Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"O-Man. May is your birth month. Same as mine. We were days apart. Plus or minus a year. I still hear your heart beat to the SF Creed. Free the Oppressed. Our birthdays are so close to Mother's Day. Your mother is so strong because of you. She made you a man who loved with his heart and compromised no ethical principle to achieve fairness. A prouder, All American family could not be be found outside of the Valley of the Three Wolves where Alvin York was born .
ALL AMERICAN"
Cookie of Flanders

"Jimbo's father and all, I was an OGA civilian located in Orgun when I received a call from Jimbo' ODA CSM, he informed me that Jim had been killed and was on his way with one wounded ODA member(no names for security) to my base co located with 173rd Abn.CSM ask if I could help expedite and also take care of the wounded warrior. Of course! Upon arrival the helicopter had Jimbo's tm sgt. As well escorting Jimbo. While waiting on further transport to another location I called upon the Chaplan to join me with Jimbo in a special place until he was moved to Bagram. Despite being an hour passed I requested we lay hands on Jimbo and administer last rites. I knew Jimbo and my son Dan ( 82ndAbn) at Camp T. Did as well. My son is now in Sprcial Forces. Jimbo went on missions with Dan. Dan told me of his professionalism and how Jim liked to teach new 2nd. Lt.s. Jimbo was highly regarded and liked by all. The next time I flew up to the cap to visit Dan he showed me with pride and tears a sign that named the LZ after Jimbo. Sorry for the length of this message. OGA base chief God Bless you all ,"
OGA of Orgun, Afghanistan

"11Sept2013. SFC Ochsner. Thank you for being such a great soldier and outstanding NCO. On this day of remembrance I want to once again thank your family for being so understanding to allow you to serve our nation and protect your soldiers through your steadfast leadership. No one understands selfless service more then your family. God Be With Them and With Us All. Airborne!"
SSG Cook of Baltimore, Md

"SITREP Follows. SFC "O-Man", You would be proud and expect no less of your soldiers and leaders. 15Dec2012 0639hrs. Allegedly, several soliders breached the wire @ Arlington and posted the 1st wreath of the day @ Post marker 60-8295. That is only a small token of respect to a great NCO, great father and friend. We all continue to strive to be a strong representive of the Airborne Creed. These are the values you instilled in us and we will never let you down. Bandits Lead the Way"
Cookie of Baltimore

"SFC Ochsner is someone I look up to. He was a very close friend of my fathers(SSG David Cook)they served together in Egypt. Every year at the wreaths across America I have the privilege to lay a wreath on his grave with my father and other soldiers they served with. I hope to join when I graduate from highschool."
Joseph Cook of Baltimore,Md USA

"I have several photos of SFC. Ochsner from '92 to '94. I would like to send them to his family. Please send any information for forwarding to roddy82@yahoo.com. Thanks."
Rodrigo Reyes of Studio City, CA

"My thoughts are with you and your family, especially on this memorial day. You were an older brother for me during our time together (91-94) and your good nature won't be forgotten. The world was a better place with you in it; you are missed my many."
Rich Brower

"SFC. Ochsner was my first squad leader when I got to 3rd PLT A CO 3/505 PIR. He drove me into Fayetteville to buy all the equipment I needed and squared me away. He treated me like another soldier and not a "cherry". I had and still have all the respect in the world for SFC. Ochsner. It is a great honor to have known and served with him."
Rodrigo Reyes of Studio City, CA

"I am deply saddened for the loss of Jim. We first met in the desert of Saudi Aabia when he joined my squad before going into Iraq in the first Gulf War. We became good friends after that and had alot of good times together with my wife Lisa and his wife Ann. Even though our careers went in different directions I will never forget him."
SGM Jeff Baillargeon of Westfied, Ma

"O-Man...Miss you everyday. I know you was happy to see all the men at your post on this past December 12th 2009. Hope you liked Han's poem. Love You Jimbo... Treeniner Savoy...OUT...."
CookieMonster of B-MO

"It's been four years today. I still think of him every day. When the call came over the radio that it was Jimbo, my heart sank. What a great man."
Jim 43

"May God bless SFC James Ochsner, and grant peace and comfort for his family and friends. I still wear my 'Hero Bracelet' that bears SFC Ochsner's name. He is a true American hero, and I am forever grateful for his ultimate sacrifice for our country."
Dorothy Sherrow of San Antonio, FL USA

"Jimbo, you will be missed. Served with him in the 82nd. A/co 3/505 3rd plt 3rd sqd. He sure came a long way from when I met him in the gulf/91. He lived down the road from me and we carpooled. He had a new baby at the time. My sympathies go out to his family. Hell of a nice guy. Sincerely , Robert McCallum"
Robert McCallum of Laconia, NH

"SGT O,

I miss you Sergeant. You are a huge part of the reason I went from PFC Mac...to Sean P. McBride, CPT, AV, Commanding! Thank you so much. Airborne!"
Sean McBride of Killeen, TX

"Thinking about you and your family today"
Matt campbell of NC

"I had the honor of serving with Jimbo in Lwara, Afghanistan. He was a fine Soldier and certainly missed by me and my team. He is still in the thoughts of me and all of his brothers in arms.

CATA 21 - Ron Wright"
Ron Wright of Granville, Ohio, USA

"Served with Jim in Aco 3/505 82nd ....sorry for your loss....and sorry we had our difrences Jim...i wont forget you Brother!!!...will see you again....
Aco 3rd plt...2nd SQD"

"This Veteran's day is a reminder of my hero,SFC James S. Ochsner,and his service to our country. I personally did not know him, but am proud to wear my Hero bracelet with his name. God Bless all our veterans and their families, and God Bless the United States of America."
Dorothy Sherrow of San Antonio, Florida

"I had emailed with you a few times when you found out I had served with your father in Vietnam. You told me of your intentions to go Special Forces.You were very proud. I was sad to hear of your passing. RIP"
Randy of Texas

"Even though I never met you, sir, I was touched by your son, Nick, when I first met him. I am very good friends with him at college. It is very obvious that you are not only a true American hero, but also a hero to your son. You made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedoms, and it is appreciated beyond words.

God Bless you and your family."
Drake Springer of Elon, NC

""O-Man" today is never like it will be.
Everyday is the same.
First Call repeats it's self..
For you are not there.
Each day I carry part of you with me. I will do this until we walk our post together once again."
COOKIE of Desert Panthers

"Rest now, fine soldier, your work is done.

I never met you, but I have read of your accomplishments. You lived a life anyone would be proud of."
Doug Barker, USA, SGM (R) of Rome, GA

"I made a promise to your son that I would wear your bracelet so that wherever I traveled I would remember. The memories I have are of you being an amazing dad--supportive of your two great kids--that day you and Ann gave me that roll of duct tape at the airport when we were taking Nick to his first NFL Nationals his freshman year---that is truly priceless. You would be so very proud of him--off at college--giving speeches in front of people like Mayor Giulani---he is coming into his own and I know that he will be a great leader one day. I truly wish you were here to see how much he and Meaghan have both grown--the new puppy---the new truck (which is HUGE)--the Eagle Scout--the mom of a college student and mom of a young lady who looks much too much like her mom for her own good--Each day they honor the bond that is your family--"
Carter of NC

"October 1, 2007
To the family of Sgt. 1st Class James S. Ochsner:
James 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 Carson City, NV

""O"Man today 6 June 2007 67 years after men whose foot steps you followed jumped into the darkness to save the world is day your son graduates high school. I know how proud you are of him-I know how proud he is of you-How proud we all are of both of you. Since you moved on to your next duty post none of us have ever forgotten the sacrifices men like you made to our great nations and the soldiers who now portect the gates of freedom. You will nver leave me and I am proud to count you as my comrade and a teamleader of unparralled skill.
"DE OPRESSO LIBER"
MISS YOU O-MAN"
TREENINER SAVOY ACTUAL of OP39 SINAI,EYGPT

"Although I never met you James, my heart was touched by your son, Nick. You obviously were not only a true American Hero, but also a Hero father to your son. I was very proud to have shared the room with such a wonderful person, who will be an inspiration to many, thanks to you and the values that you instilled in him. To you James, Nick, and your family, it's an honor to know that you served our country, and protected our freedoms.
From the Marine at Duke - Semper Fidelis!"
George Garner of Wimauma, Florida

"To the family of:James S. Ochsner 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"

"Jimbo,

I will never forget you. I just visited your grave at Arlington and a flood of memories hit me with reminders of your your professionalism, candor, and sense of humor. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers."
"Beast 40 Actual" of Alexandria, VA

"Jim, you are already missed brother."
Matt of 345

"My name is Cameron Schilling and I have started “Portrait of a Soldier” which donates a portrait sketch of every Illinois soldier who has fallen in Iraq or Afghanistan. All 122 sketches will be on display for a Memorial Day Presentation in Chicago, Illinois on May 26-31 at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. After the ceremony the sketches will be given to the immediate families of the Illinois soldiers. I would invite any friends or family members to come and honor these men and women from Illinois who have given their lives to our country. For more information please contact OperationHomeFront.org at 866-417-8889 which is an organization headed by the Lt. Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois who is in charge of the Memorial Day Presentation. Thank You.

Please check out www.portraitofasoldier.org
To contact Cameron email cameronschilling84@hotmail.com
To contact Operation Home Front call 866-417-8889"
Cameron Schilling of Charleston, Illinois

"hello"
zahra

"To James's Family, I am so sorry for your loss. James, you sir are a true American Hero. Thank you James for keeping us safe and all you have done. God Bless you James and God Bless your family."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"to james and his family my son served with jim and he told me he was an awesome leader and friend and funny as hell. my heart goes out to you and your family for your loss"
pete Desormeaux of bradford massachusetts

"To the Ochsner family from the Wahl family. Deeply sadden by the lost of James. He is an America hero! An he has not died in vain! James thank you for serving our country. An for being a military brother to our son. I assure you Gregory felt you had been his military brother brother. Sadly, you two never knew one another. An today you are together. To your family James! My heart and prays are with James and your family. God Bless!"
Leonard Wahl of VALLEY STREAM NY

"James,
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.

"Green Berets All The Way!""

"To James' 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, 504 PIR
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003
San Antonio, Texas
gloria.caldas@sbcglobal.net"

"I am freinds of some of the men on 344."Jimbo" is missed dearly. They say he is the heart and soul of the team and he is missed. RIP brave warrior"
angela psket of wisconsin

"To the family of Sgt. Ochsner, we send our deep felt regrets to you. He is A HERO serving his country. For God, for honor, for country, this man gave the ultimate sacrifice. John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that man lay down his life for his friends. He along with all the others have done just that. We honor him and all our FALLEN HEROES.. Proud grandparents of L.Cpl. Juston Thacker, USMC, Afghanistan 6/24/04 he too paid the ultimate price for FREEDOM."
Tom & Dixie Sisk of Princeton, WV

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

"Thank you James Ochsner, 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 Sgt. 1st Class James Ochsner:
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 James 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 Sgt. 1st Class James Ochsner:
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 James, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia