Worldandnation: Our Fallen

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Our Fallen

Some were from the piney woods of the Panhandle, others from the urban sprawl of the Tampa Bay area or places where the scent of orange blossoms hung heavy in the air when war began in a far-off desert nearly four years ago.

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 7, 2007

Sources: A database maintained by Times researcher Carolyn Edds, based on information from the Department of Defense. Biographical material and photos are mainly from the Associated Press' Iraq Casualty Database. Additional material from: Times files, Times wires, Charlotte Observer, Florida Times-Union, Honolulu Advertiser, Lakeland Ledger, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, (Fort Myers) News-Press, Ocala Star Banner, Orlando Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Pensacola News Journal, Pueblo Chieftain, Rocky Mountain News, (St. George, Utah) Spectrum, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Stars and Stripes, Tallahassee Democrat, Tampa Tribune, Web site of U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida.

Compiled by Times staff writers Natalie Watson and Susan Taylor Martin and designer Dan Hieb.

[Last modified January 7, 2007, 00:34:18]

Army Capt. James Adamouski, 29, Tampa. April 2, 2003. Lived in Tampa until age 12, then moved to Springfield, Va. Graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael C. Anderson, 36, Daytona Beach. May 2, 2004. From Wisconsin, the Seabee reservist celebrated his eighth wedding anniversary the day before his death.

Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Julian Aviles, 18, Tampa. April 7, 2003. Set aside a full academic scholarship to Florida State because he felt a moral obligation to serve.

Army Pfc. Roberto C. Baez, 19, Tampa. Oct. 3, 2005. Known for his people skills, he wanted to be a psychiatrist, or stay in the military. This was his first job and he was proud of his paycheck.

Army Spc. Robert E. Blair, 22, Ocala. May 25, 2006. Started talking about enlisting after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks; joined National Guard at 17. Took up rodeo bull-riding during a tour in Germany.

Army Pfc. Christopher T. Blaney, 19, Winter Park. Sept. 29, 2006. Grew up in Winter Park but graduated from high school in Oklahoma, where he studied art.

Army Sgt. Dennis J. Boles, 46, Homosassa. Oct. 24, 2004. Learned to play the drums at 40 and took a set with him. Thought additional pay from National Guard service would better support his family.

Marine Cpl. Theodore A. Bowling, 25, Casselberry. Nov. 11, 2004. Couldn't wait to get home to marry his girlfriend and be a police officer. Friends before his first tour, they fell in love when he returned.

Army Pfc. David J. Brangman, 20, Lake Worth. Feb. 13, 2005. Joined to earn money for college and after Sept. 11 attacks. Mom said she'd never seen him more proud than when he showed up at her job in uniform.

Army Sgt. Thomas F. Broomhead, 34, Fort Myers. May 27, 2003. Though shot in legs, killed an attacker. Directed medic to his wounded men; lost so much blood he died in helicopter.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, 24, Opa Locka. April 24, 2004. Boat he was inspecting exploded in Persian Gulf. First Coast Guardsman to die in combat since Vietnam. home to his wife, pregnant with their first child.

Army Lt. Col. Charles H. Buehring, 40, Winter Springs. Oct. 26, 2003. Head of psychological operations for Army Forces Central Command. Killed in rocket barrage at Rashid Hotel in Baghdad.

Marine Lance Cpl. Brian Rory Buesing, 20, Cedar Key. March 23, 2003. First serviceman from this area killed in the war. Born in Tampa. Delayed college so he could enlist. Had less than a year left.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jason Burnett, 20, St. Cloud. May 11, 2006. "I'll always remember him with a hammer in his hand helping people," said Kevin Moss, youth pastor at Burnett's Baptist church.

Army Pfc. Roland Calderon-Ascencio, 21, Miami. April 12, 2006. "He wanted to be a poet, a businessman, even a model at one point," said Rosa Milagros Ascencio, his wife. They met as Army recruits.

Marine Sgt. Adam L. Cann, 23, Davie. Jan. 5, 2006. In his last message to his family, the Miami Dolphins fan said he wanted to go to some games.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe, 35, Oviedo. Nov. 8, 2005. Liked "outdoorsy, rough-and-tough type stuff," according to his sister. Suffered burns rescuing comrade from burning vehicle.

Marine Pfc. Daniel Chaires, 20, Tallahassee. Oct. 25, 2006. "Daniel wanted to follow in my footsteps," father Harry Chaires said. "You never saw anybody work harder to be in the Marine Corps."

Marine Staff Sgt. Michael J. Clark, 29, Leesburg. July 20, 2004. Had a penchant for danger. Earned degree in criminal psychology and considered a job with the U.S. Secret Service.

Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel Clay, 27, Pensacola. Dec. 1, 2005. From a letter left for his family: "I know what honor is. It is not a word to be thrown around. It has been an honor to protect and serve all of you."

Marine Pfc. Nathan Clemons, 20, Jacksonville. June 14, 2005. "Nate Dog" was straight-talking and eager for a good time. If he didn't make it, it was okay: "I have my faith; my spirituality is in order."

Marine Pfc. Christopher R. Cobb, 19, Bradenton. April 6, 2004. After a year in the Marines, his aunt said she told her nephew he had grown taller. "No, I'm just standing straighter," he said.

Marine Sgt. Kenneth Conde Jr., 23, Orlando. July 1, 2004. Wounded in April, he refused home leave. Enjoyed art, weight-lifting. Joined the Marines out of high school, following in his father's footsteps.

Army Pfc. Michael Russell Creighton-Weldon, 20, Palm Bay. March 29, 2003. Followed in the footsteps of his mother, who retired as a sergeant major. Became engaged before going to Iraq.

Army Spc. Daryl Anthony Davis, 20, Orlando. Nov. 29, 2004. A heavy equipment driver in the Iowa National Guard before moving to Florida for school. Loved motorcycles.

Army Sgt. Wilbert Davis, 40, Tampa. April 3, 2003. At 12, he pitched in the 1975 Little League World Series for Belmont Heights. Ignored pleas from loved ones not to accept his assignment.

Army Spc. Michael S. Deem, 35, Rockledge. Feb. 24, 2005. Close to his daughter and toddler son. Found dead in his bunk in Baghdad.

Army Pfc. Marc A. Delgado, 21, Lithia. Nov. 24, 2005. A good son, a good brother and a good football player, say friends and family. The 250-pound Durant High grad was never too macho to hug his mom.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher M. Dickerson, 33, Jacksonville. April 30, 2004. Loved old trucks, antique cars and telling jokes. Marveled at how much Jesus accomplished in his 33 years.

Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua W. Dickinson, 25, New Port Richey. Dec. 12, 2004. Wounded during assault on Fallujah in November 2004, he could have come home for Christmas but decided to stay in combat.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Trace W. Dossett, 37, Orlando. May 2, 2004. Grew up in rural Iowa but enlisted in the Navy, serving as a radioman and diver on nuclear subs. Joined the Naval Reserve in 2003.

Marine Lance Cpl. Scott E. Dougherty, 20, Bradenton. July 6, 2004. A small man who struggled with a stammer - but in years of military training, his toughness and intensity shone through.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason B. Dwelley, 31, Apopka. April 30, 2004. Served in the Navy from 1994 to 2000. Re-enlisted in the reserves to receive benefits when he began studying engineering in the fall.

Army Pfc. Kevin J. Ellenburg, 20, Middleburg. Nov. 1, 2006. Remembered as a likable and "special" young man. The former high school wide receiver hoped to be a sports trainer.

Army Capt. Shawn English, 35, Panama City Beach. Dec. 13, 2006. Based in Panama City but from Ohio. Chatted with his wife and three young sons via Web cam hours before he was killed by a bomb.

Army Staff Sgt. James E. Estep, 26, Leesburg. Nov. 15, 2005. Grew up in rural Virginia, where he caught trout with his hands. Made funeral plans and visited siblings before going to Iraq.

Army Pfc. Jeremy Ricardo Ewing, 22, Miami. April 29, 2004. Wanted to go to college but his parents couldn't afford it. Enlisted after high school. Dreamed of buying his parents a house.

Marine 2nd Lt. Paul M. Felsberg, 27, West Palm Beach. Oct. 13, 2004. With the Marines paying, he majored in criminal justice at Florida International University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 2003.

Army Sgt. Dennis J. Flanagan, 22, Inverness. Jan. 20, 2006. The Lecanto High graduate was attending Central Florida Community College but enlisted a week after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Bradley C. Fox, 34, Orlando. April 20, 2004. Working toward a master's degree as a college instructor, either in military science or ROTC. Two months shy of end of tour.

Marine Lance Cpl. David K. Fribley, 26, Fort Myers. March 23, 2003. Anger over Sept. 11 attacks helped inspire him to enlist. In a letter home, he wrote: "I'm sure I'm where He (God) wants me to be."

Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Gallagher, 27, Jacksonville. April 2, 2006. Driven in part to enlist because a cousin died in the World Trade Center. Moved to Florida from Connecticut and enlisted.

Army Sgt. Denis J. Gallardo, 22, St. Petersburg. Nov. 22, 2005. Born in Panama, he moved to Florida with his family in 1983. Enlisted in 2003 and became a U.S. citizen the following year.

Army Spc. Jerry L. Ganey Jr., 29, Hilliard. Aug. 3, 2005. A tough guy who loved guns, fighting, food and his sweetheart, Debbie, whom he secretly married the previous December.

Army Sgt. Javier J. Garcia, 25, Crawfordville. April 5, 2005. Survived the initial roadside bomb near his Humvee only to be hit by small-arms fire as he rushed to help a wounded comrade.

Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Garyantes, 34, Fort Myers. May 18, 2004. From Delaware, he graduated from Fort Myers Christian School in 1987. A career soldier, he enjoyed basketball and his family.

Army 1st Sgt. Alan Gifford, 39, Tallahassee. Sept. 16, 2005. A boy who loved playing soldier, he joined the Army in 1986 and rose to the highest-ranking enlisted man in his company.

Army Sgt. Carlos J. Gil, 30, Orlando. Feb. 18, 2005. Followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who served in Vietnam and Korea. In the course of two years, Gil went to Iraq three times.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald A. Ginther, 37, Auburndale. May 2, 2004. The Seabee reservist worked six days a week as a mechanic and worried about providing for his wife and three children.

Marine Staff Sgt. Ramon E. Gonzales Cordova, 30, Davie. Aug. 8, 2005. Finishing his second tour when he was killed. His wife said he would always ask her for candy to give to Iraqi children.

Marine Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonza-lez, 25, Hialeah. April 14, 2003. Emigrated from Cuba and learned English at a community college. Serious, affectionate. Was married for seven months.

Marine Lance Cpl. Charles A. Han-son Jr., 22, Panacea. Nov. 28, 2004. Did not agree with America's involvement in Iraq, but the loyal Marine hoped to become an instructor after attending college.

Army Staff Sgt. John Hartman, 39, Tampa. Nov. 30, 2006. The Manatee High graduate was halfway through his third tour. Family said he went in place of a platoon member whose wife had just had a baby.

Army Sgt. Jonathan N. Hartman, 27, Jacksonville. April 17, 2004. From Virginia, he had lived in Florida since 1996. As a boy, he loved tanks and was a crewman on an M-1 Abrams tank, but really wanted to fly.

Army Sgt. Gene A. Hawkins, 24, Orlando. Oct. 12, 2006. Liked the changes the Army helped him make in himself and wanted to work as a recruiter.

Army Pfc. Chassan S. Henry, 20, West Palm Beach. Feb. 25, 2005. As a teen, succeeded in a residential program for at-risk kids. Served in the Job Corps before joining Army. Hoped to be a computer technician.

Marine Cpl. Terry Holmes Ordonez, 22, Hollywood. July 10, 2004. Looked after his siblings when his parents split up. Enlisted to support his mother. The Nicaraguan received his U.S. citizenship posthumously.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle E. Jackson, 28, Sarasota. Jan. 13, 2006. Enlisted because he wanted to be a helicopter pilot. Invented device to catch shell casings to keep them from getting under control pedals.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson, 21, Riviera Beach. Sept. 28, 2005. Planned to travel the United States with her sisters before returning to Florida, where she hoped for a career in law enforcement.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert B. Jenkins, 35, Stuart. May 2, 2004. The Seabee reservist worked in a hospital in Orlando and schools in Haiti. He and his wife had a home in Stuart and wanted to start a family.

