Panthers Honor Fallen Heroes

John H. Jarrell was born in Hampton County S.C. on Dec. 24, 1977.  John signed up for the Army at the beginning of his senior year and he left on June 14, 1996, about two weeks after graduation.  John was KIA on July 10, 2010. John left behind a wife, son, daughter, parents, three sisters, one brother and a large number of other family members.  We are comforted by knowing how much he loved us and by knowing that he died doing what he always dreamed of doing, being a Soldier.             

Gary attended West Virginia University before deciding to pursue his childhood dream of becoming an honored United States Marine. His distinguished career began at boot camp when he graduated with honors at Parris Island, South Carolina.  During his career, Gary was deployed over 5 times, leaving family and friends holding their breath for his safe return back home. He served in combat zones in Iraq twice and Afghanistan and on humanitarian missions and military training missions in Albania and Kosovo. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gary Stouffer Jr., 37, of Hubert, North Carolina served 17 ½ years before he was killed on November 15, 2012 in Midland, Texas. He will be remembered as a brave Marine, a loving husband and father, a beloved son, an admired brother, an avid sportsman and a true friend to so many.

Captain Mark Garner was the son of Don and Beth Garner and brother of Jo Garner and Rachel Garner Heiner.  On July 6th 2009, the vehicle Mark was riding in hit an IED in the Argandab District.  Mark and another soldier were killed in the explosion.  Mark was born in Elkin, NC on March 17, 1979.

SPC Darius Jennings was born November 13, 1980 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He was a 2000 graduate of Orangeburg Wilkinson High School and enlisted in the Army in June 2001. SPC Jennings died when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was in was struck down by enemy fire. The Chinook crashed in Al Fallujah, near Baghdad, Iraq. His Captain described Darius as "One of the most loved soldiers. He had no barriers, no walls. He was an open room with a picture window." 

Seth Mitchell was born in Charlotte, NC and lived in the area until he was 11 years old. As a young boy Seth wanted to be a pilot. After graduation from Virginia Tech, Seth entered the Marine Corp Officer Candidate School. Graduating from OCS, 2nd Lt Mitchell was assigned to Camp Lejuene, NC.  Growing up he had dreamed of becoming a pilot.  After corrective eye surgery and some determination, he was living a dream when he was awarded a Marine Aviation training spot. Captain Seth Mitchell, 30, was killed Oct. 26 2009 when two helicopters collided while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

Phillip joined the United States Army on September 10, 2009. Phillip served as an infantryman and a Stryker armored vehicle driver. Phillip was the only one tragically killed on base in an automobile accident along with 3 other passengers on November 26, 2011. Phillip graduated Union Pines High School in 2006. He loved the UNC Tar Heels and Carolina Panthers. All Phillip ever wanted was for everyone to be treated fairly and make the best of life.

Christopher was raised in Harrisburg, NC and joined the Army in December 2008. He was an Infantryman and was killed in action in Kwost Providece, Afghanistan on May 24, 2010 at the age of 21. Christopher is survived by his wife, Heather Barton, his parents, Roy & Elaine Schmiedeshoff, two brothers Cory Barton and Bryan Schmiedeshoff.

SSG Chris Newman Born September 24, 1985 in Myrtle Beach S.C, but was raised in Shelby N.C. by his Grandparents, Donn and Earlene Newman. Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 325 pounds, Chris was affectionately known by his Army buddies as "Big Country". SSG Christopher Newman, assigned to Tripler Army Medical Center, Medical Company A, Hawaii, was killed in action on October 29, 2011 near Camp Phoenix, Kabul Province, Afghanistan, at the age of 26 by a suicide car bomb. Chris died doing what he loved most, Serving his County and protecting all of us.

Lance Corporal Noah Miles Pier was born July 28, 1984 in Fairfax, Virginia. Deeply patriotic, Noah loved his country, flag and freedom. Noah was always serious about becoming a Marine, and once he earned that title he gave it his all. Lance Corporal Noah Miles Pier was killed in action on 16 February 2010, in Helmand Province, Nawa District of Afghanistan while fighting for the freedoms he held so dear. Noah, with his family, moved to Charlotte, NC in 1995 and he truly was a very loud and enthusiastic Carolina Panthers fan!

CW 2 Josh Flynn, a uh-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot, first entered the military June 26, 1997. A native of Guilford County, NC, he was the son of R. Deleno and Patsy Jones Flynn. At age 28, CW2 Flynn passed away at 12:55 AM Wednesday, August 22, 2007 in Multaka, Iraq while faithfully serving his country.   He is survived by his son Morgan (6), and his parents Patricia and Robert Flynn.

Since the day Brandon was born, February 12, 1983, he always strove for, and achieved greatness, earning himself a full ride scholarship to Western Carolina University from the North Carolina Police Core Academy. Army Staff Sergeant Brandon Forrest Eggleston, 29, of Raeford, N.C. was killed when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device during a patrol on April 26, 2012 in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan during his third deployment.

Born on November 21, 1988, Cpl. Dutcher grew up in Asheville, North Carolina.  He served 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Corporal Michael Dutcher, died on September 15, 2011, the victim of an IED blast.  Dutcher was engaged to be married when he returned from Sangin. Michael enjoyed watching the Carolina Panthers play with his dad.

Marine Staff Sergeant Thomas Joseph "TJ" Dodds Dudley was born on August 28th, 1981 in Flint, Michigan and later moved to Tega Cay, South Carolina. SSgt Dudley was killed in action on July 7, 2011, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. SSgt Dudley is survived by his wife, Mary and their three children; Taylor, Carter and Jenna. Growing up so close to Charlotte, NC we were huge Carolina Panther fans.  While stationed in Okinawa, Japan in 2003, the team made it to the Super Bowl, he asked me to bring our daughter, Taylor, who was 5 at the time, to the stadium to welcome the boys back home from PA.  It was around midnight when they returned and we were there to celebrate the Cardiac Cats! The Carolina Panthers are the only sports team we all loved as a family and could cheer on together.

My husband, and hero, Specialist James Austin Justice was in Army, Task Force 2nd 503 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade, in the Chosen Company.  His rank was E4 as a team leader, he was waiting to be promoted October 5th, 2012.  He was born on October 1, 1990 in Charleston.  He enlisted January 6th, 2010.  For a year he was stationed in Korea, then stationed in Italy.  He took care of our three kids, even though they were not biologically his, you couldn't tell. On August 14th, thirty six days into his deployment in Afghanistan he sacrificed his life. He always said he wanted to earn his Purple Heart award, and so he did.

Sergeant Lance Oliver Eakes was born on December 28, 1982, in Durham, North Carolina.  He enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard in 2003, attending Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, earning his place with the Primary MOS of 31B (Military Police). SGT Eakes was tragically killed in action on April 18, 2008.  His vehicle was catastrophically struck by a deep-buried improvised explosive device. Sergeant Eakes is survived by his parents, John and Tammy Eakes, who reside in Apex, North Carolina.

Nathan Elrod (4/21/86) joined the Marines during his senior year at East Rowan High School. During the period between Sept 19 and October 21, 2006, Nathan's battalion, the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, came under fire numerous times. Nathan skillfully engaged the enemy and helped successfully defeat an attack on his platoon. On October 20 and 21, Nathan courageously provided security for a route clearing operations on the streets of Ramadi.  He gave his life for his country when his vehicle was attacked by an IED.

Lt.Col. Paul Mikeal was born July 15, 1969, at Edwards Air Force Base to Jerry Houck Mikeal and Connie Edwards Mikeal.  Paul attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he joined AFROTC and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and pilot candidate in 1991. After ten years on active duty, he joined the Air National Guard. Paul loved flying the C-130 missions, cheering for the Carolina Panthers and most of all spending time with his wife, Marlo, and two beautiful children, Amanda and Liam.

Navy Master at Arms Second Class (EXW) Sean Edward Brazas, was a native of Greensboro, NC. On May 30th, 2012, in Panjwa'l, Afghanistan, Sean and his fellow servicemen were ambushed.  While Sean was helping a fellow comrade, he was fatally shot. He made the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect his family, fellow Americans, and our freedoms that he so deeply believed in. Sean was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on June 19th, 2012. He was a fan of the Panthers since the beginning. He owned two jerseys; one from the first year Cam Newton came to Carolina!

SSG Stephen John Goodman was born in Mooresville, North Carolina on July 23, 1981.  He served in the US Army from 2000 to 2008.  He is the father of a girl, Veronica, 15, and boy Alexander, 12.  He passed away on October 12, 2008 in his hometown in North Carolina at the age of 27.   Before he passed he had gone on 3 tours and was about to go on his fourth tour to Iraq later in October.  He passed away knowing he was doing what he always wanted to do, join the Army, serve his country and make his children proud.

Ron was born January 6, 1982 in Julian, CA, enrolled in ROTC at Valley Forge Military College and became a commissioned officer in 2002.  Football was a major passion in Ron's life, as he went on to play football throughout his college career, including playing the two years he attended Valley Forge Military College and walking on as a linebacker for NC State University.  That same year, NC State would go on to beat Notre Dame at the 2003 Gator Bowl. CPT Ronald G. Luce, Jr. died while conducting combat operations in the Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan, on August 2, 2009, while serving as the Special Forces Team Commander with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

SFC Alvin Algernon Boatwright was born on December 10, 1977. Boatwright was a native of Lodge, SC and former high school football player at Ruffin High School where he graduated in 1997. SFC Boatwright was the platoon leader of the Comanche Company 4-70 AR Battalion in Afghanistan. He was leading his platoon on a mission when he made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom June 18, 2011.

SGT Peter Christopher Bohler, 29, of Willow Spring, North Carolina. Chris was a great son, brother, friend, and soldier. He served in the US Army from 2007 to 2013. Chris and his crew of 8 were killed while conducting combat operations on December 17, 2013 in Bahar, Afghanistan. Chris was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC.

On July 7, 1979, Juantrea was born and raised in Greenville, NC and graduated from D.H. Conley High School. He joined the Army in February of 1999 and completed his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. In March of 2007, while in Iraq, SSG Juantrea lost his life while serving for God, family, and country. His wife, their three boys, and daughter miss him always! He did not become interested in professional football until the NFL awarded the Panthers franchise to the Carolinas. He was only going to support a team that had Carolina in the name.

Larry John Bauguess Jr. (12/10/70), from Moravian Falls, North Carolina, graduated from Appalachian State University. As an Infantry Major, Larry served in the XVIII Airborne Corps, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On May 14, 2007, Larry and his commander attended a peace meeting in a tribal region of Pakistan. After which, and without warning, a uniformed Pakistani Frontier Guardsmen opened fire at close range. Larry stood between the shooter and his men. Several of his men were wounded that day. Larry gave his life. Larry leaves behind his wife (Wesley), daughters (Ryann & Ellie), parents (John & Martha), sister (Laura) and brother (Terry). They do the best they can and live in a way that they hope brings honor to him.

SFC Henry A. Bacon was born on November 17, 1958, in Yuma, Arizona, to parents Robert and Earline Bacon. His father retired to Wagram, NC where Bacon finished school at Scotland High School in Laurinburg, NC. SFC Bacon married his high school sweetheart, Ethel Cooper in 1978. After their first child, Tabitha was born in 1981; SFC Bacon decided to join the Army in 1982. On February 20, 2004, he was struck by a recovery vehicle while he was assisting a disabled vehicle. SFC Bacon had served 22 years in the Army. SFC Bacon was a great fan of the Carolina Panthers. He was so excited when the Carolinas were awarded the Panthers franchise. One of his dreams was to attend a game at Bank of America Stadium.

Staff Sergeant Blaylock was born November 27, 1985 in Lake Orion, MI. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in February 2006, and completed two tours to Iraq. In 2011, upon moving from Camp Pendleton, California to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, SSgt Blaylock joined the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC). On March 10, 2015, during a night exercise the Blackhawk helicopter that they were on crashed, killing all 11 men on board. SSgt Blaylock was laid to rest in his hometown of Lake Orion, MI. Trevor's wife, Lisa, and two daughters, Annabelle (4) and Evelyn (2) still reside in North Carolina. He is survived by his parents, John and Kathie and one brother, Matt.

CPT David "Jp" Thompson, 39, died January 29, 2010 in Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He served in Operation Uphold Democracy in Haitias well as multiple state humanitarian assistance deployments with the North Carolina National Guard. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in 1989 and spent his 20 year military career in various special operations roles. Jp completed a Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University and married his college sweetheart a week later. His greatest joy in life was being the best husband to his wife Emily and father to his daughters, Isabelle and Abigail.

SGT Thomas J. Butler IV "TJ" was born on June 19th 1987 to Thomas Butler III and Leslie Butler. Butler's family moved to Hampstead, NC, when he was a young child and has one older brother, Michael and one younger brother, Adam. Butler met his wife, Holly, in early 2006 and married on November 29th 2008 and welcomed son, Thomas J Butler V, on March 6th 2012. On October 1st 2012, SGT Butler died of wounds suffered when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest while he was on a dismounted patrol.

Our hero and native North Carolinian SPC David Tyler Proctor, U.S. Army, was born April 13, 1986 in Catawba County, NC and raised in Hickory, NC. He graduated from the University of North Carolina Greensboro with a B.S. in Psychology. Tyler enlisted in the U.S. Army in February of 2011, and was stationed at Fort Stewart GA with his wife and step-daughter. Tyler was deployed to Afghanistan in October 2012, where he served as a Bradley vehicle dismount driver and gunner. Five months later he sustained fatal injuries at his forward operations base (F.O.B) and passed away March 12, 2013.

"Scottie" as some of his fellow Screaming Eagles called him, was born March 2, 1973 in Attleboro, Massachusetts to then 2LT Alfred and Karen (Burgess) Rose. He attended NC State University in Raleigh, NC studying engineering and history. In July 1996, Scott married Michele Basso the love of his life who he met at NC State. He was enlisted in the Army by his father LTC Rose on April 23, 1997. His daughter Meghan Rose was born back home at Ft Campbell, KY while Scott flew missions in Iraq. At the time of his death a few months later, he had 1841 flight hours logged and though junior in rank, he was recognized as the best crew chief and was a Standardization Instructor NCO. He was one of those rare great men; soldier, leader, husband, and father.

PFC Timothy Ray Vimoto was the oldest of 5 children. He was a 6' 2", 225 lb. defensive end and was destined to play in the NFL. In October 2006 and turning 19, he told his parents that he decided to join the Army, he left for Basic / Advance training in November 2006. He graduated Infantry training and then off to Airborne School. He completed Airborne School in April 2007 and then off to his new duty station with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat team in Vicenza, Italy where his father was the Brigade Command Sergeant Major. In May 2007, he joined his father and the unit on a deployment to Afghanistan. Less than a month in Afghanistan, he was killed in action (KIA) during his platoon's engagement with an enemy force.

A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Aaron was born June 28, 1977. While a graduate assistant football coach at Tennessee Tech University, he met the love of his life, Jurley Pomeroy, to whom he is married. He completed his master's degree in Instructional Leadership in 2003, and later that year, joined the US Marine Corps. In addition to his exemplary military service, Aaron was a faithful member of College Acres Baptist Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. As a community volunteer, he served on the University of North Carolina Wilmington baseball grounds crew and at the St. Nichol as Greek Orthodox Church annual Greek festival. A highly-decorated Marine and war hero, Master Sgt. Torian, 36, died February 15, 2014 from injuries sustained during combat training operations while serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

LtCol William R. "Salty" Watkins, III was born on December 17, 1965, in South Boston, Va. Following graduation from Annapolis in 1989, William attended Naval Flight Officer School at NAS Pensacola and received his Naval Flight Officer wings in the fall of 1990. He was assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC. During that time, he also met his wife, Air Force (Retired) Major Mary Melissa Newlon Watkins. In the early morning hours of April 7, 2003, William, his pilot, Capt. Eric "Boot" Das, and another plane were tasked with supporting US Special Forces advancing on Tikrit. Due to poor visibility, their formation descended to low flight levels and began attacking Iraqi Special  Republican Guard Units. On the fourth bombing run, their plane crashed and William was killed in action.

Technical Sergeant Dan Zerbe was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and was a Pararescueman. On the night of August 6, 2011, Sergeant Zerbe was part of an elite special operations team executing a helicopter assault. While approaching the target, their CH-47 helicopter was shot down, killing everyone on board.

Staff Sergeant Anthony Orlando Thompson was born on March 22, 1977, in the Old Orangeburg Regional Hospital to Ms. Hattie Lee Moorer Thompson. SSG Thompson graduated from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School in May of 1995. Anthony joined the United States Army in September 1996. On October 15, 1996 he married Valerie Green. In March 2003 Anthony's unit was called upon to deploy to Tikirt, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On September 18, 2003 during a recon mission, Thompson's convoy was ambushed by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades; as a result he was killed along with two other soldiers.

Phillip was born in Hopewell, Virginia who lived in North Carolina before moving back to Virginia. Phil, who everyone referred to him as, was an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) technician in the Air Force. He loved his job. It was one of the most dangerous jobs out there, but it's what he loved doing. During his last deployment in Afghanistan, he disarmed over 80 IED's, saving numerous lives. On April 4, 2009, he was killed while disarming an IED. He was due home just a few weeks later. He has two beautiful children; his daughter Dakotah and son Kaiden. Dakotah has her dad's personality, while Kaiden is a little replica of him.

LCpl Scott Harper joined the USMC before he graduated from high school. Scott entered boot camp at Parris Island South Carolina in September of 2008 and graduated in December of 2008. On July 13, 2011 LCpl Harper deployed with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, based out of Camp Lejeune. LCpl Harper was killed in action three months later, October 13, 2011, in Sangin Valley Afghanistan.

Levy, known as Jacob to his family and friends, was born September 5, 1990, in Greensboro, NC. He was a 2009 graduate of Eastern Randolph High School. Lance Cpl. Christopher Jacob Levy, died on December 10, 2011 in a US military hospital in Germany. He was shot by a sniper while on patrol in Helmand province on Wednesday 7th December and had been evacuated to Germany. LCpl Levy's stepfather, Kevin Sheek, told local news reporters: "Jacob died doing a job he was willing to die for. He was an awesome man and an awesome Marine."

Sgt. Sean T. Callahan was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1987 in Manassas, Virginia, youngest of four children. He joined the Marine Corps and completed training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and the School of Infantry East, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 2008. Sergeant Callahan served in Iraq from August to October 2009. He was redeployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan and killed in action on 23 April 2011 while in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Nicholas was born in Poughkeepsie, NY but moved to North Carolina when he was 18 months old. Nick grew up in Fuquay-Varina, NC with his parents, Anthony and Annette, and younger brother, Joseph DiBona. On July 13, 2014 SrA DiBona passed away in a car accident right outside of his base. SrA DiBona is laid to rest at Salisbury National Cemetery.

Sergeant Mark Bradley was born July 7, 1985 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January 27, 2004 at the age of 19. Mark met his wife Samantha, in Clayton, NC after completing recruit training at Parris Island, SC. On June 3, 2011, while assigned to team 4 in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmond, Mark stepped on an IED and sustained severe injuries to include the loss of both of his legs. For the next thirteen days, Mark fought to stay alive. His struggle tragically ended on June 16, 2011 at Bethesda Naval Hospital with his wife Samantha, mother, father and sister by his bedside.

Maj. Samuel Griffith, USMC, was born on June 14, 1975 and died while serving with the 4th Air/Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) in Afghanistan on December 14, 2011. A man of faith, Maj. Griffith grew up in Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and graduated from Enloe High School in Raleigh. He leaves behind his wife, Casey, and two sons, Chad and Noah. He also is survived by his father and stepmom, Sam and Cherie Griffith, of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; mother, Kathi Bischoff, of Palm Beach, Fla.; sisters, Renee Nickell and Kelly Griffith; and brother, David Griffith, who is a Freshman Marine Option Midshipman in Penn State University's NROTC unit.

Kevin McCray Jones was born in Washington, NC, and called Washington home until he left for basic training. CPL Jones served in Iraq where his duties included driver, gunner and combat life saver.  He was designated a "Million Miler". In March 2005, he was in an Army vehicle involved in an IED incident. He was 21 when he was killed.  

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cantrell was born in Dyersburg, Tennessee on December 16, 1975. He joined the U.S. Army on July 21,1994 as a Military Policeman. Duane and his wife Louise and their two daughters Isabella and Natalia lived in Hope Mills, NC. On March 6, 2012, they had a house fire. Duane and their daughters perished in the fire. Isabella was age 6 and Natalia was age 4. All three are laid to rest in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Staff Sergeant Jonathan Kilian Dozier was born in Virginia on September 30, 1977. He was proud to follow in the footsteps of other men in his family when he joined the Army in 1997.In August of 2007 Jon's unit was deployed to Iraq. Sadly, on January 9, 2008 after being promoted, Jon died from wounds sustained when an IED detonated during a combat operation. He is truly missed by his wife, Amy, and his beautiful daughter, Emma Grace, who at the age of 8, strives to complete her daddy's mission by making this world a better place.