Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I knew Beef since he first came to the Deuce as a freshly busted SPC from the Rangers with a hot headed temper. He quickly got his act together & became one of the best NCOs in the battalion. His was a cinderella story for infantrymen everywhere. A true mentor, a great friend, & a hero in ways that many just wouldn't get. He was there for everyone, at all times, & helped me through my own hard times. He taught me how to be a better warrior, a better, soldier, & a better man in general. He taught me the importance of getting back up when you're knocked down & coming up swinging. Both in a fight & in life in general. He was one of my best friends & a true inspiration all those around him. When we lost Beef it was a huge blow to the unit. Everyone looked up to him. He was a mountain of a man & seemed invincible, losing him & Beyer meant we were all vulnerable. Williams was sent home without his spleen. It literally tore the truck apart. How Ramirez simply walked out of half a truck with a sprained ankle & concussion is still amazing to me. I'll never forget cleaning up that mess. We will always remember those that perished & pass on the wisdom of that day. The enemy gave us a new chapter to pass on to JIEDDO with the way they implemented that IED & I like to think what we learned about their cunning that day saved many lives later."
Max Pickard of Wildomar, CA

"I miss you beyond words. I remember when you were a SPC grown into a SSG. In many ways I wish you were here. To your family wish you all the best, his sacrifice will never be forgotten."
SFC Kotel of Tampa, FL

"To Mario's family- In early 2009, I was provided a thumbdrive full of family pictures and identified it as belonging to Mario. I do hope you received it. I just wanted to say I learned a lot about him and his character by the photos and videos he had. He obviously loved his family, especially his daughter, and loved to laugh. While trying to identify it, I was both laughing at his antics and wiping my tears for your loss. I hope you are all doing well. -DeAnn C, US Govt"
DeAnn C of Washington, DC

"Mario, aka Beef, was one of my best friends, my brother in arms, an American Hero that many younger service members would look up to. I miss you so much and forever will be in my heart! One day all the "warriors" will meet again in that big patrol base in the sky! C co 2/502 INF (RLTW)"
SSG Nathan House of Cincinnati Ohio

"To all the fallen brothers of strike love u all n miss u dearly ur names will live on in infamy"
SGT DULLEA of St.Paul Minnesota

"The night I was on QRF in Warrior Base... I will never forget, rushed to the site and before we got there came over the radio 1 KIA 3 urgent. A feeling came over me and I knew it was Beef.. We lost beyer too that night. When we got to beef at the bottom of the road it didnt even look like him tore us up.. We miss you man
1st PLT Liberators C 2-502 Black Hearts!"
SSG Angel MIchael of Shawali Kot Afghanistan

"I was the medic that night that pronounced SSG Mario Bievre KIA moments after the IED hit. The guilt and struggles dealing with your passing continue to affect me to this day. Not only were you known throughout the company, battalion, and brigade, but back in your hometown, I am certain you left a mark. God, how terrible it is to not have you here. One day, like Mcgraw said, I'll face your wife and daughter and let them know how I tried to help you that night. I have no tattoos, but your name and memory will be the first, along with SSG Santiago Halsel, brother. May you rest in peace and know you will never be forgotten.

Former SGT, medic, and friend in HHC and C Co 2-502 INF, 2BCT, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT)"
Chester Dodd of San Antonio, TX

"I knew Mario from his time in Savannah,Ga on HUnter Army Airfield. He had a heart of gold and would do anything to help a friend. He was a very special person and words cannot express what everyone who knew him lost."
Sylvia Blanton of Ft. Bragg,NC

"To SSG. Biever's family and fellow servicemen and women. He will not be forgotten. I am a voulnteer for Operation Carepackage and we just go memorial braclets in and I am honored to being wearing his. Thank you all for your service, family members and servicemen and women alike."
Jennifer Bakalar of Joliet, IL/ USA

"I miss you Mario. Last time I saw you was at UIC. It stunned me a few years back to learn that you passed. Now I work for the VA helping your brothers and sisters who made it back."
Mark D. Register of Jacksonville, FL

"Never forget our "Strike Force" brothers, Big Beef!!! DOC.T"
Eduardo Teran of Seymour,Tn

"I was looking through the listings of those who have fallen in service to our country and when I came across SSG Bievre's name, I was stunned. I went to basic training w/ Mario at Fort Benning, Company B 1/50 2nd Platoon "Commandos." Mario was larger than life. I remember thinking that he had the biggest muscles I'd ever seen. He sat next to me on the bus from MEPS to Fort Benning, as well. I remember this ride all to well because he fell asleep and kept leaning over onto me and I would have to push him back up and against the window. He was a great guy!! I know he is missed."
Patrick Anson, SSG of Fort Jackson, SC - Fort Drum, NY - FLARNG

""We "Strike Force" soldiers of the past, remember those who have come after us and have given the ultimate sacrifice. Specialist Hutchinson is NOT forgotten. We never served together, but you were a fellow Screaming Eagle--a fellow STRIKE FORCE trooper--a brother for eternity. Rest easy 'bro.""
Bruce Howard of Atlanta, GA

"I still remember the first time we met back in Ranger Bat. When I think back on our wild days down in Savannah I cant help but smile. Somehow we ended up together again in the "Deuce", and the fun continued. It was an honor being not just a teamleader under your command, but to be able to call you brother. Knowing you for those seven years was not an honor to me, but a blessing. I am doing everything possible in my power to uphold my end of the promise we made to eachother in Iraq. One day I will be able to face Adrianna and tell her of the man who was a legend in the eyes of many. I talk to Angela still, we have found solice in knowing that we can turn to eachother in a time of need and not be affraid to cry when we need to. It has been going on three years since your death and I am still saddened by it. I wish I could hear your voice one more time telling me that everything will be alright. I miss you more than you know. I hope you are proud of me.

I love you brother!
RLTW"
Joseph McGraw of Bluffton, South Carolina

"I was good friends with his wife but i never met him. Rest in Peace and God Bless all soldiers."
Caroline Derr of Fleming Island, Florida/USA

"Mario was a great friend. He brought joy into a freind life when they were at their lowest.He told me continue to belive in God and everything would be okay. I still remember that. He was and still is an angel. We miss you dearly and we will meet agian. " GREAT FRIEND""
TEXAS of texas

"To the family of:Mario J. Bievre 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"

"SGT. BIEVRE OR KNOWN AFFECTIONATELY AS "BEEF" TO HIS BROTHERS IN ARMS IS GREATELY MISSED AND WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS."
SGT. JOHN BARNES of TAMPA, FLORIDA

"April 23, 2008
To the family of Staff Sgt. Mario J. Bievre:
Mario 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

"SSG Bievre--"Beef" to those who knew him--will be missed. He was a great guy and the word has been lessened by his passing."
T. Pritchett of Wisconsin Dells, WI

"Bievre, I just found out today about what happened. Man, I think back to all of the stuff we went through at the duece. You will truely be missed my friend, my brother."
Steve Tofanelli of Fort Benning, GA

"SSG Bievre, the Blacksheep will always miss you and you will never be forgotten by us. You have changed each and everyone of us in 3rd Platoon. You were the best damn squad leader I have ever had. I miss you and look forward to seeing you on the high ground."
SPC Daniel Bell of C co 2/502 INF Iraq

"Mario,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

"Strike"(502nd Inf. Motto)"

"To the Family of SSG Mario Bievre:
We have constructed a memorial to the service men and women from Wisconsin and Illinois who have died in Iraq. Our memorial includes, as of 8/28/06, 162 crosses and Stars of David. We would like your permission to put Mario's name on one of them. We have called our display "Arlington MidWest." It is our expression of mourning for the indescribable loss you have suffered for our country.

If you would like us to do this, please email me at arlingtonmidwest@yahoo.com.

We invite you to come to visit Arlington MidWest if you can. A friend has put us up on his website so you can see the memorial here:
www.williamgbecker.com/ArlingtonMidwest.html.

"As long as we live, they too will live;
for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.""
Marty Preston of Wisconsin Dells, WI

"I am so sorry for what you are going through. My Son Aj Was In 101st with your son. It will be along time before you wish to talk but I will be here if you do, Love to all."
Fran Johnson of Union. Ohio

"SSG Bievre was my squad leader when we were in Iraq the first time. He was a soldiers soldier. I had nothing but respect for Beef, and I was proud to call him a friend.
"Rangers Lead The Way""
Jerred Horn of Robbinsdale, MN

"MARIO WAS A GREAT SOLDIER AND FREIND. I WAS HIS MEDIC AT FT CAMPBELL FOR 2 YRS. HE ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE THERE TO HELP HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS AND FREINDS. HE WAS A GREAT NCO AND HE TRULY WAS A BROTHER OF ARMS, HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED. MAY GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FREINDS."
SPC BROWN, ROBERT (DOC) of FT HUACHUCA, AZ

"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.
Our nations HERO, Mario will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge / Montana
May we always remember: FREEDOM ISN'T FREE! "

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