Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Roger, I still remember the day we got promoted to Specialist, you got pinned before I did, and you would always said that you out ranked me for a few seconds~!! I miss you brother"
Cadet Cohen, Marco of Anaheim, California

"SPC Roger Ling, It was an honor to serve with you. I will always remember all the times we had together and I want you to know I never had any concerns that you were always on top of things when it needed to be done. My friend as I sit here today still hurt by the passing of you and the LT I want you to know that I will never forget you my friend."
SFC Spiker

"I was privlidged to know Roger in Junior high and High school. He was a great guy that could always make you laugh. He was so easy to speak to and get along with. He had a great heart and I always enjoyed his company. He is truly missed."
Rick of Queens

"February 2, 2009
To the family of Spc Roger G. Ling:
Roger 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 was honored to serve with you. You are a friend that will always be remembered."
Steven "Dickster" Dickie of Tucson, AZ, USA

"I am proud to serve with Ling and I dearly miss him. He will never leave my thoughts. He was always so cheerful and a dedicated soldier. We all love him. especially his medic"
Anuar Valdez of San Antonio Texas

"God Speed Roger, Thank You."
Sean M of Glen Oaks, NY

"You the man Ling, U the man! You will not be forgotten"
SSG. Whalen of Morrisonville, IL

"I am so proud to say that I worked with Rogers father for many years and that im not surprized to hear that Wai,s son is a hero. To know Wai is to know that his children would do their best! God bless you Wai, and your proud family and thank you Roger for your protection . Peace to you & your family , Jack, Maryann & Lori Gorman"
Jack Gorman of Sayreville NJ Middlesex

"To the family of Roger G. Ling, I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero. May you know the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Hopefully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need someone to pray with you or talk to please call or write my pastor at Gateway Community Church Rev John B Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge RD. Covington, Ga. 30016 Phone 770-787-1015"
Polly Ballew of Cavington Ga. U S A

"To The Family of Roger Ling:
Please accept my condolences in the loss of your loved one. After reading about Roger, I cannot tell you how honored I am to be wearing a hero bracelet that bears his name. We owe such gratitude to all of the men and women who serve to protect our country, our rights and our freedom. Even though your hearts are heavy, you can be very proud of Roger. He will not be forgotten."
Helen Bucklew of Grand Prairie, TX

"Finding out someone that was your recruit has died in combat is one of the hardest things to swallow as a recruiter. I was the recruiter that recruited Roger. I was a new recruiter and had met a guy named Max, he was Roger's best friend. These guys were so hyped into joining the Army. They were great recruits. Roger was always at the DEP functions proudly wearing his Army t-shirt. All he and Max talked about was being tankers in the Army. I couldn't figure out why this guy wanted to join the Army to be a tanker. With his test scores I encouraged him to be a linguist or military intelligence. But he knew what he wanted to do. I tried everything I could do for Roger to help him to get promoted before he left for Basic training, but I didn't do it, he did. He had a setback in school and found out he wasn't going to graduate on time with his best friend, Max, and his goal of leaving with his buddy would be gone. The true friend that Roger was, he dropped out of school and obtained his GED just so he could still leave for Basic Training with Max.
I was deeply saddened to hear of his death. I had long left recruiting when I received the phone call. An old recruiter buddy of mine called me and asked me if I recruited a SPC Roger G. Ling and she proceeded to tell me he was killed in IRAQ. I was devastated.
I have his picture that he took in the Recruiting station by my desk and every so often I look at it and get choked up. He was a great kid and I'm sure he was a great soldier. This past memorial day I was in a parade at West Point to honor our Fallen heroes and the tears I shed were for Roger!"
SGT Tamika (Shung) Carroll of West Point, NY

"All mankind is of one author and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated. God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God's hand is in every translation, and his hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another…

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

John Donne

Roger, Even though we shared the same name and wore the same uniform, we didn't know each other. None the less, I mourn your passing, honor your sacrifice, and pray for the comfort of your family."
Major Joe Ling of the United States Army

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

"I would like to take this moment to honor the men and women of our military who died while serving for our nation. The sacrifices Roger made and the deeds he performed shall remain alive in our memories for generations to come. The VFW expresses sincerely our pride and gratitude for the tasks they fulfilled.

Raymond Wong
Wongrad@pacbell.net
US Navy, Retired
Vietnam War Veteran
Commander, VFW District 15, Department of California"
Raymond Wong of San Francisco, CA

"Roger was one of my two best-friends in high-school (Cardozo). We both enlisted in the Army at around the same time. However, we weren't able to get the same duty station (Fort Hood, TX for me and Fort Riley, KS for Roger) because of complications during the enlistment process.

Roger and I took a train into Manhattan a couple days before I shipped off to Basic Training (Ft. Knox). We witnessed the aftermath and devastating effects of the 9/11 attacks both on T.V. and in person.

After that, I saw him one night during Christmas leave in Douglaston while we were both still in training.

The last time we ever saw each other face to face was in the Patton Museum in Ft. Knox, KY. I was with my parents and I had graduated from Basic Training a day or two earlier. Roger was still in training and went with his group to the museum on that particular day. It was very strange because soldiers only attend the Patton Museum once in their whole training period (four months) and only for a brief amount of time (soldiers are rushed through the museum). My mother was the one that noticed Roger in the museum. My father was able to take a few pictures of the two of us with his camera.

I occasionally spoke with Roger on the phone until I got deployed to Iraq on April 8th, 2003. Roger got deployed to Iraq in the same month that I left Iraq (September 2003).

Roger was a great friend and one of the only true friends that I ever had. I think about him almost every day and the good times that we had together during high-school. My condolences go to his father, sister, aunt and cousins.

I miss you, Roger. You will always be in my heart and mind. God bless you.

Max's Website"
Max B. Misch of Douglaston, NY

"To the family of Roger G. Ling:

We picked Roger's name as a fallen American to pray for as a Lenten practice at Our Lady of Victory Church, Centerville, MA. That he was willing to lay down his life for others is ample reason to honor him and his family and to pray for his eternal rest. We thank Roger and his family, however inadequately, and will hold him and them in our hearts."
Charles and Helen Desaulniers of Centerville, MA., USA

"Today I participated in the demonstration in Lafayette Square in front of the White House to honor the fallen soldiers in Iraq. I was given the name of Roger G. Ling to read into the microphone, along with all the others. It was a beautiful, sunny, balmy day in Washington. I wish I did not have to read his name. Roger was my son's age. I would like to know more about him. It must be so hard for his family."
Danielle Greene of Falls Church VA

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

"God Bless You Brave Solider. Thank you for your duty to our country. May God be with your family."
The Taylors USMC of NC

"To the Family of Roger Ling: You are in my thoughts and prayers. My brother served with Roger in Iraq. Roger was a brave man and will never be forgotten."
Dayna Kinner of Westerville, OH

"Thank you SPC Roger Ling for your selfless service, and your fight for freedom. You will never be forgotten by those who love you, and nor shall you be forgotten by those of us you have protected. Sleep now, my friend, in the arms of God, may you now rest. Thank you so much."
The Family of SPC Mitchell R. Warriner-Hansen of Hillsboro Oregon

"Please excuse our typo, we meant no disrespect to Roger"
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"To Roger'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

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