Gulf War Veterans Taps Aug 2009

 August Taps Gulf War- Ages39(2), 48—Army, Air Force, Navy

Too young to Die!  Gulf War Veterans it has only been 18 years since 1991.  This is as real as it gets!  Please America watch these ages and question why is this occurring.  Unfortunately we only have the data from the obituaries as published.  WE do not know the cause of death or if they had been sufferring from Gulf War Illness.  But we will not let them be forgotten.  Remember www.Honorthenames.com has been taking the data I collect and have collected and keeps the total collection of this effort.

I would suggest someone start doing the same for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

TAPS—-Roll call of Names—–21 Gun Salute—Full Honors

1.  Glen R. Walz (1970-2009), 39,Mass, Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. While in the Army, he was assigned the title of Main-tenance Supervisor, responsible for the flight readiness of Army helicopters. He was a Gulf War Veteran in the 10th Mt. Division

2.  MEDDLES Gordon Edgar "Bub" Meddles, 48, of Stout, retired Air Force Captain

3.  MURPHY, SEAN, 39, of Louisville died Wednesday, August 5, 2009 in Chattanooga, TN. naval veteran of the Gulf War.

Glen R. Walz (1970-2009) Glen R. Walz 1970-2009 WESTFIELD – Glen R. Walz, 39 of Granville Road, passed Saturday,

August 1, 2009. Glen was born in Holyoke on February 9, 1970. He was son of the late Barbara F. Walz (Bissonnette) of Westfield, MA, Randy L. Walz, Sr. and his wife Karen Walz of Wallingford, CT. Glen was a 1989 graduate of Westfield High School. He then went on to proudly serve his country as Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. While in the Army, he was assigned the title of Main-tenance Supervisor, responsible for the flight readiness of Army helicopters. He was a Gulf War Veteran in the 10th Mt. Division. He served tours in Haiti, Somalia and South Korea and was a member of the American Legion Post 124 as well as a member of the Westfield Firefighters Association Local 1111. Upon being honorably discharged for his 8 years served in the Army, Glen was hired as a firefighter for the Westfield Fire Department on August 8, 1997. He graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy with Honors.

Glen was a devoted firefighter for the Westfield Fire Department for the past 12 years. He was extremely dedicated, motivated and an inspirational firefighter He was instrumental in recreating the Westfield Fire Patch and the reassignment of number badges. He was founder and commander of the Fire Department Honor Guard. Members of the community would feel a sense of great pride to see and hear Glen calling cadence whenever the Fire Department marched in parades or other special events. His passion for upholding traditions assisted in keeping the 1957 Hook & Ladder in Westfield for the local Children’s Museum, and helped in the repair and upkeep of the 1930 Seagrave Pumper. Glen was an individual who was always one of the first to offer his assistance and expertise where ever it was needed or required. He made himself readily available and provided coverage for various Fire Departments in Worcester for 6 firefighters who lost their lives battling a warehouse fire. Glen was a highly respected and decorated member of the Fire Department. In 2004 he received Firefighter of the Year Award from the Governor’s Office. He was the department’s "go-to" guy for so many day to day fire house duties and was consistently one who was looking for ways to make those duties more effective and efficient, one who always helped anyone in need no matter what the situation or circumstance. In June of 2009, Glen was appointed Chief Mechanic for the Fire Department. The skills and level of dedication he brought to this position will be hard to replace. Glen frequently and proudly spoke of the "Brotherhood" and always considered them to be an important part of his family. His presence will certainly be missed by his "brothers & sisters" and the community. Additionally, Glen worked part-time as a Turbine Engine Mechanic for Wood Group Pratt & Whitney for the past 7 years. While Glen didn’t have much free time, he volunteered his time as a Westfield Youth Football Coach, and coaching Westfield Youth Wresting for the local Boys & Girls Club. From a very young age, Glen thoroughly enjoyed restoring classic cars, motorcycles, bicycles and just about anything he could repair and bring back to life. Of all Glens’ accomplishments he was most proud of the outstanding young men his two sons have become. Their individuality, strength and willingness to please are a true reflection of what made Glen such a great man. Glen loved and was loved by his entire family. He was a devoted and caring provider. He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and loving wife of 19 years, Dawn Marie Walz (Fyhr), his sons Darren Robert Walz, 18 and Justin Aron Walz , (17) He also leaves his brother Randy Walz, Jr., his wife Dawn, Eric Walz Jeremy Walz & Matthew Walz, his father & mother-in-law Robert & Nancy Fyhr, his brother & sister-in-law Darren & Sherry Yvon and his nephews Jack & Jake Yvon and Devon Walz & lastly, his brothers and sisters from fire departments across the state. A memorial fund for the benefit of Glen’s family has been established by the Westfield Fire Department. Contributions can be sent to the United Cooperative Bank, 10 Elm Street, Westfield, MA care of the Westfield Firefighters Assistance Fund. The funeral for

Glen will take place on Friday August 7th at 11:00 am in St. Mary’s Church, 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 4-8 pm at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA. Firtionadams.com

Gordon Edgar Meddles 
MEDDLES Gordon Edgar "Bub" Meddles, 48, of Stout, died Sunday, August 9, 2009 at his residence. He was born November 30, 1960 in Columbus, a son of Frank and Judy Cooper Meddles of Stout. Bub was a retired Air Force Captain, a Gulf War veteran, and a 1978 Hilliard High

School graduate. He enjoyed NASCAR, golfing, and spending time with his family. In addition to his parents he is also survived by his grandmother, Louise Bradford Cooper Nelson of

Portsmouth; one sister, Pam (Chris) Von Driska of Wapakoneta, Oh.; one brother, R.D. Meddles of Stout; three nephews, Will and Zach Mollete and Ronnie Meddles; niece, Courtney Meddles; step-niece and nephew, Jane Schuler and Chris Von Driska Jr.; and two great- nephews, Hayden and Riley Mollette. Funeral service will be conducted at 12Noon Friday, August 14, 2009 at the McKINLEY FUNERAL HOME in Lucasville with Jess Osborne officiating. Burial will follow in Lucasville Cemetery where graveside military rites will be performed by the William A. Baker Post of the American Legion. Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Thursday and from 11 a.m.-12Noon Friday at the funeral home.

Published in The Columbus Dispatch on August 12, 2009

Sean Murphy

MURPHY, SEAN, 39, of Louisville died Wednesday, August 5, 2009 in Chattanooga, TN.

He was the loving husband of Teresa Murphy and devoted father to daughters Courtney, Taylor, and Gracelynn Faye; and sons Justin, Thomas, Dakota and Jacob. He is survived by his parents Barbara and Leroy Kraft; brothers Blue and Jesse Murphy; sisters Heather Powell and Yana Barns; grandmother, Altha Murphy of Imboden, AR; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

Sean was a musician, songwriter, truck driver and member of River of Life church. He was a naval veteran of the Gulf War.

Funeral service will be noon Tuesday at the Heady-Hardy Funeral Home, 7710 Dixie Highway, with burial at 2 p.m. in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Monday.