Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. I still think of you and all the crazy stuff we got into in Pensacola and San Antonio. You were a good friend and a good Marine. I saw Coos Bay on the map a few days ago as we were driving through Oregon, and I thought of you. Rest In Peace brother."
Sgt Josh Ward (USMC) of On the road, USA

""To those who can’t help but remember…
Jan 9 2002 will never leave me.
There’s a good possibility that someone will die for your freedom today and everyday.

Please take comfort and understanding as I have in this poem as it has helped me to process those we have said farewell to. #thefinalhailandfarewell

The Final Hail and Farewell
MSgt (Ret) William “Bill” Cordes

Attention to orders
I thought I heard someone say

To welcome this veteran
Who has joined us today

Row upon row
of stones stand tall

Marking earlier members
Who had answered the call

On farms and in cities
They grew up fit

They had a job to do
And they did it

The silence was broken
As the procession went by

Stopping in place
Where the hero will lie

The flag was folded
And I felt a great pride

Believing those here
Welcomed another to their side

Unknowns will thank you
And I pray you were blessed

Now join fellow warriors
Who gave us their best

And oh the stories
They will tell

There at your final
Hail and Farewell""
USAF MSgt (Ret) William “Bill” Cordes of Hahira Ga

"Bryan, I have not stopped thinking of you and the impact you have had on our community and country. I went back and read the letter you sent on December 10th 2001 and you talked about how you enjoyed the letters from my cub scout troops and how you were looking forward to coming to talk with them and show them cool pictures and tell them some stories. Those young boys were 7 years old then and now are 21 years old and like you, are looking to pursue their life passions as you had done. I am proud to have known you and thank you for your commitment to your country and community. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers."
Bruce Bryant of Coos Bay, Oregon

"Over 12 years and you still cross my mind often. From Pensacola, to San Antonio, to NC, it was real. Your loss was like that of a brother. Always armed with a smile and a crazy idea, your memory will go on with us. Semper Fidelis Bryan"
Josh Matthews of Rainsboro, Ohio

"Bryan, As I think of you today I am filled with pride in my heart about what kind of brother you were. You will always be one of the most genuine people that I have ever known. You were honest and loyal. Thank you for your sacrifice. Semper Fi"
Tony Martin of Houston, TX

"Bryan,
As we celebrate Thanksgiving,2013, we want you to know that we are thankful for you everyday. We love you and miss you and will always be so proud of your service and sacrifice. love, Mom and Dad"
Bruce & Patty Bertrand of Coos Bay, OR

"Bryan,
We miss you every day. We love you."
Mom and Dad of Coos By, OR

"I dedicate this year of service in Afghanistan to your ultimate sacrifice. Rest in peace brother."
EO1 Terrence Graves, USN of NMCB-18 Kandahar Afghanistan

"I've been reading this page for a few years now. I finally got the nerve to post on here. Seems like just yesterday we were in San Antonio having fun and dancing and drinking! You are always on my mind and in my heart. I finally got to Arlington last year and plan to go again here in a couple of days. When ever I am in town I visit you and think about everything we used to do together. I miss your smile and how you always made me laugh! You are missed every day. Love and prayers for your family."
Becca of Boston, Ma

"I don't know when the last post was on this board. I didn't know Bryan or his family. What I do know is that I've had his photo on a dog tag from InOurHearts.org since 2006.
Bryan, thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you made and trust me that not a day goes by that you're not in my thoughts and prayers.
To Bryan's family, I'm so sorry for your loss, but you raised a fine man.
Cathy Bickel
Louisville, KY"
Cathy Bickel of Louisville, KY

"Bryan, I had great memories of our college days and was sad that you was going to the Marines but I am truly proud that you did, you inspired me to do better and be better. I and this Country owes you alot and will repay you when I build my castle up in Heaven too, bro. Much Love and Peace"
David VanHook of Your Brother from another mother , Medford, OR

"Almost seven years since boot camp. Five years since you got called up to the streets of Heaven...man...proud to call you my brother."
Matthew Coombs (USMC) of Salt Lake City, UT

"Brian you are missed. Never forget the fun times we had in the Corps! "Ladies check us out!"

Semper Fi"
Izzy of Carmel, NY/USA

"As a fellow Oregonian and graduate of North Bend High School, we are very proud to honor Bryan P. Bertrand. All of us are saddened by his passing. My words are intended to honor his memory and especially to make clear our appreciation for his dedication to service. HooRah... SEMPER FIDELIS,
"Always Faithful" Patrick A. Gregory Cpl, USMC"
Patrick A. Gregory of North Bend, Oregon, USA

"The heart, the core of this great country will be forever indebted to the ultimate sacrifice exemplified by you, Brian. I have kept you in my prayers and will continue to in my life to come. Thank you and God Bless your family. Go Pirates!!!"
Logan Brooks of Gilbert, AZ

"May 4, 2007
To the family of Bryan P. Bertrand. Bryan 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."
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"You will always be in our hearts and prayers...

Semper Fi,
The Hanson Family"
The Hanson's of Layton, Utah

"Bryan, I think about you every day, it makes me train harder and appreciate everything more."
Matt Zosel of Monterey, CA

"Semper Fi brother."
Sgt Ryan Trim of Wasilla Alaska USA

"Bryan,
I heard for the first time today about the crash. I am crushed. Please know that you were the greatest friend to a young, confused kid when he needed it the most. I am forever in your dept. Maybe I can pay you back when we are flying through different skies. Thank you."
Michael Rogozinski (USMC) of Lansdale, PA

"I miss you all the time, bro."
Sgt Jeff Carroll of Tel Aviv, Israel

"To the Family and friends of “Marine 7”, Your Marine will be forever in my memory. Our unit set up the base/tents/fuel system in late Sep. 2001. The Sep 11 attacks were still fresh on our minds. The day your Marines deployed to our forward location. I was asked to help set up the grounding wires for their aircraft on the parking ramp. As an Air Force member I was amused and impressed by the rock “sidewalks” around the Marine tents. On Jan 9th I had flags flown on a KC-135 for my Family and friends. The next day I found out a Marine plane had been lost. I sat down on a fuel bladder, saddened by the news. I wondered if I knew any of them or if they had come to listen to country music cd’s we played down by the beach. I can’t say I knew them, but they were ours for a short time. Everyone mourned their death. A “Soldiers cross” memorial service was held at the theater. Later when I presented my flags to Family and friends, I told them of the sacrifice your loved ones made and how they should always remember our “Freedom isn’t Free”. Thomas Jefferson 1787 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Our Military isn’t for everyone, but some do more than just volunteer and show up. They go to the tip of the spear, where the fight is. God Bless you for raising a Marine that did more.

MSgt William “Bill” Cordes (USAF Retired)
Moody AFB Ga.
William.cordes@moody.af.mil"

"Thank you to you and the rest of your crew!! Semper Fi!!!"
Nicole warren of Ft. Worth, Tx

"I still remember you as my best friend and tell people about the funny * you did......"
wade of longview, Texas

"Thank You. Semper Fi."
PFC Monge, Grant E. of Camp Lejeune, NC

"Bryan,
I would like to say thank you to you and the other Marines who were on that KC-130 with you. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!"

"It's been over three years since you left Bryan and we still remember and miss you. I saw your folks tonight and they are doing well. I didn't talk much tonight but I still tell our young Marines about all the Angels of Raider 04 who are looking out for us. Semper Fi."
A Fellow Raider

"Bryan,
Years later you are still missed greatly in my life. The person you were here on earth still inspires me and offers me hope. No one can lift me up as you always did, but maybe someday I'll be blessed to come across someone who can at least come close.........."

"Thanks for stepping forward when America needed you. To the family - Thank you for your contribution to our liberty and freedom. I'm sorry for your tremendous loss."
Ronald Carlson of Montrose, MN

"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. For the family/friends: May time provide happy loving memories in place of present sorrows. Look to the sky for in the infinite meadows of Heaven the bright shining stars bloom....the forget-me-nots of angels. God bless you and thank you."
a grateful family in Phoenix, AZ

"Semper Fi and RIP brother!"
Mike (USMC) of Indianapolis Indiana

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

"This young man accomplished more for the sake of good and a concept of freedom in his 23 years, than most will ever do. Thank you sir, it means so very much you gave us what you did."
The Estes Family of Phoenix, AZ

"Thank you Brian for you friendship and help during my time going through training. Your help to a young family will never be forgotten. There are always tears in our eyes and sorrow in our hearts when we think about the fateful day that your crash happened. You are an inspiration to us and we will tell our young son how you helped us with him when he was only six months old. We wish you clean flying and tail winds."
The Chenoweth Family of Havelock NC

"Thank you to Marine Lance Cpl. Bryan P. Bertrand for your service to this great country. Thank you moreover to your family, who grieves the loss of a child. Your son will never be forgotten, and we thank you for your sacrifice. I know this must be devastaing to all of you, and I personally will keep you in my prayers. God Bless you all. Your son, is truly an American Hero."
The Family of Army SPC Mitchell R. Warriner-Hansen of Hillsboro, Oregon

"REST IN PEACE
BRYAN P. BERTRAND

YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN."
VICTORIA "V.P." PATTERSON of WASHINGTON PARK, IL. U.S.

"Thank you Bryan Bertrand, 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 BRYAN P. BERTRAND'S FAMILY.--AS A MOTHER, THERE IS NO GREATER LOSS THEN A CHILD AND THERE IS NO CLOSURE. BRYAN IS NOW WITH GOD AND FLY'S WITH THE ANGELS. HE TOO DIED SO WE COULD LIVE IN FREEDOM. REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES YOU SHARED FOR THOSE WILL NEVER DIE. GOOD BLESS YOU ALL."
Judy Fralia-Mantello of Beaverton, Oregon U.S.A.

"To the family and friends of Lance Cpl. Bryan Bertrand:
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 Bryan 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. Bryan Bertrand:
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 Bryan, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia