Harmon, Joshua S.

Joshua Scott Harmon

Mentor, Ohio

Feather Location: Row M, #15

The Plain Dealer

CORPORAL JOSHUA SCOTT HARMON. Funeral Mass for Corporal Joshua Scott Harmon, 20, of Mentor-on-the-Lake, will be 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 7575 Bellflower Rd., Mentor. Mr. Harmon died August 22 in Multaka, Iraq. He was born Nov. 25, 1986 in Euclid. Joshua was a U.S. Army Veteran Specialist E/4, assigned to the 25th Light Infantry Division (nicknamed "Tropic Lightning"), 35th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion. He served as a Combat Medic attached to the Scouts Sniper Platoon and received the Army Medal of Commendation of Valor for performing extraordinary life-saving measures. Additionally, Joshua was awarded the Combat Medical Badge. Joshua was deployed to Iraq Aug. 5, 2006, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, stationed in Kirkuk, Iraq. When returning from a mission Aug. 22, 2007, Joshua lost his life when the UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter that was transporting him crashed in Multaka, outside of Kirkuk. Thirteen fellow soldiers also lost their lives as a result of the Black Hawk crash. Joshua joined the Army in August 2005, and served his country as a Combat Medic. He was promoted posthumously to Corporal Aug. 22, 2007, and was awarded the Bronze Star. In a recent letter to family and friends Joshua said, "I just stay focused on my job as platoon medic to make sure my soldiers are taken care of night and day. Sometimes it is a tiring job, but I have found great pride and satisfaction in performing." Joshua married Kristin Rathjen May 10, 2007. Kristin was the love of his life and he could not wait to get back into her arms. Joshua was a 2005 graduate of Mentor High School and an accomplished musician on the guitar and drums. He enjoyed many sports, including bowling, soccer, Kenpo karate, and working on cars. He loved animals, especially the family dogs, Mercedes and Ginger, and adored his little black cat, Sheila. His face lit up every time he saw Sheila. Joshua always had a smile and was a very giving and caring person. He was a good friend, wonderful son, devoted husband, and good citizen. He had previously worked as a master mechanic at Classic Ford in Mentor before joining the U.S. Army. …

Carver: Arlene Hensinger from Bellevue Ohio has been carving for 21 years.         Wood: Basswood