Sgt Hughes is serving in Iraq. He is one of the only two Marines that are licensed to drive the newest MRAP for their unit. He trains Iraqi Officers on Government issues. His deployment will be up in Feb. 2008. We are anxious to welcome him back on American soil.

Sgt Hughes married Sarai (Heafner) in 2005 she has been living with her parents Mike & Sally Heafner in Jerseyville, IL until his return.

Joe is the son of Kandice Hughes in Godfrey, IL. He graduated from Mississippi Valley Christian School in 2004.

Sgt. Palmer has been stationed in Iraq with the 1744th Transportation Co. out of Streator, IL since September 2006 providing security escort for military units and private contractors.  A 2004 graduate of Roxana High School, Nathan completed Basic Combat Training between his Junior and Senior year of high school at Fort Benning, GA and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonardwood, MO after graduating from high school.

Sgt. Palmer is scheduled to return home September 2007.  He is enrolled at SIUE for the Spring 2008 semester where he will continue his studies, concentrating on information systems.  Sgt. Palmer is the son of Rodney & Lori Palmer of East Alton, IL.

Ted enlisted in the Army Reserves in July 2006. He completed Army Basic Training at Columbia, South Carolina. He received Soldier Leader of the Cycle of which he received a coin from the Colonel. From there Ted went to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he trained with Special Ops units for deployment.

Ted arrived in Kuwait the 14th of September and is currently serving in the Ambar Province,Iraq. Ted’s is a member of a task force that goes in and out of the villages with a group of Marines to visit and increase the civilian’s trust of the military. He is set to complete his tour in May of 2008. He is on the schedule to deploy to Afghanistan in 2009. Please keep Ted and all the soldiers in your prayers. Ted has met great friends along the way of which will last a life time.

Ted we salute you and the troops.

Send in photos of your loved ones serving abroad or on our soil to be featured here, send a story and photos to support@riverbender.com, or use our User Submitted Photo Gallery section.