Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Daddy I i am now 12 and old enough to remember you are ALWAYS in my heart.
I respect your death as not a choice but a duty.
You need need to know i still love you more than my whole life. you wont be there to walk me down to graduation . But you will be . You wont be there to walk me down the aisle. But you will.
I love you more then ever now .And i i need you to be there for me.
always.
I love you.
Love Your Daughter

Jillian Elizabeth Stack"
Jillian Elizabeth Stack of Fredricksburg VA USA

"April 20, 2009
To the family of Sgt. Maj. Michael B. Stack:
Michael 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

"My family was touched by, and appreciated Mikes devotion to our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ !!! And to his devotion to Suzanne & family & Country.. In our hearts forever he will be..... His friends, The Harths"
Harry J. Harth III of Manassas,Va./U.S.A.

"Daddy you were an a amazing man .I love you .You will always be remembered in my Heart.Love you lots"
Jillian Stack ,daughter of Fredricksburg Va USA

"I worked under 1SG Michael B. Stack as the 3rd Platoon Sergeant Charlie Company at the SWTCS back in 97-99. Michael lent me a video of the life of Jesus Christ. I had watched it, and through the mayhem in my own family life, I had lost it. I apologize. I remember him asking me back for this video, but not in a forceful manner. I did not know at the time that he ministered. Michael had me think deeply, how a combat Veteran can be so humble, I am now saved. I give the credit to him who showed me that it's not always about mission or combat. He is an Honorable man, his leadership style and deamenaor are still in my memories. My heart sunk when I found out about his death though SFC Kenneth Crow in 2006. He is a Hero. He is respected by all who served under him. It was awesome to Run Airborne Operations with you! You kept it Simple! I love you brother! The Lord enjoys your company! God Bless"
Rommel S. Lopez of Columbia, SC 29210

"I met Mike when he was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He was one of the most decent people I have ever met and I'm thankful that I knew him. May God comfort his family until they are reunited again."
Dianne Norris of Thomson, GA

"To the family of:Michael B Stack 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"

""Chalie '2' can do, Soldier-medic, Sir!"

To the family of Sgt Major Michael B. Stack, I must say that He taught me what it was to be a soldier. I called him "G.I.Joe" once. He took offense to it and asked my why I called him that. I responded, "Because you hold that status of what every 'Soldier' is yearning to be... a Man."

"Why did you join the Military, Ortega?" he asked...

Because I was abandoned by my father and needed to know what it is to be a man."

"You had a mother, or were you orphaned?" he asked...

I had a Mother... Her name is Martha Martinez (Maiden-Name).

"What did she teach you, Ortega?" he asked...

"She taught me to love God and Country."

"Do you love your Mother, Ortega?" He asked...

"I love her more than Life." I answered.

"Did she teach you to respect women?"

"She did." I replied.

Did she teach you to place God, first, above all else?"

"She did," I replied...

"She taught you what no typical Man would have ever done. 'God, Country, Mother...' Never Forget that, Ortega. A typical 'woman' will leave you, but God, Country, and your Mother never will...

"If you run across a woman like that, who is not your Mother, marry her, for she will be what you are required to care for, as God has set forth."

"G.I. Joe," I salute you...

You chastised me, not for having my boots mal-polished, but for not having recognized what my Mother, not my father, had formed me into... a Man.

I know God has you in a special place...

God Bless You for having touched my Soul.

I am currently a Police Officer for the Los Angeles Police Department and have received a "Life Saving Medal." You, "Mikie," as you told me you wanted to be called, taught me... as you tore the medals from your chest, that the true measure of a "Man" should not be made by what he bears on his chest, but by what his friends say after he is gone..."

"You" are gone, my Friend..." You have been measured, by me, beyond what words can ever reveal.

May the warmth of God hold you and your loved ones as dear as I hold you in my heart... To this day, I do not wear my military or police medals on my chest, for I "need to be measured" by what my friends will say when I am gone... Not by the medals (as You have taught me).

So, to you... "Mikie," not Sgt Major (with due respect), I love you for teaching me how to further my love of God, Country, and Mother... and for teaching me more about the nature of "Mother."

PS

I found out about you passing on 12-22-2006. I know that you, above many others, deserved to be burried at Arlington, because you were, and are, in my soul, A Soldier...

I Salute you, "Mikie..."

God Bless you...

God Bless you, Always, Mikie...

You G.I Joe, you..."
Police Officer II Ramon L. Ortega, Jr - Charlie Company, 2nd Battallion, 187th Medical Battalion, Ft Sam Houston, Texas (at the time - 1987) of Los Angeles, California - LAPD-USARMY-Corporal-Field Commission

"Uncle Mike,
A long time has passed since the last time I saw you. I was just a kid and I will always remember you just by the way you carried yourself. You were a great family man, and a great soldier. You have and always will be a great hero to me. I have been in Iraq for 17 months right now, and not a day goes by that I don't think of you. My love goes out to your wife, children, and grandchildren. You will always in my thoughts. I miss you Uncle Mike."
Josh Caulder of Tikrit, Iraq

"God Speed Mike...you were a remarkable Soldier and it was an honor to know you. Rest in Peace."
CSM (Ret) Steve Greer of Eastman, GA

"SGM Stack was my 1SG while I was assigned in C Co, 3rd Bn, 1st SWTG as a Supply Sergeant. It was because of his leadership and mentorship that I am where I am now."
SFC Jacqueline Turkatte of Heidelberg, Germany

"Mike, today marks two years. The pain and emptiness have not eased; and today they are greater. Though we will never be able to share that "good glass of red wine," you know there is always wine at my table for you. You are loved and missed."
Cecil Stack, SGM (Ret), brother of Alexandria, VA

"I meet Sergeant Major Stack while in Najaf Iraq the day before he passed away. He came down to our work place and talked to us for a bit. Asked each of us what part of the US we were from, about our family and if we had everything we needed. Very nice person and a professional soldier. My heart goes out to the family."
keith couch of 711 Signal Battalion, Alabama National Guard

"I had the Honor and Privilege to know and serve with Mike.....On this Day and always, I will never forget! "We take alot of things for granted these days, But let us never forget the price Mike and others paid for our Freedom!" To Mike's Family and loved ones, I did not Forget!............"
P.Unti of Ft Bragg

"My family and I were watching the special on Arlington and I was very touched by your loss. I know over a year has passed but also that a year is very little time for such a loss. I am about the same age as Michael and with three sons that I can't even imagine what your family has been through. I was looking for information on Michael's tour and where he was lost and read allot of very kind things that friends and family had to say about him. I didn't know Michael and even I can tell what a wonderful person he was and I felt the very least I could do was say "Thank You". For giving so much and being a great example and inspiration for those left behind. I will continue to pray for the Stack family and hug my three sons closer when I put them to bed. Stay close to God he will comfort you and continue to give you all strength. Sincerely,"
Frank Bustillo of Utica, OH /USA

"I also came across this by accident. I served 15 years in the Army as well. After researching family lineage, I found a family crest and motto. CSM Stack opetimises that motto.
"By Virtue and Valor""
Michael Stack of San Diego, CA

"I read of Michael's sacrifice over the weekend. What an amazing individual, to have touched so many as both a warrior and a man of God! I humbly offer his family my many thanks and condolences. I will pray for you to stay strong in the faith as you find peace and understanding.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13"
John Lewis of Jacksonville, FL

"Came across this quite by accident; and must say that it took my breath away. I recently retired myself from the Navy. Our loved ones also make sacrifices as we serve. My name-sake gave the ultimate sacrifice! God be with you and watch over your family."
Michael Stack of Los Angeles, California

"I didn't know SGM Stack, but my husband worked with him. We have him to be thankful for that my husband got promoted. He was a great man from what my husband has told me about him. May he rest in peace."
Gidget & Kris Meraz of Ft Campbell KY, USA

"I am the the nephew of SGM micheal stack.I would like to thank everyone for their support in this time of tradegy.Mike was my friend and I looked up to him He was an excellent soldier,father,uncle,and friend.I know that he is with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ.Hes still here in the hearts of his children and family.I will never forget him him and the brave deeds that he done.Ill see you one day again in heaven.

love phillip caulder"
phillip caulder of lake city,sc

"One of the greatest pleasures of my life was to knowing Michael and Suzanne Stacks. Some of the greatest memories I have is living next door to you guys at Fort Bragg. The loss of Michael is a terrible loss to everyone, but most of all to you Suzanne. The way the two of you loved one another and how I would just sit there and make fun of you two, because the two of you were like little kids in school. I do not have to tell you that you were Michael’s world and how much he loved you because he made that clear to you each and every day. Michael and you helped me so much find myself and guide me when I need someone the most. Michael always guided me through scripture and never judged me. In all of my years of life I have only met one Michael and he helped me set my own standards in my life and taught and showed me to always remember to believe in the Lord and continue to make time for the Lord each and everyday. Suzanne, I am sorry that I have no comforting words for you, so I will continue to pray for you to have peace. Please know that you and the kids are so dear to me and I will continue to pray for you and the family. I love you all and I will talk to you soon…"
Marisa Szlachta of Fayetteville, NC

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

"On the behalf of our family, I would like to thank everyone for all the prayers and support. Kimberly A. Haake, sister of SGM Michael B. Stack"
Kimberly Haake of Atlanta, GA.

"I had the pleasure of knowing Mike from Layton Chapel in Spring Lake NC. I lost contact due to both of our moves. I wish the best to his wife and kids. I also thank them for Mike and him fighting for my son and my freedom. I will see him in heaven. He is having fun with Jesus. Mike, thanks for eveything."
Sarah and Dakota Carroll of Tonawanda NY usa

"WE PRAY THAT GOD GIVES THE FAMILY THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO GO ON. HE IS IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE NOW WHERE HE CAN WATCH OVER ALL OF YOU, MAY GOD BE WITH YOU. RIP SGT. MICHAEL B. STACK"
JEREMIE & SHANNA of RICHMOND, VA

"Michael Stack was a great guy. I had to travel to Fort Bragg from Colorado several years ago. I was a pastor trying to help mend the marriage of one of our church members who was stationed at Bragg. Mike and his dear wife opened their home to me and were gracious hosts. Mike worked and prayed diligently along with me to try to help this fellow soldier. I spent several days at Bragg and Mike took me with him to work and showed me all around Fort Bragg. He even treated me to some great Chinese food. My heart aches to hear of him giving his life in Iraq, but he is now with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I'll see Mike again someday.
Serving Christ in Cambodia,
Billy Haas"
Billy Haas of Phnom Penh, Cambodia

"I didn't know Mike Stack, but I attend a church in Annandale, VA--Capital Baptist--that Mike attended some years back. Word of his death hit several people in the congregation like a ton of bricks. Our pastor, Steve Reynolds, remembered Mike fondly as a strong Believerand a great man.

My prayers are for his bride and children. May God bless you. When our "faith shall be made sight," you folks will see him again. Take heart in knowing that Jesus Christ keeps His promises."
Jeff Brewer of Fairfax, VA

"We were all blessed to have known Mike and his family . He is going to be missed very much. We thank God he was his child and we will see him again one day. God Bless his dear wife, children and family. You are in our prayers. We love you and hope to see you soon."
Marcia and Gary Holder of Spring Lake, NC

"To Michael's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send you our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time and we thank you for his bravery and sacrifice.

From the family of Capt. Ernesto Blanco-Caldas, KIA Iraq 12/28/2003"
Gloria Caldas (his mom) of San Antonio, TX

"Thank you Michael Stack, 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 Sgt. Maj. Michael Stack:
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 Michael 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 Sgt. Maj. Michael Stack:
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 Michael, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia