Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Yeah yeah I had a bunch of fun hanging out with you a bunch of those times with Matt and Brandon and yeah f****** miss you homie"
Brad Anderson of Mountain home Idaho

"Erick. You were my friend in high school when a lot of others werent. Seeing you when we were at bootcamp together gave me hope.

To ericks family- your boy was a kind man."
R of Danville

"Our flag flies today honoring and remembering Erick and his sacrifice for us all. 5/25/15"
Carol Parkhurst of Walnut Creek, CA/ USA

"I still miss him, and for as long as I live I will tell my family and friends about him. God bless you brother. SSGT "ARDE""

"To the family of:Erick J.Hodges
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""

"god bless you brother at arms... and may god bless your family... gone ... but not forgotten... your heroism will live on for several years to come...."
LeBaron of Concord, Ca

"To Erick and the Hodges family....
Erick... Time sure flew by but u are always in my heart and prayers... This is Bitahy.. Guide platoon 2106 Fox Co. MCRD... Everyday that passes seems to be like the same day I heard u were gone.. Every still unreal.. Miss u man.. U were always a good Marine and I never had problems with u.. Keep an eye out for me when I swing by... Semper Fi.. 2106/Marines forever... Love u man
The Family... Thank u for Erick.. Was and is still a great guy.. Was proud of his family and wanted the best for u... Had the pleasure of knowing him and becoming 1 of the Marines I can count on... He will never be forgotten... Nor will his name or legacy... Call if u need ANYTHING... 602-334-0765.. Mike Bitahy.. 2106 F. Co. Guide.. RIP man..."
Mike Bitahy of Phoenix, AZ

"erick you were a very dear friend of mine ,words still cannot express the fillings that me,ur brothers and all family members fill.thank you for all the good times we had in the past. i still remember all of us lil badass kids in the west going around filming for ''dumbass'' our version of jackass lol or the back yard wrestling matchs those were some hella of a times brother, ull always be in our hearts and watching over us all simper fi mantis"
robert pipkins of west pittsburg ca

"Hodges,

Happy birthday buddy. I miss you man. God bless you..."
SSgt Ardelean, A. of Washington, District of Columbia

"I am sorry for your lost. I had the great pleasure to serve with Erick J. Hodges, I was in the same platoon with with Erick during Bootcamp trainning @ Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Erick was my best friend and a great Hero. I miss you buddy. You will never be forgotten Erick. You keep up the good work Marine and stand duty at the pearly gates so when my time comes you can waive me throung Devil Dog! And to the family you'll can E-mail me or call me @ (210)710-0528 ( armando28j@yahoo.com )Thank you and God bless" SEMPER FI MARINE!!"
Sgt. Horta Jorge Armando of San Antonio Texas

"Mantis I didn't know where you were; now I know. Thank you for your sacrifice. You are deeply missed. My heart goes out to your family. Your son is what makes our country so great. I remember when he signed up he wanted to go make sure what happened on 9/11 would never happen again. I love you man we will meet again."
YN2 Paul R. Thomas of MCBH Kaneohe Bay HI

"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

"To Erick's family. It has almost been 5 years and I know this time of year must be particularly difficult for you. My son was Erick's CC and every year we think about Erick on this day. My thoughts are with you."
Jamie of Pierre, SD

"im so sory mam, hodges was my best friend and thought of him as my big brother, i can belirve he is gone, i think of him every day and if you want to get in toutch with me my # is 2172202652 he would have called me a fag if he seen me now crying like i am, but he was the best thang that has ever happenen th me"
sgt hays,alston c of hawaii

"November 15, 2008
To the family of Lance Cpl. Erick J. Hodges:
Erick 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

"I am related to Christopher Adlesperger and he spoke of you often in e-mails. Its been almost 4 years since you both passed, I read his old e mail often and still remember the day. I hope god has comforted your family and given them strengh threw these hard times!"
Marine Family of Albuquerque

"Iwas also in platoon 2106,graduated jan 1974. Im sorry for your loss.
SEMPER FI!!!!!"
Luis Franco of Miami, Florida

"" MANTIS!" miss you dog"
Matt Stuhlmacher of Danville ca ,USA

"Erick will never be forgotten by his immediate family or his Marine Family! Blessings to you from A Proud Marine Mom/Aunt"
MOM R of Rockford, IL

"Erick, bless your beautiful soul and thank you for serving for our country. You as well as your family will be in my prayers."
Shelby Avera of Oak Hills, CA

"i will never forget our time together you brandon and myself were the three amigos when we were kids at school, i miss you brother you are loved by many and will never leave our hearts"
Garret Caravantes of Danville Ca

"I was in Platoon 2106 MCRD San Diego graduated jan 1974. This Marine died on the birthday. This nation is honored to have men that live with honor. I pray for the day people can't remeber the last time a person died in war. Bless this Marine."
of ohio

"Happy Birhtday Erick James.
Today (11/9) is your day and tomorrow is the 2 year anniversary of your death and Saturday is Veteran's Day. Seems appropriate.
We are all getting togerher tonight to celebrate you.
We miss you every day and love you and honor you. I love you, Erick!"
Vanessa Turner of Pleasant Hill, CA

"To Erick's family, and especially his mother,
As a member of the community in which you work (Alamo), I would like to send belated condolences to you and your family. Your son was not only handsome (as seen in his photo which you wear), but brave and dedicated to our country. I have a son myself, and know what an extreme sacrifice you have made. At 21, your son obviously had a strong mind and will of his own to have undertaken such awesome responsibility.
God Bless,
An aquaintance at Longs Drugs"
Julie Powell of Walnut Creek, CA

"Eric "the bat" Hodges, Fox Company 2nd Bn Platoon 2106, MCRD San Diego... We miss you. You were always gung ho man, down to last time I saw you, you were all about the infantry. No one can ever take your place in our hearts. We will never forget"
Cpl Tom Ferguson of 3rd BN 1st MAR, Camp Pendleton, CA

"It's been said that you never know what you had until you've lost it. That is especially true in this case. Thank you eric for your sacrifice and devotion to country. To the family I send my deepest condolences. Eric was a great man and loved being a marine. What my words lack in eloquence I hope make up for in sincerity. Semper Fi."
Jonathan Elkins, 0311 of San Angelo, TX

"Dear Erick J. Hodges Family, My sincerest condolences on your loss. My name is Marc Dull, I am a USAF Veteran and an Artist from Illinois. Thank you for your Erick's Honorable Service and Ultimate Sacrifice for America and it's Values. His Legacy will endure by God! I found Erick's Memorial page while doing some research for a very important project that I thought you might want to know about. I just returned from Camp Pendleton where I visited the Commanding Officer of the 5th Regiment. I am preparing to sculpt a large monument specifically for the 5th Regiment and the Fallen Heroes in Operation Iraqi Freedom for the Memorial Garden area on Camp San Mateo there. Please e-mail me at dullart7@cs.com if you would like to contribute any input or feedback. I would be honored by your participation on behalf of Erick! Semper Fidelis, God Bless you and your Family, Salute"
Marc Dull of Illinois

"Erick, I will never forget you man. Part of me will always be Mr. Burnes because of you. Not sure if thats good or not. I love you man."
Corporal Wilson, John C of Camp Pendleton, CA

"Hey buddie sorry i could not be thier with you this time TO the Hodges Family i had the pleasure to serve with this great hero during the first deployment to iraq i was in his platoon and squad. I remember how much he loved his job and the marine corps. what a great man Erick was he will be missed very much.to the family please E mail me i have some pics i would love to share with you that i have form the time we served together my e mail is Bjenson08@yahoo.com thank you and god bless"
Sgt brandon jenson of camp pendelton, ca ,us

"You died for all of us. Your measure of devotion is beyond our means to alter. Nothing could compare with your sacrifice. Never met you but you died like the Bible says "A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends..." Thank You."
Michael Sarabia of Bay Point, CA

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

"I miss you MANTIS!"
Brian Birdwell of danville ca, usa

"To Erick'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 your soldier's bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (The Big Ern's Mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

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

"To Erick'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

"To the family and friends of Lance Corporal Erick J. Hodges,

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

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