John W. Engeman was so proud that his wife was getting her bachelor's degree that he watched the ceremony via an Internet feed set up by Concord University in West Virginia.

"He was so excited for me," Donna Engeman said. "For him to be able to see me graduate was really special. He told me afterward that I looked great."

Engeman, 45, of East North Port, N.Y., was killed by a roadside bomb May 14 in Baghdad. He was assigned to Clinton.

Engeman joined the Army in 1978 and served overseas in such places as Korea, Kosovo and Wartburg, Germany. Although she said her husband had contemplated retiring before being deployed to Iraq, he always was ready to serve. "His unit needed him. He would never shirk from anything. He would never leave his unit in a lurch," his wife said.

He also is survived by his children, Nicole, 20, and Patrick, 23.

"I hope he is remembered as a spectacular brother and son, incredible husband and a tremendous father with immense character and a great, great soldier who believed in the United States military and its mission," said Engeman's sister, Patti O'Neill.

Charles Vartanian, a jeweler, remembers Matthew J. Fenton stopping by his shop to get a religious medallion repaired before he left for Iraq.

He wanted to take it to the battlefield for good luck.

"He was duty-bound," said Vartanian, who did a rush job to get the jewelry fixed. "He exuded that he wanted to be over there. He wanted to be involved."

Fenton, 24, of Little Ferry, N.J., died May 6 after being struck by shrapnel in Anbar province on April 26. He was a 2000 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Devens.

Fenton was a seasoned Marine who had served a hitch in Okinawa and in Massachusetts as a recruiter. "He was the perfect mold of a Marine," said longtime family friend Bob Buonocore.

Fenton's goal was to join the Little Ferry Police Department or the Bergen County police when he returned home.

"Matthew never wanted to grow old, and he lived his life as if there was no tomorrow. It takes a brave person to do that. So let's not have a moment of silence. Instead, put your hands together and welcome home a hero," said cousin Josh Valentin.

He also is survived by his parents, Dianne and John.

Among the photographs treasured most by Marion Flint Jr.'s father and stepmother is the one in which the soldier stands ramrod-straight, hand raised, as he is sworn into the Army.

Marion Flint Sr. recalled how happy his son was that day. "He came to me and he hugged me and said, 'I love you, Dad. Everything will be all right.' And he was so happy."

Flint, 29, of Baltimore, was killed May 15 by a roadside bomb in Balad. A 1996 high school graduate, he was assigned to Fort Carson and was on his second tour.

"He was a well-mannered young man who understood in order to get respect, you had to show respect. The way he carried himself, people would just gravitate to him," said his former basketball coach, Billy Wade.

In an April issue of his unit's newsletter, Flint spoke about going door to door in Balad searching for mortars and rockets, while handing out school supplies and stuffed animals to children.

"It's basically just to give the kids and the families stuff, just to show them that we are trying to help in any way possible," Flint said in the newsletter.

He is survived by his wife, LaShaviea, and their children, Dyamond, 11, and Malik, 3.

Marine Pfc. Steven W. Freund

Steven W. Freund's last phone call home was on Mother's Day to his aunt. He told her he was eager to see if country singer Toby Keith was going to headline a tour in Iraq.

The day after learning of his death, Donna Eiben got up for work and heard Keith's song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" on the radio.

"I knew it was a sign that his death was not senseless," said Eiben. "It was a sign that his life had meaning."

Freund, 20, of Pittsburgh, died May 23 when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb in Anbar province. The soldier, who loved to hunt and fish, was assigned to Camp Pendleton.

Freund had to fight to get into the Marines because he never graduated from high school, said his cousin Justin Eiben. "He really didn't like school at all. He was always the class clown," he said.

But Donna Eiben said Freund, who later got a GED, knew he wanted to be a Marine.

"It seems like it was all he had on his mind. We tried to talk him out of it, but it was his personal goal. Once we knew that's what he really wanted, we supported him," she said.

Freund also is survived by his father, Steve, and his stepmother.

Marine Cpl. William B. Fulks

William B. Fulks could pack a powerful punch, but he usually let his smooth country accent make people pay attention to what he was saying.

"Brad could fight, but he didn't broadcast it to everyone. He just let you know with a glare and a couple words that you'd gone too far," said Cpl. Jeff D. Elmore. "He was always the guy with a beer or a song for me when I was bored or had a bad day."

