Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"Jaybless I saw it yesterday that disc that I have been aviding all these years It is so hard not to hate those people and that country I really try hard not to. Looking at those pictures made my heart ache those images will stay with me for a long time. I miss your friendship and your love and I hate that you had to leave I am not the same anymore and I really hate that too. The babies are great we talk about you all the time I am sure that they would know you by sight as much as we look at photos. Eillie starts kindergarden in the fall it seems like so long ago that you held her. Brother Jay is doing soccer and Maggie Anne will be one on your bithday... it helps. We sold your truck my heart broke when they drove it down the street it's just a truck but it felt that I lost you all over again. I often wonder if my heart will ever heal. even now something funny will happen and I think that I can't wait to tell you... You are, were, and always will be one of a kind and I am so greatful that for a time we got to share this life. I miss you every day little Brother...everyday."
Jennifer

"I worked and lived with Jay for a few years when I was in the Army. For a brief time we both shared a room in the Headquarters building of 2nd Ranger Battalion. He was an amazing Ranger, leader and friend. I would not advise playing cribbage for money against him; you will lose. For those of you who did not have the pleasure of knowing Jay Blessing, you have certainly missed out. I would not be the person I am today had it not been for his guidance and friendship. Thanks for everything Jay; I’ll see you on the other side brother."
Jack McKenna, Former Army Ranger of Lacey, Wa

"November 26, 2007
To the family of Sgt. Jay A. Blessing:
Jay gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"SGT Blessing, I recently worked in the building on Ft Lewis that is fittingly named after you. You have no idea the impact you left on your comrades. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for our freedoms. God Bless you and your loved ones."
CW3 (retired) Lupton of Ohio

"SGT Blessing, you never met me but you have changed my life forever. My husband was there the day you were killed in action, he was right behind you. What you don't know is, my husband and I were newly weds and I was pregnant with our first child. Through your death our son was able to know his daddy. Not a day goes by that your not in my thoughts. I pray for your family every night. My son knows your name and will always know that you were an amazing soldier. We always take time out to remember you. Your memory will live on for generations to come in our family. Thank you for the sacrafices you've made, not only to protect our country but to ensure that we have the freedom to enjoy our lives."
Mindy of Ft. Bragg, NC, USA

"Jay I know that you are sitting some where with a cribage board... Deal me in brother, I will be there some day. You are missed."
Gabriel Huft of Bco 2/75 Ranger BN

"I Knew (Better Yet)/I Know Jay From High School (Lincoln) In Tacoma, Washington. When I First Met Him He Was Totally Different From What He Showed On The Outside. I Can Honestly Say He Was One Of The Realest Persons I Have Met. If You Couldn't Get Along With Jay Then Something Was Going On With You, Because He Was That Type Of Person To Adapt To People From All Walks Of Life. Jay You Will Always Be Missed And Never Forgotten."
Jasmin Williams of Colorado Springs, CO By Way Of Tacoma, WA

"To the family of Jay blessing, not a day gose by that Jay's friends don't think of him and smile. Jay is still alive in hearts of his brothers from 2/75."
Joe Kent of Ft campbell KY

"I remember standing behind Jay in formation for PT every morning. He was layed back, even melancholy but a high speed and dependable soldier. My fondest memories are skanking and moshing with him to a home brew punk band in A co's rec room. And even better was the time we elected him HHC team captin for ranger push ball and we smeared B co. or was it C co?"
Ranger Kyle Edwards of Pa.

"No greater sacrifice can be given than one's life for other's freedom. I received SGT. Blessing's KIA Bracelet and will wear it eternally as a reminder of the cost of Freedom. God Bless The Sacrifice made by his family so that we may live free."
Roy Parker of WPB,FL

"In Distant Fields the flowers grow. Between the crosses row on row. That mark our place in the sky, the larks still bravely singing fly. Above the gun that we did know, we are the dead short days ago. We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved and now we lie In Distant Fields. Take up our quarrel with freedoms foe, to you from falling hands we throw. The torch be yours to hold it high, if you break faith with us who died, we shall not sleep though flowers grow in distant fields. Rest in Peace you Ranger dead, the fight that you so bravely led, weve taken up and we will keep true faith with you who sleep. With each a cross to mark his bed where once your own life blood ran red. So let your sleep be sweet and dear In Distant Fields. Fear not that you have died for naught, the torch you threw to us is caught. Our Ranger hands will hold it high and freedoms light will never die, we learned what you taught, you of the dead, In Distant Fields.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice Jay. Rest in Peace, see you one day."
Waylon C34 2/75 RGR of Brea, CA

