Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Kevin,
All of us still miss you alot. We love you. Take care buddy."
SSG Luis Pagan of Fort Riley, Kansas

"Hello Kevin,
It has been may years since I saw you last and recently I ran across something with your name on it and I couldn't help but sit awhile and think about you and the last time I saw you.
We had returned from chow and had come in the door, you were heading up the stairs to get ready for your mission, I said hello, how are you doing and...I think "I'll see you later". Never the less, you were on your way to prep for the mission and I was going to bed. The next day came, I left on my mission and when I returned... I remember being in front of squadron when I found out and a that very moment....the world seemed to stop. I can still see your face, Kevin just like it was yesterday, in the motor pool, room inspections at 0430 or wherever most of all, you always had a smile on your face.....that is what I will always remember.
You have always been in my thoughts and prayers, Kevin and you always will.

SGT. Andreas Deleon
1/7 Cav, 1CD Baghdad, Iraq"
Andreas Deleon of Makakilo, Hawaii, USA

"hey, kev i know its been a long time and it is a great honor to have known you. and you will always be in my heart and forever be a part of my life.."
sgt olivarez

"i know its not time yet but i just wanted to tell you that i found some of our old buddies from hood it's really great to see them again.im gonna tell them to write you because i think they have forgotten about you so ill let them know where you are so they can leave you a message.ill write to you again bro.i miss you very much but you already know that."
spc.adams of ft.bragg

"to the cumings family my condolences,
thier is not a day that i don't think about my fallen brothers of 1/7 cav. he was a cook in the army who wanted to go on patrols not to be a hero or to kill like most people think but to be thier for one another. i am cav scout and we talked on many nights he ask me about my job and i would ask him about his. i remeber him going on leave for a funeral of a girl that was killed in his family and it bothered me that he was upset. now i am the one that is upset because he is not hear with us. he loved his family and i know he is still keeping tabs on his family thats the type of person he was. god bless"
wilfredo santiago of fort hood texas

"hey its the time of the year again where people are busy and shops are busy hehhe its xmas time, happy christmas kevin!! im back in uk now,,,iv been here since sept tho...things are doin well with me and i can say im happy now! thanks for being a friend...as promised i will forever be a friend...hopefully someday we will have the chance to meet!!!"
julie *joy* of north east uk

"hey bro just wanted to say how much i miss you.i was sorta on time this year lol!!!your a great friend and a brother forever.your always on my mind no matter what.i will write to you next year i promise.i'll do this one thing till the day that i leave this place.hopefully we will meet again and catch up on old times.well i'll see you around."
stephan of Ft.Bragg N.C.

"hi kevin,
its august again and ur anniversary is fast approaching and before i forget i know i have to write to you now...
time runs really fast and i just want u to know that even if we didnt really have the chance to be introduced personally i know you are a good person, a wonderful son and brother and most of all a great friend to all. you may have left this world but ur memories will alwaysremain in the hearts and minds of ur loved ones, friends and countrymen..YOU are a hero who gave ur life for the safety of all. im sure your loved ones are so proud of you.. you are greatly missed and surely u wont be forgotten....now u gained another friend and thats me hehhehe...i must admit i always talk to u in my prayers coz i know u are there somewhere just watching us from above and as i always ask u please please watch over, guide and protect steve wherever he may be, u know id like to do it myself but i guess when a person closes his doors to u u cant do anything about it, but wishfully pray someone from abve would keep him safe and sound all the time, please please do it for me..thank u thank u, i know u will coz he is dear to u too...until then....dont worry il write again soon... bye for now...again many thanks to u xxx"
always ur friend, julie

"hey kevin,im joy u dont really know me but i kinda learned about you thru ur buddy stephan adams...just want u to know that u wouldnt be forgotten by many....U ARE A HERO coz u gave ur life for ur country and ur fellowmen....i know ur watching us from a distance please watch over steve always coz i love him so much...thank you..."
julie

"hey sorry for not writing you in august im in korea for a little while so i kinda forgot.your still on my mind always youd like it here its fun and im working with an interesting crew.well hey im gonna go so ill talk to you soon."
spc. adams of camp casey,korea

"July 1, 2008
To the family of Spc. Kevin A. Cuming:
Kevin gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be hald 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

"To Kevin: I am a sudent teacher at an elementary school in White Plains, where I work with your mother. She is a wonderful woman who told me about your wonderful deeds and the sacrifices that you made. Like an increasing number of Americans, I oppose this war. I think it is both morally and strategically wrong. However, that does not in any way negate the contribution that you made for myself and my country. Because people like you are courageous enough to serve, people like me don't need to be. I wish that the public had a greater appreciation for your gift to your country, your family, and our freedom. The same goes for thousands of other underappreciated veterans. Thank you."
J.H. of Armonk, NY

"one more year has passed and it only seems like yesterday that we were talking and joking toghether.you are always in my mind and you will always be my friend.i miss you alot.well ill talk to you next year."
Spc.Adams of Ft.Bragg

"hey it's me Spc.Adams there isn't one day that i don't think of you.It's been really hard on me.you are the greatest friend that anyone can have.i miss you very much and i hope to see you in heaven.your my bud and nothing will change that."
Spc.Adams of Fort Bragg N.C.

"Yo Kevin its me bro I just wanted you to know that I aint forgot you my dude....I miss you bro...Im doing alright I guess I got out of the military. I love ya bro.....I miss you"
Adam Cochran of Watertown, NY 13601

"Kevin,
Even though we did not hang out much in HS, I will always remember your smile. As I look through our yearbook and read your Senior Paragraph, I am saddened and yet happy when I read it "Savor every day because life is too precious to waste." Just in reading what others have written, it seems you did just that. Thank you for your sacrifice. May you rest in peace, knowing that there are people who miss you and respect you. You are a hero."
Melissa Tillson, VHS class of 1999 of Valhalla, NY USA

"To the families of SPC. Cuming, my prayers are with you. I was in B Trp. 1/7 Cav and although I didnt get a chance to work with him, I am proud to have been a Garryown trooper with him and now he is a hero. God Bless
GARRYOWEN!!!!!!!"
Spc. Wesley Janise of Lafayette, Louisiana

"To those who knew SPC Kevin Cuming: I did not know this young man. He was new to to the unit and I never met him, but I did know his commanding officers, Lt. Odierno and CPT Wilson. CPT Wilson and I worked closely together for over a year, as I was his armorer and I got to know the man. He was dedicated to his men, and one of the most professional soldiers I have ever met. I told him at Kevin's service in Baghdad that I envied him, because he had the opportunity to know Kevin and I did not. It was the only time I had ever seen CPT Wilson weep. As I sit here, I can only marvel at the special bond that all Garryowen Troopers share, and though I did not know him personally, I can only attemtp to convey in some poor manner the depth at which his comrades have, do now, and will forever mourn his loss."
Sgt. Jeremiah Boyd B troop 1/7 Cav 2001-2005 of Detroit

"YOLANDA and CRISTINA, our love one's are together in heaven and always watching and guiding us, So we need to be strong and they will always in our prayer. Happy thanksgiving to both of you. Always in our heart."
GAY, JAKE and FAMILY of YONKERS, NY

"You will never be forgotten."
CPT Marc Ortiz of Fort Worth, Texas

"Kevin, What do i say man???? We had alot of times together....Remember the times we were on tower guard?? I know u do there were a couple of them...Everytime i think of you i remember the last time i saw you...Walkin to the px in baghdad....i yelled at you to wait and i ran over to you and we talked and went into the px together...I miss you so much kevin i still have the pics that you took of me while we were on tower guard...remember the ones where we used to night vision goggles...haha that was some good times man....I really do miss you kevin and everytime i look at these pics that u took i just miss you even more...Kevin you will forever be missed...but we all know that you are in a better place...You are my Hero and my inspriation...I do this for you and all the other fallen commarades...Kevin i will never forget the times we had together...I miss you and love you bro...Your friend forever...Adam J Cochran ..Cant wait to see you again...
SPC COCHRAN
HHC 2-14 INF"
Adam Cochran of Fort Drum, NY

"How do I thank these soldiers and their families? There are no words to describe my grief--- even if didn't know any of them, personally.
These young people represent everything we stand for in this country. They are no less important than my ancestors, who gave their lives so that we could live happily in this country. They are preserving everything and anything that our forefathers wanted for us.
I hate to generalize, but it's been my experience that so many babyboomers don't appreciate what my ancestors did for them. Why is it that it's mostly babyboomer that have these weird socialst ideas? I'm a first generation GenXer. The Boomies are older than me. They are supposed to have more wisdom than me, but they don't. Why?
I've always known my family's history. I have more than just a few ancestors, who fought for our independence. And from those same family lines came those who fought for the freedom of slaves.
And, it just seems that now our brave forefathers are being ridiculed for fighting for those they didn't even know.
Oh how history repeats itself. Sometimes we have to go into batttle. And regretfully, we have to lose those we love to accomplish our purpose.
To all the families of the Fallen Heroes: Don't let some socialist Babyboomer diminish the sacrifice that your son or daughter gave to secure the freedom of anyone who took a breath on this earth. Everytime one of them falls, it releases one link in the chains of bondage for all the world. Know that your child died doing what they thought was right. And, WE know they were right. We are STILL the GREATEST Nation.
God Bless the Families of our AMERICAN casualties of war. With that Bless our English brothers and sister, who are our comrades in battle."
maggie driver of Lock Haven, PA

"Kevin, a fine young man with a brave loving heart. He simply just stood up and did what others could not muster the courage to do, and gave his all for the benefit of others. Thank you Kevin, God Bless and keep your Mother, Sister, and all who love you. "By this I know, that thou art pleased with me, in that my enemy has not triumphed over me. But thou hast upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in thy presence forever". (Psalm 41:11-12)

Fellow Trooper, 1st Squadron, 7th United States Cavalry"
Rodney Wilmore of Kempner, Texas

"Kevin, not a day goes by that I don't think about you. I have a picture of us at college having the time of our lives together. We all miss you greatly and know you died being a hero to your country. We love and miss you"
Damian Wirth ( Freshman Roomate ) of White Plains, NY US

"Dear Kevin,

When you died you touched and changed the lives of many people, and I hope for the better.

I miss you terribly, specially your wonderful smile, your kindness, your demeanor, your joy for the simple things in life, your compliments regarding my cooking, specially my pumpkin pie and chocolate chip cookies that you loved! For these and so many reasons, I am having a hard time accepting your death!

I know that you will never be forgotten. You are a hero and you did your duties bravely, obediently and with courage. I am so very proud of you! I also miss your Dad and I hope that the both of you, wherever you are, are looking after Christina and me. We need strenght to keep going.

You will always be in my heart and I hope the memories that we shared together, in time become happy memories instead of sad ones.

I will see you someday, meanwhile I will keep in my heart all the wonderful times that we enjoyed together! With all my love, MOM"
YOLANDA B. CUMING of NO. WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, USA

"Dear dear Yolanda and Christina, My heart goes out to you. You two have suffered such great losses. Always remember Kevin and Bill are in our thoughts everyday. Kevin's picture will never come down. I know he is smiling from heaven as I write this to you two. I love you and always know we are so very proud to know him and miss him. Love Jeanne, PFC Christopher M. Ray--Balad Iraq, Danny and Veteran Airman 1st Class Cory D. Ray"
Jeanne Ray of 814 Amar St. Waveland, Ms USA

"Kevin,
there isnt a day that goes by that I dont think about this soldier, brother and friend. We talked, hung out but it wasnt what anybody would expect. Two men who just meet dont pour their hearts out to each other. knowing someone takes time male or female. I was his roomate getting him to go out to the club w/ me was like pulling teeth, although I got him out of the room sometimes. I never really got into his personal life I figured I always had tomorrow. He was quiet, we were two soldiers in an unfamiliar place who didnt know anyone. We slowly got to know each other, we were from very different part of the states but had no problem getting along. He'd often tell me problems he was having, as well I shared mine. I would help anyway I possibly could. I manage to get him to go to austin w/ me a couple of times which was a major accomplishment for both of us. somethings I just never asked about him, I put it off until tomorrow, the next day I said tomorrow, then tomorrow was gone. it passed by and had become yesterday right before my eyes. In my dreams I pleaded w/ father time to turn back his hands but, I had no control. I tried to be there whenever he had a problem. one night wasnt. Yolanda, Christina Im sorry so very sorry. To Kevin I bid you farewell you wont be forgotten ''I touch my head and my chest then my left to my right, kiss my fingers blow to the stars, say and pray you Goodnight"
SPC Gerald Lyman 1-7 Cav 1st Calvary Division of Baghdad, Iraq

"To the Family of Kevin A. Cuming:
My thoughts and prayers go out to you all during this difficult time as you deal with your losses. We are all appreciative of what Kevin so graciously and heroically did for America - and I know that he is proudly looking down at his loving family, and that God is watching over, not only Kevin, but all of you as well! God bless all of you!"
Samantha of Mamaroneck, NY/USA

"Please accept our deepest condolences on the death of Kevin. We so admire and honor all the soldiers who give their lives to preserve our freedom. Our daughter wears a memorial bracelet with Kevins name on it. He will not be forgotten. God bless this brave and outstanding young man."
The Fusiak family of Garrison, NY

"Dear Kevin Cuming and Family,
Your smile and your laugh is still so fresh in my mind. I miss you as I am sure everyone that ever came to know you misses you so much. Through my career in the Army I have never lost a soldier before. Kevin Cuming was a one of the greatest soldiers that I have ever worked with. I pray to God that he eases your families pain of losing someone as special as you. I didn't pray too much before but now I pray almost everyday about alot of things. Kevin was not only my soldier, he was also a friend, and a brother to me. I Love You Kevin and I will never forget you. I send my deepest sympathies to the family of Kevin Cuming.
Always in my Heart,
SGT Luis Pagan
HHT 1/7 CAV"
SGT Luis A. Pagan of Baghdad, Iraq

"To Kevin's Family,
I share you sorrow. My brother, Spc. Edgar Daclan, Jr., also died in Iraq in Sept. 10, 2004. Although it's always not easy to accept that he's gone so soon, but I know that you are proud of him."
Iris Daclan of Annapolis, MD

"Kevin - I miss you more and more every day...you sacrificed so much and although I'd like to turn back the hands of time so you can be home with me, and I am so proud of you and what you have done for me and a very grateful country. I love you and your memory will never leave me."
Christina Cuming of North White Plains, NY/ USA

"Private Cuming, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, 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, Kevin, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To Kevin'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.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (The Big Ern's Mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

"Thank you brave soldier for sacrificing your today for my children's safer tomorrow. You have our utmost respect and gratitude. May God provide your family with comfort in their time of sorrow. May you forever rest in Heavenly peace. Neither you nor your sacrifice will be forgotten."
a grateful family in Phoenix, AZ

"To Kevin'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

"To the family of Keven,
Our sincerest condolences for your loss. Our family has also suffered the loss of a precious life in this battle for freedom. Kevin is a true American hero and will always be remembered for his bravery and sacrifice he gave to our country. May God bless you during this difficult time."
The McClain family--azquail@att.net of Tucson, AZ

"To the family of Kevin,
Thank you for your sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
Eloisa...sister of SSG. Lagman of Yonkers, NY

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