Senator Doug Mastriano Veteran Page

Senator Doug Mastriano Veteran Page Senator Mastriano is a combat veteran and retired Army Colonel who chairs Veterans Affairs

Today, we honor Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Fike of Conneautville, PA who was KIA on this day in 2010. We will never f...
06/11/2026

Today, we honor Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Fike of Conneautville, PA who was KIA on this day in 2010. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/triblive-tribune-review/name/robert-fike-obituary?id=43124597

Sgt. 1st Class Robert James Fike, 38, of Trafford, died Friday, June 11, 2010, in Zabul, Afghanistan, while serving with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He was born in Jeannette, July 23, 1971.

He graduated from Penn-Trafford High School, class of 1989, and Edinboro University.

Bob was a highly decorated soldier whose awards and decorations included the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal (third award), Combat Action Badge, NATO Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Keystone Freedom Medal, Afghan Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Bob had been a member of the National Guard (28th Military Police Company) for 16 years. He was a Pennsylvania State employee with 13 1/2 years of service and had been a corrections officer at SCI Albion since 2002, holding the rank of sergeant. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his daughter, the love and joy of his life.

Bob is survived by his daughter, MacKenzie Fike-Bliscik, of Meadville; his parents, Jim and Chris Fike, of Trafford; a brother, Christopher Fike (Nicole), of Monroeville; maternal grandmother, Liz Balkovec, of Trafford; nephew, Tristan; and nieces, Alexa and Parker. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ross and Geraldine Fike; his maternal grandfather, Joseph "Shorty" Balkovec; and an uncle, Robert Fike.

Source: https://www.legacy.com

Today we honor Marine Chief Warrent Officer 2 Ricky L. Richardson Jr. who was KIA on this day in 2009. We will never for...
06/10/2026

Today we honor Marine Chief Warrent Officer 2 Ricky L. Richardson Jr. who was KIA on this day in 2009. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-chief.../4136598

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ricky Richardson, 33, of the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, was killed in Farah province, according to a statement released by Marine officials in Japan. The cause of death was not immediately released, but relatives told FOX TV-2 that he died “dismantling bombs.” He was in a region of western Afghanistan where Marines have faced a fierce insurgency for more than a year.

Richardson joined the Corps in 1996, officials said. He served as a machine gunner before becoming an explosive ordnance disposal technician, eventually reaching the rank of gunnery sergeant. He was appointed as a warrant officer in 2007 and had deployed to Afghanistan as an EOD officer in February, his sixth combat tour, officials said.

His personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/

Today, we honor Army Spc. Eduardo S. Silva who was KIA on this day on 2009. We will never forget you, brother.
06/09/2026

Today, we honor Army Spc. Eduardo S. Silva who was KIA on this day on 2009. We will never forget you, brother.

Today we honor Army Pfc. Thomas D. Caughman who was KIA on this day in 2004. We will never forget you, brother.The follo...
06/09/2026

Today we honor Army Pfc. Thomas D. Caughman who was KIA on this day in 2004. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-pfc.../263065

Spc. Thomas Caughman’s family said the Lexington High School graduate knew the risks when he joined the Army Reserves last fall.

But he thought it was more important to defend America, his great-uncle Raymond Caughman said.

Thomas Caughman died Wednesday when the armored vehicle in which he was riding was hit with an explosive device near Baghdad, Raymond Caughman said.
“He just had a desire to join. He went to Midlands Tech for a year and then decided to join,” his great-aunt Elizabeth Caughman said Thursday. “He was a good boy.”
Thomas Caughman helped es**rt officers around the city, Raymond Caughman said. The family did not know if anyone else was injured or killed in the incident.

Thomas Caughman was a member of the Army Reserve’s 458th Engineering Battalion and was shipped overseas in February, according to his family.

Raymond Caughman says his nephew loved to hunt and fish and volunteered at Red Bank Baptist Church, where his grandfather was once pastor.

The military told Thomas Caughman’s parents about his death Thursday.
“The officers and the chaplain were at their house at 6 o’clock this morning,” Elizabeth Caughman said.

Word of Caughman’s death spread quickly. A number of relatives live close to each other in homes east of Lexington. Being that close-knit makes his death hit even harder. “We’d see him every day,” Raymond Caughman said.

Thomas Caughman leaves behind his parents and his sister, a rising senior at Lexington High School. He also leaves behind a great-aunt and uncle proud of his sacrifice.

“He actually just wanted to serve his country,” Elizabeth Caughman said.
“Yep, he wanted to serve his country,” Raymond Caughman added.

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

Today we honor Army Sgt. Michael E. Dooley who was KIA on this day in 2003. We will never forget you, brother.The follow...
06/08/2026

Today we honor Army Sgt. Michael E. Dooley who was KIA on this day in 2003. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt.../256652

Michael E. Dooley joined the Army five years ago after graduating from Pulaski County High School. He and his wife, Christine, were expecting their first child, a son, in October.

Dooley was killed June 8 at a checkpoint in Asad, Iraq.

“There hasn't been a day gone by that I didn't worry about my boy,” said his mother, Ann Davis. “I just wish those people would have appreciated the freedom that they had because of these American boys being there.”

Davis said she had received one letter from her son since the war in Iraq began, but that Dooley's 11-year-old brother, Jacob, received one just days before he was killed. In the letter, Dooley told his younger brother he couldn’t wait to be a father and that he expected Jacob to help teach his son how to play basketball, Davis said.

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

Today we honor Army Pvt. Jesse M. Halling who was KIA on this day in 2003. We will never forget you, brother.The followi...
06/07/2026

Today we honor Army Pvt. Jesse M. Halling who was KIA on this day in 2003. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-pvt-jesse.../256666

Pfc. Jesse Halling was praised by other soldiers for his actions during a battle in Tikrit. He was at his post at a military police station when his unit began taking small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. He ordered others in his unit to take cover while he remained at his post and returned fire until he was hit by shrapnel. Halling was awarded a posthumous Purple Heart and has been nominated for a Silver Star, the Army’s third-highest medal for valor behind the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross.

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

On this day in 2003, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Doyle W. Bollinger Jr. gave his all in Iraq. We will never forget you,...
06/06/2026

On this day in 2003, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Doyle W. Bollinger Jr. gave his all in Iraq. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/navy-petty.../256661

Doyle W. Bollinger joined the U.S. Navy shortly after high school. He was a Seabee.
“Wayne is a very special young man and is proud to be a Navy Seabee. He died defending his country. He is without doubt one of America’s finest,” a family statement said.

His unit has been in the Middle East since January, providing construction support to the Navy, Marines and other armed forces during military operations.

“He marched to the beat of a different drum, and he was happy in his own little world,” said Pat Eidschun, a retired teacher who taught Bollinger when he was in the seventh grade in Poteau.

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

Today we honor Marine Lance Cpl. Robert D. Ulmer of Landisville, PA who was gave his all on this day in 2009. We will ne...
06/05/2026

Today we honor Marine Lance Cpl. Robert D. Ulmer of Landisville, PA who was gave his all on this day in 2009. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38002270/robert-d_-ulmer

Lance Cpl. Robert D. Ulmer of Landisville, Pennsylvania was a 2006 Hempfield High School graduate. He also earned a certificate in RV and Outdoor Power Equipment at Lancaster County Career and Technology Center. Robert was a member of Hempfield Church Of The Brethren, East Petersburg. He enjoyed fishing, cars, and motorcycles. Rob joined the Marines on July 31, 2006, the summer he graduated from high school. He had been an infantryman. Robert was first deployed to Iraq from September 2007 to April 2008, and was sent back with his unit for the second time in March. Their mission, generally, was to provide security and assistance in training and development of the local Iraqi forces. His awards and decorations include the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He is the son of Douglas and Kim Ulmer.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com

Today, we honor Army 1st Lt. Erik S. McCrae who was KIA on this day in 2004. We will never forget you, brother.The follo...
06/04/2026

Today, we honor Army 1st Lt. Erik S. McCrae who was KIA on this day in 2004. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10625037/erik-scott-mccrae

Erik Scott McCrae was killed while serving with the Army in Iraq.

In the fall of 2000, Erik joined the Oregon National Guard as a cavalry scout with E/82 Cavalry Troop in Woodburn.

On Feb. 27, Erik married his sweetheart of a year, Heather Smyth. They married at Fort Polk, La., where Erik's unit had just finished its training for deployment to Iraq. The two had a small wedding on post and planned a wedding vow renewal and reception for all friends and family upon his return from Iraq.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com

Today we honor Army Spc. Derek D. Holland of Wind Gap, PA., who was KIA in Afghanistan on this day in 2008. We will neve...
06/03/2026

Today we honor Army Spc. Derek D. Holland of Wind Gap, PA., who was KIA in Afghanistan on this day in 2008. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-spc.../3567442

Spc. Derek Holland, a National Guard soldier from Wind Gap in eastern Pennsylvania, was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Tuesday afternoon, according to military officials.

Holland, 20, was a 2006 graduate of Pen Argyl High School and enlisted in the National Guard during his senior year. He was attached to the 228th Brigade Support Battalion in Bethlehem.

“He was one of the most dedicated soldiers I have known,” said Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Horner, Holland’s supervisor. “He just wanted to do his part in serving his county. He wanted to do the job he came in to do.”

Holland was enrolled in the information systems technology program at the Career Institute of Technology, a vocational-technical school that serves students from Pen Argyl.

His teacher at CIT, Andra Groller, said Holland was shy when he first arrived. He became interested in the military in his senior year and hoped to combine it with his computer education, she said.

“He was a very quiet ... thoughtful kind of person,” said John Smith, principal of Pen Argyl High School, who announced Holland’s death at a faculty meeting Thursday morning. “We had a moment of prayer for him.”

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

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