Fort Richardson

Cpl. Jason K. LaFleur, 28, was killed on Aug. 4, 2007, when a roadside bomb exploded by his vehicle near Hawr Rajab, Iraq. LaFleur, a native of Austin, Texas was a cavalry scout with the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Richardson.

Staff Sgt. Michael R. Hullender, 29, became the 32nd Alaska-based paratrooper killed in Iraq when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle in Iskandariyah on April 28, 2007. Hullender, a native of Little Falls, N.J., was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Richardson.

Pfc. Alan Blohm, 21, was killed in Iraq Dec. 31, 2006, by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, according to the U.S. military. Blohm was a combat engineer with the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson. Blohm's hometown was Kenai. Blohm was a high school football player from Michigan who spent his summers as a commercial fisherman in Kenai. The family says Blohm loved to help others and that he wanted to become a state trooper after his military service.

On Saturday, dozens of people came to the Fort Richardson National Cemetery to participate in a wreath-laying salute to recognize the courage and sacrifices of our veterans. It's part of a nationwide initiative called “Wreaths Across America,” which partners with the Civil Air Patrol. More than fifty people showed up today for Alaska's fifth year of the ceremony. They helped place the holiday wreaths on about 700 headstones. But, there are currently more than 4,000 at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery and the goal is to have a wreath for each donated headstone.

Sgt. Robert J. Montgomery, 29, was killed on May, 22, 2007. Montgomery was on foot patrol in Baghdad, Iraq, when a roadside bomb detonated. Montgomery, a native of Scottsburg, Ind., was an infantryman with Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

1st Lt. Jacob Fritz, a graduate of West Point, died Jan. 20, near Karbala in an ambush. According to military reports, he was wounded and abducted by insurgents, then executed. The 25-year-old was from Verdon, Neb. Fritz was a platoon leader assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Richardson.

1st Lt. Colby J. Umbrell, 26, was killed on May 3, 2007, when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb. Umbrell, a native of Doylestown, Pa., served with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Richardson.

Spc. Lance C. Springer II, 23, died March 23, 2007, when an improvised explosive device exploded near his unit. Springer, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, served as a medic and was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson.

Sgt. Dustin S. Wakeman, 25, was killed on Aug. 4, 2007, when a roadside bomb exploded by his vehicle near Hawr Rajab, Iraq. Wakeman, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, was a health-care specialist with the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Richardson.

Cpl. Michael W. Davis, 22, was killed on May 21, 2007, when several roadside bombs exploded near his vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq.                                            Davis, a native of San Marcos, Texas, served as a combat engineer with Alpha Company, 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Richardson.