Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"He was a man in every meaning of this word! I miss his leadership and his friendship. RIP, hero!
Titotodorov@gmail.com"
SGT Todorov of Los Angeles, CA

"Veterans Day 2022, 17 years after the passing of Josh. Although I knew him as a friend and classmate in high school (class of 92), the nature of his sacrifice has garnered even more meaning to me as time has gone by. Spending 16 years in the Air Force myself, I am familiar with the noble pursuits and honorable service that Josh, along with many other proud military members, have provided and continue to provide to our great nation. But I can never truly put into words what his ultimate sacrifice means to all of us who walked beside him and looked up to him. Josh will always be remembered by a grateful nation. A true Veteran and a true Patriot. An American hero who will never be forgotten! Your legacy lives on, Josh Hyland. Blessings to all who had the privilege of knowing you!"
C. Dirk Williams, MD of Austin, TX

"I did not know your fallen hero, but know that you and his memory are in my prayers today"
Robert Van Sant of Nashville Tennessee

"Thinking of you Josh and wishing your family the best this memorial day."
MAJ Ryan Shipley of Roseburg, OR

"To the family of Josh Hyland,
I am back again from yet another tour in Iraq and back at the Pentagon (my other combat tour). I often think about the soldiers and sailors I lost in this war and Josh always comes to my mind first. You may remember that I was his squad leader at DLI (story below). Anyway, I just wanted to touch base and let you all know that you are in my prayers. My email remains the same (see below). Drop a line anytime. God bless."
LT Michael J. Quigley, USN of Washington, DC

"LT Hyland was the PL of 1st platoon UNCHG with me in korea, i was a lower enlisted in 2nd platoon and LT hyland would do anythign for any troop, he was a true leader."
Dan Keefe of Chandler AZ

"October 8, 2007
To the family of 1st Lt. Joshua M. Hyland:
Joshua 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
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy of Nevada

"We haven't forgotten Josh and never will. Daily you are thought of as is your whole crew. The boys of Battle Hard are back in Afghanistan with many new faces but all the vets remember what an incredible group of Soldiers were with you.

I miss you guys..."
CPT Ryan Shipley of Roseburg, OR

"To the family of joshua hyland, thank you for joshua's service to our country. I am the father of michael lehmiller who died in that humvee with joshua. I know your pain, and I know the daily struggles life deals us after such a shock. I should have left this message sooner. AS we enjoy the liberties of this great country, we must also shoulder the burden of her defense. our veterans and our heroes indeed shouldered their share of that burden, some to the point of ultimate sacrifice. their selfless service to this country can never be forgotten. for a country who forgets it's defenders, will it self soon be forgotten. to our heroes this is not just a job, it's their belief and their commitment to us at here at home. they ask nothing in return, not wealth, not power, not fame. to them protecting America is a privlege,an honor, a solemn duty that is passed like a torch from their parents and grandparents before them. when I think of our heroes, I am reminded of the 3rd verse of America the beautiful. it reads, O beautiful for heroes prov'd in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life. as our heroes lose their lives defending America, they bestow upon us a duty, it is a duty which we did not ask for, it is a duty owed to them by all Americans on behalf of a greatful nation. it is a duty filled with sorrow and pride. this duty is to be the guardians of their honor and the builders of their monuments. for we will be looked upon and judged by future generations as to how we honor our heroes and veterans. be proud of the heroes who defend us all, never let what they have done be short changed by selfishness or politics. as we think of the passion our heroes had for a job they chose, we should have the same passion for causes that would make them proud. find your cause, see it through, and remember the gold star mothers motto. (honor the dead by serving the living.)"
bob lehmiller of clearfield, ut.

"I am leaving a message for all of those who remember my husband and think of him often. I haven't been to the website for a while and thought I should take a look and remember. It has been over a year since he left us, but he is still remembered every day. He will always have my heart and will always be forefront in my mind. Although things haven't been easy, my son and I are doing very well. My son goes to Josh's old High School, even has some of the same teachers. They love him there and we are home. Missoula has taken us into her loving arms and kept us here. I can't say that I have done everything right, but I am trying. Trying to raise a son that Josh would be proud of and trying to be happy with my choices as a mother and a woman. Although sometimes it is really hard to be a mother raising a teen boy, I find it harder to just be the woman that Josh would want me to be. Life throws things at you in a twist sometimes, but you just have to slowly untie the knot and go on, living with your decisions. I hope that everyone that reads this knows that we are doing the best we can with what we have. Take care and God Bless you all. email: LanieHyland@msn.com"
Lanie Hyland - November 2006 of Missoula, MT

"1st LT. Hyland was the best man I have ever worked for and ever met. He was the true meaning of a man. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about him and his teachings. Lt. Hyland is someone that I want to be when I grow of age. I pray for his family, and I will say he has changed my life forever."
SPC Brant Bujalski of Erie,PA

"Lt. Hyland,
Sir, I would like to say thank you to you and the other soldiers who were in that Humvee with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

"Airborne All The Way!""

"in memory of Michael Robert Lehmiller Blake Hall Joshua Hyland Christopher Palmer 8/21/05
Remember me and think of my brothers.

Remember me in the morning when you wake,
Think of my brothers and the chances they take.
Remember me when the sunlight shines in your eyes,
Think of my brothers for today another will die.
Remember me when the moon shows its face,
Think of my brothers and upon them pray for gods grace.
Remember me when the snow begins to fall,
Think of my brothers and how they give thier all.
Remember me when the song birds begin to sing,
Think of my brothers and how they make freedom ring.
Remember me when the fireworks light the sky at night,
Think of my brothers and respect the reasons for which they fight.
Rememberme when autumn leaves begin to fall,
Think of my brothers they need your support most of all.
Remember me in everything you do,
Think of my brothers welcome them home and say thank you.
MY COUSIN IS MICHAEL LEHMILLER I WROTE THIS POEM FOR HIM AND THE MEN WHO DIED WITH HIM I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT
CYNTHIA BANDY
3237 TIGER ST.
DADE CITY, FL 33535
I would love to hear what you think!"
CYNTHIA BANDY of DADECITY ,FL

"in memory of Robert Lehmiller Blake Hall Joshua Hyland Christopher Palmer 8/21/05
Remember me and think of my brothers.

Remember me in the morning when you wake,
Think of my brothers and the chances they take.
Remember me when the sunlight shines in your eyes,
Think of my brothers for today another will die.
Remember me when the moon shows its face,
Think of my brothers and upon them pray for gods grace.
Remember me when the snow begins to fall,
Think of my brothers and how they give thier all.
Remember me when the song birds begin to sing,
Think of my brothers and how they make freedom ring.
Remember me when the fireworks light the sky at night,
Think of my brothers and respect the reasons for which they fight.
Rememberme when autumn leaves begin to fall,
Think of my brothers they need your support most of all.
Remember me in everything you do,
Think of my brothers welcome them home and say thank you.
MY COUSIN IS MICHAEL LEHMILLER I WROTE THIS POEM FOR HIM AND THE MEN WHO DIED WITH HIM I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT
CYNTHIA BANDY
3237 TIGER ST.
DADE CITY, FL 33535
I would love to hear what you think!"
CYNTHIA BANDY of DADECITY ,FL

"To the family of:Joshua M. Hyland 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"

"Dear Hyland Family,
I was led to this website after doing a Google search on my son...Joshua Hyland. The coincidence being that my name is also Lynda Hyland. No one can ever express the sadness of losing a child, husband, father, brother or any loved one but I hope you can find peace with the fact that he died a hero for his country and I for one, cannot find words to say how much America truly appreciates his and yours sacrifice. May peace be with you all."
Lynda Hyland of Gulf Breeze, Florida

"I just learned about the tragic death of Josh Hyland. I was Josh's squad leader at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California back in 1994. He and his roomate, then PVT Shryock, were two of my very best soldiers and I remember how odd a pair they were. Shryock, a toe-head blonde from Green Bay, WI, had been active in high school productions of Broadway musicals; Josh, towered over his roomie with his cowboy hat and a rodeo belt buckle that was almost as big as Shryock's head! Well, we were in Delta Company and when the Battalion held its command inspection, Delta ranked best in the battalion. Our platoon, 5th Plt, was best in the company. My squad was best in the platoon and Hyland and Shryock had the best room in barracks. On top of that, Hyland, was the "sharpest troop" in the whole inspection! Now, how can I remember that after so many years, you ask? I was a brand new squad leader and I was over the moon with pride in my squad and these two soldiers in particular. I treated them both to a weekend pass in San Francisco. They stayed at my uncle's house and we all went to see Phantom of the Opera (for Shryock). I figuered Josh would hate it, but he seemed to enjoy it. Afterwards, I asked him how he liked the show? He said with a wry grin in a casual manner, "well, it didn't suck!" Then he added, "lets go check out the bars in this here town." That was Josh... simple and honest, but always with a little bit of wit. He was a really great kid (just four years younger than me). I lost touch with him after I left DLI in 1995. I can't claim to have know him wellor even long, but he made an impact on me that I never forgot. I stayed in the Army too and eventually served in Iraq in 2003. While I was over in Iraq, at Abu Ghraib prison (just before the abuses), I was informed that I had been awarded a commission in the US Navy! Yes, I said Navy. I had served on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, and my boss, a Navy Captain (read: full bird colonel to you Army types)put me in for a direct commission. It came through while I was in Iraq. That was three years ago, now I am preparing to deploy back to Iraq this Fall with a SEAL Team (I'm not a SEAL; I'm the intel weenie they take along for the ride). I will take with me the memory of Josh Hyland. If I can find a rememberance bracelet with his name on it, I'll wear it. Its important for all of us, especially those of us called to fight this war, to remember our fallen friends and comrades. Josh was my friend and my squadmate. He is also a true American hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country. I will add Josh to my daily prayer intentions and try to honor his memory by the character of my own service. If any of Josh's friends and family would like to drop me a line, please email me at paladin_quigley@hotmail.com. I would love to hear more stories about Josh. I'm sorry I didn't know sooner, but I guess later is better than never. So now, in a tradition Josh would have appreciated, I'm going to have a beer... not a foreign beer (the kind I like, actually), but a good ol' simple American brew, like Bud or Coors, and hoist one to his memory. God bless you, Josh."
LTJG Michael J. Quigley, USN of Washington, DC, USA

"1LT. Joshua Hyland was torn from our lives in Afghanistan. Though no longer with us physically, he is still in our hearts and minds. Not a day goes by that we don't grieve for him. We would love nothing more than to seek him out, for jokes, casual conversation, or advice on life in general. 1LT. Hyland is a hero to every one of us here. We miss him, and continue to live and fight as he would want us to. Every great accomplishment is for him.
SPC. Haynes, Steven Z.
3/B/2-503"
of Afghanistan

"I write this message in regards to Joshua’s family. I served under him from the time he came into country, and until his tragic accident. Our platoon suffered immensely from that disastrous attack, and I can only imagine how you feel. Someone of his character can never be replaced but his legacy will live on. He was a fearless leader and his men would have followed him till the end of the earth. He once told me “Every man dies, but not every man lives.” He lived that day to day, never fearing death. He paid the ultimate price for our freedom, but it couldn’t have happened to a better man. He believed in the cause over here and died doing what he thought was right. Tell his father and mother they raised a noble man, who stood for all that is good in the world. . To Dylan, your father was a fearless man, who everyone respected. You should be proud to be his son. Lanie he loved you dearly and would constantly talk about being with you. To all Paratroopers he is a hero and a great inspiration to us all. I look forward to meeting you all when I come back to Montana on block leave.
Pvt Dustin Raprager
Bco 3plt 2/503
dustyraprager@yahoo.com"
Dustin Raprager of Stanford, MT 59479

"Josh Hyland was the greatest big brother that a guy could ask for. Each and every day I can't help but wish that he was still with us. He married the greatest woman in the world. Together, they've raised an amazing boy in Dylan. Please continue to pray for my sister Lanie and nephew Dylan.

My brother changed so many lives. His sacrifices have paved the way for freedom to so many people. I just wish that they could have known how incredible of a man he truly was. I am so proud to call him my brother.
They say that time heals all wounds. Unfortunately, these wounds cannot be healed. Luckily, our entire family has found peace in knowing how many people, such as yourselves, have been touched by his selfless acts. The only thing that eases my pain is that I will see him again someday. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. Please continue to pray for our family, and the families of all of the men and woman who sacrifice their lives so that we may live in peace.
God Bless you first Lt. Josh Hyland. You will always be my hero."
The proud brother of 1st Lt. Joshua M. Hyland- Rick Hyland of Nampa, ID

"As a mom of five young children, I am so grateful for the sacrifice of this brave solder Joshua M. Hyland. 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 Joshua's sacrifice for the love of his country. May we NEVER forget! Thank you!"
Jill Hughes of Houston, Tx

"To Lanie- I am so sorry for your loss. Josh was an adorable baby, my favorite memory of him was when Linda asked me to put my hand on his belly to keep him from rolling off the changing table- I looked away for a second only to have Linda walk back in just as he started to pee! Learning to walk we couldn't keep him (or should I say his HEAD) away from the coffee table in the living room. Now I find out that the one person I would have loved to have gotten back in touch with is already gone.
Lanie, I hope peace finds you, I'm poisitive that Linda and Marty raised a wonderful young man from the boy I remember. I will miss him, and extend my heartfelt condolences to the Hylands from the Zingheim family."
Laura Zingheim-Langdon of San Jose, Ca.

"Thank you to all that have left messages. I am Josh's wife, Lanie, and I am indeed heartbroken. I know that I will, in time, be better, but he was a great man. I miss him and I wish he was here to go through life with me. But his memory will never fade, nor would I want it to. Thank you to you all and God Bless."
Lanie Hyland of Montana

"Thank You."
Sheila Steely of Magnolia Texas

"LT. THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR GREAT COUNTRY AND ALONG SIDE OUR SON SGT GREGORY L. WAHL. I REALIZE YOU TWO HAD NOT KNOWN ONE ANOTHER. YOU MADE MY WORRIES OF GREGORY VERY LIMITED. FOR I KNEW HE SERVED WITH THE ELITE OF ALL AMERICANS. SUCH AS LT. JOSUHA M. HYLAND. A MAN THAT ANSWERED HIS CALLING IN LIFE. THAT VERY FEW AMERICAN DARE TOO! JOSUHA YOU HAVE TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF SO MANY IN YOUR LIFE. THOSE THAT YOU DID. ALL HOLD VERY FOND MEMORIES SHARED WITH YOU. MY TEARS NEVER STOPPED FOR MY SON. EACH DAY ANOTHER OF HIS BROTHER'S AND OR SISTER'S. AN MY TEARS, AND PRAYS ARE WITH YOU MICHAEL AND YOUR FAMILY. MY GOOD FRIEND FRIEND MOE FLECTHER LOST HIS SON JACOB. JACOB WAS APART OF YOUR SON'S UNIT. MOE WOULD LIKE TO CHAT WITH YOU. PLEASE CALL 516-889-2203 OR E-MAIL ME. ONCE AGAIN JOSUHA.........ALL THE FALLEN FAMILIES OF LONG ISLAND NEW YORK THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH OUR SON'S!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

"To the Hyland Family, I wish to extend to you my deepest condolences. Your Joshua is a true American Hero who has helped to prevent another 9/11. Joshua will always be remembered and honored. We are praying for you all. May God Bless you all and God Bless Joshua."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"ONE OF MONTANA'S finest!
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, JOSHUA will be remembered by name, alongside his fellow MONTANAN HEROES.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless you ALWAYS.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To Joshua'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 Joshua Hyland, 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 1st Lt. Joshua Hyland:
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 Joshua 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 1st Lt. Joshua Hyland:
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 Joshua, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia