As each year comes to an end, I like to take a few moments to reflect on events of the year–the good times and the bad–things in my personal life and in politics. I also often re-watch movies that were memorable. Yesterday, I spent most of the evening re-watching American Sniper, Lone Survivor, and Last Letters Home, a documentary of letters written by our fallen heroes and shared by their families.
I also search for and read the names of our heroes who will not see another new year. These men and women fought and paid the ultimate price so that we Americans can enjoy our lives. They gave everything to ensure we continue to have the freedoms we often take for granted every day. The little things like driving a car, loving who we choose to love, visiting a park, and writing our thoughts on this blog. For these and the myriad of other things that I didn’t mention, I am forever grateful.
Here is a list of the fallen from this year, compiled from multiple online sources:
December 2015 Heroes
Tech. Sgt. Joseph Lemm, 45, Bronx, NY
Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa, 31, Coram, NY
Maj. Adrianna Vorderbruggen, 36, of Plymouth, MN
Staff Sgt. Michael Cinco, 28, of Mercedes, TX
Staff Sgt. Peter Taub, 30, of Philadelphia
Staff Sgt. Chester McBride, 30, of Statesboro, GA
November 2015 Heroes
Pvt. Christopher J. Castaneda, 19, of Fripp Island, SC
Sgt. 1st Class Toby A. Childers, 40, from Hays, KS
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen B. Cooley, 40, from Cantonment, FL
Sgt.1st Class Jason M. Smith, 35, from Destrehan, LA
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael F. Tharp, 40, from Katy, TX
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin M. Weiss, 32, of McHenry, IL
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Alex Caraballoleon, 35, of Patillas, Puerto Rico
October 2015 Heroes
Capt. Jonathan J. Golden, 33, of Camarillo, CA
Capt. Jordan B. Pierson, 28, of Abilene, TX
Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Hammond, 26, of Moundsville, WV
Senior Airman Quinn L. Johnson-Harris, 21, of Milwaukee, WI
Senior Airman Nathan C. Sartain, 29, of Pensacola, FL
Airman 1st Class Kcey E. Ruiz, 21, of McDonough, GA
Maj. Phyllis J. Pelky, 45, of Rio Rancho, NM
Master Sgt. Gregory T. Kuhse, 38, of Kalamazoo, MI
Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, 39, of Roland, OK
September 2015 Heroes
Staff Sergeant Jonathan Lewis, 31, of Warrenton, VA
SPC Kyle E. Gilbert, 24, of Buford, GA
Seaman Philip Frazier Manes, 21, of Fairfax, VA
August 2015 Heroes
Master Sgt. Peter A. McKenna Jr., 35, of Bristol, RI
Capt. Matthew D. Roland, 27, of Lexington, KY
Staff Sgt. Forrest B. Sibley, 31, of Pensacola, FL
July 2015 Heroes
Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist, 25, of Grantsburg, WI
Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, 26, of Paulding, OH
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, 40, of Springfield, MA
Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells, 21, of Chattanooga, TN
Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt, 35, of Russellville, AK
June 2015 Heroes
Pfc. Monterrious T. Daniel, 19, of Griffin, GA
Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason P. May, 38, of Chesterfield, MI
May 2015 Heroes
PO3 Devon J. Doyle, 21, of Alamosa, CO
PO3 Ryan D. Burris, 24, of Lisle, IL
Sgt. 1st Class Pablo A. Ruiz, 37, of Melbourne, FL
Staff Sgt. Kerry Kemp, 27, Camp Lejeune, NC
Staff Sgt. Marcus Bawol, 26, of Warren, MI
Staff Sgt. Andrew Seif, 26, of Holland, MI
Staff Sgt. Trevor Blaylock, 29, Lake Orion, MI
Capt. Stanford H. Shaw III, 31, Basking Ridge, NJ
Master Sgt. Thomas A. Saunders, 33, VA
Staff Sgt. Liam A. Flynn, 33, of Queens, NY
CWO4 David Strother, 44, of Pineville, LA
April 2015 Heroes
Spc. John M. Dawson, 22, of Whitinsville, MA
Tech. Sgt. Anthony E. Salazar, 40, of Hermosa Beach, CA
And as another year approaches, I always hope that I will remember lessons learned, set and achieve more goals, know which battles to fight and which to leave for another day, remember the past without living in it, remember to love more and hate less, and to smile often.
May God bless you and yours in the upcoming year.
