/230th ACS. He also completed a Leadership Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky., and a Leadership Development and Assessment Course at Ft. Lewis, Wash.

In March 2009, he left for Officer Training. He completed Basic Officer Leadership Course II at Ft. Benning, Ga., and Aviation Officer Basic Course OH-58D(R) at Ft. Rucker, Ala. In November 2010, he returned to serve as Aviation Officer and Platoon Leader at Det 2 HHT/1/230th ACS at Alcoa.

At Ft. Rucker in 2009 and 2010, Thomas completed HOST – Helicopter Overwater Survival Training; DUNKER-N9; HEEDS -Helicopter Emergency Egress Device System; SERE – Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape; Level C Full Spectrum; and U. S. Army Armor School Cavalry Leader Course.

We’ve had a lot of questions from new participants about the Gold Star Family Ceremony on Friday evening and wanted to share a little more about what it means…

The ceremony is a time set aside for Gold Star Families to gather in fellowship, share stories, meet new people, and honor the memory of their fallen loved ones together. It offers a quiet opportunity for connection, remembrance, and support.

If you would like, please bring a framed photo of your fallen soldier to place on the remembrance table during the ceremony. 🇺🇸

This year, the ceremony will take place Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Mills Auditorium at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, and will include refreshments, a guest speaker, and a special performance by musical guest Mark Mackay!------------------------------

The awards are broken down into the following three major categories - RUN, TEAM MARCH and INDIVIDUAL MARCH.  

RUN - each of the 5K, 10K, HALF and MARATHON run events will be awarded in the following manner

5K RUN - overall fastest MALE and overall fastest FEMALE; further, in eight separate age categories each of the top three finishers for MALE and each of the top three finishers in the age group will be awarded a GOLD, SILVER or BRONZE medal 

10K RUN - overall fastest MALE and overall fastest FEMALE; further, in eight separate age categories each of the top three finishers for MALE and each of the top three finishers in the age group will be awarded a GOLD, SILVER or BRONZE medal

HALF MARATHON RUN - overall fastest MALE and overall fastest FEMALE; further, in eight separate age categories each of the top three finishers for MALE and each of the top three finishers in the age group will be awarded a GOLD, SILVER or BRONZE medal

MARATHON RUN - overall fastest MALE and overall fastest FEMALE; further, in eight separate age categories each of the top three finishers for MALE and each of the top three finishers in the age group will be awarded a GOLD, SILVER or BRONZE medal

TEAM MARCH - each of the HALF and MARATHON TEAM march events will be awarded in the following manner

TEAM MARCH - There are six team march events and age and gender are not a consideration for any team event.  The following apply to all seven team events:

• 1st Place Team - the team will receive a trophy cup and each team member will receive a GOLD MEDAL and a commemorative "GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN" statue
• 2nd Place Team - each team member will receive a SILVER medal
• 3rd Place Team - each team member will receive a BRONZE medal

INDIVIDUAL MARCH - each of the HALF and MARATHON INDIVIDUAL march events will be awarded in the following manner

INDIVIDUAL MARCH - There are eight individual march events - age is not a consideration, but gender is a consideration for all individual march event.  The following apply to all eight individual events:

• 1st Place - the first place MALE and first place FEMALE in each of the eight individual march events will receive a GOLD medal and a commemorative "GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN" statue
• 2nd Place - the second place MALE and second place FEMALE in each of the eight individual march events will receive a SILVER medal 
• 3rd Place - the third place MALE and third place FEMALE in each of the eight individual march events will receive a BRONZE medal 
•  

March 11, 1977 – May 30, 2005

Derek was raised in Lompoc, California, where he showed remarkable determination and athleticism from an early age. Passionate about water sports—especially water polo—he began attending high school practices in fifth grade. He graduated from Cabrillo High School in 1995 as a standout on the water polo team and earned league MVP honors. Inspired by his grandfather, a World War II Marine, he was also driven to serve in the military. To strengthen his chances of attending the United States Air Force Academy, he enrolled in two preparatory schools after high school.

In 1997, Derek was admitted to the Air Force Academy, where he earned all-conference honors as a four-year letterman on the water polo team. After graduating in 2001, he entered the combat control training pipeline and earned the red beret of a special tactics officer in 2003. He was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, and deployed to Iraq in February 2005. In this elite role, he coordinated air support for ground missions, working alongside Navy SEALs and Army Rangers. On May 30, 2005, Derek was killed during a training mission in eastern Diyala Province, when an Iraqi Air Force aircraft crashed.

His legacy lives on through his wife, Wendy; his son, Logan; and the many family members, friends, and comrades who continue to honor his memory.

Jason M. West grew up in Crafton, PA and attended Carlynton High School.  As a child he enjoyed playing army, being outdoors, and participating in sports such as football, baseball, and golf.  Jason was a leader from the start who enjoyed socializing with friends and family.  He enjoyed cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates.  Jason also had a love for cooking and loved to show off his talent whenever he could especially during BBQ's.  

Jason graduated from Slippery Rock University with a BSBA in Human Resources and a minor in Leadership in 2002.  He was an active member of the U.S. Army out of high school as well as SRU’s Army ROTC program.  Jason's first tour of duty serving Operation Iraqi Freedom while he was stationed in Germany was in Baghdad, Iraq as a tank platoon leader serving with the 1-37 Bandit unit.  His second tour sent him to Ramadi, Iraq where he helped train Iraqi Soldiers with the 1st Armored Division.  

On July 24, 2006, Jason, 28, was killed in action when he encountered enemy fire.

November 13, 1980 – December 12, 2005

Jared was an only child who grew up in the small rural town of Rocky Mount, Virginia. He loved music, art, and especially reading. He devoured books of every kind—history, religion, biography, nonfiction, and all genres of fiction. After graduating from Franklin County High School in 1999, he spent a year at community college before enlisting in the U.S. Army.

He completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and advanced individual training at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He was then stationed in Bamberg, Germany, with the 54th Engineer Battalion as a track vehicle mechanic. In 2003, he deployed to Iraq during the initial invasion. After his first tour, Jared sought a greater challenge and a more active role. He re-enlisted and changed his military occupational specialty to cavalry scout. After training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he joined the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado, and deployed to Iraq again. On December 12, 2005, he was killed in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device struck his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during a patrol.

Jared’s legacy endures in the memories of his family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

CPL Jason Dane Hovater

United States Army | KIA July 13, 2008 – Afghanistan

Specialist Jason Dane Hovater was born and raised in Tennessee—the Volunteer State—and he lived that identity long before he ever wore a uniform. After 9/11, he chose to serve, stepping forward in a time of war with the same willing heart that defined his entire life.

On July 13, 2008, with only 10 days from coming home, during the Battle of Wanat, Jason did what he had always done—he volunteered. Under relentless enemy fire from an estimated 250 insurgents, he ran nearly 100 yards uphill to reinforce an observation post that was close to being overrun. That decision, in the face of overwhelming danger, helped save the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. For his extraordinary courage and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star; the nation’s second highest honor.

