Casualties Videos

November 25, 2009 Army Spc. Joseph M. Lewis His flag draped coffin arrived by a charter plane at 11:20 a.m., Wednesday, at Majors Airfield in Greenville, TX. To welcome him home were members of his family, friends, members of the fire department, police department, Army Reserves, 1st Calvary of Ft. Hood, PGR of North Texas SPC Joseph Michael Lewis, of Terrell, died on Nov. 17 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an IED. He was born Sept. 25, 1983 in Dallas and attended L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, as well as Trinity Valley Community College in Terrell. SPC Lewis completed basic training at Fort Knox in Kentucky in 2005. He was a Calvary Scout at Camp Casey in Korea for 1 1/2 years and at Fort Lewis in Washington before being deployed to Afghanistan. SPC Lewis was serving in Afghanistan in the 8th squadron, 1st Calvary Regiment, on the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Joseph is survived by his wife, his infant daughter, parents, sister and her husband and their three children and three grandparents, as well as, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends who loved him dearly. Once the plane landed it was given a fire truck water bridge salute. There was a somber transfer of the casket from the plane to a white coach. The family gathered around to welcome him home. Afterward, the procession was escorted by the state, local police and fire department. Also providing a motorcycle escort were members of the North Texas Patriot Guard Riders. The journey began with flag lined streets out of Majors Airfield and citizens of Greenville held signs, waved flags and held their hands over their hearts, while others saluted in a sign of respect. The procession continued south on Highway 34 south through the towns of Cash and Quinland. As the procession entered the city limits of Greenville the streets were lined with flags and citizens came out to welcome the fifth fallen soldier since 2003. Finally, the procession arrived at the funeral home decorated with hundreds of small flags in the front lawn. Once the casket was taken inside the parents of Joseph spoke to the press. His mother spoke of her son?s bravery. His father said, ?We are celebrating his life because that is how he would have wanted it,? as his voice began to break with emotion. The entire family then made their way into the funeral home for a private viewing. Interment services are scheduled for Saturday. Video description: Music ? If You?re Reading This Somebody?s Someone Video Production USFallen.org Jerry Castillo ? Producer To obtain a copy of this video on DVD please visit www.USFallen.org for further details.

Week ending Nov. 21, 2009 the US Department of Defense released the names of 8 military personnel who died, while serving in the United States armed forces.

Nov. 19, 2009 - Shawn Patrick Hefner, 22, of Hico, Texas; assigned to 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Nov. 13 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was promoted to lance corporal on Nov. 1 and scheduled to return to his home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., within a week. His flagged draped coffin was returned to Waco, TX, and was escorted by Patriot Guard Riders of North and Central Texas. The journey took the procession from Waco to his hometown of Hico, which is located in the heart of Texas. The procession drove through several small towns and communities. The highway was lined by citizens waving American flags as a sign of respect and gratitude for his sacrifice on their behalf. Many of the citizens place their hands over their hearts others saluted and many were overcome with emotion. As his procession arrived in Hico the entire town of 1300 citizens greeted their hero home. An equestrian group paraded down Main Street and made a circle around the funeral home. LCpl. Hefner was fun-loving and fearless, said his father, Patrick Hefner of Hico. He was an outdoorsman, said his father, a former Marine. He loved to fish and camp. If it could be done outdoors, that's where he wanted to be. LCpl. Hefner was born Dec. 4, 1986, in Kansas City, Mo., and moved with his family to Hico in 1991. He was a 2006 graduate of Hico High School. He joined the Marines in January 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in June. Almost immediately, he demonstrated his toughness, when he received a concussion after his Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle was rocked by an explosion. His mother, Robin Hefner of Hico, had instructed her son to document his tour of duty with photographs. LCpl. Hefner faithfully carried out his mother's request even after that attack. They were carting him off in helicopters, and he was lying on his back taking pictures of his buddies up in front of him, his father said. In addition to his mother and father, LCpl. Hefner leaves behind a brother, a sister, a grandfather, and a grandmother. Video Description: Music Amazaing Grace God Bless America Please Remember Video Production- USFallen.org Jerry Castillo - Producer

