Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"May 25, 2008
To the family of Spc. Miguel Carrasquillo:
Miguel 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 Brother:It's going on three yrs now and not a day goes by that i don't think about you..and even though i never met you my eyes and heart still cry out for you...I think about you daily..not given the choice growing up but just knowing you were out there..You are my blood my brother and I Love You and miss you and hurt the same...Gone but never forgotten in my heart.."
Amalia Carrasquillo of New London CT

"I was the Medic on QRF and was there with 1SG Glasscock, as we pulled Carrasquillo out of the HMMWV, I rode with him to the Hospital with Walker (who was later killed)It was a day and a ride, I will never, ever forget. I remember touching his head, and not being able to say anything, as I let them take him away at the hospital. I will never forget you Carrasquillo."
Josiah "DOC" O'Neil of Denver CO

"My cousin was my hero he always wanted to bring the family together I loved what he did for us"
Krystal Melendez of Chicago, Illinois

"My cousin was my hero he always wanted to bring the family together I loved what he did for us"
Krystal Melendez of Chicago, Illinois

"My cousin was my hero he always wanted to bring the family together I loved what he did for us"
Krystal Melendez of Chicago, Illinois

"Wow, Miguel, what can I say. I had just moved back to Chicago when I heard the news. I havent seen anyone from Lowell since I left Chicago in 95, I dont know how much you remember but I remember a lot over the years I knew you. You were very smart and competitive, I lost a couple of competitions to you. I admired your will and intelligence, I am glad that you became a person that dedicated his time to serving his country, a respectable man. I can see your family loves you very much and know that some of us that werent that much in contact with you still remember you and cherish you for being that kind person we remember. I still keep in touch with some people from our class and I know that they would agree with me completely. You are in a better place now and dearly missed by your loved ones. My mom, you remember Ms. Renovales, says hi as well. :)"
Kristen Brady of Chicago, IL

"Man cuzo from the frist time dat i meet you i knew that you were gonna keep this messed up family together but now that your gone now we can't do dat. I jus wanna say dat i luv u with all of my heart and wishing dat you were here to keep dem together. I want you to take care of everybody dat you with rite now"
Josephine a.k.a. Josie of Chi-town

"TO MY BELOVED COUSIN THANK YOU FOR THE TIME WE HAD TOGETHER IT WAS NOT LONG BUT IT WAS JOYOUS YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER PERSON TO TAKE YOUR PLACE YOU WERE A VERY COURAGEOUS,BRAVE PERSON AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN MAY YOU BE AT PEACE ALWAYS BE AT MY SIDE AND I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU I LOVE YOU AND YOUR ALWAYS IN MY THOUGHTS YOUR CUZ"
IZZY of CHICAGO

"Skilo was my lead gunner in Iraq.. we also work together in the evidence room at the BIF (Brigade Internment Facility AKA Prison).. at first it was tough to work with him.. and on top of that we had to live in the same room.. i thought of him as just another "wannabe banger" but after i got to know him, all that changed.. He was a great person. He also placed his friends first and always made us laugh at the most random times... We, the 6th platoon, became known as the bully squad because Ski led the way and made sure that we were a strong, put together platoon.. though he was just a specialist.. i never thought of him as such.. i saw him as my leader.. someone to look up to and follow by examples.. there's a saying.. "there are sergeants and there are NCO's (leaders)".. to me Skilo was a leader.. Thank you Ski for taking the ultimate sacrifice to save bully squad and the US embassy... Thank you for showing me how to become a great lead gunner.. if it wasnt for your bravery.. i would not be here now... I also thank his family raising a child like him and Special thanks to his fiance'... i heard you guys talk alot in iraq... and you kept him happy and he always had you as a reason to work hard as a soldier.. Thank You"
Daniel Eunchong Park of Mt. Prospect, IL / USA

"To my wonderful heroic God sent brother. There are no words in this world that could describe how proud I am of you. If anyone knew Miguel it was those close to him and there wasn't a greater bond. I have the greatest brother ever he made me the person I am today even though life was hard for us he still manage to stay strong for me and luis he was our back bone. He was a living angel and too good to be true. If ther was ever a time that I needed anything he was always ther for me. One thing that stays on my mind is all the advice he would give me "angie in life there is road blocks that come in between you and your dreams all you have to do is find a way around the temporary problems. If you want to be a doctor go head on if you ant to become a dancer go head on for it" no matter what decisions I made he backed me up 100%. He wasn't one to judge he was all about keeping it real. And you can't hate him for that there are few people who care about teling you the truth, trust me there are times when his truth would hut but I learned to appreciate it. He is now where he belongs with my mom watching over her like he always wanted. though its sad down here without you just know that i feel you in my heart I see you in my dreams and I know your there and not far your always with me forever this time. And i know your there for Luis please show him the light and guide him like you guided your fellow soldiers. I love you with all my heart. your baby sister."
Angela of chicago IL

"To the family of:Miguel Carrasquillo 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"

"I was Miguel's First Sergeant. I was the last one to hold Skilo in the streets of Baghdad. He did not suffer. This is the story of how he sacrificed his life for his soldiers and the Embassy Personnel that his platoon was escorting. I will not be able to talk about specifics due to security reasons but I will tell you how brave he was that day and how he saved many VIP and his entire platoon. He was the lead gunner in the convoy escorting VIPs from the Embassy. As he was returning from the destination to the Embassy, in a crouded market circle, his driver (SPC Stevens) noticed a white sedan up on the curb, comming around the halted traffic from the left. SPC Stevens grabbed SPC Carrasquillo on the leg and said, "Possible VBIED, Nine O'clock!"(A VBIED is a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device or better known as a suicide bomber in a vehicle). The vehicle was heading behind his vehicle toward the VIPs. SPC Carrasquillo used the proper "Escallating Force Procedures" by hand signal to stop and yelling, Kief! , Warning shot in the ground in front of vehicle, then to the grill of the vehicle. By this time, the VBIED was beside the vehicle still heading at an angle collision course towards the VIP's. SPC Stevens remarked that the Suicide Driver had eye contact with them as he increased his speed. At last resort, without reguard for his own safety, Miguel opened fire on the VBIED driver, causing it to pre-detonate before it hit its target. PFC Demarcus Wilson, My old driver, was gunning in the second vehicle that day and recieved sratnal in his head. Everyone in the first two vehicles lost conciousness. The blast killed many people shopping in the market place that day. Two civilian vehicles caught fire. I approached his vehicle and asked his section chief (SGT Weeks) what the status was. He told me that he had one KIA, SPC Carrasquillo. I reached in the back passanger door and pulled him out of the vehicle. He had died instantly and that's all I'll say about that. I laid him in my lap in the street. We put him in the Ambulance and they took him to the 86th CASH. I only knew SPC Carrasquillo for two years but I got to know him very well. He sometimes got into trouble at Ft. Stewart but it was always for the right reasons. One time I went and got him out of jail in Savannah at 2:00 am. I was dreading that it would be a DUI, but it was for taking up for one of his friends and fellow soldiers in a bar room fight. Another time he had been accounted as AWOL but he was getting his brother out of trouble in Chicago. Some of the same trouble he got in before he enlisted in the Army to shape his life up and to provide for his brother and sister. At one time I was giving SPC Carrasquillo the option to get out of the Army on a General Discharge but he begged me to let him stay in. I noticed how well he did in the field. Most the time he would let his Chief sleep while he would do both their jobs. SPC Carrasquillo did an outstanding job in the initial invasion into Iraq during the first Operation Iraqi Freedom. He truly is a hero and is pending a postumous "Distinguished Service Cross" that is currently uncontested and awaiting at the Department of the Army to be authorized. My heart goes out to his sister, brother and wife-to-be (He loved getting your letters). I used to take mail to them when they were down at FOB Falcon and his face would light up when he saw a letter from her. Louis, remember what he wanted you to do and do it. He worried about you alot. Angelia (SP?) He was so proud of you. My heart also goes out to his closest friends and fellow soldiers (SPC Anderson, SPC Joiner, SPC Paige, and SPC Stevens). The basketball team will miss him. When Skilo was playing on the team, Bravo Battery won the Battalion Championship. Miguel, thank you for giving your life for your brothers. There is no greater love. Thank you for that long talk we had about you Mother. I know that you had to go take care of her but we are going to miss you here. You know I would have rather gave my own life than yours because you were like my adopted son. It hurts, but I will NEVER let anyone forget you. You live in us all. 1SG Glasscock"
Jack R. Glasscock of Kirksville, MO / USA

