Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"So many years later, and I still wish we had met. I was friends with Sky Soldiers who knew you and told me about a guy named Joseph Cruz who had links to El Paso. You are not forgotten.

Sgt. Eric Murillo
HHC SETAF (02-06)"
Eric Murillo of El Paso, Texas

"I think about you every day, buddy. Strike Hold."
Joseph A. Holsworth of Berkeley, California

"Happy Birthday!"
Anna of Corpus

"hey karina funny i was just thinking about you.i dont have facebook.hopefully you get this message. my email is josephinecruz76@yahoo.com."
josie of ca

"I'm trying to contact Josie. I hope someone can give me som info. Nicole, Pam, Ryan, Wesley & I are trying to find her. Karina Gaston find me on FB **Kari Gaston"
Karina Gaston of San Diego, CA

"Happy Veterans Day Joey. Thank you for serving in our great US ARMY.
Love and miss you Bro!"
Joseph F De Anda of Ontario,CA

"Just wanted to say a little something to the Family of Joseph Cruz. Joe is and always will be remembered in my heart with much love for him and all of you. No matter what...Love you Bro!"
Joseph De Anda of Ontario,Ca/United States

"love you and miss you sooooo much.Happy birthday.
love your sister josie"
josephine cruz of perris,ca

"Happy Birthday! Love you and miss you."
Lil Sis of Pomona, ca

"October 1, 2007
To the family of Pfc. Joseph Cruz:
Joseph 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."
And to Rosemary Aguirre - I truly understand your grief, for I have also lost my only son. Whenever you feel sad, please stop and feel his arms around you. For he will always be with you.
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"i'm the mother of pfc joesph cruz i just want to thank everyone for saying nice things about my son i miss him so much he was my only son my life will never be the same he was my only son"
rosemary aguirre

"Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay that day,
to laugh, to love, to work or play.
Task undone must stay that way.
I found peace at the close of the day.
If my parting left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with time of sorrow,
I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one touched.
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,
But don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me.
God wanted me now, He set me free!"
William Darby Taylor Jr. of Bonita Springs Florida

"To the family of:Joseph Cruz 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"

"Joseph,
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.

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

"To my brother, my comrade, my friend. Cruz man, I think of you so much, and miss even the miserable times in Iraq, and afghanistan with the '04. My family misses you, and the platoon misses you. Surely we all wish we could have been there buddy. Your in better hands now"
SSG Daniel Vennero of Ft. Bragg NC

"I just want to thank everyone who has written about my brother.That they took the time to go on this website and write great things about him.i miss my brother so much and it sucks that his life has been taken away from him.he was so young and never got a chance to make a family.the guy who took his life, i hope he pays for what he did.My brother was a great guy.I miss you and love you Jojo."
josephine cruz of El Paso,Tx

"Never forget. Peace brother"
Sgt. David Willaim Hawkeye Buss of ft bragg, NC

"To Joseph's Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Joseph, you sir are a true American Hero. Thank you for all you have done for us. God Bless you Joseph, and God Bless your family."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"to my brother and comrade, im gonna miss you but ill never forget all the times we had together from bragg to italy. your name will always be with me. unil we meet again my friend in a better place"
SGT. Simmons Stephen of 173rd ABN BGD

"To the family of Pfc Joseph Cruz. I was TDY working at one of the bases his remains passed through. Our base chaplain held a memorial at the airplane. In the middle of a cold night, fifty people came out to pay last respects to someone we never met but felt we knew. The chaplain said name and that his family would be proud of him. We all saluted as his remains were brought off the plane and on to the transport vehicle. I must remain ananomous as we're told the military is not to have ceremonies for the fallen until their final burial. I ask all of you to write to your congressman and continue to allow his comrades to pay final tribute to a fallen comrade"

""As a mom of five young children, I am so grateful for the sacrifice of this brave solder Joseph Cruz. 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 Daniel's sacrifice for the love of his country. May we NEVER forget! Thank you!"
Jill Hughes of houston Texas"
jill hughes of Houston, TX

"Joey, our loving nephew. you will dearly be missed. Though you are gone you are forever in our hearts. We are proud of you. Our American Hero!"
The Ysaguirre Family of C.C., Tx. USA

"To my brother in arms who shared many a miserable night in Afghanistan and Iraq with me, I'll never forget you bro and miss you more than anyone could ever imagine. I love you and will drive on with the airborne mission in your name. God bless you Cruz and keep you safe in his arms until all us bros of those wars are reunited."
Spc. Gray Yance T. of Fort Bragg NC

"CRUZ YOU ARE AN AMERICAN HERO. THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY AND FOR BEING A MILITARY BROTHER TO OUR SON. SADLY, YOU JOIN THE RANK WITH OUR GREGORY. KNOWN THIS JOSEPH YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN YOUR LIFE IN VAIN. YOU ARE SOMEONES SOMEONE AND SOMEONE TO THE WAHL FAMILY. OUR HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH JOSEPH AND YOUR FAMILY. 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.
Our nations HERO, Joseph will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless you ALWAYS.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To Joseph'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"

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