In Memoriam

[Hissyspit]

Josh was a student in my Art Appreciation class in Fall of 2003.

On Memorial Day 2008, please visit the Military Times Site:

http://www.militarytimes.com/honor/honor_october_2006.html



Army 1st Lt. Joshua Deese, 25, of North Carolina; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died in Balad, Iraq, Oct. 15, 2006, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Kirkuk, Iraq. Also killed was Sgt. Jonathan E. Lootens.


http://www.legacy.com/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=19614488&PageNo=3

October 17, 2007

It has now been a year since I lost my baby brother, and I can still hardly believe he's gone. He was a wonderful, loving, non-judgemental person who always found a way to make you feel loved and needed.

Josh was eight years younger than me and I naturally fell into the role of being his protector. I would make sure nobody messed with my baby brother. But, while I wasn't looking, he grew up and no longer needed my protection. We never argued (not even once in our entire lives) and always seemed to get along beautifully. Josh grew up into a really great guy, one that I was proud to tell everyone was "my" brother.

Although I was the "wild child" in the family, Josh never judged me which made me love him all the more. He would even solicit my advice on things from time to time to let me know that he valued my opinion as well as me as a person and big sister.

I never saw that side most of the people writing about Josh did. I never saw that dedicated soldier at work. Although, from conversations with him, I knew how committed he was to being a great soldier and a leader worthy of the respect of his men. I asked him why he chose to be infantry and a Ranger, and he told me that his men would respect him more and it would make him a better soldier if he could identify with his men and actually knew first hand where they were coming from.

The Josh I knew was all kid. He almost always had a smile on his face and some way of making you laugh. He did all sorts of silly things and was very seldom serious. He loved spending time with his family and friends and was very dedicated to both. He had a huge appetite for fun and adventure.

Josh lived with me for a few months while he was still in college, in leu of staying in the dorm. That time we spent together I will always cherish. My only regret is that I didn't find more ways to spend time with my brother while he was still here. We both had very busy lives but still managed to find some time to see each other.

I miss him so much it feels like my heart will just explode sometimes. I wonder when the pain will lessen or when I won't cry everyday missing him. I still don't have an answer to that question. However there's no doubt Josh knew how much we all loved him or that we know how much he loved us. We have always been a family that tells each other that you love the other and you are very open with your affection.

I know that he died doing what he wanted to do, what he loved and believed in. That gives me a little solace. We all have to die at some point or another, I guess the best way is to die fighting for what you believe in. That is exactly what Josh did.

I am truly grateful for all the time I was given with my brother and all the wonderful memories I have. He will live on in my heart FOREVER!!!

Love you Josh
Your big sis
Myra

Myra Deese Russell (Hamlet, NC)

It's been almost three months now and I still don't think that it's actually hit me yet that he's gone. I knew Josh practically all of my life but didn't get to know him until I started dating my wife. I always felt that Annie and Josh were meant to be. Sometimes you can just tell when two people are supposed to be together and I had always told my wife that. Josh was a good person that would do anything he could to help you. I respected him for what he was doing and was always interested in hearing about his life as a soldier. It just hurts to know that he and Annie's dreams were shattered in one split second. I know it will be hard for Annie to explain to Jacob what happened to his father and it bothers me that he will probably have no remembrance of such a good father that he had. Me and my family will always remember Josh as a hero not only because he died fighting to protect us but also because he was such a good person.

Brock Brayboy (Maxton, NC)

Everyone,
I am SSG Smith I was 1LT Deese's first platoon sergeant in OEF V Afghanistan. 1LT Deese came to our platoon at the end of October 2004, after we had been in country for seven months. Him and I had the best mentoship you could ask for as a leader (CPT James Moyes and 1SG Brandon Haywood). The first day we met his exact words were "Im not here to get anyone hurt or killed, guide me" It took him only two missions before he took over and led from the front. Instead of sending letters home he spent his time playing playstation and xbox with his men getting to know them better and getting to know who they really were and what they wanted in life. I was there to teach him what he had to do but he tought me how to "loosen up and make a difference". I remember in Sar Joy him and I alone underneth a poncho liner in the dark that we would do what it takes for all of us to go home. I remember the last day I saw him at Schofield Barracks, HI I shook his hand and told him he still owes me a beer from the ball, and we will we will settle up when he gets back. To summerise all this 1LT Joshua Deese was one of the greatest military leaders I have ever had the privledge to meet and a great friend. He gave everything he had to the others around him and took nothing for himself. He was more of a teacher to me than I could have ever been. I miss you brother. BROTHERS FOREVER.

Chad M. Smith
SSG, USA
Platoon Sergeant
Chad Smith (Gig Harbor, WA)

http://news.hawaii.com/article/2006/Oct/18/ln/FP610180359.html

First Lt. Joshua Deese, 25, was a "true Southern gentleman," who wanted to make the Army a career and had a young son with his high school sweetheart in North Carolina.

[stray cat]

1. Thank you and to him and his family as well.

Most of us, myself included, haven't shared in the sacrifice of the military.

[BeatleBoot]

2. Love the Warrior

Hate the War.

[Evergreen Emerald]

3. that makes me very sad.

I feel for his young son.

[ulysses]

4. am I sure I want to recommend this thread? yes, quite.

Thank you for this, Hissyspit.

[Crabby Appleton]

5. Rest in Perfect Peace 1LT Joshua Deese

/* slow hand salute */

[roguevalley]

6. he will always be young and sweet faced and beautiful. so very sad.

[Festivito]

7. We are all struck by this war.

How hurtful to find that it strikes close.

I feel sad for all of US.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. I have one as well. I didn't know him but I know his family. 1st. Lt. Jared Landaker RIP

A Marine Aviator from my town who died along with the rest of his CH-46 crew while piloting a fellow Marine to med services after he had been wounded.

This town still hasn't recovered completely.

Read About His Last Flight