Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I know you do not know me, but I am your cousin. Thank you for your sacrifice. I never got blessed enough to know you, but from what others have said you were amazing. I am so proud to be your cousin. Thank you after all these years for your service."
Kiylee cooper of Humboldt NE

"Stop texting I know what’s up"
Loriannne nakamoto of Las Vegas

"Today I learned of his sacrifice for our country at Arlington National Cemetery from Mindful Memories. 624 acres of why we are still free. Thank you for your sacrifice and may God bless your family."
Scott vandeventer of Annapolis, Md

"We still remember."
Tom and Maggie Keith of Lincoln, NE

"Thinking of you brother. Semper Fi."
Mike

"The Company CO spoke of you on Friday. Your story was told to a new generation of Engineers so they would know exactly what those who have gone before have done and sacrificed. This Memorial Day weekend holds a special significance on this 10 yrs anniversary of your death. Rest easy brother, we will see each other again."
Gabe Soileau of Okinawa, Japan

"Still miss you good buddy. We will all be there soon, just wait for us, drink a few."
Christopher Purdon of Escondido California

"Hendu,
You and Willis (from 2 comments below) are together now. Unfortunately we lost Willis to a cowardly attack too, just recently. Metzger and I went to NY to represent his brothers in arms. We were all 3 there to carry you, and now we lost 1 more.
Semper Fi Brother. You are not forgotten."
Matthew Disher, Sgt. USMC veteran of Cincinnati, USA

"Hendu,
It's me again I have just been sitting here thinking about you again. Brother words can't express how much I miss you everyday. I know you are looking down on us from that very special place where heros go when they leave this earth. I love you brother and I will never forget you. We will see each other again soon."
Donae (Doc) Smith of Denver, Colorado

"I miss you brother and we will always remember you and how good you were as a marines marine love ya keep the doors open for me"
Willis of CAli

"WELL HENDU, YOU AND WHISKEY ARE GETTING THE PLACE SET UP FOR THE REST OF US WHEN WE COME SEE YOU. THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DID AND THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. I THINK ABOUT MY MARINES EVERY DAY AND THE HARDEST PART IS WISHING IT WERE ME INSTEAD. AGAIN THANKS FROM YOUR BROTHERS IN SUICIDE CHARLEY. OIF 2003. SEMPER FI."
MIKE

"Remembering you Hendu, this Memorial Day weekend. We all miss you Bro."
Sgt. Matthew Disher, USMC 00-04 of Cincinnati, OH

"Its been a long time brother, but I still remember your awesome character! I thank you for being a flame that keeps me going in my career. I keep moving with you in mind. Thank you! Save me a good spot up where you're at, I'll see you again."
SO1 David Nino of Coronado, Ca.

"Hendu! I will never forget that day at the barracks ... the infamous 1/5 v. 1st CEB brawl lol ... some of your buds pounded on your door to get backup, and without hesitation, half asleep, scrambling to put on your sandals, you ran to their side without saying a word. You are and always have been a selfless Marine. R.I.P."
Briana Joseph of San Juan Capistrano, CA

"Thinking of you today Hendu, miss you bro!"
David Nino of San Diego, Ca.

"May 13, 2009
To the family of Cpl. Matthew C. Henderson:
Matthew 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

"you where a gud hero"
alexus of miami florida

"he was a good hero"
someone of none of your bissnes

"i was thinking today about matt and his family and how much i appreciate the love they have for our country and home. its been well over three years and i want you to know that matt is still very missed and thought of often, even by those who didn't know him well. thank you, god bless."
celeste of nebraska

"he was a good man"
blake of australia

"how did he died?"
blake of australia

"sorry to hear the bad news"
blake of australia

"Hendu,
I remember we arrived to the battalion about the same time and goin on the numerous field ops together. I know that you will be missed by many and even by those that didn't know you. I wish your family and friends the best and hope that some day you will be reunited with your loved ones..Take care and RIP..."
Doc Hut of Atsugi, Japan

"To the family of:Matthew C. Henderson 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"

"Hendu,
It's Taken me a while to be able to put the right words together you were a true friend. I can recall the days when we used to sit in my room @ the barracks on Mondays & Thursdays watching wrestling and acting a fool. It's so many memories going through my head right now. I still think about the fun we had in Bridgeport for the summer package you were truly one the best friends I've ever had. It's still hard to believe that you are gone. The very last memory I have was a couple of days before I left to go to Spain and we were having a little get together @ Jason's house but you were out with your inlaws were in town and you had went to dinner and we decided to break into your house put a couch we found on the street inside and we waited for you to come back home we thought that was just so funny and it was even when had to come over and move back outside that's the type times I am going to miss. To the Henderson Family I am truly sorry for your loss and know that Matthew will forever be missed by me and the rest of his friend and Marine Corps family. He was truly the best Marine I have ever had the pleasure of working with, it was an honor to even have the opertunity to call him my friend ( My brother) God bless you. Lastly to Matt I love you brother and I will see you again."
Donae (Doc) Smith donaelamont@yahoo.com of Denver, Co

"Semper Fi"
of omaha

"Hendu,

I'll never forget you bro. I went on my first field op with you as a CEB Doc and we became great friends. I'll never forget you bro. We had some good times in charlie company. Wish I could have been out there with you. You were a great friend and it broke my heart to hear your name when Doc Smith told me. See you again some day. Your Friend, Doc..."
Doc Colton (macfl2@aol.com) of MCRD San Diego

"Hendu and family,

Either we were wrestling each other or listening to hard rock and getting a little crazy bangin' our heads, or messin with the other guys in the barracks, which they didnt like very much. It was always a great time. Hendu you had a huge impact on everyone you ever met, whether or not you realize it, I sure did. There was a song by Disturbed called "Droppin Plates", I cry when I hear it, the first thing I think of is Hendu and I on the obstacle course, next to his truck, trying to get pumped up. It had to be one of the worst days when I had to come to Lincoln, NE for your services. It was also a good day as well though, all of the good memories came back, things I had forgotten, that I didnt want to forget. Hendu no one will ever forget you. I know for the rest of my life I will not, simply because part of my personality is YOU. Rest in peace Hendu, you have been a great friend, and always will be. Keep on Droppin Plates buddy.

Jamie, I have some videos somewhere with Matt on them, whenever I find them I will try to copy them and send them. Stay strong forever. We love you."
Sgt. Matthew C. Disher (mattdisher@hotmail.com) of Cincinnati, Ohio

"hendu....it hurt alot to learn of your passing, not a day goes by when i don't think of you and our brother's in arms. you always took care of us and i pray that god is taking care of you now...you will be missed"
Sgt Justin S Prue of olathe kansas usa

"You were a fantastic friend for the time I was able to spend with you on Operation Ripper Sweep in April of 2004 as well as at the firmbase near Hit, I will never forget the good times we shared! You will be missed and Never forgotten..."
Aaron Mahoney of 29 Palms, Ca

"Jamie, to you and all of Matt's family and friends our sympathies are with you and you are always in our prayers. My family knows the pain of loosing a soldier first hand. May God hold you in his arms and help you cope with the pain and loneliness without Matt. I never got the pleasure of meeting Matt but listening to his dad talk I know Matt and Chris were so much alike. They were both dedicated, loving and fun-loving guys. I am sure they are dreaming up new tricks to keep things lively where they are now. God be with all of you and if you ever need to talk give anyone of the members of our family a call."
Sharon Swisher (mother of S/Sgt Chris Swisher) of Lincoln NE

"Our family also recently lost our young Marine. Our hearts, love, prayers and "thanks" go out to the family he's left behind.
Family of LCpl Drew Uhles, DuQuoin,IL"
Amy Hill of Du Quoin, IL/USA

"To Matthew C. Henderson's family,

I stumbled across this website searching for something unrelated. Reading the letters about your son breaks my heart, I couldn't even click the links to read the stories for other soldiers.

Thank you for all your son has done for this world and this country. I pray that your pain is replaced by loving memories."
Anonymous of Connecticut

"Thank you brave soldier for sacrificing your today for my children's safer tomorrow. You have our utmost respect and gratitude. May God provide your family with comfort in their time of sorrow. May you forever rest in Heavenly peace. Neither you nor your sacrifice will be forgotten. For the family/friends: May time provide happy loving memories in place of present sorrow. Look to the sky for in the infinite meadows of Heaven the bright shining stars bloom....the forget-me-nots of angels. God bless you and thank you."
a grateful family in Phoenix, AZ

"Matthew was a great man, treated his wife Jaimie like a princess and was a great friend to my husband and I. We will miss him so much. It's still so hard to belive he's gone. We all had some fun times together and we will never forget them. Matt will always be with us in our hearts. Jaimie has been the strongest she can be and we love her so much and pray with time she will heal. We are always here for you Jaimie. We love you. Until we all meet again Matt we love you and miss you."
Sgt Metzger and Family of San Clemente, Ca

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

"REST IN PEACE! my brother. The day will come when we are together again. You will be missed."
HM2 David Nino, MSSG-24

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

"I had the pleasure of living across the street from the Henderson family on Camp Pendleton. Our dogs would play outside (i had the two Beagles). The last time i talked to Jamie, she was telling me that she was going back home to Nebraska to wait for Matthew to come back from Iraq. I remember her telling me how upset her and Matthew were because he had to back to Iraq again because he was a squad leader and his unit really needed him. After that afternoon of talking to Jamie, i never talked to her again. I just reciently found out a few of my family friends that were Marines had passed away and I noticed Matthew's face on this web site. I just couldn't believe it. My condolences to Jamie and Matthew's family. Jamie, if you read this, you can contact me at cougarbass02@yahoo.com"
Jessica and Mario Perez of Camp Pendleton, Ca

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

"To Matthew's family, I am so sorry for your tragic loss. Please know that many of us appreciate his service and sacrifice for our country."
F.Smith of Pennsylvania

"Hi....I just felt the need to express my sincere condolences. My brother passed away on May 3rd and I completely understand the pain you are going thru. It is a very hard time but we can be so proud of them and what they stood for. Semper Fi!!
My email is
bwalady@yahoo.com if anyone would like to just talk or whatever.
God Bless to everyone in your family."
Kelley -Sister of Gunnery Sergeant Ronald E. Baum of Altoona Pa.

"Dear Henderson Family, Each time I access this site and see another name of a young soldier listed my heart breaks for the families. Your pain is too familiar and we lift you up in prayer. Aunt of Pfc Bradly Kritzer, killed May 5, 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq."
Laurie Miles of Coalport, PA

"To Matthew's Family:
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

"HENDU,
I raised you from a pup, watched you grow as a Marine, seen the natural leader in you take shape. I remeber when you were a PFC brand new in Charlie company 2nd Platoon, coming over to watch wrestling in my barracks, I used to tell you, you looked like chris benoit. You followed me on float and joined my squad in support of OEF with the 11th Marine Expiditionary Unit, Alpha 4th Platoon- 1st Squad! Our squad. I know there were days you would curse my name for riding you guys so hard, but you saw in the end I did it because I cared. I knew you would lead Marines one day, and due it well. When I got promoted and left the squad and later the Platoon I made you an assistant squad leader. I wanted you in that position you were ready for it. When we got back from float we turned right around and shiped off to Kuwait,to get ready for Iraq we once again ended up in the same Company Delta (this time) I was in 2nd platoon while you were in 1st. Thats when I found myself in need of a good squad leader to lead Marines,So I requested you be brought over to my platoon and I called on you to step up. I knew I could count on you, we were going into combat and I needed you to lead those Marines in 3rd Squad. You always made me proud, like a big brother whether you knew it or not. The pain we all feal deep down is not explainable. You were the last name I expected hear coming from the Battalion Commanders mouth that morning. We had just buried Willie "Whisky" Wiscowich, and Tyler "Cookie" Fey, both who we surved with, its like a shot in the heart. One thing I am confident in was your abilities, and I know you did everything you were supposed to like a good Non-Commissioned Officer would, but the lord decided it was time for you to report as ordered. Like our beloved Hymn tells, I know you,Willie and Tyler are up there guarding the streets of heaven. You will be missed but never forgoten all the alumni from Alpha 4th, specialy 1st squad wanted to let you know we love you bro. I will see you at your service for the last time to tell you in person, and give you your final order...At ease Marine....At ease."
SSGT Shaun Anderson (USMC)andersonsa@cox.net of Camp Pendleton, CA

"To Matthew's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for his bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,
The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne, KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.

Gloria Caldas (Ernie's mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

"To the family and friends of Corporal Matthew C. Henderson,

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 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

"To Matt's family, I cannot tell you how sorry we all are. He was very brave and you know he was happy doing his job. I know he couldn't wait to get home to Jamie and the rest of you. He will be missed by the many people who knew and loved him. Please be comforted in knowing that we all appreciate what you sacrificed. I know it's not much but thank you."
The Motsinger Family of Palmyra, Nebraska

"To the Matthew C. Henderson family words are diffucult to express. From the WAHL family to the HENERSON family. Our hearts and prays are with you. I am extremely, proud of Matt for his service to our country. He will be remember not forgotten!"
leonard Wahl of Valley Stream NY

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