36, of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Fontan died while conducting combat operations when the MH-47 helicopter that he was aboard crashed in the vicinity of Asadabad, Afghanistan in Kumar Province. He was assigned to SEAL Team Ten, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Died on June 28, 2005.
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"JACQUES.
I WAS NEVER IN THE MILITARY BUT I HAVE THE MOST RESPECT FOR NAVY SEALS AS THE DO WORK OTHER CANT.I WAS WATCHING LONE SURVIVOR TONIGHT AND JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOUR FAMILY AND RIP ....."
JACQUES of JANESVILLE.WISCONSON.USA
"A deep appreciation for your sacrifice on this day of remembrance ."
Leimbach-Glass family of Central City , NE.
"My hero, you will always live in the minds of people, RIP."
Jose L Sanchez of San Diego, cal U.S.A
"Jacques-
I am still in shock over your loss. Thank you for your service, shipmate. And a special thanks to your family for sharing you with the rest of us.
- Bob Flauss, Barrington, RI
Brother Martin High Class of 1985
USN 1989-1992"
"Jacques-
I am still in shock over your loss. Thank you for your service, shipmate. And a special thanks to your family for sharing you with the rest of us.
- Bob Flauss, Barrington, RI
Brother Martin High Class of 1985
USN 1989-1892"
"I was watching "Lone Survivor" tonight, and when they showed the photos of those who died, I recognized Jacques. He was in my Jump School class at Fort Benning, back in 1998. It was very heartbreaking to find out he was killed in the attack in Afghanistan. Thank you so much for your service, Jacques, and thanks to your wife and family for supporting you. I will always remember the Navy SEAL next to me, doing pushups like it was nothing, while me, the Army guy, was struggling! May the Lord of all creation watch over you, and your family."
Daniel McManus of Fredericksburg, VA
"We will never forget, or ever quit !
love you Jacques.
The Fletchers, 6-28-2014"
mike fletcher of green cove springs,fl
"Jacques, We went to see you yesterday the 28th at Arlington. You will never be forgotten"
John of Va Beach VA
"Jacques, Its 8 years and i miss you . We honor your memory everyday in our home. I know your proud of Char . We love you."
Mike Fletcher of Green cove springs,fl
"Still thinking about you my friend."
Whitney Reese of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
"Dundee. I miss you everyday buddy. Thinking of you. Whitney Reese"
Whitney Reese of Ulaanbaatar
"Jacques and I were friends at Brother Martin High School. Many of us fellow graduates, had no idea he had become a SEAL, and only found out after his untimely death. I was truly stunned to have lost such a great person, in Jacques. I tried to visit his grave site at Jacksonville Memorial Gardens last year, but he had already been moved, according to the people at Memorial Gardens. To the Fontan family, please know that the Brother Martin Graduating Class of 1986 honored Jacques last year at our 25 year reunion with a toast to a National Hero.
RIP my brother. Thank you for your service."
Don Moore of Orange Park, FL
"Jacques - Still think about you often> You made life "interesting" at Rescue Swimmer School prior to your acceptance into the SEAL program. Hope I was not too hard on you and REM, just trying to keep you guys out of trouble. I'll stop by and pay my respects in Arlington soon.God Bless"
HMC Roger McClure USN/RET of Orange Park, FL
"To the family of:Jacques J. Fontan
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""
"I am a 61 year old Tennessean who visited Arlington just 10 short days ago and was humbled before the graves of those Seals who died with Jacques and most recently those Seals who gave their lives for my freedom last August. I wish I had been in Arlington to thank you today. Your sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten. I have shared your selfless stories and acts of courage with everyone at our community hospital. Rest in peace."
Suzanne Knox of Manchester, Tn
"Jacques was my family! There is not a day that goes by that he is not thought of and honored. My brother views Jacques as hero and he is! My family misses Jacques more than words can say. He will live in our hearts forever!"
