Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Gentian, Christi past in parize. I am an American born Albanian. My family and I morned your death. You are a true American and Albanian hero. You will never be forgoten and will always be remembered as the brave hero you will always be.Thank you for what you have done for all of us and say hello to my brother and son in heaven."
Mark C. of Auburn Hills, Michigan

"I dashur Genti
Sakrifica jote kurre nuk do te harrohet!
Ti je heroi yne! Zoti Jezus bekofte familjen tende dhe fli ne paqe vella!

Dear Genti
Your sacrifice will not be forgotten!
You are our hero! Lord Jesus bless your family and RIP brother!"
Altin of Edmonton, AB, Canada

"November 18, 2008
To the family of Cpl. Gentian Marku:
Gentian 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

"Marku was one of the best Marines I have ever had the honor of serving with. He was a Marine with compassion and deep devotion to his brothers in arms and he will be deeply missed. I sincerely hope that the courage and honor he diplayed will help to comfort those who knew and loved him."
HM2 Berry former 1/8 B Co corpsman of San Diego Ca.

"TO all of the families that lost a Loved One my Prayers, I have always been taught that as long as you remember them then they will live on. From a Former Marine A Co 1/8 3 PLT"
Harry Good of NC USA

"kure isha femij e kam njoft gentjanin, gjithmon ka qen djali mire te urte dhe te mencum. edhe sepse ka vdic do to rri ne zemrat tona pergjithmon! kure sdo te harrohet sepse ka humb jeten per t'na ndimuar neve. zot ju dhasht kivet per humbjen e djalit!"
ela beqi of mi

"Gentian,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. I saw the CNN documentary about your unit-Bravo 1/8 in Fallujah and how you-a native from Albania came to the United States and enlisted in the USMC. You proved that you were more of a citizen than a lot of other Americans-that says more about your character and the type of man you were than anything else. I served in the USMC during the 80's and fortunately it was peacetime but I feel honored to be able to say that I was a member of an organization that has brave men like you and your fellow Bravo Company Marines in it.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
Fellow Marine;former member of Bravo 1/8 '85-'89"

"Familia Marku, mbasi e degjova kete laim per Gentin e Dardanis',- doia tiu jepia ngushellimet e sinqerta per humbjen e djale Trimit. Ne te nijten kohe uroj te beheni te forte se ne vime nga vendi i Shkipes, nenes ILLIRY.
Zoti iu bekone."
Jud of To, Canada

"...until we meet again, brother in arms..."
SSgt K of from Warren, Mi

"Genti, may you rest in peace. I think my parents are on their way to see yours right now. I wish I could go. We all miss you. I saw the paper yesterday, your picture was on it. And I've been thinking about you ever since. God bless you, Genti."
E of Clinton Twp., MI

"G.... i learned of your death many many moons ago. i always wanted to join the USMC even since before i met you. we were in the Warren Police Explorers together. i miss you my friend, you death brought upon me the courage to join and become your brother. i remember the day you and chuck left.. it saddens me that this has happend.. and only now i learn of this place to leave one final message..

OHH RAHH Devil dog.. see you soon..
you are a hero among heros.. as i leave for combat.. i hope to do you proud!

Semper Fi brother.."
Lcpl Joshua Janes of Pensacola Fl

"may you rest in peace my brother, you are my hero, god bless Albania and America, We all owe our freedoms to men like you."
"Q" of Detroit Michigan USA

"E dashur familja Marku,
ju humbet djalin tuaj te mrekullueshem, por ai do te mbetet pergjithmone ne zemrat e te gjithe shqiptareve kudo qe ndodhen ne bote dhe ne s'do ta harrojme asnjehere Gentianin. Ai eshte nje hero i Shqiperise!"
Arbi Shtembari of student, France.

"E nderuara familje Marku
ne emer te kosoves ju falenderoj qe keni rritur nje djale trim si genti."
Shpetim Mehmeti of Prishtine, Kosove

"Dear Marku Family
It is sad to see such a young person like Gent loosing his life the way he did. Still we are greatful and proud for the amazing work that Gent did throughtout his time in the USA. One thing for sure is that we will never forget Gent and we will always be proud of him. Rest In Peace Gent.Krishti edhe Zoja e forcoft familjen tende gjat gjithe jetes te tynve."
Ilir geraj of London Kakarriq

"Dear Marku Family,
Please know our thoughts and prayers will be with you always. Jeff never mentioned Gentian in his letters or calls but we know they were and always will be friends. I am so sorry we lost these two great young men. They are certainly our Heroes. They will remain forever in our hearts.
Love,
Scott, Patti and Cory Holmes
Family of LCpl Jeffery Holmes who died with Gentian 11/25/04 in Fallujah"
Patti Holmes of White River Jct, Vt - USA

"god bless my fellow Marine."
cl opl ps of tybee island georgia

"god bless my fellow Marine."
cpl. Coupal ps of tybee island georgia

"To all Albanian Freepers...
We are thankful for your support & proud to have you as members of the Coalition of the Willing.

You are truly Europe's finest !!"
John of California

"Familye Marku,
Desculpe, kam haruar shume fjale Shqip; Une isha Attasheu Ustarak ne ShBa ne Tirane ne 2002-3. Famenderit Shume por dyali tuai Gentian.
I met your son when 26 MEU came to Albania in 2003. Please accept my condolences; and if I may, as a former Marine myself, my compliments on what a fine Marine and man your son was. I am forwarding a photo of your son that I took at a reception at Ambassador Jeffrey's Residence during the visit. Your son carried out the additional duties of interpreting for the MEU Commander (and others) with professional aplomb and was (again) a very impressive man and Marine. Both the USA and Republika Shqiptare can be proud of him.
One of my sons is now in the service of our country and the other is apparently talking to recruiters this week."
Robert Gale, CDR (Ret) of US Forces overseas

"Gentian, your sacrifice has not been in vain. I pray for you and for those you left behind. Zoti tė bekoftė trim!"
Andi of Gainesville, Florida

"Gentian! I never got to know you but i heard people telling stories about you. You were a great man. Great men are never forgotten. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY. Rest In Peace Brother"
Genti of Florida

"To The family of CPl Marku. On the day that Marku so bravely gave his life, I was involved in the same firefight. I did not know him but I was in the situation where I had to carry him out of the fight. Since that Thanksgiving day, Not a day goes by that I dont think about him and his courageous sacrifice. I wish deeply that I would have known him. Cpl Marku was a very brave man and although him and I never talked, I respect him as much as I do any other man in the world."

"hey there marku! you were always such a good friend to me every time i needed to talk about dave. i almost felt like you were one of my girl friends because of how we would talk about our relationships. it was so awesome having someone like you you were truly a great friend. dave was always so greatful for you and always talked so highly of you, now i truly know why. Thanks for watching out for my dave, eventhough he didnt come home I know you did your best watching over him, you always did. See you Soon...Take care of Houck for me:)"
Nicole Macomber of ft bragg nc

"Gentian and I graduated together. I will remember him for the being the fun loving guy who always had a good sense of humor. Gentian, thanks for being there! Class and lunch wouldn't have been the same without you. You were a good friend. I learned that one's life may start in different places, yet paths cross, and you don't know where life will take you or what the day will bring. But always remember to laugh. That's what I learned from you."
Michael Kozlowski of Ann Arbor, MI

"Corporal Marku, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"I did not know Gentian Marku but As a school poject i began to paint a picture of him as a memorial. Even though I have never seen him in person and do not know him i feel drawn to him. I give my condolences to is family and give them my sincerest regrets for their loss. I have never lost anyone to a war before but I know that he died for the country he served and their was great honor in that. He will not be forgotten. I will always remember that Gentian Marku and many others died for our country and will forever be remembered."
Chelsea Shimer of Baltimore,MD

"Gentian Marku was the best there was. There are no words to describe the horrible void his death has left in the ones who loved him. He was so easy to love - his blue eyes always sparkled, he was enthusiastic in everything he did. I never saw him angry in all the years I knew him. He was so funny and so nice to everybody he encountered. He knew he was in danger, yet he never wanted to worry his family and friends. He did not deserve to suffer and die the way he did. He was only 22 and he had so many plans for the future. He should be remembered for his bravery and the ultimate sacrifice he willingly made. I know I am not the only one who misses him and loves him, and if there is any justice in the world, he is in a beautiful and peaceful place, waiting for us to see him again."

"I met Marku while we were on float on the 26 MEU. He was a great Marine and a great person. He was always making jokes. I will always remember when we were in Albania and he got to go visit his family. I know he has gone on to a better place and reached the peace he played the ultimate sacrifice for.

Cpl Plemmons R.E."
Robert Plemmons of Alpharetta, GA

"Last night I learned of your death, and I am so sad. I want to thank you so much for fighting for our country. We were friends once a few years back, and you were always so nice and kind. I look back and remember of you talking about how you wanted to be a police officer. I am proud of you and I know that one day I will see you again in heaven. We love you and miss you very much."
Denise of Warren, MI USA

"Thank you Gentian!You were brave to join the Marines, then enter into Iraq. You helped me so much we we went to Woods Tower High together. You were there for me when I had questions about the Military, and helped me join. You the best person that help seve our country. Thanks so much. We miss you alot. you were a wonderful person. you were my besft friend.."
Tracie Kolakowski of Warren Mich

"Per familijen E Gentian Markut. Zotu U llasht shendush. Gentian And I met on Board the USS Nashville LPD 13. We had alot in common being the fact we were both from Albanian. I Miss him alot. I was looking forward into reuniting with him after coming back from the sandbox. He was like a brother to me and I still and will never get over the fact he is gone. To Marku: I hope you doing good up their you will be missed and loved ! God bless you and your familly.. Your buddy Shkelzen Syla CSSN USN"
Shkelzen Syla of Noroflk, Virginia

"Thank You Gentian. May you now know the peace that you so rightly deserve after sacrificing everything for us. God will keep you safe now. My heart aches with you family."
Melissa Macchi, cousin of PFC Mark Barbret, killed 10/14/04 of Roseville, MI

"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 Gentian for the gift of freedom that you so proudly defended for us all. From a grateful American family"
The Shaw family of Pasadena, Maryland

"To the family and friends of Corporal Gentian Marku,

Those we hold most dear, never truly leave us. May you find comfort in love's everlasting connection.

In the Support section of this web site you will find links to many groups that support you at this crucial time. The Marine Comfort Quilt group would be honored to send a quilt to the next of kin. There are many, loving and caring Americans from all over the United States that will never forget the sacrifice that your loved one has made for our Freedom. Please use our link and register so we can send our "Love Stitched Together."

Proud Marine Mom and Proud Member of Marine Comfort Quilts"
Sandra Moudy of Placentia, Ca USA

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

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