Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Salute to Army Pfc. Lionel Ayro. Thank you for your service. Your family surely proud of you. word brain games"
Lucille F. Parham of Los Angeles

"I know you are resting in peace as your 13 anniversary approaches, December 21, 2017. GONE BUT NOT FOGOTTEN, your CUZ"
Wayne of Jeanerette, La.

"My husband served with Lionel and I loved him as a family member! He came to my apartment so much and had supper with me and my family. I will never forget what a kind hearted person he was. He was wonderful with my 4 year old son Korbin! I will never forget him....he was a grace from God!!!!"
Nicole Wheeler of Muscatine, IA Usa

"I trust you are resting in peace as your 11 anniversary approaches, December 21, 2015, GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN"
Wayne of Jeanerette, La. 70544

"I Remember The 1st Time You Played Z-Ro & Me Being From NY...I Was Like WTF Is This. You Said..."Lil Brotha This Is Good Music". Nowadays I Got Em In A Daily Rotation."
Ty Wolfe of Brooklyn Ny/El Paso Tx

"Saw You Standing In My Bedroom Doorway. We Didn't Speak This Time But I Know Uncle Ayro Was Checking In On Lil Brooklynn. LOBE & MISS YOU BRUH."
Ty Wolfe of Brooklyn...New York...

"May you continue to "R.I.P." as your 8th anniversary approaches December 21, 2012"
Wayne of Jeanerette, La.

"Man Ayro...Can't Believe U Been Gone This Long...I Still Remember You Coming To Get Me For Chow That Day & Me Not Wanting To Go...Till This Day I Still Blame Myself For Making You Not Go And I Cry About It Daily...I Miss N Love You So Much Bruh...If Anyone In His Family Sees This Please Get In Touch With Me ASAP...(347)628-9583"
Tyrone Wolfe of Brooklyn, New York

"Hello,
I am SFC David Wilcox, from Vilseck, Germany. I found a picture of Lionel in a box in our motor pool, I am deeply sorry for your loss, if you could email me your address I will mail it to you. God Bless,
SFC David Wilcox
david.wilcox1980@yahoo.com"
David of Vilseck, Germany

"Comming Through Your Page Bruh , I Miss You So Much , Grrr :'( Iesha of Jeanerette , Louisiana

"Sister Comming Stop By , Showing Lovee ! Remember Wee Always Use To Playy Fight , And Everytime I Would Fall Asleep With Momma In The Bed You Would Always Come And Get Mee , Andd I Would Alwayss Cry Then Fall Back Asleep In Your Arms.Damn Brother I Miss Those Dayss , You Will Never Be Forgotton ! Iesha of Jeanerette , Louisiana

"R.I.P., especially on today, your 7th anniversary, December 21, 2011.."
Wayne of Jeanerette, La 70544

"To the family of:Lionel Ayro
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 can still see his face, and the conversation we had walking to the chow hall that day in Dec 2004, rest in peace my friend, you will never be forgotton. To his family you raised such a wonderful and thoughtful man, when I was new to the unit he was the only one to be friends with me, I will never forget what he did, or hew he was, god bless."
Dan of Oreogn

"<3 lubb yuee biqq bruddaa, missingg you"
ieshaa of jeanerette , la

"To the Family and Friends of Lionel Ayro you are missed I will never stop thinking of you, You spoke highly of your mother as well you wanted your brother to do better in school. I have not been able to move forward. Losing you has caused me to lose myself. You and I were an item and together we were one. You were a good person and you treated me with the uptmost respect. I only wish that you were here. I love you and will always love you. It broke my heart to learn that you lost your life. You and I met at the dinning facilty to have lunch all the time. I remember you came to hang out the night before. You stated that you knew it was your time to go. I did not want to hear of it. I cried day and night I will never love another the way I loved you.
davisonclarice@yahoo.com"
clarice davison of Federal way WA

"GOD BLESS YOU FRIEND! You know they say it happens to the best of us. Well, they are right. My heart fell the day I heard bout ya. I still have your b-ball that you gave to korbin and the wrench you gave when I fixed your car. Miss ya, bro!"
gary wheeler/aka pvt. wheeler of muscatine,iowa 52761

"Lionel...Even though it has been over 6 years, you still are in my thoughts. Thank you for sacrificing your life for us all. You are loved and missed...until we meet again..."
Shondranise of Jeanerette, LA/USA

"MAY GOD BLESS YOU. LOVE YOUR COUSIN LILLIE AYRO"
LILLIE AYRO of LAFAYETTE, LA

"To Ayro:
Today makes 5 long years my friend. I know you are there watching over. I remember you each day and live with the pain and sorrow of that horrible day each day of my waking life. I am horribly sorry and ask myself everyday why not me. How did I recieve the same medal you recieved and yet I am here today and you are not? I am sorry my friend. Sorry for you and sorry for Castro. Everyday I look into the mirror and see your dog tag and the others etched in ink on my arm. Everynight I remember that fateful day in my dreams and relive it all over again. R.I.P. my friend. Today is 5 years of sorrow and the rest of my life of tears. You are not forgotten and neither is the other 3 of the 73rd."
Brad of Bush, La

"To the Family of Lionel Ayro:
My name is SGT Bradley Doucet.
I served with your son from Basic Training all the way up until that horrible day. I would like to tell you my story. I have tried to find some type of contact for you, but unfortunately I have failed. I ask you now, to please contact me so that I can personally express my sorrow. I live only a short drive away. Since my recent ETS, I now live on the northshore. My email is yellowjacket215@yahoo.com. Thankyou."
Brad of Bush, La

"Hey wazzamp peoples this is iesha ayro lionel's sister.i was just stopping by to show some lubb to my brother.i hope he rest in peace and may the good lord take care of us.i miss u bro.u will neva be forgotton.LUBB YOOH!"
Iesha(lil esha) of Jeanerette,La

"Hi Lionel,
this is your cousin Rashonda Ayro. My husband is leaving October 4, 2009 to Irac.Stand beside him while he fights the same battle you did.I pray and ask that you watch over him and keep him safe.Love You"
Rashonda Ayro of Fort Worth, Texas/ United States

"JULY 16, 2009

I apologize that there was nothing more I could have done for you that day. We traded places that day. I left the table and you and I past each other on my way out. My medic told you to have the fruit cocktail boxes of juice you smiled. I told you not to listen to him, because he was crazy; we all started laughing. It all happened in five minutes. I made sure that you were taking care of when I came back in there. After I covered you and took you out of the chow hall, I prayed over your body. Today I live with P.T.S.D. There is not a day that goes pass, that I don't think about you. I wish I could have done more for you, I wish I could have traded places with you. You were the first person I attended to. I hope we can meet again in the future."
Tiger 8 Hotel 1/25th 3/2I Inf of University Place Wa

"Ayro I went through basic training with you and I still remember Drill Sergeant Scott telling me that I better beat you across the finish line of the 2 mile run!Back then we were rivals in the run you was for first Platoon, I was for 2nd, and pennington was for 3rd.I didnt see that you died until march of 2005 while reading the stars and stripes and seen ya face along with all the other comrades.I went to the same chow hall you was killed in and it heart me to my heart to see ya name with the 23(forgive me if im wrong) other soildiers and civillians.But I walked by and looked at it with pride, knowin you served with pride.You had a crush on Drill Sergeant Scott and i still found it to be the funniest thing!I miss ya man and i'll never forget ya.I mean ever bro!I know you and raney back up there reconnecting from basic training"
Jarvas Meekins of Philadelphia

"AYRO WAS MY BATTLE BUDDY FROM FT LEWIS ALL THE WAY TO IRAQ. WE WERE BOTH EMAILING ONE ANOTHER, SEEIING WHAT WE WERE GONNA DO FOR R&R. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS GONNA BE MY LAST TIME TALKING WITH HIM. THIS WAS 3 DAYS BEFORE IT HAPPENED, AND I HAD JUS MOVED FROM THAT FOB TOO. IT'S ALMOST 4YRS NOW, AND I AM YET AGAIN IN IRAQ. WHEN I KNEW I WAS COMING BACK I WAS THIKING ABOUT HIM AND CASTRO THE WHOLE TIME AND I CRIED. HE WAS MY MOTIVATION TO COME BACK HOME, AND I HAD TO GO HOME WITH OUT HIM BESIDE ME ON THE PLANE WE FLEW IN ON TOGETHER. HE IS DEFINITELY MISSED MY ME AND I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW GOD PLACED HIM IN MY LIFE, EVEN TODAY. I LOVE YOU AYRO... GOD KNOWS HOW MUCH YOU MEANT TO ME, AND I CAN'T DO THIS TOUR WITH OUT YOUR MOTIVATION, HOMIE!"
SGT PAGE of BAGHDAD, IRAQ

"March 28, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Lionel Ayro:
Lionel 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

"This is your sister iesha I hope you are sleeping in peace with the good lord."
iesha ayro of louisiana

"GOD BLESS YOU LIONEL. Your one of our heros."
Carlos of Jeanerette

"R.I.P Lionel, you know we used to talk all day about 18 wheelers that was your dream and thats all you wanted to pursue. But we havent forgotten about you til this day. I left in 2003 to go to the military and it was sad to hear that we lost you but you will forever be in our hearts. Project Boi we luv ya fam. We'll meet again."
Jeremy of Jeanerette

"As a Servicemember deployed, you deal with the loss of your brothers and sisters at arms everyday. The reality of that did not set in for me until I was notified of Lionel's passing. My condolences goes out to to his mother, Ms. Kathy, and the entire Ayro family."
SGT Beverly (Blackburn) Boston of Ramadi, Iraq (by way of New Iberia, LA)

"March 17 St. Patty's Day, I chose your name on a placard for a vigil today in Eureka Ca. I was joined by hundreds of people who had a quiet vigil for the fallen soldiers of this wasteful war. If any of Lionel's family read this please know that your son did not die in vain I will honour his memory in the days that follow with quiet respect, this war goes beyond politics to the core of who we are as people, you his family will be in my prayers and meditations.

Be well and loved, show compassion

Ed and Lois Card Cordova"
Ed Cordova of Eureka Ca.

"I was one of Lionel's high school math teachers and I would just like to share a poem that Lionel wrote as part of a project that he completed in rememberance of September 11th. I will never forget Lionel he was a hard worker and a very generous person. He always did what he could to help other people.

The World Trade Centers



The W.T.C. was two towers that once stood tall
Until crooked hijackers stole airplanes to make them fall
On September 11 was a tragic day
Because the crash took family and friends away
I sit to myself and ask the Lord why
Did the terrorists have to take away innocent lives
I know that we all have to go
But not this fast, let it be very slow.
It was the worst tragedy that happened in years
And had every living thing on earth in tears
The thing that wasn’t really cool
Is that they took little one’s lives that visited from school
I hope they know that they caused a war
Because they then pushed it way too far.
What would make terrorists want to hate
I blame the people that let them in the United States
They didn’t only strike once but four times.
They struck the W.T.C.’s, a field, and the Pentagon too
What is it next that the terrorists plan to do?
We’ll never forget this until we’re dead and gone,
And to the lives that was lost, to them I mourn
We’re all Americans that will always stand tall
And there’s no terrorists that will make us fall

By: Lionel Ayro"
David N. Broussard Jr. of New Iberia, LA

"Being a Hero is the most brave thing on earth, this has PFC. Lionel Ayro has accomplish, Be remembered and may your brave soul rest in peace Amen"
Prosper C.S. Njoku of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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

"I, too, have family in Iraq. My boyfriend and my 3 best friends were in the chow hall with Ayro that afternoon. Also apart of the 73rd. I know your agony and I know the pain you are feeling. We pray every night to your son and for your son. Because of your son the rest of his company, the ones who loved him as a part of there family and a well loved friend, will be safe. You son is now all of our guaridan angels and we cannot thank him enough for his sacrfice and his honor. He was an awesome man and a true friend to all how knew him! RIP Ayro."
Jenni and Ben of Ft Lewis, Wa

"i would like to say that being in the armed forces is a very hard job. as for myself, also from jeanerette, la, and my fiance out there in iraq, i have no choice but to wonder what tomorrow will bring. all you can do is pray and hold on to god's hands. one day this will all be over and all our loved ones will be where they should be!!! take care and stay strong and god and lionel is watching over all of us!!!"
A1C JACK of WICHITA KANSAS

"TO the family of PFC Lionel Ayro i was a friend of Lionel as well as the family there are no words to describe what you all must be going through right now to his mother Kathy family and friends my prayers are with you now,forever and always"
Linda Batiste of Jeanerette,La

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

"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 family of PFC Lionel Ayro. My name is SFC Rivera. I was PFC Ayro's DRILL SERGEANT. In my three years as a Drill Sergeant and approximately 2,000 soldiers I trained, I have to say that PFC Ayro's was by far the most motivated and team player soldier I ever had. My condolences to the entire family. For those that never met him, this man was a true hero and a great human being."
SFC Rivera of Fort Hood, Texas

"To the family of Lionel Ayro: there is no more cowardly soldier than a suicide bomber and none braver than those who stand defiantly in their path. On Christmas Day, I cannot appreciate your loss, but I know it must be great. I celebrate this holiday with my 17 year-old daughter safe and sound, but not without guilt for the sacrifice others have made to protect my family. God Bless Lionel and may the appreciation and love of strangers help, in some small way, with the grief of your loss."
Walter of Yonkers, NY, USA

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