​Henry Risner

    Army Pfc. Henry C. Risner served with the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division based out of Fort Drum NY.  He was killed on August 18th, 2004 by small arms fire when his checkpoint was attacked.  He was stationed in Baghdad.​

    Henry was from Golden Colorado and hoped to be a firefighter after serving in the military.  He joined the Army to earn money for college. He was described as someone who would help anyone in need. He leaves behind a wife, child and parents. 

    Matthew Vandegrift​

    First Lieutenant Vandegrift was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Lejeune, NC. He was killed during combat operations in Basra, Iraq on April 21, 2008, four days after his 28th birthday.​

    He joined the Marine Corp in 2005 upon graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in international business. Although he grew up in Austin Texas, he called Littleton Colorado his home.  He was known for working hard and putting other first. 

    Andrew Olmsted

    Army Major Andrew Olmsted was with the Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, of Fort Riley Kansas.  He died in As Sadiyah, Iraq on January 3, 2008 when his unit was attacked by insurgents using small arms.  ​

    Andrew was from Colorado Springs and wrote a blog for the Rocky Mountain News.  He loved reading, playing war games, and watching movies.  He was an Eagle Scout.  He is survived by his wife of 10 years. 

    Barry Sanford Sr.

    Staff Sgt. Barry Sanford Sr. was with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Support Group, Fort Campbell Kentucky.  He died on July 7, 2003 in Balad, Iraq from non - combat related causes.​

    Barry was a native from Aurora Colorado.  He served in the Army for 15 years traveling around the world.  He leaves behind 2 daughters, extended family and many friends.

    Brandon M. Kirton

    Army Cpl Brandon Kirton was with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.  Brandon was killed on May 18, 2011 during an attack on his unit while stationed in Kandahar.​

    Brandon, a graduate from Englewood High School and resident of Centennial, was 25 when he was killed.  According to his family he always wanted to be a soldier and was proud to serve his country.  He leaves behind his parents, his fiancé and a daughter. 

    Charles “Luke” Milam

    Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Luke Milam was with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  He was killed on September 25th 2007, while conducting combat operations in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan.​

    Charles, who was known as Luke, was a 1999 graduate of Columbine High School.  Luke joined the Navy 2 months after the Columbine school shooting. His brother Keith believes the tragedy at Columbine inspired Luke to join the military and treat his fellow service members.  Luke served three tours in Iraq and his final tour in Afghanistan. 

    Christopher Anderson​

    Hospitalman HM3 Christopher Anderson was with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  He enlisted in August of 2005. He quickly grew the trust of his men and they called him Doc.  He was killed on December 4, 2006.​

    Christopher graduated in 2000 from Longmont High School.  He leaves behind his parents, his brother and friends.  Each year his family holds a toy drive to honor Christopher.  Toys are delivered to the Children's Hospital in Christopher's name.

    Christopher Meis

    Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Meis was with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune North Caroline.  He was killed in the Helmand Province Afghanistan on March 17 2011.  ​

    Christopher graduated from Bennett High School and is survived by his parents and younger brother.  He was 20 years old.

    Christopher Sitton​

    Army Cpl. Christopher F. Sitton was with the 710th Combat Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, stationed in Fort Drum, N.Y.   He was killed on August 19 2006 by an IED in Kunar Afghanistan.  ​

    Christopher graduated from Montrose High School in 2003.  He was an outdoorsman, athlete, and musician.  He achieved Eagle Scout and was respected by his peers and leaders.  He leaves behind a daughter, parents and friends.  He was 21 years old. 

    Brian Allgood​

    Army COL. Brian Allgood died on January 20th 2007 when the Black Hawk he was traveling was shot down by hostile fire in Baghdad, Iraq.  COL. Allgood served with the 30th Medical Brigade, European Regional Medical Command, Heidelberg Germany.  He was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and the University of Oklahoma Medical Center.  He was the top medical officer to U.S. Troops in Iraq.​

    Brian, 46, was a native of Colorado Springs and is survived by his wife, son, and parents.

    Dane Balcon​

    Pfc Dane Balcon was with the 3rd Squadron, 8th Cavalry Division in Fort Hood Texas.  He was killed by a roadside bomb on September 5, 2007 while in Balad Iraq.  ​

    Dane enlisted in the Army as a Fire Support Specialist in 2006 after he graduated from Sand Creek High School.  He was 19 years old and from Colorado Springs, Colorado.

    Daniel Romero​

    Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Romero, 30, was a Special Forces Communications Chief and a member of B Company of the 5/19th Special Forces Group, based in Pueblo, Colorado.  ​

    Daniel was killed in an accidental explosion of ordnance on April 15, 2002, in Afghanistan. Daniel and his wife lived in Longmont.  He was the first Colorado National Guard Soldier since the Vietnam War to be killed in the line of duty. 

    Darrel Enos​

    Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Darrel L. Enos, 36, was assigned to the 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  He was killed by an Afghan Soldier he was training.  He died on August 17th 2012 in Farah Province Afghanistan.  ​

    Darrel was on his fifth deployment and was a week away from returning home.  He graduated from Mitchell High School. Darrel leaves behind his wife, children, twin brother and mother. He  was from Colorado Springs, Colorado.

    David R. Carter​

    Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 David R. Carter, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment, Colorado National Guard. He was killed in Afghanistan when his Chinook helicopter was shot down.  He died on August 6 2011.  ​

    David leaves behind a wife and two children.  He was an instructor pilot and loved training young aviators.  He is missed by all who knew him.

    Duncan Crookston

    Pfc. Duncan Crookston was with the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kansas.  He was injured on September 4 2007 when his vehicle was hit with a bomb.  He was severely burned and underwent multiple amputations but on January 25th 2008, Pfc Crookston finally succumbed to his injuries.  ​

    Duncan was a graduate of Denver West High School.  He was very good with electronics and was placed as a radio - tech operator.  He was always helping his unit out with computers.  He died one day before his 20th birthday.  He leaves behind a wife, parents and five brothers. 

    Gavin Reinke​

    Staff Sgt. Gavin Reinke was killed by and IED during combat on May 4 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq.  He was with the 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood Missouri.  ​

    Gavin was from Pueblo Colorado. He graduated from Central High School and joined the Army in 1996.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his ATV.  He is survived by his wife and daughter.

    Glen Martinez​

    Marine Sgt. Glen E. Martinez with the Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton California was killed on May 2, 2008 while stationed in Karmah, Iraq by a roadside bomb.  ​

    Glen was raised in Monte Vista Colorado.  An accomplished athlete, he was quarterback for his high school football team and took his team to state.  He also competed three times at state for his wrestling team.  He graduated from Ottawa University in Kansas with degrees in land surveying and math.  He met his wife while training  at Camp Pendleton. 

    Grant Wichmann​

    Sgt. Grant Wichmann was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. He died April 24, 2010 at Walter Reed Army, Washington, D.C., of wounds sustained March 12 when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire at Out Post Bari Alai, Afghanistan.​

    Grant was born in Denver and graduated from Golden High School in 2001.  He enjoyed soccer, snowboarding and loved to play the guitar.  He is survived by his wife, son, parents, many relatives and friends.  He was 27 years old. 

    Isaac Palomarez​

    Army Sgt. Isaac Palomarez was with the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team 101sst Airborne Division based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  He was killed on May 9 2008 when patrol was hit with an IED and then encountered small arms fire and rocket propelled grenade fire.  He was 26 years old.​

    Isaac was from Loveland Colorado and graduated from Loveland High School after attending Immanuel Lutheran School.  He played football and loved Colorado Avalanche Hockey.  The youngest of four boys, friends describe him as smart, witty, a great friend and someone that was fun to be around. 

    Jason Smith​

    Marine Sgt. Jason Smith was assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Branch, Headquarters and Headquarters Sq. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Japan.  He died while detonating a device on November 19, 2010 in Helmand province Afghanistan.   ​

    He was 28 years old and from Colorado Springs.  He is remembered as someone who never met a stranger and always looked at things positively.  He loved fishing and basketball.  He is survived by his wife, parents, sisters and many, many friends.

    Jordan L. Bear​

    Army Staff Sgt. Jordan L. Bear was with the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.  Staff Sgt. Bear died on March 1st, 2012 as a result of wounds from small arms fire in Zharay, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.​

    Jordan joined the Army upon graduation from Kennedy High School in Denver.  He was 25 years old and on his third deployment when he was killed.  He is survived by his wife, daughter and son, his parents and brother.

    Jose Hernandez​

    Marine Lance Cpl Jose Hernandez was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune North Carolina.  He was 19 when he was killed in Afghanistan while conducting combat operations on December 14th 2010.​

    He was from West Palm Beach Florida and Pueblo Colorado.  He lived in Pueblo as a child.  He is buried in Colorado. 

    Joshua Campbell​

    Army Spc. Joshua R. Campbell was assigned to the 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He was 22 and from Bennett Colorado.  He was killed on January 29th 2011 when his unit was attacked with an IED. ​

    He was the youngest of four boys.  According to his father, "He loved it, the camaraderie, the purpose, protecting his country. He was extremely patriotic. He'd do anything for anybody. He was a good man."  Josh loved working on cars, so it was no surprise that his MOS was being a heavy wheel vehicle driver. 

    Justin L. Vasquez​

    Staff Sgt. Justin Vasquez, 26, was stationed with the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Carson, Colorado.  Justin was killed on June 5, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq.  His vehicle was stopped by an IED that exploded nearby.  He and two other soldiers exited the vehicle and were killed by another IED.​

    Justin was a native of Manzanola, Colorado. He is survived by his son, wife, parents and sister. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star posthumously.

    Kedith Jacobs

    Army Spc. Kedith L. Jacobs Jr., was with the Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.  ​

    He is from Denver Colorado and was killed on May 27th 2012 when his unit came under attack by enemy forces in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan.  He was 21 years old.

    Brandon Pearson​

    Marine Lance Cpl Brandon W. Pearson was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. He was killed on November 4th 2010 in Afghanistan.​

    Brandon was 21 years old and from Arvada Colorado. He is survived by his parents, sister and fiancé.  He is remembered as always looking out for those he loved.  He died en route to the hospital from severe combat wounds 8 years ago today.

    Mark Cofield

    Army Sgt. Mark Cofield was with the Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He died from injuries in a non combat incident in Baghdad on July 17 2011.  ​

    He was 25 and from Colorado Springs.  His family moved to the Springs in the third grade.  He graduated from Rampart High School.  He was known for his friendly nature.  His brother and father were also in the Army.

    Luis Reyes​

    Army Sgt. Luis R. Reyes was with the Army National Guard's 947th Engineer Company based in Durango Colorado.  He was killed on November 18th 2005 when the vehicle he was riding in rolled over en route to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait.  ​

    Luis was from Aurora Colorado and was 26 years old.  He leaves behind a wife, daughter and son. 

    Mark Engel​

    Marine Lance Corporal Mark Engel was with the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 11 Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  Lance Corporal Engel died on July 21, 2004 from injuries he received on July 6th from enemy action in Iraq. He suffered lung damage and kidney failure and was burned over more than 70 percent of his body.  ​

    Mark was a 2001 graduate of Cherry Creek High School in Centennial Colorado.  He loved to play football and rugby, and enjoyed going snowboarding and skiing.  He leaves behind his parents and four siblings. 

    Michael Yashinski​

    SGT Michael Yashinski was with the 501st Forward Support Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade base in Vicenza, Italy.  He was running communication wire in Kirkuk, Iraq on December 24, 2003 when he was electrocuted.  He was 24 years old.  ​

    Michael was born at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina but was raised in Monument Colorado. He graduated from Lewis Palmer High School where he played football and wrestled.  He enjoyed black powder muzzle loading and was a champion knife and tomahawk thrower.  He is survived by his parents, many relatives and friends.

    Nicklas J. Palmer​

    Marine Lance Cpl. Nicklas J. Palmer of Leadville Colorado was 19 when he was killed on December 16 2006 while serving in the Anbar Province of Iraq.  He was wil the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Pendleton, California.​

    Nicklas grew up in Thornton and lived in Leadville.  He graduated from Lake County High School where he played football.  He graduated in 1995.  He loved rock climbing, camping and fishing.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in August of 2005 and completed boot camp in November of the same year.  He deployed to Iraq in July of 2006.

    Tomas Avey​

    SFC Tomas Avey, 34 died on March 29, 2015 of complications from wounds he received from multiple deployments.  He served with the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Carson, Colorado from 2010 - 2013.  He was an Army Ranger and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal with V for Valor.  ​

    Tomas is described as quick to smile and slow to anger.  He excelled not only in his professional career as a Ranger Instructor, but as a friend.  You could always count on him to offer a smile or a joke. He is leaves behind a daughter, parents and siblings.

    Randy Gillespie​

    Air Force Master Sgt. Randy J. Gillespie was assigned to the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Luke Air Force Base Arizona.  He was killed on July 9 2007 from gunshot wounds sustained in an encounter outside of a forward operating base near Herat Afghanistan.  He was 44 years old.​

    Randy comes from a family with a long history of serving our country, including relatives that served with the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War.  Randy served the military for 24 years.  Randy leaves behind a wife and 4 children. Randy is from Coaldale Colorado.

    Rob Nichols

    Army Spc. Rob L. Nichols, 24 was with the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Stewart, GA.  Spc. Nichols died on July 23 2013 in Soltan Kheyl, Afghanistan due to an IED.  ​

    Rob was a 2007 graduate from Sand Creek High School in Colorado Springs.  He joined the Army in 2010 and had already deployed to Iraq.  His second and final tour was in Afghanistan.

    Robert “Brian” Cowdrey​

    Army Staff Sgt. Robert Cowdrey assigned to 3rd Battalion 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, out of Fort Bragg North Carolina.  He served as a flight medic and was killed during his fourth deployment from combat operations in Afghanistan on October 13, 2011.​

    Brian as he was called by his friends was a a La Junta native and was 39.  He is survived by his wife and 3 boys.

    Ryan Hall​

    Captain Ryan Hall was with the 319th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida.  He  died Feb. 18  2012 near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, when his U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident. He was serving in support of the war in Afghanistan and Operation Enduring Freedom.  ​

    Ryan was born and raised in Colorado Springs and in 2000 he graduated from Pine Creek High School.  Hall was on his 7th deployment and had accumulated 1,300 combat hours.  He was 30 years old. 

    Sean Durkin​

    Army Sgt Sean M. Durkin was from Aurora Colorado.  He graduated from Eaglecrest High School in Aurora and later graduated from the Denver Auto and diesel School.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, Fort Carson, Colorado.  ​

    He received injuries at Forward Operating Base Wilson, Afghanistan on March 27th when his vehicle was attacked by an IED. He succumbed to his injuries and died on April 9th 2010 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. 

    Edward Forrest Jr.​

    Sgt Edward Forrest Jr. was assigned to the 1st Battalion 67th Armor Regiment 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson Colorado.  He was killed in Mosul Iraq on April 10 2009 by a suicide bomber.  He was 25 and from St. Louis Missouri.  ​

    His wife and sons live in Colorado Springs.

    Jonathan Sylvestre​

    Army Spc. Jonathan Sylvestre was with the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning Georgia.  He died on November 2, 2009 at Forward Operating Base Delta Iraq from a non combat related incident.  ​

    He was 21 years old and from Colorado Springs Colorado

    Ronald Tucker​

    Spc. Ronald Tucker, 21, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Hood, Texas.  Ronald died April 30 2008 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.​

    Ronald was from Fountain Colorado and a 2005 graduate from Fountain - Fort Carson High School. Ronnie is remembered as a hard worker and a great practical joker. He was a determined guy who excelled in all that he did. He will be missed.

    Shane Becker

    Army Staff Sgt. Shane Becker was with the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2th Infantry Division base in Fort Richardson Alaska.  He was killed by small arms fire on April 3 2007 in Baghdad.​

    Shane was from Greeley Colorado and a 1990 graduate of Greeley West High School.  He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

    Justin Bauer​

    Staff Sgt. Justin Bauer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg North Carolina. He died on January 10 2009 from an IED in Iraq.​

    In 2002 Justin graduated from Berthoud High School.  Upon graduation he worked as a firefighter with the Berthoud Fire Protection District.  In 2004 Justin joined the Army, serving 2 tours in Iraq.  He married 3 months prior to leaving on his last tour.  He was 24 years old.

    Stephen Kowalczyk​

    Corporal Stephen M. Kowalczyk was with the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood Texas.  He died March 14, 2007 when coming under attack by small arms fire.  He was 32 years old.​

    Stephen moved to Boulder with his family after high school.  He worked in Boulder for several years before traveling the world.  He is described as a man who loved learning about others and saw the beauty in everything around him.  He is survived by his mother, four sisters, a brother and many friends. 

    Travis Anderson​

    Army Pfc. Travis W. Anderson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart Georgia.  Travis was killed on May 13, 2005 when a vehicle full of explosive devices detonated near a checkpoint in Beiji, Iraq.  He was 28 years old.  ​

    Travis was from Hooper Colorado and loved to hunt and fish.  According to his family he always wanted to be a sniper.  He hoped to make a career out of the military and save enough money to buy land in the San Luis Valley.​

    Wade J. Oglesby​

    Army Cpl. Wade J. Oglesby was with the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Lewis, WA.  He was killed on April 18th, 2007 when his vehicle was struck by an IED while in combat operations.  He was serving in Taji Iraq.​

    Wade grew up in Grand Junction Colorado and hoped to one day be a police officer.  He had dropped out of high school to care for his dying mother. He later was able to earn his GED before joining the Army.  He leaves behind family in Grand Junction including a sister and step brother. 

    William DuBois Jr.​

    Capt. William DuBois, Jr. "Pyro," 30, was assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.  He was killed in the Middle East on December 1 2014 when his F-16 plane crashed.  ​

    He grew up in New Castle, Colorado and graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2008.  He leaves behind a wife.