Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I am thinking of Bill today. A great friend and a uniquely confident and welcoming person. He was my buddy in The Old Guard and we had some great times together. I am a better person for his friendship and I tell my kids about him to help keep his memory and sacrifice alive. I miss you buddy, thank you for being so kind me and I will see you when I get there."
Keith of Florida

"Billy, as his friends affectionately referred to him as, was the best friend a guy could ask for. I knew Billy before and during his service in the Army, and I can safely say I’ve never seen anyone take to service life like William Long. He was always full of energy, ready for his duty, and smiling along the way. America’s Military stands on the shoulders of men like William Long who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Billy you are a hero to your friends, your family, and your country. You will never be forgotten. Thank you B-Dogg for being a great soldier, son, and friend!"
Brody Bray of Jefferson, GA

"I think of my brother Billy all the time. I am so glad he was loved by so many. His picture holds a special place in my home and my children know of his sacrifice. He will not be forgotten."
Deb Marceau of Lake Stevens, WA

"Still always thinking of Billy, he was a great child hood best friend. My biggest regret was not saying bye because I was so upset he was moving. The years are big when you are young. I am still glad I got to spend time with him. He will always be a source of life long encouragment and in my moment's of fear as I surrender to the Lord, I will always remember Billy and what he stood for. I will never forget him."
Christopher Fall of Marietta,Ga

"Thank you for loving my son. If only you could of known him,he was so much more. It will be 10 years june 17th pray for peace. Thank you"
Sue Cordñer of Knoxville tn

"Thank you for loving my son. If only you could of known him,he was so much more. It will be 10 years june 17th pray for peace. Thank you"
Sue Cordñer of Knoxville there

"Thinking of you and your family as Memorial Day approaches, Bill."
Tim Williford of Wilson, NC

"Long was the best friend and mentor a soldier could have. With both of us being from Atlanta . I will never forget all of the quality time we spent together. I am a better man for having known him... Simply put, he was the best and demanded perfection. He had no problem correcting higher ranking NCO's and officers that were wrong and would often do so. Will never forget you brother. Speed & Power!"
Eli Nagle of Atlanta Georgia

"I miss you man. I still think about you everyday and everything you taught me in the Army. You are truly missed from our family."
Paul Telecki of Clearwater, Florida

"Not a day goes by that I don't think of you Long. Visited Ski in Texas last weekend and of course you came into a lot of our conversations. You were not only a squad member but a great friend. This memorial weekend is for you brother. I will never forget you Bill Dog!"
Justin Aguilar of Pleasanton, Ca

"On this and every Memorial Day, I thank God for Bill and pray for him and his family. God Bless You All."
Tim Williford of Wilson, NC

"Today I am remembering the child I knew and the man I did not. I searched for years only to find him in Arlington. Unlike my brother David, I have a few precious memories of Billy. I have only one picture.

If anyone would like to share a story, a picture or a video of my brother to help his 5 brothers and 1 sister who never forgot him know the man he became we would be forever grateful.

mdlong72@gmail.com

Better a poor man with integrity than a rich man who distorts right and wrong."
Matthew Long of Cape Cod, MA

""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 you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,550 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!
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"
Kenna - PROJECT COMPASSION of Manti, Utah USA

"I am saddened at the loss of this Patriot. My condolences to his family. More shocking is this was in the USA and it barely made the news. We owe a huge debt to these men and woman that serve. It makes me proud to be an American. God Bless the Long Family, and William, your loss is felt deeply by the whole nation."
Greg of Cary North Carolina

"To the family of William Long. I never knew your hero. I was in Ft. Benning, Georgia in January 2007. While I was there I purchased a K.I.A. braclet. I picked one at random and it was William's. To this day I've never taken it off. It's a constant reminder of the sacrifices he made for me and our country. I will never forget and will always be grateful."
Karen of Austin, Texas

"To David Long...I was your brother's fiance when he died, and I am so very sorry that you did not have the privilege of knowing first hand what a wonderful, handsome, charismatic, dedicated, intelligent, and humorous man your brother was. Just as you did not know your brother, Bill did not know his biological father. However, he was raised by Lee Cordner, a wonderful man who loved him as his own and whom Bill loved deeply. You may also contact me if you'd like to talk. Take care and know that your brother was loved by all !!!!"
Elizabeth Jackson Baker of Apex, NC

"to david long. I saw your message to Billy. I am his mother. I'm sorry you never met him he was a wonderful young man. your Father left the united states so he would not have to pay child support. He never knew Bill cause he never tried too. He had 4 other childrens he did not pay support too also. If you want to talk to me, let me know. John has no rights to Bill cause he never tried too.The only father Bill
knew was my husband Lee Cordner who was a great dad to Bill and Bill loved him.
Sue"
sue cordner of tennesse

"william a. long is my brother i've never met. never knew him what he looked like or anything. all i know is he's a hero. i love you brother."
david long of birmingham england

"June 21, 2008
To the family of Cpl. William A. Long:
William 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

"My wife and I visited William's grave in Arlington this past Saturday to pay our respects to the hero he is. We owe him, and so many others so much. As we walked away I looked at my wife and said would you give up our son for this country? She tearfully said yes.
God bless you for giving us William."
Tony and Becky of Ellijay, Georgia

"MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL OF THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE LOVED ONES THAT HAVE SERVED AND ARE SERVING THIS GREAT COUNTRY.THANK YOU FOR YOUR BLESSINGS THAT YOU ALL HAVE GIVEN US.I RECENTLY FOUND SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO SOMEONE IN THE WILLIAM LONG FAMILY OR IT COULD HAVE BELONGED TO A FRIEND OF WILLIAM'S.I HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL WITH THIS ..SO THAT I CAN GET THIS RETURNED TO WHOEVER THAT IT MAY BELONG TO.WITH LOVE,PEACE AND MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS,RONDA"
rfdrake of Upatoi,Georgia

"we all love bill he is a great guy let our prayers reach him in the skys above"
connor fenton of springfield

"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

"Even though We Only Spoke A Few Times I Still Remember You As That Giant Of A Man R.I.P Man!"
SGT David Pisanelli of Ft Benning Ga U.S.A

"Rest in peace my brother..."
GySgt Larry Long

": To the family of: William A. Long 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 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew Covington,Ga"

"i am having a son after three girls and i am going to name him william,i saw this and just wanted to say it even makes it that much betterto do so."
samuel long of san diego

"My dad, chaplain Fenton, worked with Bill and he became part of our family. Thanksgiving will never be the same! bill you are missed by many!"
bryanna of springfield, VA

"I am in the Army and I run at the Lilburn Park every day. I just recently noticed CPL Long's Memorial. I run four laps, and when I get tired I hear him say PICK IT UP SARG. I salute him after every lap.

I just want his parents to know that he didnot die in vain. I took my three sons to his Memorial and we Thanked him and prayed for his family."
SSG Davis Heather of Lilburn, GA/US

"Last night I attended a Peace Vigil with my 16 year old son. When we arrived CPL Long's picture was on the ground at the front of the site where we were. A woman asked if I would hold CPL Long's sign along with my candle. I didn't know him, had never heard of him, but I said yes. When the evening was over I took it home and hung it on my fridge, where it will stay until this senseless war ends. I came into work this morning, searched my computer and found this site. To his family, be assured his picture is in grateful, respectful hands. Thank you."
Joanne M. Antinozzi of Coram, New York

"To the Long Family, I wish to offer my sincere condolences to you. Your William is a true American Hero who will always be remembered and honored. May God Bless you all."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"I had the honor of knowing Bill for four wonderful years. He was my fiance, the love of my life, and my best friend. Thank you all for you kind words and support."
Elizabeth of Cary, NC

"I had the honor of serving with Billy Long in The Old Guard. He was an honest, professional soldier. without failure he treated everyone..subordinates and superiors alike....with great respect and dignity. I am deeply saddened by the news that he is gone.....It is too bad that such great men must die at the hands of such savage people."
Jeff of Washington

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

"TO THE LONG FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. OUR FAMILY IS DEEPLY SADDEN OF THE LOST OF WILLIAM. AN OUR HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH WILLIAM AND YOUR FAMILY, WILLIAM HAS TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF MANY. FROM THOSE IN HIS COMMUNITY, FRIENDS. NEIGHBOR'S, HIS MILITARY FAMILY OF BROTHER'S, SISTER'S, THOSE IN IRAQ AND HIS LOVING FAMILY. HE HAS NOT GIVEN HIS LIFE IN VAIN. HE IS REMEMBERED TODAY AND FOREVER, NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN! WE LOST OUR SON LAST YEAR...SO THANKFUL GREG SERVED ALONG SIDE YOUR SON. AN NEITHER KNEW ONE ANOTHER. POINT IS THIS BOTH WATCHED OVER ONE ANOTHER'S UNIT. BROTHER'S AND SISTER'S PROTECTING ONE ANOTHER FOR US ALL. WILLIAM IS A HERO! YET, HE IS MUCH MORE TO THOSE THAT LOVE HIM. HE IS ALWAYS IN MY PRAYS."
leonardwahl of VALLEY STREAM

"We are deeply sorry for your loss. America will forever honor your Hero.
The Courage, Honor, and Valor that your Hero showed will always be remembered.
We are grateful for the sacrifice that was made and we will NEVER FORGET.
God Bless your family and please know that you are not alone.
All of our prayers are with you."
Jennifer and SSGT Larry Mays of Massillon, Ohio

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