Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

""To those who can’t help but remember…
Jan 9 2002 will never leave me.
There’s a good possibility that someone will die for your freedom today and everyday.

Please take comfort and understanding as I have in this poem as it has helped me to process those we have said farewell to. #thefinalhailandfarewell

The Final Hail and Farewell
MSgt (Ret) William “Bill” Cordes

Attention to orders
I thought I heard someone say

To welcome this veteran
Who has joined us today

Row upon row
of stones stand tall

Marking earlier members
Who had answered the call

On farms and in cities
They grew up fit

They had a job to do
And they did it

The silence was broken
As the procession went by

Stopping in place
Where the hero will lie

The flag was folded
And I felt a great pride

Believing those here
Welcomed another to their side

Unknowns will thank you
And I pray you were blessed

Now join fellow warriors
Who gave us their best

And oh the stories
They will tell

There at your final
Hail and Farewell""
USAF MSgt (Ret) William “Bill” Cordes of Hahira Ga

"Thank you for your Service, my heart goes out to all that loved you!"
Ronda of Bluffton SC

"Semper Fi Brother! You are missed each and every day."
Andrew Berniak of Sparks, NV

"12/7/2016 You are not forgotten brother. I sent my son to visit you at Arlington last memorial day and I'm sending a local boy scout troop to lay a wreath at your resting place next week for the holidays. Alyssa your father was a good man and great friend. Our good times will always live with me in my heart and memories. Semper Fi - Alex"
James Alexander of Asheville,NC

"13 years have passed and it still feels like yesterday. You are not forgotten!"
Andrew B of Nevada

"I was Scott's recruiter when he re-joined the Marine Corps in Patchogue, NY. I remember the day when he asked if he could go to the airwing and I found a job he wanted on the MOS matrix. I will miss you... You will never be forgotten.

William Z Cohen
MSGT/USMC, ret"
Will Cohen of Tacoma, WA

"Scott, I thank you and your family for your sacrifice. It was a pleasure to have worked with you as a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy. May you forever be at peace my friend."
Davin Emmons of Los Angeles

"Memorial Day, 2010.
I will always remember Scott and be thankful for his sacrifice. God Bless his family left behind!"
Kristi Pierce of Bossier City, LA

"”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Almost 2,100 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
This is a gift! We have wonderful sponsors who help with the costs, and want you know that everyone here at Project Compassion does and will always CARE.
Contact us directly at Projectcompassion@manti.com or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna
Projectcompassion@manti.com
www.heropaintings.com"
Project Compassion - Kenna of Manti, Utah USA

"This is still all fresh on my mind the day everything happened and i still tear up. Scott you were an awesome person. I know its been a few years But I hope Jenn is doing well. Your in my thoughts and i miss the good times...Semper Fi Brother"
Dean Hawley Frmr Raider of SLC UT

"Remembering Scott on Memorial Day 2008. You were a great friend and mentor during our days going through NACCS in Pensacola.
Thanks for our last flight in Yuma. I remember it like yesterday.
Semper Fi brother."
James Alexander of Houston, Texas

""You payed the ultimate sacrifice and we will never forget. You will always be remembered in our hearts and prayers forever.""
Raider of San diego

"November 11,2007 Remembering Scott Germosen on this Veteran's Day...and every day. God Bless you, Scott! With lots of love, David, Kristi, and Katye Beth"
Kristi of Bossier City, LA

"To the family and friends,
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies. Losing a loved on is the hardest thing in life. I am writing to not only express my sorrow for you but to let you know about a memorial I am working on. I am creating a quilt to honor the fallen soldiers from the New York City Area. Each soldier will have a panel created. I am inviting the friends and families to get involved. If you are interested or would like some more information please contact me at nycfallensoldiers@yahoo.com"
Esther Kabalkin of Staten Island, NY

"May 4, 2007
To the family of Scott N. Germosen. Scott 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.
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"You are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers...

Semper Fi, brother."
The Hanson's of Layton, Utah

"To the Family and friends of “Marine 7”, Your Marine will be forever in my memory. Our unit set up the base/tents/fuel system in late Sep. 2001. The Sep 11 attacks were still fresh on our minds. The day your Marines deployed to our forward location. I was asked to help set up the grounding wires for their aircraft on the parking ramp. As an Air Force member I was amused and impressed by the rock “sidewalks” around the Marine tents. On Jan 9th I had flags flown on a KC-135 for my Family and friends. The next day I found out a Marine plane had been lost. I sat down on a fuel bladder, saddened by the news. I wondered if I knew any of them or if they had come to listen to country music cd’s we played down by the beach. I can’t say I knew them, but they were ours for a short time. Everyone mourned their death. A “Soldiers cross” memorial service was held at the theater. Later when I presented my flags to Family and friends, I told them of the sacrifice your loved ones made and how they should always remember our “Freedom isn’t Free”. Thomas Jefferson 1787 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Our Military isn’t for everyone, but some do more than just volunteer and show up. They go to the tip of the spear, where the fight is. God Bless you for raising a Marine that did more.

MSgt William “Bill” Cordes (USAF Retired)
Moody AFB Ga.
William.cordes@moody.af.mil"

"Scott,
I would like to say thank you to you and the other Marines who were on that KC-130 with you. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!"

"Scott,I love you brother, know that you are missed. Jen and alyssa, please know that scott was a great friend and he will always live on in my memories of the great times we had together. scott you are a true hero. God speed."
Cpl Hass and family of Atlanta NY

"Scott you are still missed and remembered. You and the other Angels of Raider 04 are still with us and alive in spirit. Alyssa I want you to know your father was a true friend."
A Fellow Raider

"Jen - I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved Scott and his death deeply saddens me. I hope you'll read this and email me. It's been a long time since we've talked and I miss you. I love you always!"
Elizabeth Whitmore (formerly Tapp-Specht) of Little Rock, Arkansas

"We were so lucky to have known Scott. Memories of Scott will live in our hearts forever. He was one of a kind! Our prayers are with Jen and Alyssa always!"
David, Kristi, Katye Beth Pierce of Bossier City, LA

"To the family of Scott Germosen my deepest regrets ... He will be missed by all he came in contact with. Your memory and legacy lives on hermano."
Michael Soto of Buffalo, NY

"Thanks for stepping forward when America needed you. To the family - Thank you for your contribution to our liberty and freedom. I'm sorry for your tremendous loss."
Ronald Carlson of Montrose, MN

"Semper Fi and RIP brother!"
Mike (USMC) of Indianapolis Indiana

"Sergeant Germosen, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"God bless this Marine and his family. America stands only because of those like him."
The Estes Family of Phoenix, AZ

"Sem[er Fi Brother, you will be missed. As one of your former Section (Squad)Leaders I just wanted to say thank you, you were one heck of a Marine."
James Valliere SSgt USMC Retired of Derry, NH

"I am truly sorry for you loss. Scott was one of the finest in the world. There has never been a better family to belong to than the Raiders. I God Bless you."
Sgt. Hirtler Former Raider of St Joseph Mo.

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