Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Gonzo, I will forever cherish our time spent at MOS school at Camp Johnson in Jacksonville North Carolina. You were a great and funny dude to be around. You, Luis Herrera, Paul Kwon and myself made the best of it at those barracks. We deployed together but I never got to see you again. I know your family is extremely proud of you. Rest in peace my friend."
Oscar Reyes of Fort Worth, Texas

"I saw someone ask about where he is laid to rest so I hope this is ok with the family.

Thinking about you especially today Paquito!

Paco is interred at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach CA:

4400 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807

Grid 339
Tier 12
Section J"
JR Torres of Compton, CA

"Missing you always.."

"Can anyone share where was he laid to rest?"
Alonso Hurtado

"May Jesus Bless you and your loved ones as you reflect on his memories during these holiday seasons. Semper Fidelis USMC Vet"
Matthew of CORONA,CA

"I am deeply sorry for your loss. I knew Gonzalez when we worked together at 1st Supply BN and I was one of the few Marines that attended his memorial with the family. He was one funny guy, never a serious moment with him. May he rest in peace."
Jennifer Martin of Quantico, VA

"Jose, As a retired US navy serviceman from Villa Juarez S.L.P. I honor your sacrifice and share your families grief. We are a small community in central Mexico however our contribution to our adoptive country has been great, many have served in the armed forces and you made the greatest sacrifice."
Eleno Martinez of Kenosha, Wisconsin

"Its been a while! never had the courage to post until now. To the family of PFC Gonzalez Jose he was a funny guy. A guy that love to make everyone laugh. When he would walk into the tent he would still the spot light everytime what an awesome guy. He will never be forgotten.

Love always CPL LEE"
Cpl. Lee, Morrell of Hollywood, Florida

"My dearest cousin...it's been 10 years but the pain and loss is ever present. I will hold on to our childhood memories...I keep your picture in a frame and now share with my children how courageous you were. My father speaks of the days you played baseball with him. He always wanted a son and I'm glad he had nephews like you who shared his same love for baseball. Paco, you made our family proud and we will always remember you for that. Can't wait to meet again!"
Lupita Balderas of Norwalk,CA

"Jose,
It has been 10 years since your death and you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!"

"Jose, I miss u so much!!"
Fabi

"Jose, I remember being on Guard duty with you... Everyday for two weeks we were posted at the back entrance in Camp Coyote..... You would tell me stories from when you where at home and would always tell me that you were a good cook. You always made me smile. You had a a way of
making people around you smile.
You are a Good Freind, Good Person, and a Good Marine. I thank you and honor you for your service, detection and sacrifice.
My condolence to your family. I know you are looking down on us in heaven, and I know you will have alot of stories and smiles for us when we meet again......
Thank you brother. Semper Fidelis-
USMC - Sgt. Lewis, Charity SupCo. Receiving."
Sgt Lewis of Downey, CA

"TO THE PARENTS OF PACO (MY TIOS)FIRST AND FOREMOST MY CONDOLENCES.I DIDNT KNOW BOUT TIS TILL RECENTLY,I WAS IN PRISON BUT WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM,I DIDNT SEE HIM FOR YEARS BUT EVER SINCE HE WAS A KID HE WAS ALWAYS MAKING JOKES,I REGRET NOT SEEING HIM AS A OLDER PERSON,BUT I HAVE A GOOD MEMORY BOUT HIM AS A KID.KEEP YOUR HEAD UP ABOVE TO THE SKY TIOS I KNOW HE LOOKIN OUT 4 YALL.TODOS MIS RESPETOS PARA ESTE GRAN HOMBRE Y SOLDADO,"
FRANCISCO BANDA JR of YUMA ARIZONA,USA

"Gonzo:

It took me seven years to finally post my thoughts on this board. It took me a trip back to were everything happened to finally realized how much life is worth and how much you enjoyed life like we all should. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and that faithfull day in which you made the ultimate sacrifice. I will never forget that even as I was feeling down on some days you were always happy and trying to cheer everybody around you. I consider my self very thankfull of having the chance of serving with you and sharing the pride that you had for your heritage and your family. To your family on this your anniversary, know that you had the best son in the world and that at his young age he was more of a man that all of us together. A great kid, friend, brother, son but above all a great Marine. Pray for your family from heaven and remember we will never forget you. I will see you some day. Semper Fidelis Mijo. Your older brother Alonso."
Sgt Hurtado Alonso of San Francisco, CA

""To the family of Jose Franci Gonzalez-Rodriguez ,I am so sorry for the loss of your love one.He died a hero.May you know the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Hopefully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need someone to pray with you or talk to please call or write my pastor at Gateway Community Church,Rev John B Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington Ga. 30016 phone 770-787-1015""

"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

"Baby G of the Mexican mafia , what a character full of jokes and humor we served in I raq together and he sure made us forget where we were at least for moments at a time we were in force protection in may 2003 looking forward so much to coming home and anxious to see his family so full of Joy you will be missed by this old friend Cpl JarquinGaitan /tuany_papi@yahoo.com"
Jose Jarquin of New Jersey

"January 29, 2009
To the family of Pfc. Jose Franci Gonzalez-Rodriguez:
Jose 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

"From me and the "Mexican Mafia" we misssed you and let your soul rest in peace. But you will never be forgotten. I still miss all the jokes you used to make with us when we deployed to Iraq. I remeber you cutting everyones hair in the tint in camp coyote. I still remeber all the jokes we used to make to each other....We will miss you....Your friend and fellow Devil Dog!!!
Cpl Lemus"
Cpl Lemus of Bellflower CA

"January 19, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Jose Franci Gonzalez-Rodriguez:
Jose 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

"God Bless you"
Matthew Roediger of St.Louis, Missouri

"JOSE I MISS U N I WILL ALWAYS REMEBER U"
FABIOLA of EL MONTE CA

"Jose,
I would like to say thank you to you and the other Marine who was also killed in that explosion for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, loved ones, and fellow Marines, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!"

"Gonzo was one of the few Marines that I kept in close relation to. I guess I can say that we started out in the Marine Corps together. I was with Gonzo throughout his Marine Coprs career except for his time in boot camp. I went to MCT, MOS school and even checked into the same unit at the same time. I probably wont be wrong when I say that I was one of his closer buddies in the M.C. I remember one time when I wanted to punch him because he was drunk and was making a fool of himself. I wanted other Marines to see the goods sides of him and not just his bad.

I remember Gonzo today as a Marine that fell down at the start of the race but learned how to pick himself and continue on with the race. He was alway full of joy and brought smiles to everyone around him. I really do miss him."
Sgt Chae of CA

"He was my best friend, he was like my brother, from cerritos san luis potosi, i remember Jose as if he was still here with us. i work around norwak area close to his home and every day i drive by i rember him.
i would like to say hello to his parents .
so if any one can give me their address i would greately apreciate it. my email address is gonzalezramosre@gmail.com
sincerely LCPL Gonzalez-ramos"
reyes gonzalez of santa ana california

""I had the great priviledge of being the butt of some of Jose's jokes. He was always full of humor, and never let the elements that we were in affect him. Even though it's been a couple of years since, not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I know that all the guys on force protection felt the same empty feeling in their stomach that I felt that day. But I also know that he is in a better place and in god's hands."
Gerardo Garcia usmc of West Chicago/Norwalk IL/CA

""Gonzo" as we called him was one of the most positive Marines out there I worked with him day in and day out until we got deployed, when I heard we were going I was scared as hell but he was all about guts and glory "hell yeah this is what I signed up for" he would say. He was the only one that was excited about going, once our unit was given the order to leave we had a formation and our Officer told us "one of you guys may not come back maybe even some of you, but remeber everything that was taught to you and we will see each other again" we looked at each other and nobody could picture any of us not coming back. We both left at the same time but went to different units. Three months before we were home we got the word. He had died. It hit home real quick, how will his parents react as he was the only son and the oldest (19). I can only reminice about all those times we would run to work in the morning because we were gonna be late,or when we were at work and his mom would call to check up on him and they gave me the phone cause I spoke Spanish and they had no clue what his mom was saying,we got on him for that, or when we would borrow peoples cars so that we could come home,he would drop me off and he would go home, or how he would walk around the barracks with his "ghetto,tire guaraches", "I'm proud of being Mexican y que?",or when we went to the chow hall only on Mexican Wednesday because that's the only time he liked to go. Our friend Garza who was his roomate took it the hardest he was a mess for weeks,Garza carries you with him I think you know that. His presance was enough to lighten the room he was always cracking jokes. On this Memorial day I want the family to know that he is not forgotten , his friend Recinos has a tatoo with the traditional Marine rifle upside down in his memory, and many of his other friends carry him with them. I was honored to be his friend even if it was cut short. Much respects to the family that raised such an all around good son,Marine,and Friend"
Nancy Soto of La Puente, Ca

"1/25/05
Thank you brave Marine! I will not forget what you did for the rest of us. From a very grateful American."
Jim Shaw of Pasadena, Maryland

"In response to Jose Balderas' message, I too wish that I could have found this site earlier. It's been more than one year, and the flashbacks of the day we received the news that Paco was killed in Iraq will never be erased. Those news forever changed my views about life and my purpose as an American citizen. The death of my cousin will never be forgotten, however, as the Nation that we are, we must unite and fight for the freedom that these brave men are fighting for overseas. We must not forget that there are still many injustices in our democracy; as a Democratic Nation here at home there is a battle to be fought on a more symbolic and political level. There are still many injustices that immigrants like Paco experience daily in this nation. In the name of peace and Democracy we must fight for the rights of hard working immigrants like the Gonzalez Family who immigrate from small towns like Agua Del Medio in San Luis Potosi, Mexico to the US- the land of promises in search of jobs and a better life. Although I am a citizen of this country, I identify myself as an immigrant because my parents are immigrants who through the years have worked hard to help their children attain the dreams they came in search of. My family, a poor immigrant working-class family has suffered a great loss in search of the American Dream. Paco will always have a place in our hearts, thoughts, and American history.
Thanks to everyone for your wonderful words. With all sincerity and humbleness in the name of the entire Gonzalez family, I Thank you. This message also goes to the members of the Armed forces, as a human being there aren't enough words I can use to express the gratefulness we owe you and repay your service to this country. Thank you all. May we continue to strive together for Equality, Justice, and most important Peace in the name of Jose Francisco Gonzalez, our servicemen, and the future of our nation.

"Es mejor morir de pie, que vivir de rodillas"
" Its better to die on your feet, than live on your knees"
-Emiliano Zapata
Mexican Revolutionary

Like paco and our servicemen, we must continue to strive and fight against injustice in search for peace in our Nation."
Alma R. Gonzalez of Compton, CA, USA

"Semper Fidelis Gonzo. I will miss you Devil"
Fmr. LCpl. Lopez, Francisco of Bell Gardens CA

"RIP Marine"
Petty Officer Cawthon of RTC Great Lakes, IL

"In Loving Memory..Its been a year..

At the rising of the sun and at its going down, We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of Winter, We remember them.
At the opening of buds and in the rebirth of Spring, We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of Summer, We remember them.
At the rustling of leaves and the beauty of Autumn, We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends, We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live;
for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.
Rest in Peace Dear Soldier! We will NEVER FORGET!!"
The Grogan Family of Lakeland, TN

"I am in 7th grade. My favorite class is S.S. Most would think I was crazy. But I like S.S because it helps me remember how we got so far in life. For the people that knew him will never forget him. You most likely felt like you have a hole in your heart form his death.But very slowly it will start to heal. But it will never go away. The scar of his death will stay."
7th grade student of Barker Middle School

"It is hard to believe that it's almost a year that you died,however our saddness is still the same. Who would of thought that a very humble small boy from a very small town in San Luis Potosi, Mexico would loose his life in a war. We are very proud to be part of your family but also sad because we have lost you. I remeber you as this little happy, loving and playfull boy and this is the way I will always remember you."

"Francisco( Paco ) will always be in our hearts, thoughts, and prayer. Your family and friends miss you."
Rosa of Lynwood, California

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

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

"I am overwhelmed with emotion as I read these messages left by great people. Jose was my cousin, I was very close to him and when word reached us that day it was a moment that has forever been etched into our memory. Unfortunately, I had not known about this website and just found it tonite. I wish I had found it earlier to thank each and every one of you right after you posted a message. Our family, though still saddened, I believe has the passed the stage of sorrow and tears and they have been replaced with pride and comfort. The latter has been provided by people like yourselves, total strangers who have become a part of our family. I lost a cousin but I gained a nation of family members. Know that your words are held dear by our family during this hard time. I can be reached at y2joser@hotmail.com"
Jose Balderas of Santa Fe Springs, CA

"As a fellow Marine I am proud that Jose was also a Marine. The sacrifice Jose made will be known for a long time. Semper Fi."
Angel R. Gonzalez Rodrigez of Orlando, FL. USA

"Thank you Jose Gonzalez-Rodriguez, 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

"I was with the same group as Jose. I remember him as always laughing and making jokes. The last day I saw him, his glasses were missing a lense but he still wore them and went around the area making jokes. He was so full of life and had a great sense of humor. He is not forgotten by the Marines who served close with him in Iraq and on Force Protection."
Cpl Frank R. Pacino of Camp Pendleton, CA, United States of America

"to the family of this fine marine, hero! im saden to hear about your son/ friend. it hurts to hear of anyone in the armed forces leaving us but it gets to you more when its the same branch and so close to home, i live in bellflower and myself had just came from iraq, i did not physicaly know him but as a marine he was my brother, just know you had a hero! if you ever need anything feel free to contact me at fabian_32@msn.com"
Fabian Heredia of Bellflower, CA

"To the family and friends of Pfc. Jose Gonzalez-Rodriguez:
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 Jose for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"We thank you for the sacrafice Jose made for us. Our prayers are with your family during this difficult time. Thank you brave soldier!"
Ken and Maritza Holley of Pembroke Pines, Florida

"Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. We will remember you as a brave and unselfish young Marine. God Bless your family and friends."
The Souvigney Family of Antioch, TN

"To the family and friends of Pfc. Jose Gonzalez-Rodriguez:
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 Jose, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera, of Powder Springs, Georgia