Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"A few short months will mark 3 years since..... I remember everything as if were yesterday, but fortunately I don't think about it that often anymore. Before every patrol you would say to everyone, it's going to be hard going back home without everyone we came here with... You were right.
SFC Dodge."
Douglas Dodge of Ft Lewis Wa

"May 25, 2008
To the family of Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe:
Alwyn 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

"I don't know what you saw in me, but i am grateful, thankyou"

"For all you did for my husband and the years of service..I will never forget.."
Tiffany Dodge of Kent, wa, usa

"To the Cashe Family and Friends of Alwyn: On this past Memorial Day Weekend, everyone at my church was given a card with the name of a service man or woman who had died fighting the war in Iraq, and we were asked by my pastor to keep this person in our prayers. I was honored to receive a card with Alwyn's name on it. I just want you to know how saddened I am by your loss of your son and husband, this brave young man and to say Thank You for sharing your hero with all of us so that we may live free. I will keep Alwyn and his family in my prayers. God Bless You."
Lynda Wagar of Loudonville, NY

"This is his favorite nephew sending a remembrance shout out."
Marieio Spradley of Tampa, FL

"CHIN UP TAMMY. HE'S ALWAYS WATCHING OVER YOU AND LITTLE BIT. WE WILL KEEP BOTH OF YOU IN OUR PRAYERS."
HOPE A. S. RODGERS of SCHWEINFURT, GERMANY

"SFC Alwyn Cashe was my Platoon Sergeant and I'm truly honored to have served with him. I was there on that terrible night 17 Oct 2005 and his action were heroic and outstanding.


Annette Fournier
Tamara Cashe is comforted by Col. Charles Durr after unveiling the sign dedicating Sand Hill's new MOUT site, named in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe.

Soldiers dedicate 'Cashetown' on Sand Hill

Annette Fournier
Bayonet staff

Sand Hill's new MOUT site was dedicated May 19 to honor a former drill sergeant and 3rd Brigade Combat Team NCO who died after saving the lives of six Soldiers in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe and his troops were conducting a route clearance mission Oct. 17 near Samarra, Iraq, when their Bradley fighting vehicle was hit by an IED. Cashe was not hurt in the initial explosion, and managed to exit the vehicle and pull the driver out. The Bradley was engulfed in flames but he returned to the burning vehicle twice to pull the rest of the team out.

Cashe was burned over 72 percent of his body while rescuing his troops. He died Nov. 8 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Three other Soldiers - Staff Sgt. George Alexander, Sgt. Michael Robertson and Spc. Darren Howe also died at Brooke Army Medical Center as a result of their injuries.

In an emotional ceremony, friends, family and fellow Soldiers remembered Cashe. His wife, Tamara, unveiled the sign which identifies the site as the Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe Urban Training Facility. She was aided by Col. Steven Salazar, 3rd BCT commander, and Col. Charles Durr, Basic Combat Training Brigade commander.

Cashe, 35, was a platoon sergeant with 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, when he deployed, but had formerly served as a senior drill sergeant with BCTB's 2nd Bn., 54th Inf. Regt.

"Three words describe 'Big Al,'" said Lt. Col. Gary Brito, commander, 1st Bn., 15th Inf. Regt. "Brave, caring and committed. I know he wouldn't like it, but we need to add hero to that description."

Cashe was a dedicated NCO who wouldn't rest until his troops were taken care of, so it's appropriate to dedicate a MOUT site to him, Brito said.

"Cashetown" is a complex of buildings designed to replicate a village in Iraq or Afghanistan. Catwalks run over the top of the roofless buildings so drill sergeants can watch Soldiers training. Cashe's award citation and picture are posted on a placard on the side one of the buildings.

"This sign reminds us what right looks like," Durr said, referring to the placard. "His memory will live on in the walls of these buildings and in the faces of the Soldiers who train here. I can't think of a better tribute than this."

Staff Sgt. Anthony Dennison served with Cashe in the 1st Bn., 15th Inf. Regt., and attended the ceremony.

"He had a heart when it came to people," Dennison said.

"His guys knew they could go to him if they needed something. I wasn't surprised when I heard that he pulled the other guys out. I wouldn't have expected anything less from him."

Following the ceremony, Soldiers comforted Cashe's wife and daughter and took pictures next to the placard.

"He was a great leader, but more than that, he was a friend," said Staff Sgt. Douglas Dodge, who served with Cashe in Iraq. "We're still missing him and all the guys we lost.

"He would have played down all this recognition and say he didn't do anything special, but this facility is awesome. He deserves to be remembered like this."
Leon Matthias of Fort Benning GA

"Sgt. 1st Class Cashe gave me a chance when others would not. He was a good man. I will never forget. Carpenter B co. 1-18 3rd Platoon"
Chad Carpenter of Peoria, AZ.

"Sgt. 1st Class Cashe gave me a chance when others would not. He was a good man. I will never forget. Carpenter B co. 1-18 3rd Platoon"
Chad Carpenter of Peoria, AZ.

"To Alwyn's Family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in our prayers. To Alwyn, thank you for all you have done in Iraq and keeping us safe at home. You Alwyn are a true American Hero. May God Bless you Alwyn and God Bless your family."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"If tears could build a stairway,
And memories were a lane.
I would walk right up to heaven,
To bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say good-bye.
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knows why.

My heart still aches in sadness,
And secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.

You and angels around Gods happy throne.
I would have held you closer if I had known
~Unknown Author~
Gone – but not forgotten.
Thank you for sharing your loved one with us,
and for the sacrifice made by you and your family on our behalf.
Proud mom of Lcpl Alex. Currently serving in Iraq"
Patricia of Bishop, CA

"Alwyn,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to exend my deepest sympathy.

"Can Do"(15th Inf. Motto)"

"I am his nephew and I will always remember my uncle."
Robert Holmes of Lake butler,florida

"TO THE CASHE FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. DEEPLY SADDEN BY THE NEWS. OUR HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH ALWYN AND YOUR FAMILY. WE FULLY UNDERSTAND THE HEART ACHE. NOT AN EASY PROCESS TO DEAL WITH. NOT SOMETHING THAT HEALS OVER NIGHT. JUST TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. WE ALL DEAL WITH OUR LOST VERY DIFFERENTLY. JUST ALWAYS BE SUPPORTIVE TO ONE ANOTHER. AN REMEMBER ALWYN IS WITH YOU! THAT HE ANSWERED HIS CALLING IN LIFE. TO BE A PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER. ONE THAT WAS VERY UNSELFISH FOR EVERY AMERICAN. I APPRECIATE ALWYN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. I CAN ONLY HOPE ALL AMERICANS ARE JUST AS GRATEFUL. HE MADE AMERICA ALOT SAFER SINCE 911. MAYBE JUST ONE, JOINED BY ALL HIS MILITARY BROTHER'S AND SISTER'S. ALL SHOWED THE WORLD AMERICAN SOLDIER'S ARE THE VERY BEST IN THE WORLD. AN THAT OUR SOLDIER'S RISK HIS OR HER LIFE FOR THEM AS WELL. ALWYN WILL BE REMEBER AND NEVER EVER TO BE FORGOTTEN. HE IS SOMEONE'S SOMEONE AND HE IS SOMEONE TO THE WAHL FAMILY. SADLY, ALWYN RE-UNITED WITH HIS BROTHER GREGORY AND ALL OUR FALLEN SOLDIER'S. WE LOST OUR SON SGT GREGORY L. WAHL DRAGON SOLDIER 05-03-04 IN BALAD, IRAQ. SO ALWYN THANK YOU FOR BEING GREGORY'S BROTHER. AS HE KNEW YOU HAD BEEN TO HIM. KNOWING MEN AND WOMEN LIKE YOU. MADE ME WORRY ABOUT GREGORY'S FAMILY THEN ON HIM. FOR I KNEW YOU ALL HAD EACH OTHER'S BACK. GOD BLESS!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

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

"Thank you Alwyn Cashe, 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. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe:
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 Alwyn 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. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe:
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 Alwyn, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia