Russell M. Makowski

Russell Michael Makowski

Battery B 4-42 Artillery

4th Infantry Division (Mechanized)

KIA 09/14/2006

Rank: Corporal

Age: 23

Hometown: Union, Missouri

Died Sept. 14, 2006, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device
detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations in Taji, Iraq.

St Louis Today -- A soldier from Union was killed Thursday by an improvised bomb while on patrol in Taji, just north of Baghdad, his family says.
Army Spc. Russell Makowski, 23, had been in Iraq since December and was home on leave for two weeks in August.
Mark Makowski, his father, said Army personnel notified the family Thursday night.

"Since he was a kid, he always wanted to be a soldier," his father said. "He was proud to be a soldier and proud to be over there.
He told me when he was home, 'We need to be there, we do need to take care of those people.'"

Mark Makowski said his son was making plans to return for a 30-day leave in December and January.
"He said he would be home by Christmas," his father said.

Russell Makowski grew up in the St. Charles Hills area of St. Charles County. His family moved to Union six years ago,
and he graduated from Union High School in 2002, his father said.

Mark Makowski said he and his wife, Pam, have another son, Matt, 15, who is a student at Union High. Mark Makowski said
Matt "was always very proud of his brother, and always was saying that his brother was a hero for what he did."

Russell Makowski was assigned to an field artillery unit from Fort Hood, Texas. His unit is based at Camp Taji,
about 15 miles north of Baghdad, his father said.

He said his son had told him shortly before heading back to Iraq that his unit would be engaging in vehicle and foot patrols through the Taji market.

from STL St Louis Today

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CPL Russell Makowski's decorations

From: TOMORROW Special Veterans Day Issue November 11, 2006
published by
UAW-DAIMLERCHRYSLER
NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

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Birth: Jan. 18, 1983
Death: Sep. 14, 2006, Iraq

Cpl. Russell Michael Makowski,Thurs., Sept. 14, 2006, while service our country in Iraq.

Beloved son of Pamela J. and Mark J. Makowski; dear brother of Matthew C. Makowski; dear grandson of Clyde and Angie Williams
and the late Stanley and Catherine Makowski; dear great-grandson of Roy Williams; dear nephew Michael (Claudine) Williams,
Chrtistine (Richard) Ledbetter, Stan, Phyllis and June Makowski; dear cousin, great-nephew, god-son and friend.

Services: Funeral at the KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd. (at Butler Hill), Wed., Sept. 27, 10 a.m.
Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full Military Honors.

Russ Proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Irag Conflict with the 4th I.D. 4-42 F.A. Russ was a peace keeper.
Russ and his military sisters and brothers are in Iraq to help the people find their voice and freedom that we have. Please keep
his fellow soldiers in his prayers that they may soon leave a stronger Iraq and return to their families. In lieu of flowers,
donation can be made to U.S.O. Visitation Tues. 4-9 p.m.

He was a 2002 graduate of Union High School and was just home on leave in August.

"He loved serving his country, he loved being in the army that's all he ever wanted to do even when he was a little kid," said Matt.

Burial:
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Saint Louis
St. Louis County
Missouri, USA
Plot: N, Site 83

Grave marker for Russell Makowski

Photo by Gracie's Grammy from the Find A Grave website

Plaque for Russell M. Makowski on the 4th Infantry Division Wall of Honor at Fort Hood, Texas.

Photo courtesy of Bob Babcock

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Quilt made for the family of Russell Makowski by

Freedom Quilts

Quilt made for the family of Russell Makowski by

Freedom Quilts

Freedom Quilts, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of comforting mourning families. Throughout the past years, our efforts
have been dedicated to those families who have lost a loved one in the 9/11 tragedy and to the families of our fallen soldiers. Through the gift of a quilt,
we strive to comfort these families and preserve the honor and memory of their loved ones.

Freedom Quilts creates unique, personalized quilts for family members who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. Families are not charged for these handmade quilts.
They are free… they are gifts of love and compassion.

Freedom Quilts

Quilt made for the family of Russell Makowski by Marine Comfort Quilts

Marine Comfort Quilts

Marine Comfort Quilt Group is a not for profit ministry whose objective is to provide a memorial quilt of comfort to the next of kin of our fallen military.
Our quilts are made from thirty quilt squares, each containing an inspirational message from it's donor or another serviceman.
Our quilts are stitches of love from those who want so badly to bring comfort, but don't know how to help.

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Thanks to Jim Spofford, Veteran of 1-22 Infantry and 4-42 Field Artillery,
fellow Soldier and friend of Russell Makowski, for establishing this memorial.

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