Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"It's been 18 years now! And for some reason, on Sunday it hit me like a Tsunami! I was an attachment to the 173rd in Kirkuk and went on patrol with almost every squad posted out of Kirkuk. Justin and Kyle Thomas have always been the hardest to get over... RIP Sky Soldier and you are not forgotten, your legacy and memory live on!"
MSgt (Retired) C. Cox of Chattanooga, TN

"Jessica please contact us"
dad of marysville wa.

"Justin,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death 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.

Airborne All The Way!"

"Hi Jessica,
I stumbled on your page (memorial day). It's impossible to grasp the enormous collective heroic sacrifice made by so many people throughout history and the pain carried by so many families. I do think about those fallen soldiers like Justin Hebert and others like him from time to time and it makes me much less cynical and much more grateful in life. I wish more people did. How different might our country and attitudes be. We'll likely never meet but I can share this small wisdom I've learned. Life is a wonderful, yet ephemeral gift. Loss in losing someone, saying goodbye, giving up those we love, can also be a gift for it reminds us to value what we had, and still have. That lesson is the most profound and painful one we must face. I hope one day you can, for a moment, remember the good memories with Justin without the burn of loss."
Joseph Lystad of Chicago, IL

"Justin -- as we entered Iraq in 2003, we leave Iraq in 2011. You guarded us civilians that will there in Kirkuk working to restore Iraqi Oil. Your death was a terrible blow to us, but know that I have never forgotten you and the sacrifice you and your family made. My Saint Mike's medal is my reminder of brave soldiers like you that gave your lives for us.
Love you always."
Nola of Yelm, WA

"GOD rest their SOULs!!!"
NMBernhardt of Nice,Ca.

"Just sitting at my desk on veterans day and thinking about Justin. Its hard to believe that it has been over seven years already since that night on the bridge. I think about Justin often and pray that his family is doing alright."
John Bender of Arlington, SD

"WE all Miss you and of course always will but most of all we thank you for your time on earth that you spent with me and your mom who still to this day is in a very hurting stage of her life we love you JUSTIN and always WILL LOVE DAD YOUR REAL DAD BILL HEBERT"
WILLIAM M.HEBERT of MARYSVILLE

"WE all Miss you and of course always will but most of all we thank you for your time on earth that you spent with me and your mom who still to this day is in a very hurting stage of her life we love you JUSTIN and always WILL LOVE DAD YOUR REAL DAD BILL HEBERT"
WILLIAM M.HEBERT of MARYSVILLE

""To the family of Justin W. Hebert ,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""

"To the family of Justin Hebert .... My name is SGT. Cuesta and I had the privilage and honor to serve with Hebert in Iraq ,He was a dear friend to me and to this day I miss him dearly. He was a true hero to me that night and I would love to share that moment with you. Please contact me @ cuesta24@yahoo.com"
Will O. Cuesta of Davenport , FL

"July 3, 2008
To the family of Spc. Justin W. Hebert:
Justin 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

"Happy birthday Justin, I just wish you were still here to celebrate. I heard a song tonight that got my mind thinking of you, and it reminded me that today is your birthday. It's been almost four years since I was told you gave all for this country, I remember that day like yesterday and every time I think of it I still get that sick feeling that I had when my mom called to tell me.

When I look back on your life I wish our families had been closer, I wish things had not been so hard for you and your sister, I wish I didn't often get lost in time and with work and I had spent more time with family, I wish you were still here."
Your Cousin Josh Brown of Snohomish WA

"My name is Jason Bateman. I had the pleasure of serving with your brother in Iraq. He is one of the best soldiers that I have ever known, past, present and future. He will forever be in my memory. He was a great soldier, friend and brother. Please contact me at batman_0518@yahoo.com I would like to get some information from your family about Justin. Thank you. Your family have been and will continue to be in my prayers."
Jason Bateman of Ft Hood, TX

"I am so moved by the loving tributes for such a tremendous young man. Though I never knew your brother, I am so thankful to God that Justin once walked among us.

Though this may offer little comfort when your loss has been so great, I would like you to know how grateful I am to your family and to your brother for his service and your sacrifice. I believe with all of my heart that your brother has made this world a better and safer place for my family and for my children. For that I will be eternally grateful.

Please know that I will pray for your family and continue to pray for the men and women who continue to fight. May God bless you."
Katrina Williams of Queensbury, NY

"I knew Justin very well, he was a great person. A few hours before he went out on patrol (his last patrol). We were joking around with each other.......we always joked around with each other.....I remember he said "turner we are almost out of here" and I said yeah I know man and those were my last words with justin he turned away and started to eat his dinner before he went out on patrol. And his words kept me going through every deployment since then I am going on number 3 now. Justin......On that black morning when this life is over I will meet you at the cross roads!! Love you man God bless....."
carl, turner 1st 508th of vicenza Italy

"I was there when Spc Hebert's C-130 came to bring him home at Kirkuk, Iraq. We guided his aircraft in and parked it for the ceremony that brought him home. I am proud to have been a part of this ceremony. I assure the family that he was honored with upmost dignity. I am a crew chief in the U.S. Air Force and we were in charge of all incoming and outgoing aircraft to the air base. May God bless Spc Hebert and his family"
MSgt Jonathan O. Ablang of Spangdahlem AB, Germany

"Swink, Matterson and Williams,

I would love to chat with you guys. Especially you Adam Williams...I am curious to know what song my brother was singing before his life ended. I hope that you all find your way back to this site because I try to contact everyone that knew my brother. I just feel like you are the ones who know more about how I feel since you got the chance to know him. Email me at my yahoo address.....please. =)
missmybro2003@yahoo.com

Thanks,
Jessica Hebert"
Jessica Hebert of Marysville, WA

"yOU DON'T KNOW ME,HOWEVER WE ARE CONNECTED WITH A COMMON LOSS, MY SON WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN FALLUJA IRAQ 11-12-04 AND I DO FEEL YOUR PAIN AND WISH GOD WOULD BRING COMFORT TO ALL WHO HAVE LOST SUCH GREAT LOVED ONES.JUST REMEMBER JUSTIN WAS A TRUE HERO IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART THANK YOU FOR A BEAUTIFUL BRAVE AMERICAN."
JAMES MATTESON of CELORON,N.Y.

"yOU DON'T KNOW ME,HOWEVER WE ARE CONNECTED WITH A COMMON LOSS, MY SON WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN FALLUJA IRAQ 11-12-04 AND I DO FEEL YOUR PAIN AND WISH GOD WOULD BRING COMFORT TO ALL WHO HAVE LOST SUCH GREAT LOVED ONES.JUST REMEMBER JUSTIN WAS A TRUE HERO IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART THANK YOU FOR A BEAUTIFUL BRAVE AMERICAN."
JAMES MATTESON of CELORON,N.Y.

"this is for justin and his family. i sit here now in kirkuk awaitin to reunite with my family. but as i look on for my future i feel such sorrow for my buddy fallen nearly a year and a half ago. justin, myself, and other comrades served together through AIT and Airborne school. i had some of the best laughs with him. he was supposed to come to hawaii with me, but when given italy he took it stride. and stood proud knowing he would carry on the airborne legacy. your not forgotten buddy. we miss you and love you man."
Spc. Swink of Kirkuk, Iraq

"I knew justin very well i was at AIT and AIRBORNE school with him. He was so mad he didnt get to come to hawaii with his friends NATHAN SWINK and I. i was supposed to go to italy instead of justin but for whatever reason i didnt and he went. i cant even begin to understand the grief his family is going through but believe me i feel some pain to. i am currently deployed now been in country for 8 months and everyday i think of justin and what a brave soldier he was. justin this is for you " we are rockhard FISTERS""
spc. matterson

"Jessica:
I think of your brother every day. I was there when he died, in the back of the truck he was driving. It was only his body, and those of the other soldiers that were injured, that shielded me from the blast. I wish that there were something we could have done differently that night; that there was a way he could have been saved. I still remember the song he was singing right before we went out. It isn't fair. I'm sorry."
Adam Williams of Baghdad, Iraq

"I just wanted to say thanks to Justin and that he won't be forgotten. I didn't know him or any of the family, but today a group was passing out nametags with the names of fallen soldiers on campus in order to have us remember those fallen. I have been proudly wearing Justin's name all day."
Ginnie of Evanston, IL

"Thank you,
thank you, you will never be forgotton, you are a true hero!

1-508th INF
HHC
SPC"

"Dear Jessica and Justin's Family. I am the mother of a "Herder" and remember all too well the death of Justin and the other soldiers the 173rd lost last year. Know that we still think of you and Justin and honor his memory. Our son recently graduated from Ranger School and once again remebered Justin and what a "good kid and squared away troop" Justin was. Strong words from our usually taciturn SSGT. I hope this "anniversary month" has not been too painful and that your memories of Justin are bringing you comfort. May God Bless You."
Katy DeCoudres of Castaic,CA

"In Loving Memory..Its been a year..8/1/04

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

"DIOS! TENGA EN SU GLORIA A TODOS LOS SOLDADOS MUERTOS EN IRAK, BENDIGA A SUS FAMILIAS Y LES DE PAZ EN SUS CORAZONES.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
MAURICIO GALVEZ of EL SALVADOR.

"I'd just like to say I'm sorry, and I would like to let you know I know it must be hard, so just never forget him. Hold him in your hearts' forever. I'm glad I chose Justin for this project."
7th Grade Student of Barker Middle School

"I never knew him, but I would like to let you know I am sorry for your loss. I hope you can eventually get back to your everyday lives, but you should never forget him. I am a 12 year old student from Barker Middle School and our grade is writing messages to families who have lost loved ones."
7th Grade Student of Barker Middle School

"Dear Hebert's, I don't know how often you guys check this but I hope you get this in the near future. I saw Justin's name and pictures on the news last night in a segment on T.V. about fallen soldiers from Washington State. As soon as I saw his picture it sent shivers down my spine and I went into slow motion. My brother and I grew up with Justin, We would like to talk to you guys and Jessica more about it over the phone or in person. Please contact me as soon as you get this and once again I'm terribly sorry for the loss of your son and a great person. (253) 797-0670 or (360)731-9672 the 253 number is mine and the 360 number is my brothers. My name is Michael Espinoza and my brother is Ryan Orseth."
Michael Espinoza of Puyallup, Wa, USA

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

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

"My name is Cathie Longstreth and I was the grandmother to Duane E. Longstreth, killed in Baghdad on August 7, 2003. I am also a member of the "Bridge People" of Outpost 122. The members of the Bridge Team rally at Outpost 122 (the exit 122 off I 5) every Saturday in an effort to support the troops of Ft. Lewis, McCord AFB and Camp Murray (Washington State National Guard). We have the honor of greeting hundreds of military members and their families every week. The response from the troops is heart warming and welcomed .

I am writing this message to the other families in Washington State that have also lost a family member while serving our country, since September 11, 2001. My family would like to display a picture of the fallen hero, with the name and possibly the date of death, on the bridge while we are rallying. It is intended to honor them for the sacrifice they made but will not be used by us as a personal political statement. We hesitated to replicate the pictures we find on the many web sites without the express permission of the surviving family, as we have had our own experience with the media attempting to use our loss to support their political position.

If you do not object to us using your loved ones picture, please email me with your permission at one of the email addresses below. If you have a special picture that you like us to use please email that as well, otherwise we will be using one of the pictures already posted on the web.


chilstad88@aol.com
clongstreth@multicare.com"
Cathie Longstreth of Tacoma, Wa.

"Spc Justin Hebert, I never knew you but I want you to know that I honor you you, I respect you, and I thank you for all that you were and all that you gave in the short time you were on this earth. Thank you for your proud and honorable service and sacrifice. I hope you are happy and at peace and that cherished memories of you will wrap themselves like a warm blanket around your family and friends to comfort them in the times when they are missing you. Please watch over your fellow soldiers who are still over there. Give them strength and comfort when they need it most.

To Jessica and Spc Justin Hebert's other family and friends, I am proud to serve in the same military that your brother, son, and friend was a part of. I wish you peace and courage as you face the days ahead. Spc Justin Hebert will never be forgotten."
SSgt Dominique Atkins of Offutt AFB, NE

"I am a former member of Delta Battery and I was deeply saddened by Justin's death. I am glad to read that his family is so understanding and supportive. Obviously, Justin was doing a job he loved and doing it in one of the best units in the Army. All artillerymen mourn his loss. In his honor, I wear a KIA bracelet inscribed with his name. We will never forget!"
SFC Luther Smith of Camp Doha, Kuwait

"We went to Arlington High School with Justin. His death is tragic and he will be dearly missed by friends and family. The Hebert family has our support and love."
Joe, Noah, Chris of Bellingham

"Thank you Justin Hebert, 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 am a forward observer from B Battery 2-319 AFAR attached to 2-325 AIR, 82d ABN DIV. I would like to say that while I never met Justin, none of the FOs serving in 319 AFAR here in Iraq will forget we lost one of our own while doing the job."
SGT Benjamin Schaus of Southwest Baghdad

"I had the honor of serving with not one of the best but THE best forward observer in Italy. he means so much to so many. his memory will live on forever and i pray for his family in these hard times daily. no words can fill the void of emptyness but i belive in time the happy memories will drowned out the sorrow. I know i am a better person today because of him, the brother i never had.
Spc Tyler Singleton-"
Spc. Tyler Singleton of Vicenza, Italy

"you are our heros,no matter wherever you are,you means so much to us.missing you!"
Meng Liu of queen's land.australia

"To the Family you are in my prayers...May God bless you. I do want to say it was a honor to have him in our military Thanks for serving our country"
Stacey (Proud Army Wife) of Zephyrhills,Florida

"To the family and friends of Spc. Justin Hebert:
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 Justin 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. Justin Hebert:
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 Justin, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia