Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"SSG GARCIA, I can't believe it's been so long, I know I haven't known you long but what I did know I consider a really good friend, my prayers go out to your Family."
MONO of Vista, CA.

"When you lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over you. May you take comfort in knowing that you have an angel to watch over you now. I extend my most sincere condolences to you. Juan was a great friend and he will always be with us. He will not be FORGOTTEN"
JOSE DOMINGUEZ of LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA

"To the family of:Juan De Dios Garcia-Arana
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""

"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

"January 11, 2009
To the family of Staff Sgt. Juan DeDios Garcia-Arana:
Juan 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

"SSG Juan Garcia will be loved always."
Levy, Ryan H of Los Angeles, CA

"SSG G was exactly what a platoon leader wanted in an NCO. Smart, capable, reliable, funny, and most of all brave. He watched all of our backs more times than I can count but I do know that none of us ever worried because we knew he had us covered. I still can't believe he's gone. I wish him and his family the best. You will always be in my prayers."
Tim Sumter of Columbia, SC

"May God give the family strength and faith.May God take good care of you Juan. you are a hero. God bless you all."
Limon family of arizona

"Goodbye Hero. May God keep you close to Him now and bless your family. Thank you for your service."
James of Birmingham, AL

"Today at the Multi-National Corps Joint Operations Center in Baghdad, SSG Garcia-Arana was our hero for the day. We had a moment of silence. Our prayers are with your family"
LCDR J. M. Hakanson, Chaplain Corps, USN of Baghdad, Iraq

"Thank you all for posting such great messages about my brother. I feel so much gratitude towards to his other family, which is you guys who had the honor to serve by his side."
Edgardo Garcia of Los Angeles, CA

"Sergeant Garcia-Arana, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"What does one say in a time like this? Every part of me is saying a prayer. Though that may not even be enough. I met Garcia (that is the only name I know him by) when I was in Korea with my husband for two weeks. I dont know him like my husband Sgt Michael Barrick does. And Im still lost for words. There is not enough that I can say in a time like this. Be strong, as strong as you can be. These words are easy to type but not easy to do. My husband was very close to him. If there is anything you need or if you feel you would like to talk, I know you dont know me but I am here. My aol is kasiamese@aol.com."
Annette Barrick of marysville pa

"SSG Garcia was a great nco and a great man. I will always remember him, all the great times we had out at ktc in korea. May God bless his family. For the rest of 1st platoon i think about yall everyday and pray for yalls safe return home."
PFC WILLIS, JUSTIN of Ft. Bliss, Tx

"Dear SSG Juan De Dios Garcia-Arana family and friends. I was on leave when I heard of the loss of a great friend and fellow soldier. He will greatly be missed by all who new him. I wish his family and friends the best during these hard times. Juan is a Hero to all of us here. We know he is in a better place now. But I could only wish he was able to be there for Adrian his sons first birthday. He was a very proud father. Juan I will always remember what we did together, both the good and bad. I will cherish them all. You were a great insperation to me and one hell of a leader. If I could only change one thing now that your gone. It would be that I was with you by your side when you needed me most. Sorry Puto and you will always have a special place in my heart. GOD BLESS YOU and your family.
Sorry I never got to meet with the family of the greatest soldier I have ever had the pleasure of noing."
SSG Rodney A. Fultz of Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq

"Juan Garcia-Arana in Memory. My brother, SGT Michael Barrick feels a loss beyond words. You mean a great deal to him & even though we didn't have the chance to meet - I know you thru him and his emails/photos and telephone calls home with stories like the time the bradley got wrecked LOL. You live on in his heart & soul! For your family - I pray for you & the unbelievable loss you now suffer. A hero on earth became an ANGEL who now watches those he left behind. Thoughts & Prayers for you all. Michael's sister - Steph."
Stephanie Roth of Duncannon, PA

"To the Family and friends of Sgt. Garcia-Arana, My heart and prayers go out to you in this time of sorrow. I pray that our God will give you courage to carry on and wisdom to accept His will. God Bless your loved one for his sacrifice."
George Powell of Cumberland, Maine

"To the Family and Friends of Juan Garcia-Arana. I am very deeply saddeded for your loss, your Son has been and always will be a great friend to my son, SGT Michael Barrick, a fellow Roomie and best Friend, in this life as well as the next. I have no doubt of that, i never met your son in person, but i fell as if i know him, he was as close to Michael as a brother , if not better, The only comfort I can offer you is knowing he will live on in the many Hearts of the many Lives he has touched. God Bless you and comfort you. sincerely"
Debbie Jimenez of Duncannon, PA.17020

"To Juan and his family- Juan was a great guy who worked hard, and was a great friend to all who knew him. Your going to be missed (don't worry I liked the salsa music & your singing LOL). Your family is in my prayers, and don't worry your little girl will grow up knowing her daddy was a good man. ..."Juan es muy guapo""
1LT Christy Erwin of Fayetteville, NC

"To my MEXICAN room-mate.I know right now you are in a far better place, but it still sucks for us you left behind.I pray for your family and I will never forget you.Too many good times.Oh and by the way...try not to bother too many people where you are with your loud SALSA music.I know it made me crazy sometimes.lol.See you one day PUTO!"
SSG Joseph Erwin of El Paso, TX

"HEY BRO!!! i cant believe your really gone, all of us in 1st platoon miss you man!!! you'll always b remembered as a "BAD BOY"... your w me constantly, and your families in my prayers, ...i'll never forget you or ANY of the great times we had, S#%T, i'll never forget the BAD times either...so many memories, .... i miss you "PUTO"... many dont know the inside joke of that, but we do!!!! we ALWAYS WILL!!!"
Sgt Barrick-aka-da DIRTY WOP of IRAQ- same room as you PUTO

"HEY BRO!!! i cant believe your really gone, all of us in 1st platoon miss you man!!! you'll always b remembered as a "BAD BOY"... your w me constantly, and your families in my prayers, ...i'll never forget you or ANY of the great times we had, S#%T, i'll never forget the BAD times either...so many memories, .... i miss you "PUTO"... many dont know the inside joke of that, but we do!!!! we ALWAYS WILL!!!"
Sgt Barrick-aka-da DIRTY WOP of camp habbeniyah,same camp and same room as you!!!

"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

"I was watching the news late night on may the 2nd '05, when i heard the sad news of your passing. I have never met you or your family, but i found out your not only a HERO, but also a former Fremont Pathfinder. I too whent to Fremont, and because of Pathfinders like you, I am proud to say I am a Fremont Alumni and to have at least this in common with you. Like our Motto says " Find a path or make one" you have helped make a path to continue to live free. My deepest condolences to your family and friends."
Raymond of Los Angeles, Ca.

"To the Juan Garcia-Arana Family-
Your son was a true hero. Your family will always be in my prayers.
I pray that the Lord will hold you closely in his hands & heal the emptiness you are all feeling. Juan may be gone from your sight, but never in your memories. Cherish them, & hold them close to your heart."
Michelle of Aurora,Co

"SSGT GARCIA AND FAMILY.......THAK YOU! YOU ARE A HERO! AN YOU HAVE TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF SO MANY. WE LOST OUR SON; IT'S HARD AND VERY DIFFUCULT TO GET OVER. JUAN YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR FAMILY MANY FOND MEMORIES. YO WILL NEVER BE ALONE; NOR FORGOTTEN."
leonardwahl of valley stream ny usa

"SSG Garcia was a good man. His passing left us with broken hearts. He was truely a great NCO. May God comfort the hearts of his family and friends and bless them."
NSA of Iraq

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

"Thank you Juan Garcia-Arana, 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 Staff Sgt. Juan Garcia-Arana:
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 Juan 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 Staff Sgt. Juan Garcia-Arana:
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 Juan, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia