2021 Freedom Cruise Fallen Soldier Honoree
Sergeant First Class Richard J. Herrema
United States Army
March 28, 1979 – April 25, 2006

Rick Herrema was born March 28, 1979, in Grand Rapids and graduated from Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville.

He enlisted in the Army in 1999 and served with the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault).  Rick graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in June 2003 and earned the right to wear the Green Beret.  He was then assigned as an instructor with the 1^st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC. Rick’s last assignment was as a team member assigned to the US Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg.

Rick was killed during combat operations on April 25, 2006, in Iraq. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class.

He is survived by his parents, Richard and Mary Herrema, and his sisters, Kate and Janie.