Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"I was so hurt when I heard about your death. You were one of the Coolest guys that I've met while serving as support for SEAL Team Two. You were always calm and sure of yourself and you've helped me with my many basketball injuries :)! I will always remember you fondly as one of those guys who wore the uniform well and with the utmost honor! Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice to this great nation. May you find rest in the arms of our beloved savior Jesus Christ."
Garret McIntosh, IT1 USN (ret) of NC

"Never forgotten."
Clare S. of Austin, TX

"I think about the time I was blessed enough to spend with you and your family back in the early 90's...I am truely sorry to your family for their loss but am eternally greatful for your ultimate sacrifice to our country. You are a true hero!!!
God bless the Bourgeois family."
John B. Roddenberry of Tallahassee, FL

"To the family of:Matthew J. Bourgeois
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""

"To Michelle and family: I had the honor of knowing Matt when he first joined the Navy; I was his instructor and Academic Advisor in HM A School in San Diego. He was determined to be a SEAL from day one; what he lacked in size he more than compensated with heart and determination. I watched his determination and perseverance get him through BUD/S; one of the few to make it directly out a "A" School. Even when hospitalized after Hell Week, he was dedicated to making it through. Forever in my heart, it was an honor to know him, and am grateful for all that he did to serve our country."
Karen Lee (Flynn) Morgan of Lancaster PA

"Watched "Act of Valor" recently with my kids. Saw Matt scroll on the list of SEALS who have given their lives for our freedom. "you know him dad?" silence fell and they listened. I grew up with Matt in Tallahassee. We were kids on the same little league baseball team and graduated from LEON high in 85. Matt was a born warrior and a great american."
Darryl Williams of Pensacola FL

"Thank you Matthew for your dedicated service to our country and for your willingness to even face paying the supreme sacrifice. As a fellow Bourgeois I am grateful and will hold your wife and family in my prayers."
Roger Bourgeois of Cleveland, Georgia

"REST IN PEACE DEAR MATTHEW...I AM YOUR MOM'S COUSIN, JANET ANDERSON FROM CANADA.MY DAD AND YOUR GRANDPA HECTOR, WERE BROTHERS."
JANET CHILTON of PORT ALBERNI B.C

"Matthew Bourgeois was my uncle. He was my mom's brother. I met him when I was very little and do not remember him much. But he was funny and nice. I miss him so so much. I love him very much and I just want to thank my Uncle Matt for serving our country."
Sara Hartzell

"Thank you for everything you will always be my Hero"
JJMiday of Canton,Ohio

"to Aaron Smith:
"A"-your smile will be greatly missed at NSW......Aaron was killed in Afghanistan on 22 September 2010. He was a member of Naval Special Warfare."
Taylor "T" of Virginia Beach, Virginia

"RIP Mustang."
LLN of Yokosuka Japan

"Matt, I thank about you everyday, and I promise to never forget about you."
Bruce "Doc" Richardson of Dallas, TX

"Matt, I still miss you, buddy.....


Semper Fidelis, Sailor."
Chris of 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) NC

"With all my Respect"
Ray Irrthum of Luxembourg-Europe

"I have never met you, but I wear a memory bracelet inscribed with your name and the date you were killed in action; in honor of you. Your memory will live forever in my heart and I wear your bracelet so your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Thank you Matthew."
Stefanie Dodge of Tallahassee, Florida, USA

"The soldiers do not speak. Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses: who has not heard them? They have a silence that speaks for them at night and when the clock counts. They say: We are young. We have died. Remember us. They say: We have done what we could but until it is finished it is not done. They say: We have given our lives but until it is finished no one can know what our lives gave. They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours they will mean what you make them. They say: Weather our lives and our deaths are for peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot say: it is you who must say this. They say: We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning. We were young. they say. We have died. Remember us:"
William Taylor of Bonita Springs, Fl.

"A Military Professional or Veteran - whether from Active Duty,
National Guard or Reserve - is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The UNITED STATES of AMERICA", for an amount of up to and including his or her life.
" That is HONOR”.
There are far too many people in this country
who no longer understand it.

THANK YOU
FROM YOUR BROTHERS IN ARMS."
John Salsbury of Glencoe, MN

"Hooyah, Matthew. Now, you can finally have an "easy day""
Brian Ferguson of Waco, Texas

"On this day of remeberance, we are stilling thinking of you, and salute you."
Bob Ferrell of Sanford, FL

"Thanks brother, our families and nation are still free!"
Matthew Bourgeois USArmy Rangers of Elizabeth Co, USA

"May 18, 2007
To the family of Matthew J. Bourgeois. Matthew 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

"Matt, while we were growing up you were my best friend through thick and thin. I never thought we would go our seperate ways as I guess it must in life. Before we enlisted we made a promise to look out for each other, and I have failed. You have my promise that I will always be there for your family for the rest of my life. God Bless you Matt."
Robert (Bob) Ferrell of Sanford, FL

"As the wife of a Marine who's husband has done 2 tours in Iraq and 1 in Bosnia, my deepest sympathy for Matthew and his family. It still amazes me how brave these servicemembers are and always will be. It is because of brave individuals like him that this country has its freedom today. Thank you for your tremendous sacrifice Matthew.

Semper fi"
M. Kivi of Westport, CT

"Matt,
We never met but I thank you and your family for the ultimate sacrifice. To all of the soliders serving our coutnry Thanks"
Tryon Jacobs of Pembroke, NC

"Matthew,
i thank you for be brave and helping our country. when i grow up i want to be just like you.



thank you"
KYLE RING of NJ

"Matt was my uncle i never got a chance to meet him we had plans to meet that summer but death keeped us apart i wish i could have meet him."
Allen Bourgeois of F.L

"Matthew,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy."
Mike Casey of El Paso, Texas

""Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another. (Ernest Hemingway)" Shipmate; you lived and died well, our country, our Navy and the world is better for you having been here. May the Lord grant you fair winds and following seas."
Don Justin CWO USN (Ret) of Fayetteville, North Carolina

"I knew Matthew when he was a Second Class Petty Officer assigned to the medical department of Group Two. He treated me as a member of the team, pushing to improve myself physically and mentally even though I was not a SEAL. It great was a loss when he died not only to those who knew him but to many others who will never get to know him. I know he improved the life of many people he will never meet. He was a good man, friend and warrior. He will not be forgotten."
Vincent Dancer of Virginia Beach, VA

"I'm realy verry sorry for your loss. Today I got to know about the prohibition concerning pictures of dead soldiers during the irakian war. In my opinion, it should be the last honour to thank the fallen soldiers in this way. Because of a lack of vocabulary I finish with a lot of pitty. Yours Sabrina"
sabrina of Germany, Cologne

"Thank you for what you and your men have done. You are the kind of person that makes me be a Navy Seal every day. You will never be forgoten."
Cameron Lee Chambers / Future Navy Seal of Colorado Springs, Colorado/US

"Thank you Sir for all of your efforts and contributions. You and your family are in my prayers for the things you fought for. Thank You. and the Lord keep you"
Kenneth J Christian of Annapolis

"God Bless the old sailor Matthew. Thank you brother of sea.
A Italian Seal(Incursore)"
Umberto of Italy, La Spezia

"You are a brave soldier that sacrificed for freedom. You were part of the world toughest team. I've always dreamt to become a SEAL. I see myself defending America in a couple years. RIP Matthew."
student from Navajo Mtn High of Arizona

"God bless you and thank you, you are not forgotten"
Gina of Greenwich, CT

"God bless you and thank you, you are not forgotten"
Gina of Greenwich, CT

"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

"Warrant Officer Bourgeois, goodbye sailor and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"As Vincent above I too share the last name and have a brother named Matthew Bourgeois. I am lucky to still have my brother. May God bless the soldier's family. I am truly grateful for the dedication of the this soldier as well as many others. The freedom I have today remains because of people like Matthew. Thank you for fighting for all of us."
Jason Bourgeois of Salt Lake City, UT

"RIP SHIPMATE"

"Warrant,

May you keep fair winds and following seas."
ENS Thomas of NY, NY

"HE WAS A NICE GUY"
BOB of FLORIDA

"The training for some of the best troops in the world is hard and dangerous for a reason. The Chief gave his life so that his men would be ready. His leadership, his last full measure of bravery, he prepared them for the rigours of battle.

He was a leader. He was a son of this nation and I thank him with all the respect there is for such a hero."
The Estes Family of Phoenix, AZ

"I did not know Matthew Bourgeois, but I share his last name and I have a brother with his first name. I am LT Vincent Bourgeois and serve in the Navy too. I remeber hearing the news on March 27th and received many phone calls inquiring if he was my brother. I told everyone that I do have a brother with that name, but it is not him. Then after thinking about it a little more, I was ashamed. He is my brother! We share the same last name, we serve in the same Navy, and we fight for the same cause. Any one of those would be reason enough to call him brother. No, I did not know Matthew personally, but we are brothers. Godspeed, Matt"
Vincent Bourgeois of USS Peleliu (LHA-5) vbourg@hotmail.com

"Thank you Matthew Bourgeois, 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

"I have never forgotten Matt. We went to high school together and I last saw him just before he went out to California in 1991. I just recently found the pictures my girlfriend and I had taken that night. I was home on leave myself for Christmas. He was always one of the kindest men I ever knew. I still recall the morning I finally realized who they were talking about on the news all that week when I took a moment to actually look at the news rather than listen to it as I was getting ready for work that morning. I couldn't help but cry. I wrote a card to Matt's wife and his parents. I never mailed either one of them. I wasn't sure if my words would mean anything to them as they never knew me.

My husband became a Chief himself, later that year. Because he knew how much my heart hurt for Matt and his family he honored Matt by including him, in memorium, on his invitations for his pinning ceremony.

I wish Matt's family all the best in this world. I hope his son will always know that his father was a fine man. As a Navy wife, now myself, I know the importance of all that is close to you and far away all at the same time. Peace is yours."
MaryAnne Miller Terrell of Pensacola FL

"To the family and friends of SEAL CWO Matthew Bourgeois:
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 Matthew 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 SEAL CWO Matthew Bourgeois:
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 Matthew, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia