The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
48°F
Current Conditions
Clear sky
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Faces of the Fallen

The Inland Northwest has a strong military tradition. For generations it has sent its sons – and now too, its daughters – into harm's way when the nation is at war, knowing that not all will come back. The men and women in this slide show are part of a national toll of some 1,084 military personnel who have died in Afghanistan since the fall of 2001 and 4,400 who have died in the Iraq war since March 2003. Mouse over the photos for names, hometowns, branch of service and dates of death.

Section:Gallery

Share on Social Media

Related Content

News >  Spokane

Faces of the fallen

The war on terror reached a critical milestone this year with the daring commando raid that killed 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden. America and, indeed, much of the world cheered. But thousands of U.S. servicemen and women have given their lives along the way, and those costs have continued even as combat operations in Iraq wind down and the “surge” in Afghanistan wanes.
News >  Spokane

Faces of the Fallen

When a nation sends its sons and daughters to war, the people at home hope and pray they return safely. But we also know that’s not always the case, and promise to honor the memories of those who don’t make it home. This year, as the nation mourns its fallen on Memorial Day, the Inland Northwest has two more servicemen to honor. Chief Warrant Officer Niall D. Lyons, of Spokane, a 40-year-old Army helicopter pilot who’d previously served in Iraq, was killed in a crash in Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan, in October. Sgt. Abe M. Kaschmitter, of Davenport, was killed by a virus just days before his 24th birthday as his Marine unit left for what was to be his second tour in Iraq.
News >  Spokane

Fitting farewells

When Beth Ann Daigre’s husband was laid to rest in 2002, a Navy officer presented her with the nation’s flag and spoke to her in hushed tones. “On behalf of the president of the United States and the chief of naval operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s service to this country and a grateful Navy.”
News >  Spokane

3,500 flags will fly in Spokane cemeteries in honor of those who served

Each of the 2,240 flags raised in Fairmount Memorial Park is meticulously plotted in the same location each year so families can pay tribute to the veterans they’ve lost. The flags were displayed with the caskets at the veterans’ funerals. Since 1970, families have donated them for display in one of four cemeteries in Spokane. Between Greenwood Memorial Terrace, Riverside Memorial Park, Spokane Memorial Gardens and Fairmount, about 3,500 flags will fly this year for Memorial Day on Monday. Each flag bears the name of the veteran and a number to track it.
News >  Spokane

Faces of the fallen

The Inland Northwest has a strong military tradition. For generations it has sent its sons and daughters into harm’s way when the nation is at war, knowing that not all will come back. In the year that has passed since last Memorial Day, the Inland Northwest lost three men who had called the area home for all or part of their lives. Army Spc. Carlo E. Alfonso, killed in August by an improvised bomb in Iraq. Army Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin H. Todd, killed in January in a helicopter collision in Iraq. Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Davis, killed in March by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan.

Recent Galleries