Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Hey I know we haven't met but I've herd a lot about you Santiago you faught for us some don't appreciate it but guess what I do 😀we'll never forget you.........your awesome I wish I could be just like you.. Bye"
Jeff danci of Laredo

"I just found out this terrible news today. I'm totally saddened Tiago was one of my very good friend while we were stationed together at ft Knox. I loved him like a brother and I'm sorry to hear of this awful news. We had some good times. Love you brother"
Brad Gary of Portage indiana

"SSG Halsel was the best leader, soldier, and friend that a man could ask for. His words of wisdom helped me make it through are first deployment. I owe you one buddy. since 2006 i have had a black band with your name on it attached to my wrist and have not taken it off since nor will i ever....i love you buddy"
Nick Houchins(Hooch) of shakopee mn

"I cant belive it's been 5 years now that you have been gone I miss you bro me and you always had away of keeping the Plt laughing you where one hell of a man and leader and not a day goes by I don't think of you I will see you again up there where I know you are at peace love you bro and I'm flying down there soon to KY and Cabby and I are going to come see you soon love you bro may you rest in peace C co 502 inf 1st Plt"
Erik Jorgensen of Webster NH

"DEAR UNCLE TIAGO,
I TURN 21 THIS YEAR UNCLE TIAGO AND HONESTLY I NEVER THOUGHT TO BE LIVING THIS LIFE WITH OUT U. I WAITED ON...AND I STILL AM...JUST FOR THAT ONE DAY THAT U JUST POP UP AND SHOW EVERYBODY THAT YOUR STILL WITH US...BUT I GUESS THAT I HAVE TO FACE THE FACT THAT YOUR GONE...HOW DO I DO THAT??? LOOKING AT YOUR PICTURES MAKES ME WANT TO SEE THAT LOVELY SMILE IN PERSON AGAIN...BUT I KNOW THAT IN DUE TIME THAT WE'LL ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN...ME, YOU,GRANNY,BELL,NAY AND TAMIE...I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT I LOVE U AND ALWAYS WILL...AND THAT WHEN I LOOK AT MY SON NAYTHANIEL...I SEE U IN HIM...AND JUST THAT PUSHES ME TO SEE ANOTHER DAY...I LOVE U AND U WILL NEVER BE 4GOTTEN...ATLEAST IN MY HEART...SWEET DREAMS AND PLEASENT MEMORIES OF YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART.
LOVE ALWAYS,"
KOREE DAWN of BOWLING GREEN KY

"I was one of the medics in the company during that 2nd deployment. I remember that day and the hearing the IED go off. CPT Cunningham and I both had a feeling that early morning something bad happened. God, It's hard to realize 4 years has past without you here. Brother, everyday I think about how you were taken away during your prime, and how your loss affects your wife and kids. I have had so much anger and bitterness and guilt that between your loss and Beef's, I dont know how I kept it together. One day I will meet your family and tell them what an honor it was to have known you and work with you. I don't have any tattoos, but your name and memory along with Beef's, will ensure that you are never forgotten, and always on my mind and prayers.

Former SGT, medic, and friend in HHC and C Co 2-502 INF, 2 BCT, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT)"
Chester Dodd of San Antonio, TX

"i miss you uncle taygo tookie"
lakenya of tennessee

"Sorry, you will always be missed and never forgotten."
June-bug

"The greatest man I have had the chance to serve under. He helped me through alot in Iraq. I remember that day like it was yesterday, I can't believe its been 4 years. You will never been missed."
June-bug of El Paso, TX

"its taken me this long to actually face the fact that your really gone!!! its crazy how life works sometimes. and how quick good things go bad!!! i love you so much...and thanks for everything that you thought me.!!!"
love always

"I MISS I UNCLE TAYGO REST AND PEACE. I LOVE U AND ALWAYS WILL MISS U NO MATTER WHAT WE BEEN THROUGH"
DAYLON BROOKS of Bowling Green,KY

"Thank you, you will be missed"
Peggy Hiles of Appleton, Wi

"To the Halsel family.Its been a few years since I have been out of the Army,and I was in his platoon.I remember his passing like it was yesterday.I had so much anger and bitterness because of it.He was a great,great man,and I know that you all can reflect and smile at that,because I do.My freind,SSGT Halsel,you will ALWAYS be remembered."
Bob Eberly of Bradenton,Florida

