Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Went to see Danny today Memorial Day 2023. Rest in peace."
CDR Roberto Alvarado of Corpus Christi, TX

"2016.

I wanted to write a 10 year anniversary update last year, but life gets complicated and time truly flies.

To Mori:
Because I have been unsuccessful in finding you directly, I wanted to apologize to you for not replying to your message in 2013. I was not aware of some social media filters and by the time I realized you had reached out to me, you had deleted your account and I lost my chance to reply.

Another year passes. Danny still has a home on my wrist. The bracelet is warped, chipped, scraped and showing definite signs of being worn for 11 years. After reading my last entry, everything still holds true. I'm out of active duty now, struggling with life after active duty. Danny has been my spirit battle buddy through so much. His name still represents everything to me. I didn't want to come back here and write another book on it. His date comes up and I reflect every year through prayer and thought, having a kind of conversation with Danny about everything in the year and praying for his family. I just wanted to say, still here, never forgotten."
SSG Marc Studebaker of Dallas, TX/USA

"You just never really find the words to express the loss of some as special as Danny,and others like him.To his fammily that he allways talked about,you were everything to him.To his brothers, we will always remember.Your memory lives on."
Jeremy of Savannah,GA/USA

"Ive been serving the US military for over 11 years now, and i never thought i would see combat when i first enlisted (2000). But then a terrible tragedy struck our nation (9/11) and then the iraq invasion. I participated in the iraq invasion and was overwhelmed with pride to serve. With my brothers in arms from all branches, jobs, units and backgrounds we were America's might. I watched some of my brothers fall, making the ultimate sacrifice, and i myself came upon times when i felt i was close to making that same sacrifice.

These past years have been trying times on our families. Ive been welcomed back home 3 times now, and i am about to be welcomed back for a 4th time end of this year (god willing). I cannot imagine the emotions of not being able to welcome back your living breathing soldier who you sent out to duty and could not return because his duty required the sacrifice of his life. I have seen the tears of so many hearts broken.

I separated from the army soon after my iraq invasion, but served in the reserves. wrestled my demons and eventually returned to active duty. Before i separated i had to have something to remind me, something to never forget. I turned to a military clothing catalog and ordered a Iraq Freedom KIA bracelet, with a random name of a fallen soldier, a brother that served, and fell, where i served. The name i received was SPC DANNY L. ANDERSON 3RD ID 2/26TH FSB 2005 IRAQ

I put his band on my right wrist, and have not removed it but on very few occasions of absolute necessity since. I never looked up his name to find out who he was, where he was from, or if he even had a family. It didnt matter. He was a brother in arms, and he fell where i served. A place i have so much fire and emotion over. a place i have since visited 2 more times, and sit even now writing this. Why now? Why did i just suddenly get the urge to google his name and learn who i was wearing?

Because here i sit, in baghdad Iraq, looking at this wrist band, reading his name as i often do, studying it, remembering everything and feeling everything, its fading, chipped, scratched, the metal has been bent and warped from catching on things that try to rip it off, its had to be adjusted as i either gain or lose weight, the metal showing through the paint, i wonder if its time to get a new name, a new band with maybe a different unit, ive had this on my wrist for 6 years. I get angry at TSA agents who even look like they might suggest i take it off to go through the scanners. Why is this beat up little piece of metal worth the trouble? why dont i get something nicer? Ive come to nearly freak out on people when its snagged on something and fallen off and i didnt see where it went, coming to very colorful displays of vocabulary until i return it to its place. Im not some crazy OCD guy, what gives? it was only 13 bucks, and im pretty sure that money got put to good use at some KIA/POW charity. isnt it time to get something new?

NO. Ill tell you why not. Because he was a brother in arms who fell where my boots touched ground. I didnt know him. I never met him, and he fell after i was already safely home and even out of active duty. But he represents something. I fought the war, i was on the tip of the spear into that country that needed us, asked to go like my brothers by a country ill lay down my life to defend any day it asks me to, and i nearly had my chance a few times. He did too. I may never have met him, but he took my place when i left, and it cost him his life. The war didnt end when i left, it was still there. Thats something i cant forget. A new bracelet, a new name, thats not going to make me remember less or more. His family is still there. Still seeing him, feeling him, and still has that pain that will never go away no matter how many prayers or nice things anyone can say about him. Im not going to just switch him out for someone else. He's been with me for 6 years. People ask me about him, and i tell them the same story. He was just a name that came with the memory. Of course he's more than just a name on a wall, or on a bracelet. And i dont know why i suddenly found the urge to look him up, but i think its because this war is nearly over for the majority of us. Im here on my last tour as we close down operations, but i dont ever want to forget, and perhaps im still finding very good reasons to keep him right here on my right wrist. Today i say thank you with all my heart to the family of Danny L. Anderson, a man i never knew, never met, and carried the name of for a few years through some trying journeys of my own life. Thank you for your sacrifice. Keep him close to your heart always. He is a hero. And we dont forget heroes. I guess from all this you can just take away that He is remembered by more than just his closest loved ones. His name has a meaning for someone totally unrelated in any way to his life. We never crossed paths, and never heard of each other. But he isnt forgotten, and wont be, ever. My condolences to the Anderson Family, thank you for having this memorial so i can learn about him. his name isnt goin anywhere any time soon."
SGT Marc Studebaker, US Army Cavalry Scout of Fort Riley, Kansas (currently Baghdad Iraq, DEPLOYED)

