Connor Nicol, Founder
My name is Connor Nicol and I am 16 years old. I founded We Will Remember in 2020 and, with the help of the Board of Directors, run day to day operations. I am an Eagle Scout, and love to read or play video games as well as fish and hike in my free time.
Education
The website says I need to add information about my education. I'm in my Sophomore year of high school. My goal is to have the honor of serving our county in the Armed Forces after I finish school.
Elizabeth Nicol, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Elizabeth Nicol is the owner of RediCheck North, LLC. She is a Civil Engineer with over 20 years of experience with the review of construction documents. Elizabeth is a former Naval Officer and active volunteer with youth organizations promoting STEM fields of study.
As a military spouse, Elizabeth has volunteered with the USMC Family Readiness Program. She is also active in the Scouts, BSA program as a volunteer mentoring youth and promoting the Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics Program. Elizabeth and her husband share three teenage sons.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts, Marquette University
Professional Engineer, State of Virginia
Colonel Jonathan Q. Kenney, USMC
Board of Directors
Colonel Jonathan Q. Kenney was born in Philadelphia, PA, and graduated from Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA, in 1994 with a major in Business Administration and minor in Psychology.
After commissioning via Officer Candidate School in April 2000 and completing initial training, he commanded a Rifle Platoon, Weapons Platoon, and served as the Executive Officer (XO) for Company K, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4) in 29 Palms, CA. From August 2001-February 2002, Second Lieutenant Kenney deployed to Okinawa, Japan. First Lieutenant Kenney then deployed to southwest Asia in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) I from December 2002-June 2003. From January-June 2004, he returned to Iraq with 3/4 in support of OIF II.
In September 2004, Captain Kenney reported to 2d Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Company, Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, in Yorktown, VA where he commanded 4th Platoon and deployed to Bahrain from April-October 2005. From July 2006-March 2007, Captain Kenney commanded 1st FAST Company in Norfolk, VA before he attended the Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in Quantico, VA in September 2007. Upon graduation from EWS in May 2008, Captain Kenney commanded Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines aboard Camp Lejeune, NC and deployed to Iraq in support of OIF from April-October 2009. In November 2009, Captain Kenney served as the Assistant Operations Officer for 3d Battalion, 6th Marines and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 10-01 from January-May 2010 as part of the Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan.
From July 2010-June 2013, Major Kenney served as a Faculty Advisor at EWS and concurrently graduated with distinction from the Marine Corps Command & Staff College Distance Education Program in 2012. From August 2013-June 2014, he earned a Master of Operational Studies degree at the Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting. From July 2014-June 2015, Major Kenney served as the Future Plans Officer for Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward in Bahrain. In July 2015, Major Kenney served as the Battalion XO for 3/4 before leading the Commander’s Action Group at the Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group from August-November 2016 in 29 Palms, CA.
From December 2016-May 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Kenney commanded 2d Battalion, 7th Marines and deployed the battalion to Kuwait as part of the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command 17.2 in support of operations in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Jordan. Afterwards, he graduated with distinction from the Naval War College in Newport, RI in May 2019. From June 2019-May 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Kenney served on the Joint Staff, Joint Operations Directorate (JOD), Deputy Directorate for Regional Operations and Global Force Management (J-35) at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as an Operations Officer focused on U.S. Central Command. In July 2021, he served as the Director, Strategy & Analysis Division in Headquarters Marine Corps’ Office of Legislative Affairs at the Pentagon until he served as the Current Operations Officer, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) in Okinawa, Japan from July 2022-April 2023.
Colonel Kenney currently serves as the Deputy Operations Officer, III MEF.
Decorations and ribbons include the following: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars in lieu of a fourth award, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Combat “V” distinguishing devices and three gold stars in lieu of a fourth award, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star in lieu of a second award, Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star in lieu of a second award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze star in lieu of a second award, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze star in lieu of one campaign phase, Iraq Campaign Medal with one silver star in lieu of five campaign phases, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with one bronze star in lieu of one campaign phase, Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and two bronze stars in lieu of eighth award, and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.
