Memorial Day, 2020.
(Pictures of the fallen beginning from the left side of the top row, going down in a snaking pattern, and finishing with the bottom left.)
Since the last Memorial Day, May 27th, 2019, 21 American servicemen have been killed in action. Today is the day that our nation dedicates to them and all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country. Many of you that will read this are veterans, as are all of us here at Mission Essential Gear. It's our duty to see that the sacrifices of these men were not made in vain. These are their names.
US Army Master Sgt. Michael B Riley, 32, was killed on June 25th, 2019, from injuries sustained by small arms fire in Uruzgan Prov., Afghanistan.
US Army Sgt. James G Johnston, 24, was killed on June 25th, 2019, from injuries sustained by small arms fire in Uruzgan Prov., Afghanistan.
US Army Sgt. Maj. James G “Ryan” Sartor, 40, was killed on July 13th, 2019, from injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire in Faryab Prov., Afghanistan.
US Army Spc. Michael Isaiah Nance, 24, was killed on July 29th, 2019, by small arms fire during an insider attack in Uruzgan Prov., Afghanistan. He is survived by his mother and father.
US Army Pfc. Brandon Jay Kreischer, 20, was killed on July 29th, 2019, by small arms fire during an insider attack in Uruzgan Prov., Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife.
US Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Scott A Koppenhafer, 35, was killed on August 11th, 2019, by enemy small arms fire while advising and accompanying Iraqi security forces in Ninewah Prov., Iraq. He is survived by his wife and two children.
US Army Master Sgt. Jose J Gonzalez, 35, was killed on August 21st, 2019, during combat operations in Faryab Prov., Afghanistan.
US Army Master Sgt. Luis F DeLeon-Figueroa, 31, was killed on August 21st, 2019, during combat operations in Faryab Prov., Afghanistan.
US Army Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Ard, 31, was killed on August 29th, 2019, from wounds sustained during combat operations in Zabul Prov., Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife (who was pregnant at the time) and his daughter.
US Army Sgt. 1st Class Elis A Barreto Ortiz, 34, was killed on September 5th, 2019, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife and children.
US Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy W Griffin, 40, was killed on September 16th, 2019, by small arms fire when his unit was engaged in combat operations in Wardak Prov., Afghanistan.
US Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J Goble, 33, died on December 22nd, 2019, of injuries sustained during combat operations in Kunduz Prov., Afghanistan.
US Army Spc. Henry “Mitch” Mayfield Jr., 23, was killed January 5th, 2020, in an attack by al-Shabab militants on Manda Bay Airfield in Kenya. He is survived by his mother.
US Army Pfc. Miguel A Villalon, 21, was killed January 11th, 2020, after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Kandahar Prov., Afghanistan. He is survived by his mother and father.
US Army Staff Sgt. Ian P McLaughlin, 29, was killed January 11th, 2020, after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Kandahar Prov., Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife and four children.
US Army Sgt. 1st Class Antonio R Rodriguez, 28, was killed February 1st, 2020, in an insider attack in Nangarhar Prov., Afghanistan.
US Army Sgt. 1st Class Javier J Gutierrez, 28, was killed February 1st, 2020, in an insider attack in Nangarhar Prov., Afghanistan.
US Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, 34, was killed on March 8th, 2020, while clearing a tunnel complex of Islamic State fighters in the Makhmur Mountains of southern Iraq.
US Marine Corps Capt. Moises A Navas, 34, was killed on March 8th, 2020, while clearing a tunnel complex of Islamic State fighters in the Makhmur Mountains of southern Iraq.
US Air Force Staff Sgt. Marshal D Roberts, 28, was killed on March 11th, 2020, in a rocket attack on Camp Taji, Iraq.
US Army Spc. Juan Mendez, 27, was killed on was killed on March 11th, 2020, in a rocket attack on Camp Taji, Iraq.
Enjoy your Memorial Day for those that can't. As always, stay safe and have a good one,
Brodie