Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Thankful for men like Carlos Diaz who are willing to sacrifice for others. Carlos volunteered to serve his country in combat and on that fateful day, without hesitation made the quick decision to step in front of a suicide bomber threatening his fellow Soldiers: he died saving them. No greater service. Live your lives honoring his sacrifice. And…Never Forget!"
Steve Salazar of San Antonio, TX

"My friend so much respect for you in this memorial day."
CPT RET Feliciano Jose of Aguadilla PR

"17 years later but seems like yesterday. I’ll always miss your smile and positive energy you brought in good or bad times. I miss you my friend and know we will never forget. Our thoughts and prayers are always with your family."
Ed Bankston of Leavenworth Kansas

"I was a contractor serving in Iraq and was given a memorial bracelet pertaining to 1LT/EN CARLOS J DIAZ SANTIAGO 2-69th 23 Aug 05 Baqubah, Iraq from a close friend of his "Over There". After this virus stuff passes away I would like to send it to his family in Puerto Rico, where it belongs. I know it will mean a lot to them."
Will G. of Ft. Hood, Texas

"Carlitos mas que un amigo siempre fuistes mi hermanito del alma. Siempre recuerdo de lo mucho que nos divertimos alla en el barrio quebradas de yauco nos criamos juntos siempre fuistes un ejemplo para tus hermanos y un orgullo para tus padres. Siempre te voy a recordar mi hermanito Dios te bendiga donde quiera que estes de todo corazon. Algun dia nos volveremos a ver. De parte de tu mejor amigo desde la infancia... Joel Rivera(Joy). Dios te guarde mi hermano"
Joel Rivera (Joy) of orlando fl

"Saludos a la familia y amigos de este gran ser humano Carlos Diaz, no hay palabras para describir adecuadamente a Diaz, siempre estubo hay para aconsejarme,ayudarme y ponerme a hacer push ups jejeje tempranito en la mañana, mi primer arnes de rapel me lo enseño a hacer el y muchas otras cosas como ser humano que aun llevo en mi memoria y mi corazón junto a su recuerdo. Gracias Carlitos por tu amistad y cariño asta siempre. HOOAH!"
SSgt. E.Albino of P.R

"I will never forget 1LT Diaz; he was my battle buddy in EOBC for 17 weeks. Each day we sat in class he brought so much laughter to me and our classmates. He was one of the most generous people I had ever meet. I was in shock and deeply sadden when 1LT Derrick Sutton (classmate) emailed to tell me about his death. Carlos was the type of person who always put others before himself and for that I was eternally blessed to have known him. I am deeply sorry for the lose to his wife, family and U.S. Army."
CPT Selina Riedel of Ft. Belvoir, VA

"i hav u tattoed on my arm in ur memory my friend..u are a good mentor and brother. in heaven well meet again...n fight together in a different war..to ur family i share my warm condolences...n u need to reach me 706-405-9899."
james deiwert ret. sgt of columbus,ga

"my dad said he was one of his best friends.i hope ill meet him in heaven someday!"
daughter of james deiwert of georgia

"LT Diaz taught me some of the most important lessons I've learned about being an officer...when I was still just a young PFC. His example continues to inspire me to be a better leader. His memory lives on with those he led."
2LT DeAnna Comstock of Eglin AFB, FL

"”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,550 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at Projectcompassion@manti.com or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna"
Kenna - Project Compassion of Manti, Utah USA

"LT Diaz, you are not forgotten."
MAJ Loyd Beal III of Texas

"A mi primo Carlitos:
Dios te bendiga donde quiera que estes te extrañamos mucho mami y yo.Te recordaremos por siempre por lo bueno que fuistes con nosotros y mama Bertha.
Estaremos siempre muy orgullosos de ti.
Se que alla en el cielo debes estar a cargo de un gran batallón de angeles y que tambien todos ellos están muy agradecidos y orgullosos de ti.No te digo adios sino hasta luego porque sé que tu nos estás esperando.Gracias a todas sus amistades por expresarse tan bonito de él sabemos que se ganó muchos corazones, estos mensajes lo dicen todo. TE AMAREMOS POR SIEMPRE CARLI TU PRIMO PINOCCHIO."
JOMMY Y TITI MARY of YAUCO, P.R.

"I really just want everybody to know what kind of soldier Lt Diaz was. It was August 21st and it was your same ol same ol everyday. I was walking down the hall when I ran into Lt. Diaz. He took one look at me and said Hey Happy Birthday Renteria....I thought to myself for a second and realized that it was my birthday but I was so bizzy with IRAQ and everything that comes with it I had forgotten it was my birthday. I was one of close to thirty soldiers he was in charge of and he was one of the best I've ever been able to serve by. GREAT friend.... Better Leader!!! Two days later he fell to the hands of a suicide bomber. That piece of * took one of my best friends!!!!"
Refugio Renteria of Knoxville, TN

"July 1, 2008
To the family of Carlos J. Diaz:
Carlos 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

"To the family of 1LT Diaz,
I served with Lt Diaz and he was a great leader, and a wonderful man. He will never be forgotten and always was a professional in garrison and in combat. Best wishes to the family and friends that he left behind."
Spc Johnson, Dontae of Charlotte, NC/USA

"To the family of:Carlos J. Diaz 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"

"Carli,
I am very proud of you. You were an excellent example of an officer. Mi hermanito thank you for gave me the opportunity to be your friend and for help me a lot when we were in ROTC. I learn a lot from you. I feel like is lost my own blood. I will always remember your good sense of humor and your dedication to the Army. I hope the Army has more officers like you. God Bless you My friend. AUSA and CI Ranger friend!!!"
Victor R. Figueroa of Yauco, Puerto Rico

"Authored by: kokydelta on Tuesday, August 30 2005 @ 01:51 PM EST
LT. Diaz

My friend, my brother, It's so hard to believe that your are gone it feels like yesterday when I met you signing up for the ROTC. I remember you being so proud, and i knew that the army would be your home. I also met your wife then and we al had good times. I still remember when we went to your house and went rappelling from the bridge. I cant put into words how this feels buddy, But I feel safer now Knowing that heaven"s gates will be guarded by someone like you.It is truly an honor to be able to say that i had the privilege of meeting you, that you had a profound impact in my life, and from one soldier to another all I can say is I'll see you at the change of the guard sir!

Cavalry Trooper

"Always Ready, Scouts Out""
Rafael Torres of Kissimmee Florida

"1LT Diaz's sacrifice on 23 August will never be forgotten. He died with honor, and we are proud to have served with him. My condolences go to his wife and family."
CPT Loyd Beal III of Baquba, Iraq

"LT. Diaz, you were a good man and an outstanding leader. You were the rare officer that had genuine care and concern for your soldiers. To the family of Carlos, you can be proud of your son and rest assured that his sacrifice was not in vain. You will be greatly missed sir....."
SSG Mace

"Carlos:

You and my son are together. May you continue to fight for what you believe. God Bless you and your family>

Jim & Peggy Salie"
Jim & Peggy Salie of Box Springs, Ga

"Carlos,

You were a great officer and friend. We worked side by side in Korea and I'll never forget you. May God bless you and your family. Your memory will live on."
CPT Brian Windau of Fort Hood, TX

"On behalf of the Bayard and Lapage families I send our deepest condolences for the loss of your hero. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all those whose lives he touched in service to his country."
Susan Bayard of Alfred, Maine

"To Carlos' 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 as we mourn the loss of yet another of Puerto Rico's sons. Our boys are truly heroes! !Que el Señor los bendiga!

By His Grace,

Gloria Caldas
Proud Mother of Fallen Hero
Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas
"The Big Ern", 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
San Antonio, Texas
gcaldas48@aol.com"

"To The Diaz Family,
Our Family, Our City, Our Country grieves with you. We are so saddened by your loss. Your Soldier IS OUR HERO! We will never forget him or the others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
S Grogan of Lakeland, TN

"We are deeply sorry for your loss. The Courage, Honor, and Valor that your
Hero showed will always be remembered.
We are grateful for the loyal service and sacrifice that was made and
WE WILL NEVER FORGET.
Our cousin LCPL Michael Smith Jr. gave his life on 4-17-04 fighting for freedom.
Please know that this was not in vain and these American Heros will FOREVER be honored.
God Bless your family and please know that you are not alone.
All of our prayers are with you."
Jennifer and SSGT Larry Mays of Massillon, Ohio

""REST in Peace dear soldier. We are so sorry -
VERY GRATEFUL for your service and willingness to help others find the freedoms we take for granted here.
A Montana family""

"TO THE DIAZ FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. CARLOS THAT YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP SERVING OUR COUNTRY ALONG SIDE OUR SOLDIER'S AND OUR SON. YOU HAVE TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF SO MANY. YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED BY MANY OF FOND MEMORIES YOU SHARED WITH THEM....ESPECIALLY THOSE ALONG SIDE YOU IN IRAQ, THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ AND OUR SON. I REALIZE YOU HAD NOT KNOWN GREGORY. STILL WATCHING OVER ONE ANOTHER AND EACH OTHER'S UNIT'S AS MILITARY BROTHER'S DO! GOD BLESS!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

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

"Thank you Carlos Diaz, 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 1st Lt. Carlos Diaz:
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 Carlos 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 1st Lt. Carlos Diaz:
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 Carlos, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia