Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"Thanks for your service and commitment to our country and for the freedom I enjoy. I will always appreciate the sacrifice you paid for this. My condolences to Stephen's family as he represented what is the best of the US Army!"
Barb Chandler of Georgia

"Thank you for your service and sacrafice for our country. Sincerely, Jeffrey K. Heck USAF 82-86"
jeffrey K. Heck of Columbus, Ohio

"A deep appreciation for your sacrifice on this day of remembrance ."
Leimbach-Glass family of Central City , NE .

"Major Stephen Reich is a hero, a wonderful person that I have always admired, and very much looked up to ... ever since he struck me out in high school (first & only high school K), we became friends, we hung out in the summer time, and talked baseball when we were together. I was so happy when Stephen decided to go to West Point where he began traveling a road (Long Gray Line, all the way) that only a special chosen few can travel. That Slider he threw was definitely nasty, I had never seen anything like it at that age! I'm personally humbled, honored, and very thankful to have known Stephen. He is an American hero that fought (fights) for freedom, and knowing there are truly special people in our great USA military such as Maj. Reich, well, that makes me feel very safe & secure. Thank you Sir, and thank you to the very special Reich family, all are true American heroes, and they are all wonderful people.

God Bless you, Phil. 4:13

Respectfully,

Rico Brogna

LA Angels
Quality Control Coach"
Rico Brogna of New England, USA

"Prayers for his family.. know today is bittersweet.. please know America remembers this incredible man..I pray for his wife and that she is doing well..."
lisa landers of Flower Mound, TX

"The memory of Stephen will live on forever! I was just handed dog tags with his name on it from a SEAL and have done some research on Steve. What an amazing man. I personally thank him for my freedom today and please know that his sacrafice has left a lasting impression on me and my family."
Steve Venema of Pleasanton, CA

"To the family of:Stephen C. Reich
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""

"I only met him once, a month before 911, at the birthday party of his Uncle Dave. I just talked to Dave and he said the Nightstalkers called his mother as soon as they heard the news that bin Laden had been killed. May you rest in peace knowing that the mission has been accomplished."
Jim of New Castle Pa

"Steve Reich, we miss you. I will never forget the sacrifice you made. God Bless"
Pat Terhune '93 of Mt. Laurel, NJ

"To the family of Major S.C Reich,
I have just finished reading the book entitles, "Lone Survivor" by Marcus Luttrell, USN, and find his story beyound belief. He comments on the superior efforts of other forces attempting to support the SEAL's in the rugged mountains and the fact that you son was a team member in the rescue efforts to aid the USN operatives. Having served in the fire service for 30 years, worked at the World Trade Center incident for FEMA, please accept my sincere appreciation for Major Reich's bravery for protecting our homeland."
William Seward, III (Retired Captain, New Haven FD) of North Branford, CT

"We lost touch, I have no excuse. I just let the years slip by and today, when I went to find a current address or e-mail for you, I found out you lost your life for this country over 4 years ago and I didn't even know it. I am so sorry and ashamed. I am very sorry to Mr. & Mrs. Reich, I met you during Stephen's last years at West Point, sorry to his sisters and most of all to his wife...who I'm sure is a lovely, wonderful soul or Stephen wouldn't have been married to you. I am very sorry for your loss. I was hoping to catch back up with him, introduce him to my husband and three children and he the same to me with his family. I am just so sad. Stephen was a wonderful, fun, happy, loyal, dedicated, dear friend. He deserves my respect, my thanks, and I honor him and hope that I can teach my children to do the same, and I hope we never take this life and this country, that Stephen died fighting for, for granted. I will see you again one day in heaven my friend...I miss you"
Christy of Kentucky

"Reich's for the time I knew Steve, he had a great influence on my life. I looked up to him with great honor. He took in the little boy as a friend and even as I was in college he took time to spend time with me. He is one of the greatest men I will ever know and your family will always be in my prayers. I still have a NightStalker shirt he gave me and I will treasure it forever."
Stewart Tanner of Memphis, TN

"October 13, 2007
To the family of Maj. Stephen C. Reich:
Stephen 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 of Nevada

"To Major Stephen Reich's Family,

My heart goes out to you for the loss of Major Reich. I know you have to be so proud of him for his service. My son is currently deployed in Iraq.

I hope you won't mind that I created a memorial for him at A Hero's Tribute.Org. It's my small way of showing my gratitude for his service and sacrifice.

I pray that God will strengthen and comfort your family through the years without him.

You can view his memorial at: www.aherostribute.org/Army_Memorial.html"
Cheryl Polk of Wade, North Carolina

"Maj. Reich,
Sir, I would like to say thank you to you and the other men who were on that Chinook with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. You went to the aid of your fellow servicemen without hesitation-you are a true hero. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

"Night Stalkers Rule The Night!"
160th SOAR Motto"

"A difficult day for those of us who mourn our loved ones. You are remembered and honored this Memorial Day, 2006. God bless your family and friends."
Bela Beaupre of Woodbury, CT

"Thank you Stephen Reich for the sacrifice you and your loved ones have made for this country. May God hold you in the palm of his hand with those brave angels who have gone before you.To the Reich family , with the 1st anniversary of your hero approaching you are in our thoughts and prayers. It takes a long time to find some peace. Keep in mind that you will never get over it, but you can get through it.Slowly peace will come. God Bless."
Briana of Woodbury,Ct

"I would first like to give my condolences to the family of Major Stephen Reich. Steve or “The Machine” as he was known in the unit was an exceptional officer and a prime example of a great leader. MAJ Reich treated everyone he worked with the utmost respect and genuinely cared for the well being of his soldiers. I had the opportunity to serve in the company of this great officer while stationed in Korea. Words can not express the loss that I felt when I heard about the tragedy that happened on that day on June 28th. Our country lost an exceptional leader that day; however the service that he provided our nation for so many years furnished us with a safer place to lay our heads at night. Thank you for your service sir. NSDQ!
3/30/06"
Troy Simmerson of Honolulu, HI

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

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. May God grant peace and comfort in your hearts. Your pain and sadness we also understand...I am so sorry for your loss. Our country has lost a great person and Hero. If you ever need to talk please feel free to contact me (mckenna_6968@yahoo.com). Sister of SFC Marcus Muralles"
Cindy Swazay of Indianapolis,IN

"Steve making the ultimate sacrifice for his family, friends and country should make us all realize how precious our freedom is. The last that I had heard his name mentioned was back in the early 90's when he was recalled to active duty from the California State League. This past weekend I was visiting my parents and they told me what had happened and I felt compelled to find out what happened. It doesn't make anything better, but I will always remember the times that we played against each other, Shepaug vs Housatonic in basketball and baseball. He was the ulitmate competitor who never settled for second place. I am sure that he was doing something great for his colleagues and country when the end came way too soon for this Patriot."
Adam Grant-West (H.V.R.H.S. class of '88) of Cocoa, FL

"May God Bless Your Family"
Dan, Cindy, Tiffany, Eric Dietz of Littleton, Colorado

"And I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me
And I'll gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today
Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God bless the USA

Thank you Stephen. You will always be remembered. May God hold you close in glorious eternal heaven. God bless your family and friends...8/28/05"
Bela of Woodbury, CT

"Thank you steve for making my game of baseball a lot better. I will miss you, as a former soldier myself. I understand what a Sacrifice you have given for us and our freedom. God speed."
John Jimenez of Wiesbaden Germany

"I will never forget my friend Stephen Reich and the times we had when he was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. My deepest condolences to the family. He is a hero."
Stefan Schulte of Wiesbaden, Germany

"God Bless the family of Stephen C. Reich."
The Eddy Family of Newtown Ct USA

"Thank you for fighting for our country. Your are soaring with the Eagles!"
Mary Eddyl of Newtown Ct USA

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

"To Stephen'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"

"TO THE REICH FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. SOMEWHAT NEIGHBOR'S FROM ACROSS THE LONG ISLAND SOUND. SAW THE NEWS PIECE ON STEPHEN. I CAN SEE WHY? HE WAS SO IN LOVE WITH HOME! STEPHEN HAS NOT DIED IN VAIN. STEPHEN WAS THE ELITE OF AMERICAN'S. ONE THAT LOVED AND ENJOYED HIS JOB. AN HE NEVER WOULD OF WANTED TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. THEN HIS JOB WITH THE MILITARY. THIS WAS HIS CALLING IN LIFE. NOT MANY AMERICAN'S STEP TO THE PLATE TO DO. STEPHEN I AM SO THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL TO YOU. I REALIZE YOU HAD NOT KNOWN OUR SON. LAST AT THIS TIME WE HAD TEARS FOR HIM. STILL KNOWING HE SERVED ALONG SIDE OF YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT SERVED. I HAD THE COMFORT KNOWING YOU ALL HAD EACH OTHER'S BACK. STEPHENI SAW HOW? PROUD YOUR MOTHER, FATHER AND THE COMMUNITY WAS IN TALKING ABOUT YOU. YOU TRUELY, HAVE TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF SO MANY. ONLY THING ALL THOSE YOU DID, WE WILL MISS YOU AND ALWAYS REMEBER YOU. FOR YOU WILL NEVER EVER BE FORGOTTEN. THANK YOU, STEPHEN! GOD BLESS!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

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

"I am truly sorry for your loss. Having lost a close friend in Iraq just 3 weeks before you lost Stephen, I understand the pain you are going through. Stephen is a great hero. He was unselfish and put his country before himself and we should all be very proud of that. It's important to keep family around at this time and to talk about all of the good memories that you have. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Stephen."
Adam Sova of Wayland, MI

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