Monroe County War on Terror Memorial
Army
CW3 Eric A. Smith
4-2-2003 Iraq - Brighton
SGT. Heath A. McMillin
7-27-2003 Iraq - Clifton Springs
SPC. Michael S. Weger
10-12-2004 Iraq - Rochester
SPC. Matthew A. Koch
3-9-2005 Iraq - Spencerport
SPC. Anthony S. Cometa
6-16-2005 Iraq - Greece
SPC. Jason Hasenauer
12-28-2005 Afghanistan - Hilton
SPC. Teodoro Torres
5-5-2006 Iraq - Rochester
1LT. James N. Lyons
9-27-2006 Iraq - Webster
SGT. Jonathan E. Lootens
10-15-2006 Iraq - Lyons
SSG. Steve Butcher Jr.
5-23-2007 Iraq - Penfield
CPL. Kevin S. Mowl
2-25-2008 Iraq - Pittsford
SSG. Nekl B. Allen
9-12-2009 Afghanistan - Spencerport
PFC. Daniel J. Rivera
10-18-2009 Afghanistan - Victor
SSG. Dennis J. Hansen
12-5-2009 Afghanistan - Ohio
SPC. Jason M. Johnston
12-26-2009 Afghanistan - Albion
While serving in an explorers program at the volunteer fire department in Albion, N.Y., Jason Johnston earned a reputation as hardworking and responsible.
That reputation followed him when he joined the Army in 2006.
“Johnston was the type of guy that did the job with little complaint, comment or fanfare — but always did the job well,” said the soldier’s commander, Capt. Adam Armstrong.
Johnston’s second deployment to Afghanistan was delayed, but the infantry paratrooper was eager to rejoin his unit.
“He fought to get over here with us this time just so he could fight for his country again and to be with his brother in arms,” friend and fellow soldier Spc. Joshua Leeson wrote from Afghanistan.
Johnston, 24, died Dec. 26 in Arghandab after his unit was bombed. He was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C.
Johnston attended Albion High School but didn’t graduate. He earned his GED before joining the Army.
“Jason always wanted to be in the military,” his family said in a statement. “He said he felt a strong sense of duty to serve. He had been planning to apply to Syracuse University after his term in the Army.”
He leaves behind his parents, Bradley and Jeanine Johnston.
SPC. Kyle J. Wright
1-13-2010 Afghanistan - Romeoville, Ill.
SGT. Devin Snyder
6-4-2011 Afghanistan - Cohocton
CPT. Bruce Clark
5-1-2012 Afghanistan - Spencerport
SPC. Theodore M. Glende
7-27-2012 Afghanistan - Rochester
SFC. Daniel T. Metcalfe
9-29-2012 Afghanistan - Canandaigua
SSG. Nicholas J. Reid
12-13-2012 Afghanistan - Brockport
Marines
LCPL. John McCall
10-23-1983 Lebanon - Rochester
SSGT. Alexander M. Ortega
10-23-1983 Lebanon - Henrietta
PFC. Craig S. Stockton
10-23-1983 Lebanon - Churchville
LCPL. Brian K. Schramm
10-15-2004 Iraq - Greece
Capt. Philip J. Dykeman
6-26-2008 Iraq - Bernhards Bay
CPL. Reynold Armand
8-27-2007 Iraq - Irondequoit
LCPL. Zachary D. Smith
1-24-2010 Afghanistan - Hornell
Zachary Dylan Smith…..A True Hero
Zachary Dylan Smith was born on April 2, 1990, and was a beautiful addition to our family. Throughout the years, we quickly learned that Zach was a very special little boy. He always had a beautiful smile and brought joy to everyone. He always played well with his older brother Nate and eventually was a big brother to his sister, Grace who was born nine years later. We had the perfect family and the perfect life.
Zach played youth league sports and was involved in many activities throughout his younger years. Once he was in High School, his favorites were football and golf. He played with enthusiasm, was very devoted to his team, was a very hard worker, and he also had fun. These attributes made for a great life for Zach and all who came in contact with him. This is how he lived his life in everything he chose to do.
Zach was always a hard worker, loved people, and cared to make a difference in this crazy world. At the age of 16, Zach worked at our local grocery store, Wegmans, and was always helping people. At times, I would walk in the store to find a baby in Zach’s arms as the mother was trying to write a check. There was also a time that an elderly lady forgot her checkbook, so Zach paid for her groceries with his debit card. From his co-workers and shoppers, I have heard so many stories of how friendly and caring Zach always was and how they miss him in the store.
Zach accomplished a lot in his short 19 years, and he did it right. He always treated people with respect; he cared for people of all ages and, he made everyone feel that he had genuine interest in them. Zach made friends with all types of people. When Zach was in school, he would go to the Resource Room and always bring a smile to the kids in there. Zach struggled in his academics, but always had a positive attitude and got the job done. He never complained about going, just did what had to be done. Zach graduated from Hornell High School in 2008 with many friends and teachers that were really going to miss that beautiful smile he had everyday.
Eleven days after graduation, Zach left for the United States Marine Corp. boot camp training in Parris Island, South Carolina. This entailed being away from his family and friends for three months with only communicating through letters. A United States Marine was a title Zach wanted since he was 13years old. Zach trained his senior year of high school by going to monthly Marine functions in the area, running with a weighted vest, exercising and also studying everything he could get his hands on about the Marine Corps.
Zach graduated from USMC boot camp in October 2008 and then entered his infantry specialty training for 2 months at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. A “grunt” in the infantry unit, Zach was stationed in Jacksonville, North Carolina at Camp Lejeune for his 4-year term. Over the years, Zach went many places to train, as he would be deployed in December of 2009.
In July of 2009, Zach married his high-school sweetheart and best friend Anne Deebs. Zach was very lucky to meet the perfect person that would allow him to fulfill his dream of being a Marine. Zach and Anne had everything going for them. While Zach was deployed, Anne was attending Alfred State College and planned eventually to join Zach in Camp Lejeune and set up base housing for when his tour ended in Afghanistan in July.
On December 17, 2009, Zach was deployed to Afghanistan for a 7-9 month tour. Zach had specialty training for being the medic for his unit; he was also a point man with the title of an expert rifleman. Zach took his Marine role very seriously as a grunt. We have had many stories from Zach’s comrades in the Marines, and they all are conveying to us that even when there were the darkest of moments, Zach tried to get everyone to feel at ease and comfortable. Being so far away from home, it was nice that they had Zach to lighten the moment with a laugh or two.
On January 24, 2010, our perfect life fell apart. While on foot patrol, Zach’s unit became involved in a firefight with the enemy. Zach was providing cover for another unit when he stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) and was subsequently killed.
We will never forget Zach and all the great times our family shared together. We will never be the same as we are missing an important part of our family. We know Zach is with us all the time and continues to put smiles on our faces as we reminisce of days gone by.
Zach truly is a hero. He lived his life the right way, helping those in need or bringing them a smile or a bit of happiness from his infectious personality. While living his childhood dream of being a United States Marine and serving his country, he made the ultimate sacrifice – giving his life to protect his brother Marines. We are grateful to and extremely proud of him.
We also hold in our hearts that one day we will all be together again.
Our family would also like to thank every Veteran for their service.
Always in our hearts##
SSGT. Javier O. Ortiz-Rivera
11-16-2010 Afghanistan - Rochester
Navy
PO3 Benjamin Johnson
Date: 11-18-2001 Kuwait - Rochester
PO1 Michael Pernaselli
Date: 4-24-2004 Iraq - Brighton
LT. Christopher E. Mosko
Date: 4-26-2012 Afghanistan - Pittsford
Air Force
TSGT Timothy R. Weiner
Date: 1-7-2007 Iraq - Rochester
SSGT. Alexandria M. Morrow
Date: 3-22-2017 Jordan - Dansville