Shawn Patrick Hefner, 22, of Hico, Texas; assigned to 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Nov. 13 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was promoted to be a Marine lance corporal on Nov. 1 and scheduled to return to his home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., within a week. His flagged draped coffin was returned to Waco, TX, and was escorted by Patriot Guard Riders of North and Central Texas. The journey took the procession from Waco to his hometown of Hico, which is located in the heart of Texas. The procession drove through several small towns and communities. The highway was lined by citizens waving American flags as a sign of respect and gratitude for his sacrifice on their behalf. Many of the citizens place their hands over their hearts others saluted and many were overcome with emotion. As his procession arrived in Hico the entire town of 1300 citizens greeted their hero home. An equestrian group paraded down Main Street and made a circle around the funeral home. Cpl. Hefner was fun-loving and fearless, said his father, Patrick Hefner of Hico. "He was an outdoorsman," said his father, a former Marine. "He loved to fish and camp. If it could be done outdoors, that's where he wanted to be." Cpl. Hefner was born Dec. 4, 1986, in Kansas City, Mo., and moved with his family to Hico in 1991. He was a 2006 graduate of Hico High School. He joined the Marines in January 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in June. Almost immediately, he demonstrated his toughness, when he received a concussion after his Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle was rocked by an explosion. His mother, Robin Hefner of Hico, had instructed her son to document his tour of duty with photographs. Cpl. Hefner faithfully carried out his mother's request ? even after that attack. "They were carting him off in helicopters, and he was lying on his back taking pictures of his buddies up in front of him," his father said. In addition to his mother and father, Cpl. Hefner leaves behind a brother, a sister, a grandfather, and a grandmother. Video Description: Music ? Amazaing Grace God Bless America Please Remember Me Video Production- USFallen.org Jerry Castillo - Producer

Week ending Oct. 31, 2009 the US Department of Defense released the names of 27 military personnel who Died, while serving in the United States armed forces. Welcome viewers. These weekly episodes pay tribute to brave men and women who served our country with honor. This video and your respectful comments are memorial tributes to our fallen soldiers. Please visit USFallen.org website for previous episodes, military funerals and homecomings. On Wednesday,18 Americans came home. President Obama was at Dover Air Force Base, Del. the first time a president has been present when remains of fallen military arrived. The president s presence was significant. He will soon decide how to continue pursuing the war in Afghanistan. Welcoming home the 18 dead Americans and meeting with family members when their grief and loss was still raw will surely weigh on his decision. Obama acknowledged as such after the Dover ceremony: The burden that both our troops and our families bear in any wartime situation is going to bear on how I see these conflicts. The president was photographed participating in the arrival of the casket of one Fort Lewis soldier, Sgt. Dale Griffin, whose family had given permission for media coverage of his return. Because of the welcome change in military policy, which allows families to decide on coverage at Dover, more Americans are able to witness at least from a distance the price paid by soldiers and their loved ones. This has been the worst month for U.S. fatalities in Afghanistan since the United States invaded the country in October 2001. As long as U.S. troops are on the ground in such dangerous places as Afghanistan and Iraq, the grim ceremony at Dover will be repeated again and again. Fallen Description: Maj. David L. Audo, 35, of Saint Joseph, IL., Pfc. Brian R. Bates, Jr., 20, of Gretna, LA., Staff Sgt. Keith R. Bishop, 28, of Medford, N.Y., Spc. Robert K. Charlton, 22, of Malden, MO., Sgt. Fernando Delarosa, 24, of Alamo, TX.. Cpl. Gregory M.W. Fleury, 23, of Anchorage, AK. Spc. Joseph L. Gallegos, 39, of Questa, N.M., Staff Sgt. Luis M. Gonzalez, 27, of South Ozone Park, N.Y. Sgt. Dale R. Griffin, 29, of Terre Haute, IN., Pfc. Kimble A. Han, 30, of Lehi, UT., Sgt. Josue E. Hernandez Chavez, 23, of Reno, NV., Sgt. Issac B. Jackson, 27, of Plattsburg, MO., Capt. Eric A. Jones, 29, of Westchester, N.Y., Spc. Eric N. Lembke, 25, of Tampa, FL. CWO Niall Lyons, 40, of Spokane, WA., Staff Sgt. Shawn H. McNabb, 24, of Terrell, TX.. Sgt. 1st Class David E. Metzger, 32, of San Diego, CA., Pfc. Devin J. Michel, 19, of Stockton, IL. , Capt. David "Seth" Mitchell, 30, of Loveland, OH., CWO Michael P. Montgomery, 36, of Savannah, GA., Sgt. Nikolas A. Mueller, 26, of Little Chute, WI. Spc. Jared D. Stanker, 22, of Evergreen Park, IL., Lance Cpl. Cody R. Stanley, 21, of Rosanky, TX., Spc. Brandon K. Steffey, 23, of Sault Sainte Marie, MI., Capt. Kyle R. Van De Giesen, 29, of N. Attleboro, MA., Pfc. Christopher I. Walz, 25, of Vancouver, WA., Sgt. Patrick O. Williamson, 24, of Broussard, LA., Sgt. Eduviges G. Wolf, 24, of Hawthorne, CA., Music: Time to Say Goodbye Texas Tenors Mansions of the Lord Sgt. MacKenzie TAPS Photos/Resources afghanistan.pigstye.net defenselink.mil kvue.com thesunchronicle.com thonline.com militarycity.com USFallen.org Video Production Jerry CastILo Producer

Week ending Oct. 24, 2009 the US Department of Defense released the names of 12 military personnel who died, while serving in the United States armed forces. Welcome viewers. These weekly episodes pay tribute to brave men and women who served our country with honor. This video and your respectful comments are memorial tributes to our fallen soldiers. Please visit USFallen.org website for other videos, tributes and other resources for military families. Also, we now have a FaceBook page and invite you to join our conversations at http://www.facebook.com/pages/USFallenorg/142272661291 . We tweet and notify our followers of new postings @usfallen_org and we use #SOT, #MilitaryMon, #honorfallen. Fallen Description: Lance Cpl. David R. Baker, 22, of Painesville, OH., Spc. Kyle A. Coumas, 22, of Lockeford, CA., Spc. Michael A. Dahl Jr., 23, of Moreno Valley, CA., Staff Sgt. Bradley Espinoza, 26, of Mission, TX., Spc. Jesus O. Flores, Jr., 28, of La Mirada, CA., Spc. Anthony G. Green, 28, of Matthews, N.C., Spc. Daniel C. Lawson, 33, of Deerfield Beach, FL., Pfc. Daniel J. Rivera, 22, of Rochester, N.Y., Sgt. Christopher M. Rudzinski, 28, of Rantoul, IL., Staff Sgt. Chris N. Staats, 32, of Fredericksburg, TX., Staff Sgt. Glen H. Stivison, Jr., 34, of Blairsville, PA., Pfc. Brandon M. Styer, 19, of Lancaster, PA. Music ?End Credits? Glory Soundtrack ?TAPS? Photos/Resources www.defenselink.mil www.dailykos.com www.facebook.com/group/ourfallenussoldiers www.militarycity.com www.myspace.com/fallenussoldiersmemorial Video Production USFallen.org Jerry Castillo Producer

US Military Fallen - week ending Sep. 12, 2009. A grateful nation honors your service. Your battle is over; rest in peace. Your courage, for our country, will forever be etched in our minds and hearts. Welcome viewers. These weekly episodes pay tribute to brave men and women who served our country with honor. This video and your respectful comments are memorial tributes to our fallen soldiers. This week the US Department of Defense released the names of 15 military personnel who died, while serving in the United States armed forces. Fallen: 1. 2nd Lt. Darryn D. Andrews, 34, of Dallas, TX. 2. Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Fowlkes, 20, of Gaffney, S.C. 3. Sgt. Randy M. Haney, 27, of Orlando, Fla. 4. 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton, 24, of Monroe GA. 5. Gunnery Sgt. Edwin W. Johnson Jr., 31, of Columbus, GA. 6. 1st Lt. Michael E. Johnson, 25, of Virginia Beach, Va. 7. Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Kenefick, 30, of Roswell, GA. 8. Petty Officer 3rd Class James R. Layton, 22, of Riverbank, CA. 9. Sgt. Youvert Loney, 28 of Guam 10. Pfc. Thomas F. Lyons, 20, of Fernley, NV. 11. Capt. Joshua S. Meadows, 30, of Bastrop, TX. 12. Staff Sgt. Michael C. Murphrey, 25, of Snyder, TX. 13. Pfc. Zachary T. Myers, 21, of Delaware, OH. 14. 1st Lt. Tyler E. Parten, 24, of Arkansas 15. Staff Sgt. Shannon M. Smith, 31, of Marion, OH. Music ?Time to say goodbye? Performed by: The Texas Tenors "TAPS" Photos/Resources Daily Kos IGTNT OEF Page Militarycity.com DoD US Fallen Video Production Jerry Castillo Producer

Army Sergeant Gregory Owens Jr., 24, of Garland, TX, died July 20 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle followed by an attack from enemy forces using small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fires. On July 29th his remains were flown to Carswell NAS in Ft. Worth. His family was escorted by members of the Patriot Guard of Texas, off base as military and civilian personnel lined the streets in a respectful salute. A viewing was held on the evening of the 30th. That night I met Mr. & Mrs. Owens and given permission to take a photos and video of the funeral to share with other grateful American citizens. Approximately 300 friends, family and close associates came to celebrate Sgt Owens life. A diverse group of people, made proclamations, recounted their fondest memories of him, and spoke of his character. His younger brother delivered a moving eulogy. US Army representatives posthumously, awarded Sgt. Owens with a Bronze Star for valor and the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in battle. A Southern Baptist minister delivered a high energy sermon. A small choir gave beautiful performances of southern gospel music. The celebration concluded with, retired Army Gregory Owens Sr., his father, delivered an uplifting message to the audience. As the two-hour service concluded family and friends lined up to ring the Texas size bell, in honor of a local hero. All gave some, Army Sgt. Gregory Owens Jr., gave all he had, to God, country, and family. Video Production Jerry Castillo Producer