Gold Star Family Support Group
| Our Fallen Heroes |
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Capt. Bruce Hays KIA 9-17-08
Bruce's Legacy.com page
Bruce's Legacy.com page
Pfc. Alexander R. Varela KIA 5-19-07
Alexander's Legacy.com page
Alexander's Legacy.com page
CPL Christopher Shelton
died on 11-15-02
died on 11-15-02
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CPL Scott Dimond KIA 10-13-08
Scott's Legacy.com page
Scott's Legacy.com page
CWO Joshua Tillery DOB 2/26/1977 KIA 1-26-09
Born in San Diego, he moved to the Banks area as a child and graduated from Banks High
School in 1995. Eager to serve his country, Joshua joined the U.S. Army after graduation. He
served in both the 82nd Airborne Division and the 2nd Infantry Division. After helicopter flight
training, Joshua was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, 6th Aviation Brigade. Men
always looked up to him for leadership and as an example of what a soldier should be in both
action and deed. He was greatly respected by both superiors and peers. Joshua provided
exemplary service in the defense our country and was awarded numerous awards and
medals including two Air Medals, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He was currently
serving his second tour in Iraq. Joshua met his future wife, Stephanie Charlene, while both
were stationed at Ft. Lewis, Wash. He realized that Stephanie was the perfect helpmate and
the two were married on Dec. 1, 2001. Joshua and Stephanie have three sons, Alec, Colin
and Hayden and Stephanie is pregnant with their fourth son, Tristen. Joshua was a loving
and devoted husband and simply adored his children. Joshua was well known for his quick
sense of humor and infectious smile. He was always dependable and loyal to both his friends
and family. He loved the outdoors and was intent on returning to the northwest following his
military service. He and his sons loved to ride dirt bikes, sledding and boating.
Josh's Legacy.com page
Born in San Diego, he moved to the Banks area as a child and graduated from Banks High
School in 1995. Eager to serve his country, Joshua joined the U.S. Army after graduation. He
served in both the 82nd Airborne Division and the 2nd Infantry Division. After helicopter flight
training, Joshua was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, 6th Aviation Brigade. Men
always looked up to him for leadership and as an example of what a soldier should be in both
action and deed. He was greatly respected by both superiors and peers. Joshua provided
exemplary service in the defense our country and was awarded numerous awards and
medals including two Air Medals, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He was currently
serving his second tour in Iraq. Joshua met his future wife, Stephanie Charlene, while both
were stationed at Ft. Lewis, Wash. He realized that Stephanie was the perfect helpmate and
the two were married on Dec. 1, 2001. Joshua and Stephanie have three sons, Alec, Colin
and Hayden and Stephanie is pregnant with their fourth son, Tristen. Joshua was a loving
and devoted husband and simply adored his children. Joshua was well known for his quick
sense of humor and infectious smile. He was always dependable and loyal to both his friends
and family. He loved the outdoors and was intent on returning to the northwest following his
military service. He and his sons loved to ride dirt bikes, sledding and boating.
Josh's Legacy.com page
SPC Cory J Bertrand DOB 11/15/1989-KIA 10-14-08
Cory J. Bertrand’s teenage years were spent playing in the front yard of a white frame house owned
by his step grandparents.
His grandfather, Johnny Allen recalls the quality time they spent together. “We shot guns together,
and we walked the place here together. I do some mechanic work, and he enjoyed being with me
while I was doing that.”
Bertrand, 18, of Center, Texas, died Oct. 14 in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck
an IED. He was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas.
“He felt like he was doing his job to protect not only his family, but his country, and he saw a
purpose for his life,” said his grandmother, Lillian Allen.
The country boy decided to join the Army at age 17. His young age required his mother, Charlotte
Allen, to sign the enlistment papers. She agreed so her son could have the future he wanted.
“His face seemed to have that look of being, ‘I’m serious about what I’m doing,’ and I really know he
had come to realize that his purpose in life was fulfilled in being in the military,” said pastor Charles
Boster.
Bertrand also is survived by his stepfather, Matt Allen, and father, Ernie Nelams.
Cory's Legacy.com page
Cory J. Bertrand’s teenage years were spent playing in the front yard of a white frame house owned
by his step grandparents.
His grandfather, Johnny Allen recalls the quality time they spent together. “We shot guns together,
and we walked the place here together. I do some mechanic work, and he enjoyed being with me
while I was doing that.”
Bertrand, 18, of Center, Texas, died Oct. 14 in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck
an IED. He was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas.
“He felt like he was doing his job to protect not only his family, but his country, and he saw a
purpose for his life,” said his grandmother, Lillian Allen.
The country boy decided to join the Army at age 17. His young age required his mother, Charlotte
Allen, to sign the enlistment papers. She agreed so her son could have the future he wanted.
“His face seemed to have that look of being, ‘I’m serious about what I’m doing,’ and I really know he
had come to realize that his purpose in life was fulfilled in being in the military,” said pastor Charles
Boster.
Bertrand also is survived by his stepfather, Matt Allen, and father, Ernie Nelams.
Cory's Legacy.com page
Spc Stephen R Fortunato KIA 10-13-08
25, of Danvers, Mass.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry
Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Oct. 14 of wounds
suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised
explosive device in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan. Also killed
were Spc. Cory J. Bertrand and Sgt. Preston R. Medley.
Stephen's Legacy.com page
25, of Danvers, Mass.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry
Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Oct. 14 of wounds
suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised
explosive device in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan. Also killed
were Spc. Cory J. Bertrand and Sgt. Preston R. Medley.
Stephen's Legacy.com page
SPC Heath K Pickard DOB 9/18/1987-KIA 10-16-08
in Athens, Texas. He was a 2006 graduate of Frankston High
School where he lettered in football and baseball. He was
called home to the Lord on Oct. 16, 2008, while serving his
country as a member of the 25th Infantry Division in the United
States Army in Iraq. Heath is a true American hero who will not
be forgotten
Heath's Legacy.com page
in Athens, Texas. He was a 2006 graduate of Frankston High
School where he lettered in football and baseball. He was
called home to the Lord on Oct. 16, 2008, while serving his
country as a member of the 25th Infantry Division in the United
States Army in Iraq. Heath is a true American hero who will not
be forgotten
Heath's Legacy.com page
SPC THOMAS LEEMHUIS KIA 6-21-07
Thomas R. Leemhuis''s mother, Patty Leemhuis, said he was a
fun-loving young man who enjoyed cracking jokes and playing
video games. "His No. 1 football team was the Nebraska
Cornhuskers, and he loved to wear his Nebraska hat around the
University of Oklahoma," she said. "He loved to push it to the
limit." Leemhuis, 23, of Binger, Okla., was killed June 21 by an
explosive in Baghdad. He was assigned to Schweinfurt, Germany.
His mother said Leemhuis had dreams of becoming a cop. She
said at first he had thought of becoming a teacher and basketball
coach, but then turned his thoughts to becoming a police officer
"because he hated drugs." The last contact she had with him was
through an e-mail June 18, she said. "He wrote that he loved me,
and that he would be home soon. He also told me to stay strong,"
she said. She said her son was inspired to join the Army in 2005
after the death of his uncle, Melvin Jody Stevens, a Vietnam
veteran. Her son also is survived by his father, Paul Whitehorn.
"He will always be remembered and loved," said Tom Worcester,
a relative.
Thomas' Legacy.com page
Thomas R. Leemhuis''s mother, Patty Leemhuis, said he was a
fun-loving young man who enjoyed cracking jokes and playing
video games. "His No. 1 football team was the Nebraska
Cornhuskers, and he loved to wear his Nebraska hat around the
University of Oklahoma," she said. "He loved to push it to the
limit." Leemhuis, 23, of Binger, Okla., was killed June 21 by an
explosive in Baghdad. He was assigned to Schweinfurt, Germany.
His mother said Leemhuis had dreams of becoming a cop. She
said at first he had thought of becoming a teacher and basketball
coach, but then turned his thoughts to becoming a police officer
"because he hated drugs." The last contact she had with him was
through an e-mail June 18, she said. "He wrote that he loved me,
and that he would be home soon. He also told me to stay strong,"
she said. She said her son was inspired to join the Army in 2005
after the death of his uncle, Melvin Jody Stevens, a Vietnam
veteran. Her son also is survived by his father, Paul Whitehorn.
"He will always be remembered and loved," said Tom Worcester,
a relative.
Thomas' Legacy.com page