Marine Sgt. Romulo Jimenez II, 21, Miami. Nov. 10, 2004. Liked to show off his tattoos - including flames climbing up an arm - and talk about his 1992 Ford Mustang.

Army Sgt. Leon M. Johnson, 28, Jacksonville. Oct. 10, 2005. Remembered as a man who loved his wife and four children, and the Army, in which he had served for seven years.

Army Staff Sgt. Jude R. Jonaus, 27, Miami. Sept. 6, 2005. When sent to Baghdad as a pharmacy technician, he assured his family he would be far from the line of fire. Vehicle hit by roadside explosion.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Charles S. Jones, 34, Lawtey. Jan. 28, 2005. Spent 11 years in the Navy, but when unable to become a pilot, joined the Army. Died in a helicopter accident.

Army Staff Sgt. Raymond E. Jones, 31, Gainesville. April 9, 2004. The Gainesville native wrestled in high school; showed miniature horses. Enlisted after a year at UF. Liked military life but didn't talk of the war.

Army Spc. Alexander Jordan, 31, Miami. Sept. 10, 2006. Married in April, he would stop in Baghdad to talk to Iraqi children. The only child wanted a house full of kids.

Army Capt. Christopher J. Kenny, 32, Miami. May 3, 2004. The Citadel graduate followed his father, a master sergeant, into the military. He was "doing what he loved."

Army Sgt. Chad W. Lake, 26, Ocala. Feb. 13, 2005. When the phone rang during University of Florida games, Ken Lake knew it would be his son, wanting to discuss the Gators' progress. He was on his second tour.

Army Cpl. Stanley "Stash" Lapinski, 35, Naples. June 11, 2005. Graduated from USF in 1992. Loved the blues; played the guitar. Joined the Army after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Army Spc. Tracy L. Laramore, 24, Okaloosa. March 17, 2004. From Texas, where he was buried. Loved overseas duty and after one two-year stint, he re-enlisted. Extended his time so he could serve in Iraq.

Army Spc. Jeff LeBrun, 21, Kissimmee. Jan. 1, 2005. He and his brother enlisted after Sept. 11. Gave up his college computer studies. Also wanted to ease the financial strain on his parents, Haitian immigrants.

Army Spc. Manuel Lopez III, 20, Cape Coral. April 12, 2004. The premature birth of his daughter gave Lopez a chance to meet her and make a videocassette of himself singing nursery rhymes before he left.

Marine Sgt. Richard M. Lord, 24, Fanning Springs. Aug. 18, 2004. Despite his dedication to the Marines, his love for his two sons led him to consider leaving the service to spend more time with them.

Army Sgt. Bryan Luckey, 25, Tampa. June 29, 2006. Wanted to be a Baptist preacher but enlisted after the Sept. 11 attacks. Eventually wanted to minister to prisoners. Liked to hunt and fish.

Marine Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahdee, 20, Fort Walton Beach. May 9, 2005. An unassuming kid in high school who played wide receiver and defensive back; active in church. Insisted on being a Marine.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Ian D. Manuel, 23, Jacksonville. Jan. 8, 2004. Dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot; had flown 200 combat hours. Secretly engaged to a female mechanic.

Army Staff Sgt. Paul C. Mardis, 24, Palmetto. July 15, 2004. Wounded in an explosion, he went to a fellow soldier's aid. Later, as he lay dying from pneumonia, he tried to cheer up his visitors.

Marine Pfc. Oscar A. Martinez, 19, North Lauderdale. Oct. 12, 2004. "He always wanted to be something. ... respect and awe," said Carolina Durand, his girlfriend. "He got that from being a Marine."

Marine Lance Cpl. Rene Martinez, 20, Miami. Sept. 24, 2006. Even as a youngster, he wanted to be a Marine. Hoped to study accounting after his service.

Army Sgt. Arthur S. Mastrapa, 35, Apopka. June 16, 2004. After a year in combat, was waiting outside the post exchange when an enemy rocket hit. He was to have flown home the next day.

Marine Cpl. Pablo V. Mayorga, 33, Margate. April 17, 2006. Emigrated from Ecuador in 1991. Affected by the Sept. 11 attacks, he joined the Marines. Became a U.S. citizen a month before deployment.

Army Pvt. Clinton Tyler McCormick, 20, Jacksonville. Dec. 27, 2006. Loved the outdoors and fishing. His mother said he was "larger than life," even though nicknamed "Peanut" because of his small size.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott R. McHugh, 33, Boca Raton. May 2, 2004. Loved fishing, camping, canoeing. Devoted to family, friends. Working as an emergency medical technician before deployment.

Army Sgt. Benjamin E. Mejia, 25, Tampa. May 31, 2006. Once saved his mother's life with the Heimlich maneuver and his sister from drowning. The Leto High graduate liked the beach and expensive clothes.

Army Spc. Marco Miller, 36, Longwood. Dec. 5, 2006. A veteran of the Persian Gulf War, he re-enlisted after Sept. 11. Worked in audio-visual production before being deployed.

Marine Sgt. Lea Robert Mills, 21, Masaryktown. April 28, 2006. The Hernando High graduate liked heavy metal music and attending the Livestock festival in Zephyrhills every year.

Army Pvt. Jody Missildine, 19, Plant City. April 8, 2006. The Plant City High graduate loved computers, Taco Bell and his cat, Tigger. As a boy, he wanted to be an archaeologist and hunted fossils.

Army Sgt. Keman L. Mitchell, 24, Hilliard. May 26, 2003. In a letter home, complained about the Iraqi heat and said his soldiers were retrieving loose weapons. He drowned in Kirkuk.

Army Sgt. Julio E. Negron, 28, Pompano Beach. Feb. 28, 2005. Followed two older siblings into the military. A tough kid who loved football and wrestling in high school and loved to make people laugh.

Army Pfc. Louis E. Niedermeier, 20, Largo, June 1, 2005. The Pinellas Park High grad had a passion for his car, a blue Camaro, and his dream motorcycle, also blue. His tour was to have ended in two months.

Army Pfc. Cody J. Orr, 21, Ruskin. Jan. 17, 2004. The East Bay High graduate was a country boy: fond of John Deere ball caps, Western-style belt buckles and, according to a teacher, anything mechanical.

Army Sgt. Pamela G. Osbourne, 38, Hollywood. Oct. 11, 2004. The nurse's assistant had two dreams: to become a U.S. citizen and serve in the military. She accomplished both.

Marine Lance Cpl. James R. Phillips, 21, Plant City. Dec. 23, 2004. He loved to fish, hunt, ride four-wheelers and work on his car - a poppy orange 1965 Ford Mustang.

Army Staff Sgt. Michael B. Quinn, 37, Tampa. May 27, 2003. Lived in Tampa for five years. Met and married his wife there. Gave his son a talking teddy bear, on which he recorded a message.

Army Spc. Eric U. Ramirez, 31, Orlando. Feb. 12, 2004. A Star Wars fan whom a fellow guardsmen called one of his unit's most valuable soldiers and a "Jedi in his time."

Army Sgt. Edmond L. Randle, 26, Miami. Jan. 17, 2004. A trumpet player who loved video games, he attended Florida A&M University on a music scholarship but later chose pharmacy studies.

Marine Capt. Marc M. Rapicault, 34, St. Augustine. Nov. 15, 2004. Injured several times, he said, "You have to ... keep on pushing, just for the simple reason that you have another 170 Marines to take care of."

Army Cpl. John T. Rivero, 23, Gainesville. April 17, 2003. On the way to deployment, he had his first trip on an airplane. Stopping in Ireland, he experienced his first snowfall.

Marine Pfc. Christopher Riviere, 21, Cooper City. Sept. 26, 2006. At a going-away party, he requested both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners be served. He died nine days after arriving in Iraq.

Army Cpl. Robert D. Roberts, 21, Winter Park. Nov. 22, 2003. The day she learned of her husband's death, Jill Roberts received three cards from him. In one, he told his son to "take care of Mommy."

Army Spc. Nicholas K. Rogers, 27, Deltona. Oct. 22, 2006. Loved football and fishing. A certified emergency medical technician before enlisting, he hoped to become an emergency room nurse.

Army Pfc. Kenny D. Rojas, 21, Pembroke Pines. Oct. 29, 2005. His mother wanted him to go to college instead of following his father and brother into the military. But when a scholarship fell through, he enlisted.

Army Spc. Alexis Roman-Cruz, 33, Brandon. Nov. 16, 2005. Lived with his wife and children in Brandon for a year before moving to Tennessee. They were born and raised in the same town in Puerto Rico.

Army Sgt. Michael D. Rowe, 23, New Port Richey. March 28, 2006. The budding disc jockey, photographer, BMX biker and high school diver lived life "full throttle." The Gulf High graduate also loved military life.

Army 2nd Lt. Charles R. Rubado, 23, Clearwater. Aug. 29, 2005. Quiet, and focused, he seemed a man with a plan. Majored in criminology and after graduation, went into the military, married, and was happy.

Marine Lance Cpl. Gael Saintvil, 24, Orlando. Jan. 26, 2005. Studying business administration, decided he wanted a change and joined the Marines. Eventually wanted to be an engineer or police officer.

Army Spc. Raymond A. Salerno III, 27, Land O'Lakes. July 16, 2006. The wounded Land O' Lakes High grad had been improving, taking on light duties, visiting relatives, holding his baby son. Died of heart failure.

Army Pfc. Brandon Sapp, 21, Lake Worth. Aug. 15, 2004. Sapp, the middle of five children, was happy-go-lucky, liked going to motorsports parks and playing guitar. Talked about becoming a police officer.

Army Spc. Justin B. Schmidt, 23, Bradenton. April 29, 2004. Enlisted shortly after Sept. 11; planned a career in the military. Delayed his May 19 wedding when his tour was extended.

Marine Cpl. Dustin H. Schrage, 20, Indian Harbour Beach. May 6, 2004. Always made others laugh, and believed that his humorous approach made him stronger.

Army Pfc. Timothy James Seamans, 20, Jacksonville. Aug. 18, 2005. Joined the Army out of high school the previous year. He wanted to serve his country, his family said, like his father, a Navy veteran.

Marine Lance Cpl. Juan E. Segura, 26, Homestead. Nov. 9, 2004. A regular at the local boxing gym from boyhood; determined to someday turn pro, like his dad. Had volunteered for his second tour in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Wentz J. H. Shanaberger III, 33, Zephyrhills. March 24, 2004. Born in Daytona Beach, grew up in the Tampa area. In 14 years in the Army, he did tours in Kuwait, Bosnia, Korea and Panama.

Army Cpl. Jimmy L. Shelton, 21, Lehigh Acres. Dec. 3, 2005. A guy with a twinkle in his eye and a prank up his sleeve. Enlisted as a path to a career in law enforcement. Died two months into his tour.

Army Staff Sgt. Marco Silva, 27, Alva. March 13, 2006. From boyhood was interested in the military. Under a snapshot of his children he wrote: "This is why I do what I do."

Army Pfc. Charles M. Sims, 18, Miami. Oct. 3, 2003. Enrolled in Junior ROTC in ninth grade; enlisted after high school. Drowned in Baghdad swimming pool.

Marine Lance Cpl. Antoine D. Smith, 22, Orlando. Nov. 15, 2004. A quiet kid with a slight stutter who played viola in high school. Came back, in uniform, to visit his teacher, proud, with a smile, and no stutter.

Army 1st Lt. Kevin J. Smith, 28, Brandon. Dec. 8, 2005. Athletic skill helped him get a scholarship to West Point. Sent a one-line greeting to his fiancee from Iraq every day, except his last.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, 33, Tampa. April 4, 2003. The 13-year veteran felt honored leading his soldiers. Awarded the Medal of Honor for holding off an Iraqi counterattack.

Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan J. Sorensen, 26, Boca Raton. Nov. 6, 2005. Continually tinkered on a red 1992 Camaro. Learned to build race cars and was certified as a mechanic. He loved surfing, and Christmas.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan Spears, 21, Molino. Oct. 23, 2005. Told relatives in an e-mail from Iraq that his duty fulfilled a search for purpose. Gave candy his mother sent him to Iraqi children.

Army Sgt. James Douglas Stewart, 29, St. Petersburg. June 21, 2005. Attended Dixie Hollins High. "His only regret is he never saw the Grand Canyon," said his mother, Rachel Barrett.

Army Pfc. Roger A. Suarez-Gonzalez, 22, Miami. Dec. 4, 2006. In Iraq about a month, the newlywed put off starting a family because he didn't want to leave a child without a father. Wanted to be a police officer.

Army Pfc. Sean Tharp, 21, Orlando. March 28, 2006. Despite being a gifted student, he dropped out in 10th grade. But in the year before enlisting, he had settled down and passed the GED test.

Army Capt. John E. Tipton, 32, Fort Walton Beach. May 2, 2004. Hometown was Granite, Ill. Served in 1991 Gulf War. Devoted to his men, his wife and two children; praised by his parents as the perfect son.

Army Sgt. Franklin R. Vilorio, 26, Miami. Sept. 6, 2005. Emigrated from Dominican Republic at 16. First among his siblings to learn English and finish high school. Enlisted in 1999 and later became a citizen.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Brett E. Walden, 40, Fort Walton Beach. Aug. 5, 2005. An instructor at the Ranger Camp at Eglin AFB, he was to have retired in February 2006. Was on his fourth tour in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Antwan L. Walker, 22, Tampa. May 18, 2005. Enlisted to earn money for college, support his three children. Talked of holding them again, driving his treasured SUV, starting a career in real estate.

Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin G. Waruinge, 22, Tampa. Aug. 3, 2005. A devout Christian who didn't swear, he liked video games, soccer and reading science fiction. His family moved from Kenya in 1997.

Marine Cpl. Joshua C. Watkins, 25, Jacksonville. Oct. 21, 2006. Most of his life centered around his church. On Sundays in Iraq he would gather up those not on patrol and take them to service.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Aaron A. Weaver, 32, Floral City. Jan. 8, 2004. Received the Bronze Star with valor for "extreme courage" in saving a buddy's life in the October 1993 battle of Mogadishu in Somalia.

Marine Warrant Officer Charles G. Wells Jr., 32, Orlando. March 30, 2005. A chubby baby nicknamed "Lumpy," he became a rock-solid Marine and a martial arts instructor. On his third tour.

Army Spc. Jeffrey M. Wershow, 22, Gainesville. July 6, 2003. Eschewed schoolwork in favor of military history books and became a self-taught military historian.

Army Sgt. Mason Douglas Whetstone, 30, Jacksonville. July 17, 2003. Grew up in Alaska; his ashes were scattered over a favorite part of the state. Met and married his wife while in the Florida National Guard.

Army Sgt. Arthur C. Williams IV, 31, Edgewater. Dec. 8, 2004. Served in Germany, Kosovo and Korea, where he took up martial arts, Asian languages and painting. Loved the mountains for their tranquility.

Marine Sgt. Christian B. Williams, 27, Winter Haven. July 29, 2006. Left the service after his first tour but preferred the Marines to civilian life. "He wasn't very tall, but he sure thought he was," said his father, Jack.

Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wilt, 23, Tampa. Sept. 3, 2004. One of the first into Iraq, he was on his second tour. Planned to stay in the Marines four years, then attend law school and start a family.

Army Spc. Robert A. Wise, 21, Tallahassee. Nov. 12, 2003. As an ROTC cadet in high school, stood out among his peers, becoming a student commander. Remembered as a jokester, always smiling.

Army Col. William W. Wood, 44, Panama City. Oct. 27, 2005. The FSU alumnus commanded a battalion of California National Guardsmen. Killed as he rushed to help one of his wounded commanders.

Army Spc. Michael R. Woodliff, 22, Punta Gorda. March 2, 2004. Told relatives he had narrowly avoided death several times, including when a suicide bomber's detonator malfunctioned.

Navy Petty Officer Julian Woods, 22, Jacksonville. Nov. 10, 2004. Lived in Hawaii with his wife, who was also in the Navy, and their daughter. A star football player in high school, he was his mother's "joy."

Marine Cpl. Ian T. Zook, 24, Port St. Lucie. Oct. 12, 2004. Considered the clergy but decided to follow his father into law enforcement by enlisting in the military. Enjoyed sending photos home, especially desert sunsets.

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Digest

Our Fallen

Some were from the piney woods of the Panhandle, others from the urban sprawl of the Tampa Bay area or places where the scent of orange blossoms hung heavy in the air when war began in a far-off desert nearly four years ago.