The Goal of Project Honor is memorialize the lives of Our Fallen Warriors, individually, in the words of those that knew them. There is no deadline for "completion" and updates to each are likely.
Our Fallen deserve to be remembered for their Victories and Character in life, not only the moment the enemy got lucky. They are not mere names nor numbers to be used in a political campaign.
Ace Of Spades: Why Language Matters In this article, Ace of Spades demonstrates how the writing style of "journalists" and other writers is purposely used to influence the electorate. He explains this far better than I have been able to do, but this is the foundation of why I could no longer be silent.
Chauncy R Mays was born December 7, 1985 and graduated from Chapel Hill HS in 2004. He married Katherine Carpenter in 2007.
"He was such a sweet and positive person when I knew him." Molly Hudson, Dallas, TX, schoolmate, Como-Pickton High School
"He was always talking about going back what he could do to help somebody else. I never understood it, but it takes a different kind of person to do that and we're all proud of him." Matthew Terrell, best friend
Mays, a 25-year-old native of Cookville, Texas, was assigned to 63rd EOD Bn, 20th Support Command and attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division’s Task Force Patriot based at Fort Polk, La.,
He was assigned to 705th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company in the Tangi area. Mays was working out of Combat Outpost Tangi in support of 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, while deployed in Afghanistan.
While his comrades credit Mays’ dedication and expertise for having saved a “countless” number of lives as an EOD non-commissioned officer, he meant much more to them and to his unit.
Twenty one year old Sapper Jamie Larcombe was from the Darwin-based 1st Combat Engineer Regiment.
Sapper Larcombe was born in Kingscote, South Australia, 1989. Jamie joined the Army in 2008 and successfully completed his recruit and combat engineer basic training in 2008 prior to being posted to the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment based in Darwin.
Jamie Ronald Larcombe was born on the 14th September 1989 at Kingscote Hospital on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
Lucas Christopher Scott of Peebles, Ohio was born in Cincinati on November 30, 1990 and graduated from Peebles High School in 2009.
Luke played soccer, track, and cross country. And he attended Ohio Valley Career & Technical Center during his Junior and Senior years.
He graduated from Boot Camp, Parris Island, in September 2009. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on March 1, 2010, to Corporal in December 2010, and deployed to Afghanistan in the summer of 2010. Despite previous wounds, he refused to stay behind for more than his birthday.
"I can't imagine there ever being a better man, friend, or Marine." Jimmie Whitley, friend.
He was "a fine marine and an even better friend." Marine Tyler Caudill
His Awards and Decorations include: the Purple Heart(2), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrrorism Service Medal, and NATO Medal.
When one researches and reads about the lives of Our Individual Warriors, you learn not only a little about what drives them to serve individually, but also about the characteristics that produces these Great Men, willing to sacrifice greatly while risking all to protect others. Too often, we don't know what we have until its gone.
One interesting trend I've noted is the above average propensity of Our Troops to have played sports in High School. It shouldn't be surprising as it instills teamwork and I also played sports in school. Another is the number of stories of helping others. Our Troops seem more likely than not to have lived a life of going out of their way to help those weaker, poorer, or in any way less fortunate. Quite often, they are the popular kid in School that befriends the geeks, the nerds, and other outcasts of school society, while leading the football team and volunteering for a local Non-Profit.
Project Honor was conceived two years ago, launched a few months ago, and got underway in ernest a few weeks ago. From the beginning, I had a rough idea of what I wanted the results to be, but until I got into the research and execution of articles, I wasn't certain what they would look like.
Ideally every story of each Fallen Warrior, would be told by the friends and family that knew them, but most often the grieving of the family is not ready, and too often not available to tell that story. And every Fallen Warrior has earned a place for his story to be told, without politics, without bias, without a financial incentive, without a focus on the single moment that the enemy got lucky.
That means research. It means finding the information about the Warrior's life and achievements. Not all stories are equal, because not all Warriors are equal, but more importantly because not all information is equally available.
Michael E Geary, of Derry NH, was born August 6, 1990 in Malden, Massachusetts and graduated in 2009 from Pinkerton Academy.
He enjoyed running and working out at the gym with his father.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2009 and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp LeJeune, NC.
“Since he was 14, it was all he talked about.’’ Tim Geary, father.
“He just knew exactly what he wanted in his life, and there was no room for skepticism. For a person of such a young age to articulate that, and to have such a clear sense of direction, is just amazing to me.’’ Shannon Brandano, aunt.
He inspired at least two classmates to join the Marines as well: Jeremy Levesque and Robert Gladysz.
"He was motivated. I wanted to be like that." Robert Gladysz, Marine Recruit & classmate.
"He was the most caring guy I've ever met; the most kindhearted. He'd do anything for anyone." Jeremy Levesque, Marine & co-worker.
"He would volunteer to take point so married guys and guys with children wouldn't have to. I can't think of a braver, more courageous thing to do." Beckie Smith, wife of fellow Marine.
by Lance Cpl. Andrew Johnston CAMP HANSON, Helmand province, Afghanistan — Marines with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, gathered to honor Lance Cpl. Michael E. Geary, a rifleman with Fox Company, 2/9, Dec. 17, during a memorial service at Camp Hanson in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Excerpts follow:
LCpl Ross C Carter said Geary’s main concern was the wellbeing of everyone around him. He said Geary was especially reverent and prayed daily for his mother battling cancer in the states. “Geary was a devoted catholic,” said Carter. “He always carried rosary beads and a Saint Michaels charm on every patrol. He was a loving son who had a close bond with his mother.” Geary was the kind of guy everyone looked to when they were down explained Carter. He said he was the type of Marine that could take even the worst circumstances and turn them into a comical situation.
“Lance Cpl. Geary had the power to find humor in the most difficult situations,” said Lt. Col. James R. Fullwood, commanding officer for 2/9. “He was always ready with a joke to lighten the mood, even if that joke was at his own expense. He was known as a Marine who took care of his buddies without any concern for himself and the type of man who would give the shirt off his back without thinking twice of it.”
Lance Cpl. Jason D. Earnest, a rifleman with Fox, 2/9, said he met Geary at the School of Infantry and quickly became friends. They both checked into 2/9 and from there, their ongoing razzing of favorite hockey teams and pride for their home towns continued all of the way to Afghanistan where they both landed in the same squad. “Michael and I never fought, but we did have our childish arguments over hockey and whose team was better,” said Earnest. “Michael and I were together fighting side by side here in Afghanistan. We helped each other in every fire fight. We even slept with our bug-net-tents next to each other. He was always there for me when I needed guidance or someone to talk to. He became the big brother I wish I had when I was a kid.”
Carter said Geary’s disciplined upbringing showed when it counted most. He said Geary never gave up at anything and was always trying to find new ways to improve the squad and every Marine around him.
“Growing up in south Boston made him tough,” said Carter. “He showed us his mental and physical toughness in combat. As his team leader, Geary and I constantly worked on our communication in attempts to proficiently navigate our squad together. The entire platoon and I are honored to have known him as a Marine,” said Carter. “He will be missed and never forgotten. His memory will give us the strength and motivation to push through this deployment and beyond.”
His awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Geary is survived by his mother, Nancy M. Buiting Geary, his father Timothy Geary, grandmother Beverly, and grandfather, Robert Antle. He was remembered at the St Thomas Aquinas Church on Dec 17, 2010 in Derry and laid to rest at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetary in Boscawen, NH.
Colton W Rusk, of Orange Grove, TX, was born September 23, 1990 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He graduated in 2009 from the Orange Grove High School, where he played baseball and football and was an All-District offensive lineman.
“Don’t be afraid to go after your hopes and dreams, but don’t be afraid to be willing to pay the price.” Colton Rusk, 2009, HS Yearbook.
“If I had a son, he is what I hope my son would be." Anna Garza, Spanish Teacher
“It’s not a single thing. It’s not that he was a great athlete or a great student. It’s that he was a great young man. He was everything." Tommy Moses, principal.
Nicholas "Sure" J. Aleman, 24, of Brooklyn, N.Y. grew up on Manhattan Avenue and graduated from Midwood HS. He had studied politics briefly at Fordham University in Manhattan.
" 'Sure' was born and bred in Brooklyn and recognized for his exceptional handstyle which brought together elements of classic New York graffiti with ornamental calligraphy. His script signatures could be found throughout the city and were a major influence on myself and countless others...He was my partner-in-crime and my best friend. I am grateful for the time we had and that everywhere I go in New York City I see his name and know that his presence will be felt by many long after his passing” "Faust," fellow street graffitti artist.
"The guy was very smart. He liked what he was doing." Alex Aleman, cousin
Jason A Reeves of Odessa, was born June 9, 1978 in Lubbock, Texas. He attended Peoria High School in Arizona and graduated in 1980 through correspondence course. He continued his education in the Military, earning an Associates Degree in Applied Science - Intelligence Operations with High Honors.
His life as an Air Force brat provided him experience in many locations and nations. He was the Math-Science Student of the Year for Maricopa County, AZ and attended elementary school in Okinawa, Japan.
He enjoyed traveling both as an AF brat and as a Soldier and used the opportunity to learn about the local culture no matter where he went.
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