Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

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

Army Staff Sgt. Richard P. Ramey

27, of Canton, Ohio.
Ramey died in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated. He was assigned to the 703rd Ordinance Company, and was supporting the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Died on February 8, 2004.

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"Rich,
Fair winds and blue skies to you always... You will always be remembered.
TF 3 Panther"
1SG B (Ret)

"It has been 11 years my friend, and you will never be forgotten ."
Rod McGuire of Currently, Virginia

"I miss you brother. I met you when you first arrived at Ft. Drum fresh out of EOD school. I hope that you have found peace in your eternal rest."
Steve Pierce SFC (retired)

"There isn't a day that passes that I don't think about you or your family. Its been 10 years since we lost you and it still hurts. I can honestly say you were my best friend and brother. Almost every one of my childhood memories includes you and Jason. I know you watch over us all everyday. I miss you brother, wish you were here!"
Scott Shackle of Shelby, Ohio

"Emily Moore recieved the Richard Ramey scholarship when she graduated from Perry High. She has since been accepted to Columbia University and is doing research in biomedical engineering for her PHD. We still have the Richard Ramey scholarship award hanging high in our house and we will never forget Richard and the generosity of his parents."
Chris Moore of Massillon, Ohio

"Rich, it's been 8 years today brother. I call you brother because that's what we are and always will be. I know you've been watching over me because I made it this far. It doesn't seem to get easier but we'll all get through it. Just know, you are never forgotten. To members of the unit, I hope you are all safe and keep your heads down. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about all we did and how proud I am to have served with you all. To the Rameys, I hope time has helped heal some wounds and I hope you are well."
OZ

"Rich, you have never left my thoughts or my heart. I am a better person for knowing you and being your friend. Thank you for everything. You have left this world way too early. It was an honor serving with you. (NAVSCHOOLEOD Classmate)"
Bridget (Miller) Hudson of Rockland, MA

"Rich, Cannot believe that it was 6 years ago today that we lost you in Mahmudiyah. We were with you just days befor and you gave me a bag full of EOD coins for the guys. You touched so many of us. I met your parents over at The Baker's last year i think it was. We told stories back and forth about you. They are incredible people. You are missed and remembered in our hearts."
SGM Thom Raymann of Washington, DC

"Ramey,
As your Class Leader at NAVSCOLEOD, didn't I tell you that you were not authorized to become deceased without my permission?. You are missed brother."
GySgt Mike LaBarge (USMC Ret) of USMC MWTC, Bridgeport, CA

"richey, i can't believe that it's been 6 years! it will always be a bittersweet memory for me, a few days after my husband and i found out i was pregnant with our son, i found out you were gone. i still think of the good times we had in school. thank you for keeping us safe and for serving our country...you are our hero!"
kristta of canton, ohio

"Feb.3,2010 125 days till BCT- Fort Benning GA

To SSG Richard Ramey and family,
I am curently a Sinor student at Perry High School. My english class is doing a unit on Vietnam, and the veterans that have gave their lives for the preservation of American freedom here at Perry. I myself have enlisted in the U.S Army as an Infantry grunt. It will be an honor to serve in your shadow "SSG" we all take an oath to protect this country in the shadow of death. I may not know you, but you are my brother. May you wach over all your fellow brothers in arms! HOOAH!!!
" I am an American Soldier.

I am a Warrior and member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined,. physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.""
PFC Aaron David Gressel of Massillon, Ohio

"I never want to forget the sacrifices of so many young men and women. I am so proud it makes me cry. I understand in theory only that war is a part of human nature but so is love and caring. I wish I could take the families pain away but I can't. I am committed to loving ALL people, myself and our environment. I am committed to working on my happiness everyday because so many have died for my freedom to live my life. Thank you is not enough but it is all I have. All my love and respect. ogersteiner@yahoo.com"
Scott Steiner of Gahanna, OH / USA

"February 5, 2009
To the family of Staff Sgt. Richard P. Ramey:
Richard 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

"Rich, it has been years. I have been hiding in the walls of war and have finally found myself back in reality. * brother, it only took five years?! I miss you and still remember going to the clubs during EOD School. I remember helping work on your truck, going to the clubs, and singing army songs at the tops of our lungs. “Fools”, some may have thought. I gained a brother in you and lost a part of me when I learned of your passing. I was working operations a mere 50 miles away at the time and had to answer the call of duty upon the learning of your passing. Tears have fallen but I have not faltered, I tell your story to my troops as an example of how we "EOD brothers" bond and some times say good bye. Rest well my brother, you are well remembered and missed more then you could know. EOMFD.

Todd M. Kuikka, TSgt, USAF
Wherever the War takes me"

"SSG Ramey - As a fellow PERRY HIGH Graduate I could not help but think of you as I, again, sit here in Baghdad. Your Sacrafice will never be forgotten. May your Panther Spirit always protect your family!"
MSG Bruce C. Murdock Jr (PHS 87') of Massillon, Ohio

"Dear Julie and Jerry,

I grew up down the street from you on 3rd St and then attended high school with Sarah. Unfortunately, I never knew Richie very well - aside from hearing and watching him torment Sarah in high school. I remember everything about when I heard about Richie. I can't express in words how sorry I am for your loss. Nine months ago when my son was born my husband and I gave him Richie's name as his middle name. Elliott Richard was born in March 2006. I only hope he grows up to be half the man Richie was."
Elizabeth (Weaver) Gorski of Canton, Ohio

"Ramey; I found your picture on a web site for those who gave their lives for our freedom. Immediately all of my memories of you filled my head. I remember the fun times, the hard times. I will always remember you. I miss you; I wish we could hang out again & trade stories over a beer and crab legs. I will do my best to make sure your memory lives on. I think of you every day. My thoughts are with your family and all that knew you. You were my friend, my drinking buddy, and my brother in arms.
With a heavy heart I say good bye one last time.
Richard Jenkins"
Richard Jenkins of Tampa, Florida

"Dear Sara, Julie and Gerry,
I knew Ritchie all through school and I remember him always wanting to play army. I can't imagine the pain it is to lose a son, but I feel some comfort in the fact that he died for what he believed in and loved to do. You and your family are in my prayers always."
John Parr of Canton, Oh

"Rich, you were like a brother to me. I will always cherish the good times. You were a true friend & solider. I will always remember your spirit, your smile and how you were always there to help anyone. I will never forget your sacrifice...and I will always remember your friendship. I have lost more than just a bud...I lost a brother."
Kevin L. Phillips of Radcliff, Kentucky

"Dear SSG Ramey,

I just wanted to say that I have not forgotten…

SFC CB"

"Ramey, I remember all the good conversation we had and all the mission that we went on and you always kept us laughing. It was and honor to severe with you."
LT. Jeffrey J wallace ACO 489th EN BN of HOT SPRINGS, AR

"SSG Ramey, I'll never forget the smile on your face and our conversation the day before you moved onto a better a place. God Bless."
MAJ Jeff Robertson

"To the family of:Richard P. Ramey 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 one day we will meet in Heaven 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 Christ,"
Polly Ballew of Covington,Ga

"Rich,
I was in Tuz, Iraq when I found out that you had left us. It hurt me deeply then but I didn't have much time to grieve. I just remembered the deployment that we did in Kosovo and that dusty seahut by the chow hall that we shared. I have some black and white photos that I took of you while we were there and I plan on sending them to your family. It finally hit me hard when I went to Arlington and found your portrait among the other fallen heros. I placed my coin on your frame. I hope that it stayed for a while. You are deeply missed my friend."
SSG Troy Parker of 749th EOD, Andrews AFB, MD.

"Rich, I went to school with you and graduated 2 years behind you. May God be with you and your family"
chris slomka of cleveland, ohio

"Thanks for the coin you gave us Ramey!
It means more to me than any other."
Sgt. Klober 489th EN BN of Magnolia, Ar

"It was a pleasure to serve with you, and I'll never forget you. A soldier never dies, he just fades away. God Bless"
CHRISTOPHER TEEL, 82d Airborne Division of Chicago, IL/USA

"I didn't realize how much I would miss my friend. Rich, you are in my thoughts and you're family are in my prayers every day."
Brian Shurtz of Massillon, Ohio

"Dear Julie, Sara and Gerry,
It will soon be one year. Rich would be so proud of you and how you have handled this terrible loss. I know Mike and Rich are watching over all of us. I know the hurt is overwhelming at times. You are always in my prayers and I can never tell you how much your support of us in our loss has has meant. Our sons gave their lives for the freedom of others. I know they have a special place in heaven. If they could talk to us it would be to say "Don't be sad, know we are happy and someday you will understand." May God Bless Us all and keep us in the palm of His hand until the day we are reunited with our wonderful brave hero sons."
Julie and Hal of Canal Fulton, Ohio

"My family recently received a "Hero Bracelet" from www.herobracelets.org. Our bracelet reflects the name of the fallen soldier, Staff Sgt Richard P Ramey of Canton, OH Army 2/8/04. He will not be forgotten. In fact, my husband and I plan to pass this bracelet on to one of our four children in hopes that our future generations will not forget the sacrifices others have made toward freedom."
Chris and Laura White of Plano, TX

"Thank you Richard for keeping us safe from harm here in Ohio. You are our hero."
Mrs. Arthur's 4th grade class of Nelsonville, Ohio

"Brother, it was an honor to serve with you, it was an honor to have you as a member of our family, it was an honor to bring you off the battlefield. I will try my best to look over those you left behind, I love you Rich and hope God is being good to you. Ben"
SSG Benjamin A. Sutton of Ft. Knox KY

"It was hard to believe that I saw you just two days before you left us. You gave me all those EOD coins to give to the guys. They are very special to the guys! You will be missed by everyone that you came in contact with. I am so proud and honored to have worked with you and OZ. Sappers Forward!"
MSG Thomas Raymann (Assassin 26) A/489 EN BN of Little Rock, AR

"You will be missed dearly Rich, May god be with you. You will live forever in ever EOD Techs Heart. Rest in Peace Rich."
SSG Oswalt of 731st EOD WPAFB, OH

"Rich, my friend who I shared few but meaningful memories with, I will miss you. Thank you for all the times and laughs that we shared, and thank you for serving our wonderful country."
Aimee of Louisville, KY

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

"Thanks Rich for being such great friend to me. Thanks for all the laughs we had. Thanks for all the advice you gave me. I feel a great loss in my heart every time i think of you. Rest Peacefully Hero."
jacob fuller of fort knox ky

"We started out together in basic training at Fort Benning Georgia in June of 1990. We graduated in Oct 90 as brothers in the Infantry. Rest in Peace my fallen Brother."
SSG Luther E. East of Fort Benning, GA

"Please excuse our typo, we meant no disrespect to Richard."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, 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, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi B from Montana "

"The friends and family of the 703d EOD will never forget SSG Ramey. He will be remembered as a good friend and soldier."
Lan Sutton, spouse 703d EOD of Fort Knox, KY

""RIP Brave Solider. You are now the beautiful star we see shining bright at night in the sky.""
The Taylors USMC of NC

"To Richard's Family:
There are no words that can express our deep sorrow for your loss. May God bless you and your family as Richard watches over you all."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"SSG Ramey, my heart goes out to your family. I just met them two months ago at Kim's funeral, and it broke my heart to give them the news that you had been killed. You have a very wonderful family and I know they love you deeply and will miss you greatly. Sleep peacefully. You will be missed by all who knew you."
1SG Scott Rogers of 731st EOD WPAFB, OH

"Thank you Richard Ramey, 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 Staff Sgt. Richard Ramey:
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 Richard 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 Staff Sgt. Richard Ramey:
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 Richard, 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