Jeremiah P. McCleery, 24
Army, Specialist
Based: Ft. Hood, Texas
1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Died: May 2, 2009
Mosul, Iraq
Gender: Male
Hometown: Portola
McCleery was one of two U.S. servicemen shot and killed by two Iraqi soldiers near the northern city of Mosul. The attack wounded three others, the latest in a series of incidents involving security forces firing on Americans in the troubled area. Spc. Jake R. Velloza, 22, of Inverness, Calif. also died in the shooting. Full obituaries to follow on both men.
Times story on attack that killed McCleery »
« Ray A. Spencer II , April 16, 2009
Jake R. Velloza, May 2, 2009 »
7 memories of Jeremiah
mccleery is my best friend i loved mccleery like a brother he was a great friend i do have memories of jeremiah mccleery but i have so many great memories that i don't know really what to use it hurts not having him around and he will be sorely missed by all who served with him
— anthony voll
May 6, 2009 at 12:37 p.m.
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Jeremiah was my soldier, what some people dont know about him is he was just like me he loved the outdoors, and loved his truck. To his parents I am deeply sorry for your loss.
— SSG Stockton
May 6, 2009 at 5:27 p.m.
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Jeremiah was a great man who loved his family and was loved by all who knew him. He loved being a soldier. The time I got to spend with him was cut short but the love I feel for him is eternal. Losing him is a great loss to all. For all the fisters in 1-12 he loved you all just as I know you loved him. His body is gone but his memory lives on forever in each and everyone of us.
— Amanda Harazin
May 6, 2009 at 11:48 p.m.
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I'm Lynette Flanagan, Jeremiah's oldest sister. Jeremiah wanted to go into the Army since he was four years old. It was hard for me to see him get shipped off to Iraq, but I supported him. I knew that his choice was rooted in his need to live with honor, integrity, and justice. Even as my baby brother, he was always brave and stood up to bullies twice his size. Even as a child he was my hero. Now he's a nation's hero. I miss my brother, but I am so proud of him and the life he lead. He will live forever in my memory and heart.
— Lynette Flanagan
May 7, 2009 at 4:06 p.m.
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"Jeremiah was a hero in the army, and in our family. He was a great soldier. I liked how he tickled me and blew on my belly. I liked riding in his big truck. I'm going to miss him."
~Jeremiah's nephew, Matty. Age 5.
— Matthew Flanagan
May 7, 2009 at 7:13 p.m.
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I do not know Jeremiah, but I have traveled to Killeen, Texas several times. The soldiers and familes from Ft. Hood are the most inspirational, competent young people I have ever had the honor to stand in the same room with. I'm so sorry, family of this brave young man, for the loss of your loved one.
— Norma Green
May 10, 2009 at 11:21 a.m.
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I'm DeWayne Tutton,Jeremiahs uncle Jeremiah may not have known that he was an inspiration and Hero me.I am proud of his accomplishments he acheived in his short time with us. and I honored to have had him defend our rights and Freedom and most of all to have him as
a nephew. Jeremiah you will be missed but your memory will live forever in our hearts.
DeWayne Tutton
— DeWayne Tutton
May 13, 2009 at 9:17 a.m.
— https://theywere.blogspot.com/2009/05/spc-jeremiah-p-mccleery-spc-jake-r.html
— Anonymous said...
My name is Gerald Phillips. Its really a blessing to see this website up and running. Jeremiah was one of my good friends and was due to come home on 05/15/2009 and be married on 05/30/2009. he will be missed. he will never be forgotten or what he sacrificed for all of us. we all love you jeremiah you will be missed. thank you.
cooper
May 5, 2009 11:03 PM
Lynette Flanagan said...
My name is Lynette Flanagan. I'm the eldest sister of Jeremiah McCleery.
Jeremiah always wanted to go into the Army, since he was 4 years old. He was my baby brother, but even as a child- I admired my brother and counted him as my hero. He often chased off older kids who teased me or our sister, Chasity. He once got sent to the principle's office for getting into a fight. When my mother arrived at school, Jeremiah was not sorry for his actions. He explained with pride that he stood up to a bully who had slapped a little girl. Jeremiah was never afraid to stand up for what he believed in, even if that would get him in trouble. It didn't matter if a bully was twice his size- he wouldn't back down.
Jeremiah was a hero from a very young age. Now he's a hero for the entire country. He will be missed, but our family takes pride in the fact that his life stood for something greater- integrity, honor, and justice.
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