Honoring The Children Of
Our Fallen Heroes

Our returning military service members are in need of a great deal of assistance for their emotional and physical wounds. Fortunately, there are many good organizations stepping up and making a difference in the quality of life for these heroes. We applaud and support many of these groups.

Unfortunately there is one group whose wounds are often overlooked. Kids that have lost a father, mother, brother or sister in the military are emotionally injured and also need our help. Dream Riders mission is to bring these families together for healing and fellowship in a fun environment.

"Because they deserve happy memories"

For more information, check out our Dream Riders Page

25 Heroes

Phillip was deployed with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment to Sangin Afghanistan. On October 13, 2010 Phillip was driving the lead vehicle, an MATV, on a security patrol. Also in the vehicle were; Lcpl Victor Dew, Lcpl Joe Rodewald and Cpl Justin Cain. While traveling the Sangin Wadi (dry riverbed) a very large IED was remote detonated, killing all 4 instantly.

During their 7 month deployment, 3/5 Marines had 25 men killed in action, hundreds of casualties including many amputees. The 25 that gave their tomorrows for our todays are;

Lance Cpl. John Sparks, 23, of Chicago, IL

Cpl. Justin Cain, 22, of Manitowoc, WI

Lance Cpl Phillip Vinnedge, 19, of St. Charles, MO

Lance Cpl Joseph Rodewald, 21, of Albany, OR

Lance Cpl Victor Dew, 20, of Granite Bay, CA

Lance Cpl Alec Catherwood, 19, of Byron, IL

Lance Cpl Irvin Ceniceros, 21, of Clarksville, AR

Lance Cpl Joseph Lopez, 26, of Rosamond, CA

Lance Cpl James Boelk, 24, of Oceanside, CA

Sgt Ian Tawney, 25,of Dallas, OR

Lance Cpl Matthew J. Broehm, 22, of Flagstaff, AZ

Lance Cpl Brandon W. Pearson, 21, of Arvada, CO

Lance Cpl Randy R. Braggs, 21, of Sierra Vista, AZ

2nd Lt Robert M. Kelly, 29 of Tallahassee, FL

Lance Cpl James B. Stack, 20, of Arlington Hgts, IL

Lance Cpl Arden Joseph Buenagua, 19, San Jose, CA

1st Lt William J.Donnelly IV, 27, of Picayune, MS

Sgt Matthew T. Abbate, 26, of Honolulu, HI

Pfc Colton W. Rusk, 20, of Orange Grove, TX

Cpl Derek A. Wyatt, 25, of Akron, OH

Sgt Jason D. Peto, 31, of Vancouver, WA

Lance Cpl Jose L. Maldonado, 21, of Mathis, TX

Lance Cpl Kenneth A. Corzine, 23, of Bethalto, IL

Cpl Tevan L. Nguyen, 21, of Hutto, TX

Sgt Jason G. Amores, 29, of Lehigh Acres, FL

May these heroes never be
forgotten for their sacrifice.

Big Wheel

by Dale Pyatt

We met Dale Pyatt at a Joshua Chamberlain Society event. We were touched when he asked for permission to dedicate this song to Phillip. Dale was a great friend and supporter of FHDR. We are saddened that he was taken way to soon by cancer. Thank you Dale, RIP.

Remember The Brave

by Johnny Bulford

We want to thank Johnny for his wonderful tribute; "Remember The Brave". You can add Johnny's touching Remembering the Brave song straight to your playlist from Amazon.com One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to support the mission of the Remembering the Brave Foundation. All of his music can be purchased from his website, johnnybulford.com

Memorial Pickup

For years Phillip had talked of getting a classic Chevy truck. Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan he vowed to find and restore one when he returned home. Phillip was not able to fulfill that dream, however in the days following Phillip’s passing the decision was made to fulfill that dream for him by restoring a 1951 Chevy pickup in his, and all fallen heroes honor.

The project began with a 1951 Chevrolet 3100 pickup with 28,000 original miles.

(Click to enlarge photo)

It was as rust free as could be expected for a 60 year old truck. It included the original “Stovebolt” 216, 6 cylinder engine in running condition.

The plan was to do a complete ground-up restoration keeping the truck in near original condition.

Completed in May of 2012, The "Fallen Hero's Dream Ride" has an airbrushed "Fallen Heroes" theme created by artist Hairy Didit.

(Click to enlarge photo)

It serves as a rolling memorial to Phillip and all twenty-five 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment Marines that gave their lives in Afghanistan. The memorial is displayed at events to educate and raise awareness for those that "Gave All" serving in our military.

Here is our music slideshow. We think it tells the Fallen Hero's Dream Ride story pretty well.

You can view the building of this memorial by clicking on the "Restoration" link at the top of this page.

NEVER FORGET!

Honoring The Children Of Our Fallen Heroes

"Because they deserve happy memories"

Honoring The Children Of
Our Fallen Heroes