Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Dear Family members,
I became aware of your beloved family member through Ms. Zappala's letter to the editor to the NYTIMES. I was deeply moved since I held many of her feelings regarding the "war". I was even more moved by her eloquence. I copied her letter and put it in a frame in my tiny office. In October of that year a picture of Sgt. Sherwood Baker appeared in the TIMES and I have had that letter and his picture framed together since then on my wall.Lest we forget. Best wishes.I don't know why now but I was staring at the frame this evening and I hope you will take my sentiment in the spirit in which it was intended."
J.C.O'Rourke of Brewster, NY USA

"I pray your soul rests in Peace my brother. I regret not being with you on that mission although I was a fellow member of the Iraq Survey Group. I pray your family and friends are blessed with Peace in their hearts & minds Today. Via Con Dios, hermano."
SFC G of Ft Dix, NJ

"I am very proud of our military and our fallen hero's in every way possible. I miss my husband Sgt. Sherwood Baker very much and not a day goes by I dont think about him. But I would never put down our military and our fallen soldiers like some of you have that is just not right in any way, shape of form. I AM VERY PROUD OF SGT. BAKER AND THE REST OF OUR FALLEN and SOLDIERS. If there was a away to bring him back to us I would. I MISS YOU AND I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL BE TOGETHER FOREVER SHERWOOD"
WIFE DEBBIE of WB Pa

"April 13, 2008
To the family of Sgt. Sherwood R. Baker:
Sherwood 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

"Served In the ISG when this happened. Had the pleasure of conversating a few times. Good Man! God Bless him and his family"
Matthew Bode of Sacramento, California

"sherwood, we miss you so much. our lives haven't been the same. we speak of you so often, and you two new nephew are sure to know who you were. we love you"
maggie of wb pa

"My father's name was Earl Ross Baker. He was career Navy. There was a Sherwood Baker in our family. Might this have been a grandfather to your Sherwood? Earl, Bob, Dick, Jack, Lil, Pearl, any of these names ring a bell? I found you on the Gold Star Families site as I was reading about all those who have sacrificed. My deepest condolences on your loss. My father Earl passed in 1961 when I was eight. A daughter's journey through heartache to activism. Peace be with you..."
Carolyn Baker of Los Angeles, CA

"TO YOU AND ALL THE BRAVE MEN WE SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT EVERY POPPY THAT GROWS IN THE FIELDS IS THE HEARTS OF THE MEN WHO GAVE THERES."
M.HENSTOCK of ENGLAND

"Thank you so much for dieing for my freedom and my country. You are truly heros and may God bless every one of you.
S.B."

"i know this day 5 years ago is what started your mission to iraq. we miss you sher. may god be with you and may you be resting in peace."

"sherwood...it's hard to imagine that it's been 2 1/2 years since your gone. there are still times when i swear i see you and still expect you to be here playing with your nephews. there isn't a day that goes by that one of them don't say your name. we all love you and miss you deeply."
of wb pa

"Sherwood, I worked with your brother, Dante briefly in Los Angeles. He misses you terribly and it makes me sick that you had to die, even though I never knew you. When will we stop sacrificing our youth for false patriotism?"
Barbara Stam of Long Beach, CA

""Thank you for speaking out against this war. The American people were lied to." --Nancy Haiduck, NY

That's right, Nancy, indeed the American people were lied to. Between 1993-2002 Al Gore, John Kerry, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Les Aspin, Sandy Berger, Tom Daschle, and Charles Schumer all publicly stated that Iraq's Saddam Hussein was harboring WMD, and would ultimately need to be removed from power--if necessary, by force of arms.

If we're going to talk about lying or deceit, Nancy, let's first get right just who was responsible for starting those "lies" in the first place.

That said, here's to Sherwood R. Baker, a true hero in every sense of the word. Your sacrifices haven't been in vain, brother. The terrorist world means to kill every last one of us, if necessary, and were it not for good lads like you they might well have succeeded. Your sacrifice hasn't gone unnoticed, nor are those of us who've worn the uniform confused or uncertain as to why we fight. Never will we let the Nancy Haiducks' of this world attempt to tarnish your name, nor impede our righteous fight in the war on terrorist-murderers."
Thomas Jackson of Montana

"sherwood, its hard to believe so much time has passed since you were here with us.you have touched so many lives forever. prayers to your family. i know i speak for the staff and clients at urs in hazleton when i say we miss you"
heather white of pa

