Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom

Remembering the servicemembers who died in the service of their country.

Army Staff Sgt. Charles R. Sanders, Jr.

29, of Charleston, Missouri.
Sanders died in Ghazni, Afghanistan, when the CH-47 helicopter he was on crashed. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, 12th Aviation Brigade, Giebelstadt, Germany. Died on April 6, 2005.

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"Coming up on 16 years! I’m still so very proud to say that I was your Crew Chief! Thank you for taking me as one of your own! You scared me, you intimidated me, you trained me, you cared for me! I will always remember you as a kind gentle loving father. The stories of fishing with your sweet baby boy and your precious daughter. You will forever be etched in my memory as a man that helped a very young kid become an amazing Soldier!"
CW3 Frank Bagley of JBLM, Washington

"I cant believe it has been 12 years. you are truly missed Chuck."
Garry Ridgley Jr of Savannah, Ga

"I have googled my husbands name all the time and this is the first time I have seen this sight! Thank you for all the warm thoughts prayers and memories about Chuck love gwen"
Gwendolyn sanders of Granbury tx

"You will not be forgotten Chuck."
roger of Clarksville

"To the family of:Charles R.Sanders,Jr.
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""

"”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 you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,600 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!
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"
Kenna - Project Compassion of Manti, Utah USA

"Two years have passed but still in our hearts forever."
Hallie Cabatingan of California

"Dear Family of Charles Sanders,Jr.:
To honor the Mo/Ks soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families,the professional portrait artists of the Grateful Hearts Project are offering to paint a portrait of the individual soldier for his family.

These 16"x20" original portraits are being offered completely free of charge in recognition of the sacrificies made by these brave soldiers and in condolence for their families loss.
Please email us at gratefulheartsproj@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Sincerely;
The artists of Grateful Hearts"
J. Gragg of Lee's Summit, Mo.

"To the family of Charles R. Sanders, Jr.
I am sending my deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one. You do not know me but I am part of a group called "No Soldier Left Behind". We are a group of ladies and men throughout the US that embrodiery a memorial for the fallen soldiers in our state to be presented to the family. I have the great honor to make the Memorial for your loved one. Please contact me at my email address; semolady@mcmo.net"
Patty Dillion of Ellington, Missouri

"November 10, 2007
To the family of Staff Sgt. Charles R. Sanders, Jr.:
Charles 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

"Gwen, Sydney and Drake:
Each of you have emulated the genuine spirit of an Army family. I think of you, the kids and Chuck on a daily basis and find myself blessed to have met you guys. Memories of Chuck will live in the hearts of many forever, and Big Windy will never, ever forget the awesome crew and passengers of Windy 25. Each person on that chinook meant so much to a lot of people, and they will forever be remembered as true American heroes. You are an amazing woman in so many ways. You have continued to show all of us the true strength of a military wife. We love you and God bless you, the kids and your family!"
Christy of Giebelstadt, Germany

"To the family and friends,

Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your loved ones bravery and sacrifice. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. Your loved one is a hero. Greater love have no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.

God bless you.

Home Front Ministries
Shepherd of the Hills Church
Porter Ranch, CA""

"To the family of Charles Sanders Jr.
I am sending my deepest condolences to his loved ones left behind, you do not know me but I was very good friends with Charles many years ago, just before he joined the army. I worked with him in Heidelberg, Germany. He was a great co-worker and a wonderful friend. He will be missed a great deal."
Christine Sweeting of Lawton, Oklahoma

"To Charles' 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.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (The Big Ern's Mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@sbcglobal.net"

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

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chucks family and friends. Chuck was always smiling, joking, and having fun. He was one of the guys that made going to work everyday something to look forward to. We'll always remember Chuck's smile and laugh, he loved life, and he lived it well. The sacrifice that he made for all of us will never be forgotten. He was a great guy, and he will surely be missed."
Denny and Trish Jutras of Fairbanks, Alaska

"I'd like to tell you a story about Chuck. Chuck and Gwen's little boy had his first birthday part in fort Wainwright Ak. He was turning one year old that day. Chuck and Gwen had invited both flight platoons, there was ribbons and ball pits and a spread you would have to see to believe. The sun was out, dogs were everywhere, and we were everyone of us family. Chuck had diverted his attention from his boy for just a few moments. When Chuck came back to get him out of his carseat, he had managed to destroy an entire plate of cupcakes. There was green frosting in his hair, on his eyes, on the car seats, and anywhere else you could imagine. I remember it perfectly, Chuck never frowned, never cussed, quite the contrary he was grinning from ear to ear as he he got his boy from the car, and was laughing the whole time he cleaned up the mess. I will always remember him that way, the sun beaming on him and his boy, both covered in frosting and that great big smile of his. I will miss him dearly."
Rodney Phelps of Watkins glen, NY

"My condolences to the family of Chuck Sanders, Jr. He was a fine soldier and great crewmember. Chuck will always be remembered as one of the great Sugar Bears."
CW4 Stephan Buchanan of FT Knox, KY

"Chuck was a good man and a great freind I will miss him greatly. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and freinds."
Ben Frobes of Middleville, MI

"Thank you Charles Sanders, Jr., 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. Charles Sanders, Jr.:
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 Charles 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. Charles Sanders, Jr.:
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 Charles, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia

Honor them by remembering... Freedom - is their gift to us But his soul goes marching on