Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"I miss you brother. I couldn't do more that day. I'm sorry."
Doc Eddie of La

"To the family of:Kevin D. Akins
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""

"Kevin: I only remember the little stinker you were when we were kids. I only knew the boy, I never knew the man. Thank you for serving and keeping our country safe. You are sorely missed."
Tiffany Mueller of Wildwood, IL

"Brother. I have read all these wonderful things people are saying about you. I am so proud of you. Not just as a soldier, but being my brother. I have never felt more lonely living in North Carolina than without. The kids are getting so big and they miss their "Uncle Bubba". Kay found a picture of you rocking Grace in a chair at the house the 1st day we brought her home.You were holging her so close and looking at her face and smiling. Its such a pretty picture.I remember that whole day.You were with me when I went into labor. I had to force you to count my contractions. You were freakin out, but you did it.It was funny. Now who do I have? Nobody. I have felt so alone since you pasted away.I miss you with every ounce of breath in me. I will still continue to take care of you..Just know that we needed you, but God needed you home more and he kinda has the say so over those issues. But I know you are ok. No more hurt or regret or discomforts. Rest Well My Brother. You deserve it. Forever and always"
Kelly Akins of Burnsville,NC

"hi bubba i know ur with the angels in heaven looking down on us you know how mush we all miss & love u i remember the night we went 2 eat & that was really funny april didnt even know u & the day u walked in my house i was so glad 2 see u u looked so good & when we went 2 ur funeral in n/c & we all prayed it would snow & i got up earily & it was snowing i ran 2 everyone room & made them get up i said its snowing u made it snow for us cause most of us had never seen snow we had snow ball fights & made angles in the snow then we found out it was snowing in afghanistan how weard was that it hardly ever snows there & we had 2 go so far up the mounton only a few of us got up there but u know shane got up there i bet u was laughing @ us there is a head stone here i had made for u so we have some where 2 go & talk 2 u it looks good & it has ur friends on it with u bubba we miss u evere day i have a pic i carry with me ever day & i look @ it all the time i love u & miss u with all my heart madison has 2 listen 2 ur song all the time every time we get in the car she says granny play kevins song for me she knows it by heart now i know one day we will be 2gether again & u will be there waiting on us god take care of the good ones & i know hes taking good care of u love u bunches"
debbie of plant city

"Bubba, I really miss you so much! I have a little boy now & I wish you could have met him. You are always in my thoughts & never forgotten! I remember when we were kids & you, Shawn & Shane use to play baseball w/me & ya'll built a halfpipe to teach me how to skate board. Man I miss those times & when you'd come home to visit we all would hangout & just enjoy our family & friends time at Tammy's. It was so funny the last time you came home it was around your birthday & we all met @ a place in Lakeland & when I walked in everyone was standing there & I said "WHERE'S KEVIN HE'S NOT HERE YET?" & you was standing right next to me:o) I didn't realize it was you & we all laughed so hard about that. Then I remember you was flying out the next day so you came & stayed the night at my house cause I lived bout 10min. from airport. We had such a good time. We was able to catch up & talk bout alot of stuff. Then you took out your photo album & showed me all the pics. & told me bout where u was & what you was doing & so fourth & one of the pics. you had in there I LOVED it & you didn't want to take out, but you did & you said to me "this picture is just for you I wouldn't have given it to noone else so your special:o) We had a great time that night & you slept in Dakota little twin bed, but you said it was comfy & your feet was hanging off the end cause your so tall.LOL :o) I MISS & LOVE VERY MUCH!!! YOUR MY HERO & MY KIDS HERO! Your the BEST BUBBA!!
*Love always & forever, Lil' sis' April*"
April Garrison of Plant City, Fl

"You'll always be in my heart. Your my "HERO".. YOU'LL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.. We love & miss you very much.
Love always, LIL' Sister April "xoxoxoxo""
April Garrison of Plant City, f;

"i feel so sorry for you in this time of sadness."
Rhi Banks, age 10 of North Carolina buncombe county

"Re: SGT Kevin Akins

Hello,
I represent PRAYER SHAWLS 4 FALLEN SOLDIERS (PS4FS), an organization that since October 2007 has sent over 2,700 prayer shawls to military families who have lost a loved one. We are an organization of over 240 groups from all over the country. We make every effort to reach families even when post cards are returned after they have moved. Would you kindly send me a contact email/address so that we may send a loving hand-made prayer shawl to the family? Thank you!

Cozette Haggerty, Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers
Email: ps4fs@charter.net
Website Address: http://webpages.charter.net/ps4fs/shawls"
Cozette Haggerty of Wilbraham, Massachusetts

"To Kevin's family:
Thinking of you today. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
We shall never forget."
Jan Banks, Lee and Rhiannon of Asheville NC

"September 14, 2007
To the family of Sgt. Kevin D. Akins:
Kevin 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

"Sir, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.""
Ramon L. Jackson of Jackson Mississippi/ U.S.A

"Big Ache

Not a day goes by that I do not think about you. You were the one that all the young guys in the 391st including myself looked up to. Everyone wanted to be like Big Ache. Not only were you a hell of good soldier, you were also like an older brother to me. I will never forget you."
SGT Kevin Landreth of Pensacola, FL

"Kevin,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country-not just in OEF, but also for your service in Iraq as well. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

"Sappers Up!"

"Ache,
I just want to say how much you are so truely missed! I think of you every day. I remember many good times spent with you, but one memory that really sticks out is the service held before the deployment when all of the soilders had been allowed to request a number of white flowers for their family members, Jake handed one to me and then here you come, beautiful white flower in hand. I said "thanks but these are for your family members" and I will never forget you hugging me and saying "you are my family, my drill weekend family". I will always love you and am so thankful to have had you in my life, I will always be greatful to have known you for the short time that I did, rather than to have never known you at all. You are my brother and I LOVE YOU DEARLY. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
I Love You!
Til We Meet Again,"
Hollie Jacobsen (jakes wife) of Hendersonville, NC

"I just want to say how much you are so truely missed! I think of you every day. I remember many good times spent with you, but one memory that really sticks out is the service held before the deployment when all of the soilders had been allowed to request a number of white flowers for their family members, Jake handed one to me and then here you come, beautiful white flower in hand. I said "thanks but these are for your family members" and I will never forget you hugging me and saying "you are my family, my drill weekend family". I will always love you and am so thankful to have had you in my life, I will always be greatful to have known you for the short time that I did, rather than to have never known you at all. You are my brother and I LOVE YOU DEARLY. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
I Love You!
Til We Meet Again,"
Hollie Jacobsen (jakes wife) of Hendersonville, NC

"Ache-
You know I will always love you and there isnt one minute of any day that goes by that I dont think of you or miss you. You were one of my best friends, one of the DAWGS! I know that you are always by my side and will never leave my heart. I know, just like then, you have my back for eternity. I can or do I ever want to replace any of the memories we have together. Whether in the bar or in uniform. I just wish I was with you and Ray-Ray. I LOVE YOU BIG DAWG. I LOVE YOU ACHE!"
Matt Jacobsen (Jake) of Hendersonville, NC

"Kevin D. Akins is a HERO in my mind. I am so sorry for the lose of your loved one. Words can not express the appreciation that my family and I have for Kevin D. Akins and his sacrifice. I believe that God will guard and take care of you for the rest of your days. No one will ever be able to replace Kevin and God will take care of him. You are all in my prayers and with my deepest gratitude I must say Thank You!"
Andrea Turner of Oxford, Alabama, USA

"Kevin
I think of you nearly everyday brother, and I wish I was in the lead vehicle instead of yours. I will never forget you. You were a great leader, and I strive to be like you everyday since i transfered from the 391st to an active army unit. I love you man"
Spc. Jesse James Hutchison of Ft. Hood, TX.

"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.
Our nations HERO, Kevin will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge / Montana
May we always remember: FREEDOM ISN'T FREE! "

"To the Akins family from the Wahl family. Deeply sadden by the news of Kevin. I REALIZE KEVIN IS SOMEONE'S SOMEONE AND HE IS SOMEONE TO OUR FAMILY. So thankful he was a military brother to our son. Although, both had not known one another. Kevin was a comfort not to worry about our son. For I knew he served along side great American's such as Kevin. Kevin is an American Hero! an he deeply loved his family. As he knew you all ;oved him. Kevin truely, is with you. One only can reflect on the very precious memories. To the many cherished time's shared together with Kevin. We can never ever forget his service to our country. So I encourage you to reach out to your community and political leaders. request a street be named in his honour. It s the very least all can do to honour Kevin! We lost our son exactly two years today. An our family understands your heart ache. healing is a very slow process! Always be understanding toward one another. You all loved Kevin in your own way. Sgt. Gregory L. Wahl KIA Balad, Iraq 05-03-04; Salisbury, North Carolina. Kevin and your family are in our prays."
Leonard Wahl of Texas

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