Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I trained with Knowles in Basic and AIT, I remember him ALWAYS being ready to do the next task(that none of us wanted to do) not EAGER for it(but NEVER complaining) a true soldier."
Michael Tighe of Mays Landing, NJ

"I trained with Knowles in Basic and AIT, I remember him ALWAYS being ready to do the next task(that none of us wanted to do) not EAGER for it(but NEVER complaining) a true soldier."
Michael Tighe of Mays Landing, NJ

"Peace from the Middle East."
Kaibrea Schoning of Clear Lake, Iowa

"It's been 12 years since you've left us, but we still miss you just as much as we did on day one."
Kaibrea Schoning of Clear Lake, Iowa

"He was the happiness of our family. Now, he's the hero of our family."
Kaibrea Schoning of Clear Lake, Iowa

"He's my Josh. He's always been my Josh. Our Josh. miss you...keep watching over us..til we meet again!!!!!!!"
Megan Schoning of Clear Lake, IA

"Josh was a great friend. Thoughts of him are with me everyday. Truly a friend that will never be forgotten. He has shown me what selflessness is. He will always be in my heart!"
Jeremy Clark of Ames, IA

"February 2, 2009
To the family of Spc. Joshua L. Knowles:
Joshua 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've caught up with some of our old basic training buddies, and we always talk about you. You'll never be forgotten Josh. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you. Websites in your honor may slow down, and the tears stop flowing so regularly, but the thoughts of you are always there. Keep my sister company over there; she's missed just as greatly."
Angel Vasica of USA

"JOSH was like a brother to me and cody emhoff i will never forget him he was very nice to us and i thank him for fighting for are coutry thanks JOSH"
Jesse Emhoff of Sheffield iowa

"JOSH was like a brother to me and cody emhoff i will never forget him he was very nice to us and i thank him for fighting for are coutry thanks JOSH"
Jesse Emhoff of Sheffield iowa

"To the family of Joshua Knowles My name is Jason s.mcgrath usaf, I too was present the day of the attack at the BIAP checkpoint IRAQ. Although I did not know your son, I can tell you this he is tough as nails and wasn't one to give up. I think about this incident often and it has definately changed my outlook on life. sorry for your loss, My prayers are with you daily
I salute you josh and your family"
JASON S MCGRATH of DMAFB tucson arizona

"To the family of Joshua L. Knowles:

The Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation will be honoring your loved one at the non-denominational Memorial Day Sunday worship service at 11:00 a.m. on 29 May. We will remember the casualties of the Global War on Terrorism from Minnesota … and the neighboring states of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Outside of the historic Fort Snelling Veterans Memorial Chapel will be a “Memorial Garden” filled with white crosses bearing the names of the war dead … including your loved one.

I would like to extend to your family an invitation to honor us with your presence at worship as we pay tribute to the sacrifice made by your service member and family. Our pastor, U.S. Army Chaplain, LTC Kenneth L. Beale, Jr. will preach a message entitled “Remembering Our Freedom.” A former Soldier and country music songwriter and performer “Rockie” will pay a special musical tribute. At the conclusion of the worship hour, all of the congregation will be invited to silently pay their respects at the garden and place poppies at each of the crosses. An honor guard squad will be on hand to fire vollies as the US flag is lowered to half-staff and Taps is played.

As this Christian worship service has traditionally been well attended, we would be happy to reserve seating for you and yours. To do so, kindly call (612/970-7866) and leave a voice message indicating your veterans’ name and the number of persons attending. If you are not able to attend, we pray that you would find comfort in knowing that our prayers are with you and all of the fallen heroes.

Respectfully,
Leila Campbell
Administrative Assistant
Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation
email:info@fortsnellingmcf.org
web site:www.fortsnellingmcf.org"

"April 13, 2005
My name is Jesse Stevenson and I had the pleasure of being in basic training and AIT with Josh. When we were in Basic Training together we didn't know each other all that well, but when we got to AIT we became good friends. Josh never took anything too seriously, he loved to laugh and he loved to act crazy. I remember Josh had one of the coolest tattoos I'd ever seen, if I remember correctly it was the Tazmanian Devil ripping out of his skin. And it was tattooed right on the back of one of those big calves of his. Another thing about Josh, he was absolutely fearless. I remember in Basic Training, the drill sargents tried to trick us and tell us that they were sending us all to war against Korea and that many of us would not be coming back. Most of us in the room were scared to death, and others downright said they would refuse to go. But I remember Josh sitting there with a stone cold look on his face, leaning over to his battle buddy and saying "We've got to do what we've got to do. Let's go get these mother *expletives*" That's the kind of guy he was, and I'm honored to have had the opportunity to train with him and to have been able to call him my friend."
Jesse Stevenson of San Diego, CA

"To: Les and Sandy, It has been just past a year since we lost 'our son'. It is our privelege to have known Joshua. It was our honor to be his home away from home. Through our tears we can still smile when we look toward heaven and see him smiling back. We couldn't be more proud of Tyler's 'bro'!"
Kirby and Carolyn Koch of Sheffield, Iowa USA

"To the Knowles family I feel your pain and sorrow,thank GOD for men like Joshua who will"STAND AND DElIVER for our country.I wear a hero bracelet with your son'name on it in honor of a fallen AMERICAN!"
ROBERT MAGNESS of BELLINGHAM,WA.

"Josh was truly an amazing person and a work of art. He is loved by so many, he stood for what he believed in,he was graced with the talent of making people laugh til they cried, he listened when someone needed a friend, he helped when you needed a hand, all in all he was just a really giving person who rarely needed anything in return. For those of us who had the honor of knowing him--I know he is smiling down on us knowing he was loved."
Season Collins of Alden Ia

"January 25th 2005
Hi, Josh was in my platoon Bravo 2/10 in basic training. He was always one of the most motivated soldiers in the company and he always made us laugh. I heard about his death last year and this year I'd like to share my memories of Josh with my classmates. I am doing a biographical speech on Josh's life, if any family or friends reads this by Sunday,January 30th 2005 and would like to share his life story or any story, please respond on this memorial or e-mail me at bucsnbeers2004@yahoo.com If not, there are plenty of sites dedicated to Josh where I can learn more about him. To Josh, you are a true hero to life and country. You did what you were sworn to do, defend your country, and you did it like a man, no complaints. I can only hope that when its my turn to go, I can be half as brave as you. Still thinking of you and praying for your family."
Angela Dandar and Angel Vasica of Tampa, Fl. and Plattsburg, N.Y.

"Hello to the Knowles Family...
I will always feel honored that I was able to serve with Josh, and even more so that I called him my friend. I think about him and you every day. He was the bravest and the best!"
Darcy Mongeau of Mankato Mn

"Hey Josh's family,
This is an old friend of Josh's. I loved him so much. He was an energetic and caring person. I am the granddaughter of the Koch's. I feel your pain, and I hope you will through a wonderful remembrance party on Feb. 5. I will love you always and pray for your well being."
Amber Green of Liberty Hill, Texas, North America

"Dear Joshua's family:
I am a student at College of Marin, California.
Our art teacher Chester Arnold and his students are working on a very touching project.
Most of the students are painting the portrait of our soldiers who died in Irak.
We are going to have a show with all the portraits on December 2nd in our College.
I have just finished painting Joshua's portrait and I would like to send it to you after the show.
Please reply with your address so I can mail it to you. My e-mail address is: patricia@patriciagatti.com
I am very sorry for your loss.
Love
Patricia"
Patricia Gatti of Kentfield, California

"We always knew you were special, Josh, but we didn't know you would be our hero. We will always miss you and the light you brought to our lives. I am thankful to have had a friend like you and am especially thankful for all you did for Tyler. No one could have a more fiercly loyal friend. You were truly a brother to him, and not a day goes by that he doesn't talk about all of the things you did together and all you had talked about doing in the future. We are also thankful for all of your phone calls. It lit up our days to here your voice from so far away. We can't wait to tell Alex all about his "Uncle" Josh and what he did for all of us in this country. We have always been proud of you, and we love you."
Tyler and Annie Koch of Hampton, IA

"Unfortunately I didn't get to meet Josh. But T.C.B. Demo had a project that Josh's parents got involved in. Troops Tribute Across Iowa was a big success and we thank all the families who joined in on our project"
Ana Farrier, T.C.B. Demo of Washington, Iowa

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

"your son was brave. every day he passed through that checkpoint he put his life in danger. i used to work the gate at that checkpoint and was there when it happened. i'm deeply sorry for what happened. i will never be the same after that experience. i want to pay my respects to him so i guess i'll leave a message. i wasn't able to attend his memorial service. god bless you all."
rudolpho ryan peralez of austin, TX

"You never think that something like this could happen to someone you know and when Joe and I heard the news we were both in shock. Your strong voice will forever be remembered in our minds. The stories we have of growing up will make us laugh forever. Someday we will see you again and truly say thank you. We will never forget you."
Joe and Amy of Sheffield, ia

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

"To Joshua's family:
There are no words that can express our deep sorrow for your loss. May God bless you and your family as Joshua watches over you all."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"Again, No matter what the "words" are we are all here for the same reason, to thank these brave souls for paying the ultimate price for our freedom. Thank you to our Armed Forces men and woman for all you do."
Mark Corson of Jackson, MS.

"REST IN PEACE BRAVE SOLDIER/WARRIOR have ALWAYS been our heartspoken words since day one of finding this site. They have been our OWN very special chosen words that come from the heart. God Bless you and your loved ones...When we look up at night and see a bright shining star, we shall know it's you shining down on us from heaven. Thank you for all you have done for our country."
The Taylors USMC of North Carolina

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