Army Spc. Michael S. Cote Jr.

Died September 19, 2009 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

20 year old Michael Cote, of Denham Springs, La.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, Task Force 49, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; died Sept. 19 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter he was in crashed.

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Met his wife during basic training

The Associated Press

Michael Cote wasn’t supposed to be focused on romance during basic training.

But he and the woman who would eventually become his wife, Ashlee — a fellow soldier — found a way around that policy. The two would secretly pass notes to each other and set dates for Sunday church services.

They married just days after finishing basic training. Their daughter, Brooke, was born in March.

“Every time he talked about Brooke, his face would light up,” said Chief Warrant Officer Pat Azan. “I asked him what he did when he was home on leave, and he told me all he did was hang around the house with his wife and daughter.”

Cote, 20, of Denham Springs, La., died Sept. 19 in Balad, Iraq, when the Black Hawk helicopter in which he was riding crashed. He was assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

A career in flight seemed fitting for Cote, who could always identify whatever aircraft was buzzing overhead, said his sister, Heather Cote. Whether it was an F-16 fighter jet or a Black Hawk like the one he served as a crew chief on, Michael Cote just knew.

“Mikey never, never, never had a doubt in his mind what he wanted to become, how he wanted to spend his life or how he would achieve that,” Heather Cote said.

Army Spc. Ronald A. Schmidt

Died August 3, 2008 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

18 year old Ronald Schmidt, of Newton, Kan.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, Kingman, Kan.; died Aug. 3 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained Aug. 2 in a vehicle accident in Balad.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Specialist Ronald Andrew Schmidt,” said Governor Kathleen Sebelius. “He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and his loved ones and fellow soldiers need our prayers through this very difficult time.”

“It’s a tragic day for our Kansas National Guard family,” Bunting said. “Our hearts go out to the family of Spc. Schmidt, and we will do everything we possibly can to support them through this time. We ask so much of our soldiers, hoping and praying they never have to give their life as Spc. Schmidt did. We are honored to have known him and will remember him accordingly.”

Schmidt enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard on Jan. 27, 2007 during his senior year at Newton High School. He began his military career with Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery and was trained as a cannon crewman upon graduation from Newton High in May 2007. He was promoted to Private First Class (Pfc.) on Nov. 28, 2007 and then to Specialist (Spc.)
Schmidt is survived by his mother, Andrea Maria Schmidt, of Newton, and his uncle Paul Schmidt, of Goddard.
Funeral arrangements are pending.

Schmidt is the tenth Kansas Army Guardsmen to have died in the Global War on Terror since the war began.

Army Cpl. Ryan C. McGhee

Died May 13, 2009 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

21 year old Ryan McGhee, of Fredericksburg, Va.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.; died May 13 from wounds sustained when his unit came in contact with enemy forces while conducting combat operations in Balad.

McGhee made impact on classmates, friends

The Associated Press

Ryan C. McGhee, who was born in Pennsylvania, lived the majority of his life in Vermont. He was on his fourth tour of duty — his first three were in Afghanistan and his latest was in Iraq.

“I lost my soul mate. I don’t know what else to say. He was my one and only, so it’s been difficult for all of us,” said Ashleigh Mitchell, his fiancée.

McGhee, 21, of Fredericksburg, Va., died May 13 of wounds suffered during a firefight with enemy forces in central Iraq. He was a 2006 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Benning, Ga.

“He was an all-around great person and he loved what he did,” said McGhee’s brother, Zachary. “I talked to him two weeks ago. He called to wish me a happy birthday. He said he loved me and he missed me.”

He was chosen by his classmates for two senior superlatives — friendliest and most charming.

“He always had a lot of friends,” classmate Tim Putnam said.

He had planned on returning to Vermont this year, to introduce his Virginian fiancée to his childhood friends.

He also is survived by his father, Steven; stepmother, Kristie; and his mother, Sherrie Battle-McGhee.