Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

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

Army Pfc. Charles C. Persing

20, of Albany, Louisiana.
Persing died in Scandaria, Iraq, when multiple mortars rounds hit his forward operating base. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York. Died on July 19, 2004.

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"Every year it grows harder and harder to let go of that day my friend. I miss you brother and I wish I could have done more in that bunker for you. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about that day. See ya soon my friend, once again, I'm sorry."
T. Bredberg (Doc) of Liverpool, NY

"Dear CC,
I just wanted to let you know how very much you are missed!!! I still have the last letter you wrote to me, and when I'm feeling blue or thinking of you, I read it to remind me how happy you were, and that you loved every aspect of your life!!! You are always in my thoughts, heart and especially in my prayers. Love Always, Becky"
Rebecca (Palm) Cardello of Fort Worth, TX

"May 2014,

Persing was in my platoon, and I think of him every day. His sense of humor and Louisiana accent was one of the very few comforts I had over there. One of the bravest and toughest men I've ever met. July 19 was a sad day, and I will never forget the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers, even if I wish I could. Persing and Lloyd are the definition of selfless, and honor them by remembering their sacrifice the next time you can do a selfless act for strangers."
Sgt Kevin Yates, B co. 1-32 Infantry of Biddeford, ME

"CC was my foster brother and I always looked forward to seeing him come home. I remember the day we got the news, Robert his brother was at our house and we got a phone call for him to come home to his aunt. And then about 30 minutes later there was a solider coming back with Robert and we thought it was good news then We all started balling. My brothers and I thought why him? I now know why it's because he was a hero and was willing to give his life and to this day I still cry. 7 Years later and I cry every veterns day. Your family and friends miss you a lot."
katie palm (foster sister) of walker louisiana

"The definition of bravery is facing fear and adversity with the qualities necessary to win. Charles Persing fulfilled all of these qualities and was a living definition of the word bravery. Persing, you will always be held in my highest regard, far above that of the cowards that took your life. You are a great man, an exceptional soldier, and an unforgettable friend. "Chosin""
SSG Thomas Matthews of Mansfield, GA

"CC I have been thinking about you alot lately and today at my lil mans kindergarten graduation ceremony they did a memorial and had your picture and just wanted to say that you are not forgotten my kids will know just how much u gave for something u believed in! love you!!"
Rose Bouley Keiser of Jennings Louisiana

"To the friends and family of CC,

I got to know CC very well in Iraq, we were in the same fire team together. I fought next to him on countless missions, joked with him on countless nights fighting off the boredom, and was next to him when he fell. CC was like a brother to me, and I'll always miss him. I hope that on this memorial day almost five years later, no one ever forgets what a great guy he was, and what he did for us all."
Adam Bouse of Nebraska

"I Love and miss You CC watch over ya boy thats always been something you were good at before "We Miss You" OneLove"
Casino "Stephen" of Amite Louisiana

"July 3, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Charles C. Persing:
Charles 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

"CC, WE went to Albany High together.I had to make up a few classes because you always had something more interesting to talk about.You were always makeing jokes.You were a great friend and I miss you alot.Words cannot express my gradatude for what you did. You are a hero to us all.I will always remember you and I'll see you again in Heaven!THANK YOU!"
shellie of Tennessee

"An awesome friend and soldier. Persing was truly a hero. Before our deployment, he used to stop by in my room, telling story of his friend deployment, on how everyone will make it back safely. He leaves a smile on the face of everyone he encountered. He is greatly missed by his family and friend. RIP my friend. We'll meet again soon."
Sary Nhet of Lowell, MA

"I love you and miss you so much i wish i hade one more Sec.one more min,Hr,day,week,month,year,and tha world needs one more Hero like you i will make sure no matter wut that my son Landyn Charles Caton visits you as often as he can and on your 6irthday and on Christmas exc.you are missed very much and i will never stop loving you like a 6rother Some Gave all and you were one of them and i want to tell you thank you and i love you and everyone at STS Records Loves you and misses you love your 6rother William'Thug Castello'Caton"
William'Thug Castello'Caton of Hammond,La,USA

"I never got to meet CC but my grandson is named after him. I know his brother well and have met his mom. My heart and my prayers go out to them. From the stories I have heard of CC .... he died a hero for us...... and he will always be remembered as one..."
Shawn Bourgeois of Walker,La

"I never got to meet you but you were one of my husbands good friends and you went away before i got tha honors to meet you. But we did have a little boy and his middle name is Charles after you. My due date was on your birthday oct.7th..but he didnt come that day. You will always be remembered and you have lots of friends and family that miss you! Landyn will always know about his uncle cc becuase we are making him a scrap book with everything about you in it. Well i dont have much more to say...RIP.."
kayla of denham springs louisiana

"i served with charles in B co. he was a wonderful friend and we will all miss him i will never forget"
SPC. Peter Thompson of Loch Sheldrake NY

"Words can't express how happy I was to know Charles, we went through basic together and served in the same Battallion, even though he is gone now, he'll always be my hero. I was as in the camp when the mortars came, and was saddened by his death, but I know that he went to Heaven with his head up like a real hero."
T-good of Fort Drum NY

"To the family of: Charles C Persing I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully, we will 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, Gateway Community Church, 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Chirst,"
Polly Ballew of Covington, Ga

"TO CHARLES..AS I SIT HERE NOW CRYING REMEMBERING THAT FATEFUL DAY..I DIDNT KNOW YOU WELL..BUT I DID KNOW YOU AND THE COMRADERIE WE SHARED THE FEW WEEKS WE WORKED TOGETHER. I WAS A MEDIC IN THE 1/32 AND WAS SEARCHING FOR ANYONE ON THAT DAY..I HAPPENED UPON PERSING AND GOT HIM TO THE AID STATION...GOODBYE BROTHER..REMEMBER ME AT THE GATES WHEN I CATCH UP TO YOU...AND TO ALL THOSE FALLEN FROM THE 1/32 TELL THEM ALL THEY ARE GREATLY LOVED AND HEROES EVEN TO THE ONES THEY SERVED WITH....IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE MORE INFO OR JUST GIVE ME A TOUCH BACK..THE EMAIL ADDRESS IS HARLEYDEVILM2@YAHOO.COM"
PFC JACOB CARDIFF COMBAT MEDIC WITH THE 1/32 of ORANGE, TX ORIGINALLY FROM LAKE CHARLES LOUISIANA

"charles was a good friend of mine while we served together in iraq. i would sit in the guard tower for hours and we would just talk about our lives and everything we planned to do. he really loved his friends and family. he spoke highly of everyone who took care of him and treated him well. he was a great guy, a great friend, and a great soldier. we had many good times together it is a shame that we can not have many more. you could always see though in his eyes he was proud to have done something with himself. he was making a difference and deep down you can tell he was proud. he will be missed dearly and will forever be in my heart and in my prayers. i miss u C
james"
james o'leary of holtsville,ny

"To Pfc.Persing, Words can not express my heartful graditude to you for your bravery on July 19-04. You will forever be in my heart and prayers.We never met, but you were with my son Andrew Coughlan in Iraq, And you proved to what it is to be a HERO.You gave your life so unselfishly so my son could have his.You will always be my HERO as you saved my sons life.Your family should be proud for your unselfish ways and of your putting someone eles before yourself.I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Andrew's Mom"
Debra Hillier of Custer, Michigan

"To Pfc.Persing, Words can not express my heartful graditude to you for your bravery on July 19-04. You will forever be in my heart and prayers.We never met, but you were with my son Andrew Coughlan in Iraq, And you proved to what it is to be a HERO of your belief and for what you believed in. You will always be my HERO as you saved my sons life.Your family should be proud for your unselfish ways and of your putting someone eles before yourself.I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Andrew's Mom"
Debra Hillier of Custer, Michigan

"Wow, Persing, what can i say? I am so glad that i had the chance to meet you and Riley! I'd say it was a pretty good weekend in PA for you not wanting to stop by! Although i didnt know you so well, i think about you always, and Riley fills me in, he tells me of all your wild adventures! What a great friend he is. i am so happy that i had that last chance to talk to you on July 19th, i dont know how it worked out that way, but i feel blessed. my mom said you stopped by to say goodbye to her. told her not to worry and you are sorry you couldnt sit around the "Fire Pit" with her again.

To the Family and Friends of Persing:
I am so sorry for your loss he was a great guy, i didnt know him so well, but Riley talks about him all the time. I pray for you all the time that one day the healing can begin. I have a Brother and a Husband in Iraq right now, and i have asked Persing to look over them and keep them safe, and i truly believe that he will."
Hope Forbes of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania

"CC, You are going to be MISSED!! We know that you did your best and we know that this was what you wanted to do...even though we said "You are crazy when you wanted to join the Army, we knew that is what you had to do. You will be in our hearts and memories forever. MUCH LOVE, Kristin
By the way anyone that would like for me to deliver a message to the family, I don't live far from there and can deliver them a message. Just email me kristinlightell@yahoo.com"
Kristin Lightell of Hammond, LA

"I had the honor of knowing CC and enjoying his insanely funny sense of humor. I met him over a year ago, and within hours after meeting him, he had already made a lasting impression. He's one of the guys that I will never forget. His best quality was that he would make even the most down-trodden person laugh until he was in stitches. I know my words are small comfort, but please know that he was an important part of us and I will miss him until the end of my days."
SPC Casey Bennett of B Co, 1-32 Inf, 3rd Plt

"I had the privalege to spend 4 days with CC in Qatar, which was suposed to be our vacation time while deployed in Iraq. Those 4 days were the greatest 4 days in my whole year deployment. CC and i spent most of those days together and he really left a great immpression on me. There aren't words that can give my condolences to you. He was a great soldier but above all he was a great guy. I will be praying for you and your family"
Sarah Romig of Germany

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

"to the persing family from the wahl family. Charles is more then a hero! He has touched many many lives. An those will all miss him dearly! Our heart and prays are with you. Very diffucult to express words of condolences. Charles deserved to live! Yet, he was more caring to those in the world and AMERICA. I truely, appreciate Charles service to our country. Our family have suffered a great lose."
Leonard T Wahl of valley stream ny

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

"I am the father of Sgt. Dale Thomas Lloyd. Dale was Charles' team leader in Iraq. Dale also lost his life in the attack. If you view this please respond as I know Dale would go to Louisiana to try and bring you comfort. I would be honored to take his place. God bless your family in these very trying times. Dale's dad Dick Lloyd"
Dick Lloyd of Thornhurst, PA

"To Charles 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 Charles' 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 loved one's bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (Ernie'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 and need. May you forever rest in Heavenly peace. You will not be forgotten."
a grateful citizen in arizona

"Thank you Charles Persing, 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. Charles Persing:
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 Charles 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. Charles Persing:
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 Charles, 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