Sgt. 1^st Class Richard Henkes, 33, of Portland, Oregon, died on September 3, 2006, from injuries suffered from a roadside bomb in Mosul, Iraq.  His mother and step-father, Chris and Jim Stanton, reside in Ashdown, Arkansas.  His brother, Paul Stanton, lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and his sister, Cindy Stanton, lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  

Sgt. 1^st Class Henkes was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division based in Fort Lewis, Washington.  He joined the Army in 1992 after high school, and then reenlisted during the Iraq conflict.  Prior to his service in Iraq, he served two tours in Korea. At Clackamas High School in Oregon, he wrestled and ran track.  Snowboarding was also one of his passions.  Although he was known to have a good sense of humor and be a jokester, he was serious about serving his country. 

According to his sister, Linda Bass of Birmingham, Alabama, he knew the dangers facing him and his soldiers.  However, she says, “He believed in serving his country and doing something that would have a positive effect.  He believed he was doing something for the greater good.” 

He is survived by his daughter, Isabel, of Vancouver, Washington; father and step-mother, Richard and Karen Henkes, of Woodburn, Oregon; mother and step-father, Chris and Jim; brother, Paul; brother, Mark Holmgren, of Woodburn; sister, Linda; sister, Cindy; sister, Tamara Henkes, of Portland, Oregon; and sister, Dana Harmel, of Woodburn. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service.