But to those who knew him, Jason was so much more than a soldier. He was the life of the party, the one who could make anyone laugh and bring light into any room. Even in deployment, that same humor became a source of strength for the men around him, offering moments of relief in the middle of war and a long 16-month deployment. 

At his core, Jason was a man of deep faith. Before the Army, he was a worship leader, and alongside his family, he sang in churches across their community. Faith wasn’t just something he believed—it was something he lived.

Jason’s life was marked by courage, joy, and a willingness to give of himself for others—both in the ordinary and in the extraordinary. His legacy is not only in how he died, but in how he lived, how he loved, and how he continues to inspire.

Every step taken in his honor carries his story forward—a reminder of sacrifice, of faith, and of a life that still calls others to live fully and bravely. 

His memory is carried on by his many friends, family and the community he loved and lived in. Our true hometown hero.

4 May 1984 - 13 July 2008

Jonathan was born in Atlanta, Georgia and was raised in the community of Snellville where he played soccer from the age of 4, learning not only defense but later on in his years of playing becoming a strong offensive player as well. He enjoyed the comradery, played hard but also always defending his teammates.

In the crucible of the Battle of Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13th, 2008, he embodied the very spirit of resilience, rising through adversity as iron is forged in flames. Only a few days from leaving Wanat and in a town where they were trying to set up a base, the Chosen Company came under attack from several hundred insurgents. With very few supplies, protection walls not built and drone support being pulled to protect a visiting General, the 40 members of Chosen Company felt the rush of an oncoming battle starting at 4:20 in the morning.

The OP that was over the base only had a big rock and they had dug out a shallow hole to protect them, but they knew that if they were overrun all their team in the base below would not have much protection, so they stood their ground.  Almost all in the OP and the ones trying to get them ammo from the base died.  Jonathan was hit once in his helmet but got back up to continue firing at the insurgents. The second time he was hit was the one that took his life. He was honored by many of the ones that survived by being at his silver star ceremony, held in the high school where he graduated.

Om May 20, 2009, the swearing-in room at Ft. Gilliam where recruits take the oath of enlistment, was dedicated as the Corporal Jonathan Ayers U.S. Army Ceremony Room. Jonathan also had the intersection on a major highway near his high school named after him.

Jonathan was a person of faith, loved helping others, enjoyed making people laugh and cared deeply for his family and friends. Jonathan was a very talented musician as well as singer. In his younger years as well as soccer, he sang with the Young Singers of Callanwolde and in middle school played the cello and would get to school early to practice becoming 1st chair. So, when his comrades from Chosen Company told us he would quit reading, get off his bunk and run up a high score on guitar hero, we were not surprised. In high school he had given up the cello to be in the JROTC. He became Cadet Commander his senior year and awarded Outstanding Commander at the State of Georgia JROCT drill meet. He never gave up on singing with us or even playing handbells in his mother’s handbell choir.

Though he is gone, his legacy echoes in the hearts of all who knew him—an enduring reminder that courage, honor, and brotherhood live on.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
— John 15:13

19 June 1983 – 16 June 2007

Frank Walkup IV of Woodbury, Tennessee was an extraordinary young man who had always planned to follow in his father’s (Army-Operation Desert Storm) and grandfather’s (Navy-Viet Nam) footsteps through military service. He participated in 4 years of JROTC in high school, and then 4 years of Army ROTC in the Rocky Top Battalion while attending The University of Tennessee, Knoxville from 2001 – 2005 when he commissioned as a 2LT upon graduation. Frank was married to his college sweetheart, also a UTK alumnus, Sabita Maharaj Walkup. Together they moved to Oahu Hawaii for his first duty station at Schofield Barracks after he completed Infantry Officer training and became a graduate of the prestigious Army Ranger school at Ft. Benning Georgia (now known as Ft. Moore). During his first deployment, platoon leader 1LT Walkup (aka Spartan 6) was killed in action on 16 June 2007 from an IED detonation while on dismounted patrol near Rashaad, Iraq.  He was the first alumnus of the Rocky Top Battalion to be killed in the global war on terrorism.

The Mountain Man Memorial March event is the result of Rocky Top Battalion cadets who, in memory of their fallen alumnus 1LT Walkup, donned their uniforms and ruck sacks in 2008 and completed a marathon ruck march of 26.2 miles through the mountains surrounding Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  The event has continued every year in April since that first march and has grown to become a tribute to all American heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country in all branches of the military.

July 17, 1968 – June 28, 2005

Dan grew up in Exeter, New Hampshire, and graduated from Exeter High School in 1986. In high school, he played soccer and was devoted to weightlifting. He also enjoyed swimming, golf, and bowling, and had an unabashed love for Neil Diamond—often making sure others listened too. Dan was known for his helpfulness, compassion, and strong work ethic. A devoted family man, he surrounded himself with good people and had a gift for making the world feel smaller, more connected, and more meaningful.

After high school, Dan searched for direction and a fulfilling career. That search led him to the U.S. Navy in 1990, inspired by a SEAL promotional video and encouraged by a friend already serving. After basic training, he completed Information Technician School and began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in January 1991. By 1992, he had completed BUD/S, Jump School, and SEAL Qualification Training, and was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE (SDVT-1) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His Navy career included Russian language training at the Defense Language Institute, service with SEAL Delivery Team TWO, and a return to SDVT-1, where he led a training platoon. In March 2005, he deployed to Afghanistan. On June 28, 2005, Dan was killed in action during Operation Red Wings, when his Chinook helicopter was shot down in Kunar Province. The mission claimed the lives of eight Navy SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers.

Dan’s legacy lives on through his family, friends, and fellow service members. The Dan Healy Foundation honors his memory by awarding scholarships to students entering the military or trade schools, providing grants to single parents, and supporting local veterans.

16 September 1982 - 27 December 2006
 

Lance Corporal William C. Koprince, Jr. was born in Dearborn, Michigan, and moved to Lenoir City, Tennessee, at age eight. He graduated from Lenoir City High School in 2001. He loved the outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains. Quiet and kind, he was known for his sense of humor and playful pranks. After his final deployment, he planned to attend college and study landscaping.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003 and completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina he then continued training at Camp Lejeune, NC. His first deployment was to Djibouti, a key location between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In March 2005, he deployed to Iraq for eight months to help guard the Iraqi border with Syria along the Euphrates River. In July 2006, he began a second tour with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. On December 27, 2006, during a joint foot patrol with the Iraqi Army near Habbaniyah in Anbar Province, he was killed by an improvised explosive device.

He was awarded many medals for his tours, skills, training, etc. He was awarded the Purple Heart meritoriously.

Life sadly changed 2 days after Christmas in 2006, never to be the same.  He is missed greatly by his mother, his father (deceased in 2020), his sister Morgan Moore, her husband Andy Moore, his nephews and nieces,William (Billy) Moore, Anna Moore, Campbell Moore, & Abigail Moore.  His nephews and nieces know their uncle well through many stories and each year they attend Mountain Man Memorial March.  In 2025 in honor of their uncle both Billy and Anna participated in the MMMM along with their mother, father, & grandmother.  Billy was honored several times by his late father as he completed the entire march as well as both parents completing the 1/2 marathon together.  One of the greatest fears after your child's sacrifice is that they will be forgotten.  MMMM helps to ease that fear in honoring the fallen and their family.

February 8, 1975 – December 23, 2021

Darren grew up in Worthington, Ohio, and graduated from Worthington Kilbourne High School in 1993, where he played lacrosse. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning a degree in systems engineering in 1998 while continuing his lacrosse career.

He was commissioned as a field artillery officer and stationed in Giessen, Germany, before deploying to Kosovo with Task Force Falcon. In 2003, he completed the Special Forces Officer Qualification Course at Fort Bragg and was awarded the Green Beret. He deployed to Iraq three times with Operational Detachment Alpha 061, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). During his second deployment in 2005, Darren sustained traumatic brain injuries from two IED explosions. Despite these injuries, he returned to Iraq for a third deployment. He later served as aide-de-camp to the Special Forces commanding general at Fort Bragg and as commander of Detachment East, Alpha Company, Special Activities Training Battalion. He was medically retired in 2013 due to the progression of his injuries.

On December 23, 2021, Darren passed away peacefully at home after more than sixteen years of living with the effects of traumatic brain injury. He is remembered for his adventurous spirit and his love of the outdoors and travel. He thrived on connecting with people and brought energy and joy to every room—often through karaoke or dance—which earned him the nicknames “Hollywood” and “Elvis.”

His legacy lives on through his wife, Bianca; his extended family, friends, and comrades; and the Major Darren Baldwin Legacy Foundation.

October 14, 1978 – April 11, 2022

Ryan grew up in Greenville, Pennsylvania, where he excelled as both a student and an athlete. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated with honors from Greenville High School in 1997. He was the first student from his school to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. There, he developed a love for the mountains and took to skiing, hiking, and fishing.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2001, Ryan entered Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. He earned his Air Force pilot wings and flew the A-10 “Warthog,” completing more than 50 combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and along the Korean Peninsula’s demilitarized zone. During his career, he served with the 25th, 75th, and 354th Fighter Squadrons at Osan Air Base in South Korea, Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina, and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

While serving overseas, Ryan earned an MBA through the Boston University School of Management. In 2013, he separated from the Air Force and returned to Greenville to help run his family’s business. Ryan passed away on April 11, 2022. His legacy lives on through his family, friends, and fellow airmen.

September 4, 1980 – January 9, 2005

Joey grew up in Manchester, Ohio, and graduated from Manchester High School in 1999. He played drums in the marching band and was a member of the Boy Scouts.

He joined the U.S. Navy in April 2001. By February 2002, he reported for duty aboard the nuclear submarine USS San Francisco. On December 18 of that year, the USS San Francisco arrived at its new homeport in Apra Harbor, Guam. In June 2004, Joey earned his Submarine Warfare Insignia—known as “Dolphins”—a prestigious pin awarded after a rigorous year-long qualification process covering all submarine systems. The achievement reflected his dedication and technical skill. He became widely respected at Naval Base Guam for his ability to solve even the most difficult problems.

On January 8, 2005, while operating at full speed at a depth of 525 feet—about 364 nautical miles southeast of Guam—the USS San Francisco struck an uncharted underwater mountain. Joey sustained severe head injuries and died the next day. Although all 136 crew members were injured, he was the only fatality. The submarine’s pressure hull remained intact, and the nuclear reactor was undamaged. Many credit Joey’s meticulous maintenance of the diesel engine with enabling the crew to surface the vessel and return safely to Guam.

His legacy lives on through his family, friends, and shipmates, as well as a bridge and a portion of highway named in his honor.

July 23, 1974 – August 8, 2012

Greg was raised in Norton, Massachusetts, and graduated from Norton High School in 1992. He earned a science degree from Fisher College in North Attleborough and a certificate in electrical engineering from Dartmouth College. He had a natural gift for building, wiring, and fixing—able to create something from nothing. He led with humility, taught with quiet confidence, and earned respect through example, not rank. He was a brilliant mind and a steady soul—a trusted teammate and a father whose quiet presence brought comfort, strength, and unwavering love. He was known for his wit, grace, unassuming character, and deep love for his young daughter.

Greg enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1998 as an artilleryman. After completing basic training, he joined Delta Battery, 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He later served as a howitzer section chief in Vicenza, Italy, and deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2006, he volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course. After completing the course in 2007, he joined the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a communications sergeant and deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. He was later assigned to Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and deployed again in April 2010. In January 2012, he began his fifth deployment in support of Overseas Contingency Operations. On July 31, 2012, he was mortally wounded by small arms fire during combat operations in Shindand Province, Afghanistan. He was evacuated to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he died of his wounds on August 8, 2012.

His legacy of courage, love, and quiet strength endures through his wife, Beth; his daughter, Gwyn; and the many family members, friends, and fellow soldiers who knew him.

Private First Class Robert Basil Snelson was born on August 29, 1925, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Airy Lasker Snelson and Pearl Ellen Collinsworth Snelson. He grew up during the hardships of the Great Depression and came of age as the world was engulfed by war. Public family-history records place his birth in Tulsa, confirm his parents’ names, and show that he later registered for the draft in 1944.

According to family remembrance, Robert’s desire to serve his country began early. At just 16 years old, too young to enlist in the Army, he joined the Merchant Marine. As soon as he was old enough, he entered the United States Army and became an infantryman. That choice placed him in the most dangerous part of the war: the front lines, where young Americans bore the burden of closing out the final campaigns in Europe.

By March 1945, Robert was serving in combat in Germany during the last weeks of World War II in Europe. Division histories and unit memorial records connect a PFC Robert B. Snelson to the 347th Infantry Regiment of the 87th Infantry Division, and list him among those killed in action on March 17, 1945. On those same days, the 87th Division was crossing the Moselle River, fighting through the hills south of Koblenz, and driving into the city itself as American forces pressed toward final victory in Germany.

Robert was only 19 years old when he was killed in action in Germany on March 17, 1945. Public memorial sources identify him as a World War II Gold Star soldier and list the Purple Heart among his awards, along with the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

His loss was deeply personal as well as patriotic. Robert was the only son of his parents, and to his sister, your mother, he was not just a brother but her closest friend. His death came near the end of the war, at the very moment when victory was in sight, making the sacrifice even more poignant for the family he left behind.

Today, PFC Robert Basil Snelson is remembered not only as a fallen soldier, but as a young man of uncommon courage — one who was determined to serve, who stepped forward before he was even old enough for the Army, and who ultimately gave his life in combat for his country. Though he lived only 19 years, his story reflects duty, devotion, and sacrifice of the highest order. He stands among the young Americans whose service helped bring World War II to its close, and whose memory deserves to endure for generations. He is buried in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where his name and sacrifice remain part of both family history and the nation’s story.

PFC Samuel S Lance

US Army 

Airborne Division

Date of sacrifice May 1, 1970

April 14, 1993 – July 4, 2017

David was raised in Ranburne, Alabama, and graduated from Ranburne High School in 2012, where he played football and excelled in math. Active and hardworking, he spent much of his time outdoors—swimming, playing sports, and tackling various projects around the house. He was hoping to attend college on a football scholarship, get a teaching credential, and return to teach math and coach in his hometown. When he learned he was going to be a father, David’s priorities shifted. Determined to provide for his family, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 2012, motivated by a deep desire to be a loving and dependable husband and father.

After completing boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes, he changed his job from diver to aircraft mechanic. He was briefly stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola before transferring to NAS Jacksonville, Florida. From November 2015 to July 2016, he deployed to the Persian Gulf with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72—the Proud Warriors. David was respected not only for his technical skill but also for his generosity, always supporting his fellow sailors. Planning to make the Navy his career, he began college courses with the goal of becoming an officer. In the summer of 2017, he received orders to transfer to Whidbey Island, Washington.

On July 4, 2017, David was killed in an automobile accident in Jacksonville, Florida. His legacy lives on through his wife, Darcie; his daughters, Emmalyn and Kali; and his extended family, friends, and fellow sailors.

PO2 Robert N Gilbertson, 26, of Emsworth, PA.  Born May 2nd, 1981 – DOD September 7th, 2007.

Gilbertson was assigned to the USS McInereny FFG8 in Mayport, FL as a Gas Turbine Technician.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2003.

Bobby graduated from Avonworth High School (1999).  He loved baseball where he excelled as a catcher and a hitter.  All of the opposing teams knew not to try and steal a base while Gilbertson was catching, or they would be thrown out.  Bobby also loved going to camp in Tionesta, PA to fish, sit by the fire and drink beer.  

Gilbertson is survived by his parent’s mother Nancy Hoffman, father Dave Gilbertson (Wendy), sister Dana Tabay (Joe) and brother Bo Gilbertson.

Pvt. Christopher Daniel Hasbrouck, 19, of Pittsboro, NC served during the period of 28 October 2011 through 2 May 2012 as a trainee assigned to Detachment 11 Recruitment Sustainment Program “Mountain Warriors”, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Army National Guard.  While participating in the 5th annual Mountain Man Memorial March suffered a heat stroke during the events which lead to his passing 9 days later.

Chris was a sophomore at Appalachian State University in the ROTC program. He was thrilled to participate with a team of fellow cadets in the half marathon light event. Chris was super excited about his future in the military. He loved learning and put all his heart into it. He was in the artillery division and wanted to learn “how to blow stuff up.” He was like a big brother to his friends, had a great work ethic and a huge heart. He loved to make people laugh. He looked forward to serving in the Army and was to go to boot camp in a few short weeks after the race.

Chris received the Army Achievement Medal after his passing; Private Hasbrouck demonstrated initiative, enthusiasm, professional ability and sincere devotion to duty which added immensely to his success both with the Army National Guard and as a Cadet in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corp at Appalachian State University. Private Hasbrouck’s outstanding performance marked him as a distinguished young Soldier whose superior service reflect great credit upon himself, the North Carolina Army National Guard and the United States Army.

He is survived by his father and mother Jim, Trish, and his sister Amanda “Haz”.

Chris will always be remembered in the Mountain Man Memorial March, each year an award in his honor the Esprit de corps Award is given in recognition to Duty, Honor & Country for his dedication. This was initiated by the God Star Dads of America 20 April 2013.

One miracle did come of his passing in that we were able to donate his heart to a young man in Wisconsin. As a parent there is solace in having your son’s heart give life to another human being.

May 12, 1993 – September 11, 2016

Karl grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his six siblings. Inspired from a young age by his grandfather, John Alden, he developed a lifelong passion for the performing arts. At eight, he began attending Hope Academy of Music and the Arts in the evenings and on weekends. The Academy offered music, dance, and theater classes to local children and quickly became a place where his creativity thrived. He took part in numerous productions and embraced every chance to grow, both artistically and personally, in its nurturing environment. As a teenager and young adult, Karl became an accomplished guitarist and a gifted songwriter. Beyond the arts, he loved the outdoors, particularly camping and fishing. He was also a devoted fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After graduating from Career Connections Charter High School in 2012, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served four years and deployed to Africa with the 977th Military Police Company, 97th Military Police Battalion, out of Fort Riley, Kansas.

Karl’s life ended on September 11, 2016, after a struggle with bipolar disorder. His spirit and talent left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. In his memory, the Karl Sellner Memorial Fund was established at Hope Academy to support young artists in theater, dance, and music. His legacy lives on through his wife, Shelby; his parents, Erin and Rad; and his extended family, friends, and comrades who love and miss him.

Joshua died at the age of 24 years old on the morning of July 22, 2009 in Afghanistan, proudly serving his country.

He was born on April 18, 1985, in Beaver, PA, to James H. and Donna J. Rimer. Joshua graduated from Freedom Area High School in 2003. During high school, he was part of the Marching and Concert Bands, playing the trumpet. He was also actively involved in the Drama Club, where he had many lead roles in plays. Joshua loved sports and played them well, soccer and baseball being his favorites. He attended New Sewickley Presbyterian Church and was very active in the Youth Ministry there.

Josh enlisted in teh Army after graduating from high school in August 2003. Joshua enlisted in the Army. He went to Ft Leonardwood, MO for his Basic Training exercise, graduating in November 2003. His first assignment was in Bamberg, Germany, starting in January 2004. He was then deployed to Iraq in February 2004, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. Joshua returned to Germany and completed his tour as a Colonel’s driver until August 2006. Upon reenlistment, he was stationed at Ft Carson, CO, and was promoted to Sergeant October 2008. He was then redeployed to Iraq in February 2009.  On his birthday he was moved to Afghanistan.  There he worked in construction of the Military Installation of their base.  Josh volunteered to run clearance with the personal security detachment. There, he gave the ultimate sacrifice and was awarded another Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

He was a TRUE HERO!

Joshua married his beautiful wife, Annalisa, in September 2007.  They loved life together and were best friends and partners.  They loved to take long rides through the mountains, especially if it were snowing.  He enjoyed hiking, biking, walking, rock climbing and loved to swim and jet ski. His plans were to buy a Harley Davidson upon returning home so he and Annalisa could ride together. Josh always appreciated and respected life.  He felt content and appreciated at work and this meant a lot to him.  He was a Very Proud Soldier, Husband, Son, Brother, Grandson, Nephew and Cousin.  

He was very much Loved and will be very much missed! 

He will never be Forgotten, but Always Missed and will remain in our hearts Forever.  We Love you, Josh! 

October 5, 1971 – June 28, 2005

Marcus lived in San Antonio, Texas, and graduated from Clark High School in 1989. He loved dancing, skateboarding, spending time with family and friends, and eating pizza. From a young age, he was drawn to the medical field and dreamed of becoming a doctor. Known for his deep faith, calm presence, and sense of humor, he was a quiet, loving man devoted to his family.

In December of his senior year, Marcus enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman through the Delayed Entry Program. After completing basic combat training and advanced individual training, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia. After his initial enlistment, he briefly entered the Inactive Ready Reserve but returned to active duty in 1998, reclassifying as a medical sergeant.

He completed several elite military courses, including the Special Operations Medic Course, Flight Medic Course, Ranger School, and Jumpmaster Course. In 2003, he joined the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)—the famed Night Stalkers—as an aerial flight medic. Over more than 15 years of distinguished service, Marcus deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, even participating in combat jumps into both countries. On June 28, 2005, during Operation Red Wings, he was part of a quick reaction force sent to rescue a Navy SEAL team in eastern Afghanistan. Tragically, his Chinook helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade near Asadabad, killing all 16 personnel aboard.

Marcus’s legacy lives on through his family, friends, and comrades, who continue to honor his courage, sacrifice, and steadfast dedication.

SGT Allan Ray Bevington 

US Army 1st armor division 40th engineer battalion company B

12/25/1983 - 09/21/2006

Lived In Beaver Falls PA

2002 grad of Beaver Falls High school

Allan joined the army and followed in his oldest brothers foot steps to become a combat Engineer. Allan had just re-enlisted but had plans to get a degree in child phycology and to someday start a family. Allan was killed while securing a site where they found a roadside IED. While securing area the device went off. Allan was killed and 1 other soldier was seriously wounded. Allan was praised as an outstanding soldier who was always in the lead and was an inspiration to all he met.

July 19, 1984 – March 17, 2008

Chris grew up in upstate New York and attended Rome Free Academy before moving to Hampton, Virginia. He loved the outdoors—snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, golfing, and riding his motorcycle. One of his mottos was “live life with adventure,” a philosophy he fully embraced. He planned to use the GI Bill to attend college and dreamed of becoming a history teacher, hoping to help young people find their way in life.

In 2004, Chris continued his family’s tradition of military service by enlisting in the U.S. Army. After completing basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. He deployed to Iraq in 2006 and expected to be discharged in October 2007. But under the military’s stop-loss policy, his service was extended. Rather than complain, he saw it as a chance to continue serving with his fellow soldiers. His unit deployed again to Iraq in December 2007. On March 17, 2008, Chris was killed in Baghdad when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device during combat operations.

His legacy endures in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

February 27, 1979 – August 27, 2006

David came to the United States from Mexico with his mother and two sisters at age 11, joining his father in Southern California. Kind and gentle, he found joy in helping others and dreamed of becoming a physician assistant and retiring as a Los Angeles firefighter. He loved all kinds of music and all types of dancing, but salsa was his favorite—both the music and the moves. He also considered himself a hot sauce connoisseur, putting it on nearly everything he ate. He graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1997 and briefly attended Los Angeles Valley College. A devoted sports fan, he admired Scottie Pippen and loved the Dodgers.

In 2002, he enlisted in the Army as a medic. After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he received AIT medical training as a health care specialist at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he extended his stay to earn the Expert Field Medical Badge. His first assignment was with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, followed by a 14-month deployment to Afghanistan. After a brief mission in the Philippines, he joined the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, based in Friedberg, Germany. His unit later deployed to Iraq to provide security in a city about seventy miles northwest of Ramadi. On August 27, 2007, he was killed when a roadside bomb detonated near his Humvee during a combat patrol clearing explosive devices.

He was in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen when he deployed. On the day he gave his life, he was posthumously granted citizenship.

On his wedding day, he gave a speech. Calling it the happiest day of his life, he shared what he believed life was all about: “To me, life is about the memories, the moments we have in our lives... the happy moments... sad moments... just the moments we have in our life.”

His legacy lives on through his wife, Salina, as well as his extended family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

March 6, 1979 — June 11, 2019

Matt grew up in Kettering, Ohio, one of eight children. He graduated from Archbishop Alter High School in 1997, where he ran cross-country and played baseball. His wide-ranging interests reflected a curious and joyful spirit. He enjoyed golfing, cooking, building models, and visiting Disney World. He also had a deep appreciation for movies, especially James Bond and Jurassic Park. After high school, he attended Bowling Green State University, where he was a cheerleader and earned a degree in communications in 2003.

In 2004, Matt enlisted in the U.S. Army as a human intelligence collector and completed basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During his service, he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Shafter, Hawaii; and the Defense Language Institute in California, where he studied Tagalog. In December 2005, he deployed to Kuwait and Iraq for eight months. In November 2007, he served a seven-month tour at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, with the 205th Military Intelligence Battalion.

After his honorable discharge in 2009, Matt continued serving the military community as a private contractor at Fort Huachuca, where he taught interrogation, operations, and tactics until 2013.

He passed away on June 11, 2019. His legacy endures through his wife, Jackie, his extended family, friends, and comrades.

October 1, 1948 – April 4, 1969

Mike was raised on his family’s farm in Toledo, Illinois, and graduated from Cumberland High School in 1966. In high school, he was active in the Future Farmers of America and enjoyed attending racecar events.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army as a medic in January 1968. After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and medical training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he was sent directly to Vietnam due to a shortage of medical personnel. There, he was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.

On April 4, 1969, during an attack on his unit, Mike exposed himself to enemy fire to treat a wounded soldier. He was mortally wounded in the effort. For his heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest combat decoration.

Mike’s legacy lives on through his family, friends, and fellow soldiers, and through a stretch of Route 121 between Toledo and Greenup, Illinois, named in his honor.

28 April 1988 - 13 July 2008

On This Day, 13-JUL 2008, We Honor a Fallen Hero

Gunnar William Zwilling was born 28-APR 1988 in Huntington Beach, California.  His parents were Kurt Zwilling and Laura Hall.  He had one brother, Alex Zwilling who served in the Air Force.  In 1993 he lived in Nashville Tennessee a few years before moving to Florissant and then to O’Fallon MO.  He enlisted in the Army when he was 17 years old after graduating from Hazelwood West High School.  His mother Laura died in November 2007.  Gunnar’s father, Kurt Zwilling is a Navy Veteran from the Vietnam era.  

Corporal Gunnar Zwilling was  assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.  His unit was deployed in Afghanistan in 2008.  Troops in Afghanistan at the time worried they were understaffed as they prepared to open a new forward base in remote area.  It’s going to be a bloodbath,” he told his father, Kurt Zwilling, on the phone in what would be their last conversation. Kurt Zwilling braced himself for the worst but held out hope that his son would make it home. 

Gunnar William Zwilling was killed in action 13-JUL 2008 of wounds sustained when his outpost was attacked by small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from enemy forces in Wanat, Afghanistan.  He was 20.  Kurt Zwilling said his son might have foreseen his fate.  He told his father to stay strong if he should die in battle.  

It was the single deadliest attack since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan. More than 200 enemy fighters swarmed a small, remote combat outpost near the village of Wanat, near the country’s porous border with Pakistan.  They brought with them machine guns, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. The U.S. and coalition soldiers were outnumbered by at least 2 to 1.The battle was fierce. Enemy fighters fought their way onto the newly established base known as Combat Outpost Kahler. 

The Americans and Afghans, numbering fewer than 100, fought back, defending their post and calling in airstrikes.  When the fighting stopped, the enemy had suffered heavy casualties, with reports of more than 100 killed or wounded.  But the Americans had suffered too. Nine U.S. soldiers were killed, and 15 others were wounded.  Apart from helicopter crashes, the bloody July 13th battle was the worst, most costly inflicted on a single U.S. battalion of any attack since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan.

The soldiers, from 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, of Vicenza, Italy, were supposed to be coming home soon. The brigade deployed to Afghanistan in June 2007 and about 680 soldiers are already home in Vicenza, with the last of the soldiers expected home by the first week of August.

This final attack on the battalion’s C Company soldiers would make it the hardest-hit company to have served in Operation Enduring Freedom. The company lost 15 men since deploying to Afghanistan, the most for one Army company in both operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In total, 24 men from the battalion were killed during this deployment.

The nine soldiers killed July 13th brought the number to 42 soldiers from the 173rd killed during this deployment. Since the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through July 16, nine soldiers from the 173rd have been killed in Iraq, 58 in Afghanistan. 

Previously, the single deadliest incident to claim multiple U.S. lives in Afghanistan, excluding helicopter crashes, was 29 JAN 2004, when a weapons cache explosion in Ghazni killed eight soldiers.

Also killed in the attack were:

1st Lt. Jonathan P. Brostrom
Sgt. Israel Garcia
Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers
Cpl. Jason D. Hovater
Cpl. Jason M. Bogar
Cpl. Matthew B. Phillips
Cpl. Pruitt A. Rainey
Pfc. Sergio S. Abad.
After the fierce combat that 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry endured in the past 15 months, several of its soldiers earned valor awards including the Silver Star, the third highest award for valor, and the Bronze Star with V device.  

Service for Gunnar William Zwilling was at Baue Funeral and Memorial Center in St. Charles.  Gunnar William Zwilling is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis MO.  Brigadier General Tom Hodge attended the service and presented Kurt Zwilling with a posthumous Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal.  

Gunnar William Zwilling is honored and remembered at the St. Charles County Veterans Museum.  

7 October 1986 - 29 Septermber 2008

Specialist Christopher T. Fox was born on October 7, 1986 in Memphis. He attended Hamilton High School and then the Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Training Facility in Arkansas where he received carpentry training and his GED. Fox joined the Army in March 2005 and was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for basic training. After training he was assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado to B Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment in the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Fox served his first tour in Baqubah, Iraq from November 2005 until January 2007. During this time he received a Purple Heart for wounds received from the explosion of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He returned to Iraq for a second tour in 2008. Fox was Killed In Action on September 29, 2008, age twenty-one, in Adhamiyah, Iraq when he encountered small-arms fire while conducting a dismounted routine patrol. Fox had been approached by local children requesting water from the soldiers. After receiving permission to retrieve the bottles from the vehicle, he was shot in the right armpit by a sniper. This was one week before his twenty-second birthday.

His awards included the Bronze Star Medal and two Purple Hearts. He is buried at Crittenden County Memorial Park, Marion, Arkansas.

March 11, 1983 – July 19, 2010

Brian grew up in Clovis, California, with his twin and younger brother. Imaginative, curious, and energetic, he spent his childhood inventing adventures with action figures, riding his bike, and playing games like street hockey and capture the flag. He loved family trips to the mountains and the beach. At nine, he began piano lessons and was instantly hooked. At Buchanan High School, he excelled in both academics and music, playing keyboard and percussion. He carried the third bass drum in the marching band and performed in halftime shows and winter percussion competitions across the state. After graduating in 2001, he studied liberal studies at Fresno Pacific University for two years before pausing to serve his country. He enlisted in the Army six months after his twin brother; his younger brother joined two months later.

He completed basic, infantry, and airborne training before joining the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Known for his professionalism, precision, and deep care for his soldiers, he rose quickly to staff sergeant and became a weapons squad leader with A Company, 2-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He served a 15-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2007 and returned for a second, 12-month deployment in August 2009. On July 19, 2010, just weeks before the end of his second tour, Brian was killed by an improvised explosive device while leading his squad on a dismounted patrol in the Arghandab River Valley.

His legacy lives on through his wife, Christina, as well as his extended family, friends, and fellow soldiers. He was the seventh of eight Buchanan High School graduates to lose his life in the Global War on Terror. The school honors all eight in a memorial garden and remembers “the Buchanan Eight” at every home football game. At each graduation, eight doves are released—one by one—as their names are read.

15 May 1978 - 25 November 2006

Daniel Marshall Morris was a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant. Born in 1978 in Oak Ridge, Tennesse, he always wore camo, dreaming of becoming a part of the U.S. Army one day and serving our country. On Nov. 25, 2008 at age 28, he passed away while on active duty serving in Al Judiah, Iraq. While on patrol in the Diyala Providence, he was killed by a road side bomb. Morris graduated Clinton High School in 1996. As a strong member of the Lakeview Baptist Church in Clinton, Tennessee and then the New Testament Church in Killeen, Texas he was well known by many. When Morris was of age 21, he enlisted in the army and became committed to our country and God. After his serving in the U.S. Army he wanted to go to Bible college and become a minister. Dying at the age of 28, Morris leaves behind his parents, one brother, one sister and one daughter.

January 22, 1985 – April 1, 2012

Dustin enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 2003 while a senior at Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Illinois. After graduation, he completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In 2004 and 2005, he deployed to Iraq with the 224th Engineer Company, where he was wounded by an improvised explosive device and later awarded the Purple Heart. He deployed again in 2010 and 2011, this time to Afghanistan with the 832nd Engineer Company. A skilled marksman, Dustin placed among the top ten in the Iowa National Guard’s annual Governor’s X Marksmanship Competition and proudly wore the “Governor’s X” tab on his uniform.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and riding motorcycles. He was known as the life of the party and loved music and singing. He was also a standout MMA fighter, holding a 13–1 record and three light heavyweight titles. Between deployments, Dustin attended Western Illinois University while fulfilling his National Guard duties. He took great pride in his role as a combat engineer and planned to serve for 20 years. Tragically, on April 1, 2012, he died in a motorcycle accident just one month shy of earning his bachelor’s degree in animal science, with a minor in biology.

His legacy lives on through his son, Dylan, extended family, friends, and fellow soldiers. A portion of Route 336 near Macomb, Illinois, bears his name. Inspired by Dustin’s love for gardening, his mother, Deb Whitaker, founded Seeds of Honor, an initiative that provides veterans with seeds and instructions for growing their own vegetables.

July 28, 1970 – November 2, 2003

Ernie grew up in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. After graduating from Preston High School in 1988, he joined the Army Reserves and served as a cook with the 354th Ordnance unit out of Morgantown, West Virginia, for several years. Intending to make the Army his career, he enlisted in the Army in 1999 and was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado. His unit was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he handled ordnance. On November 2, 2003, Ernie was on his way home for his mother’s funeral when the Chinook helicopter he was a passenger in was shot down over Fallujah.

His legacy lives on through his wife, Barb; his sons, Joshua and Justin; his extended family, friends, and comrades.

24 December 1973 - 4 May 2006

SSgt Gavin B. Reinke, 32, was assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He died in Baghdad, Iraq on May 4, 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their RG-31 Mine Protected Vehicle during combat operations.

SSgt. Reinke was deployed for his second tour of duty in Iraq in November. Reinke died while trying to help fellow soldiers whose Humvee had been hit by an explosive device moments earlier.

“That's exactly the kind of person he was,” wife Karen Reinke said. “He was an amazing man. As a friend, as a father, as a husband, and it carried over to being a soldier.”

Reinke was born in New Jersey, but his family moved to Pueblo, Colorado in 1980. He was a 1993 graduate of Pueblo Central High School and attended Pueblo Community College, where he studied Spanish. He joined the military in 1996. Carole Reinke said he loved his job and wanted to stay in the Army for at least 20 years.
When his workday at home was over, he relaxed by hunting deer, elk and turkeys, fishing, and riding all-terrain vehicles — basically any activity that could be done outdoors. Usually, his young daughter was by his side.
“He gave his life for his men,” Karen Reinke said.

He is survived by his wife and daughter.

SSG James G. Johnston, 28, of Oak Ridge, TN. Johnston assigned to HHB 101st Division Artillery, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY was killed stateside in an automobile crash on 15 March 2015.

Johnston was a graduate of Oak Ridge High School (2004), an Eagle Scout in Troop 328 and an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. He is remembered and loved for his ability to make others laugh with his quick-witted sense of humor, and he is respected and admired by family, friends, and fellow Soldiers for his loyalty and leadership.

Johnston joined the Army Reserves in 2006, and joined Active Duty in 2009. During his military career, he served with 4-320th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Campbell, KY during his first tour of duty in Afghanistan; 1-84 Field Artillery Regiment, 170th IBCT, Baumholder, Germany on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan; HHB and Bravo BTRY, 2-15 Field Artillery, Fort Drum, NY; and HHB 101st Division Artillery, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. While at Fort Campbell, he was selected as the Voice of the Eagle by Division Protocol.

SSG Johnston earned several awards and decorations, including 4 ARCOMs, 3 AAMs, 2 AGCMs, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 3, 2 NATO Medals, Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert with Rifle Bar, and 3 Overseas Service Bars.

He is survived by his loving wife Lacey and his devoted family.

SSG LAWRENCE WOODS Army 5th special forces group killed in Vietnam October 24 1964 born on March 18 1925 Clarksville Tennessee joined the army when he was 15 lied about his age but the army found out they kick him out told him to come back when he was 18 when he turned 18 he signed back up my grandfather was in three wars Korean war WW2 and the Vietnam war he was a medic and a cook my grandfather heard about the Vietnam war he wanted to get into the action so he volunteered to go to Vietnam he was in the 5th special forces group out of FT Campbell KY on October 24 1964 my grandfather was on a C123B Fairchild provider the aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed the aircraft itself was completely destroyed by fire except for the tail section subsequent searches of the crash site resulted in the recovery or accounting of seven individuals onboard the aircraft but woods was not found on September 27 2013 my grandfather remains was found the whole time his remains was still in the plane in the tail section on March 21 2014 my grandfather was laid to rest at Arlington national cemetery my grandfather had over 18 military medals 

Nate was raised in Reston, Virginia. He was both physically and musically talented. While attending South Lakes High School, Nate wrestled and was a member of the marching band. He also enjoyed playing golf with his wife Becky and video games in his spare time. After graduating high school, Nate went on to study at Virginia Tech and Northern Virginia Community College before enlisting in the Army in 1995.

Following basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Nate was stationed in Germany for three years and served nearly six months as a peacekeeper in Macedonia.  He was a Recruiter in Pittsburgh for two years prior to being deployed to Iraq as a squad leader with the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas. Tragically, while leading a convoy of military vehicles in Baghdad, his vehicle was struck by a civilian vehicle, traveling at an excessive rate of speed, which resulted in his death.

Nate was known as a kind and quiet man who deeply loved his family, especially his wife Becky and daughter Brooke. His legacy lives on through his family, friends, and comrades.

25 May 1981 - 6 August 2011

Staff Sergeant Patrick Douglas Hamburger was 30 years old when he gave his life with 30 other American Heroes in the service of his Country on August 6, 2011, when their CH-47Chinook helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, was shot down in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Patrick was the Flight Engineer and one of two Gunners on the mission. Pat resided in Grand Island, NE with Candie Reagan his future wife and their daughters Veronica Reagan and Payton Hamburger. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa on Memorial Day, May 25, 1981. Pat moved to Lincoln, NE in 1985 with his parents, Douglas Hamburger and Joyce Peck and his twin brothers Michael Hamburger and Christopher Hamburger. He graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1999.

Pat enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1998, when he was a junior in high school. He worked as a plumber until 2008 when he was promoted to be a full-time Chinook Flight Engineer with the NE Army National Guard Aviation Support unit in Grand Island. Pat met Candie in 2005, moved to Grand Island with her and Veronica in 2008, and welcomed Payton into the world in January of 2009.  Pat was a mechanical genius who loved his Country immensely. Pat loved being with his Family and Friends. He took great pride in maintaining his Chinook, or the V-Day  Express as he called it. He loved being a soldier and took great pride in his 13 years of service. 

Pat is survived by his girls, Candie Reagan, Veronica Reagan and Payton Hamburger of Lincoln, NE, father and step-mother Douglas and Shaune Hamburger of Knoxville, TN, mother Joyce Peck of Lincoln, NE, brothers Michael Hamburger of Summit, NJ and Christopher Hamburger of Saint Louis, MO, grandmother Jacque Hamburger of Omaha, NE, step-siblings Jessica Francis, Jeremy Francis and Joshua Francis of Knoxville, TN and aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and brothers in arms. 

