Blickenstaff, Joseph M.

Justin wrote: R.I.P. brother, I miss you everyday!
Date Posted: December 1, 2009

  Bradach-Nall, Travis J.

David Christensen wrote: Travis and I were buddies in German class and fierce Junior Varsity competitors on the wrestling mat in high school. We sat next to each other Herr Mack's class for years. After I attended Travis's funeral in 2003, the images of Travis and a few other classmates making comedy, short films auf Deutsch, stuck in my mind. We were armed with a remedial knowledge Deutsch, and a camcorder. The videos are so clearly planted in my consciousness. I hear his voice better than any one else. I see his facial expressions and the movement of his body as we acted out a WWF news interviews between two superstars. This most vivid movie went like this: Travis: [slams fist on desk,] "Ich heisse STONE COLD AUSTIN! [points at the camera] Ich mochte RICK FLARE!" Another student: [hands raised to choke] "Ich bin RICK FLARE!" [grumbling, shouting, a tussle. They fight.] So concluded our first German class video. Each would improve, along with our language skills, with time. I edited this video late one night 10 years ago in my parents' basement. Each time I played the raw video of this scene, I would crack up laughing as I tried to complete this school project. Was it this repetition during the editing, or the event of Travis' death that so deeply implanted this memory deep in my mind? The morning Travis’s death was announced on the front page of the Oregonian, I went into my parent’s basement and looked for these videos and photographs of him, wiping tears from my eyes. Flashbulb memories were spinning in my head—both monumental and trivial. Sadness and guilt overwhelmed. I had cheered the television in March 2003 went it appeared things in Iraq would go so well. Yet here was the flesh of this video fantasy. My dead friend, a son, a soldier. I wanted to catalog each event for his mother. I wanted to tell her the story of the videos we made. I wanted to tell here about... the day I made fun of him for wearing Goth eye make-up to school—(I’m sorry for that). I wanted to capture all these memories, lest she think that after thousands of deaths that followed his own, that people don’t remember the tragedy of her son’s death. I do. He was my friend.
Date Posted: March 18, 2007

  Browning, Brian A.

Mitch wrote: Brian, You will never be forgotten. Thank You for your service. I admire your courage. Many Oregonians are very proud of you. Mitch of KevinsDriftboat.com
Date Posted: February 17, 2007

  Christensen, Jeremy E.

George Hunt wrote: Jeremy is my son, my hero. He always will be. This past Sept 24th would have been his 30th Birhday. We miss him so much. My Wife, his Step Mother Rusty. His Grandmother Jan Entenmann, Rwe 3 go to several Gold Star family events in his honor. Jeremy only lived in AZ for a short time working there. He is an Oregonian thru and thru. Born and raised. He lived as he died.. A hero. Doing what he believed in, protecting this country and being in the army. He was extrememly patriotic, and was the most loving, fair, and honest man. I should know, I am his daddy. The 3rd Anniversary of our hero's death is only days away.. and our tears will never go away. He will never be forgotten. Every member of our family has a memorial, tribute to him. And his Grandmother Jan, aka "Sgt Maj. Granny" as the other high ranking soldiers have Ranked her. Takes care of his grave so lovingly every week, it always stands out. Rain or shine. Jeremy has and will always be our Hero. Sincerely, George & Rusty Hunt
Date Posted: November 21, 2007

  Cooke, Eric F.

jeremy wrote: We thank your son and people like your son who died for this country. Our thoughts and prayers are with you... The Nauta Family - Mulino Oregon
Date Posted: June 20, 2007

  Davis, Kevin D.

Mitch wrote: Kevin, In your honor of you, I will take as many soldiers and children fishing until the day I meet up with you again. Mitch of www.KevinsDriftboat.com
Date Posted: April 3, 2007

  Desjardins, Douglas C.

erica desjardins wrote: doug desjardins was my cousin. I will always remember him.
Date Posted: April 2, 2007

Valerie Symens wrote: I remember Doug as a vibrant young man with a strong sense of right and wrong, he did what he felt is right and fought for his country. He was a brave young man and has left me with a brave and couragous memory. We miss you Doug. Aunt Valerie
Date Posted: June 21, 2008

  Elizalde, Adrian M.

Jeff Schnell wrote: Adrian was my "Battle Buddy" in basic training and my roommate at Ft. Bragg. He will be missed by al of that served with him. Jeff Schnell
Date Posted: November 12, 2007

  Ellis, Jessica A.

John Hilderbrand wrote: Bravest of the brave!! She was in a unit that is exposed to the most danger that is in combat and they are going all the time. Our grand son is a Navy Special Forces officer who has had two tours in Iraq with his Explosives Ordance Disposal Unit. This includes going in buildings and homes first to disarm the trip wires etc. and all these operation are the most dangerious in any combat zone, then this brave girl would go in the hotest of the combat and attend to the wounded and dieing. Our grand son had 2 IED's blow up under his JERRV which is slightly larger but they were not using shaped charges. Another small IED went off under his HUMV but just blew up the cargo behind his drivers seat. He found the makings of the shaped charges and also eplosives recently made in Iran and I am assoming that it was a shaped charge which pentrated the Buffalo. This a great loss to our country.
Date Posted: May 15, 2008