Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Matthew...I never met you, but I have 5 children and, well...I know you. The debt that America and all Amwricans owe you can never be repaid...and I know that you never expected it to be. But you will always be placed on that pedestal...just a little higher than the rest of us...where we will always look up to you.

Godspeed to your parents...your family...friends and brothers and sisters in arms. And Godspeed to you, my Brother!

Rest in peace...and may perpetual light shine upon you!

The following is one of my favorite poems written during WWI by American poet Edgar A. Guest:

T'he star upon their service flag has changed to gleaming gold;

It speaks no more of hope and life, as once it did of old,

But splendidly it glistens now for every eye to see

And softly whispers: "Here lived one who died for liberty."

Here once he walked and played and laughed, here oft his smile was known;

Within these walls today are kept the toys he used to own.

Now I am he who marched away and I am he who fell

Of service once I spoke, but now of sacrifice I tell.

No richer home in all this land is there than this I grace,

For here was cradled manhood fine; within this humble place

A soldier for the truth was born, and here, beside the door,

A mother sits and grieves for him who shall return no more.

Salute me, stranger, as you pass! I mark a soldier who

Gave up the joys of living here, to dare and die for you!

This is the home that once he knew, who fought for you and fell;

This is a shrine of sacrifice, where faith and courage dwell."
Mario De Lucia of Sevierville, Tennessee

"Top Guns, you are never forgotten"
Shane Best of Crossville TN

"Will always remember"
MSG Eric Holman of Landstuhl Germany

"I am your cousin by marriage, i never actually met you. The day you died is the same day i enlisted to work on aircraft that would stopped your roadside bomb. Til Valhalla brother."
Chris Holtz of Buffalo, NY

"Not a day goes by that you're not remembered. As Memorial Day approaches we honor your sacrifice and that of all your brothers and sisters in arms, who gave their lives for the price of America's freedom! Thank you for doing what so few have answered the call to do. RIP"
A Grateful American of San Diego, CA

"Today we remember your sacrifice.
Nov 15, 2014

"Top Guns""
David Lindsay of Clarksville, TN

"It's been a long time since the last time I saw you and I can still see the smile on you face and hear your voice when you would say "Hey, aren't you married?" every time you would see me and my husband together in Kuwait. We think about you everyday and miss you more that you know."
Andrea Ridgeway of Denver, CO

"Matt - I met your folks a few years ago on Chirstmas Eve in SD. What an inpact that breif encounter had on my life and what an inpact you had on the world. You are very much missed. Thanks for your service brother."
Tom Baker of Bridgetown, Barbados

"Hey Matthew its been seven years, and I'm thinking the last time I saw u,u were lecturing me about boys and how they are bad news. I smile every time I think about u and wish I cud see u one more time. I read the story about how u were brought back, I was so angry and thought that what happende was unjust and unfair. Matthew I miss you so much and truly hope to see you one day. God bless you Mrs. Stacey and Mr. John, it was an honour to know your son."
Carmen of South Africa

"Hey Matthew its been seven years, and I'm thinking the last time I saw u,u were lecturing me about boys and how they are bad news. I smile every time I think about u and wish I cud see u one more time. I read the story about how u were brought back, I was so angry and thought that what happende was unjust and unfair. Matthew I miss you so much and truly hope to see you one day. God bless you Mrs. Stacey and Mr. John, it was an honour to know your son."
Carmen of South Africa

"Miss you Matt."
Eric Holman of FT Leonardwood, MO

"Hey Holley,
Still wear my ID bracelet with your name and go through my old photo album and see pics of us at AIT together. Thinking of you often and know you are watching us all. Some day I'll go to Austrelia like I told you I would."
Meghan K. of Peoria, AZ these days

"Hey Matt,

Was just thinking about some of the good old days in basic traing and AIT.
Thanks for the difference you made."
Eric Holman of Ft Leonard Wood MO

"Matthew...we are honoring you at school tomorrow."
Carly Burwell of Frisco, TX

"Matt,
Its been almost six years and I still miss you just as much as I always have. Thank you for being such an amazing person in my life. You touched so many peoples lives and those who knew you where blessed! Love you!

Natalie"
Natalie Johnsen of Hayden Idaho

"Matthew was my 1st cousin i never knew about until he died. I miss him alot since i have never remembered him"
Zack Haas of California

"Mr and Mrs Holley, I couldn't sleep tonight again. It's getting close to that time when I lost alot of good Soldiers. Your Son was like a brother to me as I've told you in the past. Being his Platoon Sergeant and friend I think of him every day and it seems to get harder and harder by the day when it should be the other way. I just wanted to again pay my respects and tell you I would switch places any day if I could. Love Always"
SFC Russell Taylor of Fort Wainwright, AK

"It is a Holley's nature to be brave and stand for what is right no matter what the current opinion is. Thank you Matthew."
Brooke Sullivan, and Holley Sullivan

"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 Matthew, Stacey, John, and your extended family and friends: Remembering and praying for you all on the anniversary of Matthew's rise to Eternal Life with his Savior. You remain in my daily prayers, as do all of our military families. God Bless,"
Lyn Pflaum 11/15/09 of San Diego, CA

"Matthew has always set a good example for me. He was very special to all of us and his bravery was incredible. We loved Matthew."
Kristen of Del Mar

"November 15, 2008
To the family of Spc. Matthew J. Holley:
Matthew gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heores 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

"Thank you for your sacrafice and for allowing my children to sleep safely. You will not be forgotten."
Matthew and Shannon Holley of Holland, Ohio

"Thank you Matthew for your service and sacrifice. Thank you John and Staci for your efforts to change a terribly wrong and insensitive policy. A few months ago I learned about the Pentagon policy of returning the fallen only to a major airport closest to the family. I knew that this was horribly disrepectful to the fallen and most likely placed a hardship on poor families who don't live near a major or commercial airport and was appalled at the additional strain placed on these people at the time of such pain and suffering. After the highest sacrifice, both the fallen and the families deserve the highest respect. It has bothered me off and on for months and today I sat down and was going to launch some kind of grass roots effort to enlighten people and hope that they would demand a change. When I started to search on the internet for the policy, I was so happy to see that John and Staci Holley were successful in getting this changed. I am deeply sorry for their loss as I am for all 3000+ members of our armed services. Matthew, your parents perservered and made the world a better place. I know you would be proud of them as I know they are of you. God bless you and keep you and your family."
Martha Mapp of Sacramento, CA

"Matthew,
I read about your parents and their fight for you and other fallen service personnel in the newspaper. 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.

"Volens Et Potens"(Willing And Able)
320th FA Motto"

"To the Holley family - God Bless! And thank you for bringing to task the honor and respect Matthew and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice, deserve."
SMSGT F. Posada (Ret. USAFR) of San Antonio, Texas USA

"To the family of:Matthew J. Holley 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"

"To The Holleys: We've been friends 28 yrs now and our hearts break for you. We can only imagine what your going thru. We don't have any words to console you except we'll be there, whenever you need us, as always, we're only a phone call away. We love you guys. We're so very sorry."
The Gartner Family of Clovis, CA

"i am sorry for your loss. i too serve in the military and i too have been to iraq. i think its very unfortunate all the losses we are sustaining over there. my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
sincerly,
Matthew G. Holley,CPL. U.S.M.C."
matthew g. holley of baton rouge, louisiana

"To Matthew's Family, I am so sorry for your loss. What a fine young soldier you raised. He will always be remembered and honored. Matthew, you sir are a true American Hero. You have made a difference in Iraq and helped to keep us safe at home. Thank you Matthew. May God Bless you Matthew, and God Bless your family."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"Its sad to see you go Holley. We will all miss you."
PFC Archambault of Camp Victory, Iraq

"To the family of Matthew Holley. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of Matthew. May you find peace with time."
Per Madsen of Odense, Denmark

"I am sending you my special angel
On the wings of pure love
One of exquisite beauty
From Heaven above.

I am sending her to you
Just so you will know
I care so much about you
And wanted to tell you so.

I have called upon my angel
And sending her to you
To comfort, love and guide
In everything you do.

Her soft wings will gather
Close around your soul
When you feel that touch
From “no where”
Then you will know.

She has promised to protect you
To Keep you safe from harm
To take away the dark fears
To make your heart light and warm

Trust in your “angel”
You will feel her all around
In your time of loneliness
Is when she will be found.

Gone – but not forgotten.
Thank you for sharing your marine with us,
and for the sacrifice made by you and your family on our behalf.

Proud mom of Lcpl Alex
Currently serving in Iraq"
Patricia of Bishop, CA

"Matthew Holley was a friend a one of the medics I worked with over here in Iraq. We are devastated by his passing and wish his family and friends the strength they need to get through this."
Spc West, James M. of Baghdad Iraq

"Holley worked for me at Ft. Campbell before my PCS... a great soldier... heartbreaking when I learned of his death... I just wish I could have been with him.."
SGT Matthew Hamilton of West Point, New York

"TO THE HOLLEY FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. JUST UNBELIEVEABLE, EXPERIENCING A SIMILAR SITUATION. WE ARE DEEPLY SADDEN BY THE NEWS OF MATTHEW. HE HAS NOT DIED IN VAIN! MATTHEW HAS TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF SO MANY. TO THOSE HE HAS. HOLD VERY PRECIOUS MEMORIES SAHRED TOGETHER WITH MATTHEW. I URGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO YOUR POLITICAL LEADERS AND YOUR COMMUNITY. TO REQUEST A STREET BE NAME DIN HIS HONOUR. SO NO ONE EVER FORGETS ALL THAT MATTHEW AND ALL OUR FALLEN HAVE DONE. TO FIGHT OFF TERRORISM AND GIVE AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ A FRESH BEGINNING AND FREEDOM. MATTHEW HAS SERVED MORE THEN HIS COUNTRY, HE SERVED HIS COMMUNITY, COUNTY AND STATE. MATTHEW IS AN AMERICAN HERO!. WE AS AMERICAN'S ARE BLESSED TO HAVE SOLDIERS JUCH AS MATTHEW. WELL OVER TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY MILLION AMERICANS. AN ONLY A PERCENTAGE TO ANSWER THE CALLING TO SERVE AND PROTECT OUT COUNTY AND IT'S VALUE'S. OUR SON WAS RIGHT!...........DAD YOU NEVER EVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ME. I SERVE WITH THE BEST SOLDIERS IN THE WORLD, WE ARE ALL BROTHER'S AND SISTER'S SERVING MANY DIFFERENT BRANCH'S AS ONE FAMILY. WE ALL WATCH OVER ONE ANOTHER DAD. I NEED YOU TO WORRY ABOUT MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER. MATTHEW THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY. FOR BEING A MILITARY BROTHER TO OUR SON GREGORY. AS HE FELT OF YOU. I REALIZE LOSTING A SON AND OR DAUGHTER IS VERY PAINFUL AND SAD. I WISH EVERYDAY NO OTHER FAMILY HAS TO ENDURE THAT. MY TEARS NEVER STOPPED WITH NEWS OF GREGORY. KIA BALAD, IRAQ 05-03-04 SGT GREGORY L. WAHL US ARMY. TIME'S THE TEARS STOP. THEN WITH NEWS OF ANOTHER FALLEN THOSE TEARS SIMPLE ROLL DOWN MY CHEEKS. AN TODAY THOSE TEARS ARE FOR YOU MATTHEW. IT'S ALOT MORE THEN GREGORY'S FEELINGS OF BROTHER'S AND SISTER'S. YOU ARE SOMEONE'S SOMEONE AND YOU ARE SOMEONE TO OUR FAMILY. TO MOM AND DAD, SORRY OUR GOVERNMENT DROP THE BALL WITH MATTHEW. WE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SITUATION. AN I LEARNED ALOT FROM THE NEWS CAST OF YOUR STORY. SADLY, YOU HAVE NO IDEA THE BALL DROPS EVERYDAY WITH OUR FALLEN COMING HOME. MORE SO WITH THE ARMY THEN OTHER BRANCHES. I BEEN TO MANY MANY WAKE'S AND FUNERALS IN THE NEW YORK REGION. MATTHEW IS THE REAL ISSUE. MATTHEW YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART AND PRAYS ALONG WITH YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS!"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

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

"Thank you Matthew Holley, 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 Spc. Matthew Holley:
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 Spc. Matthew Holley:
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