15 November 1985 - 28 January 2010

Army Staff Sergeant Rusty Hunter Christian died of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan on 28 January 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was 24 years old, of Greeneville, Tenn. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Force Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

This man was in my Platoon during my first deployment to Iraq. I served with him for 15 months from 06-07 in Baghdad. Rusty Christian was dedicated Soldier and he loved his wife. I learned a lot from him and it has stayed with me through my career. TOMAHAWKS.   –Submitted by Darrin Carroll

June 6, 1982 – October 17, 2006

Ryan spent his early years in Southern California, later splitting his time between North Hollywood and Madisonville, Tennessee. At 15, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he completed high school. He was the second of four children—and the only son—and was known for his kindness and sense of humor, always finding ways to make others laugh. He enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was 17.

He began his Army career at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he completed basic training in 2000. Assigned to the “Silver Lions” of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, Ryan served as an infantryman. He deployed to South Korea from 2002 to 2003 and later graduated from Sniper School. In November 2005, he was deployed to Iraq as a squad leader in the elite sniper section of his unit. Known for his upbeat attitude, Ryan especially valued humanitarian missions, where he and his fellow soldiers visited local schools, passed out supplies, and played soccer with Iraqi children. On October 17, 2006, Ryan was killed, along with two fellow soldiers, when an improvised explosive device struck their vehicle near Baqubah, Iraq.

Ryan’s legacy lives on through his wife, Nannette, his extended family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

June 11, 1993 – November 27, 2018

Dylan grew up in Brighton Township, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Hopewell High School in 2012. He played the horn in the band, competed in school sports, and took part in the wood and metal shop programs. Outside the classroom, he enjoyed building projects, swimming, and hiking—often alongside his grandfather. As a Boy Scout, he developed a lasting love for the outdoors. The events of 9/11 left a deep impression on him at age eight, inspiring a desire to serve his country. By 15, he was reading about elite military units like the Navy SEALs and Army Rangers. Driven by this interest, he trained rigorously—running, swimming, and weightlifting—to prepare for military service.

In August 2012, shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Special Tactics Combat Controller. After completing a two-year training pipeline—including airborne, scuba, and combat controller qualifications—he was assigned to the 26th Special Tactics Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. When three years passed without deployment, he extended his enlistment by six years to earn his Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) certification and fulfill his goal of serving in combat. In August 2018, he deployed to Afghanistan with an Army Special Operations team, advising commanders and directing airstrikes in support of ground missions. On November 27, 2018, he was killed when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Ghazni Province.

Dylan’s legacy lives on through his family, friends, and comrades. In his honor, the Vanport Bridge over the Ohio River in Rochester, Pennsylvania, was renamed the USAF Combat Controller Staff Sgt. Dylan Elchin Memorial Bridge.

December 27, 1992 – March 21, 2022

Tyler grew up in Harrison City, Pennsylvania. He was athletic and enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, and various other sports throughout his childhood. He was known for his sense of humor and competitive spirit. He enlisted in the Marine Corps through the Delayed Entry Program when he was 17 and went to boot camp right after graduating from Penn-Trafford High School in 2011.

He was assigned to Kilo Company, 2d Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Over his 11 years of service, he deployed multiple times, including to Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, the Red Sea, and the North Atlantic. He held several leadership positions within the Marine Corps, including section chief of his artillery unit and platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Fox Battery, 2d Battalion, 10th Marines, at Camp Lejeune.

Tyler died on March 21, 2022, while proudly serving his country. His legacy lives on through his family, friends, and comrades.

Staff Sergeant Benjamin S. Hines, 31, originally from York, Pennsylvania, was killed in action on April 8th, 2019 while conducting combat operations in Parwan Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Ben had always wanted to become a Marine and lived his life and laid down his life for God, Family and Country. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2006 and had served honorably for 13 years. Ben was assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and served as a Rifleman, Fire Team Leader, and Infantry Squad Leader. His deployments included Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Freedom Sentinel, Afghanistan.

His distinguished career ended in the line of duty after his vehicle was struck by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device on April 8th 2019. In addition to being a Marine reservist, Ben was also a student and worked full-time as a Cyber Security Analyst for Jacobs.
He was also a fan of many things to include Star Wars, Black Rifle Coffee, Juventus & all Pittsburgh sports teams. Ben cherished his time with his fiancee, family & friends, and those who met him were always greeted with his welcoming smile, uncompromising respect, and infectious sense of humor. He was always a selfless individual who put the needs of others before his own. With this foundation, we strive to do just that and to support those who share Ben’s passions of: Family, Patriotism, Faith, and Education. Help us keep Ben’s legacy alive…

“Greater love has no one than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

April 3, 1983 – July 5, 2011

Age – 28

Battle Creek,  Michigan

709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade,

21st Sustainment Command, Hohenfels, Germany

Operation Enduring Freedom

Died of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit

with an improvised explosive device

Joshua was born in Okinawa, Japan, and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he built a strong foundation rooted in character and community. A 2001 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School, he was an honor student and a dedicated football player. Teachers and coaches remembered him as respectful, pleasant, and quietly inspirational. After he married and began raising a family, he prioritized them above all else, spending most of his time with them and creating a home filled with joy and love.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2001 and completed his basic and advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Throughout his career, he served with distinction in a range of assignments, including two tours in Korea, stateside postings at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Carson, and a nine-month deployment to Guantanamo Bay. He was later assigned to the 709th Military Police Battalion, part of the 18th Military Police Brigade under the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, based in Hohenfels, Germany.

He completed a 15-month deployment to Iraq and deployed to Afghanistan in April 2011. On July 5, 2011, while serving in Paktia Province, he was killed when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device

He was a soldier doing his job and one who couldn’t wait to get home to enjoy his family. High school staff remembers him as a solid citizen and a young man well liked. He was very respectful and pleasant; and Battle Creek Central High School appreciated his bright spirit. 

Michelle Rachael Langhorst was born on May 13, 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pa. She is the beloved daughter of Michael and Concetta Langhorst sister of Nicole Langhorst as well as countless other family members and friends. Michelle was raised in Pittsburgh, Pa and was a bright, vivacious and athletic woman who was passionate about sports, especially soccer.

In February 2002, Michelle enlisted in the Army as a military police solider. Immediately finishing basic training, she was deployed to Germany then Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 212th company.

After her time in Afghanistan and Germany, Michelle was 1 of 2 women chosen for a special assignment in Brussels, Belgium doing protective services for NATO. Michelle received many accolades and awards during her 9 years of service and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Michelle was honorably discharged after she sustained an injury to her arm. 

Michelle was such a giving and kind person, always doing for others instead of tending to her own needs. She had such a beautiful heart and is loved and missed beyond words.