Ramsey, Joshua A.

Joshua Adam Ramsey

Defiance, Ohio

Feather Location: Row F, #19

FortWayne.com

It didn't make a lot of sense at first, but Joshua A. Ramsey decided to buy himself a new Pontiac Grand Am while on a two-week vacation from Iraq. His grandmother Margaret Ramsey soon found out why. "It seemed rather foolish to buy a car," she said. "But, when it's 150 degrees, you need something to dream about and to plan for. If it helped him through the tough times, it was well worth it. We took pictures of him with his new car so he could show his buddies." Joshua Ramsey, 19, of Defiance, Ohio, died Dec. 12 of non-combat-related injuries in Baghdad. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was based at Mannheim, Germany. "He loved his job," said his mother, Joy Ramsey. "He loved the Iraqi people, especially the kids. He was assigned to distribute soccer balls and school supplies. I know he died doing what he wanted to do, and I find comfort in that." During his vacation, Ramsey went fishing and golfing. For dinner one night, he asked his mother to "fry up those little brown things" _ chicken livers, one of her son's favorite meals. He also is survived by his father and stepmother, Bruce and LeAnn Ramsey.

Carver:  Lawrence Kirkendall carves with the Millstream Wood Carvers, Findlay Ohio

Wood:  Basswood