Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

"It's been 15 years as of today since your death, bro. Miss the tough times we went through while in Balls 5 hell training March/April 1996. Rest well in peace."
Michael D. Tacoronte of Miami, FL

"Colonel Staha had nothing but great things to say about you during our dining out. You truly are an American hero. Thank you for your service, and you best believe that I'll watch a few SpongeBob episodes in your honor!!"
Dan of Honolulu, HI

"Still think of you my friend. Can't believe it's been 13 years."
Patty of Orlando, FL

"Juan,
Brother, I miss you. It has taken a long time to open up about the grief. I remember when I was jumpmastering you as a young pup. We were doing multiple lifts in the PI and you had a malfunction and a cutaway. We made sure you were cool with your EPs and then went back up. It reminded me of myself in the PI years ago when I had a malfunction and JD Burch and Jimmie Viernes made me ride the horse again. I know when death smiled at you, you laughed and smiled back. Probably made a wiseass remark. I look forward to seeing you on the shore."
MS of Sanford, NC, USA

"I met then SrA Juan Ridout as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol Pararescue Orientation School program at Kirtland AFB in 1999. Fifteen years later, I am an F-16 pilot in Japan thanks in part to the opportunities his volunteer time afforded me. To this day I think of PJs as my heroes, and Juan is the face to that idea. A nickel on the grass to you, my friend. Thank you for caring."
Capt James Davis of Misawa AB, Japan

"JUAN, MY ANGEL (MY NEPHEW) YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS AND OUR MEMORIES...WE THINK OF YOU...WE LOVE YOU JUAN..FROM THE TORRES FAMILY.."
Diana Martinez of houston tx

"I was a swim buddy with Juan on "balls" 5 in 1996 at the Pararescue/ CCT indoc course. Our paths crossed a few months later at survival school at Fairchild where he was getting ready to graduate, he was just an all around good guy, the Irish Mexican we used to call him. The next time I heard of him was when he passed away doing something he truly loved. Although so many years later, it feels like just yesterday that we were in the pool at lackland. I was honored to have known you."
Wags of Boston Mass

"I worked with Ridout in the 320 STS at Kadena. He was always a pleasant person with a bright shiny smile. It was a very sad day they day I found out he died. R.I.P. JR"
Tammi of Doha, Qatar

"”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Almost 2,100 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
This is a gift! We have wonderful sponsors who help with the costs, and want you know that everyone here at Project Compassion does and will always CARE.
Contact us directly at Projectcompassion@manti.com or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna
Projectcompassion@manti.com
www.heropaintings.com"
Project Compassion - Kenna of Manti, Utah USA

"My condolences to the family.

I knew Ridout well when I was stationed at Kadena with the 33rd. Ridout was a good friend of mine.

God bless you, brother."
John of Grand Prairie, Texas

"MY DEAR JUAN, (MY NEPHEW) EVEN NOW AT ALMOST 8 YEARS AGO I, STILL MISS YOU SO.
THEN I, ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR WORDS.YOU, ALWAYS SAID DON'T WORRY I, WILL BE FINE NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, PLUS I LOVE WHAT I DO, "TO SERVE MY COUNTRY" AND THAT IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART!"
DIANA MARTINEZ of HOUSTON TEXAS HARRIS

"MY DEAR JUAN, (MY NEPHEW) EVEN NOW AT ALMOST 8 YEARS AGO I, STILL MISS YOU SO.
THEN I, ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR WORDS.YOU, ALWAYS SAID DON'T WORRY I, WILL BE FINE NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, PLUS I LOVE WHAT I DO, "TO SERVE MY COUNTRY" AND THAT IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART!"
DIANA MARTINEZ of HOUSTON TEXAS HARRIS

"MY DEAR JUAN MY NEPHEW, EVEN NOW AT ALMOST 8 YEARS AGO I, STILL MISS YOU SO.
THEN I, ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR WORDS.YOU ALWAYS SAID DON'T WORRY I, WILL BE FINE NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, PLUS I LOVE WHAT I DO, TO SERVE MY COUNTRY AND THAT IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART!"
DIANA MARTINEZ of HOUSTON TEXAS HARRIS

"A TRUE FRIEND. A TRUE PATRIOT."
Philip Calvert of Macomb Twp, MI

"I lived down the hall from Juan in the dorms at Kadena AB. We were somewhat acquaintances due to a clean-up detail together. We never hung out together, but he always made a point to stop and say hi, and always tried to show interest in whatever I might be doing. I remember seeing him with a girl, and that they seemed to love each other. I know she, along with his family, suffered terribly. When I heard of his passing, I remember thinking what a great loss to America and humanity. He was just a good dude."
Chase Deal of -Rm 214, Bldg 758, Kadena AB

"May 4, 2007
To the family of Juan M. Ridout. Juan 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

"Juan,
I would like to say thank you to you and the other men who were on that helicopter with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy."
Mike Casey of El Paso, Texas

"Juan,
I would like to say thank you to you and the other men who were on that helicopter with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy."
Mike Casey of El Paso, Texas

"I am the WA State Coordinator for Home of the Brave Quilt Project. We'd like to make Juan's parents a quilt in his memory, to honor Juan for his bravery and sacrifice for his country. Please email me at barbnlamont@comcast.net. Thanks. Barb"
Barb Shillinger of Aberdeen, WA

"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

"For an all to brief of time I was one of Juan's Brothers in Kenpo.
I heard of his passing from Sifu.
The world has lost some of its light
since I found out.
I am glad to have known him and am very gratful to him and those brave souls like him who have given the ultimate sacrifice so we can live as a
free nation."
Frank Braddy of Marysville, WA/USA

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

"Hi Juan,
Sifu here. You know that Sifu-mama and I miss you . We often recall one incident or another and
end up laughing over your silly, gentle sense of humor. The really good one came when we spotted
that Maple Tree Washington thing. You even managed to zing us from the other side, you goofy character.
Two of your Skagit Kenpo brothers are in the struggle in Iraq and Saudi right now. Remember little
Justin? He's all grown up now and a fine soldier that you'd be proud of.He's been under fire on a number
of times and gave a good accounting of himself with his SAW. So far, so good. You never knew the other one, Eric.
He was in Bosnia when you were there. He re-upped to help again in this one.
You are missed, my friend. Do they have cold brew where you are? Sure hope so. When I finally get there we'll
have to bend an elbow and shoot the breeze.
See you after..."
Rob Robertson of Sedro Woolley, Washington

"My family's thanks for this brave soldier's sacrifice. America owes everything to these men."
The Estes Family of Phoenix, AZ

"My family's thanks for this brave soldier's sacrifice. America owes everything to these men."
The Estes Family of Phoenix, AZ

"My name is Cathie Longstreth and I was the grandmother to Duane E. Longstreth, killed in Baghdad on August 7, 2003. I am also a member of the "Bridge People" of Outpost 122. The members of the Bridge Team rally at Outpost 122 (the exit 122 off I 5) every Saturday in an effort to support the troops of Ft. Lewis, McCord AFB and Camp Murray (Washington State National Guard). We have the honor of greeting hundreds of military members and their families every week. The response from the troops is heart warming and welcomed .

I am writing this message to the other families in Washington State that have also lost a family member while serving our country, since September 11, 2001. My family would like to display a picture of the fallen hero, with the name and possibly the date of death, on the bridge while we are rallying. It is intended to honor them for the sacrifice they made but will not be used by us as a personal political statement. We hesitated to replicate the pictures we find on the many web sites without the express permission of the surviving family, as we have had our own experience with the media attempting to use our loss to support their political position.

If you do not object to us using your loved ones picture, please email me with your permission at one of the email addresses below. If you have a special picture that you like us to use please email that as well, otherwise we will be using one of the pictures already posted on the web.


chilstad88@aol.com
clongstreth@multicare.com"
Cathie Longstreth of Tacoma, Wa.

"Thank you Juan Ridout, 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 Staff Sgt. Juan Ridout:
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 Juan 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 Staff Sgt. Juan Ridout:
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 Juan, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia