Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Hi Mikey,
I can't believe it is 10 years since you where killed.
Death Leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Irish saying of course you where buried on St Patrick's Day. I have all of your memories locked in my heart."
Mom of NJ by way of Coudersport, PA

"Today is Veteran's Day.
We want to Thank all the Veteran's that helped us get through the most difficult time in our lives.
Mikey Never forget how much we love you and how proud we are of you. Rest in Peace son. Mom & Dad"
Tina Franklin of Brigantine, NJ USA

"Thank you for your sons service,He is an American Hero.My son was killed Aug 6th 2011,Afgan WAR.Maybe you can help me with this unbearable pain.215-983-4470Father of Michael Strange."
Charles of Phila,PA

"Bill and Tina
On this Veterans Day, our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Ed and Mary Olsen (Sgt. Brian Curriers' family)"
Mary Olsen of Westland, Michigan

"Bill and Tina
On this Veterans Day, our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Ed and Mary Olsen (Sgt. Brain Curriers' family)"
Mary Olsen of Westland, Michigan

"June 3, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Michael W. Franklin:
Michael 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

"Ive never met PFC Micheal Franklin but I did meet his mom in early 2006 when she noticed that my brother and i looked a little stymied at clearfeild co. courthouse. She is a very pleasant peron that was more than happy to help us.AS we spoke i thought how much she reminded me of my mother which my family lost to cancer in feb. 06. Mrs franklin spoke of the loss of her son micheal that he died serving his country.From speaking to her I could see the pride she has for him.She said he died on march 07 which floored me since thats my birthday.Before leaving i gave mrs franklin a huge hug and thank you for her sons service and let her know that he is hero as well as she is .i realize how lucky we are as nation to have such selflis people. Since that meeting over 20 months ago i still think of micheal almost daily even though i never met,his spirit has filled my soul thru his momms words and her eyes. i'm honored to meet you mrs franklin and your son thru you.PFC micheal Franklin my hero ,rest in peace ,with special people like your mom were all in goods hands down here.with gods love,Bruce."
bruce of Ellwood city PA

"Ive never met PFC Micheal Franklin but I did meet his mom in early 2006 when she noticed that my brother and i looked a little stymied at clearfeild co. courthouse. She is a very pleasant peron that was more than happy to help us.AS we spoke i thought how much she reminded me of my mother which my family lost to cancer in feb. 06. Mrs franklin spoke of the loss of her son micheal that he died serving his country.From speaking to her I could see the pride she has for him.She said he died on march 07 which floored me since thats my birthday.Before leaving i gave mrs franklin a huge hug and thank you for her sons service and let her know that he is hero as well as she is .i realize how lucky we are as nation to have such selflis people. Since that meeting over 20 months ago i still think of micheal almost daily even though i never met,his spirit has filled my soul thru his momms words and her eyes. i'm honored to meet you mrs franklin and your son thru you.PFC micheal Franklin my hero ,rest in peace ,with special people like your mom were all in goods hands down here.with gods love,Bruce."
bruce of Ellwood city PA

"While i only knew you when we were kids and lived only a block away, I am saddened to see you go. You were only in my life in Sioux Falls,SD for only a couple of years and yet I remember those days as they were only yesterday. We kept in touch for a couple years after that but soon faded away and drifted apart so I figured I would try to find you and wanted to look you up and see how you were doing, but obviously I cannot see you anymore. I will always remember you and never forget those days we played baseball and walked to school together!! If your mom reads this I only hope she also remembers me and will please email me at Henle15@hotmail.com."
Jeremy Henle of North Lauderdale, FL

"To the family of:Michael W. Franklin 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"

"Well Mike it is time for another Birthday in our family. Gramy is turning 80. We miss you everyday. We are going to Michigan to have Thanksgiving with Sgt. Brian who was critically wounded the day you died. I miss you so much. I can't believe 2 1/2 years have gone by. You are always in my heart & soul"
Mom of Coudersport, PA

"No Greater Love ...

You Will Not Be Forgotten"
Capt. Daniel Merrick, USAR, Ret. of Smethport, Pa.

"On this July 4th, I salute the sacrifice of your beloved son and salute your sacrifice. May God Bless You."
Carol Franklin of Harleysville, PA

"On this July 4th, I salute the sacrifice of your beloved son and salute your sacrifice. May God Bless You."
Carol Franklin of Harleysville, PA

"Dear Tina(Mom), Bill, Grandma, and Janelle,

Mike truly is a hero, and it has nothing but a honor to have known him and been known by him as a "brother." Mike was a loving, caring, compassionate man. I will forever remember him as a brother. I miss him alot, although I do know he is in a better place. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. You raised a terrific son. He has had his problems as we all do, but he came out great. I pray for you all on a daily basis. Lots of love!"
Tom Brown of Hamburg, NY

"Tina, Bill and family,
What an honor to have known Mike. As a Veteran, wife of a Veteran and mother of a Veteran my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Young Mike gave his all for OUR COUNTRY and we HONOR him. I keep his memorial card on my desk at work. Every day I look at it and pray for our "Mike"(his uncle) and all military still in the fight. God be with you and know we respect your loss."
Robin K. Bonn (cousin) of Litchfield, ME

"Tina, Bill and Janelle,

I will always feel Blessed and considerate it a privilege to have known Michael and shared our home with him. And I thank you for sharing him with us. He will long be remembered in our hearts as our HERO. Love, Hugs and Blessings to you folks."
Pat Brown of Hamburg, NY

"Dear Tina,
Thank you for your message in the memorial for Pfc Charles S. Cooper Jr, who died April 29th 2005. I am so sorry for your loss, we share the same pain, but I have faith, that all of these young men are watching over us as angels, that gives me strength. We share a common bond, and I want you to know that I carry Michael, Charles and all of our fallen soldiers in my heart and I pray for all of our troops that are still there, I pray for them to come home safe. Thank you Michael, for your sacrifice for our freedoms. Peace in God....The Cooper family"
Cheryl of Gerry, NY

"Soldier Franklin,

I salute you!

forever indebted to you,"
Angela of Fort Worth, Texas

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

"I am sorry to have heard of the death of your son."
Devin Green of Amesbury, Ma

"To the Franklin Family and all that were blessed to be a part of Michael's life. My family (Bossert/Ploessl) will always remember what an honorable soldier and man he was. We can be proud and thankful for his service. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers."
Dr. Jesse Ploessl of Plymouth, MN

"To the family and friends of Michael Franklin I wish to pass on the sympathy of my family. My brother, Sgt. Andrew Bossert was with Michael at the checkpoint. From everything I have read, he was and still remains, a hero. While their deaths will bring sorrow each time we think of them, it will also carry honor and dignity to help us all look up and smile at them again. "WE WILL NEVER FORGET" is a statement our families have seen many times and will carry with us forever.

God bless you and yours and remember the good times. We will see them again..."
Tim Bossert (Sgt. Andrew Bossert's brother) of Cochrane, WI/U.S.A.

"My Dear Son, I know where you are tonight. You are loved and missed so much. I am thankful for having such a loving son who gave so much of himself to family, friends & country. We are proud of you. You will always be in my heart. Love you!"
Mom of Coudersport, PA

"Tina, Bill, and my Sissy, I am so sorry for the loss of our Hero. All the soldiers from my unit share in this tragic loss. He will live in my heart forever. He is now in a better place. He is with the Lords Army. Another soldier in St. Michaels Airborne unit. I will miss my little Hero. All my Love, thoughts and Prayers."
Uncle Mike of Baghdad, Iraq

"I will miss my hero. I too am in Iraq. I know the dangers of a soldier. Mikey too understood the Hazards of our chosen profession. May his memory live in our hearts forever."
MSG Mike Martin (Uncle Mike) of Baghdad, Iraq

"Mr.& Mrs. Franklin... I know to well the loss you are facing and I pray that you are given the strenght to endur. May our sons meet in eternity and be everlasting friends"
Danielle Mitchell of Youngsville, PA

"Bill and Tina: My heart is heavy for your loss. Your son was a hero. The impact of war takes the most toll from the families of lost soldiers and airmen. The sacrifice and price paid by your family far exceeds anything nations should ask of its citizens. Through Michael may our country and world become a better place. I will keep you in my prayers always."
Frank J Sullivan, Colonel USAF of Harrisburg, Pa

"Bill and Tina, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. It is not until tragedies like this that the reality of war hits home. If there is anything you need, let me know. Again, I am truely sorry."
Eric Haskins of Coudersport, PA

"Sincere Condolences to Bill Franklin and Family, from your college friend John. Apple, Tina H. and I are all very saddened by the news."
John Glossenger of California

"Bill and Tina, our hearts are broken by your loss. We only met Mike once, at the DEI picnic, but we've known and loved you as friends for over 20 years. Mike did his job and honored those who knew him, his family, friends and really us all. What more, after all, can one do. We are proud to have met Mike and we wish to send our deepest condolences to Bill and Tina and the family."
Scott & Linda Brady of Meadville, Pa.

"Bill & Tina: I cannot tell you how sorry we are to hear of Michael's passing. You and your family are in our prayers."
The Lindhome Family of Camp Hill, PA

"Dear Franklin Family,
I would like to extend our deepest condolences for your great loss. Please know that we Americans will never forget the sacrifice he and his family have made for the freedom that we cherish. I pray that God will give you the strength and courage for the hard days ahead. Know that there are so many that are praying for you all right now. God has blessed this great nation with men like Michael, and for that we are grateful. God Bless you all."
The Edward Todd Family of Springfield, GA USA

"To the family of Michael:
My family honors your hero. He was a brave man who gave his life for the most precious gift: freedom. Never forget the American people are grateful for his loyal service and will never forget the sacrifice that Michael has made. All of our prayers are with you, and know that you are not alone. God Bless you Michael"
Jennifer and SSG Larry Mays and kids of Massillon, Ohio

"MICHAEL YOU HAVE TOUCHED MANY MANY LIVES. THOSE THAT ARE FRIENDS, NEIGHBOR'S, YOUR MILITARY FAMILY, YOUR PERSONAL FAMILY AND THOSE THAT DID NOT KNOW YOU. YOU ARE A SOLDIER AND HERO! AN OUR FAMILY THANKS YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY. NOT MANY IN AMERICA WILLING TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY. THAT'S WHY YOU ARE SPECIAL. OUR FAMILY HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH MICHAEL AND YOUR FAMILY. WE UNDERSTAND LOSING A SON. TEN MONTH AN IT'S NOT EASY. GOD BLESS!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

"Thank you, Michael W. Franklin, for your service to our country. God Bless you, and your family and friends. You are not forgotten."
Frank of Nashville, TN

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

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