1st Lt Joel Christopher Gentz

From: Grass Lake, Michigan
Age: 25
Unit: 58th Rescue Squadron, 563rd Rescue Group, 23rd Wing
Died: June 9, 2010

1^st Lt Joel Christopher Gentz

Fatal incident occurred in Helmand province , Afghanistan
One of four airmen killed when their HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter was shot down near Forward Operating Base Jackson in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 9, 2010

Joel was a pretty incredible man. He went through some of the hardest training in the service to get to were he was at. he also was arranging for the children of the area to get gifts from the soldiers. He was known more as a peace maker not a fighter. His helicopter went down and he was killed. In developing the story for the book to be shown at the showing of the pictures I have come to have a large appreciation for whom this man was.

Spc. DeAngelo Barnell Snow

From: Saginaw, Michigan
Age: 22
Unit: Company D, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
Died: September 17, 2010

Spc. DeAngelo Barnell Snow

Fatal incident occurred in Kandahar province, Afghanistan Died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with a rocket-propelled grenade in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on September 17, 2010 DeAngelo was an interesting young man who came up to manhood with many tragedies. He joined the army to better himself and get out of the old neighborhood. It makes me feel very sad to know the only way he made it out was through death. competition I am working on my stress levels and am looking forward to painting a few flowers in the near future. I am working on a small book with the pictures and stories of these men to display with there pictures. I do not know were the Legacy prize people will be this year as the Civic Theater is only doing outdoor displays this year. We will have to see.

Spc Joseph Dennis Johnson

From: Flint, Michigan
Age: 24
Unit: 161st Engineer Support Company, 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade
Died: June 16, 2010

Spc Joseph Dennis Johnson

Fatal incident occurred in Kunduz, Afghanistan
One of two soldiers killed when insurgents attacked their unit with a roadside bomb at North Kunduz, Afghanistan, on June 16, 2010.

I am finding that I am drained and feeling pressure over these pictures. It is sinking in my soul. I think about theses men and their families and feel the loss of them in the universe. The young men who had children are especially on my mind.

There is now a whole in the universe and in the hearts of those that loved them.

senior airman James Arthur Hansen

From: Athens, Michigan Age: 25 Unit: 46th Operations Support Squadron, 46th Operations Group, 46th Test Wing Died: September 15, 2010 senior airman James Arthur Hansen

Fatal incident occurred in Balad, Iraq Died of wounds suffered during a controlled detonation at Joint Base Balad in Balad, Iraq, on September 15, 2010 I continue to work hard to finish the paintings for the Legacy Contest. There will be 17 in all when I am done. I put in the application for the Contest today. Art prize is now open to artist registration. Everything feels rushed and uncomfortable. I will try to just focus on what my original goal is and that is to honor these young men for the sacrifice they made for both you and me.

Cpl. Jeffrey R. Standfest

From: St. Clair, Michigan Age: 23 Unit: Company A, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force Died: June 16, 2010 Cpl. Jeffrey R. Standfest

Fatal incident occurred in Helmand province , Afghanistan Died of wounds sustained when a roadside bomb detonated during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 16, 2010 well I finally got permission for all the young men to paint their pictures. I am finding that I now watch the military channel and follow the war more closely. I am being sensitize through knowledge. I came out in the top ten in the Art Clash contest. Not bad for an outsider.

Spc Bradley David Rappuhn.

From: Lowell, Michigan Age: 23 Unit: 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Died: January 13, 2010 Sgt. Lucas Tyler Beachnaw

Fatal incident occurred in Darya Ya, Afghanistan Died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire in Darya Ya, Afghanistan, on January 13, 2010 This was the first MICHIGAN Soldier killed in Afghanistan in 2010. RIP

Pfc Shane Michael Reifert

So any feedback. This is a long and tedious process. I am learning a lot about each young man and how he lived and died.

From: Cottrellville, Michigan Age: 23 Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Died: November 6, 2010 Pfc Shane Michael Reifert

Fatal incident occurred in Kunar province, Afghanistan Died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Kunar province, Afghanistan, on November 6, 201 Gone but not forgotten. So any feedback. This is a long and tedious process. I am learning a lot about each young man and how he lived and died.