The Panthers Honor Fallen Heroes
The Panthers will honor a number of Fallen Heroes, American soldiers who gave their lives in service of their country, during before and during Sunday's game as part of the NFL's Salute to Service month.
SSgt Liam Flynn
United States Marine Corps
December 8, 1981 – March 10, 2015
United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Liam Flynn was born in Redding, England and immigrated to the United States in 2002 before enlisting in October 2006. Private Flynn then attended the School of Infantry and received orders to 2nd Battalion 8th Marines at Camp Lejeune, N.C., before deploying with G Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In February 2011, Sergeant Flynn was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion and deployed again. After promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant, Flynn graduated from the USMC Scout Sniper School. SSgt Flynn was then deployed for a third time from November 2013 to June 2014. SSgt Liam A. Flynn died when a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter crashed near Eglin, Fla., on March 10, 2015. His service awards include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and Combat Distinctive Device, the Purple Heart, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals with Combat Device and Gold Stars and the Combat Action Ribbon. SSgt Liam Flynn is survived by his wife Destiny; their daughter Leilani; his parents, Billy and Ann Flynn; and, his six sisters and three brothers.
PFC Preston A. Brown
United States Army
June 3, 1990 – January 23, 2012
United States Army Private First Class Preston Antonio Brown joined the Army and decided that he wanted to make a career of it. In his short time as a soldier, he was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. PFC Brown was wounded on January 15, 2012, when he was shot in the head by a stray bullet meant for someone else. He spent 8 days in the hospital and was considered brain dead before passing away on January 23, 2012. PFC Brown's mother donated one of his lungs, his liver, his kidneys, and his heart to carry on his legacy of service to others. PFC Preston A. Brown is survived by his mother, Stephanie, his father, Preston, his siblings, Shandrea and Clarence.
SFC Keith A. Callahan
United States Army
June 18, 1975 – January 24, 2007
United States Army Sergeant First Class Keith A. Callahan began his military service career in 1996 and was stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C., where he was also a boxing champion in his weight class for two years. After multiple training missions and four combat deployments, SFC Callahan was killed in action in Arab Jabour, Iraq, on January 24, 2007, during combat operations while serving as a Platoon Sergeant in A Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment out of Fort Bragg. SFC Callahan was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, and the Bronze Star medal with Valor Device. For his service, he also received the Army Commendation medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal second award and numerous other awards. SFC Callahan is survived by his wife, Dody, and their children, Tyler, Devin, Brady, Brooke.
2LT Richard W. Collins, III
United States Army
December 12, 1993 – May 18, 2017
United States Second Lieutenant Richard W. Collins III attended and was awarded an ROTC scholarship to Bowie State University. Richard was an avid lacrosse player and was awarded a Certificate of Achievement by his ROTC Battalion for registering 290 out of a possible 300 points on the Army's fitness test. 2nd LT Collins died on the campus of the University of Maryland at College Park on May 20, 2017, two days after being commissioned into the U.S. Army as an Intelligence Officer with orders to deploy to the De-militarized Zone (DMZ) in the Republic of South Korea. He is survived by his sister Robyn, his mother, Dawn and his father, Richard Collins, Jr.
Maj Ian C. Brinkley
United States Marine Corps
June 5, 1974 – October 30, 2016
United States Marine Corps Major Ian C. Brinkley, "MOTO", attended Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, on scholarship for football and lacrosse. Major Brinkley was commissioned as an officer in the USMC in 1997 and graduated number 1 in his class. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the HMLA/369 GUN FIGHTERS and also served as an instructor pilot with HMT/303. Major Brinkley received numerous awards during his career including the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan and many more. "MOTO" spent his last days at Chapel Hill Cancer Center where he died on October, 30th 2016. Major Brinkley is survived by his wife, Dawn, and their two sons, Marcus and Gavin.
MSG George A. Fernandez
United States Army
June 7, 1966 – April 2, 2003
United States Army Master Sergeant George A. Fernandez (Andy) enlisted in the Army as an infantryman in January 1992. Fernandez was assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment out of Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. For more than 10 years, he served in various elements of the battalion all the way from Ranger Team Leader to Platoon Sergeant. Andy was assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in November 2002 and was killed in action on April 2, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. For his service, Master Sgt. Fernandez was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge among numerous other awards he received throughout his career. Master Sergeant Fernandez is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and son, William.
CPT Jonathan Jesse Shively
Army National Guard
February 2, 1977 – May 2, 2010
Army National Guard Captain Jonathan Jesse Shively enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard in September 2000 and was assigned to Charlie Battery 1/178 Field Artillery as a Fire Direction Specialist. In 2004, he entered the Palmetto Military Academy's Officer Candidate School, earning his Commission in October 2005. He was branched Aviation and attended flight school at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, graduating in August 2008. On May 2, 2010, Captain Shively was on a training mission preparing for a deployment to Iraq, when his Apache AH64 Longbow had a catastrophic main rotor shaft failure that took his life. Captain Jonathan Shively is survived by his Mother and Father, Fay and John Shively; his Brothers, Jay and Walter Matkovich; and his Sister, Renee Taylor.
CPT Richard G. Cliff, Jr.
United States Army
August 27, 1979 – September 29, 2008
Originally from Mount Pleasant, S.C., United States Army Captain Richard G. Cliff, Jr. was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation from Appalachian State University in 2002. He soon deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as an Infantry Officer with the U.S. Army's First Stryker Brigade and was decorated for valor when his platoon rescued a downed helicopter crew in enemy territory. After his second Iraq tour, Captain Cliff was selected to attend the U.S. Army Special Forces Selection Course at Fort Bragg, NC. CPT Cliff died tragically while serving as Special Forces Team Commander on September 29, 2008, when he and two of his team members were killed by an IED blast in Helmand Province. He received numerous awards including the Bronze Star, five Army Commendation medals, and the Purple Heart. CPT Cliff is survived by his wife, Stacy, and son, Richie.
PO3 Dexter Orasing
United States Navy
July 2, 1977 – January 1, 2005
Petty Officer 3rd Class Dexter Orasing of the United States Navy was born in Bagiou, Philippines, and moved to the United States at the age of 16. Dexter graduated from high school and then joined the Navy. After boot camp, Dexter was stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, and served on the USS John F. Kennedy where he worked in the aviation fuels department. In 2002, he was stationed in Rota, Spain. PO3 Orasing passed away very suddenly on New Year's Morning - January 1, 2005. He is buried in the Veterans section of Gaston Memorial Park in Gastonia, N.C., which is his wife Stephanie's hometown. PO3 Orasing is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and his three sons.
SSG Nichole Harris
United States Army
April 14, 1980 – November 22, 2008
During her military career, United States Army Staff Sergeant Nichole Harris served one tour during Operation Iraqi Freedom and received a Meritorious Service Medal for her valor and sacrifice made to her country. SSG Harris died while serving in Hawaii on November 22, 2008. At the time of her death, she was serving as the 65th Engineer Battalion's Medical Emergency Care Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC). She is survived by her husband, Stephen, and children, Dominique and Caleb.
GySgt Darrell W. Boatman
United States Marine Corps
June 25, 1967 – November 4, 2005
Originally from Fayetteville, N.C., United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Darrell W. Boatman enlisted in 1985. GySgt Boatman was an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician based out of Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C. During his 20-year career with the Marines, GySgt Boatman deployed on numerous tours including to Kosovo and the Middle East both during the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom and received numerous awards including a Presidential Citation, the Navy Marine Commendation Medal, many more. While conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province on his third tour, GySgt Boatman was severely wounded by an IED and died two days later, on November 4, 2005. GySgt Boatman is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Lauren and Jacob, along with his stepson, Brent.
SSG Darris J. Dawson
United States Army
November 17, 1983 - September 14, 2008
United States Army Staff Sergeant Darris Dawson joined the Army as soon as he graduated from high school and served for six years before he died in Iraq on September 14, 2008. For his service, SSG Dawson received a Purple Heart, while on his second deployment to Iraq. SSG Darris Dawson is survived by his wife, Latasha Dawson, along with their 3 sons and daughters, his father and stepmother, and his brothers and sisters.
Sgt Jeremy Hedrick
United States Marine Corps
December 6, 1984 – November 10, 2009
Originally from High Point, N.C., United States Marine Corps Sergeant Jeremy Hedrick, graduated from High Point Central High School where he was part of the JROTC program. Sgt Hedrick joined the USMC in 2005 and served on numerous deployments while being stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sgt Hedrick lost his battle to PTSD after his return from Afghanistan, on November 10, 2009, and is survived by his wife, Kristen and his daughter, Brooke-Lynn.
SFC Aaron Grider
United States Army
September 18, 1980 – September 18, 2010
United States Army First Class Aaron Grider had his father sign his paperwork at 17.5 years old, allowing him to enlist as early as possible. SFC Grider began his career with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, N.C. He then went on to complete Army Ranger School and was then moved to 1st Ranger Battalion in Savannah, Ga., before assignment to the Special Forces Operational Detachment (Delta). During his ninth deployment, on September 18, 2010, his 30th birthday, Aaron died when he and his K9 were ambushed while serving in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. During his 12 years of service, he received numerous awards including two Bronze Star Medals, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, a Purple Heart and many more. SFC Grider is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Catie.
SSG Lee A. Brooks
United States Army
May 23, 1981 – March 20, 2008
Originally from Rock Hill, S.C., United States Army Staff Sergeant Lee Brooks enlisted in August 2001, while serving in the SC Army National Guard. During his Army career, SSG Brooks trained and served as a Sniper, Team Leader, and Infantryman. He participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, with the 82nd Airborne Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment out of Fort Bragg, NC, as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom with 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. He has been awarded the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Award, and many more. SSG Lee Alan Brooks passed away on March 20, 2008 and is survived by his mother, Debbie, his sister, Kelly, and his daughter, Rylee.
PFC Spence A. McNeil
United States Army
October 31, 1984 – March 8, 2003
Originally from Bennettsville, S.C., United States Army Private First Class Spence A. McNeil graduated from Marlboro County High School in 2002. PFC McNeil served as a Petroleum Supply Specialist in Bravo Battery T F 3-43 ADA at Fort Bliss, Texas. He died on March 8, 2003, while serving in the Middle East. For his service, he received the Army Commendation Award, the Expeditionary Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and the War on Terrorism Servicing Medal. Spence is survived by his mother and father, Tammy and Herbert McNeil, Jr., his sister, Tamesha, and his brother in law, Zandarr Spry.
SFC Walter Antonio Moore
United States Army Reserves
March 17, 1970 – January 4, 2016
Originally from Winston-Salem, United States Army Sergeant First Class Walter Antonio Moore joined the Army nine months after the events of September 11, 2001 and at the age of 32, completed Army Basic Training and then moved to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, for the second phase of his training to become a medic. SFC Moore served as a medic for 14 years, of which four years were active duty. He was deployed to the Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, between 2003 and 2004, during Operation Enduring Freedom. After completing his four-year active duty contract, SFC Moore joined the Army Reserves and continued as a medic with several reserve units, the last one being in Greensboro, N.C. On January 4, 2016, SFC Moore died suddenly from a heart attack and he is survived by his wife, Alina and son, Tyson.
Sgt Chad Elliott Jenson
United States Marine Corps
August 23, 1991 – July 10, 2017
United States Marine Corps Sergeant Chad Elliott Jenson enlisted in September 2010. In 2013, he joined the Special Operations Command and attained the rank of Sergeant. He served with the elite Second Raider Battalion based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., as a critical skills operator while awaiting his first deployment. Sgt Jenson was then assigned to Marine Special Operations Company H, Team 8231 in 2015 as the Communications Element Member. Sgt Jensen received numerous awards for his service including the National Defense Medal and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal as well as many others. On July 10, 2017, SGT Jensen was among the 15 Marines and 1 Navy Sailor who died when their C – 130 Aircraft crashed in Leflore, Miss. At the time of his death, he was serving with the 2nd Raider Battalion, Special Operations Command out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is survived by his wife, Jessica and his step-son, Jackson.
SSgt Dustin Williams
United States Air Force
February 26, 1981 – May 20, 2006
United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Dustin Williams enlisted in the United States Air Force in January 2001. SSGT Williams served three tours of duty overseas as an Aircrew Life Support Technician from the 41st Airlift Squadron based out of Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. It was while serving at Pope Air Force Base that he met his wife, Nerrissa, also a combat veteran, and they married in November 2003. Staff Sergeant Dustin Williams died on May 20, 2006, at Lackland Air Force Base. He earned many awards and medals for his service. He is survived by his wife, Nerrissa and their daughter, Makaylah.
SFC Nelson Trent
Army National Guard
April 5, 1975 – December 13, 2012
Sergeant First Class Nelson Trent of the South Carolina Army National Guard enlisted in the Army in March 1999. SFC Trent's first duty assignment was as a Signal Support Systems Specialist and he deployed twice to Iraq. In June 2006, he moved Texas and enlisted in the Army National Guard and later served in the 136th Military Police Battalion in support of the Texas Border Homeland Security Mission through 2008. In 2010, he was accepted into the Active Guard and Reserve Program and became the Senior Communications NCO with Joint Task Force 71. On December 13, 2012, SFC Trent died in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when his unit was attacked by an IED. His wife was also deployed at the time only a few hundred miles away. For his service, Nelson received many military awards, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. SFC Trent is survived by his wife, April and children, David and Camryn.
SGT Clinton K. Ruiz
United States Army
March 14, 1990 – October 25, 2012
United States Army Sergeant Clinton K. Ruiz grew up in Murrieta, Calif., and served as a Psychological Operations Specialist with the 9th Military Information Support Battalion in the 8th Military Information Support Group out of Fort Bragg, N.C. SGT Ruiz died while serving in Afghanistan on October 25, 2012. For his service, SGT Ruiz received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his valor and sacrifice made in a combat zone. He is survived by his wife, Kira and son, Caleb.
