Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"I can't believe it's been five years. It seems like yesterday. I didn't really know you, HQ never mixed much with you guys in 3rd, but I never stop thinking about that awful day. I've never felt that helpless before. God bless you and keep you."
Andrew Hanna (formerly of B Co 3/504 PIR) of Bloomington, IL

"Hey, bro. Remember when you got to 30th AG in June of 2002. I do. You had a mullet. I can't stop crying. You told me to take care of myself a few weeks before that fateful day. I have a bracelett with your name on it so that I remember not to take my life for granted. You still help even today."
Raul Sanchez of San Antonio, TX

"Hey bro. Every time I try writing something on here for you, I start to cry just looking at the words of others. I remember when we were told that you had passed, that night I had a dream. I was sitting on an old wooden fence along a dirt road. I looked left, down the road and stared off for a second. I then looked to the right, and you were sitting beside me. You looked peaceful. You looked me in the eye and said, "Don't worry Brink, it don't hurt no more, everything is gonna be alright. I just wanted to say goodbye." Then you stood up and walked away. I will never forget that dream for as long as I live. To this day, that is the lasting image of you that I have. I've lost so many friends and family members in this life but none of those loses seem to hurt as much as this one. I remember the makeshift eulogy that I was asked to write and read at your memorial in Shkin. Holding back my tears that day was harder than any of the physical hell we ever had to endure over there. I wish I never had to write those words. I miss you brother. I look at your picture and give you a tip of my hat every day. May you rest in peace and may your family be blessed with your everlasting strenght. Goodbye bro."
Owen Brink of Scranton, P,A,

"December 8, 2007
To the family of Pvt. Jerod R. Dennis:
Jerod 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

"Words simply can not express the emotions that run through us all at the thought of your passing away. Thank you for being a hero; thank you for being strong; thank you for being a real paratrooper and sticking your neck out there to help out your brothers. You are missed more and more as each day goes by, and there isn't a single one of us who doesn't think of you with fondness and love. You were a good MAN, although too young to have everything taken away from you like it was. I think we've all asked ourselves "Why him? Why not me?" at some point in time or another. But God works in the strangest ways, and luckily, I know that some day I'll see you when I finally have the opportunity to ask Him myself why he took you from us. To Jerod's parents: I never got to know you that well and I apologize for that. Even though I was there every time you came to Bragg for a visit, I was scared to speak to you one on one and to this day I'm not sure why. I guess I didn't have the courage to face the two people who had made such a great sacrifice, knowing that it wasn't fair for you. Your son was a hero. You raised a truly dynamic person. I apologize for never taking the opportunity to speak with you and let you know just how much you and your son mean to me. Thank you for being strong, because it is obvious that that strength was passed on to Jerod. Let it be known that he was a true hero, and a good person. We all miss him, and I still shed a tear for him when I think of him. Not so much a tear for him, however, because he is in a better place, but a tear for those of us who were blessed enough to know him but lost him, and especially for you, who have made a greater sacrifice than those of us who accompanied him overseas. You are my heroes as well. Love you Jerod. See you in the end."
SSG Chris Ethridge (paratrooper/december degenerate) of Murray, KY

"We are sorry to hear of your loss but just remember The lord made him a channel of peace that where there was hatred he was sent there to bring love and where there was wrong he was to bring the spirit of forgiveness and where there was discord he was to bring harmony that where there was error he was to bring truth and where there was doubt he was to bring faith and where there was despair he was to bring hope and where there was shadows he was to bring light and where there was saddness he was to bring joy lord grant that he may see comfort than to be comfofted to understand to love for than to be loved for it is by selfforgetting that one finds it is by forgiving that one is forgiven it is by passing away that one awakens to eternal life amen"
John Bailey of Dallas Texas

"Maybe I am late at comming to grips with this compared to everyone else. I can't think of any words that can express deeply enough thanks to dennis himself. I can though for his mother. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, not only for raising such a great son but for the strength you showed all of us at his memorial. The image of you standing in front of me without a tear in your eyes will stay with me forever, i thank you for being that strong and i know your son does too."
Richard(Fellow paratrooper) of Florida

