Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I have his memorabilia call me 9169121998"
John Mazzocchi of Sacramento

"So today its 10 years since you were taken from our family!
life has changed and its not the same without you! Im reading the other comments from others on here for the first time and my eyes have shed so many tears in the last 15 min! Thankyou all for you shared memories of my dear handsome cousin! Gosh cousin your comedy and huge smile is so missed!"
Sarah Duplantier of Sacramento Ca

"Li'l Arnold...we will never forget you. Thinking of you and your family and the sacrifice you made in service to our country."
Raven and Scott of Sacramento, CA

"5 Years later here I am Reminiscing about a fallen brother. I was attached to 1/184 Charlie. Co. The 1st guy I met at Dona Ana, TX was Arnold. His bed was located by the entrance and I can recall him having a piece a paper hanging by his wall. When I asked him about it he said it was his daughter's (Isabel) drawing, who at the time was getting ready to start kindergarten. Arnold was the 1st soldier that asked me questions about where I was from and my military experience. Before I was assigned to Weapons Squad he said "If you have any questions, let me know and I'll help you out." I dont know how many times I had a question for him that 1st week. Leading up to Iraq I had the pleasure of hanging out with him. On his free time when he wasn't on the phone talking to his family he enjoyed playing cards especially the game SPADES. He was good at it and the best thing of all was his sense of humor while playing the game. He would talk trash like no other, all in good humor of course. His smile and the way he would hold the cards was unique, I didn't how to play the game but I enjoyed watching him play along with his 2 other buddies (Gaspar and Foster). In Iraq he was sent to a different Platoon because of his promotion. But I would still see him here and there. My last conversation with him was the day before he died. I was in the computer room as he walked by he noticed me and we started to talk. I was aware that he had just come back from his 2 Week Leave. When I asked how was it, he explained that he took his daughter to school for the 1st time and that he got all emotional and started crying like a baby. Of course we started to laugh about it because we all know that "Real Men Dont Cry" haha. After he told me everything, I told him I had just returned myself. After hearing me out I had to go on a patrol mission. We shook hands and off I went. Due to his and my busy schedule I never saw him again. But now I am looking for his burial site and his family. Before I could never visit him because of school, work and my heavy involvement with school soccer, but now that its all over I got more time on my hands. If anyone has info please let me know contact me at mgl_cucue@yahoo.com
P.s. Being a Catholic Chicano, I always do the cross on my face and end it with 2 fingers pointing at the sky, 1 for Sgt. Shakere T. Guy and the other for Arnold Duplantier aka King of Spades :) "GOD BLESS THE DEAD""
Miguel Cucue of Santa Ana (Orange County) and Los Angeles , Cali

"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

"Arnie, I will always remember your sweet smile, twinkling eyes and curly blonde hair when you were about 5 yrs old. I was married to your Grandpa Jim then and you and your brothers would come visit and we'd have the 3 of you spread all over the living room floor. I'm so proud you became such a wonderful husband,father and soldier, and still remember you calling me Grandma....I was so sorry to hear of your passing but you are with Jesus and God and looking over and watching your little one and protecting her...."
Dottie F of Dayton,NV

"Dear brother we both served in the same platoon together. With CHARLIE ROCK C/1-184 Thier is never the day that goes by , the last 2hours of you're life that I will never forget, the jokes and the luaghs and the patrols and missions we were on together bro. The last morning were we and many soldiers do when they start the day the 3 S's ON that fateful day I knew were you where going to be going, I knew that area,I told you to watch you're 6. I needed not to worry for I knew you were squared away, You went to do you're mission I went to were I had to go off base I just happen to monitor the radio so another troop could go and eat for 1 hr. When I heard the what had happen, I couldn't believe what I was hearing, when you were hit. I wished I had never took the radio volunterily Cause I heard everything. I'm sorry for not being thier with you brother I am so sorry I will aways miss you bro. And I will never foget that warm smile when I first met you back at Ft. Bliss, Tx. At Donna Anna, and Ft. Polk La. I know you will never be sad and that you are in a better place bro. Until next formation bro. out here.........."
Paniagua of fremont , Ca USA

"I'm sorry for the loss of Arnold and to his kids Isbella and Ethean Stewart most of all. Poor Ethean didn't even get to know his father he died the day before Etheans birthday."
Donna Stewart of Sacramento, Ca

"May 31, 2008
To the family of Sgt. Arnold Duplantier, II:
Arnold 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 will never forget the good times."
PV2 DUPLANTIER of CAMP CASEY, KOREA

"You gave all so we can live in freedom. May God bless you in Heaven and your family on earth."
Mike McTavish Thompson of Carrollton, TX, USA

"The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.
~Douglas MacArthur

May God Bless Arnold and all his family for his sacrifice to country, honor and duty. We thank him for helping to keep our family and America safe. And we pray his family has or will soon find peace in their loss."
Chuck & Jana Atwood of Sacramento, CA

"I found out about the death of Sgt Arnold Duplantier today through a conversation with his mother Terri. I enjoyed speaking with her about her son. We lost our son in Iraq and share in her and her families loss. We will remember Arnold and his sacrifice for his country and his family in our thoughts each day. I appreciated the strength and spirit she shared in our conversation about Arnold - it is an honor to her son loss and sacrifice."
Gary Brattain of Brea, California

"To My Son - I miss you every day. But don't worry, I am spreading the message of your courage and sacrifice.
Till We Meet Again!
Love,
your adopted Mom - Terri"
Terri Chumbley of Sacramento, CA

"Today, my daughter and I were at lake Berryessa in N. California. She was in the water swimming when she brought to the surface a bracelet. She called me over to her and showed me a bracelet she found under the water. When I saw the bracelet, I noticed some letters engraved on it. This is what we found on the bracelet: C CO SGT ARNOLD DUPLANTIER II CHARLIE, 1-184 IN USA KIA 22 JUNE 2005. As a former USAF Pararescueman, I am saddened to learn of the death of another warrior. However, I am grateful that my daughter found his bracelet at the bottom of the lake today. What are the odds of this happening. We would like to return this bracelet to the family of Sgt Duplantier. I hope that someone is reading this message and will forward this to the family. In his honor. Please let them know we found this bracelet. My email is: cruz@honorthefallen.org, which is also another coincedence as I am the founder of Honor The Fallen Foundation."
Dave Cruz of Davis, California

"I'm so sorry for your loss. Arnold was very brave."
Walter of Boston

"DEAR FAMILY OF SGT ARNOLD DUPLANTIER II, I AND THE ORGANIZATION I BELONG TO (THE ILLINOIS FREEDOM RUN) WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE THAT THAT YOU & YOUR FAMILY MEMBER GAVE FOR US AS A NATION WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN...WE WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT A MEMORIAL WALL THAT HAS BEEN ERECTED IN MARSEILLES IL IN MEMORY AND GRADITUDE OF JUST THESE SACRIFICES MADE BY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR NATIONS MILITARY SERVICES SINCE THE BEGUINING OF THE CONFLICTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY NEEDED IN SPREADING THE AWARENESS OF THE EXSISTENCE OF THIS FINE MEMORIAL TO PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION SO THAT OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES KNOW WE CARE AND THEY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. THE GRANITE WALL CONTAINS THE NAMES OF ALL THE FALLEN HEROES TO DATE FROM THE CONFLICTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. OUR RUN WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY JUNE 17TH, 2006. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO JOIN US ON THIS DAY OF REMEMBERENCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT: WWW.ILFREEDOMRUN.ORG.
YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT: MMONROE309@SBCGLOBAL.NET
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE...AND YOUR TIME..."
DAWN M LUCIO of CHICAGO, IL

"To the family of:Arnold Duplantier II 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"

"Duplantier was a great troop. He knew how to accomplish a task at hand, and knew his role as an Infantry Soldier.

God Bless Your Soul

Rest in Peace SGT Duplantier

CNG Soldier-You are not forgotten"
SGT of Sacramento, Ca, USA

"Arnold died doing what he enjoyed doing. I can still remember him as a young boy playing at our house. I can't believe he is no longer around. I know his dad and his wife are very proud of him. My brother-in-law is over there currently and he told me that he died as a hero which we all are proud of. He took the most precious sacrifice that anyone could take and I know that I appreciate what he did for us at home. He will be missed daily and my prayers are for those who have to go on without him being around."
Debbie Schweitz (Duplantier formerly) of Wheatland, CA

"To Arnold's Family and Friends, I am sorry to read of Arnold's passing. He is a true American Hero who will never be forgotten. May God Bless all of you and know that Arnold is with Him now safe and sound."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"You are my hero!"
I Nunez of Napa Ca, US

"Two weeks ago we lost our dear nephew, Lance Corporal Dustin Birch in Iraq. In the New Testament there are the parables of the Lost Coin, the Lost Sheep and the Lost Son (the prodigal). I believe these writings were included to bring comfort to those who have lost someone/something in their lives also. To assure all that everything lost - everyone lost, including your Arnold - will be found once again. In Luke the Savior tells us that He "came to save that which was lost." May these words bring comfort to you - along with the knowledge that all of our prayers - and gratitude for your family's sacrifice are lasting. “These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we attain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article
as freedom should not be highly rated.”

THE AMERICAN CRISIS
by Thomas Paine, published December 19, 1776"
Kirkham's of Salt Lake City, Utah

"We are deeply sorry for your loss. America will forever honor your Hero.
The Courage, Honor, and Valor that your Hero showed will always be remembered.
We are grateful for the sacrifice that was made and we will NEVER FORGET.
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

"Arnold Duplantier II was a wonderful man with an intense passion for everything he did in life. A hard worker, comitted father and husband, a loving son, and a very dear friend. He died a hero, doing what he loved to do. He will be greatly missed, and never forgotten."
Quinn Muehleisen of Suisun City, 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. Your HERO, Arnold will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"HOOAH! NIGHTSTALKER!"

"I mourn the loss of a fellow Nighstalker.
Sgt. Duplantier was a great Infantrymen, and I would have loved to have him in my platoon!
I am sorry I missed this most recent deployment with Charlie Rock, and would have been proud to fight by Duplantier's side.

SFC Lundberg
Blue 4 (former)"
SFC Joe Lundberg of Winchester, TN.

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