Memorial ceremony held for fallen U.S. service members

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Andrew T. Bourne, Company A, 427th Brigade support Battalion and Sgt. David Cunningham also from Company A 427th, pay tribute to their fallen friend Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

06.27.2008

Courtesy Story

New York National Guard

By New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

CAMP PHOENIX, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN -- A memorial ceremony was held June 27 at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, for eight U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix who were killed last week as a result of combat operations in Afghanistan.

"These young men are Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the finest military tradition," said Col. Brian K. Balfe, the commander of CJTF-P to a formation comprised of nearly 300 U.S. and coalition service members and distinguished guests paying tribute to fallen warriors during a special ceremony held in the base's Patriot Square.

"All volunteered for their own reasons. The Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps each lost true warriors. All served. All sacrificed," said Col. Balfe.

Representatives of the Afghan national army and the Camp Phoenix-based French and Romanian detachments also participated.

Many comrades of the fallen personnel from Camp Phoenix and other bases were present to pay tribute.

The following U.S personnel were commemorated in today's event.

Sgt. Matthew E. Mendoza, 24, of San Antonio, Texas, died June 20 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Hospitalman Dustin Kelby Burnett, 19, of Fort Mohave, Ariz., was assigned to First Marine Division Detachment, Twentynine Palms, Calif. He died June 20 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan.

Capt. Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, of Lexington, KY died June 19 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre, 21, of Bryant, Ind. died June 19 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The following U.S. Army personnel died June 21 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.

Lt. Col. James J. Walton, 41, of Rockville, Md., who was assigned to a Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan

Spc. Anthony L. Mangano, 36, of Greenlawn, N.Y., who was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.

Sgt. Nelson D. Rodriguez Ramirez, 22, of Revere, Mass., who was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y.

Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of Queens, N.Y., who was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Geneva, N.Y. Sgt Seabrooks wife and two children reside in Newport News, Va.

• Date Taken: 06.27.2008
• Date Posted: 06.28.2008 01:02
• Story ID: 20947
• Location: KABUL, AF