Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"Kevin was my best friend in high school he would always talk about becoming a Marine. When he died my choice to join was solidified I joined the Army and became a paratrooper. I miss my friend so much. It saddens me when I see what I have in my life that he never got to experience mainly the joy of fatherhood he would have been a great father. We used to have so much fun as young men I know it’s odd but I talk to him sometimes. I will always have a hole in my heart that no one can fill. Best friends are family that you choose and it just hard to lose them. Almost twenty years later yet i am crying as I write this. I just miss my friend. To all our fallen warriors!"
Brandon Clark of El Paso Texas

"It’s amazing that Kevin’s name came up in a post on LinkedIn 16 years later to honor and remember those who gave all for our beloved nation. I served many years after you Kevin, but you’re still my Marine brother in arms. My continued remembrance and condolences to your beloved family and friends and your fellow devil dogs who were fortunate enough to serve along side you.

Semper Fi.

Capt D. Mitchell"
of San Diego, CA

"Met Joyce in front of armory In kbay. Sgt Parker, another Navajo, introduced me to Joyce. I remember telling him in Navajo, "don't be scared. You are not only one here. You are Navajo. Yeego en'tíí' shook his hand and off he went. Difficult to know was short for him. His family should stay proud."
Cpl Martin, Ray

"I was stationed on a FOB that was named in his honor. Semper Fi..."
Huffman of wv

"To LCpl Kevin B. Joyce's Family,

I didn't know LCpl Joyce personally, but I was asked by our BN CO to escort his remains from Jalalabad Airfield to Bargram Air Base. It was my honor and duty to ensure that he was treated with the utmost respect and dignity. I assure that he was."
Sgt Cockren of San Diego, CA

"I have no relation to Lcpl Joyce but I am a Lcpl myself in 2/3. My name is Lcpl Keifer, Davis and I'm in Weapons company. I somehow feel connected to Lcpl Joyce because tomorrow the entire regiment here in Marine Corps Base Hawaii is having a memorial run to honor those Marines we have lost in the past. I was Given Lcpl Joyce's dog tag and will be representing him tomorrow in the run. I'm extremely honored to place his dog tags on the memorial. He will never be forgotten, God Bless"
Keifer Davis of MCBH, Hawaii

"I was a civilian contractor at camp Blessing the night Kevin gave his life. I think about him every day. I met him only briefly but I remember him to this day.I will never forget him."
Charles C Gilbert of Spring Branch, TX

"To the family of:Kevin B. Joyce
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""

"Kevin, I still remember meeting you for the first time in K-Bay when I was your Fire Team Leader's room mate 6 years ago. I was on the radio monitering ops. that night with G Co. Not a day goes by that I don't think of the many conversations we had. We will resume training as planned when we meet again. Semper Fi, brother."
Cpl Jason L. Chin of Cincinnati, Oh

"I also was a member of 2/3 during this deployment of 2005-2006. I remember Lcpl Joyce as a well rounded Marine who was an Outstanding person to be around! May God bless his Family and I know that Kevin will be watching over us all! Semper Fidelis!"
CW2 Gary Carr of Arifjan, Kuwait

"I could not help but notice the name of JOYCE on the news today, and learn that the base was named in his honor. My heartfelt sympathy goes to all his family. It is my honor to share the Joyce name with a devoted American veteran. My father and I were in the Navy. Rest In Peace Kevin Joyce."
Edward Joyce of Mt. Vernon, Texas

"i never knew you, I only found out your were relative from my dad side of the family. But you will forever be in my heart. thank you for everything you done for the Dine' people and for world. like our forefathers, you weren't afraid, your a true warrior. REST IN PEACE BROTHER and TO ALL THOSE GAVE THIER LIFE FOR OUR FREEDOM."
BEN BAHE of Sanders, Arizona USA

"I never knew Kevin .. I am an American. Thought i would write a note of love honor and appreciation to the Joyce family and other families that have lost loved ones Its important to me that the military knows that many Americans love them and support then and dearly thank them for all they do !"
Cynthia of Ohio

"AHO!This is for the Navajo warrior that represents our freedom here on Mother Earth. You have sacrifice yourself for us to see the morning sunrise, to say our prayers each dawn with the trail of pollen in the four directions, because of the bravest of our warriors from the past, present and future: We love you and may the great spirit protect you from harm's way and may your weary feet, and heart bring you home. To all the families of the warriors and warriorettes, we give thanks to you also and the strength to be without your love ones."
Caroline, a Marine veteran wife of Acoma, New Mexico/U.S.A

"Hey bud,
Not a day goes by that I dont think about us talking together in hawaii and afghan. I miss ya bud.

Lilly
echo company 1st plt"
Jason Loiacano of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"For message below, 071221 is the date"
LCpl of AZ

"I met Joyce at Meps in Pheonix and we flew out together to MCRD. I gave him the window seat since he had never flown before and even though I was sick with a head cold and tried to sleep the whole way. I remember how big his eyes were as we flew over Arizona. I also remember all the times we and others in out platoon go smoked side by side with him. I remember him telling me his Grandfather was a Navajo "Wind Talker". I just found out that he had died today as I read over an old Boot Camp Platoon Roster and googled him name. It saddens me greaty to find out about his death. I was just about to email him to see how he was doing."
LCpl of AZ

"October 14, 2007
To the family of Lance Cpl. Kevin B. Joyce:
Kevin 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 Nevada

"I would just like to say that I am proud to have served with Lcpl Kevin B. Joyce and I am proud to have been his friend, but most of all I am proud to be his Brother. 2 years have gone by and I still miss him. He will Always and Forever be in our memories and in our Hearts!!! Semper Fi my Indian Brother!!! RIP!"
Lcpl Jeromey T. Hooee of Fox 2/3 Kaneohe Bay Hawaii

"His name was Kevin AKA Pretty Boy I went to school with him in Joseph City High School, and he did light us Girl up who were walking down the hall ways, with that big smile one look from and you would light up. we tried to all ask him out but he was busy that he didn't date. so when he flash that smile you say he look at me !
that all i would remember of him R.I.P. Kevin and keeping smiling at us!"
Abbileigh Morris of Joseph City Az

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

Semper Fi Devil Dog!"

"Dear Family Of Kevin B. Joyce a.k.a "Pretty Boy", I Went To School With Kevin At Joseph City High School. He Was So Nice And He Always Shined Up A Room With His Smile And He's Jokes, It's Been A Year Since Kevin's Been Gone And We Miss Him. We Use To Call Him "Pretty Boy" Because He Was The Only Boy In Our School, That Was Handsome And Was Always Dressed Nice. I'll Always Be Remember Kevin As A Joseph City Wildcats. He'll Always Be In Our Heart. Miss You "Pretty Boy". R.I.P...Forever In Our Hearts!"
Jessi Maye D. of Joseph City, Arizona "Home Of The Wildcats"

"Dear Kevin's Family:

My son, LCpl Mario Alberto Anes, was stationed with Kevin in Camp Blessing Afghanistan. It was very hard for everyone there to lose a fellow Marine. Please know that my family constantly continues to pray for you all for strength during this very difficult time. Please know that an entire nation thanks you for your ultimate sacrifice. When Mario came home for leave after returning from Afghanistan, he brough home a CD given to him by your family about Kevin and his life.....he sat us all down to watch it wanting us to know the Kevin, the Marine that he knew...the dedicated Marine....the Marine - heart & soul...the Marine that lost his life....so thank you and you should be proud of this wonderful hero. Mario also told me about Kevin's grandfather...it was such a honor for Mario to meet him as well! Just know that we are all proud of Kevin and his dedication to being a Marine! He will never be forgotten and he has entered the history of the United States as a "HERO"....God Bless you all."
Nilda M. Anes of McAllen, Texas

"I went to the School of Infantry with LCpl Joyce. I only knew him for about 2 months, but I never forgot his name. This Marine made a lasting impression on me as he did with everyone he knew. My heart goes out to his family, and they are in my prayers. He was not only a fellow marine, but a brother in arms and he served honorably till the end. He will live on in every memory we have of him.
Semper Fi,"
LCpl Benjamin B Reichard of Kilo Co. 3/24

"Lcpl Joyce was a very good friend of mine. We both trained at SOI together. It saddend me to hear that I lost a brother. However, I know kevin... he was spiritual and brave and I know he fought till the end. And I know that kevin is up heaven looking down on us as we continue to go into battle. I miss you brother and I hope to see you again someday. RIP
Semper Fi!"
Lcpl Castillo C. Co. 1/24 Marines of Grand Rapids, Michigan

"""As a veteren of K Co 3/3 and a very short stint (2 Months with G Co)(1986-1990)MCAS K-Bay it saddens me to hear of the loss of my brother Marine but I know he left us bravley fighting to keep my family safe from the evils of the world keeping with the highest traditions of the Corps. I'm now to old to reenlist but if I could I would."""
Lcpl. Robert Blaylock of Lakeside CA, USA

"As a mom of five young children, I am so grateful for the sacrifice of this brave young solder Kevin B. Joyce. You are loved by many. Words can not express the emotion. He payed the ultimate price for our freedom. May God be with his family in this time of sorrow and may you find comfort in the fact that we think about Keven B. Joyce's sacrifice for the love of his country. May we NEVER forget! Thank you!"
Jill Hughes of Houston TX"

"To Kevin's family our thoughts and prayers are with you. We know the pain and understand the grief you are going through, On 6/24/04 one yr and 1 day our grandson gave his life in Bari Khout, Afghanistan. They shed their blood on a foreign soil to ensure our freedom. They are what has made our country great and we know the cost of freedom. We live with that cost everyday in the loss of our loved ones. Our hearts and prayers are with you. We are the proud grandparents of L.CPL Juston Thacker who served with the 3/6 Marines Kilo Co."
Tom & Dixie Sisk of Princeton, WV

"There are so many things that make me proud of my heritage (Native American), but to know that Kevin gave himself as a sacrifice for not only the United States, but also the Navajo Nation is an exceptional thing to be proud of. I give my prayers and know that my God, our God is one who does not take away without giving something great in return. Those of you who knew him, I'm sorry that he was taken, but rejoice because he was only passing through this world. I believe that Kevin is in a better place with our Lord Jesus Christ and that he awaits the day when his family and friends join him on that heavenly day when our Lord calls us home. Thank you Kevin and thank you to his parents and family for letting him go so he could proudly represent us Native Americans (Navajos)."
Alisha E. Malone of Phoenix, AZ USA

"Thank you Joyce you will not be forgotten especially by me. SAW gunners lead the way bro."
Lcpl Sandvick Monroe of afghanistan and hawaii

"MARINE LCPL KEVIN B. JOYCE -
You are an American hero whose ultimate sacrifice will not be forgetten by a grateful nation. Rest in peace marine. You will be remembered for always being faithful to God, Country, Family and the Corps.
AMERICA SALUTES LCPL KEVIN B. JOYCE"
D. BURT of PORTSMUTH, RI

"Kevin was a HERO.
Remembering you in your sorrow."
Karen of Montana

"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, Kevin will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To the Family of Kevin, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to you for the loss of your Kevin, what a fine young man you raised. Kevin is a true American Hero who will always be remembered and honored. May God Bless you all."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"RIP Devil Dog..

J and T in NC USMC"

"Thank you Kevin Joyce, 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 Lance Cpl. Kevin Joyce:
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 Kevin 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 Lance Cpl. Kevin Joyce:
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 Kevin, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia