Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"Tim, I never knew you, but I just watched your son Brodie get married this past weekend (May 22, 2021), and it's obvious the kind of person you were, and continue to live on through your family. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. It's gut-wrenching without you. I can't imagine the pain your family feels, and I will continually keep them in my thoughts and prayers. Your son Brodie's wedding was wonderful. I'm a friend of your new daughter-in-law, Regan, and had not met any of the rest of your family until Saturday. What a delight they all are. During and since then, I was remembering you and wanted to take the time today on May 24, 2021 to look up your story. That's not the best thing to do while eating supper, by the way. (That meal ended abruptly.) You and your family are such a blessing. I will always remember you all. Thank you, always, for everything."
Brian Abbott of Henderson, TN

"Every year on the 4th of July, we celebrate America’s birthday, and every time a firework drives into the sky—lighting it up for just a moment— I am transported backwards in time. This time, it’s nearly fourteen years ago. It’s the 4th of July, 2006. I am eleven—dipping my feet into the pool that my dad always wished for as fireworks dissipate into the sky over the home that he built. I grapple with the fact that 48 hours before, he was alive. I confront the fact that 24 hours before, soldiers dressed in their very best stood tall in our front door frame. It was almost as if I watched myself watch my mother realize that he was gone. She encouraged me up the stairs alongside my brother as the pit held in my stomach held onto hope that he was just coming home early. Fireworks of red, white, and blue left as quickly as they came. It felt like that. A life burning so bright, leaving the smoke of a devastated wife, children, a mother, a father, a brother, sisters, and friends in its wake— leaving a devastation of black sky, empty without the enthusiastic flame that once gave it light. It felt like that. It felt like suddenly being a grown-up in a kid’s body, wearing my upcoming pageant’s interview-dress to his funeral. A part of us died, too. Just like the fireworks, dashing and diving from the sky quicker than they came. Remember us. Remember him. America isn’t perfect, but it is free. He helped make it— free."
Meghan Flanigan— your daughter of Tennessee

"Not forgotten mate!"
Tyrone Riley of Frankfurt, Germany

"Ten and a half years (Nov 2016) you still are in my heart and dreams. We speak your name in my house to make sure you are not forgotten. I have never forgiven my self for not being there as your CP. I do believe I might have made a difference. Fly safe "Handsome Man", we'll crew up again when the LORD calls me home."
CW4(r) Hank Hunt. aka. Dick Danger of Round Oak, GA

"Never forgotten Tim...RIP"

"Is this soldier akin to Nezzie and Seib Flanagan of Ballinger. TX?
reloader3@gmail.com"
Gayle Gamblin of Sulphur Springs, Tx

"Tim, I spoke to you in the TOC 10 minutes before your QRF call launched you on your final flight. I crossed the bridge on Highway 840 today that bears your name, and the enormity of your loss, that so many will never know, came crushing down. I know because it was rare night in Kandahar that myself and CW2 Hovey weren't on QRF. You were a great IP, a commensurate officer, leader and one of those rare people that could smile while wading through the deep doo doo of what we had been asked to do! It's not our place to judge why, but I can't help but believe that even in your loss, good has come, in accordance to our God's sovereign will! God bless you, your family, and all who you touched in your life!"
CW4 (ret) Robert Schultz of Ethridge, TN

"I am heartbroken to see your name written among our Fallen Heroes, William Timothy Flanigan, and I am heartbroken for your parents and your entire family, who must have been crushed by the news of your death. I met you only once, when you were your parents' newborn, beautiful baby boy. Shortly after seeing you, I moved to New York City and lost touch with your darling mother, Sara Joyce Case Flanigan. Not having any luck finding her through computer searches over the years, I just now thought of looking for her by entering your name in the search and was shocked to see the tragic news of your death in Afghanistan on July 2, 2006. From the memorial postings on this site and from the information in your obituary, it is so clear that you were a most brilliant, brave, accomplished, and upright man, well loved and respected by your family and friends. Surely, someone so well loved by people who knew him so well is now in the arms of his Creator and is being attended to by angels on heaven's highest plateaus. All my deepest condolences to Joyce and the entire Flanigan family."
LINDA FERRY DENNIS of MIDDLESEX, NJ

"Tim I knew you as a child in Ft Wayne In.It truly broke my heart when I found out that you passed . I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to know you as a man.Your. cousin Jamie"
James Case of Denver Colorado

"I am honored to have served with you. ACES 24 you will not be forgotten."
CW2 Theran Martin of Camp Buering, Kuwait

"Here in Kuwait on deployment again. I tell the young men and women of your exploits and what a friend your were to all of us. You will not be forgotten!"
CW4 Mel Amick of Camp Buehring, Kuwait

"On this Memorial Day, 2012, I am thinking of you Tim. You were one of the finest aviators I ever served with. I hope your family is healing."
CW5 (retired) Lyn Mason of Harrisburg, PA, USA

"I think of you everyday... that's the impact you made on me. I pray for your family and their loss. I will never forget you Tim."
CW4 Daniel Flores of Conroe, Texas

"Sir,
I am honored to have known you and served with you. This is the 5th year or your passing and the 5th year of missing you. I will never forget!"
James Varvais of In Afghanastan again

"Tim - On this Memorial Day of 2011, we all think of you and what a great father, husband, Aviator and friend you were... I miss flying with you and your great friendship. You will always be rememebered..."
Mark Ostbloom of Louisville, KY

"It is approaching Memorial Day 2011, and thanks to my niece,Meghan (Tim's daughter) I found this lovely memorial site. It has been almost 5 years since I lost my younger brother, Tim..and I so often miss his laughter and wit. All of our family is so grateful to those that have posted on this site and left such personal messages to our family and to Tim. He was a friend and hero to so many, but, but he was dedicated to the end to all he held dear...his family, his country, his faith and ideals. May those who follow in his path find strength and thank you for your service. Love and peace to all.."
Debbie Flanigan Albert of Bloomington, IN

"I served with Tim in Kandahar. I was there the night we lost our Honorable Hero. He was always so professional at our flight briefings. He was a leader and and a soldier. Once the helo crashed I was told to go to the AH64 company area and grab his flight records as well as three other pilots. From the bottom of my heart I did not want to believe this was happening. I went to flight school with Tim's co-pilot and could not believe what was happening. Not to Tim. He was a great pilot and man. He will forever be missed and will always remain in our hearts. Thanks for keeping us safe as our Guns Tim. We will always be in debt to you."
Your CH47 Crew

"Tim was a great guy and his wife Cassey is a wonderful lady. Me and Tim were neighbors during flight school and ended up as instructor pilots back in Mother Rucker a few years later. He was always happy and ready to get the job done. I miss his smiling and his great attitude!"
Jim Miles of Fleming Island, Florida

"Memorial day 2011 is sneaking up on us. As I plan to entertain family and friends I have not lost sight of what this day is about. We will honor Tim and all of our nations soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We miss you Tim."
Bill Gallagher

"Today is May 31, Memorial Day, 2010. In support of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, the White House Commission on Rememberance joined with Facebook, to allow users to sponsor one of our country's fallen heroes. I was honored with representing William Timothy Flanagan. I will now be among those who very proudly remember him."
Mary-Anne La Pak of Connecticut

""To the family of William T.Flanigan ,I am so sorry for the loss of your love one.He died a hero.May you know the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Hopefully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need someone to pray with you or talk to please call or write my pastor at Gateway Community Church,Rev John B Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington Ga. 30016 phone 770-787-1015""

"To the family of William Flanigan: May God bless you and be with you....William is in a better place and he will be in your hearts as well as mine. Remember the best times you've spent with him...therefore his memory will never be lost.
We lost our grandson May 29, 2004 in Iraq. They are all Hero's. "Some gave some, Some gave all""
Shirley Stark of Huntingdon, Tennessee

"I had the priveledge of serving with"Billy" in Hanau, and Bosnia. We loved him and will forever cherish his frienship and awesome personality. We'll see you in heaven my friend. Bruce"
Bruce K. Irwin, CW4 Ret, of Ft. Rucker, AL

"I had the priveledge of serving with"Billy" in Hanau, and Bosnia. We loved him and will forever cherish his frienship and awesome personality. We'll see you in heaven my friend. Bruce"
Bruce K. Irwin, CW4 Ret, of Ft. Rucker, AL

"Tim was my co-pilot on my first flight as PC in Hanau, Germany. He was one of the best friends I made in the army. Rest peacefully, Tim. God bless you."
Ethan Wingate of Katy, Texas

"Tim,

Three years too late I'm affraid, but I have been selfishly lost. You used to always say to me that I had a knack for showing up at just the right time, seems that it isn't quite true any longer. I feel so ashamed that I just found out. I should have paid better attention, you were after all over there for me, and mine. Instead I liked to think that you were still all safe and sound tucked away at some base in Germany, and that we'd see each other at New Years, play some cards and go on our way once more. I have missed you over these years, but now I will desperately miss you more. Till we meet again bro."
Jeff McKinney of Crawfordsville, Indiana/USA

"As we come upon the 3rd year of losing a great man, father, husband, and Warrior, I want you all to know that Tim was a great guy. If you knew him, you would know someone who loved his family more than anything. Second, he loved his country and flying the Apache. I loved talking with him. Down to earth, to the point, always had something great to say about his family. He died doing what he loved, we all will miss him."
Mark Ostbloom of Fort Knox, KY

"Re: CW3 William T Flanigan

Hello,
I represent PRAYER SHAWLS 4 FALLEN SOLDIERS (PS4FS), an organization that since October 2007 has sent over 2,800 prayer shawls to military families who have lost a loved one. We are an organization of over 240 groups from all over the country. We make every effort to reach families even when post cards are returned after they have moved. Would you kindly send me a contact email/address so that we may send a loving hand-made prayer shawl to the family? Thank you!

Cozette Haggerty, Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers
Email: ps4fs@charter.net
Website Address: http://webpages.charter.net/ps4fs/shawls"
Cozette Haggerty of Wilbraham, Mass.

"Buddy,...you were a true patriot, hero, and my best friend. To you I raise a shot of bush mills..Brother you are greatly missed....."
Andrew Prentice of Streator, IL USA

"Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know William, but I am remembering
his service. He is my hero. !

Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b"
Debra Estep of Twinsburg, Ohio USA

"Dear Mrs Flanigan and family.
I deeply sorry to hear about Tim.
I had the honour of being one of his room mates during basic. I was the English guy....Flan was a huge help to me and helped me scrape thru basic with out getting in trouble. Next time we met up i was fixing one of the Apaches at Fliegerhorst, Hanau, little time later i left the military.
In the 6 years i served in the US Army, Flan was one of the few chaps who has left a lasting impression. Tim is a gent and a great chap. His memory will live on!"
Tyrone (Brit) Riley of Frankfurt, Germany

"September 11, 2007
To the family of Chief Warrant Officer William T. Flanigan:
William 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

"I just found out...I am crushed. We were so tight once upon a time. We started together in the Army. Last time I seen him was 96 in HI. I looked up to him. Never thought it would end this way. I will always have his Laugh though and smile. Scouts
OUT...........Fiddler's Green"
Marcus Briggs of Pennington Gap, VA

"Tim and I were roommates in basic training and again in aerial observor school. After training, I went back to my guard unit and Tim went on to Warrant Officer Flight School with our other roommate, Jason. I got to meet Cassie and Meghan, right after she was born. So many years later, I still think about Tim. Having been so many years since we spoke, I Googled him to get this devastating news. I feel so much sadness, but smile broadly when I think of how Tim got me through flight school and how he dragged me home the bar amd how when I wouldn't have otherwise made it through school without his coaching and encouragement. He will be missed and I won't ever forget him."
Adam Klein of Los Angeles, CA

"It's been a year today, Tim, and you are always in our thoughts and have been in EVERY prayer since we received that tragic call last 4th of July. "The Handsome Man" will NEVER be forgotten in the Hunt house. Tim, you are truly missed."
Angie R. Hunt (wife of CW4 Henry C. Hunt) of Greensboro, GA

"CW3 Flanigan,
Sir, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

"I Volunteer Sir"(278th ACR Motto)"

"God Bless..."
Jill Desmond, widow Sgt. Dennis J Boles of Homosassa, FL USA

"Thank you William Flanigan, 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 Chief Warrant Officer 3 William Flanigan:
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 William 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 Chief Warrant Officer 3 William Flanigan:
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 William, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia