NASHVILLE, MI, US
U.S. Army
CPL, COMPANY D, 4TH BATTALION, 31ST INFANTRY, 2 BCT, FORT DRUM, NY
05/12/2007, AL TAQA, IRAQ
Courage characterized Daniel W. Courneya, who decided on a military career at a very early age. The former Vermontville resident was determined to make the world a better place, and protect people who couldn’t protect themselves.
He enlisted in the Army in the fall of 2004, before graduating from Maple Valley Junior/Senior High School in June of 2005. He left for basic training, in Ft. Benning, Ga. 10 days after graduation. He was stationed at Ft. Drum, NY after graduating basic training.
Daniel was born August 30, 1987, in Fresno, Ca. He moved to Michigan at age 9 with his mother, Wendy, and his sister Autumn, settling in Vermontville, about 30 miles southwest of Lansing.
Daniel loved to be active and participate in sporting activities. He not only played on the varsity soccer team, but his senior year, he was co-captain of the team. He ran track and field in high school as well, achieving several silver, and at least one gold medal. He participated in the Maple Valley band program from 5th grade right through his graduation. He played the clarinet, and wrote an original composition with his clarinet when he was only 12 years old. He participated in concert band, and marching band throughout high school, and his senior year, achieved first chair in concert band. And according to his band director, Dennis Vanderhoff, Danny was “always the first one to show, and the last one to go. He was always helping”, when it came to the band’s various fundraising activities.
Daniel was deployed to Iraq in August of 2006. He was proud to be going, and proud to serve and protect his country. He came home in November of 2006 for his 2 week leave, and married Jennifer during that vacation. They were married in a civil ceremony, and had planned a “real” and formal wedding for after Daniel returned home.
Daniel was very well known, and loved by this small community southwest of Lansing. There were literally hundreds of attendees at his memorial service, and over 250 Patriot Guard Riders.
Daniel left behind his wife, Jennifer Courneya, mother, Wendy Ralston, grandmother, Martha Petuck, and many, many other family and friends that are too numerous to count. He is greatly loved and missed by them all.
Daniel W. Courneya , was 19 years old at the time of his death.
1987-2007 Iraq war hero
Opmerkingen