Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Debra and the Ganey family,
I served with Jerry in Iraq. I remember that morning like it was yesterday. We were having a debate on which version of “Good Ol Boys” was the best. While they loaded up their APC. I couldn’t believe they didn’t make it back to finish our debate.
Debra, I met you at the “Family Day” the 48th had. If memory serves me correctly, you two had just got married. We only talked for a brief moment. Both of you had to find the kids. Jerry and I, would talk a lot about what we were going to do when we got back. He said, he wasn’t going to do anything except for sitting in the recliner and enjoying the new entertainment center.
I’m sorry, it took me this long to post. I still can’t believe it happened, again. Considering, 2-121 had lost so many weeks before."
Sgt. Darren Kopf of Saint Louis, MO

"You are not forgotten. My GOD your daughter,my niece, Vanessa has grown up into such an amazing spirit. She is full of hope,strength,dedication,and We see so much of YOU in her. I bet you are looking down on her crying with joy. She is beautifu,Lew. She is amazing,she is smart,and she is talented. I just wanted to tell you Thank you for my freedom, your sacrifice while serving in the Marines and then the Army. Thank you for blessing our family with an amazing young lady. I will always pray for all of your loved ones from Georgia to N.C. May you rest in peace Lew."
Samantha of Wake Forest,N.C.

"Lewie, I wish I would have met you.my name is TinaAnn and I am engaged to your cousin Jimmy Williams. I feel that God felt you completed the life lessons and touched quite a few lives. May you rest in peace now with no pains. God bless, thank you for your service. You are TRULY
A gift from above. For now, I hope you are looking down and watch over your cousin Jimmy....he often thinks of you and told me there isn't a day that goes by Ann daily he still feels the pain after all this time. I would have loved to meet you in person..
But I at least go to meet you through jimy with all the stories he tells me. Well rest in peace and Jim and I loved you very much. Also, you laid your life down to protect United States
...YOU WERE A TRUE HERO THEN AND NOW. LOVR, TINA"
TinaAnn of Spring hill, FL

"Lewie not a day passes that I don't think of you. It was a honor to serve with you my cousin and brother in arms. I wish I could turn back time and not have begged you to reenlist just to go with me. I will never forgive myself for being so selfish."
Bruce Carter (sloth) of Blackshear, Ga

"To the family of:Jerry L. Ganey,Jr.
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""

"Please accept our condolences and know our hearts are broken when we hear of another soldier fallen; I know how it feels to lose a son, and it is very difficult, even after time has passed. I lost my son at 17 in 2006. I want to relay our deepest sympathy for your loss, and gratitude from our hearts for the ultimate sacrifice your son and brother gave to our country. I pray that the God given 'peace that passes all understanding' is given to you. I pray that all of those memories from his infancy, childhood, teen years, up until he enlisted, his relationships, his best buddies, all of his friends, and all the good times--I pray they will flood your hearts and minds when you remember him, and the prayer is that each of those precious moments, though bitter-sweet, will bring comfort, and a true smile to your faces.
BTW, I am a genealogist, and have the Ganey/Gainey line here in seNC if you are ever interested...we would all be proud to find out Jerry was a distant relative! From here to there..peace."
Donnie White of Leland, North Carolina

"Thinking of you Lewie on this Memorial Day and am appreciating the fact you gave your life for my freedom. Miss you!"
Jennifer

"Love you Lewie and still think of you often. You are not forgotten."
Jennifer

"I can't believe that it has been four years. Lew, We miss you so much!!! Your Smile could brighten the darkest day! Your joking ways always brought a smile!! Thank You is hardly enough for your courage!!!! We love and miss you dearly!!!!!! "Jackie Sue", "Ellie" and Dylan"
Jackie Tillman of Alma, GA

"”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 1,750 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!
Mothers of our heroes, please be aware that the Project Compassion sponsors will now help cover the costs of the portraits for you to have one - regardless if the spouse of the hero has one or not!
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 bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna
Project Compassion
P.O. Box 153
Manti, Utah 84642"
Project Compassion - Kenna of Manti, Utah USA

"My friend - it has been 3 years and I think of you almost every day - MAJ John "Opie" Davis"
John Davis of Waycross, GA

"July 1, 2008
To the family of Spc. Jerry L. Ganey, Jr.:
Jerry 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

"Louie was the best all round. He will never be forgotten and will always be in our hearts."
Rhonda Combs of Folkston, Georgia

"To Debra and the Ganey family I served with Ganey while he was in Iraq. I am so sorry that I could not help him in his time of need he was my friend my battel I am sorry deba I could not keep my promise that I made in Hinesville Ga. I wish it could have been me. I will always remember you and Ganey forever I miss you Ganey and we miss you Debra with all my Love Cco 648th en bn 2nd platoon........"
SPC.Paul LaBree of Lawton OK

"Dear family of Jerry Ganey, Jr.,
To honor the Georgia soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, the professional portrait artists of the Atlanta Fine Arts League are offering to paint a portrait of the individual soldier for his family. These 16 x 20 original portraits are being offered completely free of charge in recognition to the sacrifice made by these brave soldiers and in condolence for their families' loss. Please visit our website www.atlantafineartsleague.org or email us at AtlantaFineArtsLeague@Yahoo.com for more information. _ The Atlanta Fine Arts League"
Leah Hopkins Henry of Atlanta, GA

"A big heartfelt salute to SPC Jerry Ganey. May God bless the Ganey family and may you hold the precious memories of Jerry's life and service to our country close to your heart now and always."
Chaplain Loyd Ray Ganey, Jr. (US Army Retired) of Sierra Vista, AZ

"To the whole Ganey family
Lewie was special and touched all of our lives in one way or another. With that big beautiful smile or that joking manner he had about him, his love of life and most especially his love for the family. Dear Debraha I know your loss was great and you didn't have much time with Lewie but always remember he is still with you and all of us in our hearts and memories. Know that you are loved and thought of often"
Neesa Tutt Ogren of Valdosta, Ga

"Louie, we love you and miss you."
Cathy and Liana Markham, of formerly of Folkston, Georgia

"To Debra and the Ganey family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss and I know nothing anyone says can make it easier. I am just sorry that I didn't get to know Louie any better. My prayers and thoughts are with you everyday. Just remember he will always be with you no matter what and you will see him again one day... (I love ya Debra)"
Spc. Paul LaBree and Family of Harlem, Ga

"to debra...i cant even imagine what you are going through but my thoughts and prayers go out to you and the love ones....ssg mcmillan wife, trina"
katrina mcmillan of waycross, ga

"Dear Debra & Family,
It's hard to imagine what your going through. We lost a friend and a BRAVE SOLDIER. All I can do is be here for you. I will ALWAYS remember that smile that came upon his face when he introduced you to me at the Christmas Dinner. He loved you with all his heart and EVERYONE knew it. Always remember that he is a HERO to us all. He will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. You are always and will always be in my prayers. I'm here if you ever need me. I love you Sweetie!!!!"
Diane Roberson,FRG Chairman of Douglas, Ga.

"YOU CAME INTO OUR HEARTS AT THE TENDER AGE OF TWO, AND THAT'S WHERE YOU WILL ALWAYS STAY. I'LL NEVER SEE A TONKA TRUCK WITHOUT THINKING OF YOU.SUCH AN ACTIVE LITTLE FELLOW, ONLY TONKA COULD HOLD UP TO YOU. YOUR BIG SISTER, ANGELA HAS FELT THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD AT THE NEWS OF YOUR DEATH. AS LONG AS WE LIVE, YOU WILL LIVE IN OUR HEARTS. GOD HAS YOU IN HIS HANDS. FOREVER, MAMA DEBBIE"
DEBBIE CISCO of FOLKSTON,GA.

"YOU CAME INTO OUR HEARTS AT THE TENDER AGE OF TWO, AND THAT'S WHERE YOU WILL ALWAYS STAY. I'LL NEVER SEE A TONKA TRUCK WITHOUT THINKING OF YOU.SUCH AN ACTIVE LITTLE FELLOW, ONLY TONKA COULD HOLD UP TO YOU. YOUR BIG SISTER, ANGELA HAS FELT THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD AT THE NEWS OF YOUR DEATH. AS LONG AS WE LIVE, YOU WILL LIVE IN OUR HEARTS. GOD HAS YOU IN HIS HANDS. FOREVER, MAMA DEBBIE"
DEBBIE CISCO

"DEAR GANEY FAMILY, WE ARE SINCERELY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND THE LOSS FOR AMERICA AS ANOTHER SOLDIER DIES FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY. WE THANK GOD EVERYDAY FOR MEN AND WOMEN LIKE JERRY WHO ARE WILLING TO MAKE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THE GOOD OF THEIR COUNTRY. JERRY IS OUR HERO. YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS."
THE STEEDLEY FAMILY of ARGYLE, GA

"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

"ARMY SPC JERRY L. GANEY, JR -
You are an American Hero whose ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten by a grateful nation. Rest well brave Soldier. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jerry and may memories comfort you during this difficult time and always. -
AMERICA SALUTES SPC JERRY L. GANEY, JR."
D, BURT of PORTSMOUTH, RI

"Dear Family,
As you mourn the loss of your prescious loved one, I can feel your pain. We lost our youngest son April 2004 in Iraq. Now my husband prepares to deploy with the 48th in a couple of weeks to help get the job finished. Thanks for a job well done soldier."
Jan Johnson of Lyerly, Ga.

"TO MY COUSIN JERRY I'LL MISS YOU AND WISH WE COULD HAVE KNOWN ONE ANOTHER BETTER MAY GOD BE WITH YOU YOUR NAME WON'T BE FORGOTTEN"
JIM AND ELAINE of SPRINGHILL FL

"To the Ganey Family, I wish to offer you my deepest condolences. Your Jerry is a true American Hero. Jerry will always be remembered and honored. May God bless you all and God Bless Jerry."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

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

"Thank you Jerry Ganey, Jr., 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 Spc. Jerry Ganey, Jr.:
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 Jerry 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 Spc. Jerry Ganey, Jr.:
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 Jerry, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia