Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"To the family of:Leon B. Deraps
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 am sorry that I did not find this sooner. I had the honor of serving with Leon in MCT, Engineer school, Camp Pendleton and later in Iraq. He was one of the best Marines that I have ever known. Calm and cool under pressure, but still with a quick wit that could bring a smile to your face no matter what kind of day you were having. It has been several years now since that night, but the pain is still as though it were yesterday. I still think of him, when I am briefing my troops, talking to my son, or just sitting quietly. To this day the only USMC shirt that I will wear has the words
"In Loving Memory of Lcpl Leon B. Deraps" on the back."
David B. of Okinawa, Japan. Formerly 7th ESB C. Co 2nd PLT.

"Today I watched the movie "TAKING CHANCE" about a young Marine Lance Cpl. that died over in Iraq and I thought about you the whole time. I miss seeing your smiling face and I miss you doing the Boy Scout thing with Alex and Jess. I remember watching you at Camp Hohn etc and goofing around with the other scouts. I just wanted to say that you are my hero and I miss you very much!"
Kerri Jenkins (proud Army mom) of California, Missouri USA

"Nov. 13, 2008
Dear Leon,
Today was your birthday and I thought of you often. I'll never forget when I first saw you after you were born--so cute wearing a little white hat. You grew into such a handsome and noble young man. Your pure, sweet smile is still clear in my memory. Your life and your sacrifice will never be forgotten."
Sara Effner of Santa Fe, NM

"To the Family of Leon,
Having just returned from the Highway dedication on October 18, in Jamestown, I am filled with great sadness as well as great joy. I had never met Leon. I had the honor of meeting Leon's family and getting to know this young Marine by looking through books of photographs and memorabilia that were on a table at the dedication. What a fine person and what a fine Marine he was. His passing was a great loss to this country and to the United States Marine Corps. I will be grateful for his sacrifice and dedication every time I travel that highway. Leon....fair wind and following seas, my brother Marine."
John T. Franchini

"May 30, 2008
To the family of Lance Cpl. Leon B. Deraps:
Leon 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

"Dear Family of Leon Deraps:

To honor the Missouri soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afganistan and their families, the professional portrait artists of the "Grateful Hearts project" are offering to paint a protrait of the individual soldier for his family.

The 16"x20" original portraits are being offered completely free of charge in recognition of the sacrificies made by these brave soldiers and in condolence for their families loss.

For more information, please email us as gratefulheartsproj@sbcglobal.net

Sincerely;
The Artists of Grateful hearts"
J.Gragg of Lee's Summit, mo

"Leon thank you serving our country. I will NEVER forget. I sat behind your family at the Blues game the other night, it was your birthday. Your family will constantly be in my thoughts and prayers."
Rebecca (Eisenhauer) Anderson of Pinckneyville, IL

"leone-
I am so sorry that we couldnt do anything more for you that night but you have been with us in our hearts this whole time. I truely take comfort in knowing that you are where you should be with god watching down on us from above, sincerely doc"
timothy donovan of california, pendleton

"Leon,
I just learned that you are with the angels. Thank you for all you have done for our country. May God put his loving arms around your wonderful family and comfort them."
M.Pauly of Columbia MO/USA

"Leon, Thank you for your true example of Christianity. Thank you for reminding us that God calls us to a life of service for those who are in need. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice so that we can continue to live a free life. The deep faith that you family has, is an inspiration to us. We will continue to pray for them and for all families that have experienced a loss for our country."
Angel Embry of California, MO

"Hi, I am Leon Deraps's sister. Leon was such a wonderful brother and friend. He will be missed so much. He was so brave and so strong..... I have so many good memories of you Leon and they will never be forgotten. We will see you again in Heaven. I thank God that you were choosen to be my little brother. I love you and everyday I think of you. I miss you more and more each day. Until we meet again, love you brother, Regina"
Regina Baepler of Thedford, NE

"Thank you for making freedom possible for us to enjoy every day. The world is a better place because of your sacrifice. We appreciate the Deraps family, especially Regina, and we will pray for you all daily."
Jason and Sadie Trimble of Maxwell, NE

"Leon, I miss you and love you! There are no words to express my gratitude to you for your sacrifice. I feel blessed by God to have known you while you were here. You were such an awesome person and are such a beautiful soul; never to be forgotten. I hold my memories of you close to my heart.
To the Deraps family, I am sending my love and prayers."
Jill of Littleton, CO

"Leon, you will never be forgotten...I love you brother! I could not be more proud to call you my brother. I miss you more every day...our time together was short but full of love and laughter. I will always keep you close to my heart I love you, your sis, Om Semper Fi"
Omie Johnson of Jamestown, MO

"To the Family of Leon,
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Leon. Words cannot even begin to express how heavy our hearts are for you. I had the honor of growing up with Cedar and Regina and looking up to Dawn and Omie. I see every one of you when I look at Leon's picture. What an amazing young man. We will never forget him and the sacrifice he made for our country...for us. May God bring you peace and comfort during this trying time. You are in our thoughts and prayers always.
We love you,
Adam, Kristen and Alex Barnes"
Kristen (Clay) Barnes of Atlanta, GA

"Leon, a brave American and an excellent young man, willing to go the extra mile at any time for what he belived in, for that I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you have done for us. I know that you are with God now and that you have achieved the victory that we all as christians desire to reach. So untill we are called home its not good-bye but so long for now and we will see you in heaven when our number is called. Fallen but never forgotten; God bless the entire Deraps family, may you allways trust in the lord, hold your heads high, and look at our flag with pride. "MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS""
Doug Harris of Jamestown, Missouri

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

"Thank you Leon Deraps, 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 Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps:
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 Leon 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 Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps:
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 Leon, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia