Your tributes to fallen soldiers

Donald C. May, Jr.

My husband, SSgt. Donald C. May, Jr., was killed in action March 25, 2003. He was a loving husband and amazing father. Everything in his world revolved around our family and he never let a day go by without showing how much he loved us. We have three children: Mariah, 11, Jack, 6, and Will, 4 (born after Don died) He will always be remembered by anyone who met him....they always remember that he was always laughing or smiling. Don was born in Richmond, VA on October 27, 1973. His mother and father were both Marines, having met at Quantico. --Deborah May, Jacksonville, NC (submitted on May 8, 2007)

Brian A. Medina

LCPL Brian A. Medina, age 20, Of Woodbridge Virginia, lower left, was killed 12 November 2004 In Fallujah, Iraq. Conducting house to house searches was shot in the chest with armor piercing rounds through his bullet proof vest, existing his spine Brian fought for live for 30 minute while his team fights to pull him out to safety. He was then shot again through his right forearm into his right lower flank (hip) this bullet ending up killing him, traveled through his lower stomach, liver and lungs taking all his ribs out on the way, existing just right and above his other exist wound. Brian died in route to the field hospital, before he died he communicated by sign due to the pain, not able to breathe with a collapsed lung, told the medic to take the US flag from his vest and fly it over Bagdad after the city was taken, he also pointed out the Saint Christopher’s medallion worn by his grandfather in Vietnam, his Uncle in the first Gulf War he want to make sure it got back home. Brian had with him something that his father had with him during his service with the Navy Seabees a Spec-OP K-bar which he had engraved with an Ernest Hemmingway quote that Brian liked it went something like “Once man has hunted man long enough and lived, they thought of nothing more”. On the reverse side I had engraved “Beware for once you killed in self defense or aggression that one moment will forever be in your mind. God Bless Love Dad”. The member’s of his team have carried that knife with them ever since, to Afghanistan, and back to Iraq. Entered service on the 27 of August 2002, his Grandfathers birthday, Brian became a Marine on the 22nd of November 2002 exactly two years later he would be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. I watched him as gave his first salute to his Uncle Cecil a Major in the Air Force, his “new walk”, the way he talked heck his whole attitude, my son had grown to be a Man. Brian was a poet, an artist, and a self-made computer wizard who actually made a working model of a video game he had plan to have marketed when he got back, everyone thought that Brian would make it big if his game ever made it to production. During his first day in Kuwait Brian wrote a poem that described his death, the weather, and the conditions, all which come true. His team found it in his note book after he died. Brian was just awarded last month at the Pentagon from the State of Hawaii the "Hawaiian Medal of Honor" and on the 24th of this month at the State Capitol of Virginia, Richmond he will honored with all the Virginian servicemen who lost their lives with a memorail which will display their names. Brian was awarded recently the Navy Marine corps Achievement Medal w/ Combat "V" device for Valor. --Gregory Medina, Woodbridge, VA (submitted on May 14, 2007)

Daniel Marshall Morris

SSGT Daniel Marshall Morris lived the life of a childhood dream fulfilled. When he was a child he always dressed in camoflouge and built forts in the woods flying the American Flag. He wanted to be an "Army Man". Daniel was born May 15, 1978. He enlisted when he was 21 years of age. He was 28 years of age when he died on Nov. 25, 2006 after beginning his 8th year in the Army and his second tour in Iraq. When asked why he re- enlisted again he said "God was leading him to re-enlist and return to Iraq to help those people." Daniel had planned on becoming a minister instead of re-enlisting again. Daniel was a strong man and was willing to answer God's call, although knowing what lay ahead. He knew in his heart that he would not return to us. He had bought Rev. Reed, his pastor in Texas, a Purple Heart pin before he was deployed. He told Rev. Reed that he would need it. Rev. Reed has it in his office at the church. Daniel had called me several times in the two weeks before he died. I was at work and always missed his calls. I have every message saved on the answering machine. Before he would hang up he always said, "Don't worry mom, God is taking care of me". After we received the news, his sister Cassidy and brother Adam both had an e-mail from him. Two days later I received a letter in the mail. It is now in a frame on my wall. Of course he signed it, "don't worry, God is taking care of me." Daniel lived every minute like it was his last. He had a wonderful sense of humor! He loved spending time with his daughter Alexys. Daniel spent her 10th birthday with her when he was home last June. That 's the first time he had seen her on his birthday since she was 3. He wanted to take her fishing in the Smokey Mountains on her birthday, but she talked him out of it. She is as strong willed as her father. Daniel was raised in the small town of Clinton, Tn. He was a simple person. He loved hunting, fishing, his family and friends, but most of all, his Lord and Savior. I have never seen such love and respect from a community as I saw for Daniel during his service. His Pastor from Texas came. He and Rev. Hamm, Daniels Pastor from Knoxville performed his Eulogy. The funeral procession was decorated with people displaying flags and banners. There wasn't one who didn't have tears in their eyes. The procession was almost six miles. Daniel's life was not taken in vain. He served the land and people that he loved. He had told me that if anything happened to him to "please tell everyone that I died doing what I loved". Staff Sergeant Daniel Mashall Morris proudly and without regret fulfilled his dream!!!!!!!!! --Amy Morris, Clinton, TN (submitted on May 7, 2007)

Jason William Daniel Morrow

My brother, Jason William Daniel Morrow was born February 1, 1979. He was born to be a Marine. He died in the Anbar Providence of Iraq June 27, 2006. He left behind his parents Kristin and William Morrow, four sisters (Katie, Renee, Stephani, and Ashley), a brother (Garrett), Three neices(Marie,Hailey, and Sara) and a nephew, (Logan). Each and everyone of us had loved him so much. He is our hero. Jason, only 27, was one of the greatest people in the world. A bit rough around the edges, but he was a great person when no one was looking. He grew up in Riverside, Ca. Graduated class of 1998 from Buena Vista High School. Growing up, he was a part of many things. Baseball, football, even band. He had many talents, but he knew his calling was to be a Marine. He worked hard to make that his dream. As the oldest of 6 kids, Jason went through life protecting us all. As a Christian, we all believe he is continuing that mission. Its a mission he never has and never will fail. --Stephani Aguiar, Killeen, TX (submitted on May 25, 2007)

Russell H. Nahvi

Russell H. Nahvi DOB 8/30/81 DOD 10/19/05 I loved him for loving me enough to say things to my face no one else dared to. I loved him--and was exasperated by-- his tendency for being generous to a fault with money he didn't have, he was always buying gifts, meals, drinks for others, he rarely spent money on himself. (Except for expensive sunglasses which he would break or lose in a week or so). I guess I loved him most for his sense of humor with which he managed to cajole his old gloomy-gus mother out of many a blue funk. One example: he would interrupt me in an obvious preoccupied or stressed out moment and with a deadpan expression ask me if I thought this might be the most annoying sound in the world followed by a description-defying shriek for which no words can do justice. I would shoo him away with my hands over my ears and a smile on my face. His loss in my life only grows as the months slowly become years and I begin to comprehend he is never, ever coming home. --Nancy Nahvi, Arlington, TX (submitted on April 30, 2007)

John Nyren

SSG Nathaniel John Nyren, US Army March 5, 1973 - December 28, 2004 Nate was one of the most compassionate, unselfish individuals you would ever encounter. In the two years that Nate and I were together (with 10 months of that being apart during his deployment), I think we know each other better than most couples who are together for years and years. I never believed in the whole "soul mate" concept until him. I loved his passion for life and the outdoors. I knew that Nate was making a career out of the Army when I met him. I had no clue, however, of what being deployed actually meant. We spoke all the time on the phone and exchanged letters of how we couldn't wait to begin our lives together WHEN he came home. The thought never came to mind of "what if he didn't come home?". Although Nate hated being deployed; he loved the Army. It was more than his job. He had a sense of pride when he wore his uniform; he was very humbled by it all. We simply just missed being together...going to Pirates, Steelers and Penguins games, golfing on a summer afternoon, taking vacations, cuddling up to a movie, and so much more. It was almost scary how much we had in common. That's what I miss most...spending time with my best friend. I could go on and on. Not many people knew Nathaniel John Nyren. Those who had the pleasure of meeting him were truly blessed. I can only say that I am a better person for being given the chance to love him and be loved by him. --Becky Nyren, Pittsburgh, PA (submitted on April 30, 2007)

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