Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I love you, bub. Miss you. Wonder what you would be doing if you were here today."
Eileen S. Fogerty Zumwalt of Eugene, Or. USA

"Well my precious son, today is your 29th birthday. Megan and I went to pay our respects at the cemetary. WE also saw uncle Jimmy and he misses you a lot and keeps you close to his heart like so many of us do. I'm still struggling with your absence like most everyone who got the joy of knowing you. I want you to know that all of my tears are tears of joy and the fact that I miss you so deeply. It's a mom thing!!! I love you bigger than the sky and keep you deep within my heart where you will always live. Until we meet in Heaven. Happy Birthday Beloved son and best friend. Mom"
Roni Aurelio of Yreka, CA. U.S.A.

"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

"2/8 will always remember."
H.C. USMC of North Carolina

"January 17, 2009
To the family of Cpl. Stephen P. Johnson:
Stephen 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 made me laugh and feel good about myself. whenever i think about you i smile. You are a true hero and american
you did not give yourself in vain. This war is being won and those of us still here when its over will be able to lift a victorious shout of praise thanking God for you stephen who fought for our wonderful United states of America.
Much love to you."

"Happy memorial day... You were the best thing that ever happened to my sister. you gave her a beautiful life and an adorable child, I didnt know you that well although from what I knew you were as good as it got for her. Tyler is absolutley beautiful he will never forget you. You have alot of people that love you and I hope you will watch over kelsey and Tyler and keep them safe. Nobody will ever forget you. I miss how happy you made everyone and I wish you were here."
Kayla of Yreka california

"I love you bro!!!!!!!"

"God Bless You and you are in our prayers!!"
Daniel of Covina, California

"God Blees You and you are in our prayers!!"
Daniel of Covina, California

"It's hard to believe that you've been gone two years. It still feels like yesterday.I guess it's going to feel that way forever though. I am however, learning how to celebrate your life and I'm not crying as long. I still really miss you a lot and I still grieve for you constantly. I do laugh more when I think of all the fun we had. Just wanted you to know that our Nation has remained eternally grateful for all the precious lives that have been sacrificed in the name of God.We will never forget any of you and we know that we will join all of you when the time is right. Until then my precious son, please keep watch over us like you have been. I love you bigger than the sky. Mom"
Roni Aurelio of Olivehurst, CA.,USA

"Hi, johnson it was hard for me in the marines. because i'ave aleays been different in my thinking than most thanks for not judging me and for giving me humor when i needed it."
I 3/3 marine

"Cpl Johnson
It was an honor serving with you in SOI and meeting your parents at family day
then going on to serve with you in India Company 3/3 Thanks for taking the
time in Okinawa to ask how my son was doing you were going to be a dad the same time i was. Thankyou for paying the price for freedom so all of us can live free i am getting back in shape to go back in the USMC and ill be thinking of all of you my brothers in arms who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Your memory is now my heart and my being.
I want to live each day from now on
in Thankfulness and Humbleness to have known you and all my other brothers
God Bless you brother
Semper Fi"
Cpl Keith Anderson of Rockford, IL

"To my wonerful brother Stephen. You have made me very proud. You are also my hero. you are also everyone elses hero but I look up to you. I wish you were still here to see all the wonderful things that are going on. Your son is getting bigger everyday. He looks more and more like you everyday. I miss you and love you. It is so hard not haveing you here its hard not being able to see your smile. There was so much that i wanted to tell you but couldnt. I know that me and you didnt have a very tight realtionship but you were still number one in my book. I will always remember you brother. and I love you more than anything. I will see you again up in heaven. but intell then keep watching over us. And Thank you my brother. for everything"
Megan Aurelio of Yreka California

"today is april 15th 2006, just finished my tour in germnay and i was at wal mart in yreka .. i saw a very dear friend and found out that someone i love very much was taken from us..stephen sweetheart i am so sorry you are gone. i am so proud of you and all you have done! i will check in on mom from time to time .. i promise! i am still wordless as you can hear into my heart my words for you! you are a hero you always were...i heard you had a son, you must be so proud look after him from up there ok .. and all our brother and sister soldiers too! thank you......"
sunny of FT. HUACHUCA az

"Well my beautiful hero, it's almost Christmas and I'm really going through it. I really miss you and wish you were here to share this holiday with our family. I know that you are watching us from the Heaven's above, so you know that we are thoroughly enjoying your gift to us which is freedom and best of all your son Tyler James. He is truly you reincarnated. He doesn't take your place though. I am grieving constantly still. Please watch over all of us always. I love you bigger than the sky my son. mom"
Roni Aurelio of Yreka, CA. U.S.A.

"""As a veteren of K Co 3/3 and a very short stint (2 Months with G Co)(1986-1990)MCAS K-Bay it saddens me to hear of the loss of my brother Marine but I know he left us bravley fighting to keep my family safe from the evils of the world keeping with the highest traditions of the Corps. I'm now to old to reenlist but if I could I would."""
Lcpl. Robert Blaylock of Lakeside CA, USA

"My thoughts will always be with you Stephen. As well as with Gibson, Moore, and Starr - My 3/3 I Co. brothers."
Marc G. of N.H.

"To the family of:Stephen P. Johnson I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully, we will 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, Gateway Community Church, 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ,"
Polly Ballew of Covington,Ga

"To Stephen and his family:
Stephen, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have given. And I thank you for being a friend to my guy out there in the field. I know you meant much to him. There is nothing I can say that would ever get close to encompasing the gratitude I have towards you. To Stephen's family: I am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you and keep you in His arms. I am praying for you and all."
Kate of Bloomington, Illinois

"I am so sorry for your loss for I am feeling it also. I am the father of Lcpl Brian Hopper, who was on the helicopter with Stephen. May our memories never fade."
Rob Hopper, rob.hopper@pbsgc.com of Wynne, AR

"To all the wonderful people who have sent such amazing and thoughtful words, the family thanks each and everyone of you. You folks are truly great people. To those who have written and lost loved ones, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you in these troubled times. Our heros gave so selfishly of themselves so others can have the same freedoms we all enjoy. Steve-O I can't express how much you mean to me and how a piece of me went with you. GOD BLESS YOU AND EVERY ARMED FORCES PERSONAL. We all love and honor what you are doing!"
Jason K Williams of Yreka, Ca.

"Steve, I know we kind of bumped heads at first, but I always looked up to you. You were the only big brother I ever had, and I the only little brother you had. I feel that we didn't get enough time together, although the bond between us was and still is strong. I'll never forget you. I don't think anyone could forget someone like you. You gave me a chance when no one else would. You made me laugh when I needed to. And although your time with all of us was short, I know that it will be made up through Tyler. I look into his eyes and see you looking back, so I know you are not completely gone. I will be there for Tyler as much as I can. The moment I saw him I knew I couldn't just stand back and watch. I had to be a part of his life, because when you left he became a part of mine. I love and miss ya Steve. We all do."
Dusty of Las Cruces, NM USA

"My son Sgt. Michael Finke was on the helicopter with Stephen. My condolences to his family, as I share in the loss of one so loved. We are forever united through the sacrifices these young men made. Thank you and God Bless"
Sally Rapp of Westlake, Ohio

"Our sons fought together and now they have died together. They will forever be brothers in arms. God bless you."
Helen Gilbert (mother of Richard Gilbert, Jr.) of Dayton, Ohio

"I first meet Stephen when he was 4 years old and I was 7. I had just moved to a new city and he came up to me (like he did everyone) and said I needed to meet his sister. His sister and I have been best friends for 20 years now. He was a happy young man who was such a proud father. His son is just like him so we can be so thankful for a piece of him still being in this world. He was a very personable man. Anyone who ever met Steve felt like they knew him for years. His smile would make you smile no matter what was happening in you life at that moment. He is such a hero to all of us. For me he was a hero for giving me a best friend. For everyone else he is a hero for giving his life for our country and the freedom of the Iraqi people. We love you Steve! And will miss you always."
Tinna Gordon of Yuba City, Ca. USA

"I've been a part of Stephen's family for about 14 years. He was 10 when I first met him. And the last time I saw him was at a baby shower for his son. What a proud father he was. The smile on his face that night was ear to ear, but that was Stephen always smiling. Even as a kid he was happy go lucky. I'm sad we lost him so soon. I'm sad for his little boy. So many familys have been affected by this conflict and I cry for all of them. Stephen wanted to be a marine and he was proud. And I'm proud that I was lucky enough to know him and see that wonderful smile. He will be missed. Love to all the family."
Christy C. of Paragould, AR U.S.A.

"This goes out to the number one man in my life that I will never let go of. That is my son.
Today I woke up crying because I miss you so, I'll never understand why you had to go.
I grieve for you son constantly, My tears they just won't dry,I never got to see your face, I couldn't say good-bye.
Inside my heart is breaking with every passing day, because my son, it isn't fair you had to go away.
I sit here waiting patiently, listening for the phone, I tell myself that you'll be home soon, that you're not really gone.
Somewhere deep down inside of me the truth that I must face, is the reality that you have gone to a much better place.
I wasn't done enjoying you. My love grows deeper still. And now I'm left with an emptiness that only you can fill.
You see my son I fell in love with you the day that you were born, I've never known a pain so deep since they told me you were gone.
I dedicate this to you. I am honored to have brought you into this world and given you to this country. I love you and miss you."
Roni Aurelio of Yreka, Ca.

"To the family and friends of Stephen, No words can take away the pain,
but we grieve with you for the loss of your young Marine.
Be strong and cherish the time you had with him.He is a hero and will not be forgotten."
M Rose of New Jersey

"To the family and friends of Corporal Stephen P. Johnson,

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 you our "Love Stitched Together"
Sandra Moudy of Placentia, Ca USA

"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

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

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