Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Hey junior it's Bailey just thinkin about you uncle junior we all love you so much man. Really wish you were here. Can't believe you've been gone for 12 years. I think about you all the time man and See how much you meant to all of us . I realize that you always cherish the small things and never take anything for granite. The family is doing good. We all love and miss you uncle junior. I love you uncle"
Bailey summer of Crawfirdville florida

"My deepest condolences to Juniors family. He was the first friend I made when I moved to Wakulla back in 2001. He was one of the kindest people I have ever known, and will forever hold a piece of my heart. Junior, Know that you will forever be loved and missed. R.I.P Dear friend"
Anna Caron Buisson of Louisville, KY 40204

"Eight years ago, I lost a truly great friend, and brother. I was there that night in the same vehicle. Even when I was taken to the helicopter for casevac, my thoughts were of you. I will never forget you. I love you Chuck."
Phillip of knoxville Tn

"Miss you Chuck, you were a great man and a great friend."
of Crawfordville, fl

"Hey Chuck it's Heaphy from 2nd plt. I got really close with Duy Dang after you passed and I regret the fact you and I never got the chance to know each other. Carroll, Bell, Fairchild, Dang, and the rest of us lost a good man on that cold November night. Rest in peace and I will never forget you!! I am honored to have served in the same Company of Heroes, Bravo Company 1/2!!!

7/23/2012"
Joseph Heaphy of Wilmington, NC

"I miss your voice. Your face. Humor. Your friendship.
I remember you often and cherish the dreams.
I love you more than words can express!
I'll see you."
of Jacksonville, FL

"I MISS YOU BRO! You were a great guy Chuck!!! I'm sorry for not being there man... I'm SO Sorry!! I have so many regrets now. I often pray for both you and your family. I pray to G_d that he comforts them and eases their pain. I miss you man... just hanging out in the rear. I even miss the times we spent in Iraq! When I finally heard of your tragic passing, I cried. It's still hard and it sucks man! I always ask myself, "why you?". You didn't deserve this.... not that anyone ever does, but especially not you! I pray that I can get to heaven to see you someday. May G_D bless your family for all they have had to endure. They raised a Great Man by the way! Peace be with you brother. We Miss You!!!"
DeVore of Rochester, NY

"7 years ago today and I still remember every detail of everyday I knew you, and every detail of the day we lost you. Forever in my heart Junior."
of Tallahassee

"To the family of:Charles A.Hanson,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""

"Me and Bailey miss u so much junior wel never forget u"
Taylor Sumner of olathe ks

"love you jr love you with all my heart"
taylor sumner of olathe ks

"STILL MISS YOU AND THINK OF YOU EVERY DAY."

"I LOVE YOU BABY BOY!!! XOXOXO"
SHYIA SUMNER of OLATHE, KS

"I never want to forget the sacrifices of so many young men and women. I am so proud it makes me cry at times. I understand, in theory only, that war is a part of human nature but so is love and caring. I wish I could take your families and friends 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
A hundred times a day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labors of other men, living and dead, and I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am receiving. - Albert Einstein"
Scott E. Steiner of Worthington, OH USA

"Junior, I miss you so so much and I want you to know I think about you all the time. I wish you were still here to make me laugh! I loved the summers we were able to grow as friends and create so many memories. I won't ever forget you. Never. You are my hero! Love you..."
Crystal Rodriguez of Kansas City Missouri/USA

"Still think of you and that night everyday. Miss you"
Jason of Union,MO

"NOT A DAY GOES BY WITH-OUT PAIN IN MY HEART, I LOVE AND MISS YOU BABY BROTHER MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY!
LOVE ALWAYS AND FOREVER YOUR SISTER,
SHYIA MARIE
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX"
SHYIA MARIE SUMNER of OLATHE, KS

"”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

"just out of no where was kind of thinking about you and did a lil search and found this page. miss ya junior, and still think about you daily. the ranch will never be the same with out ya man.

your lifetime fishin' buddy

-nick"
Nick B of St. Louis, Mo

"Nov. 28 2008
Still thinking of you brother, miss you

Jason"
Jason Schmelz of Union, Mo

"November 12, 2008
To the family of Lance Cpl. Charles A. Hanson, Jr.:
Charles 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

"Chuck was the best friend i had in the USMC.He was a great marine and a great man.The night he went was the worst night of my life.I will always remember you brother."
Robby Fairchild of Atlanta, Ga

"Chuck was the best friend i had in the USMC.He was a great marine and a great man.The night he went was the worst night of my life.I will always remember you brother."
Robby Faichild of Atlanta, Ga

"Wow it has been a while since he has passed, but I am just finding out about his sudden going home. I am Charles' recruiter then SSgt. Roberson, but have since retired as GySgt. To the family of Charles I send my deepest condolences and regards, he was truly a motivated young man and Marine. I am Honored to have known Charles during that small amount of time. Ooh Rah!! Semper Fi!!!"
GySgt Roberson of Jacksonville, FL

"every Nov 28th is hard Chuck was probly the coolest marine ive ever been around i always thought of him as a superhero cause he was awesome as a grunt but you could never be around him without laughing will never forget the memories and the smile hope i made you proud miss you hanson"
Cpl Bell 3rd Plt of Camp Lejeune, NC

"we miss you"
Morris of portland O.R.

"Remembering your dear son this Memorial Day and his tremendous sacrifice for our country. Love and prayers for all of you. Daniel Bell's mom. Daniel served with your son."
Debbi Bell of Martinsburg, WV

"Dear Hanson family
As you know Chuck was a great man and Marine. I think about him every day.I know he is in heaven smiling down on us. I pray that your family is doing well.

Cpl.Schmelz Bco 3rd. Plt"
Jason Schmelz of St.Charles,MO.

"I’m sorry for your loss of a friend and family member.
Perhaps some of you can help me pass on his legacy to thousands of readers near Panacea.
My name is Daniela and I'm a reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat.
I'm working on a profile of Charles as part of a four-year anniversary story of the war in Iraq for the newspaper.
I'd like to talk with some of his friends and family to find out how you all are coping after his death.
If you’d like to talk with me, please call or e-mail. I have to have the story finished by next Friday.
Thanks and my condolences,
Daniela Velazquez, (850) 599-2161 or dvelazquez@tallahassee.com."
Daniela Velazquez of Tallahassee, FL

"My dear nephew Junior would have celebrated his 24th birthday today 11/20/2006. This is a very difficult day for all his family and friends. Rest assured that his sacrifice is not forgotten nor will he ever be. He is in a much better place looking down on us today to celebrate the life he had and to remember all the good times we were fortunate to have with him. To his Mother and Sisters, be strong and please use this day to remember the happy times and laugh out load about the funny things....I know he hears you."
Aunt Tiff of Olathe, Kansas

"To the family- May God be with you and heal your heart as much as possible. To the message above from David Carroll. God has a plan for us all, and when he wants us there's not a thing anyone can do to stop it. As hard as it may be to accept it, I'm am sure you did all that you could do for your friend that night and he knows it. You too are a hero in your own right and I hope that God will also give you the peace now that you deserve."
Anon of Atlanta, Ga

"Dear Hanson Family
You probally never heard about me much, but i met Chuck my good friend Duy. When they would come to Tallahassee on leave i would always hang out with them. A year later i joined the Marine Corps and I hung out with them on a regular basis up on Lejune. Before i left for Afghanistan in may of 04, Chuck gave me some advice on everything i needed to know about over there in the middle east, and he told me to come by and see him when i got back. Months past and i found out that 1/2 left for Iraq. I got back from Afghanistan the first thing i did was see if they got back too, but they didn't. I stopped by to tell Chuck thank you. As I was driving down to tallahassee on leave Duy had call me, he didn't sound like himself and he told me that Chuck didn't make it and i'm like wut are you talking about and reality set in. I realized that one of my friends was gone, I cried all the way to Tallahassee. I wanted to stop by and send my condolenses to your family but i wasn't sure how yall were mentally. So if its possible can you give me the directions to his gravesite so i can pay my respects. Thank you"
Lcpl Jarvis Ferrell of Camp Lejune, NC

"I can proudly say I knew Charles from school. To hear of his death shook this war so much closer to home. I cry for his memory but smile knowing I'll see him again some other day, some other way. For those who knew him, he was such a bright, charasmatic, loving man. For those who didn't know him, you missed out on knowing one of God's greatest beings. To his family and loved ones, for there are so many, May God bless each of you every day and may the memories of Charles make you laugh and smile. We did not lose Charles on that day, he simply was called home, to be there for us to see later. Keep his memory alive and well, as I do, and may you always know that simply pennies found around you on the ground, are actually angel pennies left for you, by Charles and others, to pick up and smile, and remember the best of what you had."
Stephanie of Tallahassee, Florida/USA

"I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house
That don’t bother me
I can take a few tears now and then and just let them out
I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while
Even though going on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again I pretend I’m ok
But that’s not what gets me

What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin’ to do

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I’m doin’ It
It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone
Still Harder
Getting up, getting dressed, livin’ with this regret
But I know if I could do it over
I would trade give away all the words that I saved in my heart
That I left unspoken

What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do"

"I will never forget you...I still have all the pennies...
See you next lifetime"

"You were the closest friend i've ever had. I'm sorry for letting u down that night. I love you bro. I think about you every day. See ya soon."
Cpl David A. Carroll of Camp Lejuene, NC

"A great friend, a great man and a great Marine always smiling. We miss you dearly."
Sgt Shaw of Greensboro NC

"Dear Hanson family,
My name is Debbi Bell and my son L CPL Daniel Bell served with your son in Iraq. They were friends and I believe were talking of spending time together when they had leave to go fishing. Daniel was there when the LORD called your dear son home. Your son will never be forgotten. I have prayed so for your dear family in the sacrifice your dear Marine made. I've cried many tears for you and will cry many more. Your loved one is not forgotten. Daniel got another tattoo when he came home from Iraq. 2, actually. One has a cross with "Christ died for your sins, let me die for your freedom" on it. On the left of the cross, it says RIP, Hanson, Brooks, Gavriel and Morgan.
On the right is a Marine in cammis. My son was deeply affected by your son's sacrifice. May God in Heaven comfort and sustain you. You will always be in my prayers. God bless and keep you."
Debbi Bell of Martinsburg, WV

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

"To the family of Lance Corporal Hanson, I can not express how sorry I am for the loss you have experienced. No amount of words can take away the pain I know you must be feeling. I will continue to lift you up in prayer, in hopes that one day that pain will lessen and your memories will bring you joy! Thank you for raising a true AMERICAN HERO!! God Bless!!"
Lori Burnett of Overland Park, KS/USA

"Greater love has no man... Dana, and family, Thank you for raising such a brave son who sacrificed his own life so that others could live theirs more fully. You should be so proud. I am just so sorry for your loss."
Karen Peterson of Olathe, KS/USA

"You are more than a hero to all of us. Mom you are a hero to. Be strong and may God be with you always!"

"To the family of Lance CPL Charles Hanson Jr. I believe-what was, will be again. All that is good, is everlasting. He knows our sorrow, we shall know His peace-for earth hath no sorrow that heaven can not heal. My prayers are with you. Thank you Junior. You are a true hero."
Jerrilyn Parrick of Kansas City, MO/USA

"To family members and many friends of Lance Corporal Charles Hanson, Jr. Thank you "Jr" for making our Country a safer place to live. May God grant you peace, strength and understanding in the days to come. My prayers are with you."
A Marine Mom--Carlene Drussell of Overland Park, KS/USA

"Thank you for your heroism and bravery. As a veteran of the military I bless your family and they will always be in my prayers."
Jeni Eggerman of Raymore, MO/USA

"Thank you for defending our country. May God keep the rest of our soldiers safe and help those who have lost loved ones. You are in my prayers."
Rose Roberts of Overland Park, KS/USA

"Thank you, Junior, for your heroism and bravery. You will forever hold a special place in the hearts of many. May God Bless your family and give them strength during this time of rememberance."
Jennifer Galloway of Shawnee, KS/USA

"Unto all those who mourn, may Peace be yours. To Junior's mother most especially, my prayers. I shall remember, and teach the next generation to remember."
Janice "Colonel Jenna" Gaulke, The Lady with the Mice of Overland Park, Kansas

"To the family of Lance CPL Charles Hanson Jr. You are in my thoughts and prayers."
Shaunda Shupert of Kansas City, MO/USA

"To the family of Lance Cpl Charles Hanson Jr: "Junior" made the greates sacrifice possible in the name of freedom. He will not be forgotten. Your family remains in my prayers. God Bless."
Danelle Davis of Overland Park,Ks/USA

"I love you man we grew up together you died for me and everyone else i think of you daily"
justin ford XSGT of atlanta georgia usa

"Thank you Charles for defending our freedoms and making America safer. Your brave actions will be remembered each day we raise our flag in the front yard. Semper Fi Marine and God Bless you and may He grant your loved ones peace. From a very grateful American family."
The Shaw family of Pasadena, Maryland

"Our family lost our son in Iraq, Thanksgiving Day 2003. We want to send our condolences to your family and let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. There are no words that can convey the pain we felt and we are sure you are also experiencing. Please know there are many people who are thinking about you and care about you.
Liz Sweet, Sgt. Thomas J. Sweet II's mom"

"Dana, Alicia, and Shyia, I believe God will give you strengh to get thru this. There are many people who love you and pray for you every day. We will all miss JR, still we are very proud of him! His wonderful memory will live forever."
Close Friend

"There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this time."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"To the family and friends of Lance Corporal Charles A. Hanson, Jr.,

Those we hold most dear, never truly leave us. May you find comfort in love's everlasting connection.

In the Support section of this web site you will find links to many groups that support you at this crucial time. The Marine Comfort Quilt group would be honored to send a quilt to the next of kin. There are many, loving and caring Americans from all over the United States that will never forget the sacrifice that your loved one has made for our Freedom. Please use our link and register so we can send you our "Love Stitched Together."

Proud Marine Mom and Proud Member of Marine Comfort Quilts"
Sandra Moudy of Placentia, Ca USA

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

"Thank you Charles Hanson, 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 Lance Cpl. Charles Hanson, 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 Charles 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 Lance Cpl. Charles Hanson, 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 Charles, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia