Michigan Heroes Museum

06/25/2026

Our hero today is Corporal Daane DeBoer who lost his life in Afghanistan 16 years ago today for our freedom. Always remember him, his service and sacrifice today and everyday.

Daane DeBoer
Corporal, United States Marine Corps

February 12, 1986-June 25, 2010
Age – 24
Ludington, Michigan

Operation Enduring Freedom
1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division,
I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California

Killed by an improvised explosive device while on
foot patrol in Helmand Province

Daane DeBoer was born in Valparaiso, Indiana and attended Immanuel Lutheran School through sixth grade before moving to the Grand Rapids area and lived in Rockford until graduating from high school.

He lived in Colorado for about a year before joining the Marines in spring 2009, and was deployed to Afghanistan.

Daane DeBoer enjoyed extreme sports such as skiing and hiked the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail along the mountainous spine of the eastern U.S. while raising money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a nonprofit dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.
“The discipline of doing the trail and what he was doing it for, I think, had a huge impression on him,” David DeBoer said.

“Doing something bigger than himself. He was an exceptionally phenomenal young man who loved the Lord,” said his mother Charlene Zerrenner of Ludington, Mich. “He loved his family and he loved his country. He died a hero.”

In letters read by a pastor, friends described DeBoer as "incredibly deep, always reliable and intensely loyal. He laughed so much that, around him, there was never a dull moment.

Lt. Michael Manning, battalion commander for DeBoer, lauded him in a note.

"Daane will be remembered for his constant professionalism and absolute loyalty to his fellow marines," he wrote. "He was a brave man."

Marine Cpl. Seth Jenkins, who knew DeBoer well, said he was a man of faith who was "more squared away than any other Marine I worked with."

His friend, Lance Corporal Ryan Innis, said he had been looking forward to going hunting with DeBoer when his tour in Afghanistan ended. Instead, Innis was assigned to es**rt DeBoer’s body on a plane from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to Grand Rapids’ Gerald R. Ford Airport. “That was definitely the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do and probably will be for the rest of my life.”
Innis described his friend as someone with an infectiously positive attitude and a strong desire to be in the military. He wanted to do something more, something bigger than himself. He was dedicated from the get-go," He had talked with DeBoer about two weeks before his death. He sounded optimistic. He was doing his job. He was helping people. He loved what he was doing. Tinkering with bombs is not what I would consider enjoyable, but Daane liked it."

As a combat engineer, DeBoer would search for mines and IEDs, clear roads and do construction demolition.

06/24/2026

Our hero today is Navy Seaman Aaron Ullom who should be celebrating his 35th birthday tomorrow with his family, but will be spending it with his brothers in Heaven.

Alron Ullom
Navy Seaman-Hospitalman, United States Navy
June 25, 1991-July 12, 2011
Age – 20

Midland, MI

Operation Enduring Freedom
3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division,
II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Killed when attacked by insurgents while on a training
Mission with Afghan Troops


On July 12, 2011, while on foot patrol, Navy Seaman-Hospitalman Aaron D. Ullom died in the Now Zad district of Afghanistan while aiding a wounded soldier. HN Ullom was on a training mission with Afghan troops when they came under fire from insurgents. HN Ullom was part of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He and his unit were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Twenty year old Aaron Ullom was from Midland, Michigan. He graduated from Midland High School in 2009. He played football and was on the track team. Classmates remember him as a team play who could be counted on to do more than his fair share on group projects; and was certainly appreciative when group members contributed their parts to the effort. Aaron was pretty quiet, but was really well liked. He was serious about his school work; and some remember how much they enjoyed being assigned to work, or partner with Aaron. He was a smart, good student; and a young man who was respectful, polite and responsible. His caring, humorous nature was appreciated by many fellow students and school teachers and staff.

He would not hesitate to take those challenges when told it couldn’t be done and set off to prove you wrong. You probably would hear: “Watch me.” He was a hard-driven kid who if asked a question and he didn’t have an answer, he would go find an answer not matter how long it took, without regard for search difficulty. Before joining the Navy, he worked at the Genji Japanese Steakhouse in Midland from where his well-mannered and respectful presence was appreciated by restaurant staff and and management.
Aaron enjoyed music by A7X, Disturbed, Rascal Flats, Paramore, Alan Jackson, 3 Doors Down and others. He followed the Detroit Red Wings, NFL football, and the TV program Dr. House. He also enjoyed photography and his home state of Michigan.

Aaron earned Navy Medical Tech Corpsman certification on April 9, 2010 and was assigned at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was on his first deployment to Afghanistan arriving in February 2011. Ullom’s awards include National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and NATO Medal—International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan

His memory will be safeguarded by his parents, his brothers, extended family and friends.

06/23/2026

Our hero today is Specialist Travis Mark Opperman who passed away 7 years ago today from cancer caused by the burn pits from his deployments to the middle east. Please remember his sacrifice and that of his family and pray for them.

Travis Mark Opperman
Specialist, United States Army

March 25, 1988 – June 23, 2019
Age –31
Millington, Michigan

Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
41st Engineer Company, Fort Riley, Kansas

Died of cancer caused by the burn pits

Travis was born in Flint, Michigan on March 25, 1988 and was the son of Mark and Carrie (Moon) Opperman. After graduating from Millington schools Travis enlisted in the US- Army and proudly served as a Combat Engineer (route clearance) as part of the 41st engineer company, aka the “Bulldawgs” of Fort Riley, KS home of the Big Red One.

Throughout his military career (2007-2015) he received many awards, his most honorable being the Purple Heart- received during the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) tour in Afghanistan (2009-2010). After being honorably discharged Travis loved spending time with his family and many friends.

Those left to cherish Trav’s memory, his parents; Mark & Carrie Opperman, a sister Jasica Martin. His grandparents; Jim & Greta Opperman, Dale & Kathy Moon. Nephew and niece Jacob & Amarli. Travis also leaves his special friends that were at his side; Nate, Meagan, Katie, Emily, David, and

06/22/2026

Our hero today is LCPL Steven P. Stevens who died of wounds in Afghanistan 14 years ago today. Say a prayer for him and his family - especially the son he never saw today and everyday.

Steven P. Stevens
Lance Corporal, United States Marines

June 13, 1988 – June 22, 2012
Age 23
Detroit, Michigan

Operation Enduring Freedom
1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California

Died of wounds received when hit with shrapnel from
a rocket-propelled gr***de

LCPL Stevens, who was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, part of the Camp Pendleton-based 1st Marine Division, was killed after saving the life of an injured Marine as their platoon came under heavy fire during a nighttime mission. After Stevens pulled the injured Marine to safety he was hit and killed by a rocket-propelled gr***de.

Stevens grew up in northwest Detroit, attending Cass Technical High School and went to Florida A&M University on a swimming scholarship.

As a baby, Stevens had asthma and the doctor suggested finding a sport that would help him breathe. His mother put him in the swimming pool and he had been a swimmer since.

While at FAMU, Stevens helped the Rattlers to a third-place finish and a 2007 northeast championship. When he left FAMU ranked sixth best in the 200 yard backstroke in the school’s record books. He also swam a fourth best time as a Rattler in the 400 meter individual medley.

After two years of college, he joined the Marines to serve his country. He felt he needed to serve. He went to Afghanistan just days before his son was born and never got a chance to see him.

06/20/2026

Today's hero is LCPL Brandon J. Webb who gave his life for our country 20 years ago today. Please remember his mother and brother today as they relive Brandon's life through their memories.

Brandon J. Webb
Lance Corporal, United States Marines
April 12, 1986 – June 20, 2006
Age – 20
Schwartz Creek, MI

Operation Iraqi Freedom
1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division,
I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California

Killed when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Karmah, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Webb was raised in Arizona and graduated from Red Mountain High School there in 2004, but attended Swartz Creek High School during his junior year in 2003. He served with the Swartz Creek department from June 2004 to May 2005. Joining the Marines had been Webb's dream since he was a little boy. He felt like people needed to fight for this country and make it a better place. He was a straight-A student who never got into serious trouble. He loved baseball, hockey, golf and playing video games. He was to return home Aug. 2. His bedroom is just as he left it. He had plans to work alongside his mother as a firefighter at the Swartz Creek Fire Department like he had in the past.

