Senator Doug Mastriano Veteran Page, Harrisburg, PA (2026)

09/16/2026

Today we honor Air Force Senior Airman Daniel R. Sanchez who was KIA on this day in 2010. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/air-force.../4785737

Daniel Sanchez was always in motion. He jumped off roofs and scaled fences as a kid, once getting into trouble for skateboarding off a shed onto the neighbor’s trampoline. It only seemed natural that Sanchez became a combat controller when he joined the Air Force.

“He was always just go, go, go,” his mother, Yvette Duchene, told Air Force Times. “When his instructor talked to us [at boot-camp graduation], it was the first time I found out what a combat controller was. He told us — and pardon my French — that my son would be a badass.”

Sanchez, 23, suffered a gunshot wound Sept. 16 on a deployment to Afghanistan, dying at a medical facility in Oruzgan province. The Pentagon hasn’t released much information on his death, and Duchene said she hasn’t been told much.

“This terrible loss is evidence of the ultimate sacrifice our men in Air Force Special Operations Command make to protect our country and our way of life,” squadron commander Maj. Chris Larkin said in a release. “Danny was a fine airman and a valuable member of our close community, and he will be sorely missed. My deepest sympathies go out to the Sanchez family.”

Sanchez joined the Air Force in 2006. He was seeking direction in life after graduating from high school and had considered joining the fire department. A friend told him about the Air Force special operations community, and he was sold, Duchene said.

She didn’t want him to join because of the two ongoing wars, but he was adamant. Even when the training reached its most difficult, Sanchez told Duchene over the phone that he wasn’t ready to give up.

“Mom,” he told her, “I can’t not do this. I’m not going to quit.”

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

09/15/2026

Today we honor Christopher K. Raible of North Huntingdon, PA. who was KIA on this day in 2012. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://norwinalumni.org/honorees/2021/raible/

Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible was raised in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, graduating Norwin High School with honors, ranking seventh in his class. He then attended Kent State University for one year where he studied aviation before transferring to Carnegie Mellon University where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1995.

Upon graduation, Christopher pursued his dream to become a Marine aviator and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps going on to an accomplished career as an AV8-Harrier pilot. Lt. Col. Raible was killed in action on September 14, 2012 during an attack by Taliban militants on the Camp Bastion military base in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Throughout his eighteen year career, Lt. Col. Christopher Raible moved quickly through the ranks and eventually became the commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron VMA-211. As a Requirements Officer assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps between 2009 and 2011, Christopher worked tirelessly on the F-35 Lightning II project and was honored for his work in the development of the next-generation of Marine aviation. While it is customary for the name of the pilot of any aircraft to be on the jet, the first F-35 aircraft flown was painted with Lt. Col. Raible’s name in honor of both his contributions to F-35 program and his career as a Marine aviator.

Lt. Col. Raible’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Air Medal-Strike/Flight (numeral 10), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award), Air Medal-Individual Action, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (second award), the Bronze Star, and NATO Service Medal-International Security Assistance Force. He also received the Distinguished Public Service Award from Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2013 when it was renamed to the Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible Distinguished Public Service Award.

Lt. Col. Raible is survived by wife Donnella, children Catherine, Allison and Bryan, parents Al and Kim Raible, and sister Lona.

Source: https://norwinalumni.org

09/14/2026

⭐REMINDER⭐

VETERAN SERVICES - CHAMBERSBURG DISTRICT OFFICE
On the THIRD Thursday of each month, starting this Thursday, September 17th, a Veteran Service Officer with the Pennsylvania American Legion will be available *BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at my Chambersburg District Office to assist Veterans and their families.

Assistance is available with:
- State and Education Benefits
- Military Personnel and Medical Records
- Compensation and Pension Claims
- Burial and Survivor benefits
- Enrollment in the VA Health Care System.

📍 Chambersburg District Office
37 South Main Street, Suite 200
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717-264-6100

📩 Email link to sign up! https://senatormastriano.com/email-me/

**Please note: Office hours are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call to schedule an appointment.

If you served our nation, we are here to serve you

09/14/2026

Today we honor Army Sgt. Andrew H. McConnell of Carlisle, PA. who was KIA on this day in 2009. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt.../4281975

Andrew McConnell’s fellow soldiers remembered him as a walking encyclopedia, able to recite random trivia at any moment and a man with an intense personality.

“He was 100 mph, 100 percent of the time,” Staff Sgt. Philip McIlroy said during McConnell’s eulogy.

McConnell, 24, of Carlisle, Pa., died Sept. 14 in southern Afghanistan when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb. He was assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash., and although he listed Carlisle as his hometown, he considered the northwest home.

He was the son of a military man and moved around a lot he was born in California, went to high school in Italy and attended Georgia Military College. His sister Ashlee said Washington was his true home. It was where he met his wife, Sarah, who is expecting the couple’s first child.

Ashlee McConnell said her brother was married for only seven months before his death, but said “they were seven months that made Andrew the happiest man in the world, and they were seven months that I know Andrew is thanking God for right now in Heaven.”

McConnell enlisted in 2005 and was on his first deployment. His father, Col. Gregory “Scott” McConnell, previously was deployed to Iraq.

In addition to his wife, father and sister, McConnell is survived by his mother and three other sisters.

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

09/14/2026

Today we honor Army Sgt. Jennifer M. Hartman who died on this day in 2006 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom. We will never forget you, sister.

Hartman 21, of New Ringgold, Pa.; assigned to 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Sept. 14 of injuries sustained when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated in the vicinity of a West Baghdad Substation where she was located. Also killed were Sgt. Aaron A. Smith and Cpl. Marcus A. Cain.

09/13/2026

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

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt-carl.../356976

Crit, short for Critter, was the name Sgt. Carl Thomas’ Aunt Diann gave him when he was a baby because he looked so tiny. Everyone knew him as Crit. He grew up skinny and scrawny and shy, a Boy Scout and a computer geek.

The name stuck, even after he joined the Army in 1996 and filled out, became more assertive. He became an infantry motorman and was deployed in Panama, South Korea, and Kosovo. The family lived in Germany and in Texas. He rarely was home for more than six months at a time. His three children were accustomed to his absence. They did not know any different.

He was 29 when a bomb exploded near his observation post in Baghdad Sept. 13, 2004.

Before he left for Iraq, Thomas made his wife Lanae watch the movie “We Were Soldiers,” about the soldiers who fought on both sides of an early battle of the Vietnam War. He wanted to prepare her for the worst; if he died, he told her, he wanted to be buried next to his grandfather in Michigan, where he was born.

Are you scared to go?, Lanae asked.

No, he said. This is what I trained for.

He was not born to the Army like some soldiers. He was able and proud, but it was more of a means to an end. He liked that it allowed him to spoil his children, Dariaun, 11, Nataisha, 10, and Rayqwaun, 6, to buy them the latest toys, even ones they were too young to play with. So every three years, he considered the options and re-enlisted.

When he was in Iraq, he called Lanae on a mobile phone in the middle of every night and sent instant messages every morning.

“I’m fine. You guys don’t watch the news,” he often wrote.

She was waiting by her computer the morning the two officers came by and knocked on her door. She did not cry. She did not let them see her break down. “Suck up and drive on,” she heard Crit say in her head.

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

09/12/2026

Today we honor Navy Senior Chief Special Warfare operator John W. Marcum who was KIA on this day in 2008. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/navy-senior.../3724983

John Wayne Marcum was destined to go into the military, according to one of his high school administrators. The two had many conversations about his chosen career path.

“He wanted to have some active role in some branch of the military,” said Archie Bailey. “I believe it offered something that met his needs. He was a patriot.”

Marcum, 34, of Flushing, Mich., died Sept. 12 after being shot in battle. He was temporarily forward deployed from his assignment at Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

Marcum was “the kind of kid that could light up your day,” said Bailey, now Genesee County commissioner. “What a loss. He was a wonderful, wonderful kid.”

His military career included multiple combat deployments in support of joint U.S. Army and NATO operations, according to a statement from the military. His long list of awards includes four Bronze Stars with combat “V.”

Family friend Martha Wellisley said she knew Marcum all his life. “Everybody’s just heartbroken,” she said. “He had a real good personality.”

Marcum’s survivors include his wife Cynthia and a daughter, Madison.

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

09/11/2026

Today we honor Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Slebodnik of Gibsonia, PA who was KIA on this day in 2008. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-chief.../3736457

Michael Slebodnik was a loving father and a voracious eater, but first and foremost he was a soldier.

“He’s been in almost 22 years, and he could have easily gotten out,” said his wife, Tanja. “He never chose that option. It’s like a complete mission — you don’t leave until your mission is complete.”

Slebodnik, 39, of Gibsonia, Pa., died Sept. 11 after the aircraft he was piloting received enemy fire near Forward Operating Base Nagil. He was a 1987 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Campbell.

He was a talented artist and a math whiz. He was fascinated by the Civil War and battle strategy and developed a strong bond with his grandfather, who served in World War II. He planned to attend college and become a teacher.

He had served five tours in Iraq since 2003 and was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. “He loved the military. He wanted to fly. He loved being a soldier,” said his mother, Patricia Slebodnik.

“He died on 9/11 — so appropriate.”

He also is survived by four children and two stepsons: Jake, Ginger, Spencer, Ben, Dylan and Michie.

09/10/2026

Today we honor Army Cpl. Alexander Jordan who was KIA on this day in 2006. We will never forget you, brother.

The following is from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15711361/alexander-jordan

Cpl. Alexander Jordan attended Cibola High School and attended the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. Before joining the Army, he worked at a machine shop in New Mexico for several years after high school. He moved back to Miami-Dade and applied to work as a firefighter and police officer before turning to the Army. Jordan enjoyed hunting and the outdoors, but above all lived to help others. He joined the Army in September 2003 and was married in April He would stop in dangerous parts of Baghdad to talk to children on the street. He wanted to have a house full of kids. Alexander was an only child. He was 31.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com

09/09/2026

Today we honor Marine Cpl. Travis M. Woods who was KIA on this day in 2007. We will never forget you, brother.

In a call to his mother last week, Marine Cpl. Travis Woods said he would be coming home soon from Afghanistan.

“He said, ‘Mom, we have a little more work to do,’ ” said his mother, Stacey Woods.

Instead, three Marines knocked on her door over the weekend to tell her that her son had died. He was 21.

Woods, who had already completed a tour of duty in Iraq before he went to Afghanistan, was killed Sept. 9 while fighting in Helmand province, according to the Department of Defense. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton.

Family and friends remembered Travis Woods’ love of extreme sports. His mother said he mastered BMX bikes, surfing and snowboarding.

Woods’ MySpace page features pictures of him soaring through the air and turning somersaults on his bike and board.

“He was funny and fun and always kind of a risk-taker,” said his friend, Aislinn Anderson, 21. “But after high school, he turned into this real man.”

Woods enlisted in the Marines while he was still attending Foothill High School.

He is survived by his mother and his father, Paul, as well as a sister, Tessa, 18, and a brother, Jake, 14.

The following is from https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-cpl.../3033929

Source: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com

Senator Doug Mastriano Veteran Page

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