Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Will and I were in the same class at AOBC at Fort Knox. There was a reason he was chosen as class leader and there is a reason I am writing this because Will was special. He possessed something that set him apart from others. My wife and I were having a baby when I was attending AOBC and I had to take a Grey Hound bus back and forth from Fort Knox to Columbus, Ohio to check on my wife. This was because we only had one car. When I would return to Fort Knox I didn't have a ride back on to post from the bus station, but there was always one person I knew I could call and someone I knew I could call my friend, William Edens. I'll miss you buddy. I'm sorry it took me this long to write, but you have always been in my thoughts and prayers. To his wife, I want you to know there was not a day that went by that he wasn't talking about you. Sincerely, MAJ Max Donaldson"
MAJ Max Donaldson of Rock Island, Illinois

"My love & heart go out to all of the family of Lt. Edens. I am the mother of Stanley Swenson who was the sergeant of the Stryker unit that Lt. Edens went out in place of. Stan has been suffering from PTSD for a long time now due to the survivors guilt he has felt since the Lt. took his place. I wish I could have known Lt. Edens. I am so sorry for the faimly he left behind. I have prayed for him & them since the tragedy happened. If possible I hope to talk to his wife one day. My love & prayers to all!"
Sandy Swenson of Ozark, MO

"Will was a friend from childhood. My father was his swimming coach. Will's funeral is the only time that I had seen my father cry."
Craig Fowler of St. Louis

"Lt Edens was my favorite Lt from A co. He made the crappiest ops fun. The day the Lt and Morris died was one of the hardest that year. I was also one of the people that Lt Edens told not to worry about going out that day on the recon. I wouldn't be alive without him."
Chris of Seattle,WA

"William was my brother and im very sad he died and i never got to meet him he sounds like a great guy and i wish i would have got the chance to meet him"
Chance Ahrens of Stover MO U.S.A

"William Edens, was my cousin...i didnt really know him that well up until a few months until his death..but from what i saw and from what i got from him was that he was a brave solider and i loved him dearly. hes a hero"
megan of us

"On veterans day I always take extra time daily to remember all armed forces. I lost a friend and fellow MACC singer on 4/28/05. Will you will be missed but not forgotten."
Tim Maddex of Shelbina, Missouri

"hi my name is katherine and will is my uncle i didnt really no him but i no he waz a great person my mom loved him they were best friends lol i love him so much i still dream bout him and sometimes i still belive he is still alive and he is some were out in the big world i wish i could see him in reall life enstead if dreams and i just see his ghost now..i love you will"
katherine edens of st.luois mo

"Will and I attended MACC together in Moberly, MO. He talked me into joining different clubs with him and I used to hangout with him at his place in Kirksville. We lost contact after I moved to Montana and he went to MU. I think the last time we had spoke by e-mail he was in Alabama. I think about him all the time, and the terrific memories he gave us all. I can still hear him say with a big grin, "How's it going buddy." I will see you someday my friend."
Anthony Zuccarini of Macon, MO

"To the family and friends of 1st Lt. William A. Edens, you can now add one more to your ranks.

Back in 'the day' I wore a POW bracelet from the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, my bracelet simply fell apart over the years and I've put it in a safe place, but am no longer able to wear it.

Because I care, I went looking for a way I could honor our troops today. I learned of 'HeroBracelets.org', went on their site and ordered a fallen hero's bracelet. I received it today and it has William Edens name on it.

So all of you will be in my thoughts and prayers from this time on, and I will wear his name in respect and honor for the sacrafice ALL of you made for this country. God Bless you all and may you all find peace."
Lynne Re of Lincoln City, OR

"June 2, 2008
To the family of 1st Lt. William A. Edens:
William 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:William A. Edens I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. My heart cries out for you in your grief. He died a hero defending freedom and we are so grateful for anyone defending our freedom.
Know that I am praying for the peace of God that surpasses all understanding for you and that one day we will all meet in Heaven where we will rest in the arms of Jesus.
If you need someone to talk to or someone to pray with please call my Pastor at Gateway Community Church, Reverand John Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd Covington Ga. 30016 Phone 770- 787- 1015 (fax)770-787-8215.Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew"

"Dear Family of William Edens:

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

These 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 at gratefulheartsproj@sbcglobal.net

Sincerely;
The Artists of Grateful Hearts"
J.Gragg of Lee's Summit,Mo.,

"It has taken me awhile to write a message, but it was such a shock. Will was my swim coach at Indian Hills Swim Club for 2 years (I think I was 12 years old). Funny I know, I am 21 years old now and ready to graduate college. He always believed in me, no matter what. I learned how to be a great swimmer because of him. I did not even keep in touch, but I just happened to be watching the news the day that they reported he had passed. I was blown away, and I may not have known everything about him, but how could you forget that smile? He was an amazing person and a great leader. He will always be remembered."
Lauren Caruso of St. Louis, MO

"I hadn't kept up with Will in recent years, but I remember him from the swim team and band at Mehlville Sr High- I graduated from Mizzou ROTC as well, but must have just missed him. I will always remember his big smile and friendliness. To his friends and family, I would like to run the Honolulu Marathon here in Tikrit, Iraq in Dec 06 in his honor- if you would like to let me know if this is ok or not I can be reached at meg.repperger@us.army.mil.
Very respectfully, CPT Meg Repperger (Jackson)"
CPT Meg Repperger of Sammamish, WA

"U WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!! I love ya big bro! U r the best brother anyone could have asked for u always know what to say to make everything ok and u always tried to take care of us the best u could! I love u and miss ya lots!"
Jammika Puckett of Portland, Tn; USA

"Thank you Sir. If you didnt stop me from going out with you on that stupid recon with 3 acr i wouldnt be here now. you always did look out for the snipers. thank you sir"
SSG Murillo, Salvador A9

"Will i just want you to know that we all miss you but you will never leave are hearts. Will you are one of my biggest influences and i love you rest in peace."
josh pavlich of st.louis missouri

"To Christie Edens and Family
I am with you and your family during this time of lose my husband Sgt. Eric W. Morris was with and still is with Wil they are part of a new brotherhood that has been going for years it is the brotherhood of HEROS. We are in a familyhood of heros.We are connect by life and love and will always be apart of this familyhood of heros as well. Your husband and brother is my hero. We are family, a family of heros is what we are and will always be. Thank you and God be with you and Bless you."
Jolene Morris PROUD WIFE of SGT. ERIC W. MORRIS Tal Afar, Iraq 4-28-05 of Fort Lewis ,WA

"There is a memorial web site for Wil at http://www.williamedensmemorial.com/

Thank you."
Amy & Gene Marshall of St. Louis, MO

"Hey Wil, Or should I say Bill ,Its Cary, you used to live next door to my Grandma And Grandpa Follens House. We would always be swimming ,playing Marco Polo, you and your Sister Nikki ,,Hey Nikki, If youve read this I am really sorry and always looked a Bill as a true friend and wish we hadent lost touch over the years ,,It tore me up when I heard the news,But I will never forget him ,Nikki if you remember me and want to say hi my address is Nirvananut30@netzero.net..Hope you are doing well concidering the circumstances..RIP my friend hope to see you again ...Love Cary..."
Cary Reifsteck of Arnold,Missouri USA

"Thank You Wil for always being the best Brother anyone could ask for. Thank you for always knowing what to say to make sure everyone would be ok. I love you and will never forget you. Thank for the kicks in the butt. I love you my little Indain and will always remember you. FOREVER"
Nikki Edens Rogers of Bradyville Tn

"Lieutenant Edens, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"Wil was a great friend and will always be in my heart. We both grew up together and he practically lived at my parents house and pool through the years. May his family find peace that he gave his life protecting our country"
Justin Sims of St Louis, MO

"To Will's Family,
I knew Will at Mizzou when we were both ROTC kids together. A great guy, my wife only met him a couple of times but she knew him immediately when I said his name yesterday. I just found out May 16th and I've just started working it all out in my head. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. c718002@yahoo.com"
1LT Chris Bennett of Fort Hood, Texas USA

"I can remember William from Boy Scouts Troup 267 and going to your house back when we were kids. I want you to know that your sacrifice for the USA will not go unforgotten and that you will be remembered always. God Bless you and your family"
Chris Wiemann of Indian Lake, NY

"We want to thank you so much for your service to our country. For as long as we live, we will always remember your family's sacrifice for freedom. The time that we got to spend with you in the med student lounge at MU last summer was truly an honor."
Tim, Sandy, & Emily McKay of St. Louis, MO USA

"We are deeply sorry for your loss. We 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 and family of Massillon, 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, William will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

""to 1st Lt. William Edens family & friends: I knew will back when we went to Beasley elementary & Buerkle Jr.High. He was the nicest guy youd ever know always very caring & loving. May you always be blessed with knowing he did a honorable thing joining the military and fighting for our freedom here in the U. S. May god help you through these sorrow filled days and You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you Always.""
kimHerndon (sikorski) of converse,Tx

"to 1st Lt. William Edens family & friends: I knew will back when we went to Beasley elementary & Buerkle Jr.High. He was the nicest guy youd ever know always very caring & loving. May you always be blessed with knowing he did a honorable thing joining the military and fighting for our freedon here in the U. S. May god help you through these sorrow filled days and God Bless you Always."
kimHerndon (sikorski) of converse,Tx

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