Army Spc. Tony Carrasco Jr.

At Gadsden High School in Anthony, N.M., Tony Carrasco was remembered as a hard worker who didn't cause problems.

"He was an ag student who was involved in the horticulture program here," said principal Carey Chambers, who arrived at the school after Carrasco graduated but heard teachers' memories of him. "By all accounts of everyone we talked to, he was a good kid."

Carrasco, 25, of Berino, N.M., died Nov. 4 in Ad Dawr, Iraq, when he was shot during an attack. He was assigned to Fort Riley.

His sister, Susana, wrote in an online message board that she remembered her brother's jokes and all the times he told her to be strong and not take life for granted.

"Those are the things that help me go on. I am very proud of you. You are my HERO!" she wrote.

Carrasco graduated from high school in 2003 and entered the Army in January 2008. A field artillery specialist, he deployed to Iraq earlier this fall.

He is survived by his wife, Johana Lizeth Martinez Gavaldon-Carrasco; stepson, Axel Antonio; stepdaughter, Ilse Iveth; parents, Antonio & Juana Carrasco; and sisters, Rosalia, Susana and Jessica.

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Army Spc. Christopher M. Cooper

Christopher Cooper was remembered as someone who was kind and charitable, dropping $20 bills in the lap of a homeless person and collecting tattered U.S. flags left on the streets after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Cooper entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000 and served five years, completing an Iraq tour. After a few months of civilian life in Oceanside, Calif., he joined the Army Reserves, then enlisted in the U.S. Army.

"He wasn't one for complaining and it lifted those around him," retired Spc. Chris Conover wrote in a message posted on the Daily Kos Web site. "You could always talk to him if you needed someone to have a heart-to-heart with."

Cooper, 28, died Oct. 30 in Babil province in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion at Schweinfurt, Germany.

An obituary said Cooper was a "restless soul" searching for his place in the world until he joined the military.

"He always looked forward to returning home to visit his family and friends but then could not get back fast enough to be reunited with his brothers in the military," the obituary said.

Cooper is survived by his mother, Sherry Kennon; brother-in-law and sister, Damon and Lori Coachman; and niece Kayla Coachman.

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Army Pfc. Derrick D. Gwaltney

Derrick Gwaltney couldn't wait to come home from Iraq and see his wife and 2-year-old daughter _ and the son the couple was expecting, his family said.

They had spoken to him on Thanksgiving, just days before he died.