Although many families spend Memorial Day outdoors with their family, it’s important to remember the real reason for the holiday. It’s a time to honor and remember those who fought and died while serving our country. So don’t forget to take some time to honor their memory this holiday.
In the past, we wrote Memorial Day blog posts honoring the most recent military deaths — read the 2017 post here and the 2016 post here. This year for Memorial Day, we also want to honor fallen soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The following 12 individuals are the most recent military deaths from 2018.
Master Sgt. Jonathan J. Dunbar
Dunbar died March 30, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Master Sgt. Jonathan J. Dunbar, 36, of Austin, Texas, died March 30 in Manbij, Syria, of injuries when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol. He was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Jonathan is survived by his mother; his wife, their two daughters, and another on the way; a son from a previous relationship; and extended family and friends.
Capt. Mark Weber
Weber died March 15, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Capt. Mark Weber, 29, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died March 15 when an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. He was assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Lowndes County, Georgia.
Mark is survived by his parents, four siblings, and extended family and friends.
Capt. Andreas O’Keeffe
O’Keeffe died March 15, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Capt. Andreas O’Keeffe, 37, of Center Moriches, New York, died March 15 when an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. He was assigned to the 101st Rescue Squadron, 106th Rescue Wing, New York National Guard.
Andreas is survived by his parents, sister, brother, girlfriend, and extended family and friends.
Capt. Christopher Zanetis
Zanetis died March 15, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Capt. Christopher Zanetis, 37, of Long Island City, New York, died March 15 when an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. He was assigned to the 101st Rescue Squadron, 106th Rescue Wing, New York National Guard.
Christopher is survived by his parents, grandmother, sisters, boyfriend, dog, and extended family and friends. Donations are asked to be made to The Fisher House Foundation, The New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund, or Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Master Sgt. Christopher Raguso
Raguso died March 15, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Master Sgt. Christopher Raguso, 39, of Commack, New York, died March 15 when an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. He was assigned to the 101st Rescue Squadron, 106th Rescue Wing, New York National Guard.
Christopher is survived by his parents, brother, wife, two daughters, and extended family and friends. Donations to benefit his children can be made to FDNY Foundation by selecting “Scholarship Fund to Benefit the Children of FDNY Lieutenant Christopher Raguso.”
Staff Sgt. Dashan Briggs
Briggs died March 15, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Staff Sgt. Dashan Briggs, 30, of Port Jefferson Station, New York, died March 15 when an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. He was assigned to the 101st Rescue Squadron, 106th Rescue Wing, New York National Guard.
Dashan is survived by his wife, son, daughter, grandparents, brother, sisters, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and extended family and friends.
Master Sgt. William Posch
Posch died March 15, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Master Sgt. William Posch, 36, of Indialantic, Florida, died March 15 when an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. He was assigned to the Air Force Reserve’s 308th Rescue Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, Florida.
William is survived by his wife, two sons, and extended family and friends. They’re asking donations to be made to the Pararescue Foundation.
Staff Sgt. Carl Enis
Enis died March 15, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Staff Sgt. Carl Enis, 31, of Tallahassee, Florida, died March 15 when an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. He was assigned to the Air Force Reserve’s 308th Rescue Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, Florida.
Carl is survived by his wife, mother, brother, sister, and extended family and friends.
Sgt. 1st Class Maitland D. Wilson
Wilson died March 7, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Sgt. 1st Class Maitland D. Wilson, 38, of Brooklyn, New York, died March 7 in Landstuhl, Germany, from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 831st Transportation Battalion, 595th Transportation Brigade in Manama, Bahrain.
Maitland is survived by his mother, fiancée, and extended family and friends.
Sgt. Christina M. Schoenecker
Schoenecker died February 19, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Sgt. Christina M. Schoenecker, 26, of Arlington, Kansas, died February 19 in Baghdad from a non-combat related incident. She was assigned to the 89th Sustainment Brigade in Wichita, Kansas.
Christina is survived by her parents, husband, siblings, and extended family and friends.
Spc. Javion S. Sullivan
Sullivan died January 8, 2018, while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Military Times — Spc. Javion S. Sullivan, 24, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, died January 8 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 16th Signal Company, 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade in Fort Hood, Texas.
Javion is survived by his parents, wife, daughter, siblings, grandparents, mother-in-law, dog, and extended family and friends.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin
Golin died January 1, 2018, while serving during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
Military Times — Army Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, 34, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, died January 1 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, after being engaged by enemy small arms fire while on a dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in Fort Carson, Colorado.
Mihail is survived by his parents, ex-wife, daughter, and extended family and friends.
These are just some of the many soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. We want to honor all who lost their lives and express our gratitude for their service. We also express our condolences to their grieving family and friends.
Do you know someone who sacrificed their life for our country? Share their name and information about them in the comments below to honor their memory.
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