*This blog was partnered with and paid for by Freedom Strength and Fitness*

As Memorial Day approaches, we pause not for celebration, but for solemn remembrance.

Unlike Veterans Day, which honors all who have served, Memorial Day is set aside to remember those who gave their lives in service to the United States. It’s a day of reflection, a time to honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of those who never made it home.

A Tribute Close to Home

At The Kokomo Post, we believe that every fallen hero deserves to be remembered—not just by their name etched in stone, but through their story. This year, we’ve partnered with Freedom Strength and Fitness, a Navy veteran-owned gym in Kokomo, to spotlight our local heroes. For Freedom Strength, Memorial Day carries personal meaning rooted in their commitment to service and resilience. They see strength not just in physical terms, but as the enduring spirit of community, sacrifice, and honor. Together, we launched a community campaign to collect tributes to the brave sons, daughters, parents, friends, and neighbors of Kokomo and Howard County who died while serving our country. These stories remind us that behind every flag-draped headstone lies a life once filled with laughter, dreams, and purpose.

Community Submissions: Remembering by Name and Story

*Photo provided by: Howard County Historical Society*

Walter Irvin
Submitted by Susan Irvin-Tooley

Service: 267th Aero Squadron, WWI, 1918
Details: He served as an airplane mechanic during World War I and tragically passed away at just 27 years old from Spanish influenza while stationed in New Romney, Kent, England. His final resting place is Crown Point Cemetery, where his sacrifice and service are quietly honored and remembered.

CPL Glen Kenworthy
Submitted by Glenda Myers

Service: U.S. Marine Corps, WWII (1943–1945)
Details: He served aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35), which was tragically sunk on July 30, 1945. Assigned to the Marine Detachment with service number 926939, CPL Glen Willis Kenworthy is officially listed as lost at sea, having paid the ultimate price in service to his country. At the time of his military service, he was also proudly serving as a Kokomo firefighter, exemplifying a profound dedication to both his nation and his local community.

SPC Nathan J. Frigo
Submitted by SarahAnn Vieke

Service: U.S. Army, Iraq War (2005–2006)
Tribute: We honor and remember Specialist Nathan J. Frigo, a devoted brother, son, friend, and soldier whose life was a radiant fusion of strength, creativity, and wisdom. His spirit left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Nathan carried himself with a quiet confidence and a deep sense of purpose, firmly grounded in unwavering values and a sincere desire to serve. Though young, he possessed a maturity and insight that far exceeded his years. When asked why he joined the U.S. Army, his response was both simple and selfless:

“I want to go where I’m needed most.”

Nathan was a man of many talents. He was skilled in karate, a fierce and joyful racquetball competitor, an adventurous paintball player, and a passionate cross-country runner. His artistic side flourished through his drawings, his love of practicing songs on the piano, and—most memorably—his remarkable gift for storytelling. Whether reciting an audiobook by heart or crafting one of his own humorous tales, Nathan's imagination, timing, and expressiveness could light up any room and bring people together.

Though migraines prevented him from pursuing his dream of becoming a fighter pilot, Nathan never allowed obstacles to define him. Instead, he forged a new path—one marked by honor, courage, and service. He brought joy, pride, and inspiration to our family and beyond. He made friends easily, made others feel seen and valued, and lived with a quiet integrity that continues to inspire those he left behind.

His absence is deeply felt, but his legacy—a life rich with love, courage, creativity, and purpose—lives on in every heart he touched. Rest in peace, Nathan. Your story continues in every soul you’ve inspired.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:21

Local Heroes: A Broader Roll Call of Honor

To further honor and recognize our fallen, below is a comprehensive overview of military personnel from Kokomo, Indiana, who gave their lives in service to our country. Organized by conflict and era, this list features confirmed names sourced from trusted memorial archives, ensuring their sacrifices are respectfully acknowledged and remembered.

All information has been compiled from the following sources: virtualwall.org, incass-inmiami.org, Honor States, cityofkokomo.org, The Fallen, fallenheroesmemorial.com, and HMDB.

🇻🇳 Vietnam War

SP4 Raymond Brown
CPL Douglas Arthur Clester
CPT John Phillip Fewell Jr
SP5 Donald Charles Foust
SP4 Joe Richard Glassburn
1LT Jonathan Paul Hash
PFC Carl Leroy Hughes Jr
CPL William Dillard Johnson Jr
1LT Thomas Edward Leap Jr
SP4 Leslie David Matchett
CPL Larry Gene Newberry
CPL Larry Stephen Newburn
SGT Michael William O’Leary
SGT Kent De Wayne Pierce
SSG Carey Jay Pratt
PFC Michael Edward Rains
SP4 Richard Manford Randolph
LCPL Steven Thomas Runyon
SSG Clifford Henry Scheck
SGT Ronnie M. Snider
SSG Jerry Louis Spicer
SP4 John Edward Walters
PFC Bruce Allen Yoder

🌍 World War II

SSgt Raymond E. Newton

🇮🇶 Iraq & Afghanistan Conflicts (2000s)

Pfc. David Neil Simmons, age 20
Sgt. Rickey Jones, age 21
Spc. Nathan J. Frigo, age 23
Lance Cpl. James Swain, age 20
Pvt. Robert McKinley, age 23
Spc. Brian M. Clemens, age 19

How You Can Honor Memorial Day in Kokomo

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend—it’s a sacred opportunity to pause, reflect, and actively honor those who gave their lives for our country. In Kokomo, there are meaningful ways to join your neighbors in paying tribute to our fallen heroes. Whether through attending a local ceremony, visiting a memorial site, or simply standing in quiet gratitude, your presence helps preserve the legacy of those who served.

Memorial Day Ceremony: Join the Community

🗓 Date: Monday, May 26
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m.
📍 Location: Howard County Courthouse lawn

Hosted by the Howard County Veterans Memorial Corporation, this annual ceremony brings together veterans, families, civic leaders, and community members in a heartfelt tribute. The event will feature a wreath-laying, flag presentation, and remarks from local dignitaries and veterans’ organizations.

All are welcome to attend. Bring a flag, wear your patriotic colors, and join in a collective moment of remembrance as we stand together to honor the lives lost in service to our nation.

A Living Memorial

If you’re seeking a quiet moment of reflection, visit the Howard County Veterans Memorial at Championship Park. This solemn space features engraved bricks in the “Walk of Honor,” a granite wall listing the names of local service members, and several striking monuments—including a kneeling soldier statue, the “Global War on Terror” memorial, and the 2015 Blue/Gold Star Family monument.

Whether at a public ceremony or in a personal moment of gratitude, let this Memorial Day be a time to not simply mark a holiday—but to truly remember. May we carry forward the stories of our fallen with reverence, with gratitude, and with a renewed commitment to the ideals they so bravely defended.

Thank You

To Freedom Strength and Fitness, thank you for standing with us in remembrance and for your continued dedication to building not just strong bodies—but a strong, united community.

🕯 “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” — Thomas Campbell

Honoring Kokomo’s Fallen: A Memorial Day Tribute