Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"I am sorry for the loss of this brave Captain. From an ex 1173rd member my thoughts go out.
Retired MAJ USAR"
Brian Young of Goffstown NH

"I only served with Dave briefly however it was enough for me to be impressed by his professionalism as a soldier and the natural leadership he displayed. And he was just a good guy who will be missed. Since he passed I've often spoken of him to my sons and shown them pictures of him. God bless his family and he will never be forgotten"
Kenny Hamilton cpt of SCPD(NY) 1179trans 411ca

"hello. During school we all got a person that didn't survive during this fight. And we are going to write a letter and send it to their families. I feel really bad for his family. I send you my respects."
Jackie Barker of houston, texas, US

"thanks for what you do for our country and for that you did a pirty when you come home and hope you do"
chandra roberts of utah, marysvale

"came home to your family guys and don't get kill"
chandra roberts of utah, marysvale

"Thank You for what you do (did) for our country. I am proud to be among you."
Rich of upton, MA, USA

"Thinking of you and your family today."
LMD of Bedford,MA

"November 10, 2007
To the family of Capt. David S. Connolly:
David 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

"Like many others, I also served with Captain Connolly. I wasn't particularly close to him, but he was a great soldier and he'll be missed. The hardest day I've had in the military was the day of his memorial at the 1173rd. I was one of the members conducting the 21 gun salute and to see the family there it was just... a harsh reminder of the reality of death in war."
Sgt Medeiros of New Bedford, MA

"Debbie. I just found out about this horrible tragedy. Kristin just told me. I cannot believe it and I am so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers, Sincerely, Maureen (Clifford) Quill"

"Dear Connolly Family,
I met David when we were both thirteen threw a friend at Crystal lake, we hung out with him in the summers at the lake and in the Highlands. I haven't seen him since we were fifteen because we went to different schools. I had always wondered for many years every time I drove threw the highland what ever happend to David. When I heard about his death it really made me sad, it still brings tears. You must be so proud of him he is a true American hero! To his wife I feel your pain I recently lost my husband too.
God Bless"
Paula of Mass

"Keven Dagit 20September2005
Left behind in his convoy north of Balad in the town of Duluiyah Iraq.
Killed with two (2) other unarmed American civilians. War is hell and we miss those that will never come back.
The ambush was caught on video. The video of the 3 K.I.A.s was sent out from Iraq to Canada and then to the family members in the USA. The video is hard to watch. The screems for help as they, the drivers, have no one there to protect them."
Brian Dagit of Rogers, Arkansas

"Capt. Connolly,
Sir, I would like to say thank you to you and the other men and women who were on that Chinook with 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, TX

"Over a year later and you are still in our hearts Dave. We will never forget!"
Darren Murphy of Ft Bragg, NC

"To the family of:David S. Connolly 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"

"David and I attended the Transportation Officer Advanced Course together in 2003. That was the year when the hurricane cut our course short and we all had to leave early. He was a squared away and wonderful soldier who was one of our class leaders. I just found out about his accident and I just wanted to say how sad I am to have lost a great hero such as David. God Bless him and God Bless America."
MAJ Radford Cox of Ft Gordon GA

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

"Deb,

My heart goes out to you and your family, stay strong lean on each other and God Bless you. You are a wonderful person.

Deepest Sympathy,

Jon
jjacques@sentient.com"

"Thank you for your sacrafice. To David's family; my God grant you peace and comfort."
Sheila Steely of Magnolia Texas

"I worked with CPT Connolly in Jacksonville, FL with the 1173rd loading out the 82nd. He was a charismatic leader. "Captain America" as he was nicknamed, was the type of guy to get things done...It was a real pleasure to work with him. I was saddened by the news of his sacrifice for our country, as were others who knew and worked with him. Even those who had brief contact with him knew he was a great soldier and individual. Our loss doesn't compare to that of the family and his wife. CPT Connolly leaves a little bit of himself in all who knew him. He isn't forgotten."
MSG Lafferty of Wakefield, MA

"3/19/2005 First and Foremost, to CPT Connolly's Wife, I am so sorry for your loss, I remember when you visited me with David that day last year in the summer of 2004. I had always thought about how lucky you and David were, having just married. I remember you mentioning that you two had met when David was 33 and he was still living at home. I remember you mentioning this because I fell into the same category that David was in when he met you. I remember you saying that some day some lucky woman would find me like you had found David. I am sorry that David had to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I wish you the best in this time of need, and hope these words can start to help to heal a wound that probably can never be fully healed.

3/19/2005 David S. Connolly, Sir, it was always a pleasure to have worked with you, even though we only met in person twice, It still was a honor to have known you. Even for the short time we met, you were another person who inspired me along the way being a Prosecutor and an Army Captain. This country we both serve and served is at a great loss for having lost you Sir. It's hard to look in the paper sometimes and see the friends you lose along the way. Make no mistake about it Sir, your the 2nd Person I have known to have to pay the ultimate sacrife for your country. Sir, even though we had only met twice, I will honestly never forget you, or what you had done with your life. You are an inspiration to me, and I will always stand by you here and in the after life. Take care Sir, and Godspeed Sir.

Philip Doll
2LT, TC
220th TC (POL)"
of Waterville, Maine/USA

"To the family and friends,

Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your loved ones bravery and sacrifice. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. Your loved one is a hero. Greater love have no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.

God bless you.

Home Front Ministries
Shepherd of the Hills Church
Porter Ranch, CA""

"I am a highschool student and wanted to thank Mr. Connolly for his service. He gave the biggest sacrifice to everyone, his life. I just want to say thankyou and let the Connolly family know that my suport is with them."
Nick of Massachusetts

"I knew Dave when I was at Fort Polk. He was truly one of the finest men I have ever known. My husband and I share in your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you."
Tammy Estrella of Ft. Hood, TX

"Dear Debbie - we are soo saddened by the loss of your husband. We have not stop thinking about you and praying that somehow you will find comfort and peace in all of his wonderful memories. My mom also wanted to let you know how sorry she is and she holds a place in her heart for you. You are very special to all of us and we hope we will see you again. We heard that David was a wonderful man an a great soldier. May he rest in peace. You are always in our prayers and in our thoughts. Love you Patti,Linda, and Gail (daughters of) Margaret Cefalo"
Patti Vienneau of Salem, NH 03079

"To David'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.

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@sbcglobal.net"

"TO THE CONNOLLY FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. WE ARE DEEPLY SADDEN BY THE LOST OF DAVID. HIS LOST TOUCHES OUR HEART, WE UNDERSTAND THE LOST OF A SOLDIER. DAVID HAS TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF MANY. THOSE IN HIS MILITARY FAMILY, (IN WHICH HE HAD THOUSANDS OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS), HIS COMMUNITY, NEIGHBOR'S FRIENDS AND HIS FAMILY. DAVID DIDN'T GIVE HIS LIFE IN VAIN. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR PROTECTING US ALL HERE IN AMERICA AGAINST TERRORISM. AN BY THE AFGHANISTAN PEOPLE FOR THE NEW FREEDOM IT IS ENJOYING. DAVID WAS A PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER. THAT HAD THE UP MOST RESPECT FROM HIS SOLDIERS. HE IS AN AMERICAN HERO! I AM SO THANKFUL OUR SON'S SERVED TOGETHER FOR OUR COUNTY. I REALIZE NEITHER KNEW ONE ANOTHER. BOTH HAD A BOND TO WATCHING OVER ONE ANOTHER AS A MILITRAY FAMILY DOES. DAVID WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART AND PRAYS. AN HE DESRVE'S TO BE REMEMBERED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN! GOD BLESS!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

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

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