Your tributes to fallen soldiers

Robert V. Derenda

SFC Robert V. Derenda date of birth 7/27/63 date of death 8/5/05 What I love most about my brother is he was a reservist who voluntered to go to Iraq because he wanted my children to grow up in a safe enviroment. I will be forever greatful. --Caroline Kibby, Cranberry Twp, PA (submitted on April 26, 2007)

Stephen P. Downing

SPC Stephen P Downing II was born May 8, 1974. He has 2 children, a daughter, Taylor age 11 and a son, Hunter age 8. He was killed in Ramadi, Iraq on 10.28.04. He was part of the 2 ID 17th Field Artillery. --Taylor and Hunter Downing, Mooresville, IN (submitted on May 24, 2007)

Justin Wesley Dreese

PFC Justin Wesley Dreese was born on 8/17/85. Growing up, he was active in sports and the Brookside Church youth group. He was a 2004 graduate of Selinsgrove Area High School (Snyder County, PA) where he sang in the Honors Choir. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, swimming and riding his 4-wheeler. Justin had a charming personality, a sparkling smile and enjoyed his family. Many fun memories include his love for the ocean and his help with memi and pap's produce stand. He enlisted in the Army in 2004 and attended basic training in Ft. Benning, GA. He began his Airborne Training with the 82nd Airborne Division in Ft. Bragg, NC with which he was serving at the time of his death. He was previously deployed to Afghanistan and El Salvador. In July, 2006, Justin was deployed to Yusifiyah, Iraq and this brave 21-year-old soldier paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country on 9/2/06. Words alone cannot describe how much we all miss our hero. Justin will always be loved, cherished and remembered by his parents, sister, grandparents, family and friends. --Wesley Dreese, Freeburg, PA (submitted on April 28, 2007)

Blain Ebert

Blain Ebert was a cocky guy. We were in the same Bradley crew. I was the driver, he was the gunner. He outranked me by position. It angered me when he yelled at me, but he did have more expirience in the "track" and I respected that. We argued alot, but I still did what he said. He encouraged me to ask about the track, and showed me how to work the gun. We deployed to Iraq in 2004. One hot day, we were posted outside of a mosque. We looked for enemy activity but everything looked calm. He shared candy with me saying, "don't take the peanut butter cups, theyre mine." We then talked about family, the army, and life in general to pass time. As he whistled the song "Whos That Lady?" I heard a loud pop! I assumed it was gunfire and told him to get down. I felt relief when i saw him getting down. Then I realized that he was falling down, not getting down. I thought he was hurt, but by the way he fell i knew he was dead. He fell on me with a gunshot to the head. I remember holding him tightly and screameing "Ebert". I yelled at Smitty,(the driver) to turn on the track and get us out of there. I felt his blood trickle down my hands and legs covering the turret floor. For some reason, I didn't want to let him go. I didn't want him to hit the floor. I didn't want to give the enemy the satisfaction of another fallen soldier. This may seem silly, but it made sense at the time. The entire way to the hospital, I remember crying in anger, yelling, and asking why he had to die. I thought of his wife, family, and what we talked about earlier. I told him he couldn't go. I looked for enemies while trying to talk to him. When we got to the hospital, Sgt. O and Sgt. T took him from my arms and I followed the stretcher. I stopped about half way and said to myself "Whats the use? He's already dead.". I sat on a chair at the entrance and began to cry. 5 minutes later, I felt someones arm around me. It was a Major trying to console me. He guided me into the hospital where I cried for a good while. Just when I was starting to calm down, the rest of the platoon came in the room. Spc. Bennedetto saw me and I stood right up. We looked at each other, and began to cry some more. The doctors let us say our last goodbyes to Ebert. We stacked hands and said our platoon motto in his honor: "Dark Knights, 1 team 1 fight!" There wasn't a dry eye in the room. The next day we were back out there, in the same spot, patrolling the same area. We finished our mission in febuary and brought honor to Ebert's name. He didn't die. He GAVE his life for a cause in wich he believed in. He left this earth sharing, singing, and teaching me how to be a better soldier. For that, I thank him. Everyday I thank God for the opportunity to be here. It could of been me that died that day. Why him and not me? I may never know the answer, but I'm grateful. I will think about that day as long as I live. I will honor Ebert every day I spend in the Army. Thanks for the honor of serving with you. God bless. --James Buscampell, Ft. Eustis, VA (submitted on May 12, 2007)

David Harrison Ford

David Harrison "Tanker" Ford. He was a quiet, down to earth country boy that loved life. Tanker was always happy and was family oriented. he was a beautiful man with an even more beautiful soul. Tanker was always smiling and always happy. 10 September 1985 was his birthday, he passed away on 16 September 2005. He was one of those people that everyone loved. There are so many things that there was to love about David i couldn't just choose one or two to put down on here. So there is just a little about him as a person. --Heather Wheeler, Dalton, GA (submitted on May 20, 2007)

Timothy Adam Fulkerson

Timothy Adam Fulkerson 18 June 1986- 08 October 2006 Adam was my cousin, as well as my friend. We grew up together. He had many friends and everyone who knew him would tell you that the thing they miss the most is his sense of humor. He knew how to make anyone laugh, and was always playing jokes on his friends. My most favorite memories of him are the summers we spent in Washington DC and all the art classes we had in high school. I know somewhere, he is telling a joke. I cant wait to get to heaven, so I can actually hear it! --Anonymous , Aiea, HI (submitted on April 27, 2007)

Todd C. Gibbs

Sgt. 1st Class Todd C. Gibbs. DOB: Sep. 9, 1967. Killed: Dec. 7, 2004 in Khalidiyah, Iraq. I am Todd's brother, Bret Gibbs. What I loved most about my brother was his kindness and compassion to others. Todd was a great friend to all of those who knew him. Just ask his friend Bobby who told me of the time that Todd drove from Alabama to Texas to attend his wedding. Like most of our men and women in uniform, Todd probably didn’t have a bunch of extra money to make that kind of trip. He knew what it meant to Bobby for him to there for his wedding. For Todd, it was really no effort to be there for him. That’s the kind of friend that Todd was. Just ask his friend Will who was one of many who called Todd his “best friend”. I remember visiting Will’s folks one time and his mom bringing us some freshly brewed sweet ice tea. The sweet part was just a bit of a problem though since his mom had accidentally substituted salt for sugar. Being the polite guy that Todd always was, he choked down several sips of that tea so he wouldn’t offend Will’s mom. I think Todd and Will got along so great because Todd was one of the only guys in this world who understood and didn’t try to change his ways. Todd always accepted people as-is without ever trying to change them into something they weren’t. That was just the kind of guy my brother was. Then there is my brother’s friend, Kelly Houts. Kelly had been working in Lufkin after high school and was not headed in any particular direction. Todd decided one day that Kelly was way too smart and needed to be doing something different. I remember getting the call from Todd when he was working on a way to get Kelly into college. He pretty much took Kelly under his wing and lifted him up as he pursued his college degree. Todd gave him a place to stay and shared what little he had to help Kelly complete his degree. When Kelly graduated several years later, he composed what I consider the best thank you note ever written. Kelly wrote: “..I would like to mention the man who helped me more than anyone else on this planet did. Todd Gibbs, the best friend any man could have on this Earth. It was Todd who pulled me out of the pit I was in a few years back. It was Todd who convinced me to get back on the path from which I had strayed. Without his assistance, I would not be here today, degree in hand. I owe the man more than I can ever pay back in this lifetime, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try”. Kelly later told me that Todd was the best man he ever knew. Kelly, as far as paying Todd back, your success in life will be all the payback he would ever ask for. Todd was like the rest of us and made his share of mistakes. But the lives he touched on this Earth will leave a legacy that we could all hope to achieve one day. God Bless you Todd and you will never be forgotten. --Bret Gibbs, Tomball, TX (submitted on April 27, 2007)

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