Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"I felt compelled to write you as I sit here reading the comments, with tears running down my face. My husband left 3 days ago, on his second deployment and is stationed at Camp Eggers. My uncle, a Nightstalker special operations helicopter pilot was killed in Afghanistan in 2003. Your husband was a hero and you have all sacrificed so much. I feel like these Angels are now surrounding our military over there, helping to keep them safe. You are in my thoughts and prayers."
Amanda Hoskins of Beaufort, SC

"November 18, 2007
To the family of Capt. Daniel W. Eggers:
Daniel 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

"My Dearest Dan:

It's hard to believe that it's been 3 years. Every day, month, year seems like an eternity, but collectively they pass so quickly. But without a doubt, there isn't a day that goes by that we don't think of you. We love you and honor your sacrifice. The boys are growing up before my very eyes. I know you can see them and I hope they make you proud. I do my best to teach them how to be like you...how to be kind, intelligent, gentle, and to love unconditionally. They miss you dearly as do I. I know you watched us as we spent the day doing some of the things that you loved...going to the museum, visiting 3d Group, just hanging around. I even tried to give JJ a little history lesson in the museum...it only lasted a few minutes :). Please continue to watch over us and keep us safe...you and God are doing a wonderful job so far. We love you."
Rebecca, JJ and Billy

"Rebecca,JJ and Billy
Just wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts today. It's hard to beleive that God called our heroes home 3 years ago today.
God Bless you!!!"
Family of SFC Rob Mogensen Tanya,Josh,Vanessa & Leilani of North Carolina

"What a blessing to have known him.
What joy when we see each other again!"
Adhis of Utah

"If you are able,
save them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam"
A Fellow Veteran of Bonita Springs Fl

"To the Family of Danny Eggers, I have been in Afghanistan for 8 months now and only recently had an opportunity to briefly stop in at Camp Eggers. I am here from the Iowa National Guard as an Embedded Tactical Trainer to the Afganistan National Army. As a Logistical Officer I see the successes and efforts that Danny and the men who have served prior to me. When I arrived in June 2006, I was told there was a Camp down the road named after me but I knew it had nothing to do with me. I also knew there must be a tragic event related to the naming of Camp Eggers. Not until today did I know the background or story and I just wanted to say I was proud to walk the camp if only for a short time last week. I only wish I had met the man is was named after instead. It seems he made a huge impact on the soldiers that knew him personally and professionally. You all have every reason to continue being proud. I will never forget Danny's service or the Camp that honors 'his' name."
CPT Douglas E. Eggers of Gardez, Afghanistan

"Dan was a man even as a boy. I had the pleasure of knowing Dan as a friend in middle school and High school. Even as a youth he had all his peers respect and admiration. He was a natural born leader of men and he could run like the wind.. what a track star he was! Dan was the kind of man that everyone knew and everyone wanted to be like. I am better for knowing him and he has paid a debt for our country that me nor my family will ever forget. My sincerest thanks and condolences to the Eggers family. Dan will never be forgotten."
Melina Youngs of Cape Coral, Fl 33904

"I was blessed with the opportunity to know Dan as cadet while at The Citadel.
I spent a lot of time with him as he was sophmore company clerk in ECHO company, a position I myself previously held. I saw Dan several years ago in Savannah,GA during St. Patrick's Day while he had his wife and children in tow. We didn't speak as my soon to be wife and I were in a rickshaw passing by. Dan just yelled,"Lewos",looked at me and gave me a thumbs up. I didn't have the opportunity to know Dan as a soldier or a loving father and husband. I did however know him as a dedicated and honorable human being. I cannot express in words my sympathy for Daniel's family. Your son, father and husband will be missed. I thank CPT. Daniel Eggers for his sacrifice in providing us all the freedom we have and having known him the better people we are. God Bless.
Mike Lewos
Echo Company, Class of 1996"
Mike Lewos of Jacksonville, FL

"To the family of Danny Eggers: We were stunned and so very sorry to hear about Danny's death. Danny went to elementary school with my son Eric Knudsen many years ago in Still River, Massachusetts. The poem below, written in Danny's honor, was inspired shortly after seeing his headstone in Arlington National Cemetery shown on the television program "Sunday Morning" over Memorial Day weekend in 2005. Take care and God bless. You're always in our thoughts and prayers -- and we appreciate your sacrifice more than you will ever know. Thank you.

Little Boy Lost

(written by Paula J. (Knudsen) Botch,
August 2005)

Your child’s face looms near
As your name is listed among the dead,
Your bright smile shines from the photograph on television
While they tell your story
A local soldier, lost forever
A husband, a father,
A young man I didn’t know

Hard to believe you were only six
Last time we met
Just a little school boy
My son’s childhood friend
From another time, so long ago
Suddenly I see your name, forever etched in stone
Among heroes who gave their all
For me"
Paula J. Botch of Orange, Massachusetts

"Dearest Family of CPT. Eggers,
I had the extreme privilege of serving with Dan in Afghanistan. He was the ultimate soldier. He embodied everything that a Special Forces soldier could be. I was impressed by his skill and presence on the battle-field. But more than that, he was a great guy. His priorities were right. He taught me so much. Thanks for your sacrifice family of Dan Eggers. The world is a better place for his service."
2LT David Allen of Fort Campbell, KY

"I just learned of the loss of CPT Eggers. I knew him from his days as a platoon leader at Ft. Stewart; I was one of his soldiers and knew from the start that he would be a top notch officer. He always had the ability to make a bad day great and to make those around him appreciate his being there. I truly regret his loss and I will never forget- he was a great person and a true leader."
SSG Bryan McKinley of Marysville, OH

"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Capt. Eggers, Capt. R. Eggers and his sons. I pass by the dedication plaque in the courtyard of flags on the main road in Camp Eggers on my way to my post here. Capt. R. Eggers, our thoughts are with you and your sons on the 2nd anniversary of Dan's death. Thank you for what you are doing"
Col. Dave Snell, USAF of Camp Eggers, AFG

"As we sit here today on Memorial Day 2006 and reflect about the news of our brother-in-laws death two years, we remember what a great soldier and family man he was. He was trully dedicated to the Army and an awesome example of a soldier committed to his country's freedom.

We hope our nephews will always remember what a wonderful person he was. Unfortunately our son will have to rely on us to hear what a great person he was as he was only 5 days old at the time of Dan's death. Thank you to all who have left Rebecca your words of comfort and memories of Dan."
Mindy, Josh & Colin of Avalon, WI

"Capt. Eggers,
Sir, I would like to say thank you to you and the three other men who were in that Humvee with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

"Green Berets All The Way!""

"thank you daniel eggers. your heroism and valor is not forgotten. i'm proud to have your name representing the duty station where i'm assigned during my deployment. i have never met you but at the same i will never forget you because have paid the ultimate price for our country's freedom. rest in peace sir! spc. jones 1/114th fa, mississippi."
spc. robert jones of camp eggers, kabul, afghanistan

"To all Dan's friends and family:

We thank you for your kind words and enjoy hearing your stories and memories. Dan lives on in our hearts and souls forever. He was amazing. Please continue to share your memories. The boys and I are still here at Fort Bragg, so if you are in the area, please look us up and give us a call. We'd love to share your stories personally."
Rebecca, JJ and Billy of Fayetteville, NC

"To the Family of Dan Eggers:
I went to The Citadel with Dan. I remember walking tours with him when I was a sophmore, it was the year of the Hale Bop Comet and we could see it from the Quadrangle. Every time we did an about face Dan and I would say: "Hale Bop, come and get me!" Laughing and joking then was all we had to keep our spirits up, laughing kept us sane. I remember thinking that he would be a great soldier and as it turned out, he was. I'm so very sorry he's gone, the world is a lesser place without him in it. I'll always miss him and I'll never forget him.
Semper Fidelis, Green Beret."
Captain James L. Carter, USMC of Okinawa, Japan

"TO the family of Daniel W. Eggers,
I know how it feels to lose a loved one like that. My uncle was killed in Opereration Iraqi Freedom and i want you to know that Your father and husband was a hero and i respect him."
kailey of olathe KS

"To the family and friends of Daniel W. Eggers:
There are alot of kind words I could say to you, but it is very hard to find the right words to console you during this difficult time. I lost my brother-in-law on May 9, 2005, Pfc. Stephen Phillip Baldwyn, in Nasser Wa Salaam, Iraq. Everyday, I sit and ponder what all our soldiers go through so that we can enjoy a life of freedom. Their courage is astonishing. My heart has been torn into pieces and I miss Stephen everyday. Daniel, I thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. You gave up everything for me and my loved ones. I don't know you or your family, but it takes a pretty special person to go and fight on America's behalf and I will never forget you. I hope your family finds comfort in these messages and God bless each and every one of you."
Stephanie Franks Baldwyn of Saltillo, Mississippi

"I had the honor of being a classmate ('97) of Dan's at The Citadel, as well as a fellow Army scholarship winner. Our paths never crossed while in the Army, unfortunately. What I remember most about this remarkable person was his dedication to everything he did. That included his humor. We once wrote a skit together that criticized and made fun of every Army Dept. instructor at our school. Dan was as equally dedicated to the skit's biting humor as he would have been to setting up a minefield. At such a serious institution, I came to admire someone who enjoyed rocking the boat as much as Dan did. I feel how inadequate any words of mine are that might intend to relieve anyone from the sadness felt by Dan not being around anymore. It is, however, my hope that the rest of us can dedicate our lives to the cause of freedom, and shun those who attempt to persuade us to compromise."
Elliott Johnson of Seattle, WA

"Dan showed me the correct way to where my green beret me the first time i put it on i laugh and think about him every time i put it on we went through the course together and served in afghan together he was a great soldier and will always be a hero to me God bless you brother and God bless your family we will never forget your sacrifice."
Bill of Ft. Brag NC

"Thank you for helping to make our lives and the world a little safer. All of us owe you and your fellow soldiers our thanks and prayers. To the family: Daniel paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country. We are all proud and will be forever grateful. A true American Hero."
H Mac Wooten of Tigerville SC

"Danny will always be in our hearts and minds, we will never let Danny be forgotten."
McKenna Family of Cape Coral, Florida

"I am proud to have grown up next door to Daniel Eggers. I have recieved the deepest inspiration from his example and today I am a better person because of my proximity to such a selfless hero."
Jeffrey Weber of Manhattan, Kansas, USA

"To Family and Friends
I knew dan from high school and JRotc, I was very saddened to hear what had happened, Dan was the nicest guy you would ever want to meet or talk to, I know when I hear the word "Hero" Dan Eggers will come to mind, he will never be forgotten by me or anyone that knew him. My heart goes out to his Wife and kids and his brothers and sisters.
( DE Oppresso Liber )
R. Edwards
T00l375@aol.com (Note the 00's are zeros)"
R. Edwards of Cape Coral FL, Usa

"To Daniel & Family -

I am the brother of Brian J. Ouellette. He was with Dan, Joseph,and Robert. My brother was surrounded with the best of the best. I am so sorry for your loss. I am sorry it has taken this long to write to all of you. I know Brian would want this. God Bless you all. If you ever want to contact me try Mikeyo777@aol.com"
Michael Ouellette of Uxbridge, MA

"My son, Daniel, is a Marine currently serving at Camp Eggers, Asadabad, Afghanistan. Captain Eggers sacrifice is remembered and appreciated. I hope that the Marines of India 3 serve his memory well."
tony wiesen of wiesenb@earthlink.net

"Dan, you were a great friend and a tremendous soldier. I am honored to have served with you. I will never forget you. CottonBalers! De Oppresso Liber! God Bless Rebecca and your boys."
Mike of Fort Lewis, WA

"To Rebecca and family - Dan was one of my only true friends while completing the Infantry Captains' Course. I had kept in contact with him via e-mail after the course and enjoyed reading of his achievements. I hadn't heard from him in quite a while and did a search today on his name. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Dan. He was a true friend and he will be missed.

I had the honor to meet the whole Eggers family at a picnic that we had at Benning and it was obvious that it was a very tight family, united together. My prayers are with you all."
Brad of South Carolina

"To Dan and his Family: I went to school with Dan, and was a sophomore while he was a junior. As a cadet, I knew him from ROTC; as a Lieutenant, I knew him as a Cottonbaler; as a me, I knew him as a friend, admired and respected by all. I was proud to see him in his Green Beret, it was him. At the 2003 Homecoming, I asked him about SF and how he liked it. He told me that it was the best place for him, and he loved it! Dan was a great man! I am honored to know him, and thank you, his family and friends, for your sacrifice. God Bless, and Dan, you will never be forgotten!"
Kris Mitchell of Columbus, GA 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"

"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

"To Dan's family and friends: Dan was one of the funniest people I have ever met! It was awesome to be around him in such a horrible place. At times he had us in tears and I'll miss him forever. To Dan: I've never seen any soldier so professional at his/her job than you. You could have wrote the book on how to operate out here. I just want to thank you for what you taught us, and the good times we had."
Damian Riccitelli of Qandahar Afghanistan

"Dan, I just wanted to say thank-you for the ultimate sacrifice you gave of yourself along with Rob. You will never be forgotten. You are a true american hero. Thank you

Widow of SFC Robert J. Mogensen
3rd SFG KIA 5/29/2004
Afghanistan"
Tanya Mogensen & kids of NC

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

"I had the privilege of getting to know Dan while I was an instructor at the Citadel. By all accounts he was by every measure a man. My prayers go out to his entire family. He will not be forgotten."
MAJ Michael D. Hastings of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

"Dan was a good man who was destined for great things. I hadn't seen him in almost six years since he graduated from The Citadel until we happened to sit down to lunch together at Homecomming last fall. He will be missed..."
CPT Graham M Fox; of CP Arifjan, Kuwait (El Cid '98)

"To The Eggers Family, Danny was a great man and he was great because of the family that he was brought up in. We are all saddened by the events that have happened. He is everyone's Hero."
The Harshaw Family of Woodbury, NJ

"To Daniel's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for his bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (Ernie's mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness, and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Daniel, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To Daniel's loved ones-
Words don't capture the honor and bravery that Daniel has brought to this country. Your loss is our loss. My hopes and prayers to all his loved ones through this difficult time."
The Wendler Family of Waukesha, WI

"To Daniel's family, I am eight years old. I am sorry your son died. He must have been very brave."
Dylan Willis of West Grove, Pa.

"To Daniel's family, I am so sorry for your tragic loss. Please know that many of us appreciate his service and sacrifice for our country."
F.Smith of Pennsylvania

"To Daniel's Family:
There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this time."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"Rebecca, John and William, and all the Eggers and Tracy family: Danny was a great guy who never missed a chance to tell someone how much he loved his wife and family, as well as his SF guys. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers, and he will not be forgotten. Airborne!"
Sue Ellen Robertson MAJ AN of Viola, WI USA

"To Daniel's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for his bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,
The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne, KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.

Gloria Caldas (Ernie's mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

"Thank you Daniel Eggers, 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 Capt. Daniel Eggers:
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 Daniel 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 Capt. Daniel Eggers:
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 Daniel, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia