Army Cpl. Nathan J. Goodiron

Died November 23, 2006 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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25, of Mandaree, N.D.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery, North Dakota National Guard, Grand Forks, N.D.; died Nov. 23 of injuries sustained when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire and rocket propelled grenades in Qarabagh, Afghanistan.

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Guard soldiers present spurs to fallen comrade’s parents

The Associated Press

BISMARCK, N.D. — The spurs from a North Dakota National Guard soldier killed in Afghanistan were presented to his parents after a ceremony honoring the 188th Air Defense Artillery Security Forces.

All members of the unit who serve in combat wear the spurs on their boots. They were presented July 28 to the parents of Cpl. Nathan Goodiron, 25, of Mandaree, who was killed last Thanksgiving when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle while he was on patrol.

Goodiron’s mother, Harriet, dabbed her eyes while members of Goodiron’s platoon formed a circle around her and her husband, Paul. She said it was a difficult day, but was happy she attended the event.

Three other soldiers from the unit died in Afghanistan, Cpl. Curtis Mehrer, Sgt. Travis Van Zoest and Cpl. Christopher Kleinwachter.

“We owe the families more than we could ever repay,” Gov. John Hoeven said during the ceremony.

The event included a dinner, dance and raffle prizes for the soldiers, most of whom returned in April.