Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Olympian:

http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/le/emmanuel-legaspi-1.html"

"I served with Manny at Ft. Polk, LA in the 1/509th Infantry. He was a great man, leader, paratrooper and father. He will truly be missed."
Kenneth "Hotpocket" Hadley of Smyrna, TN

"Glad to have met you in that tiny room catching a break from a mission a few days before you left us. See you in the next round."
Lieutenant Dustin Stewart of Texas

"You will forever be in our hearts and minds. You trained us hard and lead us like you was meant to. You taught me a lot in our short time working together and you made a better Soldier out of me and the men of 1/36 Inf. Spartans"
Tim Cooper of Calhoun, Ga

"SSg Legaspi,
A true soldier and man. I remember being very new to the army and listening to you knitpicking (at least that is what I thought it was when I was with you) about all he little things that make up the whole soldier. Now I see and understand what you were doing....you were making soldiers out of us young punks. Forever greatful for your light in my life."
Doc

"Heroes are never been forgotten!!"
Sara jane Legaspi Limson-Navarro of Choa Chu Kang, Singapore

"wish to express our heartfelt gratitude and sincerest appreciation to all those offered prayers, sent flowers, lighted candles and messages of sympathy.
Attended his funeral service on May 18,2006 at Palm Mortuary Las Vegas, Nevada, including those presenced on his 2nd memorial service at 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) HQ.U.S.A as well as his 3rd memorial service on June 16,2006 at Limay, Bataan Philippines.
Your countless ways condoled with and conforted us in our hours of bereavement.
Your generosity will be remembered always."
Serafin "Afin" Legaspi of Limay, Bataan Philippines

"Happy FAther's day papa !! i love you !! till we meet again !!"
AM Legaspi of Manila, Philippines

"wow bud cant believ such tragedy has ocured. You were such a great soldier and a true frend. Words cant explain how great of a person you were. I still remember the day you arrived to ft.polk 1/509th 3rd plt. You were squared away from day one we had such great times in and out of the field, im in total shock and desbeliev this shouldent of happend to you bro. You will be mist and allways rememberd!"
CPL. Montelongo, Javier of u.s.army rsrvs mcallen,tx.

""your memories still lives with all the people you have touched their lives"..."
Sara Jane Legaspi Limson-Navarro of cho chu kuang, Singapore

""All souls have to find their own path
and reach the goal of their own way...
Put your hand in the Lord
and He will guide you every step of the way...."
Sara Jane Legaspi Limson-Navarro of Cho Chu Kuang St. 62 Blk. 627 11-152 Singapore

""Superman" Thanks for welcoming me when I was a lost SPC (PV4). I am proud to have called you a friend."
CPT JIMMY QUILON (1PLT A Co) of Fort Carson, CO

"i rember what we use talk about . you were not supose to go , you were one of the good ones cause you saw the wrong , i did also . i cant believe your gone , no point in wishing things could be differnt pt stud but i was always right behind ya ,one hell of a soldier and one hell of a man , so much good in you , not fair . makes me angry ,should have been there ."
a friend of who cares , he gave it all

"May 2, 2009
To the family of Staff Sgt. Emmanuel L. Legaspi:
Emmanuel 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

"SGT Legaspi, I can't remember one time that I ever saw you without a smile on your face. Always happy and always proud. I will miss you and see you on the flip side.

Your friend,

SFC Justin Weathers
Ft. Riley, Kansas"

"My name is Jose Reyes, to "Legaspi", I was Private Reyes. He was my team leader in A co. 1/509th. I had spent more days then I can count by his side out in the field in fort polk. From day one he had shown me how to be a true soldier, a leader, a person, and a man. He had been almost a father figure in my life, who had givin me that push and inspiration to become better in whatever I did. He will not only be a great loss to me, friends, family, or the Army, but he will be a great loss to the world."
Jose Reyes of Cocoa, Florida, U.S.

"SSG Leagspi, when I found out you were coming to my platoon, I was really happy because we're both Filipinos and we have something in common. And I knew from the get go that you will help me become a good soldier and a leader. You squared me away and I've learned a lot from you. You taught me a lot and up to now I still live through your teachings and trainings. I always look at our pictures from the last Infantry Ball that we had gone before we deployed to Iraq. I really miss you Bro and I am so proud to have served with you. Everytime I think of you, I look at my bracelet and look up in the sky because I know you're looking down and overwatching me. You are a true hero and a great Leader. There are so many stories to tell and memories about you. I will live through that for the rest of my life. One day we will see each other again."
SGT Magundayao of Fort Lewis, WA

"Manny miss you brother. Miss the times we had fun together patroling Baghdad together as Squad Leaders. You were a true friend and a great NCO to work with. We all from 1-36 IN will always miss you."
SFC Newlin, Mark of Friedberg, Germany

"To the family of:Emmanuel L Legaspi I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. My heart cries out for you in your grief. He died a hero defending freedom and we are so grateful for anyone defending our freedom.
Know that I am praying for the peace of God that surpasses all understanding for you and that one day we will all meet in Heaven where we will rest in the arms of Jesus.
If you need someone to talk to or someone to pray with please call my Pastor at Gateway Community Church, Reverand John Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd Covington Ga. 30016 Phone 770- 787- 1015 (fax)770-787-8215.Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew"

"I am proud of you son. I wish we could have more time together as a family. maybe it is destiny. So long unitl we see each other again..."
Serafin Legaspi of Bo.Luz limay Bataan Philippines

"I first met Manny Legaspi at Fort Polk, La. We Both were assigned to the OP-FOR 1/509 ABN. I was a 1SG in HHC Company. I was told of a Filipino soldier who just got to the unit. I seen him walking past my company one day and stopped him. I asked where he was from and he had told me the PI. I was very proud to see him standing tall and very proud but very humble. From then on we always talked about everything from training to cooking good food. Manny was a great husband, father and person. He loved his boxing and combatives. My favorite thought of him will always be of when he told me that I was a "True Pinoy Warrior" Even though I was born in the states! Yes he made me laugh and gave me allot to think about. To his family and wife and daughter, Im sorry for your loss... Words cannot express the pain and sorrow that you have gone through... But then again, When you are well again You should smile because your the family of Manny Legaspi."
Edward M.C. Tacdol MSG, USA of San Antonio, Tx

"manny , thank you so much for being a brother. I know you are in a better place now but surely we miss you so much but my dear brother we will see each other again...loving u always ,"
beth and michael of seattle

"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.
Our nations HERO, Emmanuel will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge / Montana God Bless you ALWAYS. "

"Manny is a very good soldier. I met him at Ft. Polk (JRTC) when I was a Specialist and he was a Private First Class, I started talking to him because he was Filipino too like I was. I remember he received an award for sniping over 30 soldiers (training exercise) by himself, thats the kind of a soldier he was. I will miss you and peace be with you. "kay minsan nanaman pare""
W01 Jeremy Dotson of B co. 1/145th AVN, Ft. Rucker, Alabama

"Please accept our most sincere condolences on your loss. Words cannot express how sorry we are to hear this news. We feel with you and we hope you will find peace with this tragedy one day.

He was so proud of his little daughter.

I remember one day we met in front of your apartment. That day I was feeling very sad and broken-hearted about the loss of my parents. I was not complaining but he remarked my desperation and he said to me: You have to smile then you will feel better.


Whereat my soul extended
its wings towards skies to roam:
O'er quiet lands, suspended,
my soul was flying home.

Poem by J.Freiherr von Eichendorff"
Susanne Farahmand and Family of Bad Nauheim, Germany

"to the family and friends of manny:

our deepest condolences.

manny is my childhood friend. we both grew up in manila (doroteo jose street). in fact, he is the godfather to my eldest son, karlo martin. i kew his family very mell.

the last time i saw him was at the bureau of immigration where he was one of the guard.

i will miss you pare..."
alfredo "freddie" cortez of quezon city, philippines

"Thank you Emmanuel Legaspi, 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 Staff Sgt. Emmanuel Legaspi:
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 Emmanuel 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 Staff Sgt. Emmanuel Legaspi:
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 Emmanuel, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia