Past Honorees Archives - Finish The Mission

Army Pfc. Nicholas H. Blodgett

August 18, 2023/in Honorees, Past Honorees, Uncategorized /by bjohnson

2022 Freedom Cruise Fallen Soldier Honoree

Army Pfc. Nicholas H. Blodgett
United States Army
Died July 21, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

Nicholas H. Blodgett, 21, of Wyoming, Mich.; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, Schweinfurt, Germany; killed July 21 when his patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in Abdalluyah, Iraq.

When the deli where Nicholas Blodgett worked went out of business, he looked for a job in security. “But they wanted people with military experience,” said Paula Blodgett, his step-grandmother. “He’d always wanted to either be in the military or a cop, so he joined the Army.” Blodgett, 21, of Wyoming, Mich., was killed July 21 in Abdalluyah, Iraq, when his patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Six other soldiers were injured in the blast. Blodgett was a quiet leader at his high school, playing in the school band and taking tae kwon do lessons with his parents, Rita and Robert Blodgett Jr., and his brother, Matthew, 20. “What I remember about him is that he returned the year after graduation to help out with the color guard,” said school principal Steve Passinault. “He wanted to find a way to stay involved.” Blodgett, who was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany, had been home for a visit in November and was excited about going overseas. His family had been looking forward to another visit in August.

— Associated Press

Sergeant First Class Richard J. Herrema

August 29, 2022/in Honorees, Past Honorees /by bjohnson

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.

Sergeant Chad J. Vollmer

June 18, 2021/in Honorees, Past Honorees /by Finish The Mission

2019 Freedom Cruise Fallen Soldier Honoree
Sergeant Chad J. Vollmer
United States Army
JANUARY 22, 1982 – DECEMBER 23, 2006

Chad Vollmer was born January 22, 1982, in Grand Rapids and graduated from Central High School.

He entered the Army National Guard between his junior and senior year in high school and served with 1^st Battalion, 125^th Infantry Regiment, first in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt and later in Iraq.

Chad was killed December 23, 2006 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Salman Pak, Iraq. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.

He is survived by his parents, Sandi and Terry Vollmer, and his sister, Heather.

Corporal Nicholas R. Roush

May 18, 2021/in Honorees, Past Honorees /by Finish The Mission

2018 Freedom Cruise Fallen Soldier Honoree
Corporal Nicholas R. Roush
United States Army
JANUARY 19, 1987 – AUGUST 16, 2009

Nick Roush (“Nicky,” as he was known to his family) was born January 19, 1987, in Middleville, graduated from Thornapple-Kellogg High School, and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

He enlisted in the Army in 2007 and was assigned to 1^st Psychological Operations Battalion, 4^th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.

While conducting combat operations in Herat, Afghanistan, on August 16, 2009, Nick died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle in which he was riding.

He is survived by his parents, Robert and Donna Roush, and brothers Bobby and Kyle.

Marine Gunnery Sergeant Daniel J. Price

April 18, 2021/in Honorees, Past Honorees /by Finish The Mission

2017 Freedom Cruise Fallen Soldier Honoree
Gunnery Sergeant Daniel J. Price
United States Marine Corps
JUNE 8, 1985 – JULY 29, 2012

Dan Price was born June 8, 1985, in Holland and was homeschooled, graduating in 2003.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003 and was initially assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. In 2008, he was selected for the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) and was assigned to 1^st Marine Special Operations Battalion.

Dan was killed in action July 29, 2012, while conducting combat operations in Badghis Province, Afghanistan. He was serving on his third tour in Afghanistan and had previously completed three tours in Iraq.

He is survived by his wife Rachel, his parents Karl and Ruth Price, his brother Nathan and sister Rebecca.

Marine Corporal Ross A. Smith

March 18, 2021/in Honorees, Past Honorees /by Finish The Mission

2016 Freedom Cruise Fallen Soldier Honoree
Corporal Ross A. Smith
United States Marine Corps
MARCH 4, 1984 – FEBRUARY 9, 2006

Ross Smith was born March 4, 1984, in Wyoming and graduated from Wyoming Park High School.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002, during his senior year, and was assigned to 3^rd Battalion, 5^th Marine Regiment.

While conducting combat operations near Fallujah, Iraq, on February 9, 2006, Ross was killed instantly by an improvised explosive device. He was serving on his third tour in Iraq and was only months away from completing his four-year obligation to the Armed Forces.

He is survived by his parents, Susan and Mark Smith, and two brothers, Lucas and Matt.

Navy Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) David J. Warsen

February 18, 2021/in Honorees, Past Honorees /by Finish The Mission

2015 Freedom Cruise Fallen Soldier Honoree
Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) David J. Warsen
United States Navy
JULY 1, 1985 – AUGUST 16, 2012

David Warsen was born July 1, 1985, in Grand Rapids. He graduated from East Kentwood High School and attended Davenport University and Aquinas College.

He entered the Navy in 2009 and completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School in 2010 and qualified as a Navy SEAL. He was then assigned to a West Coast-based SEAL team and deployed the following year to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

David died August 16, 2012, when his Black Hawk helicopter was shot down during a firefight with insurgents in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. He was posthumously promoted to Petty Officer First Class.

He is survived by his parents, Patty (Greg) Vroon-Frank and David (Stephanie) Warsen, his fiancée Karlyn Deveau, and brothers, Aaron, Kyle, and Ryan Warsen, and Sam Frank.

Army Specialist Brandon L. Stout

January 18, 2021/in Honorees, Past Honorees /by Finish The Mission

2014 Freedom Cruise Fallen Soldier Honoree
Specialist Brandon L. Stout
United States Army
DECEMBER 7, 1983 – JANUARY 22, 2007

Brandon Stout was born December 7, 1983, in Kent City, graduated from Kent City High School, and attended Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing.

He entered the Army National Guard in 2003 and served with the 46^th Military Police Company, 210^th Military Police Battalion.

Brandon died January 22, 2007, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq. He died two weeks before his tour in Iraq was to have ended.

He is survived by his wife Audrey, his parents, Tracy and Jeff Anderson, and Bill and Tammy Stout, and by his siblings: Adam Stout, Andrew, Elizabeth, Stephanie and Kristina Anderson, Callie and David McGee (Devin), and Stephanie Stout.