"I was there the day Sgt. Blessing was hit. My only memory of him was in the arms room. I remember him replacing the gas tube on my M4 and the feeder paws on my saw. Now that I'm out of the Army I have nothing but respect for the guys who stay in. It was a tragic day that Sgt. Blessing died and I hope to see him again some day."
Ken of Sacramento, CA

"To the family of Jay Blessing, I had the privlage and honor of serving with Jay at A co 2/75. Jay was alway there for his fellow Rangers and was respected by all the men in the company for his forditude and his contagious positave sprit. Jay will never be forgotten."
Joe Kent of Ft.Campbell KY

"To those and those like us, damm few of us. we few, we mary few, we mary band of brothers, for he, who has shed his blood for me, shall always be my brother. You will never be forgoten Blessing. (3rd Plt. EARTH PIGS) RANGERS LEAD THE WAY"
PORTER of Vancouver Wa.

"Jay: Every time I hear certain song on the radio my eyes well up with tears. I know you are looking down on all of us. I am sorry you never got to meet your little cousins. We love you and miss you terribly. I know we will be together again...until then keep us safe as you watch over us, you are truly an angel."
Joanie of Ellensburg WA/USA

"Jay... not one single day goes by that I don't wish you where here I hate that you are gone I hate that I am going to have explain very soon to your niece where heaven is and why she can't touch you. She knows you love her! I wish I could see you hold baby Jay the way you held Eillie He looks so much like you and he has your calm soul he is helping to ease the hole in my heart. Still working on the backbone I at least I can stand up for myself now though I'd go back to being a coward if it ment that I'd have you to protect me. I love you brother and until we meet again may God keep you safe for me ~Jen"
Jennifer

"I was at the dedication of Camp Blessing in Nangalam, Afghanistan. You are truely an American hero and my family and I appreciate your ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms."
Command Sergeant Major (ret) Ron Webb of Salt Lake City, Utah

"Hey Bless... Just wanted to let you know that we haven't, nor will we ever, forget you. A true patriot and friend, we miss you."
Cco 3rd Plt. 2/75 Rangers of Ft. Lewis, WA USA

"Jay,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

"Rangers Lead The Way!"

"I am honored to say that I served with Blessing in Aco 2/75. He was a fun guy to hang out with, and was talented in many things including art. He will be missed. I am positive his memory will be carried in the hearts and minds of his friends, family, and fellow Rangers. Best wishes to his family. "Rangers Lead The Way""
Clifford J. Schmidt "C.J." of Phoenix, AZ / U.S.A.

"May God bless them for always.
To all the fallen heroes families: please,know that we are with you,and we do have so much pain for them too.
With Love
Adelina
Kosovo"
Adelina of Kosovo

"I am the WA State Coordinator for the Home of the Brave Quilt Project. Our goal is to make a memorial quilt for the family of each fallen hero listing a WA town as their hometown. We would like to make a quilt honoring Jay. Please contact me at barbnlamont@comcast.net"
Barb Shillinger of Aberdeen, WA

"To the family and friends,

Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your loved ones bravery and sacrifice. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. Your loved one is a hero. Greater love have no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.

God bless you.

Home Front Ministries
Shepherd of the Hills Church
Porter Ranch, CA"

"Thanks for stepping forward when America needed you. To the family - Thank you for your contribution to our liberty and freedom. I'm sorry for your tremendous loss."
Ronald Carlson of Montrose, MN

"I was looking up my name on the Web to just see what I would find. I was blown away to find somone that I share a name with had been killed durring the war in Iraq. I am 34 years old with a beautiful family. My life is a good one and I live it my way. I know that the reason I have this opportunity is because of Jay. I whish his love ones the same opportunity. Jay fought for this gift. Do him the honor of living a great life remebering him when your together. I will never forget this young man even though we never met. I will live my life with dignity, respect, love and treasuring the freedom he has given me and my family."
Jay Blessing of Miami, Florida

"My first memories of Battalion are of Blessing. I will always remember him as the tabbed SPC who took me under his wing when I got to Battalion. He was a great soldier, and a great friend. There will always be a very special place in my heart for him. God Bless. RLTW!"
Matthew Hoover of Reno, NV

"i spend alot of time with jay in ranger bat. he was a great friend with a big heart, mine hurts when i think of him."
Aco 2/75 RLTW of CHISHOLM MN

"Sergeant Blessing, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"Thank you brave soldier for sacrificing your today for my children's safer tomorrow. You have our utmost respect and gratitude. May God provide your family with comfort in their time of sorrow. May you forever rest in Heavenly peace. Neither you nor your sacrifice will be forgotten. For the family/friends: May time provide happy loving memories in place of present sorrows. Look to the sky for in the infinite meadows of Heaven the bright shining stars bloom....the forget-me-nots of angels. God bless you and thank you."
a grateful family in Phoenix, AZ

""To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream,not only plan but also believe." Jay accompished a lot during his short life. He acted with bravery and gave his life for something he believed in. I am eternally grateful for evrything Jay did so we could all live in freedom. To his family and friends: I am so very sorry for your loss and know that all Americans are grieving with you.God Bless."
Jessica of Rio Vista.CA

"I was a friend of Jay's and am a friend of his family, I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind words and support. It really means alot to us. Thank you again and God Bless"
Darian McClain of Tacoma, WA

"I remeber when Jay Blessing fist showed up to 3rd Platoon (Earthpig). I was a Grenadier in 3rd Squad and he was attached to Weapons Squad. I remeber how nothing seemed to faze him and he had this take it as it comes way about him. Last night, 3 April 2004 was the first time I found out he had died in Afghanistan and I can't stop thinking about it. I hadn't talked to him in almost four years, as Army assignments have carried me from here to there. But I'll never forget him or the other young men who strived to be Rangers that I shared my youth with. God bless. Sua Sponte."
Eric Holmstrom of Fayetteville, NC

"My name is Cathie Longstreth and I was the grandmother to Duane E. Longstreth, killed in Baghdad on August 7, 2003. I am also a member of the "Bridge People" of Outpost 122. The members of the Bridge Team rally at Outpost 122 (the exit 122 off I 5) every Saturday in an effort to support the troops of Ft. Lewis, McCord AFB and Camp Murray (Washington State National Guard). We have the honor of greeting hundreds of military members and their families every week. The response from the troops is heart warming and welcomed .

I am writing this message to the other families in Washington State that have also lost a family member while serving our country, since September 11, 2001. My family would like to display a picture of the fallen hero, with the name and possibly the date of death, on the bridge while we are rallying. It is intended to honor them for the sacrifice they made but will not be used by us as a personal political statement. We hesitated to replicate the pictures we find on the many web sites without the express permission of the surviving family, as we have had our own experience with the media attempting to use our loss to support their political position.

If you do not object to us using your loved ones picture, please email me with your permission at one of the email addresses below. If you have a special picture that you like us to use please email that as well, otherwise we will be using one of the pictures already posted on the web.


chilstad88@aol.com
clongstreth@multicare.com"
Cathie Longstreth of Tacoma, Wa.

"My family is safer thanks to this brave soldier.

His service was noble and meant something. He did more in his young life towards helping others than most will ever do.

God bless this soldier's family."
The Estes Family of Phoenix, AZ

"Thank you, Jay, for serving our country. Your bravery has touched others lives and you will always be remembered."
A grateful citizen of La Grange, IL

"Fallen but never forgotten, Blessing worked as my A.G., In weapons squad(Maggots)Third Platoon(Earthpigs)Aco 2/75. Blessing was a Great soldier always giving 110% day in and day out. A person whom everyone knew. You are a great soldier Blessing. Rangers Lead the Way!"
SGT J. Arredondo Aco2/75 RGR of Tempe, AZ

"Thank you Jay Blessing, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios

"To the family and friends of Sgt. Jay Blessing:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Jay for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"To the family and friends of Sgt. Jay Blessing:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Jay, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia