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COLONIE VETERANS MEMORIAL

This page was last updated on 13 July 2010.

I selected a song titled "Angels" for this page. Hope you can hear it.

This page honors the women who have died serving our country while in other areas of the world since Operation Desert Shield in 1990 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991 as well as since the War on Terror began on 11 September 2001. It also includes one woman killed in 1988.

13 Mar 10:

US consular employee Lesley A. Enriquez, 35, and her husband, Arthur H. Redelfs, 34, both US citizens were murdered in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico when they were ambushed in their car. The couple along with their child were shot in their vehicle near the Santa Fe International bridge which links Juarez with El Paso, TX. The child was unharmed in the back seat of the car. It is believed they were caught up in the drug gang war that has been going on throughout Mexico lately.

This particular sunny day at the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood, TX an Army psychologist opened fire on fellow soldiers who were in the building either in or out processing to or from their deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan. He killed twelve soldiers, one civilian and wounded thirty others including the civilian police officer who shot him thus ending the slaughter. Of the fatalities there were three women--

USA SPC Francheska Velez, 21, of Chicago, IL died at Ft Hood from wounds inflicted by gunman. She had just returned stateside from Iraq upon learning she was pregnant. She was in the ROTC while in Kelvyn Park High School where she graduated in 2006. She played softball and formed a dance troupe called Innercity Rhythms. Velez also performed with a group of clowns who entertained at birthday parties. Francheska enlisted in January 2007 and spent her first year serving in South Korea. She recently re-upped for another three years and had been in Iraq for about 10 months.

USAR SGT Amy Krueger, 29, of Kiel, WI died at Ft Hood from wounds inflicted by gunman. She had enlisted in the Army Reserve following 9/11 and was assigned to the 467th Medical Detachment in Madison. She had been at Ft Hood 2 days and was suppose to deploy to Afghanistan in December. She graduated from Kiel High School in 1998 where she had been active in volleyball, basketball, softball and swimming. She had already been n Afghanistan in 2003. In October Amy went to CA for training but got a military type tattoo before leaving WI. She had worked various jobs, earned an associate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan and was a full-time student majoring in psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Survived by mother Jeri Krueger, sister Jessica and others. A Scholarship honoring Amy has been set up.

USA LTC Juanita (Rightweiser) Warman, 55, originally from Pittsburgh, PA but residing in Havre De Grace, MD died at Ft Hood from wounds inflicted by gunman. She was a physician’s assistant who attended Pittsburgh Langley High School and the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a master’s degree in nursing. She had been a certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, previously worked in the UPMC hospital system, had a civilian practice at UPMC, and was an expert in post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. She and her husband moved to Maryland in 2005 where Juanita accepted a job at a Veterans Administration facility in Perryville. She had volunteered and was about to deploy to Iraq. She had undergone training in California in preparation for her mission and was due for more training at Fort Hood. She had been at Fort Hood for only 24 hours and not due to leave until the end of November. Juanita had served a year at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. She regularly volunteered for round-trip flights to Iraq to care for soldiers being sent to Landstuhl. She received an Army Commendation Medal in 2006 for meritorious service at Landstuhl. In all her military career spanned 25 years on active duty and with the Army Reserve. LTC Warman is survived by her husband Philip, two daughters, three stepchildren and eight grandchildren, her mother Eva Waddle and six siblings. The family expects she will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

USCG AET2 Monica L Beacham, 29, from Decaturville, TN apparently died along with eight other military people when the C-130 plane she was riding in was in a collision with a Marine AH-1 Cobra helicopter. The accident occurred over the Pacific Ocean off southern California near San Clemente Island. Monica was a Aviation Electronics Technician qualified C-130 Radioman, Navigator Trainee. She was married with two children.

USAF SrAirman Jessica Tarver, 24, from the Pensacola, FL area died at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, TX from a rare disease she contracted while on one of her two tours in Iraq. It is believed Jessica got Still’s Disease while in Iraq in 2006. It’s a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis that is characterized by high spiking fevers, rashes, arthritis and affects the immune system. The disease led Jessica to having both of her legs amputated in July 2008. More recently her kidneys began failing and she died shortly thereafter. She had graduated from Woodham High School in Pensacola in 2002 and enlisted in the Air Force. She was laid to rest in Resthaven Gardens Cemetery. Jessica is survived by her mother Sharon Washington Kidd, her father Gerry Tarver of Tulsa, OK, three brothers, two sisters and many other relatives and friends.

USN FN Amber L Winbourne, 23, of Fort Valley near Warner Robins, GA died onboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt from sudden cardiac arrest though the actual cause of it is unknown. The ship was in the English Channel at the time enroute to Portsmouth, England when she collapsed at her work area. Although there were two other sailor’s nearby and she was taken to the ship’s medical facility the lifesaving efforts were in vain. The carrier and elements of its Strike Group have been deployed in the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility providing air-support to ground forces in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, according to the Navy. In late March, the carrier went through the Suez Canal as she began the trip home to Norfolk. Amber was an electrician’s mate fireman and her rank was E-3. She joined the Navy in April 2006 and had been serving on the carrier since November. Amber was a Houston County High School graduate. Her remains will be transferred from the Roosevelt and delivered to Dover, DE. She is survived by her mother Michelle Hollis, step-father, brother, husband and an 18-month-old son.

USA PFC Ashley C Barnes-Lambert, 18, from Mobile, AL was murdered by her husband while she was home on leave from duty in Afghanistan. She had enlisted in September 2007, trained as an automated logistical specialist, assigned to the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 159th Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and deployed to Afghanistan in December 2008. She is survived by her mother Michelle Borsarge of Mobile, AL and her father Duwayne Barnes of Pace, FL.

CIVILIAN Susan El-Baneh, 18, from Lackawanna, NY died as a result of a terrorist bombing on the US Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen. Susan, accompanied by her younger brother and mother, had gone to Yemen in August for an arranged marriage. She died while holding hands with her husband of three weeks. They were in the Embassy’s waiting area to find out how to bring her new husband back to the US. Susan was a senior at Lackawanna High School and planned to return home to finish school before going to nursing school. She is related to Yemeni-American Jaber El-Baneh, who is on the FBI's most-wanted list, accused of being the seventh member of the Lackawanna Six. The six were convicted for providing material support to al Qaeda. Susan is survived by her mother, father Ali T. Elbaneh, brother Ahmed El-Baneh, and many other family members and friends.

USA SGT Kendale B Carney, 28, was found unresponsive at her mother’s home in Hamlet, NC while she was home on leave from duty in Iraq. Kendale was a food service specialist assigned to the 503rd Maintenance Company, 7th Transportation Battalion, 507th Corps Support Group, 18th Airborne Corps at Ft Bragg, NC. The Army will investigate her death though foul play is not expected. Memorial services will be held both in Iraq as well as at Ft Bragg for the rest of her company.

USA SPC Emily Ort, 24, of Willis, TX was found dead in her sleeping bag at Fort Irwin National Training Center, CA. She had been there about two weeks training for her upcoming deployment in July to Iraq with her unit 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, CO as a human intelligence collector. Found unconscious in her sleeping bag Emily was treated on the scene and taken to Weed Army Community Hospital on post where she was pronounced dead. Emily was born in Dallas and raised in Willis. She graduated from Willis High School in 2002 and enlisted in the Army in November 2003. She became a human intelligence collector assigned to the brigade’s Special Troops Battalion. She re-enlisted in November to continue providing a good life for her 16-month-old son who was born Christmas Eve 2006. She was stationed at Fort Carson and living with her mother and child. In her free time Emily enjoyed painting and drawing pictures. Emily is survived by her son Christopher Wiley, mother Vickey Ort, father Robert Ort II, stepmother Dianne Ort, sister Amanda Vance, brother Dustin Ort, half-sister Desiree Ort, as well as her grandparents and many other relatives and friends. Further investigation conducted by the Fort Irwin CID and the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department Coroner's Division determined that Emily died from an accidental multiple prescription drug toxicity. She had been taking numerous pain medications for injuries she received in a December 2007 traffic accident. She had been relieved of her training duties with an off-work order three days before her death due to vomiting and diarrhea and she had acute bronchopneumonia but that did not contribute to her death.

PAARNG SPC Kirsten Fike, 36, of Warren, PA died while on duty along the Arizona-Mexico border watching for illegal aliens. She had deployed there with her unit the 28th Military Police Co based in Greensburg, PA. She collapsed during a 12-hour mission and was tended to by a combat medic and lifesaver to no avail. She died later in the Yuma Regional Medical Center. Kirsten was a former member of the US Air Force and had joined the National Guard on 12 June. Kirsten is survived by her son Cody and her parents, Arden and Nina Chittick. According to Fike’s ex-husband, Jeffery Fike of Corry, PA she is the mother of three children, a son, Cody 13, a daughter Taylor, 16, and a son Tanner, 19, of Tidioute.

18 Jan 06:

USA SGT Katherine P Singleton, 25, formerly of Pensacola, FL died from non-hostile circumstances “undetermined per certificate of death” and no cause of death is listed on government documents. She was off duty at the time and it appears that she did not die in Iraq though she had been there prior to her death. Katherine had attended Escambia High School and enlisted under the Army’s Delayed Entry Program in 2001. She had received the Good Conduct Medal for service Nov 01-Nov 04 and an Army Commendation Medal for exemplary service during combat operations with the 101st ABN in Iraq Mar 03-May 03. However at the time of her death she was assigned to HHC Training Support Bn, Ft Bragg with an MOS of 15F10. Her father had notified the Pensacola News Journal and local TV stations that she had died but no further information has come out about her. DoD has not published a News Release regarding her death. She is survived by Doryce Blake and Maryon Singleton of Myrtle Grove, FL. She was buried at the Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola. Many questions have arisen about Katherine's death and perhaps The Agonist answers some of them! According to CID reports she died from an overdose of drugs.

12 Oct 00:

The destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) was refueling off-shore near Aden, Yemen when it was attacked by a suicide bomber who approached the ship as if it was a vendor transporting food. Suddenly there was an explosion! The side of the Cole was blown open. There were 17 deaths including two female sailors as well as 39 injured sailors. Here is the info about the two women who died that day and apparently became the first two female sailors to die aboard a ship from a hostile action. Since the Cole was in service during the time frame following Operation Desert Storm and that date is still open as for receiving ribbons for service at that time I have decided to add these two women to this list of serving our country in other areas--

USN CSSN Lakeina Monique Francis, 19, from Woodleaf, NC was a Seaman (E-3) Mess Management Specialist (though she hated to cook and hoped to become a military police officer) serving aboard the USS Cole when she died while cooking lunch. She had only been onboard for two weeks. Born in Philadelphia, PA Lakeina died off-shore near Yemen. She was listed as missing in action for two weeks before her body was found among the wreckage. Lakeina attended schools across the country while her father served in the Navy and graduated from Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, NC. She worked at Sears in Statesville, NC but shortly after her dad retired she enlisted. She posthumously received a Purple Heart and was buried at Salisbury National Cemetery Annex, in Salisbury, NC. She is survived by her parents Ronald and Sandra Francis, and brothers David and James Francis.

USN SN Lakiba Nicole Palmer, 22, from San Diego, CA where she had been born and raised died off-shore near Yemen while serving as a Seaman Apprentice (E-2) aboard the USS Cole. Lakiba graduated in 1996 from San Diego High School where she had been on the track team specializing in sprints and the 400-meter relay. She enlisted in the Navy following graduation with hopes of traveling around the world. On 19 Nov 2004 a 12-story energy efficient state of the art barracks was opened at the San Diego Naval Base and named in her honor as Palmer Hall for sailors E-1 to E-5 to live in while off ship. She is buried at the Mount Hope Cemetery in San Diego. She leaves behind a very young daughter who will never know her mother as well as other family members.

15 Jun 99:

USN PRAN Misty Dawn Warren, 24, of Independence, WI died on her 75th jump when her parachute failed to open properly while on a testing mission over China Lake, CA after jumping from a civilian aircraft. She was a test parachutist of the Navy assigned to China Lake. Her official title was Aircraft Survival Equipment Airman (PRAN) with pay grade E-3. Misty was born 22 December 1974 in Dallas, TX. She grew up in Texas where she attended elementary school in the Lake Travis and Blanco area. She moved to WI where she graduated in 1993 from Independence High School in Independence, WI as an honor student. She had been involved with sports and many other school activities throughout her school years. Misty enlisted in the Navy on 13 January 1998. She attended boot camp at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL and graduated as the Honor Recruit for Division 126. She was presented with the Lone Sailor statue. From Great Lakes she went to Pensacola, FL and began training at Parachute Rigger “A” School in April 1998 where she graduated as Honor Student. Next she attended EOD Parachute Rigging training at Ft Lee, VA. She was then selected for Test Parachutist Candidate. On 11 May 1998 she was designated as a Naval Test Parachutist, the eighth female to have ever achieved this accomplishment. In October 1998 Misty attended Basic Airborne Training School at Fort Benning, GA where she earned her Basic Parachutist Jump Wings. On 16 November 1998 she received her Goldwings designating her as a Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist. Her training included a 25,000 foot high altitude jump. She was then selected by NASA to test equipment fitted for female astronauts and participated in the NASA Space Shuttle Recovery Systems Surveillance Test Program in Houston, TX. Her dream was to enter the space program after her tour of duty in the Navy was complete. She became the eighth female to achieve designation as Naval Test Parachutist. A member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Misty was buried with full military honors. She is survived by her mother Nancy Wilcox of Tomah, WI; her father PJ Warren of Lapanto, AK; stepfather Joel Shaw; brother Cory Shaw; grandmother Jan Carter; and grandfather John Wilcox; as well as many other relatives and close friends. Read more about Misty Dawn Warren as well as other Native American women who served our country bravely.

14 Dec 90:

MOARNG CWO2 Carol L McKinney, 36, a native of St Louis, MO died when a military UH-1 helicopter she was co-piloting crashed in fog near Cleveland, TX while enroute from Fort Leonard Wood, MO to Houston, TX for deployment for Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm. Carol was a member of the 1267th Medical Company out of Jefferson City, MO. She was a graduate of Southwest High School and had worked for Southwestern Bell prior to being deployed with her unit. Carol had joined the Army National Guard in 1979, switched to the Army in 1983 to become a pilot and returned to the Guard in 1989. She is survived by her mother Erma McKinney.

14 Apr 88:

USN RM3 Angela S Santos, 21, from Ocala, FL died when the USO Club in Naples, Italy was bombed by a terrorist. Angela was a petty officer at the time of her death and was assigned as a Radioman to a Navy communications center in Naples. Four other sailors were wounded along with 10 civilians. Since Angela's death VFW Post 4781 in Ocala, FL has been named for her! I'd like to thank Fred O'Hern, Adjutant of Angela S Santos VFW Post 4781, for providing me with this painting from her family that was done of Angela!

Copyright 2004-2010 by Noonie Fortin. All rights reserved.