Bredesen memorializes soldiers killed since last May

May 31– Gov. Phil Bredesen Thursday joined officials from the Departments of Military and Veterans Affairs, members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard, members of the U.S. Navy Reserves and members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to honor the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and to pay a special tribute to the 20 Tennesseans who have died in combat since May 2009.

Bredesen spoke about the legacy of our fallen heroes and their commitment to service.

He said, a "commitment to service is one we know well in Tennessee because it has been made by so many. Whether at your school, home, church or business, we have all been touched by someone who has been mobilized or deployed.

"As we gather here today, we mourn the loss and remember the lives of Tennesseans who made that sacrifice this past year; Tennesseans who gave their lives so that others may know the freedoms we all hold dear."

Bredesen also emphasized the responsibilities our nation has to those who fight for our everyday freedoms.

"This weekend, Americans will gather across the country to send a message of thanks to the military personnel who, through their bravery, give life to our everyday freedoms.

"For those of us who benefit from that service, we have responsibilities of our own. We as a nation owe a special debt to the millions of men and women who each day put themselves in harm’s way in our name.

"Our prayers remain with those Tennesseans and Americans who continue to serve, who are about to be deployed, and the families that love them."

Since last year, 20 Tennesseans were killed in the line of duty.

Their names were read aloud during Thursday’s ceremony, followed by a three-round rifle volley to commemorate their service and sacrifice.

•Lance Corporal Gregory Posey

United States Marines

Winchester

•Private Second Class Patrick Scott Fitzgibbon

United States Army

Knoxville

•Specialist Corey J. Kowall

United States Army

Murfreesboro

•Specialist Russell S. Hercules, Jr.

United States Army

Mt. Juliet

•Private First Class Brandon A. Owens

United States Army

Memphis

•Private First Class Rush M. Jenkins

United States Army

Clarksville

•Sergeant First Class Jason Hickman

United States Army

Kingsport

•Staff Sergeant Daniel D. Merriweather

United States Army

Collierville

•Petty Officer Second Class Xin Qi

United States Navy

Cordova

•Staff Sergeant Rusty Hunter Christian

United States Army

Greeneville

•Sergeant David Clay Prescott

Tennessee Army National Guard

Murfreesboro

•Staff Sergeant Michael W. Tinsley

Tennessee Army National Guard

Jackson

•Captain Marcus Ray Alford

Tennessee Army National Guard

Knoxville

•Chief Warrant Officer 2 Billie Jean Grinder

Tennessee Army National Guard

Gallatin

•Sergeant First Class Carlos M. Santos-Silva

United States Army

Clarksville

•Private First Class Jonathan David Hall

United States Army

Chattanooga

•Specialist Jeremy Lynn Brown

United States Army

McMinnville

•Corporal David Krazan, Jr.

United States Marines

Mt. Juliet

•Private First Class Billy Gene Anderson

United States Army

Alexandria

•Captain Robert Jenkins

United States Marines

Limestone