Fallen Hoosier Heroes Memorial for Enduring Freedom

A U.S. Marine from Indiana was killed in action in Afghanistan.

Marine Sgt. John Rankel, 23, was killed in a firefight Monday, one of the deadliest days for American servicemen this year in Afghanistan. He was a 2005 graduate of Speedway High School. He also attended middle school and grade school in Center Grove.

Tuesday, the American and Marine Corps flags few at half staff at his home. Other flags and yellow ribbons in his Speedway neighborhood are testaments to the feelings of loyalty and loss.

"It takes the wind right out of your sails. It tears at your gut," said neighbor Dave Crumley.

Friends describe Sgt. Rankel as an all-American kid, playing football baseball and basketball at Speedway High School. His former coach remembers a young man intent on serving others.

"I remember when he made the decision to go into the Marines his senior year. That was a commitment he wanted to make to serve others. There was no other way for him," said Chuck Bennett.

Friends say Rankel re-enlisted. Several are expressing their grief on Facebook.

"A little part of me died with a fallen brother," wrote Paul Brownsberger.

"You were an amazing friend and such a good uncle to Harley," wrote Nicole Marie Solowynski.

"Thanks to Johnny Rankel and all who bravely serve our country," added Annie English.

It is believed the Marine is Speedway's first war casualty since the Vietnam War. His death brings home the reality of an ongoing war half a world away.

"I think a lot of people forgot that everything is still going on in Afghanistan. There is definitely a reality check. There is a lot going on in Afghanistan," said neighbor Patrick Avenatti.

The City of Speedway says it is preparing a memorial service for Sgt. Rankel. His family is in Dover, Delaware to meet their son when he returns. Sgt. Rankel's family says funeral services will likely take place in 10-12 days.

Statement from Sgt. Rankel's family

"The parents and other family members of Marine Sgt. John Rankel truly appreciate the prayers, care, concern and love their friends and others in the community have shown them since learning of John's death.

"The Marine Corps has been at the family's side since yesterday morning when they were informed. They have many issues and details to work through, including the process of making arrangements to Honor and Celebrate their Heroic Son.

"John Rankel enlisted in the Marine Corp in 2005 after graduating from Speedway High School. He had two previous tours in Iraq. Yesterday morning June 7, 2010, John was struck in the chest by enemy fire. Within minutes, he was immediately taken to a Medical Center, but as we all know now, John did not survive the wounds.

"John was a great young man. As a boy, he played many sports, coached and mentored youth, and much more. Since joining the Marine Corps, John continued in his outreach to youth. Since high school, he visited and spoke in history classrooms in Speedway Schools.

"Again, John's parents and brothers Trisha (mother), Don (stepfather) and Nathan (brother) Stockhoff, and Kevin (father), Kim (stepmother) and Tyler (brother) truly appreciate your prayers, care and concern for them and their Marine."

Author: Rich Van Wyk  Site Source: http://www.wthr.com

1st Lt. Brandon Barrett, 27, died May 5, 2010, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was reportedly killed by small arms gunfire.

"This is so hard. I was in shock just like everybody else and very, very sad. He always had a smile on his face and it's hard not to see him anymore," said friend Lee Contreras.

He graduated Marion High School in 2001 and was a star athlete. Friends say Brandon was popular and stood out on the football and baseball fields.

"He never backed down from anything. There was nothing that Brandon couldn't do. There was no challenge that he couldn't overcome. He took on everything that you put in front of him. He was just such a great guy," said Contreras.

Brandon graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2006, but his friends at home in Marion said he held his Indiana roots dear.

"He was who you wanted to be like. He respected people, people respected him. He was just a go-getter," said Contreras.

Friends said the Marine loved his country, fighting for it, and never took his freedom for granted.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Jeremy McQueary, 27, was the son of Deborah Kleinschmidt and the late Dallas McQueary and the brother of Rebecca Willison. He was married to Rae McQueary, of Brown County, and had a 5-month-old son, Hadley. McQueary's mother and stepfather, David Kleinschmidt, were traveling Friday to Dover, Del., for a dignified transfer ceremony for McQueary's body. Funeral arrangements were not available Friday. "I'm numb," said a tearful Deborah Kleinschmidt.

David Kleinschmidt said the family had limited information about McQueary's death.  He said McQueary was outside of his vehicle when he was hit by an improvised explosive device.

The last time McQueary spoke to his mother and stepfather, he told them he was serving in the Helmand Province, in south-central Afghanistan. "Jeremy has been a good kid, and he was always straight and level," Deborah Kleinschmidt said. "He was kind of a private person, and he didn't talk about the military too much." Helmand Province includes the town of Marja, the site of recent fierce fighting between U.S. and Taliban forces. Information from the U.S. Department of Defense was unavailable Friday night.

McQueary, whose unit was based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., was serving his first tour in Afghanistan. He previously had served two tours in Iraq, his family said. He enlisted with the Marines in January 2002, following his early graduation from Columbus East High School. Deborah Kleinschmidt said the family has a strong heritage of military veterans, and her son always expressed an interest in becoming a Marine.  Rebecca Willison said her brother felt a strong desire to help people, inspired by his father's work as a Bartholomew County Sheriff's reserve deputy.

The death of McQueary's father in 1992, when McQueary was 9, amplified his desire to serve others, she said. McQueary considered a new career, including law enforcement, before re-enlisting with the Marines, and he decided to stay in the military because it was the right fit, Willison said. McQueary received a Combat Action Ribbon and other service decorations. The family has been told McQueary will receive a Purple Heart, Willison said.

McQueary survived a roadside bomb in June 2008 when his Humvee was hit in Iraq. He chose to go back to Iraq after the incident. "He's a leader," Willison said. "He always volunteered to help others." She said her brother had a soft spot for children and often talked about working with children in Iraq. Willison recalled Mc-Queary's beaming smile in a photo of him holding his niece. McQueary's young son took after his dad, David Kleinschmidt said. "He looks a lot like him," Kleinschmidt said.