Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"It’s been 20 years today, since you stood before me in all your beautiful glory. The memories of that day hold so much love that I will never let go. I am so grateful that I convinced you to come to homecoming that year. It was the last time so many of your friends at Milton Hershey got to see you and say goodbye. Waiting for your taxi, standing on the service porch of my student home that night, you begged me to come with you to New York to meet your family and celebrate your 19th birthday before you had to report to Fort Drum. I wasn’t a rule breaker, but that night was the closest I came. I wonder how different things would have been if I had.

Tomorrow I will stand at your mile marker for the New Jersey Run For The Fallen. You are remembered and honored; and I feel validated for you. To know you was to love you and sometimes it feels like people did forget. Maybe I just haven’t moved on like they did, but the pain can be just as sharp as it was finding out you were never coming back home to me again. It is incomprehensible that you have now been gone longer than you were on this Earth. Though you do live on in the hearts and memories of those that knew you, especially mine.

Forever my love and my angel, you are deeply missed.

Pvt Giovanny Maria
9/25/1982 - 11/29/2001"
Jennifer Clark of Blackwood, NJ

"I rode in Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run Supporting our Troops and have in my possession Tags honoring event with Soldier Maria info and Tribute.If a family member contacts me I will be honored to send them.Droptopss72@aol.com God BLess You"
Johnny of Chicago,il

"Gio,

I know that it has been a long time since we saw each other but i promise i never forgot you. it is me jen from milton hershey school at allen. where you came when you were just four years old. we were two peas in a pod. do you remember that? i know that you are in a better place but i sure miss you. thank you for making my childhood amazing gio. i cant tell you how much you still mean to me. i wish you were here with us now. please continue to look after me and know that MOM and POP are proud of you. I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU AGAIN. ALWAYS YOUR SISTER FORM ALLEN."
Jennifer Harrison Cathcart of Spartanburg, South Carolina

"Your legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew you and shared in your struggle to protect our country and the ultimate sacrifice you gave so that we can be grateful for what we have. Your family, friends, loved ones and fellow soldiers will stay in my thoughts and prayers.
A Proud Military Mom."
Elizabeth Raab of Hamilton, NJ

"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

"If you are able,
save them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
America has been built on the blood of Heros and Brave men of Honor. A fellow Veteran thanks this American Hero for his Bravery, His Service to Country, and for the Ultimate Sacrifice he has made.Thank you for our cherished Freedoms your sacrifice has protected. May you rest well in Gods loving embrace Brave Solider, and may God bring peace to your family and loved ones."
William Darby Taylor of Bonita Springs Florida

"To the family of Giovanny Maria. He 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."
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"It was a pleasure and an honor to have known you for the short period that I did. I wish there was more I could have done to help you back then. I pray for you.
Former SPC. Chris Teske
1/87 Inf. 10th MNT. div."
Chris Teske of Albemarle, NC, USA

"God is holding you close now. I was one of the medics that cared for Maria. I send my condolences to the family and friends of my fallen comrade."
Akai Wilson of Brooklyn, NY

"Giovanny many of the fallen familiew from the NEW YORK CITY and LONG ISLAND have not forgotten. One day all our families have to come together as one! To honor our fallen!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

"Giovanny,
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.

"Vires Montesque Vincimus"
(We Conquer Mountains And Men)
87th Inf. Motto"

"I was one of Gio's NCO's, 2nd Plt Aco. 1/87 In. I knew him very briefly but his death hit me hard, probably the hardest in the platoon. I offer my sincerest sympathy to his family. My thoughts are with you, you are missed. My the next life hold you safer than the last."
Sgt Shawn Baker of Rohnert Park, Ca. USA

"REMEMBERED 2005 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND THANK YOU FOR MAKING AMERICA ALOT SAFER AND THE WORLD."
tLEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM 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

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

"God bless this brave soldier and his family. My own family owes its safety to soldiers like him."
The Estes Family of Phoenix, AZ

"Gio you will never be forgotten. I am in debt for what you've done for me. You're a true hero & will always live on in my heart. Thanks for all the good times we've had & the service you've done for this great country."
Dustin Cassell of Shermansdale, PA USA

"Gio, You were a friend and a brother to me. We knew each other for so long, but now that I think on it, it wasn't nearly long enough. There is so much more I wish we could share together. You are a good man. I'm sorry that you din't make it over there, yet I did. I never agreed with that. But maybe it was because you watched over me. Yet another reason you are a remarkable person Gio. I miss you... I think on you always. I'll KATN for you as long as I know you have my back. Ne Desit Virtus Gio... Let Honor Not Fail!"
Bryan Camacho of Fort Campbell, KY

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