Jeremy DePottey
Sergeant, United States Army
September 20, 1979 – September 11, 2006
Age – 26
Ironwood, MI
Operation Enduring Freedom
1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY
Died of injuries while on foot patrol in Asadabad, Afghanistan
Sgt. DePottey was born Sept. 20, 1979, son of Gerald DePottey and Mary Burlingame. He resided in McMillan, Mich., for eight years and was formerly employed at Fosters Hardware in Newberry. He briefly resided in Bessemer before enlisting in the U.S. Army on April 1, 2002.
Memories from his daughter
September 11, 2009
Dear daddy,
when i went to school today i watched part of a 9 11 video i only lasted the first 5 minutes without crying though. after i started crying i asked the teacher if i could go wait out in the hall so that i wouldnt have to watch it but when i went in the hall i was talking to my teacher and she told me something i never heard before, she said that it was an honor for her to meet me. i miss you but love you much more daddy i will forever remember you in my heart and the 8 years of my life that i spent with you always laughing and joking around I love you daddy I hope to see you in about 90 more years but don’t worry it’ll go by and I’ll be able to be with you forever after that.
Cierra Depottey
Some of the tributes to SGT DePottey (known as Depot) are below.
Jeremy,
It had been a long time and yet I still remember that night like it was yesterday. To friends I have lost touch with, Erik, Troy, Eugene, David, I will never forget you guys and the sacrifices you made. We shared this loss and it hit each of us in our own way. To Cierra and Jeremy, your dad talked about you all the time. He hated being away from you. He loved you and his stories are the only way I know anything about you. I’m sure it has been hard without him but he has been there all along. His memory is not gone as long as those of us who loved him remember.
Chris Haynes
Hey man, just wanted to say hey. It’s been a while hasn’t it. I know it’s been a long time but know that you are always in my thoughts Depot. Whether I’m hearing taps played late at night or Sept. 11 rolls around, you are in my thoughts. I wanted to say I’m sorry. I tried man, I really tried to save you. I’d like to apologize to your family as well. I cannot express my sympathy enough to you all for your loss. Our platoon was never the same after that day. I ended up with your patrol cap Depot, and wanted to let you know that I will get it to your family. I don’t know where you are man, but wherever it is, I hope you are at peace. We only worked together for 6 months, but you were a valued friend. Remember playing poker that last day, putting your hand on my leg and saying I’m so sexy cause I won a good hand. Man we were jokers. Some great times. I’ll never forget you Depot. Be at peace my friend.
Julio Ramirez III
He was not only a brother in arms, but he was like a brother to me. I think of him every day and I miss him like crazy. When I have had some hard times, I find a place to sit and I look up and I talk to him like he is sitting right next to me. That day has been the hardest day of my life. I held him in my arms and prayed for him to be okay. It was then that he took his last breath and I felt it. When they finally came down to get him on a stretcher Ii wouldn’t let go. There will never be another person that could replace him in my life or his families. I will miss him terribly, and September 11th will never be the same.
Erik Greer