Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I miss you, brother.

I guess out of anyone in the unit, you and I were closest. I still remember you jumping out of the second story window of your barracks room in your skivvies to avoid CQ and me covering for you. You came back 10 minutes later in your brown briefs, t-shirt, barefoot and shaking after I opened the side door to sneak you back in. They always came to you for CQ or Staff Duty, because they knew you weren't a drinker, so would likely be sober if someone got sick or whatever. I taught you to always open the door after taking a swig and with an open bottle after that, lol.

I'm one of the few that knew your pre-army life well. Lots of conversations in the field while training and it was 10+ below zero, just trying not to freeze to death.

I was honored to be among the men that were on your detail. I miss your stupid grin man. It's been 20 years and I still think about you all the time."
CPL B of Dallas, TX

"This goes out to John and family. I just learned of the lost..Not knowing if we are anywhere related..Thank you for your service. And blessings to the family. With much love and respect..."
Richard Klinesmith II of West point MS

"John, I learned of your passing only a few days ago (almost 11 yrs late)... I have so many things I would love to be able to tell you what I should have told you so many years ago... You are one of the few people in my entire life that actually took the time and put in the effort and was actually able to see who I really was and not who I was trying to be. You have always had a place in my heart and my mind...

...until we meet again...

And to John's family, Domenica, Charity & Christian... Nothing I or anyone else can say or do will ease the pain of lossing John for y'all, even after all this time... But, I will say that I am truly sorry for your loss. I haven't seen or spoken with John or any of y'all since y'all moved away so many years ago... He was a wonderful person... And y'all are a wonderful family... I miss all of you!"
Sabrina Abshire of Sour Lake, Texas

"John,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death 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.

Golden Dragons-Right Of The Line!"

""Hello First giving condolences to you and your family. My name is Patricia Roberts and I am the mother of the first soldier to die for Ga. (Spc.Jamaal Addison) Please contact me concerning a event on April 18, at Lakeside H.S. 404-509-1001"
Patricia Roberts of Lithonia, Ga"
Patricia Roberts of Lithonia, Ga

"”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Almost 2,000 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
This is a gift! We have some wonderful sponsors who help with the costs, and only want you know that we care.
Contact us directly at Projectcompassion@manti.com or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna"
Project Compassion - Kenna of Manti, Utah USA

"To the family of:John K. Klinesmith,Jr. 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"

"It is five years to the day; I Thank each and every one of you for the compassion and thoughtfullness.My heart and prayers go to our faithful Heros; To there families that are waiting for their safe return; To the Families that share in like grief of their loved-ones untimely demise at the same time thanking each one for their valour ,courage ,and high standard."
Domenica Rose Columbus-Bullard of Jacksonville,FL. USA

"February 2, 2008
To the family of Spc. John K. Klinesmith, Jr.:
John 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

"John,
I would 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.

"Golden Dragons-Right Of The Line!"
(14th Inf. Motto)"

"To honor the Georgia soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, the professional portrait artists of the Atlanta Fine Arts League are offering to paint a portrait of the individual soldier for his family. These 16 X 20” original portraits are being offered completely free of charge in recognition of the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers and in condolence for their families’ loss. Please visit our website www.atlantafineartsleague.org or email us at AtlantaFineArtsLeague@Yahoo.com for further information. –The Atlanta Fine Arts League"
Atlanta Fine Arts League

"To the family of John- John was and is my brother, but not by blood. By another bond, my brother soldier. I served with John since 2000 in the same platoon. He was the most kind hearted person I have ever met. I was the last person to speak to John and can say the last memory I have of John is with a big huge smile on his face. I am greatly sorry for your loss and he will be greatly missed."
SPC McKeown, B of Ca

"DEEPLY SADDEN FOR THE LOST OF JOHN. THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY. AN FOR BEING A MILITRAY BROTHER TOM OUR SON. HE LIKE YOU SERVED AT FORT DRUM. NOT SURE EITHER OF YOU KNEW ONE ANOTHER. UNFORTUNATELY, KIA BALAD, IRAQ 05-03-04 SGT GREGORY L. WAHL. BOTH OF YOU HAVE NOT DIED IN VAIN. MILITARY BROTHERS ALWAYS JUST AS YOU ARE RE-UNITED ONCE AGAIN. MY TEARS HAVE NEVER BEEN JUST FOR MY OWN SON. I SHED THE SAME TEARS FOR YOU JOHN, AS I DO EVERY FALLEN SOLDIER. MYNHEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND YOU. I URGE YOUR FAMILY TO REACH OUT TO THE VFW, AMERICAN LEGION, THE COMMUNITY AND YOUR POLITICAL LEADERS. TO REQUEST A STREET BE NAMED IN JOHN'S HONOUR. WE NEED TO KEEP AMERICA AWARE THIS ARE AMERICAN SOLDIER'S AND OUR HEROES! WE CAN NOT LET AMERICAN'S DO TO THEM AS WAS DONE TO OUR VIETNAM VETERAN'S. GOD BLESS! LWAHL1@SEARS.COM"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

"To all that have visited this site with kind words and prayers; honoring my son, John Kevin, THANKYOU. He is a great man who is greatly missed."
Domenica Columbus of Picayune,MS.

"I SERVED WITH JOHN IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THIS WAR HE WAS STRONG AND QUIET INDIVIDUAL. I WAS SHOCKED TO HERE THAT WE LOST HIM. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY."
Ryan Harris of Tampa Fl

"John is the oldest brother of my best friend in the world, his loss still crushes the family daily. The worst times are when someone thoughtlessly says "We are fighting this war for nothing". That effectively says "your brother died for nothing". Be careful with your words, for you never know who is listening, and words like this cause the blackest of days for Christain, who misses his brother every minute of every hour."
Chrisie of Picayune, Ms

"John Kevin Klinesmith Jr. was the oldest son of my brother and his ex-wife. I only knew him as a child & lost contact when he was young. I am proud to say that I knew him and will always remember the sacrifice he and all the others have made to keep our counrty free and to surpress the oppressers. Hopefully they will all come home soon. Lest we forget!!"
Donna klinesmith Barnhardt of Concord, North Carolina USA

"GOLDEN DRAGONS"

"John Klinesmith is my cousin. I want to thank everyone for visiting this site and for your kind words. John came from a very large family and joined an even larger one in service to his country. God Bless!"
William Stevenson of Gulfport, MS

"I will never forget the ultimate sacrifice you made for our country. God Bless your family, you will always be my hero."
Frank of Panama City, FL

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

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

"I want to offer sincere condolences to the family of John Klinesmith as well as my prayers for his spirit.
I was asked by a student if I am related to John and shown a clipping from the Marine News magazine. My respone is I would count it an honor to be considered his brother. I served in the USAF and now teach at the college level and have a great appreciation for the courageous young men and women who rise to the call of protecting freedom and do so with so little thanks."
John Kleinsmith of Johnson City, New York

"Thank you John Klinesmith, Jr., 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

"deepest sympathe to the families."
Mike Klinesmith of state college

"To the Top!"

"To the family and friends of Spc. John Klinesmith, Jr.:
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 John 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. John Klinesmith, Jr.:
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 John, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia