Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"Doc Campbell was the best line Medic I have ever served with. He was assigned to my Platoon in A Co. 1/508th PIR, 173d ABN BDE, Vicenza Italy. It was great watching him grow from a Private to the NCO Ranks quickly. For a Medic that is difficult, but for Doc Campbell it was not. I will always miss you Doc, I will always remember when we jumped into Germany and I banged my shin bone on something, as we walked for many hours to the objective I noticed a huge bump on my leg. I stopped and pulled up my pant leg and began to laugh, one of the other Soldiers was in disbelief and called you right away. You came running and looked at it and your eyes popped out of your head and asked if I'm hiding and apple in my leg. I looked at you and laughed, then you began laughing then said" Seriously we have to MEDEVAC you". I said seriously no you are not. Then we got off the ground as we were laughing and walked for many more miles, through the woods with heavy rucks. Today I ran in the Wear Blue: Run to Remember. I thought of you, especially once I completed it, couldn't stop the tears from coming. Rest easy brother. Always your Brother, Marshall Diaz Jr"
Marshall Diaz Jr of Lacey, WA

"Even though it has been also 10 years, I Just sat here and thought about you and Tocarra. Nothing can replace you but I still have memories from high school when I first started with JROTC Program at Forest Park. I miss you so much and your a good friend "Highly Motivated, Truly Dedicated, Forest Park Drill Team Always"."
Tiara Patterson of Baltimore, MD USA

"I miss you Doc."
Nathan of Illinois

"This is the 1st time I've written anything about Damion Campbell but all the posters have it right. He was an awesome young man and his actions showed he was also a great Soldier. I was his Army recruiter when he joined in 2000. I had watched and communicated with him for a couple of years trying to see if I could one day make him into a Soldier. He did well as a JROTC student (Very tall, slim , confident, technically proficient and in good physical condition). He was a likable person and a military recruiters dream. I must admit, it took alot of time to convince him to join the Army as opposed to the Marines (Both are great choices). He was torn between the 2 for awhile as a young man. I had to earn his trust and respect and I wouldn't have it any other way. When I left recruiting late in 2000, some time went by before I was able to find him on AKO (military mail). I chatted with him on email shortly before he went to Afghanistan and I remember smiling and being so proud of him for making SSG/E-6. He was what we call "Hooah." When I saw the news that he was killed, I felt like part of me died. I yelled "Noooo!" at the computer as I read the Baltimore Sun paper. I'm sorry to say, after talking briefly with the principal over the phone, I decided not go back to MD to attend any type of memorial. When I told her who I was, she went silent for a minute. I started to feel an overwhelming amount of guilt. I thought that my presence might upset the students, school staff or his family. The teachers and students had loved Damion and groomed him into a fine young man. Growing up in Baltimore myself, I knew that he could have gone the negative route but he stayed on the positive course. In hindsight, I wish I had the guts to attend any ceremony where I could have given him my respects. Hopefully he will understand and forgive me. Since then, I have volunteered to lead numerous funeral details for fallen Soldiers and I did so proudly. Every time I thought of Damion. Before he joined, I sat in the living room with his mother and told her that the Army would take care of her son. We do a tough job of protecting the country but losing Soldiers always hurts on some level. It was crushing for this to happen. I just want to say to his family and friends that he wasn't just a quota/mission to me. I knew he was a good man full of potential and I knew that the military life could benefit him. God has a plan for him. It took me years to learn to live with it. I too have deployed overseas a few times and I feel for every Soldier but that hurt me deeply. I don't know if I'm making sense or if this sounds like jibberish. I just felt compelled to speak. With my fist over my heart, I know that I will care for his memory and his soul till the end of time. Much respect to you Damion.

I am retired, no longer in the US Army and I speak for myself only. Hopefully, nothing I've stated about myself or Damion will bring discredit upon the Army."
Arthur Cain of San Antonio, TX

"I must say that after hearing the news today, my cousin did not die in vain on August 26, 2005. He was so loved. We know he is in a place looking down on us."
Ingrid Brown of Norfolk, VA

"Neka mu je vjecna slava i neka mu gospod Bog podari mir nebeski. Zasluzuje sve pocasti jer je dao svoj zivot za slobodu i pravdu,za svoju zemlju! Neka Bog blagoslovi njega i njegovu porodicu..."
Mladen of N.Sad Europe, Serbia

"To the family of:Damion G. Campbell 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"

"Brother, Friend, Mentor. Words can not express how i felt when i heard the news, but if i had to sum it up HERO would be the best. To the family of Damion Campbell, Damion died being happy. Not once did he regret what he did. So dont morn, Celebrite. To Friends, Fellow Soliders, UNTOUCHABLES, and all who knew Damion lift your heads up Damion wouldnt want it any other way.
"Highly Motivated Truly Dedicated""
Clarence Camp of Baltimore Md.

"To Campbell's family,
My husband served alongside Damion in Iraq and was saddened to hear about his passing. Since then, I've written a book, Vino in Vo, and have specifically dedicated it to Damion. I've had no way of reaching you to tell you. So if you're part of his family, or know how I can reach them, please email me: info@starsinamerica.com God bless. 11-19-2007"
Chrisy of Ft. Bragg

"October 8, 2007
To the family of Staff Sgt. Damion G. Campbell:
Damion 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
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy of Nevada

"WORDS CAN NOT EXPRESS HOW I FELT WHEN U PAST I HAVENT REALLY GOTTEN OVER IT I'VE JUST PLACE IT IN THE BACK OF MY MIND I CAN STILL REMEMBER AND HEAR YOU VOICE JUST REMEMBERING TALKING TO YOU ON THE PHONE OR LAUGHING AND JOKING IN DRILL FORMATIONS ITS BEEN A BLESSING FOR ME TO HAVE GOTTEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE KNOWN YOU THOSE YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL WE SPENT TOGETHER IN J.R.O.TC MENT A LOT TO ME MY BLESSING GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY ESPECIALLY YOR MOTHER BECAUSE SHE RAISED A BRAVE MAN I WILL MISS YOU BECAUSE U WERE LIKE MY BROTHER AND ALSO ONE OF MY BESTFRIENDS I KNOW YOUR WITH TOCCARA WATCHING OVER US I ALWAYS KNEW THAT U 2 WOULD ACCOMPLISH YOUR DREAMS IN LIFE BECAUSE YOU WERE BOTH STRONG AND WILLING TO DO WHATEVER YOU SET YOUR MIND TO DO AND I RESPECT YOU FOR THAT ASWELL AS YOU BRAVERY FOR THIS COUNTRY LOVE U"
PEGGY WOMACK of BALTIMORE,MD

"Dear Damion, i knew after lot of time that y died because i was away.
I dont believe it yet.Now i had the force to write y, do you want to know a thing???
I try to call you on your mobile phone every day because i hope that u can answer me..but i know that u can't send messages and call me.Y CAN'T REPLY ANYBODY...we know us in july and y wanted to learn italian language...
I DONT WANT TO SAY GOODBAY...because i know that u wait me up there...and a day we ll meet again...U REMEMBER
"TWO HEARTS IN TWO SEPARATE WORLD"
MISS U ...e mi mancherai per sempre i would like to know where y are in this moment...Alessandra"
Alessandra of Italy

"Dear Campbell. I miss you so much man. You are one of my best friends and we came up together in the army. I even got promoted right along side you and we did so much together. You always were there for me and I was for you. I want you to know that I am thinking about you. God bless."
Gabriel Correa of Fort Sam TX

"Damion,
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 symppathy.

"Fury From The Sky"(508th Inf. Motto)"

"For even in my mind....I'll love you for ever"
caty of padova italia

"SSG Campbell was an amazing NCO. I did not know him well, but it was an honor to serve with him. His peers and Soldiers, continously talked of all the great things he had done for them, his unit and his country."
1LT John Chiappone of Sharan, Afghanistan

"DEAR FAMILY, SGT CAMPBELL WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AND I WILL MAKE SURE THE MY CHILDREN NEVER FORGET WHAT ALL OF YOU HAVE GIVEN UP. GOD BE WITH ALL OF YOU ALWAYS"
KIM of BWI AIRPORT

"I remember when I was in high school with you and had jrotc together. You had that special something about you. Thank you for being you. God bless."
angelyta trusty of baltimore, md

"I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU DAMION, YOU ARE A HERO TO ME, THIS IS DENISE, WE MET IN 2001 AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR SMILE, YOU WERE A GOOD FRIEND.
REST IN PEACE UNTIL WE SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN!"
denise of vicenza, italy

"As a mom of five young children, I am so grateful for the sacrifice of this brave solder Damion G. Campbell. You are loved by many. Words can not express the emotion. He payed the ultimate price for our freedom and the freedom of so many other people who suffered under the rule of Sadaam. May God be with his family in this time of sorrow and may you find comfort in the fact that we think about Damion's sacrifice for the love of his country. May we NEVER forget! Thank you!"
Jill Hughes of Houston, TX

"So many hearts are broken yet filled with love & many memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. You will be forever missed & we will be forever grateful for the sacrifice that you have made to provide a better life for each of us. We are so thankful for the times that we shared together when we lived in Italy & will cherish the pictures of those times forever. We especially appreciate the one that we have of you, Mike, Epie and Trebor at the beach. Our deepest sympathies, thoughts & prayers are with your friends & family. May GOD bless them all. I trust that you are now watching over all of us. Rest in Peace Damion."
Tracy, Lia & Trebor of Germany

"you were like a brother to me,the most precious friend i ever had in my life,i cant believe that you are gone...i miss you damion and i know you'll be always looking at me from the heaven cuz you are an angel now...you are my angel.you are gone but you still live in my heart...i will always love you.i thank God to had you in my life....rest in peace"
Anna of Vicenza,Italy

"You were like a little brother to me. We were in jrotc together, played lacrosse together and you were even my bunkmate in summer camp and I always saw that you were a natural born leader and a great person. I still haven't fully accepted that you are gone but you will never be forgotten. I know that you and Toccara are both in heaven watching over us. You'll be missed"
Basilio Thrasher of Baltimore, MD

"To the Campbell Family, I am so sorry for your loss and our country's loss of your fine young soldier. Damion is a true American Hero who has helped to prevent another 9/11. He will always be remembered and honored. We are praying for you all. May God Bless you all and God Bless Damion."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"You were one of my bestfriends and having you in my life was a gift from the Lord. Words cannot explain the pain I feel inside right now. I wish this was all just a dream, a bad one. But the Lord decided to take you back to Heaven last friday and i know that now you are watching us all from up above. Thanks for all the great moments we shared together, thanks for the nice words you always had for me... I will always love you and cherish you in my heart. Rest in Peace."
Elisa of Vicenza,Italy

"TO THE CAMPBELL FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. OUR FAMILY IS DEEPLY SADDEN WITH THE LSOT OF DAMION. WE LOST OF SON LAST YEAR IN BALAD, IRAQ. SGT. GREGORY L.WAHL DAMION WAS MY COMFORT ALONG WITH ALL OUR SOLDIER'S SERVING TODAY. THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OUR SON. FO I FULLY UNDERSTOOD THE MILITARY FAMILY OF PROTECTING AND CARING SISTER'S AND BROTHER'S! DAMION THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR GREAT COUNTRY AND FOR WATCHING OVER OUR SON'S BACK AS HE DID YOU. NOW YOU BOTH JOIN TOGETHER ALONG WITH SO MANY FROM YOUR UNIT. MY GOOD FRIEND MOE FLECTHER LOST HIS SON JACOB FROM YOUR UNIT. HE HAS NO IDEA OF YOU. AN AFTER I FINISH E-MAIL YOUR FAMILY I WILL. WE AS FALLEN PARENTS NEVER STOP TEARS JUST FOR OUR OWN DAUGHTER'S AND SON'S. DAMION MY TEARS ARE WITH YOU AS WITH THE OTHER WOUNDED AND FALLEN. DAMION YOU HAVE TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF SO MANY. TO ALL THOSE HEARTS YOU TOUCHED. EACH REMEMBER THOSE FOND MOMENTS SHARED WITH YOU! DAMION YOU ARE APART OF AFGHANISTAN , AMERICAN AND WORLD HISTORY. FOR YOU HELPED TO DEFEAT TERRORISM ARCOSS THE GLOBE AND TO MAKE AMERICA ALOT SAFER SINCE 911. ONE MAN HELPING THE ELITE'S OF AMERICAN'S. ANSWERING THE CALL TO SERVE OUR GREAT COUNTRY! AN THE PERCENTAGE THAT DO IS LOW! DAMION AMERICA SHOULD STAND PROUDLY TO SUPPORT YOU AND ALL OUR SOLDIER'S. FOR PROTECTING ALL OUR LIBERTIES AND FREEDOM THAT WE ALL CHERISH. FOR NOT FOR YOU AND THOSE THAT SERVE, WE COULD OF LOST IT ALL! SOMEONE HAS TO PROTECT AMERICA, THAT SOMEONE IS YOU, A SOMEONE TO ME, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR COUNTRY. DAMION YOU ARE A HERO! AN MY HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH YOU TODAY, TOMORROW AND FOREVER; NEVER EVER TO BE FORGOTTEN DAMION. AS YOU COME UPON YOUR SISTER'S AND BROTHER'S, YOU WILL BE FREE. NO PARENT, CHILD OR A WIFE,OR HUBAND WANT TO LOSE A SON OR DAUGHTER TO ANY SITUATION NO LESS WAR. DAMION YOU ARE MY HERO! WE ALL HEAL DIFFERNTLY. WAR MEMORIAL'S TAKE'S YEARS AFTER A WAR AND OR CONFLICT. DAMION DESERVE'S TO BE HONORED! CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMEN OR OTHER OFFICAL'S TO DECIATE A STREET AFTER OUR HERO DAMION G. CAMPBELL. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND DAMION!!"
LEONARD WAHL of valley stream ny usa

"To Damion'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 son returned safely from Afghanistan, only to lose his life in Iraq. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your soldier's bravery and sacrifice. Our sons are true heroes!

By His Grace,

Gloria Caldas
Proud Mother of Fallen Hero
Capt. Ernesto "The Big Ern" Blanco-Caldas
82nd Airborne, KIA Iraq 12/28/2003
San Antonio, Texas
gcaldas48@aol.com"

"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, Damion will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless you ALWAYS.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

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