Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"thank you cole for what you have giving all of us. we all are missing you."
bruce feeney of Big Bear City, CA

"Mom,Dad and Hayley Im sorry it has taken so long for me to leave a message but cole was a brother to me not just because we served together but because he was a good hearted man like my owen brother and i wish i would have gone in his place that day i miss his laugh and his out lock on life Im sorry that he was on patrol that day it should have been me and not a day go buy when i dont think about that I Hope all is well and my prayers are with you"
SGT Stephen Valente of Tallahassee FL

"I just drove by your house the other day & my 2 sons 11 & 7 said...'Dad we need to walk down & read what's on that tree". It made me think of your family & how seeing the ribbons on the tree make me realize how blessed we all are to have heroes like your son making this place a better world to live in. Blessings to you & your family.
Bryan Downey (Marilyn Dr.)"
Bryan Downey of Santa Clarita, Ca

"To the family of:Cole W.Larsen
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""

"your still in my heart bro"
bruce feeney of big bear

"Cole you were one of my bestfriends! when i was little you used to come to my house to look at all the snakes. then when i got older you came up to play with rc cars, and hangout with travis. Man i miss you soo much. you were a great guy and you will always be remembered"
Austin Gibbons of Canyon Country, CA

"you will never be forgotten ."
bruce of big bear ca

"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

"Oops! From Luann Parker
I forgot to leave my email. It is Sewluann@hotmail.com Please contact me."
luann parker of downey CA

"I am trying to contact the next of kin to present a quilt to the family. I belong to the Home of the Brave quilt project. You can check the web @ www.homeofthebravequilts.com Please contact me."
Luann Parker of Downey CA

"To the Larson family,

I was in the 272nd with cole we were in different platoons but cole was a friend to everyone. I remember going to see him in his room and talking for hours. I will never forget get him and he has changed my life forever. My favorite memory of cole was in Iraq i ask him for a dip of kodak and he handed me the can and told me to keep it that was cole just a great friend. Cole is someone who is remembered everyday and i think of his family daily God bless"
Asbury of Lexington VA, USA

"To Cole's family: Thank you for bringing Cole into this world and raising him to be such a wonderful young man. Your family will remain in our prayers, and Cole will not be forgotten. Our freedom is costly, and his sacrifice is proof of that.

We are grateful for his sacrifice."
The Gray Family of California

"November 15, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Cole W. Larsen:
Cole 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

"4 years later, you are not forgotten. Rest In Peace Cole, you will forever remain in the hearts and lives of those who knew you."
Tracey of VA

"cole was a true hero and i think about him every day . its sad i will never see you again but i know your in good hands up there."
bruce feeney of big bear city C.a.

"There is so much to say about larsen, how he was as a soldier, a person, but most of all as a friend. cole was the kind of person who loved to have fun with people and i have alot of memories of him. it didnt matter if you were in cole's platoon or not, everyone knew him, he was one of my friends and i was proud to know him and serve with him. Miss You Brother"
CPL Stephen Gaydarik of Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas

"To the Larsen Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you on this day. It's hard to believe it was 3 years ago today that such a beautiful soul was taken. My son served with Cole and the Duece in Mannheim and in Iraq, and he too always remembered Cole's smile. We will always remember Cole - his loss was shared by so many. God Bless"
Gaydarik Family of Rockaway, NJ

"this message is for cole and his family. I was in first platoon with cole, we were in the same sqaud. First let me say iam ashamed and appauled that it has taken me 3 years to write this messege. Every time i go to write this i freeze and turn the computer off.

Larson came to the platoon in early november of 03, one of two soldiers that were sent from ait to backfill our ranks for the upcomming deployment to iraq. I remember he was one of the goofiest guys i had ever met. I was a PFC at the time and thought to be senior to him (lol) and myself and other members of the squad would often discuss if he was goin to be able to hang with the standards and training of the squad. There was one incident involving milk cartons and his room during a surprise room inspection (other wolverines will know what iam talking about)that we gave him a hard time about for a few weeks. But one thing about larson was that he never gave up on anything, he would constantly ask questions and stay after dismissal to not only match the squads standards but to exceed them as well. No matter what happened larson always had a smile on his face. I would always look for the smile to reassure me that things were goin to be ok, becuase if larson didnt have a smile on you knew you were in for the worst. The one memory that will stay with me forever is the one when 1st plt was placed at camp volunteer in the south east sector of baghdad. We were awaiting operational orders for combat duty and permant assignment, so we had alot of downtime to do what we wanted. Larson was crazy about animals, if it walked, crawled or scurried there was larson chasing after it. Anyways the building we were staying next to was as old as the american revolution but was a haven for geckos. Larson was passing by and saw a lizard run across the entrance way. i was playing a game of uno with some other guys and all of a sudden he did this dance trying to catch the lizard. I just remember laughing harder then i ever had, and when he looked up to see everyone laughing there was that smile.

i could go on and on about larson's character but i dont think this site has the room. Soon aproaching is the aniversary of the day of days. Larson i am so sorry that you were taken, it wasnt right. If god is realy up there he should have taken someone else not someone who enjoyed life so much, whether it was good or bad. Larson i remember that day when we were told of your passing. At one instant the platoons eyes teared up and our heart broke. I prayed and prayed that it was all a dream, i couldnt believe we had made it through so much just to have you taken away. Anyways I will be thinking of you on the day and will drink a shot of JACK D for you. Hope all is ok and the journey sees you well dude.
-lambo-"
SGT Joel Lambert of FT Story VA

"I was in 1st Platoon "Wolverines" and just got to that platoon from another and around that time he just got into the country and he was in my squad. It was around Christmas and i was supposed to be his secret santa, which our platoon was taking part in, and i decided to get him a bottle of Jack. After a while I got to know Cole instead Pv2 Larson. He had a great sense of humor and always made me laugh. To think about his fate brings a tear to my eye. He was a great soldier and always willing to learn. Always motivated and never seemed to have his spirits down. and he loved to talk about riding dirt bikes. Cole, dude, you are so missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Larson family, his friends, and everyone else in the world that feels the loss of this great man. Rest in peace my friend."
Matt "Windo" Windoloski of Springfield, Ma

"I was just thinking about Larsen right now, i was having some memories i remember when he would always talk about him and the kangaroos, he showed me pictures of him hunting em, Before we left to go to iraq he said we were going to go do that when we get back, we were suppose to go to austrailia. I didn't want to hunt em i just wanted to catch one. Me and Larsen were roomates back in germany and i Just wanted to let you know He'll never be forgotten and that he is missed dearly."
SGT Adrian Gonzalez of Fort Belvoir, VA/US

"I want to say that I am truly sorry about what happen last year. I hope his family is strong enough. I am a loconational from Mannheim Germany. I know the Unit he were in. 272nd MP deuce.
Right now I hope God will bless the Unit again because they went to Afghanistan on March 4 2006. My fiancè had to go now. He is also and Deuce fighter of the 272nd MP Unit.

God Bless him and his Unit

kristyalviar@gmx.de"
Kristy of Mannheim Germany

"cole: i love you and miss you more than you know... your always in my prayers... remeber your my #1 hero and my gaurdian angel... i love you. im taking care of haley for you.. i promise."
jamie judkins of orange county/ cali.

"Dear Mrs Larsen:

Dr. Laura just read your letter over the air concerning your feelings as to your son and his unfortunate death. It moved me so much, I searched his name and found this site, amongst others.

Thank you for your sacrifice and raising a son who put others before himself. One who believed in freedom and liberty and was willing to risk his life for others.

God bless your family and you for the honorable son you raised."
Philip Cook of Salt Lake City, Utah

"you are our hero!!! thank u for everything!!!!"
jana of mannheim,germany

"i know where u are u have it good! we all miss u really really much. we never really talked much but i know that u did a lot of good things. we will never forget you!"
jana of mannheim, germany

"Military Police Corps Regimental Prayer
By Chaplain Michael Yarman

Heavenly Father - We approach You today because You have called us to be a people of prayer.

We praise You because You are our Creator, our Redeemer and our Provider.

We acknowledge our great need for You as we fulfill our mission as soldiers.

We have been called to serve our nation as Military Police and we are proud of the honored heritage of the Regiment and our motto: Of the Troops and For the Troops.

Whether we are fighting an enemy, securing as area, patrolling the streets, or helping someone in distress, help us, O Lord, to always be men and women of integrity who can be counted on to do the right thing.

Give us the strength to stand for what is right and to oppose those who would do harm to our nation and the people we serve.

May we always be truthful in Word, Deed and Signature, and bring honor through our service to the memory of those in the Regiment who gave the supreme sacrifice for their country.

Guide us now, Father, by giving us wisdom and knowledge from on high, that as Military Police we will always be prepared to Assist, Protect and Defend."
CPT Glidewell

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

"Cole was my friend before I moved away to Palmdale in the first grade. Actually he was my only friend that I can remember definitively in my early childhood. He was a good kid and a good friend. I'll miss him"
Brian Griffey of Palmdale, CA

"To Cole's Family:
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

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