Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Rest easy, gotta have a nice smokeout in the afterlife marine"
Pvt. Ty est. 1981 of NYC

"Lance Cpl. David B. Houck. I never met you and you didn't know me, but I am aware of all you sacrificed for this great nation. I saw a letter that a child wrote to you, and it gave me the chills. Your duty to this country will not be forgotten, and will not be in vain. Thank you for keeping us safe, and keeping us all free. To his family, remember all he has done, and be very proud of him."
Sam

"Thank you for your services, Lance Cpl. David Houck. You gave it all for our country. I will pray for you and your family."
Minnie of Kissimmee, Florida

"Just wanted to let you know you still are in our thoughts. I saw a letter from a kid of one of the men you saved. You and your family will not be forgotten. I saw this on a Facebook page for USMC Vets and I hope I can share it because it touched so many of us on that page (Brian Daub USMC 1990-1995): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4902039765624&set=gm.635343943238893&type=1&theater"
Brian Daub of Milwaukee, WI

"Today we honor those who fought for the very freedoms you gave your life for. I am proud to have known you, although for a brief time while on deployment in '03 aboard the USS Nashville. You will never be forgotten."
Bryan Whitley of Hemet, Ca.

"It's been 5 years! I wish you were here to see how much I've grown up! Who would have thought this party girl would have calmed down and got domesticated haha. You would be shocked, if you are watching over us you prob are in shock lol. Well hope the past 5 years have been wonderful in heaven! <3 you!"
Nicole of NC

"Happy 30th Birthday old man:) Hope you are up there celebrating!"
Nicole Fratzke of Fort Bragg, NC

"Dear Beth and Bob,

Funny how sometimes we have "feelings" about certain things and this morning I had a feeling about your mother Bob,
Florence. I set about trying to find some information about her when I came upon her obituary and I read where she was proceeded in death by her grandson, David B. Houck. I cannot tell you the immediate sorrow which overcame me. I remember a young David and a Christmas we shared in 1987. I am so very sorry for the loss of your son and yet I am so proud of our hero. Beth, I shall always be indebted to you for the comfort you afforded me in 1987 when my brother, 1st Sgt Russell C. Robinson, USMC, passed away and how you consoled me with the knowledge my brother was now with the lord and quite frankly, that's a wonderful place to be. I only wish I could have been there to console you when David passed away. I appreciate your son's sacrifice to ensure my freedom and his desire to make this world a better place.

May God bless and keep your family forever close to him.

Love,

Rae (Houck) McKinney"
Rae McKinney of Laughlin, NV USA

"November 18, 2008
To the family of Lance Cpl. David B. Houck:
David 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

"Hey you I just wanted to write you and let you know I took my first trip back to Lejeune since you were no longer with us.. soo many memories at that place... great memories..I will never forget the memories we shared Dave.. never ever! I still love you!"
Nicole of Fayetteville, NC

"To the family and friends of Lance Cpl. David Houck:
My name is Bill Eskridge..I grew up in Winston-Salem but have lived in Alexandria, Va since 1999..I visit Section 60 several times a year at Arlington and never miss visiting on Memorial Day..I was made aware today, Memorial Day 2008, that David is buried in Section 60..Even though I have walked near his grave for the last few years, I did not know the connection to winston-Salem..I will make it a point to visit David's grave and will pray for each of you today and in the future..may god continue to pour his blessing upon each of you.."
Bill Eskridge of Alexandria, Va

"I wish I had known this at the time of your memorial. However, I send my condolensces, Beth. You were a wonderful mentor, and a very concerning mom. I am honored to have known David for the time that we did. Even though, our time together may not have been God's will, I'm sure he learned some lessons, as I had. I do believe he is in heaven and you all will be united as a family again. I am very sorry for your loss, as I feel it as a friend. I just came back from Wisconsin from a separation, and just nonchalantly, looking up old friends I knew to see their progress in life. (I guess I still have a little competitive spirit in me:) I have written letters to soldiers of the war, and for some reason, I wished I had known David was there too, so I could have kept in contact or in prayer. I was in college for psychology, and am now a graduate of B.A. in psychology. I'm sure in some way we all feel that there was something we could have done to have saved a son and a friend. I am very glad to hear he found direction in his work. So therefore, am at peace with his death, although shaken because he was a friend. my parents are saddened by this loss as well. I understand it was 4 years ago, but it is new for me."
zabrina liang of winston salem, nc

"From a former paratrooper and infantry medic I just wish to extend my most sincere sympathy to David's immediate family and all those who loved and cared about him. I am truly sorry that such a fine young man is gone. God rest his soul and comfort all those who mourn.
Airborne! All The Way!"
Todd "Doc" Wallace of Shepherdsville, Kentucky

"hello i am a good friend of davids he was a great guy the best and a great friend he will never be forgotted in my mind and heart and to his family i hope u get this to know i loved your son he was a great friend and i wish he was still here if u want to contact me i have a yahoo id it is dreamtaker1085

love always"
Danielle VanDeventer of Ogilvie. Minnesota USA

"Hey you I know its been almost 2 years now but I am still not feeling any better. I don't understand why it had to be you, I know from our late night discussions that this is the way you wanted to go ...you wanted Chloe to know you were a hero...you didnt need to leave us so early for that she knew her daddy was a hero. Dave you were a great father and I know that today you still would have been that great father that you always were, I wish you were still here but I know the kind of person you were you were the kind of person that put the welfare of others before yourself sometimes I get angry that you didnt make it back I know its selfish of me but it hurts that you are gone. The memories I have of us are so fresh in my head and I cant seem to stop thinking about things sometimes I feel like everyday the memories are so much clearer. I wonder if you are with us now, I just want to talk to you one last time...to say goodbye, I never got to do that. Our last night together was one that I am probably going to carry with me for the rest of my life there is a song (actually its a country song so I know your probably not listening to it up there lol) but it hits me hard..its so much like us I swear they wrote the song in your memory. And if you can read this from up there I was just wondering if they had a Walmart up there because I dont know where else we could get our limes:) I love you still!!!"
nicole macomber of lawton oklahoma

"To the family of David Houck my name is Jonathan Hampton and i met your son,brother ,etc. in 2000 when i began working at UPS we instantly became friends and spent a lot of time together. Davids life may not have always been one to rave about but he had the biggest heart of anyone i knew he even knew that i had a son and needed a full time job and he got me an interview at furniture choices where he delivered furniture by day. I got the job and he was happier for me than i was for myself and told me i needed it more than he did. David intrested me because he was a little wild i remember when i met him he had small pericings and by the time he quit his jobs to join the corps he had gauge holes that i thought where impossible for some one to have he kept me laughing and now has made me very proud. When he first told me that he was going to join the military i thought and told him the marines would be the only branch that could handle him and how i thought he would fit right in there. I can remember when he came home from basic and you could see a diffrent David right away he shook your hand and looked you right in the eye and i told him then "Now you are a grown man acting like one" i was proud but a little scared when he said he was going to Iraq. The next time i heard his name it was one night i was almost asleep and i had the tv on the news and they said his name but at first i did not think it was him because they did'nt say his last name right so i looked at the screen and seen his pic. and my heart was broken but then when they said it was a house to house search i knew that the reason it was probly david insted of someone else was because i can actually see david being the one to volinteer to be the first to go in if other are alittle hesatent thats the kind of person he was he would sacrifise himself for others thats what made him so likable by anybody who met him and if he was your friend he was your real friend you could depend on him if you needed him. I know the main reason that he did what he did in joining the corp was to finally make his parents proud. and i think he achived that. in the short time i knew him i never seen him fell at anything that he made a goal. Like that green camaro he got he loved that car and when he got the chrom wheels for it he loved it even more. I loved him like a brother and i will miss him very much but i will really miss the countless boxing matches we had in my back yard and at work we took the gloves everywhere lol almost got fired sevral time for boxing on the clock but we loved it. To the parents Thank You so much for the life of David because it gave me the chance to meet one of the kindest most unselfish people i have ever known. He will live in my heart forever and will never be forgotten Jon,

Ps: My prayers are with you all in your time of morning and i am sorry for your loss."
Jonathan Hampton of Greensboro NC, Guilford County

"I still cant get over you being gone! I miss so many things about you. Its hard knowing that we had so many great memories together and we cant add to them anymore. The best Christmas I ever had I spent with you, meeting all of your friends meant alot to me. The meal you cooked for me was about the sweetest thing anyone could have ever done. I dont think I will ever find someone to measure up to those potatoes;) Geez so many great times. Even when we had a fight we always seemed to talk it over, ie New Years Eve:) You were always so full of life. Your smile could always make me melt, all i can do for now is look at pictures but I will see you soon I promise that. I remember everything I hope you do too! i thought celebrating valentines day with you would be the hardest thing I have ever had to do but this compares nothing to losing you. vday went great, i'm sorry for ever putting you thru anything and since Marku is there with you tell him I said I'm sorry for the broken nose. He was always there for me when it came to you and I know that you two are up in Heaven having a good ole time right now. I miss you a ton but somehow I knew in my heart this was meant to happen. On December 13th you told me for the first time you Loved Me...Until this day I love you with all of my heart<3 You were the greatest man I have ever met..."
Nicole Macomber of Ft Bragg North Carolina

"To the family of David B Houch, I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero defending freedom. May the peace and understanding that only comes from God be with you daily. Hopefully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need someone to talk to or to pray with yopu please call or write my pastor at Gateway Community Church. Rev John B. Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington Ga. phone 770-787-1015"
Polly Ballew of Covington, Ga. U S A

"Houck Family

David was a great man and an outstanding Marine. Hey always new what to say when you were down. He was a funny guy always cracking jokes. I will never forget the times we had working in the laundry room on the Nashville and how we would battle each other in Madden 04 for hours beating each other back and forth. My you Rest in Peace David.

Cpl Plemmons"
Robert Plemmons of Alpharetta, GA

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

"I really can't say much since I only knew him for about 1 1/2 years, but i feel it was long enough to get attached - I wish he didn't go - and i told him that. The only thing i can offer you is my condolences and a poem i wrote.

OUR FALLEN FRIENDS

Our fallen friends,
We never forget,
The joy they gave,
The time we've spent.

Good friends are hard to find,
Hard to let leave,
Impossible to forget,
And never replaced.

Our fallen friends,
Shared they're time,
They're presence gave joy,
And laughter resounds.

You loved they're morals,
Along with they're flaws,
You hated that they left,
Even more the Dismal return.

Our fallen friends,
Will never truly leave,
So long as we have hearts,
That's where they'll stay.


I wrote it for David and the all those fallen in Iraq.
I hope that offers you some form of comfort, it does to me. I knew him well not as much as most others - but it still hurts. I wish you all the best in no matter what you do - and if you would like to contact me my yahoo name is Dreamcatcher1184 - I'm on his yahoo list.

Thanx and best wishes,
Vanessa"
Vanessa VanDeventer of Ogilvie, Minnesota

"Dear friends,
David was my younger brother, and I just wanted to thank each of you who have posted your thoughts to this website. All of our fallen soldiers deserve our deepest gratitude and honor. We must also continue to respect and support the soldiers who are still fighting every day for our freedom and that of our children. David is at home in Heaven with Jesus, so we don't have to worry about him anymore. But there are many more who are in harm's way right now. Thank you for caring so much about my brother and our family, and I want to let you know that my prayers are with those of you who have also lost your soldiers in combat. I understand what you face each day, and I pray for God's peace for you each day."
Melissa Houck-Carrasco of Lynchburg, VA

"To the Houck family, we know your sadness and your pain, but know that your son is a true hero and is with god now. You have been in our prayers throughout the holidays."
The Vandayburg Family of Mansfield, Ohio

"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 David B. Houck,

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

"To the Houck family from the Wahl family. We are deeply sadden by your lost. Our heart and prays are with David and your family. David's lost is more personal to our family. We are parents of a fallen soldier. Gregory is just down the road from you all in Salisbury. Now both are serving together once again. All Americans should be extremely; thankful to DAVID! God Bless!"
leonard wahl of Valley Stream Long Island

"To the Family and friends of Lance Cpl. David Houck. My name is Allen Vandayburg and it was my son Lance Cpl. Chris Vandayburg who had the Honor to escort your Hero Home. It was a Honor for Chris as well as his family as we also know the pain of war. We lost our other son A.J. in Iraq in April so we know your pain, and words are so few to help.We hope that Chris could ease some of your pain as his experience of this loss is still all so new. Just know that we pray for you and we are so Honored that in a small way were part of Honoring your son David."
Allen W. Vandayburg of Mansfield, Ohio

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