"it has been years that my husband has been gone, yet it feels like just the other day i said goodbye. my sons and i are well and live in Asheville now with and around Danny's mother sisters and brother Armando is fixing to be 12 and Noah is 6. wow. time doesn't stop for anyone and life does go on. i feel him around me often and see him everyday in Noah his father shines out of him everytime i look at him. i do miss him dearly and i know nothing can bring him back but i look forward to the day i see him again. Thank you all for your kind words they do mean alot to us. Thank you moriamaanderson@rocketmail.com"
Moriama Anderson of Asheville,NC

"You will see him again! He is a hero and I am proud to wear a bracelet in memory of him and his service to our country."
Deborah White of Crescent, GA

"To the family of Danny L. Anderson.
I did not know Danny, but I now proudly wear a remerberance bracelet that has Danny's name, unit, and the date that he passed on it. I hope that time has helped with the pain of the loss, however, I am sure that there will always be a hole that nothing can fill. Please know that Someone outside your family will look at Danny's name every day and think of him, and honor his sacrifice, and your loss.
Sincerely, Adam H. Ritchie. 10/21/09"
Adam H. Ritchie of Bloomington, Minnesota

"March 18, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Danny L. Anderson:
Danny 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

"Childhood friend,

Your memory will always be apart of me and the great times we shared growing up in CC. Though we may have lost touch over the years, know that I will be forever indebted by your sacrifice. I hope to continue your honor as I serve, and keep our fellow solders safe from harm. May God look over your family.

LCDR Roberto Alvarado
Neighbor and Friend."
Bobby of Corpus Christi, TX

"To the family of:Danny L. Anderson 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"

"Danny---someday we will all meet at "Fiddler's Green"...to raise a toast to us...the "Soldiers" of Freedom..you will not be forgotten as long as I have the ability to do my artwork and prose...My war was Vietnam,my Uncles' was WW2 and Korea...but your war was for "Liberty and Justice" for people who knew neither for thoudsands of years...I hope the words of my poem "Soldier" bring comfort to your family and friends..."De Oppresso Liber"..."SKY""
George L.Skypeck of Accokeek, MD USA

"Mori, I am not sure if you check this often but I just wanted to write and let you know you have been in my thoughts lately. I know this Christmas is very hard for you , being without Danny. Mine too, without Gary. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for the card, it meant the world to me."
Johnna Walters & boys

"Aug 20, 2005
ARMY PFC DANNY L. ANDERSON
You are an American Hero whose ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten by a grateful natin.
Rest well brave soldier.

“SOLDIER”
By
George L. Skypeck , RegTM
All Rights Reserved
(No reproduction without prior permission
By Mr. Skypeck)

I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go,
And did what others failed to do.
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing,
And reluctantly accepted the thought of
Eternal loneliness…should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror;
Felt the stinging cold of fear;
And enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love.
I have cried, pained, and hoped…but most of all,
I have lived times others would say were
Best forgotten
At least someday I will be able to say that
I was proud of
What I was…
A SOLDIER"
D. Burt of Rhode Island

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

"Mori, We just wanted you to know that Joey and I and our children loved Danny. He was more than a friend to us and our children, he was family. Danny was one of the first people to make me and my children feel welcome in Georgia. He was not too "manly" to play dolls with our young daughters or to joke around with our son. Danny blessed our family and we are thankful we had the chance to know him and to know you. Joey feels blessed to have been Danny's NCO and to have served in the Army with him. We pray for you and your family every day. With love and prayers, Joey, Sabrina, Billy, Stephanie, Sara, and Lauren Schuller"
Joey and Sabrina Schuller of Fort Stewart, GA

"To Patti and the rest of your family,

All gave some, some gave all. There is no way to properly thank you for having such a brave and wonderful soldier in your family. I know the burden of your loss must be great, but please know this, Danny is a true hero.
No one has expressed my feelings or those of your fellow Americans as eloquently as Abraham Lincoln...
"I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.""
Dawn Borden of Richmond Hill, Ga

"To Danny's Family:
There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this time."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"TO THE ANDERSON FAMILY FROM THE WAHL AFMILY. WE UNDERSTAND THE LOST TO DANNY. WE LOST OUR SON LAST MAY 2004. AN OUR HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH DANNY AND YOUR FAMILY. SO THANKFUL THAT DANNY SERVED ALONG SIDE OUR SON. ALTHOUGH, BOTH DIDN'T KNOW ONE ANOTHER. BOTH ARE BROTHERS AS SOLDIERS. TO ALWAYS WATCH OVER ONE ANOTHER. DANNY HAS TOUCHED MANY MANY HEARTS. AMONG FAMILY, HIS MILITARY FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBOR'S, YOUR COMMUNITY AND THOSE IN IRAQ. DANNY IS MORE THEN A SOLDIER AND A HERO! HE IS THE ELITE OF ALL AMERICANS. AN MY HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH HIM. GOD BLESS!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

""To Danny'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 prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your hero's bravery and sacrifice as we mourn the loss of yet another of Texas' sons.

Sincerely,

Gloria Caldas
Proud Mother of Fallen Hero
Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas
"The Big Ern"
82nd Airborne, KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
San Antonio, Texas
gcaldas48@aol.com"

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

"Danny was a very important person to me and my husband. He was always great to have around because he always had a smile on his face. He served with my husband here at Fort Stewart.
Danny thank you for being such a great friend to Matt and me, you have touched our family in a way that you will never know. God bless you and we miss you dearly
Matt & Tammy Davis"
Matt and Tammy Davis of Fort Stewart Ga

"Thank you Danny Anderson, 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 Pfc. Danny Anderson:
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 Danny 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 Pfc. Danny Anderson:
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 Danny, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia