Local War Toll

I want to thank Our Military for their service to Our Country. I appreciate you protecting me and my children. It don't go unnoticed. THANK YOU!!!!

The following members of the armed forces with known ties to mid-Michigan have died in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Senior Airman Jason Plite, 21, of Grand Ledge, died March 23, 2003, in Afghanistan when his helicopter crashed during a flight to evacuate two children with life-threatening head injuries.

Army Pfc. Jason Meyer, 23, was killed April 7, 2003, when his personnel carrier took fire. He graduated from Howell High School in 1999.

Army Sgt. Sean Reynolds, 25, was killed May 3, 2003, in an apparent accident involving his own weapon in northern Iraq. He grew up in Detroit and graduated from East Lansing High School in 1995.

Army Capt. Paul J. Cassidy, 36, of Laingsburg died in Camp Babylon as a result of non-combat injuries on July 13, 2003.

Army Pfc. Richard H. Rosas, 21, of St. Louis was one of two soldiers killed May 25, 2004, when their patrol was hit by an improvised explosive device in Fallujah, Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Justin M. Ellsworth, 20, of Mount Pleasant died Nov. 13, 2004, while on reconnaissance during the U.S. assault on Fallujah.

Marine Lance Cpl. Michael Hanks, 22, of Gregory, was killed Nov. 17, 2004, during fighting in Anbar province, Iraq.

Michigan Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Ricky Kieffer, 36, of Ovid was killed March 15, 2005 when his unit was attacked by insurgents using small arms fire in Baghdad.

Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Kilpela, 22, of Fowlerville, died June 10, 2005, when a roadside bomb exploded in Iraq.

Major Gerald Bloomfield II, 38, of Ypsilanti, was killed Nov. 2, 2005, when his helicopter crashed in Ramadi, Iraq.

Army 1st Lt. Justin S. Smith, 28, of Lansing, was killed Nov. 7, 2005, when a bomb in a vehicle exploded near his dismounted patrol in Baghdad.

Marine Lance Cpl. David Huhn, 24, of Portland, was among 10 Marines killed in a roadside bomb explosion Dec. 1, 2005, in Fallujah.

Army Cpl. Nyle Yates III, a native of Lake Odessa, was killed March 16 when he came under small-arms fire in Bayji, Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Troy Nealey, 24, of Eaton Rapids was killed in Iraq on Oct. 29 when a vehicle he was traveling in was hit by a grenade.

Army Staff Sgt. Gregory McCoy, who grew up in Webberville, was killed Nov. 9 after an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq.

Army Sgt. Curtis L. Norris, who grew up in Dansville, has been killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, Iraq. link

May the Good Lord Bless these Soldiers for their bravery and dedication to America.
I thank you and your families, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.