Pvt. Joseph R. Blake of Portland, Oregon had lived in Portland only a few weeks when, in January 2005, he made a commitment he'd toyed with much of his life. He joined the U.S. Army. At 34, Joseph was the oldest guy in his basic training class. Many of his classmates, still teenagers, used to kid around and call him the "old man." Born and raised in the Detroit area, Blake spent most of his life there. In 2003, he moved to Florida to live with his birth family and to find a job. He had trouble finding work in Michigan, and found the same economic problems in Florida. He and a buddy then went to Portland looking for work. Although he was older than his comrades, Joseph Blake was proud he could keep up with them. He worked hard to stay in shape. He is the son of Doug and Joann, brother of Kevin and Tina. Grandson of Robert L. Gleichauf. He was 34.
Army
1st Battalion
32nd Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York
Army
1st Battalion
32nd Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York
Pvt. Joseph R. Blake of Portland, Oregon had lived in Portland only a few weeks when, in January 2005, he made a commitment he'd toyed with much of his life. He joined the U.S. Army. At 34, Joseph was the oldest guy in his basic training class. Many of his classmates, still teenagers, used to kid around and call him the "old man." Born and raised in the Detroit area, Blake spent most of his life there. In 2003, he moved to Florida to live with his birth family and to find a job. He had trouble finding work in Michigan, and found the same economic problems in Florida. He and a buddy then went to Portland looking for work. Although he was older than his comrades, Joseph Blake was proud he could keep up with them. He worked hard to stay in shape. He is the son of Doug and Joann, brother of Kevin and Tina. Grandson of Robert L. Gleichauf. He was 34.
Army
1st Battalion
32nd Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York
Army
1st Battalion
32nd Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York
Inscription
PV2 - U S ARMY - AFGHANISTAN - BRONZE STAR MEDAL - PURPLE HEART - OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
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