Brandon J. Webb was good at a lot of things. “He was an amazing student,” said his older brother, Austin W. Christofferson. “He loved baseball. He liked to pitch. And he loved painting Warhammer figurines. He always wanted to be a Marine. He admired his brother’s initiative. “He led by example,” he said. “He put off a real example of how to live your life. Sad, but I understand. Freedom isn’t free.”

He had always wanted to be a Marine, even when he was a little kid,” his mother Ann Christofferson said. When Webb told his mom he had joined, “I was scared to death for him, but I wanted him to know he had all of my support,” she said.

Christofferson said she talked to her son last week. “He was joking and laughing. But he had also seen stuff he hoped he never had to see again. The only thing he hated was not being able to sleep in a bed.”.

Webb grew up in Tempe and attended McClintock High School his freshman and sophomore years, where he pitched and played first base on the baseball team. When his mother moved to Michigan, he followed, but missed friends in Arizona so much that he returned to the Valley for his senior year. “We were pretty much inseparable,” said Private Marcus Otero, 20, of Mesa. Webb lived with Otero's family during senior year. “He was the closest thing to a brother I've ever had.”

Otero said Webb's death still doesn't seem real. “He had all kinds of things going for him. He was almost done with Iraq. He was even figuring out what kind of car he wanted to get when he came home,” Otero said. “The last thing he said was, ‘I'm almost ready to come home. I'll see you soon.'

06/19/2026

Our hero today is SPC Robert L. Voakes Jr. who gave his life 15 years ago on June 4 in Afghanistan. Always remember his sacrifice and that of his family who goes on every day with only memories to remember him by.
Robert L. Voakes, Jr.
Specialist, United States Army
February 26, 1990 – June 4, 2011
Age – 21
L’Anse, Michigan
Operation Enduring Freedom
793rd Military Police Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade,
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Died at FOB Fenty, Afghanistan of wounds suffered in Laghman
Province when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device

SPC Robert L. Voakes Jr., 21, of L’Anse was among four soldiers who died when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device June 4 in Laghman province, the Defense Department said. They were assigned to a military police battalion from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

SPC Voakes was born in Hancock, Mich., Feb. 26, 1990, and joined the U.S. Army in 2009. He served as military policeman, driver and gunner. The 2009 Baraga High School graduate was a very quiet, polite young man who went about his business. He was very well liked by every teacher and by every student at the school.

Bruce Rundman, a former basketball coach and the guidance counselor at Baraga High, remembered Voakes as having “had a real gentle presence and a quiet wit. Robert was really funny, but unfailingly polite.”

Rundman said Voakes provided him with one of the “best laughs of my coaching career. The JVs were scrimmaging the varsity, and it was shirts and skins. Robert looked at me and said, ‘Hey coach, when are you going to take your sweater vest off?’

The one thing all soldiers seemed to remember most about Voakes was his tremendous pride for his Native American heritage. In fact they say he was planning to take his mid-tour leave to attend a Native American function back at his tribe, and aspired to being a reservation police officer.
He was Native American and very proud of that heritage. He told his squad leader that he and one of his brothers were the only two from his tribe that had been to Afghanistan and in combat. His family was very proud of him for his service.
He had a huge flag of his tribe in his room. He would get very upset if you told him you thought he was anything else than Native American. Voakes was proud of his Native American heritage, and the Keweenaw – his tribe. They were an important part of his life. He was a warrior.
U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Gehri, from Anchorage, Alaska, Voakes’ company commander with the 164th, also spoke of the young soldier’s sense of humor. “Spc. Voakes chose his words carefully, more often than not, at the exact right time to let his fellow soldiers have a laugh. His word was always good enough. His actions were above reproach.”

U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan Enlow, a team leader with the 164th from Tahlequah, Okla., agreed. “He was quiet, but not because he didn’t know what to say or didn’t want to say it, but he just was reserved. But he was always on the periphery watching. And he always had a comeback, he was very witty. He was waiting to say something and when he let it loose, you had nothing you could say.”

U.S. Army Spc. Colton Oslund, from Stillman Valley, Ill., another military police officer with the 164th who spoke about Voakes at the memorial ceremony, remembered something different about Voakes. “I remember Spc. Voakes always talking about his Cadillac,” Oslund recalled. He loved that car, and I’d like to think that somewhere Voakes is driving around in a 24-karat-gold Cadillac with 24s, the truck bumpin’ and watching over us.”

“He had been my gunner, and he was an excellent gunner, he was just flat out on it,” U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Vincent Vetterkind, a squad leader with the 164th from Wausau, Wis., said.

His military awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

06/18/2026

Those that followed Artemis II may recall watching and waiting for the crew to regain communication with Earth after flying around the moon. Michigan's own Christina Koch spoke some powerful words about things we will accomplish in the future, ending with "we will always choose Earth. We will always choose each other." Did you know she had only 15 minutes to put those words together? Here's the story as she tell it.

You can see Christina's display in our Astronaut Gallery. Hers is one of over 140 military and space heroes on display at the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth. Stop by and see it! Honor. Respect. Remember.



https://www.instagram.com/p/DZk1hWLERDo/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

06/18/2026

https://youtu.be/rqIvQD0PYuY?si=cZ6JNMp67vznC3Ya An amazing 4th of July song that rings so true.

Most Fourth of July songs are about the party. This one is about th...

06/18/2026

Our hero today is SGT Joseph D. Johnson who gave his life 16 years ago. We thank him and his family for their sacrifice. We know that he is spending his time ensuring his mother Teri Johnson, who is with him, is loved and cared for.

Joseph D. Johnson
Sergeant, United States Army

May 7, 1986 – June 16, 2010
Age – 24
Flint, Michigan

Operation Enduring Freedom
161st Engineer Support Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat)
(Airborne) 20th Engineer Brigade, 18 Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg, NC

Died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in North Kunduz, Afghanistan
Joseph Dennis Johnson was born May 7, 1986 in Flint, Michigan. He graduated from Carman Ainsworth Highschool in 2004 and attended Lake Superior State University. He became a US Army soldier in 2006.

Joe was an adventure, mischievous and fun loving. From the time he was little, you never knew what was coming next. He once said of himself “I live life to the fullest. You only live once, make the best of it because the only things in life you regret are the risks that you didn’t take!” Anyone can tell you that Joe enjoyed life, laughter, and his family. You can’t talk about him without laughing. He loved the outdoors, practical jokes, his sweatpants and slippers, and just having fun. When asked what his favorite color was one day, he replied “Plaid”.

After basic training, Joe received training in many different areas. He became an Airborne Combat Engineer (rough terrain) and was trained in identifying and destroying IED’s. He deployed to Afghanistan with the 161st Combat Engineers in December 2009 as Counter-IED. He was a team leader, medic, and volunteered for every mission. He believed in his job and said that for every bomb he found and disarmed, someone’s life was saved. He enjoyed the Afghan people, especially the children. He loved his fellow soldiers, and they loved him. “His leadership, his laughter, and his light will be missed”, stated one commander. He was a courageous soldier and a hero to his family and friends. A real “GI Joe”.

“You always lived for a thrill,” said the letter from Johnson’s sister, Jennifer Pollak. “Sometimes being an idiot, but I loved you. I would shake my head, but smile. You weren’t afraid of anything, Joe. I admire your bravery, courage, passion and dedication.”

A letter from Johnson’s parents, Dennis and Teri Johnson, described raising Johnson as an adventure. He would do anything to take care of his parents, they wrote, and they’ll miss his smile and their long talks with him.

Johnson’s family was presented with the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Action Medal for Johnson’s service.

The Rev. W. Glen Gardner said Johnson loved his job of dismantling bombs.

“We’re here today to pay tribute and honor a man who couldn’t just join the Army, he had to give everything to the Army,” Gardner said. “So he would call you in the middle of a minefield and say, ‘Hey Mom, guess where I’m at?’ ”

06/17/2026

Michigan Heroes Museum will be at Fischer Hall, downtown Frankenmuth, showcasing veteran displays from around the state to help celebrate America 250! The display will be there on June 27, 2026, from 10 am until 3 pm. THe event is free, but donations are welcome. All donations help us continue to Honor, Respect, and Remember all of our Michigan Veterans and Astronauts. Come by and help us celebrate!!