Post by bayoukid on Dec 13, 2006 0:13:24 GMT -6
Just to let yall know, I will be honoring a friend that died in Kirkuk, Iraq on December the 6th this year with a tribute in my signature. The signature is kinda big but, I will remove it this Saturday when Josh is laid to rest. I would also like to post the memorial here in his honor. May God Bless all our Troops.
Sgt. Joshua Barrett Madden
Local flags flying at half-staff to honor Sgt. Josh Madden
Minden's downtown flag as well as fire department and parish school flags have been lowered to half staff in honor of Sgt. Joshua Barrett Madden, 21, of Minden, who died December 6 while serving in Iraq.
Madden, a 2003 graduate of Minden High School and the son of Jerry and Cindy Madden, was one of 11 soldiers killed last Wednesday in Iraq. He was married to Aimee (Dani) Danielle (Smock) and had one son, Jaxon.
According to military reports, Madden, along with four other Task Force Lightning soldiers, were conducting combat operations in the vicinity of the northern city of Kirkuk. All five died when their Humvee came in contact with a roadside bomb. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
Josh Madden left for his second tour of duty in Iraq on August 4. His son, Jaxon Levi Madden, was born September 1. Madden was granted leave and returned home on November 15 to meet his son. During his stay, he participated in his son's Christening, spent an early Christmas with his wife, Aimee (Dani) Danielle (Smock) Madden and family and visited with friends. He returned to Iraq on Friday, December 1.
Following Madden's death, city officials contacted Gov. Kathleen Blanco regarding the lowering of the city's flag, an act that can only be done with the governor's approval. Blanco issued her approval over the weekend.
Robertson notified Webster Parish School Superintendent Butch Williams on Monday that flags at parish schools could also be lowered. Williams immediately sent notification to all of the schools in the parish.
Flags will continue to fly at half-staff until Sgt. Madden is laid to rest.
According to Jerry Madden, an Army liaison officer visited with the family on Sunday. No date has been set for the return of Josh's remains; however, it is anticipated that his body will be flown in to Dallas, Texas later this week.
When official word is received, the Madden family will travel to Dallas to bring their soldier home. The Webster Parish Sheriff's Office will escort the family to Dallas and back home to Minden.
"We promised him that we would be there to meet him when he came home from Iraq," said Jerry Madden. "We intend to keep that promise. It is the least that we can do."
Funeral arrangements have been tentatively set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 16 at the First Baptist Church sanctuary under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home.
Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery and will include a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.”
A private family viewing is tentatively set from 1 until 2 p.m. with a public viewing from 2 until 9 p.m. on Friday.
The service will be broadcast on KASO Radio.
According to Jerry Madden, a college fund has been established for Josh and Dani Madden's son, Jaxon, at Capital One. Donations may be made at any Capital One bank to the Jaxon Levi Madden College Fund, account number 8074082794.
A scholarship fund has also been established in honor of Josh Madden. The Sgt. Josh Madden Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships to Minden High School students based on honor and character.
"The scholarship will go to deserving, honorable, high-in-character students from the campus of Minden High — Josh's alma mater," said Jerry Madden. "It will not be based on GPA (grade point average), but based on the character of the person, which is how he (Josh) would have wanted it."
Those wishing to donate to the scholarship fund may do so at Richland State Bank, account number 5554535.
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Sgt. Joshua Barrett Madden
Local flags flying at half-staff to honor Sgt. Josh Madden
Minden's downtown flag as well as fire department and parish school flags have been lowered to half staff in honor of Sgt. Joshua Barrett Madden, 21, of Minden, who died December 6 while serving in Iraq.
Madden, a 2003 graduate of Minden High School and the son of Jerry and Cindy Madden, was one of 11 soldiers killed last Wednesday in Iraq. He was married to Aimee (Dani) Danielle (Smock) and had one son, Jaxon.
According to military reports, Madden, along with four other Task Force Lightning soldiers, were conducting combat operations in the vicinity of the northern city of Kirkuk. All five died when their Humvee came in contact with a roadside bomb. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
Josh Madden left for his second tour of duty in Iraq on August 4. His son, Jaxon Levi Madden, was born September 1. Madden was granted leave and returned home on November 15 to meet his son. During his stay, he participated in his son's Christening, spent an early Christmas with his wife, Aimee (Dani) Danielle (Smock) Madden and family and visited with friends. He returned to Iraq on Friday, December 1.
Following Madden's death, city officials contacted Gov. Kathleen Blanco regarding the lowering of the city's flag, an act that can only be done with the governor's approval. Blanco issued her approval over the weekend.
Robertson notified Webster Parish School Superintendent Butch Williams on Monday that flags at parish schools could also be lowered. Williams immediately sent notification to all of the schools in the parish.
Flags will continue to fly at half-staff until Sgt. Madden is laid to rest.
According to Jerry Madden, an Army liaison officer visited with the family on Sunday. No date has been set for the return of Josh's remains; however, it is anticipated that his body will be flown in to Dallas, Texas later this week.
When official word is received, the Madden family will travel to Dallas to bring their soldier home. The Webster Parish Sheriff's Office will escort the family to Dallas and back home to Minden.
"We promised him that we would be there to meet him when he came home from Iraq," said Jerry Madden. "We intend to keep that promise. It is the least that we can do."
Funeral arrangements have been tentatively set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 16 at the First Baptist Church sanctuary under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home.
Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery and will include a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.”
A private family viewing is tentatively set from 1 until 2 p.m. with a public viewing from 2 until 9 p.m. on Friday.
The service will be broadcast on KASO Radio.
According to Jerry Madden, a college fund has been established for Josh and Dani Madden's son, Jaxon, at Capital One. Donations may be made at any Capital One bank to the Jaxon Levi Madden College Fund, account number 8074082794.
A scholarship fund has also been established in honor of Josh Madden. The Sgt. Josh Madden Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships to Minden High School students based on honor and character.
"The scholarship will go to deserving, honorable, high-in-character students from the campus of Minden High — Josh's alma mater," said Jerry Madden. "It will not be based on GPA (grade point average), but based on the character of the person, which is how he (Josh) would have wanted it."
Those wishing to donate to the scholarship fund may do so at Richland State Bank, account number 5554535.