Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Still Miss U Cas...I Hope to see u 1 day. Love goes out to Stephen's family."
Duke of Gainesville, FL

"Seems like yesterday when you left us in C Co. 1-14 IN. Regardless you are thought of daily, thanks for your dedication and sacrifice. You are not forgotten."
Kim Mendez of Dupont, WA

"You are still and always in my thoughts brother ."
Ssg Michael wiggins of El paso , tx

"Its been 7 years bro. I still think about everyday. I will always miss you. Just wanted to let you know that I am graduating college on May 12. Ill holla at ya later."
David Gordy

"Happy Birthday Stephen!!"
Susan Moncure of long beach, ca

"I love you and miss you Stephen.
mom"
susan

"we love &miss you Stephen."
anonymous. of anonymous.

"Hey brother, its been a while, just thinking about all the crazy times man. from the first day of basic betting people i could beat em at wrestling and you could beat em at boxing. The world truly isnt the same place without you. Till we meet again brother, keep a beer on ice for me in heaven."
Tommy of Rockford, IL

"I never want to forget the sacrifices of so many young men and women. I am so proud it makes me cry. I understand in theory only that war is a part of human nature but so is love and caring. I wish I could take the families pain away but I can't. I am committed to loving ALL people, myself and our environment. I am committed to working on my happiness everyday because so many have died for my freedom to live my life. Thank you is not enough but it is all I have. All my love and respect. ogersteiner@yahoo.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEjz-wAQLSA&feature=PlayList&p=477CB1585D5551F3"
Scott Steiner of Worthington, OH USA

"You were the best that ever lived. My heart and soul. S.A.C"
cousin of lb

"its been over 3 years and i still think of you daily. i will be going back over there by the end of next month to finish what you started"
andrew hughes of ft hood tx

"It seems like forever ago that I saw your face or heard your voice...and yet it still feels like it was yesterday you left us. I can't believe it's been 4 years, you'd be turning 25 on Sunday. I have so much to tell you. Damn, I miss you!! I love you cousin..."
Sarah Moncure of Long Beach, CA

"To the family of:Stephen A Castellano 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"

"May 25, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Stephen A. Castellano:
Stephen 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 Stephen's mother. Thanks to all of you for remembering my son. It's been three years, I miss him."
Susan Moncure of Seal Beach, Ca

"Yo Caz is me your best friend Rojas, we got in so much troble together that i cant imagine been in troble without you. "In war we had you, In war we lost you, In war we will revenge you" Ill give you my word R.I.P. ( Till we meet again)"
Sgt Rojas, Moses of Honolulu Hawaii

"Anthony had a thing about him. I think of him everyday. I have never tried to contact his family because I was too scared. I have some things of Stephens' that he had stuffed in my B-Bag and if the family would like them back I will gladly send it to you. I played poker with Stephen almost every damn day and I would always get mad cuz he was so lucky at cards. We used to hustle the cats at the clamtina in kirkuk. Moses Rojas, David, Manny, Cebula, Roach, Ward, me and alot of others spent so much time with him. I often wish I were still reliving my days spent in Iraq with 3rd platoon. I will never fall victim to losing these memories. Its been a honor and a privilege in my life to be friends with and to have served with Anthony. I miss you brother."
Johnathon Mazur of St. Louis, Mo USA

"Whats up C. I was in B Co right across the way from you. I cant wait to see you in heaven brother! How is it up there?? Are there Motorcycles?"
SrA Casey Branham of San Diego, CA

"Hey C, Im back in Mosul man. I can't belive this War is still going on. I talk about you to my guys from time to time and tell them about you and how you always made everybody laugh. It's not the same here without you. I miss you."
Quentin Duke of Mosul, Iraq

"whats good cas?? just comin bye to say whats up and see how u are doin. i am fine now i have a kid. jackson lee. he looks just like me. well i miss u like hell man. talk to u later homey. just wanted to say to his family if yall read this my prayers and thoughts are with you guys all the time. he was a really great man."
David Gordy

"to the fam.. of castellano just wanted to drop in and say hi and to let you know "C" is still in my thoughts and you are in my prayers."
SGT MICHAEL P WIGGINS of HAWAII

"Para la Familia Castellano.. Im truly sorry bout the loss of Stephen.. I am. Last week I went to New York City, for the Funeral of my Best Friend "Jonathan D. Cadavero", who was a ((Sgt. in the Army)). Who also passed away in Iraq. Im still in pain and my heart is still in mourning and yes I still cry and its a Huge pain, but im here to ASSURE YOU that God has a plan for everyone in the world, Jesus Christ is coming soon, and till then We should keep the faith and wait for him. Because in that time we will see our Loved ones AGAIN. He knows best... Im keeping my prayers to Stephen.. and please keep me and my loved ones the prayer for our Jonny.
God Bless and most important of all, God Bless america!
MY Condolenses go to you and all the Fallen HEROS..
THANK YOU HEROS.. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!"
((USAF,Airman 1st class, Kleber DeGracia of Atlanta, GA, USA.

"Hi, my name is Erika R. Castellano and although Stephen A. Castellano didn't know me; I am also a Castellano and I just wanted to send my condolences to the Castellano Family. Reading all the messages, it sounds like Castellano was a great person. I am proud to have shared a last name with him although we are not related and never met. May he rest in peace. God Bless."
Erika R. CASTELLANO of San Antonio, Texas

"Stephen I remember how funny you were in basic. How SGT Tolbert always yelled at you. I remember all the fun times we had together in Airborne school and all the nights we went into town to Cheeder's to eat and get something to drink with the other guys."
Matt Downs of Winchester Ohio

"It was awesome being your team mate. I miss you bro'"
Gonz mNonz of Houston,TX

"Stephen, I wish I was in long beach to visit you and thank you for fighting this war for all of us in the United States. Happy 4th of July."
sandra of oklahoma

"This is to thank all of you who have written of Stephen and who have known or wish they had known him. He was here for such a short time and those of us who were lucky to be close to him are only now beginning to exit the fog that blocked out the light for them almost 16 months ago. I am just grateful to the Lord and to those who He sent in this time of great pain. I know for sure that no one can understand the feelings of those who have experienced this kind of loss as I am there and do not really know where there is! I want to thank the people of the State of Hawaii for their great understanding and compassion for me and my family when we were there receiving Stephen’s medal. I guess the thing that hurts the most is not getting to see the man that Stephen was to become and loving the family that he wanted to have!"
Richard G. Moncure, Uncle Richard of Long Beach, Ca

"hello, this is SGT WIGGINS from Hawaii say hello to the fam... of "C!" thats what i called him.sorry i didn't get a chance to meet you while you you were here . But stephen deservered the award and i wish i was there to enjoy the moment with the fam... I miss him alot : STILL! i don't it will ever change cause he is my BOY!"
michael p wiggins of schofield barracks , hi

"Steven, you were a great friend. I know I will miss you a lot. I have tried looking for you so many times after we lossed touch a couple of years ago. I finally got in touch with your brother, but unfortunately he doesn't like me very much. I love you very much, and am sorry I did not get to say goodbye. I know I will always remember the times we have shared throughout the years, with Lee and Tony and everyone. Rest in peace, and I will see you later in heaven."
Sandra Huycke of Long Beach, Ca

"yo cas this is gordy. yo i miss u and think about u everyday. i wish i could talk to you just one more time and i would tell you that you have touched my life. you made me realize that i have to make stuff happen for myself and not just wait for stuff to happen. for real i miss you and think of u all the time. i would like to talk to your family and tell them how much you meant to the whole platoon. alright i will see you upstairs one day. until then i will keep you in my heart and on my mind."
david gordy of jonesboro, AR

"Cas here your best friend your boy till death do us part so much love 4 u my man and i know u up there looking down on us your fellow soldier love u and never 4 get u your parnert in crime Rojas."
m. rojas of honolulu Hi

"castellano,you were the best,i still think of the conversation we had the night before you died.you'd always come and find me when you just wanted to talk about your girl,or things back home.you said i'd always make you laugh no matter what the situation was.stephen you were the most ambitious soldier i've ever known,when things would get tough for me,i'd always think of the way castellano would handle it,i still do to this day brother.i'll never go a moment on this earth without thinking of you,you'll never be forgotten cast,never.may you rest in peace and give em hell up there brother,give em hell."
spc.eric d.zwilling of schoefield barracks,hi

"Stephen, I am one of the many who never had the honor of knowing you. I've heard a lot and I know that your life was never easy. I don't know if you ever realized how much you meant to the people around you. The world isn't the same without you. I never even met you, but I still can't believe that your gone. If you can hear all of us from where you are in Heaven remember this: Despite all of the horrors that you saw in this world, there are so many of us who love you and your family, who will pray without ceasing, who would willingly give all they have just to bring back some of the joy that you gave to them. God Bless you and all that you've done."
Charity of Alaska

"It's hard to imagine it's been a year
It seems like just yesterday
You believed you had to take a stand
I hear you've always been that way
Your family has a history
Of honor and tradition
So it comes as no surprise to find
You're the newest addition
Though we never met face to face
I learned of you from others
What they told me struck a nerve
YOU are THE "Band Of Brothers"
If half of what I've been told is true
You're the man I still strive to be
It's tough to imagine you did so much
At such a young age of twenty
So, to you Steve I make this pledge
I will not falter, give up or give in
I'm willing to do whatever it takes
This one we're going to win!
To your family I'd just like to to say
Susan, Tim and Grandma
The terrorists better find a deeper cave
We got a lot more "Shock and Awe"
I REMEMBER!!"
Ron Hughes - Proud parent of a U.S. Army Soldier of Ontario, Ca. U.S.A.

"An old soldier once told me about his experiences in battle. To be short and sweet he said,"To those who weren't there, no words can describe... to those who WERE there, no words are necessary." Stephen, even though we never got to meet face to face, I now think I fully understand exactly what he meant... and the meaning may be more than I can bear! Thank you! God bless you, and all who came before you to answer our country's call! We are better for your having been here! The job you did and the sacrifice you made will never be forgotten! I pray for your family..."
Ron Hughes - Proud parent of a U.S. Army Soldier of Ontario, Ca. U.S.A.

"Castellano, I miss you man. I remember the best of times and the worst of times fighting along side of you in Iraq. We completed the mission that we were working on when you passed away.They voted man they really voted. And we did it in Mosul with you along side the whole way in spirit. You always had an ear open to us all when we needed to vent on how we missed home and I thank you and your family for how you turned out. A great man to all. If any friends or family need to talk I am at neverquit101@hotmail.com

ps I no your still rappin in Heaven"
Quentin Duke of Gainesville FL

"SOLDIER REST!
THY WARFARE IS O'ER
SLEEP THAT SLEEP THAT KNOWS NO WAKING
DREAM OF BATTLE FIELDS NO MORE...
I miss you Stephen"
Athena of Long Beach

"Stephen,
You were a great person that will be missed unbearably ... Our family just learned of your passing but only becasue the child that you loved so much came up to me & handed me one of your old letters that you had wrote to her father from Iraq & that made me search for where you were only to find tragedy. It was like you were there in spirit to let us know what had happened to you... We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being there & looking out for us no matter what... You were a soldier before you even went in to the service, always helping, giving & looking out for people weather you knew them for 2 seconds or 2 years... You loved Nishjah our daughter like she was your own..& looked after Carlmelo like he was your brother... We'll never forget you & what you did for this Country... I know your at peace now, looking over allot of people & know that Carlmelo & Nishjah have an angel looking out for them I feel at peace too... Although Nishjah is only 4 years old now I'll make sure she remembers & knows who her guardian angel is.. Rest in peace Stephen..

Love,
Carlmelo, Erica & Nishjah Garcia"
Carlmelo, Erica & Nishjah Garcia of Garden Grove, California

"Stephen, you were a great person that will be missed unbearably... Our family just learned of you passing but only because the child you loved so much came up to me & handed me one of your old letters that you wrote to her father from Iraq & that made me search for where you were only to find a tardily ...it was like you were there in spirit to let us now what had happened to... We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being there & looking out for us no matter what.... You were a soldier before you even went in the service always helping, giving & looking out for people weather you knew them for 2 seconds or two years.... You loved Nishjah our daughter like she was your own... & looked after Carlmelo like he was your brother... We'll never forget you & what you did for this Country ...I know your at peace now looking over allot of people & know that Carlmelo & Nishjah have an angel looking after them so i feel at peace too.... although Nishjah is only 4 years old now I'll make sure she remembers & knows who her guardian angel is... Rest in peace Stephen..

Love,
Carlmelo, Erica & Nishjah Garcia"
Carlmelo, Erica & Nishjah Garcia of Garden Grove, California

"Stephen A. Castellano...
was a great man that I love very much. He lived life to the fullest and now he is watching us from above. I sit in gradtitude everyday for being able to meet such a special person who cared so deeply for the ones he loved. I love you Stephen. Till we meet again...
Thank you everyone who wrote such wonderful words of inspiration on the website about Stephen he was a very special person."
Carla Miranda of Long Beach, CA/USA

"Cas (Castellano),
You were by far the best friend I have ever had. Through basic training and airborne school to being stationed in Hawaii together you always watched out for me. We promised each other we'd always look after each other, unfortunately I couldn't protect you from Afghanistan. Now that I am home it doesn't feel the same. I saw your mother, Susan, Tim, and your grandmother and let them know your spot as my best man will not be replaced. No one can measure up to that. I love you brother. Keep on eye on your family and on me. JOHN 15:13"
Spc Hughes, Andrew J. of Schofield Brks, Hi

"Hi, my name is Alison and I am a friend of one of Stephen's cousin, Athena. I would just like to express my sympathy to his family as well as thanks to him for serving our country. I know he is greatly missed by lots of people and will be remembered by many as well. God Bless him and his family."
Alison Cohen of Tustin, CA

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Stephen Castellano. I lost my son on January 26, 2005 in Iraq. Those that have laid down their lives are the true heroes. May God bless you and comfort you during this time."
Helen Gilbert of Dayton, Ohio

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

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