"Love from Boston.
Peace.
His truth goes marching on - we feel that a warrior of peace is never stopped by voices of dire darkness or racial hatred - you will prevail.
Be well, be Brave, be Love, be Peace."
Amatul of Boston MA

"I am so sorry to hear that you lost a love one. My husband has been in Iraq for the past 2 years fighting the same war. Thank god that he has been safe. But what I wanted to say was this. I want to think each and every one of you for standing up for what you belive in. I don't belive in this war any more. And I'm sick of my husband being so far away from me and his step kids. It needs to come to an end. Again thank you for every thing you are doing. All my love"
Christie of FT. Stewart GA

"Thank You Celeste for your moving speech today in Salt Lake City. I appreciate the work your son did for me and my family doing his part to defend the freedoms in our country, even if he was mislead into harms way, the willingness he had to volunteer to protect me and my family, well there are no words to express my gratitude and to express my sorrow at the loss to your family. Thank you for raising a son willing to protect our country."
Mary Callahan of Salt Lake City, Utah

"Thank you for speaking out against this war. The American people were lied to."
Nancy Haiduck of Bronx, New York

"To the Family of Sherwood,

I was fortunate to get Sherwood's name on my hero bracelet. Reading the messages has given me some insight to your son and his life. I wanted you to know that I wear the braclet on Sturdays when I ride my Harley and that by being on my right wrist Sherwood rides with me. On Sundays I wear a different bracelet that has my uncle Joe's name. He was KIA in Veitnam 9/15/66. I like to believe that they are there riding with me so I hope Sherwood liked Harley's. It is an honor to have Sherwood ride with me.Thank You and God Bless You."
Pat Sullivan of Mount Airy, Maryland USA

"To the family of Sherwood Baker: I just heard about the news this pass weekend when I went home to go visit (Philadelphia) from an old middle school friend. I went to Henry H. Houston School with Sherwood and went to his home a few times. I once got in trouble because I came home late from Sherwood’s house playing with his toys and his mother feeding us snacks. It’s funny over the years you think about your old friends that we had once in our lives, and we wonder how are they now. I never thought I would hear about my friend this way. I miss him… To his son your Dad Rocks…"
Capt. Jay, Bernard USMC of Arlington, VA

"For Army Sgt. Sherwood R. Baker and all of the other fallen heroes. YOU MUST KNOW THAT THE IRAQ WAR WAS PLANNED BACK IN 1996 BY THE P.N.A.C. BUSH STOLE THE WHITE HOUSE & WAS "EAGER" TO GO TO WAR. HE "FIXED THE FACTS" IN THE DOWNING ST. MEMO. REGRETFULLY, THIS WAS NOT "OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM"
BUT "OPERATION SHOCK & AWE" & THIS IS GOSPEL TRUTH. FOR THE SAKE OF ALL FALLEN HEROES, INVESTIGATE NOW, I IMPLORE YOU. YOUR SONS DESERVE NO LESS THAN THE TRUTH !"
Elaine N. Ramey of Kissimmee,Florida U.S.A.

"The most honorable thing any American can do is leave an enlightening message so that heart-sick relatives can know the truth about what has been happening concerning Iraq and demand further investigations."
Elaine N. Ramey of Kissimmee,FL

"sargent baker thanks for servicing this great country and my thoughts and prayer go out to u and your family may god be with them though this time of loss goodbye soldier thanks for the sacrifies u made"
Kyle Zalone of Auburn New York United States

"SHERWOOD I MISS YOU SO MUCH IT HURTS.YOU WERE MY BIG BROTHER WHO WAS ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR ME.THANK YOU FOR THAT.I KNOW NOW THAT YOU ARE WATCHING OVER OUR FAMILY.YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY BIG BROTHER.I LOVE YOU!TO SHERWOOD SOAR FREE LIKE A BIRD."
CHRISTINE BAKER MESSINO of POTTSTOWN,PA/USA

"Sherwood,
My name is Kele.I am seven years old.Your name is on my Hero Bracelet. I wear it all the time. I saw a picture of you. I am very sad that we lost you but am very proud of how you protected our country. i will always remember you. You are in my heart."
Kele Mandrell of Ancona, Illinois, USA

"My dear friend from High School Sherwood. I remember you most when you quietly played the trumpet in Sister Diane's Band classes. I was honored to be your friend there at Roman Catholic, I was honored when I saw you and your family at our church on Germantown and High Street, and lastly, I am honored that you chose to do what most would never do, love this country so much that you would sacrifice your blessed life for us. I am your friend and tonight before the new year, I honor you as a friend, a man of God, and a hero to us all. May God bless us with more people such as you."
Harry Mck. of Abington, PA 19001

"We are so sorry for your loss. We lost Army Spc.Joshua Justice Henry on 9-20-04. This was the hardest day of our lives. We honor these guys as our Heroes and hope no one else has to go through with what we are all dealing with. Rest in peace Sherwood, and thank you for serving your country to the fullest"
Henry family of Vandergrift , PA

"SGT. Sherwood Baker We love you, miss you and we are very proud of you for serving our country. You were a great HUSBAND and FATHER. You will always be in our hearts and never ever be forgotten. We will wear your dogtags with PRIDE FOREVER. JAMES-DANTE says He LOVES YOU AND MISSES YOU DADDY. You are our everything and will always be our everything. We wish there was a way to bring you back to us."
J-D and Debra Baker of Wilkes-Barre,PA

"I wear a silver rememberance bracelt that has Sherwoods name, and when/where he died on it. Every morning when I put it on I say a prayer for him and his family during this time. Thank you Sherwood for serving your country. You have a special place in heaven."
Christy...oltlfreak@aol.com of Harrisburg, Pa

"To Sherwood's brother-- I saw a photograph of you carrying a sign about Sherwood in the NYC demonstration. And for some reason I started sobbing uncontrollably, and had to know more about him. I'm still crying as I type this. I hope you and the rest of Sherwood's family will find some comfort in knowing how many are sharing your grief and honoring his memory. God bless you all."
Carolyn of California

"I was with SGT. Baker in the incident in Baghdad. He was a very special person and I still mourn his loss. My condolances to his family. (brian.messersmith@us.army.mil)"
Brian Messersmith of Danville Pa 17821

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

"I am in 8th grade and we were learing about how many people were dying in Iraq. As a project from our teacher my friend and I decided to find someone special that served for our country and try to get information on them. If there is a family member of Mr. Baddick I would appreciate it if you could email me back at RockNRollGrlAA90@aol.com""
RockNRollGrlAA90 of NY

"Sherwood, we never had the privledge of meeting face to face, but I know how valued you were and still are to your wife and son. You fought to make this world a better place in everything you did, and the world has suffered a great loss. Debra...my heart is breaking for you, and I wish I could be there to lend you my shoulder when you need it the most. J.D.you have the courage of a lion, your daddy was always proud of you...that pride will live on. I love you."
Tara Regis of Brampton, Ontario, Canada

"I didn't know you, Sherwood. I am a friend of a friend of yours. My prayers go out to your family and friends. May you be at peace and watch over your loved ones. God bless you."
Nina of New York

"To the loving family of Sherwood Baker:
We heard you speaking about Sherwood this morning on "Democracy Now". We heard the letter read by Sherwood's brother, and listened to the entire interview with his parents. We couldn't stop crying. Then I found his picture on the CNN website. What a wonderful person you raised as your own son, from taking him in as a shy foster child to giving him a loving environment in which to grow and develop. As the parents of two small boys, we cannot imagine losing either of them to war. We cannot imagine that knock on the door from a uniformed man wearing medals, carrying a notebook. We are deeply moved that you are working to stop this senseless violence that has taken so many innocent sons and daughters from so many families, both Coalition and Iraqi. We express our deepest condolences to you and all the other families of those who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Let's build a peaceful world together by uncovering the lies and true motives of this administration. And thank you, Sherwood."
Robin Burlingham and An-yi Pan of Ithaca, New York

"To Sherwood'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 (his mom) of San Antonio, TX"
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com

"To My Brother who I seached for 4 three year's, and now Found. I Love you Sherwood and will Alway be here for our family's I love you, and will miss you."
Frank Bair of West Chester, PA United States of America

"Sherwood will be sadly missed!! We were close in age, talked about our kids and spouses and liked the same kinds of music. I will never forget how kind, thoughtful and smart he was. He was in a class by itself! My heart goes out to Debra and J.D."
Donna Peterson -MH/MR of Laflin, PA

""To Sherwood's Family"
All i can say is that we were all lucky to have Sherwood in our life. He was a very thoughtful and caring man. My heart goes out to you Debbie and J.D. Always rememeber what a wonderful husband and father he was. You have my deepest sympathy....God Bless You!"
Holly Harrison MH/MR of Shickshinny, PA

"To Sherwood'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

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

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