Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Steve,
Its been 17 years this November. I thought of you today. This employee of mine came in looking all ate up... and I heard you voice in my head..."this f**kin guy right here". I'll never forget you and your spirit. Until Valhalla my old friend."
Weyburn of Washington, DC

"Remembering Stephen especially on this date, 11/28/11, and sending our love to his family and friends. We will never forget."
Janet & David Burke of Charlotte, NC

"Dear Steve... Its 6 years today and not a day goes by i dont think of you, I s see your picture on my mirror everyday and just smile because i got to know such a great person!!.. you are truely missed! Always and forever in my Heart"
J of Westfield, NJ

"i have never met Stephen Benish or his family, but i have to say thank you for being courageous and brave. my thoughts and prayers are with your family."
Lisa of Edison, NJ

"Dear Steve,
I remember you as a kid running around with my little brother. You guys were the best of friends. Always causing trouble in a great way. I wish you were both still here. But it seems that the lord had a plan for the both of you. I hope that I will one day see you both again. Thank you for your sacrifice. To Steve's family, you raised a great and an honorable man. May god Bless You."
Sergio DaCosta of Clark, NJ USA

"Benish, 1-503rd loves ya kid! Always remembered, brothers forever!"
SFC Patrick Jones of Phoenix, AZ, USA

"Hey brother, seems like only yesterday we were tearing it up in Korea with the crew. Never forget that time you created communism, still makes me laugh. Miss you and think about you every day."
Marcus Deinstadt of enfield, CT

"To all of Steve's friends,
Please go to the Facebook page and join "THE FALLEN HEROES OF CLARK NEW JERSEY", to see what Clark, New Jersey has done for Steve and the other Clark Fallen Heroes. Please leave me your emails.
Thanks"
Bill Duffy of Clark, NJ-USA

"Steve was a great friend and like a brother to us. He always cared for his friends and did his best to be there for everyone.He always had a big smile on his face that brighten up the day. He will always be missed by his girls. Steph,jess,nessa, and jen!"
stephanie bazan of clark, nj

"I miss Bennish so much. I'm sorry I could not save him. I miss him. I wish I could talk to his family again...if you are there. Guitarhead03@yahoo.com I loved your son like a Brother, and the hardest thing was calling him a KIA on the radio. He is missed. Again, I'm sorry, I wish I could have saved him. God bless his soul."
Sgt. Hernandez of Chicago

"Hey Benish, its been a long time since basic training. You were a great friend. I want to say we kept each other going during that time. Im sure you have touched many lives since then, and will continue to with the ultimate sacrifice. R.I.P."
Jamie Spc Byrd of San Antonio, TX 78229

"It's been almost 4 years and it hasn't gotten any easier. I love you and miss you so much. I think of you every single day and always will. Watch over us."
Kelli

"REmembering you today and saying thank you for your sacrifice. you are missed deeply.
Rest in peace. June 28 08"

"April 22, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Stephen C. Benish:
Stephen 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

"Hey guy, its been almost three years since you left us and I miss the hell outta you. Hope all is well up there. I'll be making my annual trek to see ya on the 28th..God Bless Steve.."
Chris of Roselle Park, NJ

"This message is to you, Steve, and your family & loved ones...you are a courageous young man who will forever be honored for such honorable sacrifices...May God bless you and your family as we pray in your name for you to realize how much you are loved and missed."
Nicole Signorella of Clark, NJ

"it's coming up on 3 years without you, love. it still feels like yesterday and the pain is just as strong. i am still angry that we missed out on seeing each other all grown up, in person. i'm ashamed that i didn't go to see you being layed to rest, but how could i see you like that when all i wanted to do was see you standing and to get a hug from you and laugh at how long it's been and how much taller you are than me? it feels so empty to open up my email and not see a message from you or to see your face, smiling, laughing on im. but, i am grateful that i at least got that. it's not fair what happened. just not. you should be home, having fun and living your life. i hope there is a heaven, because i know that's where you would be. and everyone there would be lucky to be near you, to hear you, to see you smile. until i am one of those lucky ones, i will miss you everyday that i am here. my daughter will know of you and of the wonderful person you are. she will see pictures and hear stories...i wish you could have met her. thank you for giving me the gift of your time, for i consider myself blessed to read your words, understand your thoughts and hear about your fears and dreams. i love you, cousin."
Amanda Duffy of Middletown, New York/ USA

"Wassup bro, its your boy Will.
Your birthday is coming up, and I'm missing you like crazy. I hope your having a good time in heaven, cuz I'm going crazy down here without you. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you, and I know your watching over my back. Thanks for everything you've ever done for me or taught me. REST IN PEACE. I love you.
3-2 2-3 You and me, friends will will stay forever and a day."
William T. Grimes of Garwood, NJ, The greatest country, USA

"Steve,
I get mad a lot cause I think how unfair this is. It's almost 2 years and it sometimes bothers me more now than ever. I catch myself thinking how you'd be home soon and how it would be nice to be back together at the firehouse. I know you'd be having alot of fun around here. I've got a lot of memories that make me laugh and god I wish we could just sit down with some beers and laugh about them. Man the things we used to do. You should be home Steve taking this test with me living life having a ball. There is a lot of stuff I wish I could tell you. If you only knew where these 2 years have brought me. I miss ya buddy."
greg o of Nj

"Dear Candy,
Just wanted you and the family to know that I am thinking of you. I know you miss Stephen very much. God Bless, Chris"
Chris Stiller of Rockwell, NC

"Dear Steve,
We all miss you and can't wait to see you again. Never forget ya boys. 3-2 2-3 You and me. Forever and a day, Friends we will stay."
Will of New Brunswick

"It's been a year and a half since you've left us and I miss you Steve. I'm still expecting my cell phone to ring with one of your random phone calls...it was always great hearing your voice. I think about you all of the time. I think about the memories we had and the ones that we could have made. My heart goes out to your family and everyone who loved you. It is tremendously hard to lose someone so young, courageous, and wonderful as you. You are greatly missed and will never be forgotten.

Love ya."
Lauren Paskovich of Cranford, NJ

"Hi, my name is Alex Rodriguez. Im doing a most courgeous person report for my 4th grade class. I would really like to do my report on your family member. Could you please send me some information about Stephen that I can use. He sound's like a hero that I need to talk about. Thank You"
Alex Rodriguez of Montclair, NJ

"Steve, you are forever in our hearts, My mother has your picture hanging up, and you are always honored by anyone who comes across it, I still feel that you are here and we wish you were. prayers are said and we hope you hear them!"
Love, *Us* of New Jersey

"our birthday is in an hour.
I love you Steve, happy birthday to us
I wish that you were here to celebrate with me.
<3"
Christina Marcus of Westfield, NJ

"It's so hard to know that your gone. You are my Hero day in and day out. I look up to you for your bravery and all that you have done!! I miss you very much and pray for you every night. I can not wait till the day we meet again. It's hard to know that the person you grew up with and became very close to is gone!I can not believe that tommorow will be your 22nd birthday. Happy Birthday!! My deepest and heart felt sympahty goes out to the family, he was a wonderful son, brother, nephew, and true friend R.I.P Steve Benish..... Keep on SMILING... I am grateful for all that you have done YOU are a TRUE Hero!!"
Cathy of Linden, NJ

"Bean......Andy and i miss you more than you can imagine...remember how you me kell and andy were gonna all get together and relive the GREATEST weekend of my life....? I love you and miss you bean...I'll never forget Georgia!"
Samantha of Los Angeles, CA

"Stevie It is almost a year now, and I still think that you are coming home. To me this no longer involves politics, it no longer involves us oceans apart, it involves the hard fact that you will never, ever be coming home and that is the hardest thing for me to swallow. I need you more than ever now, and I can never have you here again. I love you with all of my heart and I pray for you every night. everytime I do anything I feel so guilty because you arent there with me. Love you with all of my heart, Happy 21st. You are the best brother that ever graced this earth and I can't wait until I see you again.

love,
Kell


p.s. Jamie Byrd get in contact with us...we were wondering if you knew. My e-mail is ksbenish@uncc.edu"
Kelly Benish of Waxhaw, NC Clark, NJ

"I went to highschool with steve... I'm best friends with his best friend, greg... We Miss steve greatly... He was a true hero and will never forget his great personality... Love you steve..."
Dan of Clark/NJ/USA

"God Bless your son, he was taken too young but he is a hero in our eyes. May you take comfort in knowing he is watching over you."
Mary of FL

"Soldier Benish, I salute you!

forever indebted to you,"
Angela Turman of Fort Worth, Texas

"To the family of Stephen C. Benish,I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God.Hopefully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need someone to talk to or someone to pray with you please call or write my pastor at Gateway Community Church Rev. John B. Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd.Covington Ga. 30016 phone 770-787-1015, Your friend in Jesus Christ"
Polly Ballew of Covington Ga. U S A

"Hey Benish, I hope that the chow is good up there and the beer is cold. im gonna buy ya a round when i get there. just remember that i aint scared even if ya are bigger than me. we miss ya bro. the boys from Baker co."
Sgt Latulippe of Al Ramadi Iraq

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

"it was not long ago when we were in basic. doing our thing and hoping for seeing each other once again. but now a tragic event had taken place and that one feat we were once hoping for will never happen. i hope your family is well and i hope to speak with them soon.. knowing your in a better place now i keep on smiling and will see you there someday.."
spc. jamie byrd of southern afghanistan

""A FRIEND, A HERO, A SOLDIER... HE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE AND A KIND WORD TO OFFER. I'M LUCKY TO HAVE KNOWN PFC. STEPHEN C. BENISH AND CRANFORD FIRE DEPT, I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE SACRIFICE THAT HE HAS MADE FOR HIS COUNTRY, HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. REST IN PEACE OUR FALLEN SOLDIER AND KNOW THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED. WE WILL MISS YOU. YOU WHERE A GREAT FIREFIGHTER AND A GREAT PERSON TO HAVE KNOWN. WE WILL ALL WAYS REMEMBER YOU. MY YOU REST IN PEACE, GOD WILL BE WITH YOU.""
CRANFORD FIRE DEPT of CRANFORD NJ

"A FRIEND, A HERO, A SOLDIER... HE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE AND A KIND WORD TO OFFER. I'M LUCKY TO HAVE KNOWN PFC. STEPHEN C. BENISH AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE SACRIFICE THAT HE HAS MADE FOR HIS COUNTRY, HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. REST IN PEACE OUR FALLEN SOLDIER AND KNOW THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED. WE WILL MISS YOU.."
N/A of NEW JERSEY

"I don’t believe that we understand all that you gave, or how your sacrifice will affect the future for our sons or daughters. I believe you confronted the evil that has enslaved mankind throughout history, the same evil that many American soldiers have confronted in many battles.

I will teach my son and daughter of your sacrifice and your heroism.

Proud Family of Pfc. Kohler serving in Ar Ramadi, Iraq"
Anderson Family of Montana

"To the family and friends of Army Pfc. Stephen C. Benish, my sincere respects, and condolences on the loss of what I am sure was a fine young man. Thank you for your service to our country. May the creator bless you."
Frank of Nashville, TN

"Thank you Stephen for so proudly defending our country. You will be thought of each day we raise our flag. I know you are in the comfort of the supreme healer. From a very grateful American family."
The Shaw family of Pasadena, Maryland

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

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