"To The Halsel family: my condolences to your entire family I know its been a time since this brave soldier had fallen but i wanted to convey my respects. May God shoulder your sadness and lift your spirits as he has in his kingdom of the bravest and one of America's finest, Santiago Halsel."
Steve Richardson of Seffner FL

"May 7, 2009
To the family of Staff Sgt. Santiago M. Halsel:
Santiago 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

"Its soo hard to believe that u are gone even after 2yrs. I hate thinkin that we will never hear that laugh or see that smile again. The world lost a HERO when we lost you. You will never be forgotten and always will remain in the hearts of us that were lucky enough to know you! We miss you Taigo!!!!!"
Heidi Greer of Bowling Green KY

"Taygo, it's taken a long time for me to sit and write Bro, Just got to say you will always be remembered in the hearts and minds of the Hiles family. Susan you may not remember me, but Taygo worked for me at Fort Lewis, Wa. he was the welder in my section there. I came by your house a few times. It was one of the worst day for me to find out of your loss. I found out in Jan 2007. just want the Halsel Family to know that he was and always will be one of the BEST SOLDIERS I have ever had the opportunity to serve with. Brother T...hold down the Fort til we can see you again. You were always out front."
Don Hiles of Phoenix, AZ

"THANKS TO EVERY ONE WHO KNEW AN DIDNT KNOW MY BROTHER,FOR YOUR SYMPATHY AN CONDOLENCES,THE ONES WHO DIDNT KNOW HIM I KNOW YOU KNOW THE PAIN OF SOMEONES CLOSE LOSS OR YOUR OWN,IT HURTS STILL,AN IM SURE IT ALWAYS ABOUT THIS TIME WILL,BUT LIKE YOU TOLD ME BRAH,JUST LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE,AN YOU LIVE IN THE MIST OF IT BY GODS WILL,ITS A STRUGGLE BRAH,WITH JUST ME AN SIS,THE LAST 2 PAIR OF LEGS STANDING IN THIS THIS FAMILY BUT NOW WITH FAMILY'S OF OUR OWN,BUT I PROMISE TO KEEP YOU ALIVE YOU DESERVE TO BE KNOWN ABOUT,YOU THE DEFINITION OF A TRUE!SOILDER AN ALL 3000 PLUS THAT DIED OVER THERE WITH YOU BRAH,WHY DID YALL DIE,ITS WAS ONLY GODS WILL,WELL THEN YALL DIED FOR WHATS OVERREAL!THE ALPHA AN OMEGA!RIP!TO MY BOTHER AN THE OTHER 6000 PLUS/CANT 4GET 911-01,THE STAKE IN THE HEART 4 MANY!I CRY!MY LIFE IS A SANDSTORM,SONG 4 YOU BRAH,AT MIKEYHALSELL@YAHOO.COM/MYSPACEMUSIC.THANKS AGAIN.BGKY."
TAURICUS HALSELL of BOWLING GREEN,KY/USA

"i miss u daddy"
lashae of bowling green,ky

"This man was my best friend while I was in the 101st. I last saw him on 2 OCT 05, as he was boarding a bus with the rest of my company. I was staying back to go to the Army Officer Candidate School. Many nights while we stood guard in Iraq, we would talk about retirement. We were among the oldest guys in the platoon - older than some of the squad leaders. To this day, I wear the patch of the 101st Airborne on my right shoulder. I'm in a different Airborne division now, but Old Abe will always remain where he is, in tribute to my friends who can no longer wear it."
Charlie 1-6 Romeo of Southern Iraq

"To the family of:Santiago M. Halsel 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"

"Santiago,
I would 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.

"Strike"(502nd Inf. Motto)"

"Tiago's family is in my prayers everyday. I knew Tiago from the day he got to Ft.Campbell until the day I ETSd. I loved him like a brother and I'll never forget him.
Taigo touched many other soldiers lives, many people looked up to him. He was always there with a word for someone who needed it.
Tiago had a heart of gold and he will live on in those of us who remember."
Jerred Horn of Robbinsdale, MN

"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.
Our nations HERO, Santiago will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge / Montana God Bless you ALWAYS. "

"Hy heart pours out to the family of this and every fallen soldier. As we have just gotten over the Memorial holiday it leaves me still thinking about those that are dying defending the freedoms we so greatly enjoy and take for granted here in this country.
May God bless you for your sacrafice."
Juanita Lawson-Crowder of Somerset, KY USA

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