Sarah of New Orleans, LA
"Jacques, were moving you to Arlington this Nov 10th , 2011 to be with your brothers. I know you will be O.K. there. Your always honored in our family, never to be forgotten."
Mike Fletcher of Green cove springs,fl
"To the family of Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan. Today is a great day to honor Jacques and keep his memory alive in his "Brother Martin Family" with the awarding of the 1st CPO Jacques Fontan Leadership and Courage award to one of our cadets. We are looking forward to having the Fontan family on campus today for the presentation."
QMC(SW) Terry Necaise, USN (Ret.) Naval Science Instructor of Brother Martin High School NJROTC, New Orleans, LA
"5 YEARS NOW, WE HONOR YOU JACQUES. NEVER A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON'T SPEAK ABOUT YOU TO SOMEONE. NEVER FORGET !"
MIKE FLETCHER of GREEN COVE SPRINGS,FL
"Jacques, though it had been many years since I'd seen you, I have always remembered you fondly as a wonderful friend and loving father and husband. I have only now learned of your death after reconnecting with your family, and it saddens me deeply. I am honored to have known you and been able to call you friend, even if only for a short time, and I am so proud of you for giving of yourself so selflessly to protect others. Though you are gone, you will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, my friend.
Eternal Father, may your perpetual light shine upon him and may his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through your infinite mercy, rest in peace. Amen."
Robin Carneke-Green of Beach Park, Illinois
"Dear Jacques and Family,
Past 4 years now and I can't help but think of you daily. We soldier on, we never quit! love Ya"
Mike Fletcher of Green Cove Springs,Fl
"I called you "Jackie"....you were (and will always be) my buddy.....hard to believe so much time has passed since our "glory days" in Afghanistan.....Godspeed, Sailor and Semper Fidelis from this old salty Recon Marine......."
Chris of 26MEU (SOC), North Carolina
"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.
"THREE YEARS NOW, WE STILL LOVE AND MISS YOU. WERE STILL FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT. GOD BLESS YOU JACQUES."
MIKE FLETCHER of GREEN COVE SPRINGS,FL
"You will be missed shipmate and friend. I still can't believe it. My condolences to your family."
Bret Peresich of Charleston, SC
"May you rest in peace my old friend."
carlo stevens of charleston, sc
"God Bless you and your family, Jacques. The knowledge of your death came as shock. Your death is personal as we graduated from the same high school yet 6 years apart. I did not know you but my brother knew of you through mutual friends -- he graduated the year after you. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. Rest in peace."
Keith Garcia of New Orleans, LA
"Every night my kids and I say 'good night' and 'we love you' to Jesus, the Saints, Michael the Archangel and Jacques Fontan. I wish I could share with you all the questions and thoughts this sparks in my little ones. It gives me a chance to share Jacques with them. And it's comforting to know they will grow up knowing our friend, his story and how he exemplifies love, sacrifice, and what it means to be a true hero. Goodnight Jacques Fontan, we love you Jacques Fontan."
Billy Burk of New Orleans, LA
"October 13, 2007
To the family of Chief Petty Officer Jacques J. Fontan:
Jacques 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 of Nevada
"TWO YEARS NOW, MY MEMORIES OF YOU GROW STRONGER , MY DESIRE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR LAST DEPLOYMENT INCREASES. THE LONE SURVIVOR ONLY MAKES ME THINK OF YOU ALL THE MORE. STILL SO PROUD OF YOU AND OF THE SEALS. LOVE YA SON, SWING AWAY."
MIKE FLETCHER of GREEN COVE SPRINGS
"I wish truly miis the friendship we had at Buds school.It was an honor to know you."
P.Booker of Tennessee
"Dear Fontan Family,
Out of respect,I periodically review memorials of fallen soldiers on the internet. Well, this was quite a shock. Jacque and I were fraternity brothers quite a while ago, and I have fond memories of him as a fun loving, sweet guy. Looking back, I am not surprised that he chose the path he did. It was great to know him then, and an absolute honor now."
Troy Sonnier of Frisco, TX
"Rest in Peace Warrior,
You made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could safely enjoy our precious freedom. Thank you, brother.
Fellow Chief Petty Officer and Old Shipmate (FFG-47)."
FCCS Robert Sorg of Bath, Maine
"Fair winds and following seas...to all my brothers who died that day."
TeamGuy of Vabeach, VA
"Jacques,
I would like to say thank you to you and the other men who were on that Chinook with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. When your fellow SEALs were in trouble you didn't hesitate to go to their aid. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy."
Mike C. of El Paso, Texas
"dear Jacques Fontan,
over a year now and i think of you every day. You will always be remembered in our hearts, love, mike fletcher"
mike fletcher of jacksonville, florida
""Dance with me! This is my favorite song by Yaz," the boy with the curly brown hair yelled over the music blaring throughout the Sigma Nu frat house. For the past 20 years, whenever that memory crossed my mind, I'd smile and wonder how life had turned out for him. When I heard that Yaz song today, I googled his name and cried as I read all the messages for him and his family. Although it saddens me greatly to find out of his passing, I'm happy to know how loved he obviously was. Thank you, Jacques, for a special memory of my first college date."
Jayme Hardee Hawthorne of Anna, TX
"REST IN PEACE GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN"
LATOYA of HAMMOND,LA
"As a mom of five young children, I am so grateful for the sacrifice of this brave solder Jacques J. Fontan. 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 Jacques's sacrifice for the love of his country. May we NEVER forget! Thank you!"
Jill Hughes of Houston Tx
"I didn't know you,or your family.But I hope that someday I can help ease their pain of losing you, just a little.I appreciate what you were doing for our country.And your name will forever live in this stangers heart."
Tammy Castillo of Houston,Texas,USA
"I barely knew Jacque, yet I still find that his passing upsets me. I feel so fortunate to have met such an extraordinary man. His legacy will never be forgotten. I only hope that one day I can have the courgae to endure what he has faced with open eyes and a ferocious heart. We all can only be so lucky to be in his place. Keep on rockin in the sky! I pray for you, Char, and the Fontans every night. I only hope that my words can console you."
Knooihuizen of Hudson, OH
"May God Bless Your Family"
Dan, Cindy, Tiffany, Eric Dietz of Littleton, Colorado
"Jacques:
I still can't get over the fact that you are gone. You were a great friend. Since all of this happened, I keep remembering so many of the great times that we had together. My life and high school wouldn't have been the same without you. You are a hero and a great friend. All of us will miss your smile and great sense of humor. Now, you live on in our hearts and in my memories. I'm grateful everyday that you are there."
Whitney Reese of Seoul, S. Korea
"Rest in Peace Warrior
J and T
USMC NC"
"I MET A MAN, WHO BECAME A NAVY SEAL ,WHO BECAME MY DAUGHTERS HUSBAND, WHO BECAME MY SON. OUR HEARTS ACHE FOR THE LOSS OF SUCH A SON JACQUES HAD BECOME. OUR HEART REACHES OUT TO THE FONTAN FAMILY , YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR PRAYERS. CHAR, TO NOT HAVE LOVED JACQUES WOULD HAVE BEEN THE REAL TRAGEDY , FOREVER FOLLOW YOUR HEART, WE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU."
MIKE FLETCHER of GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL
"He was my Jacques-A-Rocka, my brother-in-law. My heart has broken from this loss and aches knowing that our family and friends will not have the pleasure of Jacques company until our eternal rest. Just knowing him for the nine years he and Char were together has blessed my life. I will miss all the laughs we shared and the "big brother" teasing he never neglected to give me. He truely is a hero and I am proud to have known such an incredible man. I will love you forever Jacques. You are greatly missed!"
Love you, Brittney of Langenselbold, Germany
"To Jacques family and friends,
I am so sorry for your loss. Paul, Jacques brother, showed me pictures of Jacques and his platoon in Afghanistan. The gratitude I felt for those brave, dedicated, feerless soldiers that put their lives on the line so we can have freedom here at home is indescribable.
With prayer and deepest sympathy,"
Libby Yater of Dacula, GA
"DUNDEE. I MISS YOU MY BROTHER. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION. I AM PROUD TO HAVE BEEN YOUR FRIEND.YOU ARE A TRUE WARRIOR. MAY GOD BLESS CHAR'S FAMILY AND YOURS.YOUR SACRAFICE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I LOVE YOU MAN."
CHRIS LEGRAND of SLIDELL, LA
"To Jacques' family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. To Char and the Fletcher family, you are such a close and wonderful family-I know you will take care of each other. Char-keep your head held high and be proud of what Jacques did for everyone. He was a good man! God Bless You and the Great USA!"
Judina & Austin of Keystone Heights, FL
"To Mrs. Fontan and Jacques's Family, I wish to offer my deepest condolence on the loss of Jacques. He will always be remembered and honored. Jacques is a true American Hero. May God Bless all of you."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York
"I am Jacques Fontans Brother in Law and I wanted to say thanks for everyone who has said a prayer for our family. The hurt in the hearts of our family will only ease with time but we take comfort in the fact that my brother died fighting for freedom and the protection of our great country. Jacques loved my sister and loved being a SEAL. I never once heard him complain. I will miss playing golf with you brother. Rest in Peace Jacque-a-Rock-a, hit-em long and straight!!!"
James Fletcher of Jax, FL
"To Jacques "Dundee" Fontan
After attending the memorial in Virgina Beach I still feel the pain and loss that will stay with me for a long time. I will forever remember you as a great friend. I was truly blessed to have had you as a part of my life for over 24 years. You were simply "The Best" as a friend and a Navy Seal. Brother Martin class of 86 will remember you for ever!!!!"
Donnie Natal of New Orleans, La
"To the Fontan's and Fletcher Family:
To all of us who knew Jacques Fontan know that he was a great man and all know that he was the last person on earth who deserved this loss.I attented the Memorial Service in Virginia Beach,VA and the funeral in Jacksonville,Florida for a loved soldier who i know will never be forgotten. To me Jacque treated me like i was part of his family and i always looked up to him as my big brother.Char,I know this loss has heart your heart but you know that I'm always here for you.R.I.P BIG BROTHER!
Your Family Friend,
Ivan Romano Basco"
Ivan Basco of Virginia Beach,VA - United States
"RIP BROTHER YOU CARRIED THE FIGHT AND FLAG TO THE ENEMIES YOU AS WELL AS I HAVE CHOSEN OUR PATH TO GIVE FREEDOM TO THOSE WHO THINK IT IS FREE........ CARRY ON BROTHER TILL WE MEET AGAIN"
UNKNOWN of JAX FL
"To the Family:
I express my deepest sorrow. My brother 1st Class Petty Officer Brian J. Ouellette was with SEAL Team 2 and he was taken on May 29th 2004. I know he has his brothers with him now. May GOD BLESS you and keep you until then.
Mike Ouellette
Uxbridge, MA"
Miichael Ouellette of Uxbridge, MA
"To Jacques' 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"
"Eternal Father, bless Thy Chiefs
Who guide and lead with firm beliefs
In Courage, Commitment and Honor bright.
Strengthen with Thy holy might
Those who wear the anchors of the CPO.
O, guard them, Lord, where're they go."
Thanks for your service and for the ultimate sacrifice, BROTHER!!!! You will live on forever!"
Chief Petty Officer Erik E. Lindebak of Great Lakes, IL
"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, Jacques will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "
"RIP SHIPMATE"
US Navy Sailor
"Thank you Jacques Fontan, 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 Petty Officer Jacques Fontan:
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 Jacques 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 Petty Officer Jacques Fontan:
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 Jacques, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia