via: TSAF Industries · CPL Matthew Commons, 21, of Boulder City, Nevada was killed while fighting in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda during Operation Anaconda in the renowned Battle of Takur Ghar; where US Army Rangers were called upon to rescue and extract a Navy SEAL team under intense enemy fire. The MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying a US Army Ranger Quick-Reaction-Force, including CPL Commons, crash landed due to enemy fire. CPL Commons and two other Rangers were killed by direct enemy fire as they fought their way out of the helicopter. The battle would endure for 12 hours, while Army Rangers and the surviving Navy Seals fought to secure and hold the peak of Takur Ghar, later named Roberts Ridge. CPL Commons was the youngest of seven American heroes killed in the battle, he proudly served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Matt moved to Colorado with his family when he was 7 years old. He developed a passion for soccer that endured through his high school graduation. Matt and his brother also played roller hockey in high school, where Matt spent a lot of time in the penalty box for roughing opponents. He said that hockey was the only sport where you could legally fight and only get a penalty for it. At home, Matt would enjoy playing video games with his brother and friends. His presence in the house was marked by constant noise, music, lively conversations, and laughter. In July 2000, Matt joined the Army with the goal of pursuing a career as an Army Ranger, a path he had long aspired to follow. His interest in the military had been a consistent aspect of his ambitions growing up. In early October 2001 Matt was scheduled to attend Ranger School for leadership training but was pulled to begin training for war. By the end of the year, he and 1st Ranger Battalion, A Company would be in Bagram, Afghanistan - Matt would celebrate his 21st birthday just two weeks before his death. He is survived by his mother Patricia, his father James and brother Aaron. RLTW! - NSDQ! #Patriot #Hero #RLTW #suasponte #tsafindustries #tsafnation (Ref: suaspontefoundation.org/memoriam/commons/, arits.org; www.arlingtoncemetery.net/macommons.htm)

via: TSAF Industries · SPC Marc Anderson, 30, of Brandon, Florida was killed while fighting in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda during Operation Anaconda in the renowned Battle of Takur Ghar; where US Army Rangers were called upon to rescue and extract a Navy SEAL team under intense enemy fire. The MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying a US Army Ranger Quick-Reaction-Force, including SPC Anderson, crash landed due to enemy fire. SPC Anderson and two other Rangers were killed by direct enemy fire as they fought their way out of the helicopter. The battle would endure for 12 hours, while Army Rangers and the surviving Navy Seals fought to secure and hold the peak of Takur Ghar, later named Roberts Ridge. SPC Anderson proudly served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Marc was born in Fort Benning, Georgia, and in 1978 when his father retired from the Army, his family relocated to Alliance, Ohio. Marc was a gifted athlete in High School, with a special talent in track and field. ''Physically, Marc was like an N.F.L. lineman,'' said Jim Polen, Marc’s former track coach, adding that despite his size, he could run the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds. But Marc had brains as well as brawn. ''He had the quick humor of a talk show host,'' Polen said, searching for words to describe what made Marc Anderson so special. ''He was as bright as a college professor. But he had the spirit of a little boy.'' Marc would go on to attend Case Western Reserve University, before transferring to Florida State University. He distinguished himself as a standout student-athlete. He was recognized as an All American in both football and track by the NCAA and won the Florida State student athlete of the year award in 1995. After obtaining his teaching degree from Florida State University, he taught math in Fort Myers. Marc was dedicated to his students and volunteered with Boys/Girls clubs during summer. Marc enlisted in the Army to assist in paying off his student loans. He is survived by his parents and two brothers. #Patriot #Hero #RLTW #suasponte #tsafindustries #tsafnation (Ref: andersonmcqueen.com/obituary; rangersremembered.com; leadthewayfund.org)