Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"To the Knott family: I'm currently deployed to Afghanistan (Apr 08) and have the honor to be in my office talking to AE2(AW)Jeremy Knott. It was a total suprise to me to find out he was on the same base as I. We are getting to know each other and talk about Eric. I do know it affects both of us to discuss him but we both remember him as the Outstanding person and Seabee he was. I would like to let his parents know there is not a day I do not think about him. To Jeremy parents you should be very proud of your son, he is a fine example of a Petty Officer and is totally squared away. This must be a family trait because Eric always was too. I hope all of you are well. Take care"
CUCM (SCW) Martin W Yingling

"just wanted to say he will never be forgotten i served with him on his 1st tour, with nmcb4 air det. god bless you all"
jason stump of pahrump neveada

"Petty Officer Knott is an inspiration to us all. He fought for what is right. His spirit still stands watch over Camp Knott, Iraq. BRAVO ZULU SEABEE"
SK3 (SCW) Lohman of Fallujah, Iraq

"i hope you in a great place. we all miss you eric"
Adam Helschein of new york

"God bless the family for their sacrifice as well.

NmCB 15/3"
David Hurtad of Kansas City, Mo.

"I'm Late, as usual, but I continue to miss him. I don't believe I will ever forget Eric. Maybe that's the thing though, he was just that type of guy. If you knew him a little, or a-lot, the one common theme with Eric is that you would not, cannot, and will not, be able to forget him. Thankyou for your sacrifice bud, and thankyou MR. and MRS. Knott for raising such a fine man. I pray that all your children will make you as proud of them as I know that you are of Eric. GOD BLESS."
BU2 (SCW) Hoffman of Port Hueneme, CA

"I didn't go to Iraq with Eric on the second time around. I was sent to Albania instead. I remember the day before we deployed and went our seperate ways Eric and I were at the barracks waiting for our final inspections. To pass the time we started wrestling, I would have him in a headlock and then he would turn it around and get me in a headlock. We were just having a good time. When the battalion was told that one of our seabees had been killed in Iraq they didn't release a name. Rumors started circulating and I heard Erics' name. All I could do was remember that day at the barracks and pray that it wasn't him. Eric you are truly missed and I will see you again when it is my time to come to heaven."
BU2 John Stevens of Naples, Italy

""To the Friends and Family or Eric Knott.. I knew Eric well., I meet him during "A" school, he got assigned to NMCB 4 along with all our other friends but I got assigned to NMCB 3.. and I just want to say that it was a sad day for all Seabees and the Armed Forces when Eric left us. I was in Baghdad on special assignment and I heard the news from the J.O.C. that we had a fallen Seabee..and I knew instantly that the news was not good. I started praying not knowing who had been hurt or injured, and in our community you know everyone pretty well, and when I finally heard the news of who it was I knew we had lost a great friend. He was a clown at times but a good guy to be around.. I will miss you Eric so will All Seabee. We will never stop so you may finally rest.. BU2 Becerra, NMCB 3 mingox@aol.com."
Domingo Becerra of Rio Rancho, NM

"Iknow this is late real late because i just found this site for Eric But I just want his family to know we cared about eric very much he was a great friend (My husband was in NMCB4 with him) and a memory we will always have of him was before he left he was at our house and we were playing monopoly and we told him that our song for him was John Michael Montgomerys Letters From Home to let him know that we would think and pray for him to be safe . it was hard to loose someone like eric who had such a great personality you couldn't help but like him. Anyways we wanted to let the family know how great a friend he was . R.I.P Eric and remember you will always be my hero.
I would also like to ask for permission to put a picture of Eric on my myspace profile please let me know my email is MrsStowe03@yahoo.com
Thank you and God Bless
The Stowes"
Jenny & Michael Stowe of Port Hueneme ,CA

"I WAS DEPLOYED TO IRAQ WHERE I JOINED THE SEABEE ENGINEER RECON TEAM WHERE I MET ERIC. I NEVER SAW MUCH OF HIM BECAUSE WE WERE ALWAYS OUT ON MISSIONS,BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD HE WAS A GREAT YOUNG MAN. I MADE A VIDEO WITH ALL THE PICTURES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE MADE IN CAMP FALLUJAH AND THE CITY OF FALLUJAH AS WELL. IF ANYONE MAY KNOW THE FAMILIES ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER IN WHICH I COULD CONTACT HIM, I WOULD LOVE TO SPEAK WITH THEM AND SEND THEM A COPY OF THE VIDEO. ALL THE GUYS FROM NMCB-4 SAID THAT I SHOULD , BUT I FELT IT WAS TOO SUDDEN. I DID HOWEVER,DEDICATE THAT VIDEO TO ERIC. MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS gtitngo@yahoo.com AND MY PHONE NUMBER IS 304-210-7883. WE ALL KNOW THAT ERIC IS WATCHING OVER US ALL FOR HE IS A HERO IN MY BOOK.HE FOUGHT FOR WHAT HE BELIEVED IN AND FOR FREEDOM.REST IN PEACE ,ERIC.
SINCERELY,
CM3 BRUCE DENNIS"
CM3 BRUCE DENNIS of PARKERSBURG,WV

"I didn't know Eric Knott. I'm not a Seabee. I was a contractor in Camp Fallujah, and the rocket that took him from us came in over my head. I heard the distinctive warble of its rocket engine, and planted my face in the gravel. I wondered if I would see my daughter again. The rocket landed some hundreds of yards from where I was, and later that day I heard about what happened to Knott. I'll never forget that day either.

Today is Memorial Day, and Eric Knott has been on my mind all morning."
Scott of Chicago IL USA

"It has almost been a year since I left Iraq and I will never forget the day that Eric was taken. He had many friends and my heart goes out to his family and loved ones. I will never forget that day....RIP Seabee!!"
Nycole of Pt. Hueneme, Ca

"I was in Camp Fallujah a few days after Petty Officer Knott was killed. I could tell how badly he was missed by his fellow Seabees. By all accounts he was great guy. My wife helped him many times at the bank on base and was also sad to hear of his loss. For those that may not know the Seabee camp in Fallujah has been renamed Camp Knott in his honor."
BUC(SCW) Bisbee of Andros, Bahamas

"I know this is a year late but it is long due. I dont know eric but my father marty yingling was his master cheif who was injured that day. Our lives will never be the same your son will always be a hero in my family eye. Till this day ever night my father awakes from his sleep and all he can think about is that your son was such a devoted solider. Men like your son are heros in my eyes they should and will never be forgotten. They funny thing is I never wanted for my father to go back to iraq after what happened that was his 2 time there and last night he called and told me he is heading back. He can hardly walk but he is going back he believes he has a job unfinished. I am so sorry for you lose my father speaks so highly of your son and I hope you all can go on a remember what a wonderful soldier he is and always will be. Laneygurls@aol.com"
Heather of Batlimore, Md

"I just wanted to say thanks for all the kind messages everyone left about my fiancee Eric. He was a great and wonderful man! Eric I love and miss you dearly!!"
Stacey of Indiana

"I worked with Petty Officer Knott in Port Hueneme while he was temporarily assigned to the Naval Construction Training Center. He was a fine young man, a helpful and skilled Seabee and a welcome addition in my building.

I have been saving an old United States Flag to properly retire (burn) in his memory since he was killed. I will do so tomorrow - 30 May 2005.

God Bless You,"
Steve McCombs of Chatsworth, CA

"To the Family of Eric Knott
Eric is greatly missed by all of us. He was a great guy and always willing to help out.He really knew how to make someonesmile. You brought up a prefect gentlemen. He was over my house every weekend while he was at base in Ventura. And we always had a great time. Eric never disliked anyone. And there will always be a place in my heart for him. He will never be forgotton. He was a true hero. And will never forget all the great memories we had together. My heart goes out to all the people who knew Eric. We were all truly blessed to know a great guy like Eric."
Amy Jones of Simi Valley, California

"There is often a lack of comforting words at a time like this. However, I hope you can find some peace in that your loved one, SW3 Eric Knott, was upholding the Seabee "CAN DO" tradition and the Seabee motto: "With compassion for others, we build - we fight, for peace with freedom.""
LCDR Michelle Breaux, CEC, USNR of Norman, OK (XO, NMCB 23)"

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family of this brave SEABEE, Eric L. Knott!!!!"
Sue Louis: Proud Navy Mom of Seabee Matt & MM Jacob of Rochester, NY

"RIP SAILOR"

"Petty Officer Knott, goodbye sailor and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"To Eric'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"

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

"To the family of Eric,
Our sincerest condolences for your loss. We know your pain as we have also suffered the loss of a precious life in this battle for freedom. Eric 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.nett of Tucson, AZ

"To Eric'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

"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

"Thank you Eric Knott, 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 Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Knott:
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 Eric 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 Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Knott:
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 Eric, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia