ANAHEIM -- Justin J. Swanson talked about duty and discipline and about being a role model for his family when he signed up for the U.S. Marine Corps a few weeks out of high school.

Lance Cpl. Swanson of Anaheim died earlier this week in the blast of an improvised explosive as he participated in combat operations in southern Afghanistan. He was 21 years old.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. --Staff Sgt. Charles Isaac Cartwright, 26, of Oceanside, and formerly of Union Bridge, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in the Farah Province of Afghanistan.

OCALA.com -- Spc. Gary L. Gooch Jr. wanted to serve his country, and he wanted to make a good life for himself. That's why he joined the U.S. Army in August 2006, after graduating from Dunnellon High School.

Keely Murphy, Gooch's older sister, also served in the Army and did tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan before leaving the service four months ago.

"We grew up with mom playing all these World War II videos," Murphy said. "We both wanted to serve our country. We both knew that would be the only way to make something of ourselves because mom did the best she could, but we just didn't have the money for college."

KVUE News -- A United States Marine from Bastrop County died in Afghanistan Wednesday while supporting combat operations.

Lance Corporal Cody R. Stanley, 21, is from Rosanky and attended Smithville High School. On Friday, some of his former high school teachers talked about the kind of student he was and how they will never forget him.

"He’s the kid any mom would be proud to call her son," said Marganna Martin, math teacher. "These kids leave as boys and come back as men. The military had made him an awesome man."

The Times-Picayune -- Pfc. Brian Bates’ career in the Army was one measured in months.

After working various offshore jobs, the 20-year-old West Bank resident decided to join the service last November to provide for his wife and two babies.

Just 11 months later, a flag-covered case bearing his body was saluted by President Barack Obama as it arrived on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware early Thursday.

The Associated Press --Williamson’s father, Leon “Buddy” Williamson, said Thursday that his son recently was promoted to sergeant and was among soldiers in the brigade killed this week in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.

Williamson said his son was the first member of his family to enlist.

The Oregonian -- The Vancouver family of a U.S. Army soldier killed in Afghanistan was among those gathered to greet 18 returning American bodies and meet with President Barack Obama at Dover Air Force Base, Del. early Thursday.

Pfc. Christopher "Ian" Walz was one of a record number of Americans killed in action in Afghanistan this month. His family, including mother Victoria Walz, aunt Donna Walz and ex-wife, Katrina Walz, traveled to the East Coast Wednesday for the ceremonial transfer of the body.

Chicago Sun-Times --A 22-year-old soldier from Evergreen Park was killed in Afghanistan this week in what's been the deadliest month so far for U.S. troops since 2001.

Spec. Jared D. Stanker was one of seven soldiers who died Tuesday after enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device, the Defense Department said Thursday. An eighth soldier was killed in a separate bombing Tuesday in southern Afghanistan.

Missourinet -- A Missourian was among the seven U.S. soldiers who were killed on Tuesday in Afghanistan. 27-year-old Sergeant Isaac B. Jackson of Plattsburg died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Arghandab Valley.

Jackson and his fellow soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division in Fort Lewis, Washington.

TERRE HAUTE — It was earlier this month when U.S. Army Sgt. Dale Griffin, 29, last spoke with his mother on the telephone. He was calling from Afghanistan where he was serving as part of operation Enduring Freedom. It was not an ordinary call.

“He wanted to be sure that we knew how much he loved us,” said Dale’s mother, Dona, speaking in her southern Vigo County home Friday afternoon. In that conversation, Dale asked his mother why people always seem to have to lose something or someone before they realized what they had lost.