Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"You were such an inspiration to all you came in contact with. 10 long years later and still remember that awful day, and still hold on to your memory and all the crazy things we endured over there. God bless those you left behind. Til we regroup. Rest easy, brother. #gonebutnotforgotten#"
Keisha Fleming of Houston, TX /USA

"You were the only one that would sing with me. You inspire me to be more like you and you will be never forgotten."
Larry Opdycke of Walhalla S.C

"I was with you in Afghanistan, from Bagram to Orgun-E but more than the memories of what we did there I remember the times before we deployed. In a better time where we were free and full of good times. You will never be forgotten. almost 5 years now and I still see you like it was yesterday."
Sgt. Chris Dietz of Indiana

"Re: SGT Edward R Heselton

Hello,
I represent PRAYER SHAWLS 4 FALLEN SOLDIERS (PS4FS), an organization that since October 2007 has sent over 2,800 prayer shawls to military families who have lost a loved one. We are an organization of over 240 groups from all over the country. We make every effort to reach families even when post cards are returned after they have moved. Would you kindly send me a contact email/address so that we may send a loving hand-made prayer shawl to the family? Thank you!

Cozette Haggerty, Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers
Email: ps4fs@charter.net
Website Address: http://webpages.charter.net/ps4fs/shawls"
Cozette Haggerty of Wilbraham, Mass.

"Eddie,
I miss you everyday and think of you often! I remember our goodbye the morning you left and how you told me it was okay and that Matt would be back from leave soon and I would be fine! You always were a comfort to me and the best friend I have ever had. You created peace for those around you in life and I know you have peace in death! I am grateful for God above for giving me the opportunity to know a person who could so wholly change my life. All of the steps I take in life I take in the hopes that you are looking down on me with pride. I will never forget you and I can't wait to see you again when I get where I am going I hope you will be there! I love and miss you always!

Alley :)"
Alley Norwood SPC USAR 391st ENBN of Summerville, South Carolina USA

"With deepest sympathy to the Heselton family of this brave soldier from another Heselton who came upon this page by accident. I hope that time has healed and mended some of your pain."
David Heselton of Yorkshire England

"October 11, 2007
To the family of Sgt. Edward R. Heselton:
Edward 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 Nevada

"To Melissa and Meghan,

It's coming up on two years since we were together in VA. I miss him so very much and as I look around my unit I can not find anyone that compares mechanically to the genius of Eddie. Miss you guys! You will always be forgotten!"
SSG Bradley Coffey of Fort Hood, TX, USA

"From one Heselton family to another-
We are so sorry for your loss. God Bless!"
Nikki Heselton of Bath, Maine, United States

"Today is Memorial Day, May 28, 2007. My thoughts are on our troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and all over the world, but my thoughts are focused on family and friends that have died in service to their country or after their time of service. I only knew Eddie for a few years before he died, but he meant a lot to me. He will always be in my heart and thoughts. As I think of Melissa and Meghan today I will pray for God to continue to give them peace and pride in their father and husband. There are no words that can heal the wounds you both feel, but I hope it will help you to know that Eddie will not be forgotten, and that he will always be appreciated. I will never take your sacrifice for granted, and I will prove this by always supporting our troops. I will never take their sacrifice and your sacrifice lightly. I wish you the best in the future."
Sharon Wood Cochran of Greenville, SC

"Eddie,
It was an honor being in your squad while we were being mobilized in NC, and you being my team leader in Afghanistan. I still remember the last time I saw you smile and last good-bye we had, little did I know that this we would be our "final" good-bye. Its been a little our a year, but I wanted too let you know that your presence was greatly missed in DS maintenance. You had a smile that would light up the room, and a knowledge of your job that I will never forget. Also, you were a very patient person, and you were a great leader. I will always remember you, and I thank GOD that I had a chance too know you during your brief time on this earth. May GOD bless the Heselton family....."
SGT Rasha Jackson of Jersey City, NJ

"Eddie,

It's been a little more than a year since I fixed the communications in your vehicle, shook your hand, you said "See ya when you get off leave!", and then disappeared towards Orgun-E. It still takes its toll on me that I never got to say goodbye or tell you how important you were. That one day you came and fixed my car at the reserve center is probably the best thing a friend has done for me in a long time! I will miss you! You were the best mechanic there ever was and we so NEED you back here!

SSG Bradley Coffey
2/3d ACR S6
Fort Hood, TX"
Bradley Coffey of Harker Heights, TX

"To the family of:Edward R. Heselton I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. My heart cries out for you in your grief and you have my thoughts and prayers. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need prayer or need someone to talk to, please call or write my pastor: Rev. John Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew Covington,Ga"

"who is eward will"
s

"Melissa,

I served with SGT Heselton for a while prior to leaving the 391st in 2004 for a job Ft. Belvoir. I know how difficult the decision must have been to place him in Arlington, but I wanted to thank you for sharing him with the rest of the nation and placing him at rest among his brothers and sisters. I visited him this Memorial Day and will continue to do so as long as I'm here. As long as those of us who remember him are alive, he'll never be truly gone. Best wishes for your future."
CW2 Kevin McCravy of Fort Belvoir, VA

"To the family of SGT Heselton... Although every situation is not exactly the same, we have some knowledge of what you are going through and hope that God will grant you peace. Our sincere thanks to SGT Heselton for his supreme sacrifice and to his brave family. May God bless
you all.

Dale and Ann Hampton
Easley, South Carolina
Parents of
CPT KImberly Hampton
Fallujah, Iraq, January 2, 2004"
Dale Hampton of Easley, South Carolina

"Edward,
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."
Mike Casey of El Paso, Texas

"May God bless you in your loss. We salute a true hero, and the heroic family he left behind."
of Greenville, SC

"As a mom of five young children, I am so grateful for the sacrifice of this brave, young solder Edward R. Heselton. You are loved by many. Words can not express the emotion. He payed the ultimate price for our freedom and the freedom of so many other people who suffered under the rule of Sadaam. May God be with his family in this time of sorrow and may you find comfort in the fact that we think about Edward's sacrifice for the love of his country. May we NEVER forget! Thank you!"
Jill hughes of Houston TX

"To the family of Eddie Heselton,
Eddie was a good friend through middle school & high school. I can still remember all of the football games seeing him play in the band. He will be missed. He is a hero to America & to me!"
Liz D. of Greenville, SC

"TO THE HESELTON FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. OUR HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH EDWARD AND YOUR FAMILY. LODING ANYONE IS VERY HARD AND DIFFUCULT. LOSING ANYONE IN WAR JUST BREAK'S YOUR HEART! WE LOST OUR SON GREGORY LAST YEAR! AN I COME TO REALIZE WE ALL DEAL WITH OUR LOST VERY DIFFERENTLY. AN WITH ANY FAMILY, THAT OUR FEELINGS SOMETIME'S CAN BE DIVIDED AND AT TIME'S WE MAY AGREE. EDWARD IS MORE THEN A SIMPLE PERSON, A SOLDIER AND HERO! HE IS ARE VERY SPECIAL MAN!!!! ONE THAT HAS TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF SO MANY. TRUELY, THOSE HE HS. ALL HOLD VERY DEAR AND FOND PRECIOUS MOMENTS. THAT EACH CHERISH AND SHARED TOGETHER. EDWARD ANSWERED A CALLING VERY FEW AMERICANS EVER DO! MOST AMERICANS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF A SOLDIER. HE IS OUR PROTECTOR RISKING HIS OR HER LIFE EVERYDAY. EDWARD HAS GIVEN MORE TO OUR COUNTRY THEN MOST AMERICAN'S. AN SINCE 911, AMERICA HAS BEEN ALOT SAFER! AN HE HAS HELPED FIGHT OFF TERRORISM! EDWARD IS APART OF IRAQI, AMERICAN AND WORLD HISTORY. NO WAR OR CONFLICT IS ACCEPTED BY ALL. THE REALITY IS IT HAPPENS. AN A SOLDIER AS EDWARD; WAS AN HONORABLE MAN THAT UNDERSTOOD HIS ROLE AS A SOLDIER. WHILE OTHERS ENJOY FREEDOM AND LIBERTY. EDWARD GAVE HIS LIFE "NOT" IN VAIN. STILL HIS FAMILY AND ALL FALLEN FAMILIES FEEL THE HURT AND THE PAIN. THOSE THAT ARE NOT FAMILY. DON'T REALIZE THIS IS SOMEONE'S SOMEONE, MAYBE A FRIEND, NEIGHBOR, SOME IN HIS OR HER COMMUNITY, CHURCH,..............AN AMERICAN'S NEED TO HONOR EDWARD AND ALL OUR FALLEN TODAY! WAR AND CONFLICT CAN LAST FOR YEAR'S. TO HONOR THEM AFTER IS WRONG! I STRONGLY, SUGGEST TO THE HESELTON FAMILY. REACH OUT TO YOUR POLITICAL LEADER'S IN YOUR COMMUNITY. TO HAVE A STREET DECIATED IN EDWARDS HONOR. ALL FALLEN FAMILIES NEED TO KEEP THE MEMORY OF OUR SOLDIER, SON AND DAUGHTER'S FRESH IN THE MINDS OF AMERICA. EDWARD I THANK YOU, FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY. AN FOR BEING A MILITARY BROTHER TO OUR SON GREGORY. FOR MILITARY BROTHER'S WATCH OVER ONE ANOTHER WITH NO EXCEPTION TO BRANCH OF SERVICE. UNTIED AS THE STRONGEST MILITARY IN THE WORLD. THANKS IN PART TO MEN LIKE EDWARD. MY TEARS HAVE NEVER ENDED WITH MY SON, TEARS FLOW FOR EDWARD AND ALL OUR FALLEN. ALSO IN EDWARDS NAME AND FOR ALL HE SERVED. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. GOD BLESS!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

"To the Heselton Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Edward is a true American Hero who has helped to prevent another 9/11. Edward will always be remembered and honored. May God Bless you all and God Bless Edward."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"Dear Melissa and Meghan,
Melissa, I know you probably do not remember meeting me, but my sister and I drove Eddie to Michigan one weekend in October of 2003 when you two were dating. I still remember how much he loved you even then. I can't tell you how sorry I am about Eddie's passing. I hope you know that he is a hero to many people, but so are you. You have also sacrificed for this country. I cannot tell you how much your husband and father means to the people of this country. I know that my freedom is dependant upon men and women like Eddie who put their lives on the line. You too have put your life on the line as the wife and child of a soldier. I know that there are no words to express your grief, but I do hope that in time you will find comfort and pride in his heroism and sacrifice. The thoughts and prayers of so many people will be with you for many days and months to come. I know I will be praying for you both as well as the Heseltons. I will miss Eddie as a friend, but I pray that God will fill the whole that has been left in your hearts.
My respect, prayers and deepest sincerity,"
Sharon Wood Cochran of Greenville, SC

"We are so sorry --
WE thank you Edward Heselton for
your service to your country.
God bless your family"

"To Edward'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 son returned safely from Afghanistan, only to lose his life in Iraq. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your soldier's bravery and sacrifice. Our sons are true heroes!

By His Grace,

Gloria Caldas
Proud Mother of Fallen Hero
Capt. Ernesto "The Big Ern" Blanco-Caldas
82nd Airborne, KIA Iraq 12/28/2003
San Antonio, Texas
gcaldas48@aol.com"

"TO THE FAMILY OF ARMY SGT. EDWARD R HESELTON: May God bless and keep you. But your faith in Him and He will get you through this. My son, Staff Sgt. Jason Hicks was killed in a hellicopter crash in Afghanistan on March 23, 2003. I miss him dearly, but he died doing what he loved and that gives me comfort. You are in my prayers."
Theresa S Hicks of Jefferson, SC USA

"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.
Our nations HERO, Edward will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless you ALWAYS.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

""REST in Peace dear soldier. We are so sorry -
VERY GRATEFUL for your service and willingness to help others find the freedoms we take for granted here.
A Montana family""

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