"Jerod,
Hey man its me again, I've been thinking alot about you lately and still come to grips with what happened. It took me a long time to cry after that day. I was watching a thing off of band of brothers last year and this old vet from WWII was talking about who the real heroes were, he was talking about the ones who gave the most. The ones who gave up the chance to experience the rest of their life, the ones who gave up the chance to raise a family, the ones who would never be able to see the sunrise or to see it set again. I balled my eyes out that day, and I'm able to do so from time to time now. I still don't know who to be mad at, God or whoever, that why he can't just stop letting people die over stuff that could be solved without death involved. Sometimes I blame the government. But with that decide I know the cards that we have been dealt, we will be leaving for Afghanistan again, and like I said before I will not let you go in vain. You are a brother among brothers and we are family, take it easy man."
SGT Joe Moser

"Jerod, you were and still are my hero. I was there when the news came in to your mother. I have no words to express how I felt that moment. We had so much fun in school. Always getting in trouble and on the teachers nerves. You have taught me so much through your actions over our time we shared in high school together. You have been a blessing to all that have met you. All these soldiers share my opinion, you are a HERO. The HERO. I think of you everyday. I know we will see each other again, and I can't wait. I try to model myself after you, making the best of what you got, seeing the good in everyone, and doing what I can to help out anyone in need. Thank you Jerod for fighting for our country. Jane, I am here for you and your family. I will never forget what your son has taught me and done for this country. HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. I love all of you guys. And to the soldiers still over there, God Bless you. Keep up the good work. Thank you for your sacrifices. I love you all."
Douglas of Antlers, Ok USA

"I did two deployments to Afghanistan and my second tour was when he died.I spent so much time at different FOB's throughout Afghanistan that I probably was at the same compound as him at one point in time and didn't know it.I was at Orgun-e the day that the news was brought to everyone's attention.It was a very sad day.I didn't know Jerod personally,but the courage and bravery he had to do what he did that day really says alot about what kind of person and soldier he was.He might be gone,but his spirit exists.There's not one day that goes by that someone doesn't think of him.To his family stay strong and my heart goes out to you.He's in alot of peoples prayers and thoughts more than you know.
82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION
3/82ND AVIATION( USE TO BE 3-229TH AVN.REGT(ATK ABN)"
ANONYMOUS of MINNEAPOLIS MN

"jerod im here again because its been almost 3 years since we lost you man, but i know you are still right there by all of us, helping us get through those hard days, i miss you bro, forever, i'll see you in heaven"
Shelby Elphick of Plano, TX

"You were a good friend. I will see you in heaven."
Patrick McCormack

"Hey bud every time that I visit this web site I can only do one thing and that is cry. You are always in my heart and I hold you as an American hero. I still to this day can not get the memories of that tragic day that ponders in my mind. The day god took my best friend away, I really miss you bud, and as I sit here in my home thinking about you I will never forget the last words that you told me. “Spc Beard do you think that they are out there this time”. I will always remember you and I will make sure your name is heard and remembered. I love you man……."
Joseph Beard of Naperville, IL

"Jerod,

We miss you. We love you. We will never forget you! 1/03/06

BCO 3/504 3rd Platoon!!!!!!!!"
Dan Tatro of Minneapolis, MN

"j-rod i love u bud. u were always livin life on a limb. i know if u were still here we'd still be doin crazy *. i miss u every day. im sorry i wasn't there. i love u so much, and ill be there again someday. i love u man , see u soon colten"
colten of ny

"I stumbled across this web site while doing a google search for my eight year old son who wanted to know if anyone else in the world had his name spelled the same, Jerod, instead of Jared or Jarrod. I named my son Jerod because I thought it looked more masculine and strong than 'Jared', the 'a' indicating feminity in Spanish, and 'Jarrod' having the word jar in it like he wasn't a free thinker.
I love my kids and I can't even begin to imagine the pain that losing a son can cause a family. Jerod R. Dennis is a hero that I can tell my children about so they will know why they can live free.
God Bless You All and please know that your sacrifice is not forgotten nor taken for granted."
Warren Fuller of Polk City, FL USA

"Jerod,
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.

"Airborne All The Way!"

"To the family of Jerod. I didn't have the fortune of knowing this paratrooper in Life, but I met him unfortunatly in death. I was the NCO in charge of getting his from the Mortuary and bringing him to the Airplane on Bagram airfield for this heros journey home. I myself an an infantry paratrooper who was deployed with dennis's unit though another battalion. I have since lost many friends since deploying to Iraq also, and I still think of this paratrooper who was the first to really open all our eyes (his fellow paratroopers) and to take pride in what we do as we saw first hand what price we may one day have to pay to do it. I want his family to know that his care after death was with the utmost honor. I felt I just couldn't do enough to honor this guy. I an E-6 even went off on the Sergeant Major as I had tears in my eyes for this paratrooper I had only met in death, because as we were going to be the ones to load him in the truck and my squad was going to be his pallbearers walking in palbearer position on the sides of the truck, I was to walk in front and lead the the truck. Well I was upset because their was National Guard people, whom I wondered why they were even going to be walking with the truck (since they weren't paratroopers from his division). I then asked one of them if they knew his name, when not one of those 4 knew his name, I "Politely" informed them, and sternely questioned someone who severely outranked me why these People who weren't paratroopers from the 82 and didn't even know his name was going to be walking behind us and the truck. I was then informed they were soldiers from Mortuary affairs, and had maintain a visual on him until he got on the plane, then I felt a little better, but I just wanted to display the love and brotherhood us paratroopers in division has for one another. I made sure every detail I could see was perfect. that his flag was perfectly drapped over, pinned just right at the bottom, and that he was handled as if some was handling a newborn baby. I just want you all to know that he left that country with tons of honor and respect. As we led him on the plane with me Leading his casket and my men carrying his casket on the plane, I will have yet to feel such an honor as it was for me to lead this wonderful paratrooper to the begining of his destination home. I was truely honored to escort him that day. I still think about how I wish I could have known him. God bless you"
Chris Duhon of Georgia

"Jerod i miss you everyday and will never, not one day in my life, forget the times we had. I'm so sorry that it had to be this way, but we will all always remember you for who you were, a true friend, a brother, and a hero. "How Bigga Boy are ya?" "By Gawd""
SGT Elphick (December Degenerates) of Plano, Tx

"Jerod I love you man, I miss you everyday I breathe. I am saddened everyday I live when I think you will never be able to experience some of the things in life which keep me smiling. I will never forget the goodtimes we had. Like the one time we got busted drinking haha. I will always remember that. And how u always used to look at situations in a positive note. You brought many laughs out in me and the guys. You will always be in our hearts. I heard ur name come over the radio and I was so floored by it. I didnt think it could be real. Then reality set in and a good friend was lost. Trust me brother I wont let your loss go in vain."
SGT. Moser of B Co 3-504 PIR

"Jerod i miss you and think about you every day, Whenever i was in the pits on mongoose or valient strike you always had something to make me laugh, like that song about lonergan burning down that bunker. Know that you will never be forgotten, my children will know your name and your legacy. I miss you brother"
an old Slayer of schaumburg IL

"JEROD, YOU WERE A GREAT FRIEND AND A TRUE HERO. I REGRET THAT DREADFUL DAY WE LOST A GREAT PERSON. YOU KEPT US LAUGHING AND KEPT SPIRITS HIGH. WHEN I FOUND OUT YOU WERE NO LONGER WITH US, I CRIED LIKE A BABY RIGHT THERE IN THE BATTLE FIELD. FOR A WHILE I QUESTIONED MY FAITH, BECAUSE I COULDN'T IMAGINE HOW GOD COULD TAKE SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON FROM US. CHAPLIN STRUKER HELPED ME THROUGH THESE HARD TIMES BY TELLING ME TO THINK OF IT AS GOD SENDING YOU AS AN ANGEL AND A SOLDIER, AND THAT YOU ARE. HE ALSO GAVE ME A QUOTE TO HELP COPE... "DUTY BE OURS CONCEQUENCES BE GOD'S" I BEAR YOUR BOOTS AND KEVLAR ON MY ARM FOREVER TO REMIND THOES WHO ARE NOT BRAVE ENOUGH TO DO OUR JOB AND TO REMIND THEM OF THE SACRIFICE WE ARE WILLING TO TAKE FOR THEM. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU BROTHER. WE LOVE YOU."
MICHAEL SHEPPARD of CARTHAGE , N.C. USA

"Just a reminder for the family. He may be gone but will never be forgotten. He fought the good fight and will be remembered for all that he did for this wonderful country. Thank you Jerod Dennis and thanks to your family. From a former Army soldier currently serving with the Airforce. HUA!!!"
Eric Barnett of Lackland AFB, Tx. USA

"Jerod may you rest in peace my brother, i was at Orgun-E when we received the tragic news. I am the one that made your memorial sign naming DENNIS ARMY AIRFIELD, it was an honor to do it and it still stands today. I will check on it when we return this year. You are a HERO my friend and you will be sorely missed by many. We will uphold the standard that you have set in everything we do. STRIKE HOLD!!"
A BLUE DEVIL ENGINEER

"Jerod was a great person. He was always there to make you laugh about anything. Sometimes he would just smile!! I pray for Jerod's family every night. He loved his family and friends very much. Jerod will be deeply missed."
Secret family of ada oklahoma

"I can remember stories my mother would tell about the jokes Jerod had told in class each day at school. I miss all of the good times that Jerod brought with him, along with a smile. I would like to express the extremely tremendous amount of respect and admiration I have for his family, especially his mother. She has always been my favorite teacher and I will always speak highly of her. I have never seen her miss a beat no matter what struggles life has thrown in her way and in my opinion she has done an incredible job raising all of her children, not just Jerod. To his siblings, I want you to know I'm very proud of you and don't know if I could have made it through nearly as well as you have. I miss you guys. Thank God for people like Jerod and his family because without them we would be lost."
Kaitlyn of Oologah, Oklahoma

"Jerod you will never be forgoten here in Cleburne,T.x. we spent many good days in the woods suppose to be hunting but we could never quit talkin to see a deer. You are my hero and I was blessed to have you as a friend although if you were here you would be quick to say we were more like brothers. Thank you Jerod I love you"
Michael Pipkin of Cleburne,T.x.

"I just wanted to wish all many happy holidays and that i am thinking of everyone of our falling heros your all im my prayers and my five children ages 11,8,5,4,2 they say grace each night and pray for all to be safe and any familys that lost someone close to them that they wont be sad anymore. God is taking care of them. We are very greatful for all that they have done and we may not know everyones names but we will never forget that they are heroes."
wendy garland of raymond nh usa

"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"

"Jerod, you area true hero, soldier and man. you will always be in our hearts.f we won't forget. God bless ya and look after ya. STRIKE HOLD!!"
michael s maxwell of fayetteville nc united states

"All our soldiers are heros. They make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free. I have known WWII, Korean & Vietnam vetrans and they all deserve our support and love. Thank you Jerod.
Anyone wanting pictures of his inspiring headstone can email me at thornlgd@bp.com"
Gary Thornley of Alvin Teaxs

"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 have the proud honor of knowing several of your buddies. By knowing them, hearing the stories of you and your bravery, makes me feel like I, too, know you. Your death saddens me beyond words. It hurts me when I see the look that crosses my friend's faces when they talk about you... your life and inturn your death. You will never be forgotten by any of us, Jerod. To his family, I am sorry."
Cat of NY, USA

"This old paratrooper will never forget the brotherhood of the greatest division in the world. Although I never ran across Dennis, my heart hurts for my brother. May you rest in peace."
Anthony of Denver, CO

"I was there when Dennis and Lasano were killed. It was the saddest day of my life. I felt like I lost brothers and I didn't even know them that well. I will never forget either of you. . . Everyday I look at a picture on my wall of your boots and M-4's on "the beach" (you know what I'm talking about) in front of the American Flag. I busted into tears when they did the 21 gun salute, so did everyone else. Dennis you are a BLUEDEVIL forever!"
True Bluedevil of U.S.A.

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

"Dear Dennis Family: I am so very sorry for the loss of your loved one. I will NEVER FORGET Jerod and what he did for his family, friends, and America. He accomplished more in his young life than anyone could hope to accomplish in a lifetime. For someone so young to put his life on the line for a whole country shows the amazing courage Jerod had. I am a year younger than Jerod and I know I could never be as brave as he was. Jerod is a TRUE AMERICAN HERO now and always. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless. Jerod: THANK YOU. May you rest in peace."
Jessica of Rio Vista,CA

"Unlike others here, I didn't have the opportunity to know you. Even so, there aren't enough words to thank you for putting your life on the line for our freedom. We will never forget the sacrifices you made to make your country a better one. My love and prayers go out to your family and friends during their loss of a loved one. The nation will never forget the loss of a hero. Thank you for being so brave."

"Jerod was a person that you did not have to know very long to feel close to.HE was a very special young man and is missed dearly here in Antlers America.Jerod had a very remarkable family, his mother being about the strongest LADY I have known.I admire her tremendously, she deserves to be commended for a wonderful job of raising her children. Jerod was very close to his mother and not hesitant to let it be known. The respect he showed for adults was amazing.I miss him dearly"
Marissa Jordan of Antlers OK

"I will never forget the day that we got into that firefight, you were brave and you did your job even though you had to pay the ultimate price. I will never forget you brother, I always speak highly of you, and I make sure everybody knows the real you, the real Dennis the guy that we loved. I miss you, and thank you for saving my life"
Joseph Beard of Ft. Drum N,Y

"In the 19 years that Pvt. Dennis graced this world he learned devotion to duty, bravery under fire, and caring for his fellow soldier. There are few people who after even a half century's time more could lay credit to this legacy.

This was a real man. One who died doing his duty. When you look at the flag of this great nation, he is woven into it along with the other heroes of previous battles.

God bless him and his family."
The Estes Family of Phoenix, AZ

"You was a brother to us all. You fought bravely and risked you life to make sure we all came home. You made us all laugh especially when gate three caught on fire. I will never forget that night, nor your face when we picked you up. I wish i could have changed that day you passed. you will always be in our hearts brother."
Anthony Apellido of Ft. Bragg NC

"Thank you Jerod Dennis, 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

"We are all proud of Jerod beyond words. We knew he was special from the start. He could always make you laugh and smile. His military comrades said the same. I wish I would have known when he was a talkative mess of a kid what he would turn out to be though. I wish I would have known how gallantly he was going to die. There were so many things left unsaid. I am proud to say he was my brother and my friend. I loved Jerod dearly and will always miss him and cherish his memory. I know that he is watching over us now ...Thank you Jerod! Your loving sister."
Jami Martin of Sherman, Tx

"Hey man we are going to miss you thank you very very much see ya soon"
Justin Young of Antlers Oklahoma

"I knew Jerod very well because he was my cousin. If someone walked up to me today or any day and asked me if I ever knew a hero I would say YES without a doubt. Jerod was the true meaning of a hero. If you heard the story as to what happened to him and how it happend you would say the same thing. He would be 20 years old tomorrow October 28,2003 and it is going to be one of the hardest days of my life. But I will never forget my HERO. If you got a chance to meet Jerod then you were blessed. He always had a joke and knew how to make people laugh. He faught for our country and because of people like him we are FREE. I just wish that it wouldnt have cost him his life because he deserved so much more. I think about him every day and wish that I could have got the chance to tell him how much I loved him before he died but he knew and he is watching over me now along with everyone else he knew and loved. Jerod I miss you and love you more than anything."
Tonya of Greeley, Colorado

"To the family and friends of Pvt. Jerod Dennis:
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 Jerod 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 Pvt. Jerod Dennis:
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 Jerod, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia