PARENTS' PAGE

"As I meet with our Gold Star Families and listen as they tell about their fallen loved ones, I am so impressed with their strength of character and faith. They have given permission to share some of their thoughts about our heroes." 
Carole Weaver

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Karl was a soft spoken caring person. He loved coaching his son's soccer team. He was one who went into a thing full force and was a perfectionist in what he did. He always treated everyone with respect. He was a loving son, husband and father. He was a leader to his men and only expected out of them what he expected of himself. He loved the military and died doing what he loved. He is a hero in every sense of the word.

Audrey Campbell - Mother of Sgt. Karl Andrew Campbell - U.S. Army

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Heath was a very unique and loyal individual who rarely had a bad day. He was known to have a fantastic sense of humor. He enjoyed fishing, snow skiing, hunting and music. He was an accomplished musician playing both the guitar and trombone. Heath was attending college on a music scholarship during his freshman year when he joined the Marines because he felt a calling to serve his country. Heath was a wonderful son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to many. All of whom vow to never let his memory, what he stood for or those who stood along beside him ever be forgotten.

Rhonda McRae - Mother of Cpl. James "Heath" McRae - USMC

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Ryan was an only child of Suzette DeTulio. Born on March 16th 1983, today, Ryan would have been 28 years old. Ryan was an active kid, who loved video games and would have to always have the latest one. He also had a passion for drawing, especially Japanese animation. Ryan wanted to design his own animation video game. Computers, well where do we begin, he excelled with them. Ryan was a sponge when it came to information that he wanted to know. He pretty much taught himself. He could fix any ones computer.

Family was very important to him as well as friends. Ryan strongly believed no matter who you were you should be treated equally. He was very talented no matter what he did.

9/11 had a strong impact on him. His uncle lost a friend in the towers. Ryan had a picture of the twin towers that he took when he was in high school. After 9/11 he went to ground zero and took more pictures that he carried with him always. He joined the Army the following August, we didn`t realize what an impact until after. Whenever he was home he made a trip to New York. Ryan did his Basic Training at Fort Benning, Ga, Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon Ga. He was in Communications, assisted in management of a robust and reliable Voice and Data Network. He was at Camp Humphrey in Korea for a year and 5 months after that he was deployed to Iraq with the 3rd ID from Fort Stewart Ga. He was happy with himself and his accomplishment and the way his life was going. Before he left for Iraq he gave his mother away at her wedding 12-31-04. On Thanksgiving Day 2005 Ryan died from a drug resistant bacterial infection that he contracted in Iraq 3 weeks prior to his death.

Awards & Decorations
1.) Army Commendation Medal
2.) Good Conduct Medal
3.) National Defense Service Medal
4.) Iraqi Campaign Medal
5.) Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
6.) Korean Defense Service Medal
7.) Army Service Medal
8.) Bronze Medal
9.) A Tree at Warrior Walk Fort Stewart Ga.
10.) A Plaque at the Cove Of Remembrance Fort Huachuca, Az.

Suzette DeTulio, Mother of Pfc Ryan D Christensen - U.S. Army

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Chad was almost always happy and loved his family and friends. He was very proud to serve his country and he loved his dogs and deer hunting. He had a great sense of humor.

Brian and Shanon Coleman, Parents of Specialist Chad Derek Coleman – U.S. ARMY

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He was a strong and selfless person. Great husband and father. Good cook, smart and not afraid to show his love.

Verena Burner, Wife of Sgt. John Franklin Burner, III – U.S. ARMY

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Patrick was generally outspoken and assertive. He could be depended on to follow through. He was stable and practical. He had a well developed common sense and practical ability.

Living for the moment, he loved new experiences. He was warm-hearted, popular and conscientious. Patrick enjoyed people and stimulating company. By being the fun-loving person that he was, he had the ability to make more fun for others and loved watching their enjoyment. He always put the needs of others above his own. He was extremely perceptive of others feelings. He was most likely to be the center of attention in social situations.

His talents included art, writing and music. There wasn't anything Patrick could not find that he could not master, whether it was skate boarding or women.

He did not like being alone.

Donnie Fitzgibbon - Father of Pfc. Patrick Scott Fitzgibbon - U.S. ARMY

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Jacob joined the Army to see the world and serve his country. He loved the outdoors, loved to fish and hunt. He also raised cattle. Jacob was a twin. His brother's name is Joe. He left behind four brothers, ten nieces and nephews and his parents.

Jim & Cindy Butler - Parents of Sgt. Jacob Lee Butler - U.S. Army

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Born 12-1-1971 died 4-07-09 Jud is survived by his parents, Joyce E. Mount, James E. Mount, brother Joey E. Mount, (a sister had died previously), his wife Jennifer, daughters Shelby and Sydney.

Jud had a big heart, was a loving, caring person. Jud was a great son and brother to Joey. He was devoted to his family, he was a Christian. Jud could keep everyone laughing, his smile was worth a million words. Yet he was a leader in the Army, always taking that extra step, a proud soldier, brave, and loved his flag and his country. He proudly served two tours in Camp Taji, Iraq for “Operation Iraqi Freedom”.
Jud received many metals and honors. He attended much specialized training during his career and had just received the Purple Heart for his injuries of last Nov. 8th.

Jud’s death was due to complications from injuries sustained in Iraq, Nov. 8, 2008. He was assigned to the Wounded Warrior Program and received treatment and several surgeries over a five month period at Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.

The Tennessee House of Representatives has adopted a Resolution to honor the memory of Warrant Officer Judson E. Mount. Also, a bridge in Franklin, TN will be named in Jud’s honor.

He is respected by all his family, relatives, friends and Unit Team soldiers. He will be missed so much, the Hero that he is. He died for his country and for our freedom.

Joyce E. Mount – Mother of WO1 JUDSON E. MOUNT – U.S. Army

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Lance Murphy Clark was a very compassionate individual. He was friendly and very loving.

He always tried to be the mediator with any problem that came along. Lance tried to find humor in everything and make the best about any situation. He was the typical male, the outdoor type and very adventurous. He loved four wheeling and spending time with family. He loved God and took pride in being a Marine and defending our country.

Lance was extremely caring about others and never had a hateful or cross word. He tried to please everyone. There was always a smile on his face, and he put a smile on anyone's face who came in contact with him. Lance loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was a LIGHT that shined bright.

Family of Lcpl Lance Clark - USMC

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Like all parents, we believed from his birth that our son, Brent, was the most special child ever!  With a head full of red hair, he started life as a much cherished first born child who amazed us constantly.  As he matured into a caring and good person, we watched from the sidelines as he went into the world as a United States Marine.  Always one to take up for the person who could not defend themselves, we were not surprised that he felt the calling to serve his country.  As with everything else that Brent did, he excelled in the Corps and set a goal of becoming a four star general.  It was his honor to lead his men wherever they were called to go.  We now know that he was exactly where he was supposed to be on April 7, 2004, when his actions saved the lives of his men who had been severely wounded in combat.  Once again, he stepped up to do what was needed.  While our hearts are forever broken, we are forever proud of the man he became.  A hero is an ordinary person facing extraordinary circumstances who acts with courage, honor and self-sacrifice.  That defines Brent.

We are so grateful to Carole and her endeavors to provide a portrait of our Heroes.  The portrait of Brent makes us smile again and everyone who has seen it firmly claims that the artist “nailed it”.   It is a family heirloom that will be cherished.  Thank you.

Mike & Molly Morel
Parents of Capt. Brent Morel - USMC

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Tyler took everything serious.  If it was something he wanted to do, he put 110% into it.  He was not one to show emotions once he was in the Marines.  As a kid, he loved racing motorcycles and was very good at it.  He was nationally ranked when he was only 13.  He loved his family and young daughter who is now 3.
 
Thanks again for everything,
 
Steve Burnette
Father of Cpl. Tyler Burnette - USMC

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A few words about Daniel: He was the middle of three sons. He joined the USMC after finding out that his older brother Nick was going to be deployed to Iraq for a year with the National Guard. He did not tell me he had joined the Marines until he got home from the MEPS station. I was proud, but at the same time, very distressed to think that two of our children could possibly be in Iraq at the same time. Daniel served two tours and was going to serve a 3rd tour. He loved the Marines, for him it was where he “fit.” Daniel was full of life, he loved his family and he loved his brothers in the Corp. He had a laugh as big as the moon, and a heart to match. He was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal during his second tour in Iraq for calling in an air strike which saved the lives of his fellow troops.

Cindy and Andy Tatum
Parents of Cpl. Daniel Lee Tatum – USMC