"Miguel, you have taught me so much about life and have been there for me through so many struggles in my life. I've known you since you were 18 yrs old and all you ever did was rap and talk about being the next member in bone thugz and harmony. I'm sure to many you have already became that voice you always dreamed about. I just want to say thank you for all that you have given me and all the good times we shared through the years and I will never forget how much we laughed. You were a loving person, and I admired the love you had for your siblings. I love you and may God bless you while you rest peacefully in heaven."
reena of chicago, il.

"My name is Cameron Schilling and I have started “Portrait of a Soldier” which donates a portrait sketch of every Illinois soldier who has fallen in Iraq or Afghanistan. All 122 sketches will be on display for a Memorial Day Presentation in Chicago, Illinois on May 26-31 at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. After the ceremony the sketches will be given to the immediate families of the Illinois soldiers. I would invite any friends or family members to come and honor these men and women from Illinois who have given their lives to our country. For more information please contact OperationHomeFront.org at 866-417-8889 which is an organization headed by the Lt. Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois who is in charge of the Memorial Day Presentation. Thank You.

Please check out www.portraitofasoldier.org
To contact Cameron email cameronschilling84@hotmail.com
To contact Operation Home Front call 866-417-8889"
Cameron Schilling of Charleston, Illinois

"Miguel,
I know you lived a difficult life but you overcome all those obsticals that got in your way. i want to say that no matter what, you will always be thought of, and kept in my heart, mind, and prayers. i always admired you from the day we met in our grandmothers funeral. you were a very special person and will always remain that special "one". you are gone but that doesnt mean that im going to forget about you. i know one day we will see eachother again and everything is going to be very different. All this drama we have in our familia its gon' stop one day. and everybody is going to be happy together. But anyways, i miss you so much and i know that fafa and gigi does too. miguel you were like a "BIG BROTHER" to me.Yea but until we meet again "I LOVE YOU" and "IM ALWAYS GOING TO KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS AND IN MY HEART". I love you alot cousin may your soul rest in peace. you are gone but will never be forgotten by me. im not going to say good bye, i will say "HASTA LUEGO" lots of love to my hero miguel carrasquillo in loving memories to you baby...."
your lil cousin jacky melendez of chicago,

"It was an honor to serve with you during Operation Desert Spring and Operation Iraqi Freedom. May GOD bless you and your family. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Thank you for your service and making the ultimate sacrifice for our country. "Rock 10""
Captain David Sherer of Fort Stewart, GA

"The family of Luis Carrasquillo, Sr. wishes to express our sincere and heartfelt sorrow at the passing of this fine young soldier. Miguel's family will be kept in our thoughts and prayers. We lost Joce Carrasquillo on March 13, 2004."
Luis and Teresa Carrasquillo of Myrtle Beach, SC

"My prayers for you..I also lost my twin son, Specialist First Class Jocelyn Carrasquillo March 13,2005 by a road side bomb."
Captain Luis Carrasquillo of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

"I knew Miguel when he was a teenager. I worked with him. He was a precious young man with a heart of gold. He could rap better than half the stars out there right now. I will pray for him and his family."
Judi Haberkorn of Chicago, IL

"My name is Cameron Schilling. I am a college student from central Illinois. I am the first generation of my family not to serve his country. I am extremely grateful for the sacrifice you and your loved one has given for the United States. I am disappointed by the way the news media has covered this war and the deaths of our youth. The media as stopped listing the names of the soldiers killed in Iraq and people only talk about the soldiers when we reach a specific milestone in deaths. If you just started watching the news today you would not even know there is a war going on. Partisan politics have replaced coverage of our young generation who have traveled to a foreign land in the name of the United States. Whether you believe the war in Iraq is wrong, right, justified or not everyone should pay even just a little more attention to what these young men and women are sacrificing. This is what I would like to do. I want to do my part in honoring these soldiers and their memories. Along with being a college student I am also a budding artist. I draw pencil portraits of local people in my community. I want to offer a pencil portrait sketch to the immediate family of every Illinois soldier killed in Iraq. Please contact me at cameronschilling84@hotmail.com."
Cameron Schilling of Illinois

"To my brother that sadly but true I have met true this terrible tragedy.
I am proud of your courage proud of your accomblishment in life. To all your family I am truley sorry for this lost. Thank you Cynthia for taking the time to share with me Miguels Precious moments.Truely gone and missed But NEVER EVER FORGOTTEN!!! Your sister"
Amalia Carrasquillo of New London,Ct.06320

"I knew Miguel well from the time he was about 18 until he went into the army. I went to see him graduate from basic training in Georgia. I hadn't had contact with him for the past few couple years, and was heartbroken to hear this news. Miguel was a fine young man. He was courageous, and I remember him fondly. He cared deeply for his brother Luis and his sister Angela, always willing to place their welfare above his own. If any of his friends of family would like to contact me I would be happy to share stories and memories of Miguel. I even have a few pictures of him I would be happy to share, though they are in Chicago and I have recently relocated to NJ. I can be reached at: jmwayne@mac.com. My blessings to all who knew this fine young man."
Joshua Wayne of Edgewater, NJ

"Miguel,
It's so sad that I never got to know who you were. Everyone always tells me that you were such a beautiful person and that all you ever wanted was for the family to be together. Regardless of all the drama that was happening in the family, it seemed like everytime you came around it all went away and everyone became happy. In the end it was your death that brought all of us together. I really wish that I could've met you because I really think you could've been a positive influence in my life. I know that your in heaven looking down on us and hoping that we're all ok. Eventually I know we will be. You will always be loved and missed by the family and you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
P.S. Please help Luis heal and become a happy person. He really misses you a lot and there's not a day that goes by that he doesn't think about you."
Maria Delosangeles Melendez of Chicago,IL/ U.S.

"To the Family of SPC Miguel Carrasquillo:
We have constructed a memorial to the service men and women from Wisconsin and Illinois who have died in Iraq which includes, as of 8/25/05, 119 crosses and Stars of David. We would like your permission to put Miguel's name on one of them. We have called our display "Arlington MidWest." It is our expression of mourning for the indescribable loss you have suffered for our country.

If you would like us to do this, please email me at arlingtonmidwest@yahoo.com.

We invite you to come to visit Arlington MidWest if you can. I can send you directions and some pictures by email.

"As long as we live, they too will live;
for they are now a part of us, as we remember them."
Marty Preston of Wisconsin Dells, WI

"Miguel you will not be forgotten. Your sacrifice we are all grateful for. I still remember your energy and love of music. Your memory will live on. You are such a handsome, brave and talented young man."
Pinky of Chicago, IL

"I am truly sorry for your loss. May God grant you the courage and strength to face the challenges ahead.

Michele Carter
Sister of CPL Gary Walters
KIA in Baghdad, 24 APR 2005"

"We are deeply sorry for your loss. The Courage, Honor, and Valor that your
Hero showed will always be remembered.
We are grateful for the loyal service and sacrifice that was made and
WE WILL NEVER FORGET.
Our cousin LCPL Michael Smith Jr. gave his life on 4-17-04 fighting for freedom.
Please know that this was not in vain and these American Heros will FOREVER be honored.
God Bless your family and please know that you are not alone.
All of our prayers are with you."
Jennifer and SSGT Larry Mays of Massillon, Ohio

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

"Aug 12, 2005
ARMY SPC MIGUEL CARRASQUILLO -
Your are an American Hero whose ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten by a grateful nation. Rest well brave soldier.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Miguel and may memories comfort you during this most difficult time and always.
AMERICA SALUTES ARMY SPC
MIGUEL CARRASQUILLO"
Brad & Dorothy Burt of Rhode Island

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