Fulks, 23, of Culloden, W.Va., died May 18 at Brooke Army Medical Center from wounds suffered May 1 during combat in Anbar province. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.

Fulks graduated high school in 2001, where he participated in football, track and boxing. He competed in the Golden Gloves Boxing Championship and earned the state boxing championship two times. He attended Marshall University for one year.

"Its easy to see where Brad developed that strong patriotic spirit," said 1st Lt. Thomas J. Waller. "It's from his family. He left college after his freshman year, enlisting in the Marine Corps, serving his country with pride. Cpl. Fulks was a stoic, friendly, respectful man, Marine, brother and son."

He is survived by his parents, William and Kimberly.

Army Capt. James A. Funkhouser

One of James A. Funkhouser's tasks was to shepherd news crews around Iraq, a job he enjoyed.

Capt. Funkhouser

"He wanted to be the one to point them in the right direction, to show them the right images to capture, not just show them the bad things, but show them the good things that they're doing over there," said his wife, Jennifer.

Funkhouser, 35, of Katy, Texas, was killed May 29 when a car bomb struck his patrol in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Hood.

He left what is now Texas State University to join the Army in 1991, and served six years before returning to receive his degree in 1999. For years, he had tried to get assigned to combat duty.

"He was in charge of training all of these men under him and most of these men had been in Iraq -- a lot of them two or three times and he felt he needed to be there to experience it so he could train them better," she said.

He also is survived by his daughters, Kaitlyn, 4, and Allison, 2.

On weekends, he had Webcam conferences with his daughters and they would show him the new clothes or a new haircut they had gotten.

"He lived for those weekends," Jennifer said.

Army Spc. J. Adan Garcia

Kelly Hayes taught Adan Garcia as a sophomore and mentored him throughout high school. He knew how the terror attacks of 2001 changed the young man.

Spc. Garcia

"He always talked about wanting to be a policeman, but after 9/11 he said he wanted to join the military," Hayes said. "Adam always wanted to serve people and that is what he was going to do."

Garcia, 20, of Irving, Texas, died May 27 from injuries he sustained when his convoy was hit by small-arms fire in Baghdad. A combat engineer, he was assigned to Fort Drum.

"He was gung-ho," said his father, Joe. "In Iraq, his work involved making sure roadways and other places were clear of explosives, making things safer for others."

The soldier's family moved to the Dallas area from El Paso when he was 10 years old, and he graduated from high school in 2003, where he played trombone in the marching band.

"He was just a happy kid and was smiling every time I saw him, whether he was in class or walking down the hall, he had a big smile on his face," Hayes said. "He was a good kid, never in trouble and always worked hard -- one of those kids you love having."

He also is survived by his mother, Cynthia.

Ronald W. Gebur enjoyed art, played baseball and liked to work on cars. But tops on his list was his family, especially going hunting with his grandfather.

"It was extra special if he could do that," said a friend, Christina Rush.

So it made sense when Gebur eventually became a sniper when he enlisted. The lessons his grandfathers taught him were put to good use training soldiers in the Iraqi army.

Gebur, 23, of Delavan, Ill., was killed May 13 by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Hood.

"He grew up learning to hunt with his grandfather, so that's how he learned to shoot. He was just so talented. He was a strong man. That's how I remember him," said his mother, Debra Gebur.

While a part-time soldier, the 2002 high school graduate did odd jobs around the community -- maintenance at the high school, painting a friend's house, volunteering at the federal prison.

"He had a heart of gold," said Rush. "If you needed him to do something, he'd do it without any question."

Her also is survived by his wife, Bethany, an Army medic; and a son, Gage.

David J. Grames-Sanchez had plenty of nieces and nephews to play with, which was a good thing since they adored him. They referred to him as "Big Joe."

"They'd just climb on him. He was like a great big, smiling dog that would lay there and take it, because he just loved the attention," said his father, David Grames.

Grames-Sanchez, 22, of Fort Wayne, Ind., died May 11 when his tank plunged off a bridge in Anbar province. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Camp Lejeune.

"He's one of those kids that comes along once in a lifetime," said Fort Wayne Police Sgt. Brian Burton, who worked security at the high school when Grames-Sanchez was a student. "If my kids can grow up half as good as him, I'll be happy."

He was a class clown, but would hold deep conversations, as well. He wrestled, weightlifted and started talking about joining the Marines when he was 15.

"He had a very infectious smile," Grames said. "He'd always kind of cock his head a little bit, and give you a sort of 'heeeee' look, even if you were having a bad day."

He is survived by his wife, Lindsay, and a son from a previous relationship, Corbin.

Raised by a single mother, Santiago M. Halsel had few luxuries growing up. "You wondered how he was going to make it," said Terry Cook, principal at the grade school that Halsel's children attend. "But he worked hard."

Halsel, 32, of Bowling Green, Ky., was killed by a roadside bomb May 16 in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Campbell and was on his second tour.

Called "Tiago" by friends and family, Halsel was a 1993 high school graduate. He played tailback on the football team but passed on an opportunity to play at an Atlanta college, opting instead for a career in the military.

Kevin Wallace, who coached Halsel in high school, remembered him as someone with "a great smile and a great personality, great charisma."

"The kids who leave a mark on you are the ones that do so with their heart and their character -- and Tiago was one of those," Wallace said.

Halsel switched to the infantry in 2000 from being an Army welder because he could make rank more quickly. "He was a very loving and caring person, not just to me and the kids but to everyone. He always had a smile on his face," said wife, Susan.

He also is survived by a son Donovan, 11, and daughter, Lashae, 9.

Army Spc. Michael L. Hermanson

When Lindsey Hermanson was asked to write about a hero as part of a class project, the high school junior didn't hesitate. She picked her older brother, Michael L. Hermanson.

Spc. Hermanson

"What impressed me so much about that family was that, as far apart as they were in age, how close they were as brother and sister," said Brad Bachmeier, who was Michael's art teacher and coached Lindsey in track. "She looked up to him as a role model, and they shared a wonderful sense of humor."

Hermanson, 21, of Fargo, N.D., died May 23 in Abayachi when his vehicle came under attack. He was a 2002 high school graduate and was assigned to Minot.

Hermanson attended North Dakota State University in Fargo before his deployment and told friends he looked forward to returning to school to study criminal justice.

"Michael was one of those young men who had a big smile on his face all the time, and he would just light up the room when he walked in," said Steve Carnal, a teacher. "He was a very polite, hardworking young man. He had a lot of friends in school, teachers loved him, just a great young man."

He also is survived by his parents, Layne and Scharlotta.

Army Lt. Col. Daniel E. Holland

It was Christmas Eve and Daniel E. Holland and his family were just leaving church when they happened upon a man, his teenage daughter and their broken-down truck.

Lt. Col. Holland

It wasn't Holland's style to ignore someone who needed help, even if a holiday meal was waiting. So he towed the truck to his house and the two men tinkered away in the driveway.

It soon became obvious the truck wasn't going anywhere. but instead of just offering the pair a place to sleep, he lent total strangers his car so they could finish their journey.

Holland, 43, of San Antonio, Texas, was killed May 18 in Baghdad when his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. He graduated Oklahoma State University in 1984 and was assigned to Fort Bragg

John Holland said his baby brother loved to sing loud, even if he couldn't sing well. He was ruthless on the paintball field or the basketball court. And he loved animals, though his family wasn't pleased when he spayed a pet dog on the kitchen table.

His signature goodbye, always said with a smile, was "Glad you got to see me."

"Yes, Daniel, we're glad we got to see you," his brother said. "We're glad we got to know you. And we're glad we got to love you."

He also is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and their children, Rachel, 13, and Garrett, 10.

Marine Lance Cpl. Richard Z. James

Jake James recalled that his son, Richard Z. James, always kept his elders on their toes, such as bathing with all his clothes on or falling asleep on the hood of the car.

Jake James said one day he was working in the garage with a can of ruby-red paint. Young Rick offered to help. "As soon as some red paint started dripping from his hand, he knew what to do," he recalled. "He ran into the house and told his mother it was blood."

Richard James, 20, of Seaford, Del., was killed May 13 by insurgent gunfire in Ramadi. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune. He graduated high school in 2004 and joined the Marines the day after his 18th birthday.

"Everybody knew Rick," said his mother, Carol James. "He never was one to sit in the corner. He made himself known to everybody. He was a real character."

The young man told his parents he didn't really enjoy his first tour of duty -- it was too slow. But there was plenty of action the second time.

"I think he was happy this time," Carol James said. "He was shooting, blowing things up -- that's what he was trained to do. That's all he ever wanted to do, and he was thrilled when he was doing military duty."

Army Cpl. Alexander J. Kolasa

Alexander J. Kolasa loved tearing up cars -- not necessarily putting them back together.

"He liked to consider himself his own special kind of MacGyver," said his mother, Kathy. "He'd say he could make a part, if he didn't have it."

Cpl. Kolasa

Kolasa, 22, of White Lake, Mich., suffered a heart attack and died May 31 while on guard duty in Baghdad. He graduated high school in 2003 and was assigned to Fort Hood.

"I'm proud of him," his mother said. "I want the world to know how proud I am."

His mother regrets that her son and his wife, Cari McClellan, never had the opportunity to live together. They were married in a hasty civil ceremony just before he deployed.

"She never got to be a wife," she said.

Kolasa, who loved to fish and skydive, was a mechanics specialist who repaired light trucks and Humvees. After his death, his wife opened an envelope containing a one-page letter the soldier left her in case he never returned.

In the letter, Kolasa said he was proud to be a soldier. "He believed in what he was doing," his wife said. "He said the soldiers did not want pity. They were proud to serve."

When Dale J. Kelly Jr. became a medic, his Guard nickname, "Machine Gun" Kelly, changed to "Doc" Kelly, and he put the new skills to work.

He led a mission to Steertown, an impoverished city in Jamaica, where Kelly and several teens helped build a community center. Kelly also offered his medical expertise to the city's children, treating minor injuries and scrapes. Instead of spending money on souvenirs, he bought medical supplies and gave them to the local priest.

Kelly, 48, of Richmond, Maine, was killed May 6 in Diwaniyah when a bomb detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to Brewer.

While preparing for boot camp, he jogged with a backpack full of rocks. The drill instructor at Fort Sam Houston made fun of the soldiers in their 20s who couldn't keep up with the middle-aged Mainer.

Kelly had worked in management positions at Bath Iron Works for the past 17 years helped secure and send two welding units to Iraq. Those welding units were used to reinforce the armor on Humvees.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and three children, Julie, Christopher and Jennifer.

While in high school, Aaron P. Latimer opted to fulfill his physical education requirements by using his heart: He helped disabled students.

"He died too soon; he died before his time," said his father, Richard Latimer. "He was a good kid."

Latimer, 26, of Ennis, Texas, died in Mosul on May 9 of non-combat related wounds. He was based at Fort Wainwright.

"I will always remember Aaron for what he was: A man who cared deeply and enduringly for his fellow soldiers," said Capt. Jeff Muir, one of Latimer's commanders.

As a human resources specialist, Latimer was charged with making sure soldiers received their pay, promotions and awards. But in Iraq, Latimer often volunteered to act as an infantryman and go on patrol with his company if they were short-handed.

"It's kind of ironic," his father said. "They had to find somebody to replace him, because he used to process the dead."

Latimer wrote music, sang and played the keyboard. He was in the choir in high school and took part in debate. "He was creative," said his father. "He was more of a thinker than he was a doer."

He also is survived by his mother, Betty.

Marine Lance Cpl. William J. Leusink

William J. Leusink had a "self-inflicted" dimple, created in a fall from a camp bunk-bed. He appreciated the irony in owning a hunting dog who was afraid of guns. And he loved to wrestle with his younger brother, Cody.

"And I have the broken sofa and the hole in the wall to prove it," said his mother, Elaine.

Leusink, 21, of Maurice, Iowa, was killed May 22 by a roadside bomb while patrolling in Haqlaniyah. He was assigned to Kaneohe Bay.

Leusink wrestled and played football in high school before graduating in 2003. He also was in the band, choir and Future Farmers of America, where he was an officer his senior year.

He enlisted in the Marines in 2002. On October 16, 2004, he married his high school sweetheart, Miranda -- even though his work required them to move the wedding date three times.

The Rev. Wayne Sneller, the Leusink family's pastor, recounted an e-mail he'd received from Leusink during his tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"It's kind of scary," Leusink admitted of Afghanistan. "But I figure I know where I'm going. I know God is looking over me and if it's my time to go home to Him, I am all right with that."