Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

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

Marine Lance Cpl. Juan R. Rodriguez-Velasco

23, of El Cenizo, Texas.
Rodriguez-Velasco died from injuries received as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Corpus Christi, Texas. Died on January 13, 2005.

Please send information, photos, and corrections for Marine Lance Cpl. Juan R. Rodriguez-Velasco.

Links:

Contributions to the Families of the Fallen

Messages:

Leave a message in memory of this servicemember, and/or to the loved ones left behind.

Please report inappropriate messages

"Semper Fidelis MARINE, you and your sacrifice are not forgotten."
Fidencio Castaneda III of Edinburg, Tx

"God Bless you Juan. Missing you and LCpl Holloway. Always thinking of you and your family."
LtCol R.S. Rodriguez of Rio Grande Valley, Texas

"Hello my name is HM1 Gustavo Santa. I am a Navy hospital corpsman (medic). I was assigned to 1/23 Marines Charlie company 2nd Platoon. I will never forget while patrolling that night in ASP Dulab in the back of a HUMVEE hearing the names of LCPL Juan Rodriguez & Mathew Holloway. It has been 11 years...I never forget this day. Last night myself with the support of the Marine Corps League Jack Ivy Detachment # 666 held a memorial service for them. It was my first one. So they will get better as time goes on. I want the families to know that their son...brother...husband is not forgotten....a corpsman here in Florida is always thinking of them. I would like to send pictures to the families.
ftpiercebando@yahoo.com
SEMPER !!!
HM1 Gustavo"Doc" Santa"
Gustavo "Doc" Santa of Port Saint Lucie, FL

"To the family of:Juan R.Rodriguez-Velasco
I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. My heart cries out for you in your grief and you have my thoughts and prayers. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully we will all 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 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015.
Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew Covington,Ga""

"Semper Fidelis Rod, it was an honor serving with you."
f.a. elizondo a78539e@hotmail.com of Edinburg, TX.

"Semper Fidelis Rod, it was an honor serving with you."
f.a. elizondo of Edinburg, TX.

"”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,660 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at Projectcompassion@manti.com or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna"
Project Compassion - Kenna of Manti, Utah USA

"January 11, 2009
To the family of Lance Cpl. Juan R. Rodriguez-Velasco:
Juan 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

"I want to send my heart and my memory to you (the family).
I remember Juan as an outgoing Marine, as an outstanding citizen, as a GOOD friend.
He was the type of person you could spent all night talking about life, God, family and friends......and you felt as if you had know him for 23 years.

I was the one Juan last spent the night with.
Talking about family and God while we were on guard.

I can still remember his smile.......................



Asael Paniagua
breadwater@yahoo.com"
Asael Panigua Jr. of Brownsville, TX

"On behalf of the Rodriguez-Velasco family, I thank you for your thoughts and prayers for my brother LCpl Juan R. Rodriguez-Velasco. My parents and I truelly appriciate it from the bottom of our hearts."
Fatima Rodriguez - Juan's Sister of El Cenizo, TX

"My prayers are still with you. I had the honor of serving with Juan in Iraq. He is and will always be an outstanding Marine. Semper Fi"
Gysgt Rene F. Avendano Jr of C CO 1/23 Harlingen, Texas

"To Juan's Family, I have a boyfriend, Juan Rodriquez from McAllen, Tx who i havent spoken to since Dec 28th 2004.I If this is the same Juan Rodriquez I know and are dating, I would really like to know for sure. Ive been compareing the pics i have that my Juan have sent me and they look alike like your Juan. Please, I am sorry to bother you all with this but I need some closure to whether or not my bf, Juan Rodriquez, is your loved one! If this is the same Juan Rodriquez i have some pics you might like of him that he sent me while in Kuwait. Thanks!"
kaseymilligan@msn.com of Shreveport, Louisiana

"I am sorry to hear about the loss of Juan. He is in my prayers!"
Kasey Milligan of Shreveport, Lousiana & Palestine, Tx

"Semper Fidelis Marine, your ultimate sacrifice will not be in vain. You died for what you believed in and WILL NOT be forgotten.

To the family of LCPL Rodriguez, take what little comfort you can in knowing that your son will live on in the memory of his fellow Marines and ever-faithful spirit of the United States Marine Corps. His life may have been prematurely extinguished but his spirit will live on in each of us."
2nd LT Marcos Aguilera, USMC of Corpus Christi, Texas

"Juanito,

I know you are up in heaven watching over us and I am so sad to know that you are gone. The thing that hurts me the most is that I did not get to say good-bye or to see your face again. You were one true friend. Always happy and willing to give it all you had. You will always be in my heart. God Bless you !!!!

To the Rodriguez family,

I am sorry to hear that one of my good friends is gone. You are in my prayers and I know God will help you get through this.

Love,

Karla Garay
Former USHS ROTC member"
Karla Garay of Eagle Pass, Tx , USA

"Thank you sir, for your service to humanity."
A 1/23 gold star dad of CC, TX

"To Juan'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 as we mourn the loss of yet another of Texas' sons.

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, Texas
gcaldas48@aol.com"

"To Juan'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

"My prayers are with the Rodriguez family. He was a kind friend who deserved so much more. He had hopes and dreams. I am saddened by this tragedy. My condolences go out to my friend Fatima Rodriguez, JUAN's sister, and her parents. May God Bless You Always. To Juan, I thank you for being a true hero to our country. He shall live in our hearts."
Roberto Placido Hernandez of Laredo, Texas/ USA

"To the family and friends of Lance Corporal Juan R. Rodriguez-Velasco,

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

"To the Rodriguez-Velasco family from the Wahl Family. From another fallen soldiers family. we are deeply sadden by the lost of JUAN. An our heart and prays are with you."
Leonard Wahl of Valley Stream Long Island

"Thank you brave Marine for taking the fight to those cowards who wish to destroy America. You are our hero and we will remember you each day we raise our flag in the front yard. Semper Fi. God Bless you and may He bring peace to your loved ones. From a very grateful American family."
The Shaw family of Pasadena, Maryland

"Thank you Juan Rodriguez-Velasco, 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 Lance Cpl. Juan Rodriguez-Velasco:
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 Juan 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 Lance Cpl. Juan Rodriguez-Velasco:
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 Juan, 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