Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Remembering the servicemembers who died in the service of their country.

Army Spc. Rafael A. Carrillo, Jr.

21, of Boys Ranch, Texas.
Carrillo died in Baghdad, Iraq, when an enemy mortar detonated near his HMMWV. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia. Died on June 28, 2005.

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"To the family of Rafael A. Carrillo Jr., im so sorry for your loss. I greatly appreciate the time and service that he put into our country... and giving his life for it. Even though i didn't know him or any of you... it is such an honor to do a project over your loved one and his journey.. in my speech class, what we call it as "Adopt a soldier". Paying tribute to everything he gave for us. I take this project to heart and i picked your loved one out respect and love. I'm sure he was a wonderful man... and it is men like him that make this country what we are. So i personally send out prayers, love, and may God bless you."
Anissa Brito of Littlefield, Tx

"To the family of:Rafael A.Carrillo,Jr.
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""

"”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,750 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Mothers of our heroes, please be aware that the Project Compassion sponsors will now help cover the costs of the portraits for you to have one - regardless if the spouse of the hero has one or not!
Contact us directly at Projectcompassion@manti.com or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna
Project Compassion
P.O. Box 153
Manti, Utah 84642"
Project Compassion - Kenna of Manti, Utah USA

"teejay there isnt a day that goes by that I dont think of you and miss your smile!..you made me laugh and the 4th of july was horrible but you made it better..i miss you more than anything and I miss what we had I know you are watching over us and I just want to say I love you I miss you and I hope your still the lo you always were..mcl I luv you teeeejaaaay lol..god I miss you!!"
Kara of Jacksonville Florida

"Hi brother bear! I miss you so much and I wish every day that you were still hear with me. Life would be so much easier with you here. I think of you everyday. love you brother.

-sister bug"
julia carrillo of austin, tx

"T.J.,
I WAS VERY BLESSED TO MEET YOU!!!! IT'S 2009 NOW AND I STILL THINK OF YOU BRO!!! WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO ME AS A FRIEND. YOU ALWAYS MADE ME LAUGH DUDE!!! YOU WERE A CHARACTER, IT REALLY MAKES ME UPSET THAT YOU'RE NO LONGER HEAR BRO. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN OUT AT BOYS RANCH AND THOSE ARE MEMORIES I WILL NEVER FORGET. I THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE GOODTIMES. I WISH YOU WERE STILL HERE BUT YOUR IN A BETTER PLACE NOW AND I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!!! I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED FOR WHAT THEY LOVED AND ALL THOSE STILL SERVING AMERICA. BE SAFE AND GOD BLESS!!!! COME HOME!!!!"
BRUCE SENGSAVANG of CHICAGO, IL, USA

"It's been three years now... And I still think about you at least once a day...Being around the army all the time does not help. I miss you, you were a light in my life for the time you were in it... and even after you passed, i still smile when I think of you. MCL, and much love from my heart<3"
Christi Zwolinski of Ft.Lewis Washington

"May 25, 2008
To the family of Spc. Rafael A. Carrillo, Jr.:
Rafael 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

"You will never be forgotten brother!
Desert Rogues"
SGT Frank Ugolini of Ft. Stewart, Ga

"Teejay was a really good friend of mine we started talking on here spent 3 hours trying to find each other on the 4th of july b-4 he was sent over seas..i got the word from another friend when he had passed and was so upset..we talked on the phone alot and i was waiting for him to come home...I know where ever he is he is watching down on us...i love you teejay ..you will always have a place in my heart!"
Kara Burnett of Jacksonville,Fl

"I served with SPC Rafael Carrillo when we first went into Iraq, he was a Mortarmen, assigned to the Medical Platoon because we were short Medics. He was a Great Soldier always there when you need a good laugh and always willing to do anything asked of him. My Heart is Heavy over the loss of a great person. My thoughts go out to his Family and Friends."
SSG William J Hogue of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

"To Teejays Mother and sister,
I met Teejay about a year ago, I think the real reason i started talking to him was because he has a way of making you smile no matter how hard you try not too. I checked the names of our heros today, just to make sure he was alright, I never imagined he wouldnt. When we talked it was never if he was coming home, it was when. He called me once i think in feburary, it was close to my birthday and i couldnt believe i was talking to him again. I care about him very much and I only wish i could have met you all before. Please know he was loved and made an impact on many. I miss him deeply."
Tiffany Wheeler of Kennesaw, GA

"To all that have signed this guest book, on behalf of my family, I want to extend our deepest and heartfelt appreciation.

There is no way I can express the depths of our loss. TJ was a wonderful person, full of life, always ready with a joke, a man of a thousdand voices, and a man who was willing to give everything he had to his friends and loved ones.

We have lost our special TJ to a cause that he cared very deeply about. He will never be forgotten, but will live on in our hearts and minds forever. God Bless us all... from TJ's mom."
Amy Tippie of Austin, TX

"I consider Tee Jay one of my best friends.He could light up a room with his smile.He was a brave and courageous man for fighting for his country.I will always keep you and him in my prayers.I will miss him terribly."
Jessica S of Macon,Ga,USA

"i love tee jay as if he was my own brother he was a good friend and a good man for fighting for his country hes verry loved and missed you are all in my prayers i can still see him sitting at waffle house with my and a few others being the funny tee jay that he was i will miss him dearly"
Jessie T of Norcorss GA

"i love tee jay is he he was my own brother he was a good friend and a good man for fighting for his country hes verry loved and missed you are all in my prayers i can still see him sitting at waffle house with my and a few others being the funny tee jay that he was i will miss him dearly"
Jessie T of Norcorss GA

"As I've thought about the news of his death, more and more I can't fathom how he can possibly be gone. He was always generous and nice and an all around great guy. I'm going to miss him talking in third person, and how he was always in a positive mood when i talked to him. I'm glad that I at least got to meet him once before he was taken from us. I hope that TeeJay's family will get through this and come out of this unforunate situation with a smile.
Much Love to my juggalo buddy TeeJay. RIP homie."
Patrick McClain of Augusta, GA

"May you find comfort and strength in God to get you through the days ahead.

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

"To TJ's family.

I would like to extend my shoulder for you to cry on. I did not know TJ personaly, but I considered him part of my extended Juggalo family. I have talked to him via the internet quite a few times and he was a good person. Im very sorry for yout loss."
Donnie Kester of Macon, GA

"RAFEL THANKS FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY! AN MAKING IT ALOT SAFER SINCE 911. YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN YOUR LIFE IN VAIN. YOU ARE A HERO! NEVER EVER TO BE FORGOTTEN!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

"I am so terribly sorry to hear of TeeJay's death. I didnt know him very long and I knew him somewhat indirectly but what I knew I absolutely adore. I don't believe I ever heard of him lettin his spirits get down, and he always kept Tabatha and I in tears laughing at him. News of his death hit us both pretty hard and we'll miss him terribly. To Teejay's family, you all will be forever in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes to you, and thank you for blessing us with such an awesome guy."
Lyndsey of Sugarloaf, California/ USA

"I wanted to say that Teejay was a great friend..and i will miss him dearly. He made me happy the whole time i had the honor of knowing him. He was one of the funniest people i have known...and every time he called i spent the whole time laughing...he made fun of my accent..and could imitate it like a champ. i will miss him..very much. I hope his family can move on one day...just know that your son was loved by me very much...i will pray for you. Glad i got the honor of knowing him. You will never be forgotten Teejay..."
Tabatha Peterson of Laurel, Nebraska

"To TJ's Family:

I know there are many people who are trying to comfort you and tell you they understand, and as much as it is appreciated there are few out there who really do understand what you are going through. My brother PFC Daniel Newberry was on that Humvee with TJ that day, and every day I thank the Lord that he made it. I won't say that I understand what you are going through, but I can only imagine. I know the feeling I had when we received the phone call that his vehicle was hit. I also know the feeling of pride I carry with me knowing my brother is one of those brave men that sacrifice so much for the freedoms of others. I pray for your family every night and thank God that there are people like your TJ in this world that would give the altimate sacrifice for others."
Melissa Newberry of South Milwaukee, WI

"I know that there are no words that can replace the loss of such an outstanding young man. Rafael was a gift to all of us and was one of the finest Soldier's that I have ever had the oppurtunity to work with. Rafael was more then just a Soldier, he was a fantastic person that lived his life with great pride. Rafael also was a great comedian that could imitate anyone, including myself, very well. There was a time at the National Training Center when I heard that he was able to do me pretty well so I confronted him and had him do his impersonation of me. After a bit of prodding he finally did and he did me perfectly. There was much laughter as the guys stood around watching him do me, in front of me. This was who Rafael was and laughter seemed to surround him wherever he was. It was indeed my honor to have been able to serve with such a great man. My thoughts and my heart goes out to his mother, Amy, and all those that love him so dearly. We know how much we miss him and know that his loss is deeply felt by all of us. Rafael, you are missed so much."
1SG James A. Baugh of Baghdad, Iraq

"Thank you Rafael for keeping all of us safe. You are a true American Hero, you will never be forgotten. I know that you are with God right now safe and at peace."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"We are deeply sorry for your loss. America will forever honor your Hero.
The Courage, Honor, and Valor that your Hero showed will always be remembered.
We are grateful for the sacrifice that was made and we will NEVER FORGET.
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. Your HERO, Rafael will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To Rafael's Family:
There is no way for us to express the sorrow we're feeling for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this loss."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"To Rafael'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 your soldier's bravery and sacrifice as we mourn the loss of yet another of Texas' sons. Our boys are truly heroes!

By His Grace,

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

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

Honor them by remembering... Freedom - is their gift to us But his soul goes marching on