LtCol Evan F. Bradley, USMC
Board of Directors
Current Assignment: Alliance Planner, Combined Forces Command Korea
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Selling and Sales Management, Purdue University
Masters of Philosophy (Summa Cum Laude), American Public University
Masters of Military Studies, Marine Corps Command and Staff College
Masters of Operational Studies, School of Advanced Warfighting
Masters in Red Teaming, School of Advanced Warfighting
Military Schools: MCRD San Diego Recruit Training (Enlisted)
School of Infantry West (Enlisted)
The Basic School
Infantry Officer Course
Martial Arts Instructor Course
Fire Support Coordination Course
Expeditionary Warfare School (Resident)
Marine Corps Command and Staff College (Non-Resident)
Marine Corps Command and Staff College (Resident, with honors)
Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting
Major Assignments: LtCol Bradley was born on 19 September 1983 in Chicago, IL. While attending Purdue University, Major Bradley enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. After boot camp, at MCRD San Diego, he attended the Infantry Assault School in Camp Pendleton. After MOS school, then LCpl Bradley was assigned to duty with the 3d Battalion 24th Marines in Terre Haute, Indiana.
After receiving his commission in 2006 through the Officers Candidate Course (OCC) program, 2dLt Bradley attended The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course in Quantico. From there, he was assigned to duty with 3d Battalion, 7th Marines in Twenty-nine Palms, California. While with 3/7, he served in Lima Company as the Platoon Commander for Second Platoon, the Platoon Commander for Combined Anti-Armor Team Black, the platoon commander for the Scout Sniper Platoon, the Company Executive Officer for Weapons Company, and the S-3A for the Battalion. During this assignment, Lieutenant Bradley completed two deployments to Iraq, as well as a deployment with 7th Marine Regiment to Seoul, Korea and participated in Operation Foal Eagle.
After completing his tour in Twenty-nine Palms in 2009, 1stLt Bradley was assigned to duty as an instructor at The Basic School. During this tour, Captain Bradley served as class advisor for the Infantry Officer Course Class 4-11. Subsequently in 2012, Capt. Bradley reported for duty as a student at the Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico.
Upon graduation from EWS in 2013, Captain Bradley reported for duty with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune. While assigned to 1/6, Captain Bradley served as the Commanding Officer, H&S Company and as the Commanding Officer of Bravo Company. As a company commander, Capt Bradley deployed with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2014. During this deployment, Captain Bradley was the lead planner for the two week combined French and US Marine live fire exercise in Djibouti in support of the CJTF-HOA bilateral training missions. Following the 22d MEU, Major Bradley was transferred to 2d Battalion 6th Marines in Camp Lejeune. While assigned to 2/6, Captain Bradley served as Commanding Officer of Weapons Company for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2016. During this deployment, Major Bradley became the Battalion Landing Team Operations Officer for 2/6 and redeployed the Battalion Landing Team.
In June 2016, Major Bradley transitioned from 2/6 and reported to The Basic School for duty as the Director of Infantry Officer Course. After departing The Basic School in 2018, Major Bradley became a Faculty Advisor at the Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico for Academic Year ‘20, where he was an instructor for the Infantry Occupational Field Expansion Program and defense package until summer 2019.
In 2019, Maj Bradley attended Command and Staff College. He was selected to participate in Marine Corps planning efforts in response to COVID-19. He graduated with honors and earned a Master’s Degree in Military Studies.
In 2020, Major Bradley attended the School of Advanced Warfighting. Here he earned a Master’s Degree in Operational Art and a Master’s Degree in Red Teaming. In June of 2021, LtCol Bradley was assigned to Combined Forces Command as an Alliance Planner on the Korean Peninsula.
LtCol Bradley’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Commendation Medals, and one Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
LtCol Bradley’s wife, Lauren, is from Larwill, IN. They have seven children Elijah, Eden, Noah, Roman, Cyrus, Arden, and Aslan.
LtCol Christopher Upton, USMC
Board of Directors
Lieutenant Colonel Upton enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 22, 1992. Upon completion of recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, SC, Lieutenant Colonel Upton attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC. Following MCT, Lieutenant Colonel Upton reported to the Basic Armor Crewman Course, Fort Knox, KY and was assigned the MOS of 1812 (Tank Crewman). As an Enlisted Armor Crewman, he served as a Section Leader, Tank Platoon Sergeant for the 24th MEU, Company Master Gunner and instructor at the Armor Crewman Course aboard Fort Knox. He participated in Operation Vigilant Warrior (Iraq-Kuwait border) and Operation Dynamic Mix (Greece). He also served as the Tank Platoon Sergeant deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in support of Landing Force Sixth Fleet. Upon return from deployment Lieutenant Colonel Upton was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program.
Upon graduation from the University of North Florida (Summa Cum Laude), Lieutenant Colonel Upton reported to The Basic School (TBS) as a member of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company 3-06. Upon completion of TBS, he attended the Armored Basic Officer Leaders Course (ABOLC) at Fort Knox, KY.
After graduating on the Commandant's List from ABOLC, he reported to 2nd Tank Bn., Camp Lejeune, NC. Lieutenant Colonel Upton immediately deployed as an Individual Augment to Regimental Combat Team 6, Camp Fallujah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon returning from Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel Upton was assigned as the Tank Platoon Commander for the 26th MEU in support of the Global War on Terror. Shortly after returning, Lieutenant Colonel Upton was deployed as the Company Executive Officer for Delta Company, 2nd Tank Bn. in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Upon returning to the United States in the spring of 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Upton was selected to instruct at The Basic School. Lieutenant Colonel Upton served as a Warfighting Instructor and Package Primary for the Squad Tactics Package. Lieutenant Colonel Upton also served as a Staff Platoon Commander for the Basic Officer Course, Echo Company, 5-11 and the Warrant Officer Basic Course India Company, 1-12 and as the Company Executive Officer for Fox Company 6-12. He also served as a Master Instructor for the Instructor Education Program. Upon completion of his tour at The Basic School, Lieutenant Colonel Upton attended the Expeditionary Warfare School, graduating with Distinction.
His next assignment was with 1st Tank Bn., serving as a company commander in two separate companies commanding over 600 Marines. Lieutenant Colonel Upton is also a graduate from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Upon graduation from Command and Staff College, Lieutenant Colonel Upton served as the Military Aide to the Vice President of the United States.
Upon completion of his tour at the White House, Lieutenant Colonel Upton became the Executive Officer of 2d Tank Bn. in Camp Lejeune, NC. Following his time as the XO, he served as the Staff Secretary to the Division Commanding General. Lieutenant Colonel Upton then served as the Deputy Director for the Expeditionary Warfare School.
Lieutenant Colonel Upton currently serves as the Commanding Officer of Warfighting Instructor Bn., The Basic School in Quantico, Va.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 gold stars, and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars.
LtCol Jacob O. Gray, USMC Board of Directors
Lieutenant Colonel Gray graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and was commissioned in 2005.
His fleet assignments include Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines; Company Commander, Battalion Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion; and MAGTF Planner with 3d Marine Aircraft Wing.
His supporting establishment assignments include Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General Education Command; Warfighting Instructor and Patrolling Package Primary Instructor, Staff Platoon Commander and Basic Officer Course Executive Officer, The Basic School; and Recruiting Station Houston Commanding Officer.
He has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2007 & 2008/2009) and the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan (2014).
He is a graduate of The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, Expeditionary Warfare School (Resident and Non-Resident), USMC Command and Staff Non-Resident, and the School of Advanced Warfighting.
Lieutenant Colonel Gray assumed command of Marine Combat Training Battalion - School of Infantry West in June 2022.