Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Remembering Brian this Memorial Day. He made the few weeks I knew him in Iraq a little lighter. His loss is felt still by each life he touched. Rest easy, Marine."
Peter Balfe, Retired Army of Pittsburgh PA

"Just have you on my mind lately."
Nikki of KY

"You're always in my thoughts and prayers. Miss you Brian."
Tiffani Czapinski of Carlsbad, Ca

"You are thought of...as my friend and as a patriot. As I retire from the military today, I reflect on the times we had. See you in the future brother."
Phillip

"5/30/2016
Sgt. Brian E Dunlap
I had the honor to serve with you in 2/2 Echo Co. back in the late 90's. I remember how dedicated you were to your job. I think about you every single Memorial Day. Thank You for your service. Thank You for your dedication, and Thank You for your friendship. You helped to straighten me out when I first got to the fleet. I cannot Thank You enough for what you did for this country. I will always remember you until the day that I leave this earth. You are the definition of what it means to be a HERO. Semper Fi Brother. See You in Heaven."
Andrew Cox of Mosley VA

"May You be blessed today and all through the memorial day holiday as you reflect towards your loved one's memories and what he stood for. JESUS loves you. Be blessed. Matthew USMC"
Matthew of CORONA,CA

"I miss him. I served with him at marine barracks Japan and we both transferred to 2 2 golf. I remember the good times, him drinking coffee at the bar and I laughed at him when he passed a kidney stone although he didn't think it was funny."
Cody mock of Dequincy, Louisiana

"Sgt dunlap.
Just swinging by to let you and your family know you are not forgotten . I knew you as a fellow marine back in the late 90s, and even though I was in a different section you always took the time to mentor me or help me when I needed it. A true selfless human being. This world was far better when you were here. See you on the other side friend. Thanks for everything"
Mike of Boston, ma

"Brian,
time pass so fast but memories remain steadfast. You are still in our hearts and thoughts and will never be forgotten. I am always reminded of Sept 23rd when I found you appropriating my sandbags I had just had my jindies fill-up and you smiled and said "I'll get them back real soon promise Top."
Well I will expect them when we met again Marine.
Semper Fi
MSgt David Long (Ret)"
David Long of Mountain Grove, MO.

"I salute Sgt Dunlap and the ultimate sacrifice that he made for America, for his family, his friends, and for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was, indeed, a brave, selfless person as both a professional firefighter and Marine. As his former JROTC instructor, I am so greatful and proud of Brian's dedication and contribution to our country.

Thanks, Brian.

God Bless you in Heaven.


Respectfully,


Earl Farney, Colonel, USAF (Ret)"
of Lake-of-the Ozarks, Missouri

"The Brian I knew wasn't the marine but the man who made a huge impact on my family with his kind heart, and incredible selflessness. The way he will stay in my mind and heart is the guy who made every family get together a little bit brighter! It was an honor to share a part of his life and he will always be in my heart!"
shannon white (nutting) of descanso ca

"See you when we get there. Semper Fi."
Raul Corrales of Tucson, AZ

"How can it be such a great friend be taken so quickly? Brian and I served together in Yokosuka, Japan. We were on the silent drill team there and toured the entire pacific together! . We were then reunited in Lejeune. Brian and I along with some other good friends had many great adventures together and I will never forget his fun and passionate ways!! Brian you were taken way too soon by a weak COWARDLY enemy!
I would give anything to share another smoke with you brother and will always cherish our unique experiences we shared in Korea and Australia!!
Brian you will be deeply missed by all who knew you! To his family, I want to send you my deepest most heartfelt sympathy for the loss of this great man! I know that anyone who had the privalidge of meeting Brian will never forget him!

I know I wont!! Love you man!!!!!!!!!!

God speed and SEMPER FI MARINE!"
Bobby Haley of Benton, Iowa

"Seargeant Brian E. Dunlap. You will never be forgotton my long lost friend. I shall see you in Heaven someday and thank you for your service. Love, Chris Hall and Family"
Chris Hall of Sacramento, CA.

"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

"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

"Veterans Day 2009. Your still in my thoughts. Thank you."
Ben of South Bend, IN

"I remember a discussion I had with Sgt Dunlap a couple of months prior to his departure for Iraq. We were having a fairly in depth discussion on history and politics (two subjects he was very passionate about). He told me that he volunteered to go to Iraq and to help the Iraqi people, because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to help start/create a democracy. He specifically mentioned to me that if he was killed in action, his life was worth the opportunity for democracy.

That statement, that train of thought, that selflessness struck me then as it does every time I think about Sgt Dunlap. He is the one Marine all of my kids will hear me talk about throughout their lives. There are not enough Sgt Dunlaps in this world; individuals willing to give up their life to make a society better in the future.

To take that a step further, the fact that he was going to help a foreign society/culture never impacted his decision. Many Americans only care about Americans, Sgt Dunlap cared about those less fortunate. He felt it was his responsibility to fight and try to improve the Iraqi people's lives.

He wasn't part of the Greatest Generation, rather, he was the Greatest of his generation.

Semper Fidelis."

"Even though I have not known you, or seen you... Let alone speak to you, I am very well a complete stranger to your family and you. Even with this, I still have the consideration of seeing you as not only my brother, but my father, my uncle... We are all family here, all service members... Every American, everyone. It is with this that I say, I forever honor you, and those who have fallen from tyranny, no matter the branch... OORAH brother for you are never forgotten. Have no fear in the valley of the shadow of death, and defend the path to rightiousness."
William Alexander Robbie of AL/USofA

"Look at all the lives you touched! I miss you, my friend."
Ann Gregonis of Roseville, CA

"I still think of you often Brian. One of my favorite memories of living in Vista is the day you were yelling at the lady a few doors down because she was feeding the stray cats cans of tuna in front of your car. You were so mad because of the paw prints all over the Mustang. The best part is that you were yelling at her in only your PT shorts. You were more than a next door neighbor, you were my friend. I miss you."
Beth Labonville Kipp of Miami, FL

"I never knew him, but in a way I do. I too am a Sgt Dunlap, and I know that my line comes from Scotland. Our family crest states Merito, or with merit, and Im sure he lived his life with merit as most Dunlaps I know have. God speed."
SSgt Dunlap, USAF of San Antonio, tx

"Didn't know Sgt. Dunlap personally, but flew in the same helicopter from TQ. Didn't know Sgt. Dunlap personally, but flew in the same helicopter from TQ. That flight will always be with me flying with a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for any reason but his own. Semper Fi Brother"
NYPD/USMC Reservist of New York

"Brian, I still think of you often. You are missed. I still think of the stories and laughter. Your room with the couch instead of a bed. 3/13/08"
Pagie of Vista, CA

"You're missed Brother. I wish that I had found you again earlier. But I'm glad I know you and that I know where you are. Three years and this place still ain't home man. I don't know. I'll be listening for you."
Adam of Jacksonville, NC

"It's been a life time since I've known you. There hasn't been a single Veteran's Day since you died that I haven't thought of you."
Sgt. Benjamin Eby of South Bend, IN"

"August 2, 2008
To the family of Sgt. Brian E. Dunlap:
Brian 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

"Just thinking of you today."
Nikki of KY USA

""To the family and friends of Sgt. Brian E. Dunlap,
After years of being out of touch, I went looking for an old shipmate and now have found that I am too late. With sad heart and tear in my eye, I can now only tell his family that he was a good man, one that even after years of not being around him I still think of him with fond memories and was proud to call him bother. I had the pleasure of working with Brian when we were in Yokosuka, and when we have to cross paths several times over the years he never failed to reaffirm my first opinion of him. I know he would not want a long sappy story, rather just a “he was my friend, and I will miss him”."
Sgt Randall K White of Centreville VA

"A birthday remembrance to my brother in arms."
SgtMaj Angelino of VMGR-452

"To the family of:Brian E. Dunlap 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"

"The morning of your passing I remember leaving home that sept.24 thinking today is my birthday but yet I just lost a friend, a fellow Firefighter! Before I went off Duty I made sure that the flag you gave your life for flew at half staff for you. I remember talking to you the day before you left and had one last glimps of you that night. As I drove home I tried to remember all the things we did together all the calls and laughs we had and when I got home to my 6mo, old son I truly appriciated what you had done for my family because my son was still in his crib safe becuase of heros like you brother! Every Sept.24 I may blow the candles out but you always have one lit at home and in my heart."
FF. Mario A. Aviles of San Fernando , Ca

"Not a day goes by without thinking of Brian. He is my hero. Over a year later... and my heart still throbs. No words can express how much I miss him. I love you Bri."
Jessica Miller of Sacramento, CA

"To the family of Sgt. Dunlap- I wish to express my sincerest sympathies to your family. I did not know Sgt. Dunlap- I was in D Co. before/during Desert Storm when we were reorganized to G Co. I left the Corps in 1992, left San Bernardino and moved to Placerville, CA. We Have many Marine Veterans/ Families in El Dorado County that continue to pray, send care packages, and letters to our Marines and other service members. I hope that Sgt. Dunlap's memory will continue to LIVE STRONG. Semper Fi !
L/Cpl Ross D/G Co. 2/23 1987-1992"
Robert Ross of Placerville, CA

"Its seems to have been so long now since we lost you on that day together in Iraq. We fought on and did our best for you after that. We came home and had to fight different wars of our own. I dont think I ever dealt with your loss man and its eatin me up. I miss you bro. Semper Fi"
Marine of USA

"Brian you will be missed...ill never forget all the fun we had in the wildland academy and drinking coffee and cigarettes at the station while driving everyone crazy....im sure heaven is a lot more fun now that your there...thanks for your service and your friendship"
Chad of san diego, ca

"I use to work with Brian as a volunteer firefighter with intermountain fire dept and was honored to have gone the trought the CDF wildland firefighter academy. brian and I had worked on fires together on fires even thought I worked for the US Forest Service at the time and He worked for CDF we were always able to catch up on old times when we had a chance.I talked to brian 2 months before he went to Iraq and had high hopes that this war would be over soon and we would be working together again.I now work for Camp Pendleton fire Dept and would have been working on the same shift as him... you will be MISSED"
Firefighter B. Hathaway of vista , Ca

"Sgt Dunlap was the epitome of what every Marine should inspire to be. He was fiercely patriotic, technically and tactically proficient, and truly cared for his Marines. But, what impressed me most about Sgt Dunlap was his intellectual capacity and his fondness for learning about world history and political science. He was perhaps the most well read and articulate individuals I have ever met. For those who may not know, Combat Outpost Dunlap near Habbaniyah, Iraq, was named after Sgt Dunlap. COP Dunlap is home to MiTT 8, who's mission is to train and adivse 2nd Bn, 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division."
Capt D. Sun of Co G, 2nd Bn, 23rd Marines

"I watched Brian grow into one of the finest men I ever knew. He was a credit to the Corp as well as everything else in his life. Made me proud. I was most impressed by his solid relationship with God, which was exemplified in the morals and values which he lived by. I know he rests with the Father and if I do this as good as he, I will be there with him to share eternity. You are loved and missed by my family and the rest of us who knew you in the Sacramento Area. Till then, Semper Fi"
Buster Bruce of Auburn, California

"Sgt. Brian Dunlap: Thank you for your service and courage. Our La Costa Youth Baseball Pinto Yankees wish to dedicate our March 11, 2005 to a fine hero. Our 1st & 2nd grade boys will know that you gave the ultimate price for them. Our prayers are with your family. We will never forget -- 2005 LCYO Pinto Yankees"
John Haggerty of Carlsbad, CA

"Brian and I served together 12 years ago in Yokosuka Japan. Of the thousands of Marines I have served with he stands out as one of the exceptional few...the best of the best. A true professional and a genuine person, always a smile on his face and strength in his heart. I will be proud if my son grows into the man that Brian is. Semper Fi"
Major Dan Temple USMC of Monterey CA

"I never knew you, but I wish I did. You are still alive in the memory of all those who love you, worked with you and learned from you; you are truly a Hero."
NC Escarrega of San Diego, CA

"You are missed"
Paige of Vista, CA

"I had the great pleasure of working with brian when he was at intermountain fire and rescue near ramona. i cant say enough about brian i had alot of good times with him the last time i saw him was after the cedar fire in san diego when he was working for cdf.i was so glad to see he was still in the fire service. he was a great firefighter and a good friend he was alwayes there when you needed him eather as a friend or watching your back on the fire line. i will miss you my friend god bless you i to was in the service i was in the navy brian us to alwayes say you took us where we needed to go you were our bus to get there. i learned alot from brian stuff i will carry all of my life thank you brian for all you did for me i know i will see you again one day untill then i know you will watch out for us on the firelines and all the marines and service men and woman over seas. we will never forget you. thanks again brian we love you."
scott of ramona ca

"Sgt Dunlap was one of the most patriotic marines i have ever met. In the few conversations we had sitting around cleaning weapons, he reinforced how important the war against terror is to this country, and to the rest of the world. He will always be remembered as a real man, a great marine, and the most hard charging American i have ever met. ooooorrraahhhhh!"
LCPL Embleton G Co 2/23 of Malibu CA

"Rest in Peace Tufelhunden...
J and T Taylor USMC
Sister of a Fallen Marine"

"Brian will be missed by all who knew him. I served with him as an weapons instructor and roomate. We spent loads of time surfing, shooting, and talking machineguns. He was a true friend and a good man. Brian I wish I was there throwing down a wall of lead with ya, mate! For all that should know Brian was a cut above the rest. My family was Brian at that time and he was a brother in arms. You will be missed brother! From Amanda, Connor, and me we love ya!

"Let no man forget those who gave what others did not"
SGT. L. E. Howard"
Les Howard of Brisbane, QLD Australia

"Brian you were a great friend, and great firefighter, and a heck of a soldier. You will truly be missed. Thanks for all the talks we had when my son did his two tours in Iraq, and when we found out he had been wounded in action. I dont think you understood how much you helped me through that time in my life. You made the ultimate sacrifice for something that most of us take for granted. Thank you Brother. We will all miss you so very much. My prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. God bless you.
RIP my Friend."
Ernie Marugg of San Diego CA

"I had the pleasure of meeting Brian around 2003, as he worked on the CDF fire crew in Campo, CA (my home town) and was the friend of a good friend of mine. All I can say is that because of his deep belief and convictions, as well as his unique sense of humor (for which he was well known) Brian will never really be gone. He certainly sticks out in my memory and most certainly the memory of anyone else with which he has crossed paths.

Brian will be missed, and the Dunlap family as well as his other familes within the fire service and the U.S. Marine Corps can rest assured we will never forget all that Brian contributed to his country and to those whom he touched with his outgoing personality."
J.P. Ogle of Moscow, Idaho

"To the family and friends of Sgt. Brian E. Dunlap,

Those we hold most dear, never truly leave us. May you find comfort in love's everlasting connection.

In the Support section of this web site you will find links to many groups that support you at this crucial time. The Marine Comfort Quilt group would be honored to send a quilt to the next of kin. There are many, loving and caring Americans from all over the United States that will never forget the sacrifice that your loved one has made for our Freedom. Please use our link and register so we can send you our "Love Stitched Together."

Proud Marine Mom and Proud Member of Marine Comfort Quilts "
Sandra Moudy of Placentia, Ca USA

"TO THE DUNLAP FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. WE ARE DEEPLY SADDEN OF THE NEWS! WE LOST OUR SON GREGORY LAST YEAR IN BALAD,IRAQ. AN IT IS AVERY DIFFUCULT THING TO MDEAL WITH. STILL TODAY I TEAR UP FOR BRIAN, MY OWN SON AND ALL OUR FALLEN. BRIAN HAS NOT DIED IN VAIN. I BELIEVE IN OUR SOLDIERS! AN WE ALL MUST SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. I HONESTLY, BELIEVE THAT. BRIAN YOU ARE SOMEONE'S SOMEONE AND SOMEONE TO OUR FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR SERVING ALONG SIDE OUR SON. I REALIZE YOU TWO HADN'T KNOWN ONE ANOTHER PERSONALLY. STILL YOU ARE MILITARY BROTHERS HOLD THAT SPECIAL BOND. GOD BLESS!"
leonard wahl of VALLEY STREAM NY

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.
---President Ronald Reagan 1985

My SHARP hand-salute to you, Marine!"
Fred Christie, Sgt of Marines '66-'72 of Goffstown, NH

"Thanks Brian".

-Semper Fi
Cpl. "G" Co 2/23"
of Anaheim, CA

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

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