Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"August 22, 2008
To the family of Staff Sgt. Gary A. Vaillant:
Gary 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

"To the family of:Gary A. Vaillant 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"

"Because of my brother I joined the military. 2 years have passed and I still miss him. Te amo hermano."
SFC Sixto Vaillant of USMEPCOM, Illinois

"The Leadership Commitment of a Soldier

I am a Soldier. I am a Soldier in the army of my god. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer, the Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the holy spirit, trained by experience, and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire from this army at the Rapture, or die in this army. But I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If he needs me to teach Sunday school, to work with youth, help adults, or just sit and learn, he can use me because I am there. I am a soldier, I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, primed, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me. I am a soldier, I am not a wimp. I am in place saluting my king obeying his orders, praising his name, and building up his kingdom. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I don’t need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed. I can’t have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around, I can’t be discouraged enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing I will still break even. I will win. My God will supply all of my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things trough Christ. Devils cannot defeat me, people cannot dissolution me, weather cannot weary me, sickness cannot stop me, battles cannot beat me, money cannot buy me, governments cannot silence me, and HELL CANNOT HANDLE ME!!!! For even Death cannot destroy me. For when my commander calls me from this battlefield, he will promote me to captain, then bring me back to rule this world with him. I am a soldier in god’s army. I will never surrender to the enemy. I will never turn back! I am a soldier, marching heavenward claiming victory as I go.
Here I stand.
Will you stand with me?

He Lived by this, and loved hearing it read at our church services. He is deeply missed, and we will see you soon!"
Alyssa Clater of Radcliff, Ky

"The Army is full of outstanding NCOs, but Vaillant stood above that. He was a leader of soldiers, just by meeting him on the sidewalk he changed my life with that simple "hello". He will be missed."
Spc Martin of Redstone Arsenal, AL

"Our Deepest condolenscess to the Vaillant family in times of pain and sorrow. SSG Vaillant was a good friend of us here in CP Casey, Korea, he will always be remembered for his true friendship, words of wisdom, and his true faith in God that gave us strength, that strenght needed to keep us poitive to finish our tour here in Korea. From the HHC 2/72 MEDICS,
" Que Dios te Bendiga hermanito y descansa en paz"."
SGT Aponte, SGT Morales, SPC Montavon of Camp Casey, Korea

"Gary worked in the 3/16th Cavalry Squadron while I was there. We didn't work together, but he was around quite a lot. He was a fellow I knew but didn't know.

I attended his "Going Home Ceremony." Let me tell you, ol' Brother Gary had a plenty good sendoff--it lasted about two hours. I was impressed by the outpouring of emotion and affection for him. Truly, he will be missed. God keep him, God keep his family, God keep our nation and all people of good will."
John of Radcliff, KY

"SSG. Gary A. Vaillant
You'll be missed, you are a very unique man, an NCO to look up to. You brightened our days, while our days weren't very bright at all here in Iraq. I know that every Soldier here in A Co 2-72 AR misses you and we're all praying for your friends and family.
I know you're up in heaven watching over all of us."
SGT. Ha of Iraq

"To our spiritual brother Gary Vaillant and his wife:
My husband and I our grief stricken by the recent death of our friend, Brother Vaillant. He was not only our minister, but he was the preacher who wed my husband and I on July 2000. He was the one who would send words of encouragement (by e-mail) to everyone that he knew. He was the one who sent care packages to my husband who was also in the war. What we remember most about brother Vaillant is his strong belief in GOD and how he was always sharing the word of the Lord to any one who would listen. If there were more individuals like our “brother”, the world would be a much better place. Both my husband and I will miss him. However, he will never be gone as long as we remember who he was and what he stood for. God bless his family and may the angels of the Lord watch over them always. Until we meet again in heaven, GOD BLESS…… SGT Judy Betancourt and SFC Raul Betancourt"
Judy and Raul Betancourt of Ft Benning, Ga

"Sergeant Vaillant, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, 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, Gary, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To the family of Gary,
Our sincerest condolences for your loss. We know your pain as we have also suffered the loss of a precious life in this battle for freedom. Gary is a true American hero and will always be remembered for his bravery and sacrifice he gave to our country. May God bless you during this difficult time."
The McClain family--azquail@att.nett of Tucson, AZ

"To Gary'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. Que el Señor los bendia a todos.

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, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

"To Gary'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

"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. May you forever rest in Heavenly peace. Neither you nor your sacrifice will be forgotten."
a grateful family in Phoenix, AZ

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