Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"20 years later I still think of Andy and others who lost their lives in Iraq. Andy was with me in 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, B Co 2-87 Infantry. He was a dedicated man and loved the challenges that the Army brought him and he truly enjoyed being in service. We had some good times in the barracks, in training, and during R&R in Sinai. It was a pleasure to know Andy Brown and he was truly a good man. I left the unit for Germany and then he left the 10th mountain for Fort Polk. We both ended up in Iraq around the same time but I never got a chance to see him while he was in country. I was shocked to learn of his death back then and think of him to this day. It was a pleasure to have Andy in my life even for such a short time. Thank you Sgt Andy Brown for the memories and for your service and sacrifice."
Keyes of FL

"Thinking about you Brother"
SFC (Retired) Robert Blair of Puyallup, WA

"I never knew him but I know his mother and I thank him for all the fighting in Afgan he did and I am so sorry for your lose Mrs.Brown"
Brian C of Browndale, Pennsylvania

"Sgt Brown wasn't just a team leader to me. He was the big brother I never had. From day one at Ft Polk, he always did his best to show me the right path and guide me to be not just a better soldier but a better person. He was a friend when I needed one and a kick in the rear when i needed it too. I never will forget the day we were hit. It has changed my life forever. Andy has been a major influence in my life and I thank him for that. He will never be forgotten."
Robert Ledbetter of Forest City, NC

"i didnt know him but im proud to go to the same school he did and i thank him."
stephanie of forest city

"I am very sorry to hear about your child’s death through the website Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. We would like to invite you to join us at noon on this Saturday, May 17 at the Homewood Cemetery located in Squirrel Hill (1599 S. Dallas Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 – phone for directions 412.421.1822) to honor the fifth anniversary of the death of Gary G's (former WEDO disc jockey) daughter, Cathy, who died in a fire. Upon Cathy's death, Gary started Cathy G Charities to carry on her work with the local homeless (on streets and in shelters), Veterans Administration, anyone who has a need etc. I do pro-bono work as the charities Public Relations Representative.

Since Gary is a disabled veteran, he especially wanted to invite the relative/friends of fallen heroes to our memorial. We have invited others who lost their sons and daughters and Gary will be stocking the beautiful cemetery pond with 900 goldfish and releasing doves after reading the names of the sons and daughters who have passed on.

Thank you for your interest. You can reach me immediately by phone at 412.673.9443 or Gary at 412.583.8560 or 412.373.5687. Please let us know if you can attend and the name of your loved one. Also please inform us if you cannot attend, but want your son or daughter’s name mentioned at our ceremony."
Janet Fabyankovic of Monroeville, PA, USA

"May 4, 2008
To the family of Sgt. Andrew W. Brown:
Andrew 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

"I just wanted to say i am sorry for the death of Andrew W. Brown i cant express my feelings in this letter but its the best i can do."
Derrick brown of sarasota, fl /United States

"Dear Lourdes, my wonderful friend. I think of you daily, but especially today, my heart aches for you and yours; and for Jason and all of Andy's brothers and sisters who cared for him and miss him everyday. We all honor Andy by keeping him in our hearts, but none more than you, Bill, and Kevin...your grace and dignity in the way you live your lives and the caring way that you have contributed to help and support all of the soldiers, especially the Wounded Soldiers, keep Andy's memory alive for all who knew him and those who were not fortunate enough to know him personally. God watch over you and yours, and all of our sons and daughters. Much love, Karen."
Karen of San Antonio, TX

"To the Brown family:

My husband served with your son in Iraq. I've heard many great things about him. My husband is in Iraq again (May 2007), but he's not in the military this time. I wanted to let you know that I still have a Geronimo magnet on my truck honoring your son. Gone, but not forgotten. "All The Way""
Ivy Jordan (SSG Shane Jordan) of Waveland, MS

"Andrew,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, loved ones and your fellow soldiers, I wish to extend my my deepest sympathy. I saw the documentary on CNN about the CSH in Baghdad and how they tried to save you. Your buddies stayed by your side the whole time until you passed away.

"All The Way!"(509th Inf. Motto)"

"I arrived at Camp Victory on 26 Sept 2004. Several days later my Civil Affairs Team was attached to the 2-14, 10 MTN. I was on my way to the 2-14 TOC for my first day of work with the 2-14 and as I cam around the corner there were chairs being set up and a podium and some flags were out. I asked one of the soldiers what was going on and he said they were having a memorial service for SGT Brown. I asked who SGT Brown was with and he said the 2-14. That was my welcome to Iraq. I attended SGT Browns memorial and I promised myself I would never forget his name. I saw the CNN special "Wounded Warriors" lastnight and there was a piece on SGT Brown. It brought back some solemn memories of my first memorial service in Iraq. I never had the opportunity to meet SGT Brown before he passed. God Bless his parents. He was just a kid."
MSG Chuck Travers of Newbury Park, CA

"Dear all--
I saw Andrew's segment on CNN and my heart breaks for you. I, too, know the heartbreak of losing a loved one in this war. My son, PFC Caleb Lufkin died from injuries sustained in Iraq on May 4, 2006. He made it to the states but died 3 weeks later in surgery. He has also been featured many times on CNN entitled "don't let me die". Your son/loved one reminded me a lot of Caleb. I know there is nothing that anyone can say to ease the pain except for time and that only dulls it a little. I want you to know that your son is in my heart as well as the nation's. I know that Andrew, Caleb and the other brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives for us, are watching over us now. I truly believe that. May peace be with you. If you would ever need a shoulder from one who knows, my email address is: mdgorsline@yahoo.com
Sincerely"
Marcy Gorsline of Knoxville, Illinois

"To the family of:Andrew W. Brown I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully, we will 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, Gateway Community Church, 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ,"
Polly Ballew of Covington,Ga

"To the family of Sgt Andrew Brown. I had the honer of knowing and serving with your son and with Sgt Swank in Iraq. Something I will never forget is Andy's cheerfulness. He was right there to lighten the mood during stressful times and whenever anyone needed support for any reason he was the first to help. The last time I spoke to him was right before we got in the trucks for that last patrol, I said "Damn your a stud." he cracked a smile and said "Sure am." In the loss of your son you gain hundreds more because Andy was a brother to every man that had the pleasure of serving with him. There is a peace of him in all of us, and he well never be forgotten."
Alan Clark Aco 1-509th 02-05 of Rochester, N.Y.

"When I last saw Andy, he was SPC Brown and I was SPC Lyon. I served with Andy as a member of B Co, 2/87 IN. Just by talking to him for a few minutes, (and by reading all of these messages, it is clear that I am not alone in seeing this in Andy...)it was obvious that he was different than your average man. I count myself lucky to have known him and will be forever regretful that we lost touch after I left the 10th Mountain Division. The world needs more people like Andy Brown."
SGT Virgil Lyon of HSC, 13th PSYOP BN, Minnesota, USA

"on this great day men like andrew will be remembered for all time and great men just like him fight and give alll for this great nation and i will always remeber him for all time. eric flores rc_flrs99@yahoo.com"
ERIC FLOERS of california

"On this Memorial Day weekend let us not forget all of our Fallen Heroes especially Andrew, who payed the ultimate sacrafice for all of us.
May he rest in peace and the perpetual light shine upon him.
God bless all of his family."
Pelick/Kernoschak Family of Forest City, PA

"andy brown faced some of the most wicked men to ever walk this earth and thow he fell in battle his life we are just beginig to read about but those who knew andy can tell all about his enduring life.... his legacey is that of all those who have died in the battle feild of iraq defending the innocents from the wicked men who hide in the shaddows of iraq...i can only imagin he was lifted on the wings of an angel and flown to the halls of heven. he died helping break satans chains on the middle east.. he fell in the couse of lifting the lamp of liberty to all land in the middle east.. god bless all who knew andy and he will be rememberd in histoy for ever and ever more..."
eric flores__justin99_314@hotmail.com of california,

"I saw the special on CNN yesterday. Andy was a great person. When I was in high school sitting in study hall with Andy I knew there was something about him that made him great. He was so brave to do what he did for our country. I can only hope I can be as brave as he was. We will all miss you Andy but no one will ever forget you."
JJ Scavone of Vandling , PA

"I watched a program on 2/3/05 of wounded soldiers and I seen the story of Andrew and his brothers. My heart and prayers go out to his family in your time of healing,I know he will never be forgotten, and I pray that God will touch those Soldiers that stood by his side the whole time he was in the hosiptal. You are all heros. God Bless you all and Thank You for your dedication to our country. Love in Christ."
Betty of Chesapeake, Va

"To Andrew Brown's Parents:

Tonight, 1/27/05, I saw you on CNN's news program concerning American soldiers injured and killed in Iraq. Words cannot express my grief. My heart goes out to you. May God sustain you the balance of your life. I will forever remember your faces and the loss you have endured.

Andrew served America and died in the service of what his country asked of him. I am however exceedingly angry that our country has once again sent our childen to die in a war that little concerns America. May God provide you strength and faith to endure and may God look with compassion and forgiveness on us as a nation."
Brad R. Janzen of Minnetonka, MN

""Gone but never forgotten!" Andy paid a great sacrifice for all of us and for that we will be forever thankful! This type of thing should never happen to anyone and its devastating when it does my heart breaks just thinking about this and seeing the family. My heart goes out to the Brown and O'neill family and there is not a day that goes by that they are not thought of. They are always in my prayers and will never be forgotten! Andy is my American Hero thank you for the large sacrafice you gave for your country!"
Amanda Terry (Family Friend) of Pleasant Mount., PA

"Andrew..Thank you for all that you have done. We love you and miss you... & think about you everyday. We will never forget the sacrifice that you made. All of my prayers go out to the Brown Family. <3 <3
God bless America, and all of those who gave their lives in the service of their country."
Katie Payne of Uniondale* PA

"Andy touched us all. I have many memories that prove the fact that Andy will never truely die...but live on in our hearts. God Bless you Andy, you were, and still are a loyal friend."
Sam Bianco (friend) of Pleasant Mount, PA

"To the parents, family and friends of SGT. Andrew Brown-

We both remember him and your family in prayer nightly. Losing a Geronimo was tough for the unit, as losing a son and friend was tough for you. All of the soldiers are brothers, and my husband was especially touched by your loss. Issac served with SGT Brown in Iraq, and was in the convoy securing the perimeter after the accident. He and I both prayed every night for him when he was in the hospital and then for you when the Lord took him. May you be comforted now by God's healing grace and with the knowledge that he is safe for eternity with our Lord and Savior. We continue to grieve for your precious son. I cannot express my sympathy in words. He made the biggest sacrifice he could make for our country. We honor and remember him. We always will."
PFC Issac and Erin Barnhart of 1/509th ABN-INF Fort Polk, LA

""To the Parents, family and friends of Andrew Brown,
We can only but pray that we will have the pleasure of meeting such a wonderful soldier as Andrew in that golden city. Andrew, along with our son Justin Scott, paid the ultimate price for our freedom here in the United States. Memorial Day & Veterans Day will have an even more powerful meaning to those of us who have lost loved ones.
Andrew and Justin, along with many other soldiers, are now soldiers of a HIGHER COMMANDER. They are now waiting for us to get ourselves right so that someday we’ll be together again. Than shall we know how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
All our love and prayers to the family and friends of this wonderful brave soldiers, YOUR SON, OUR SOLDIER. Please write us at blscott@fuse.net.

God Bless you and may God give you the strength to carry this heartache and the comfort to know that no matter what he is at peace with GOD.....
With all our love and sympathy,"
Wm. & Lisa Scott of Bellevue, Ky U.S.A

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

"To Andrew'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 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@banksterling.com"

"Its hard to imagine a life without Andy. However, its harder to think of who I would be had I never known him. I always looked up to Andy, he set the bar high, and growing up I strived to be who he was. The things I have learned from Andy, directly and indirectly, have molded me into the person I am today. I thank God for blessing me with a cousin like Andrew Brown. In my eyes, his accomplishments go beyond medals, and instead are to be found in how in 22 years, he touched all of our lives. I will carry the memory of his Life in my heart forever. I will always miss, but never forget Andrew Brown."
Joseph R. Moore of Ewing, NJ

"I am Andy Brown's Cousin. As we were growing up Andy was always the dad when we played house, So he could protect us from the bad guys. So in his passing he was still trying. Andy was like my brother, I will miss him terrible. But we will see each other again one day. I love you with all my heart Andy."
Kristen Brown (Andys Cousin) of Pleasant Mount, PA

"Andy made the supreme sacrifice for his country,and I am forever greatful. He is a true hero. My heart goes out to his family and all that were close to him."
of Scranton,Pa

"Sgt. Andrew Brown was a true American Hero to his family and community. He came from a small town in Penna. And grew up always wanting to be a soldier. So his family takes some comfort in knowing he loved what he did. Thank you for all the prayers we have recieved since he was wounded and later when we lost him. His family is broken hearted but will always remember him. He's our American Hero."
Colleen Kelly (Andys aunt) of Pleasant Mount, Penna.

""We are so sorry for your loss. We lost Army Spc.Joshua Justice Henry on 9-20-04. This was the hardest day of our lives. We honor these guys as our Heroes and hope no one else has to go through with what we are all dealing with. Rest in peace Andrew, and thank you for serving your country to the fullest.""
Henry family of Vandergrift , PA

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

"My deepest sympathy, our family has also suffered the loss of a precious life in this battle for freedom. May God bless you and help you through this time. Forever in our hearts a HERO Andrew W. Brown."
Amy & Aaron Monier of Waterford, MI.

"To The Brown Family, I am proud to have had the honor to serve with Andy. As his team leader for over a year, I can say without question he was one of the most reliable, proficient and intellectual soldiers I ever served with. You will hear many stories about Andy's gifts as a soldier and they're all true. I am proud to have known such a fine American. Andy was a patriot and a hero, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten. The world is a little safer place because of Andy, and he and his family will be in our hearts and prayers. B. Co. 2/87 INF"
Larry Herbert of Towanda, Pa

"TO THE FAMILY OF SGT BROWN : I HAD THE PRIVELEDGE OF WORKING WITH YOUR SON . HE WAS A PROFESIONAL IN ALL AREAS .IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE AROUND SUCH A KNOWLEGIBLE INDIVIDUAL WHO TAUGHT AND SHARED INFORMATION WITH JUNIOR AND SENIOR PERSONEL WHILE HE WAS A TEAM LEADER IN 2-87 INF BATTALION."
SSG WALLS A of FT DRUM N.Y.

"Andrew W. Brown - You're a hero in all of our hearts. Thank you for being so brave. To the family- God Bless you through this horrible time. I know it must be so hard but know that your son is a hero. Thank you."
Alicia Bilby of Nevada, Missouri

"To Andrew'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

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