Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Vorn,
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Brave Rifles!"

"Mack Was the first one to speak to me when i got to Carson,he show me around the barracks where my troop was, where to go eat. We became good friends after that you will me miss brother until me meet again."
Joel Maldonado of Dallas TX/ USA

"today is 9/12/2012, I remember how september 11th effected you, how you was so certain that you would fight to defend your country. Funny, how nobody was there to protect me from you setting my toys on fire or locking me in the bathroom when I was an annoying little cusin, lol, I still love you so much and I swear you are with me everyday. I hear you are a hero, that some wouldnt be here today if it wasn't for you. Im sorry that your last few memories are memories of war. You had such a playful and bright spirit. Its such a shame that this world, this human race, despite years of evolution, is unable to resolve there issues, in a way that would preserve life. What else is there to fight for. I would fight to have you here with me. And my deepest sympathies to all others who have been affected by the evils of hate, terrosim, and war. love you cuzzo. Boopers"
Antoinette Hicks of Charlotte, NC

"I can't help but think of you as family. I was with you at basic training. My family and I took you in as your dad was unable to make it to Family Day at Fort Benning. We laughed a lot at basic. Every once in a while I shed a tear for you. I miss you man!!!"
Richard Reid of Washington DC

"Mack! I find myself trailing off and thinking of that day more than you may know. I wish things were different. I KNOW that you were there for your memorial service at al asad airfield. We all knew it! The doors had opened up by themselves in the theater right as they started TAPS. As if you had entered the building. You will never be forgotten. Many years and tears later here we are. Love you bro"
Carter of Richmond, VA

"I was very lucky to have a friend like him. I was one of the 6 guys he was staying in the room with at Haditha Dam on the 2nd floor with us in the TOC or staff which was communications and operations I had to leave on emergency leave on the 19th to return home when I returned I was like where's Mack chapelle, winger, bland and all just looked at me and said he's gone man I'm sorry. My Captain, Captain Castillano who just happened to be scuba certified from west point dived for hours apon hours not to leave your boy behind. I am truly sorry for your loss and just wanna say even after 8 years you still hold aplace in my heart. Spc Gamel"
Spc Jay Gamel of Palm Coast, Fl

"Well Im not sure what to say here, Ive been struggling for some years know over your death. I fell a lot of guilt for leaving you in Iraq. My psych doc says writing you will help. I know if I had been there you may not have died, I remember you laughing at me scalding you and drilling you all the time. I remember telling you to straighten up or I was going to call your father. That was th last thing you wanted. Ive been trying for years to forget, Im not even sure what Im trying to say. After 2 more deployments I left the military, I couldnt handle it anymore. Know I struggle with everything, memories sleep and depression. I think about you daily, I hope your family is okay. I guess I worry to much. I want you to know I havent forgotten you and I miss you. Sorry Its taken me so long to write. Well thats about my freind, you will always be in my thoughts."
SSG Webb David, Squad Leader of WinterGarden FL 34787

"its been a while since your passing and i decided to google your name and this was the first link, i remember you from high school you were so smart and always smiled knowing you as a civilian i know that you were a great soldier. so as a fellow soldier i salute you battle!"
spc. vesha miller of orangeburg, sc

"we had good times in al quaim iraq.. i remember when we use to hang out with saud at the soda shop after retrans missions...i remember me and spc gunther helped u mobe into the hht barracks the first day you moved into the 2451 n 2452 buildings..i miss you take care bro"
sam cable 3d acr of colorado springs

"I THINK of you more than you THINK......................i know you are watching..............love you
Alex"
alexander mack of charleston ,sc

"8/22/09
Thinking of you. Mourning the loss."

"Love and miss you cuz"
monty of Orangeburg, South Carolina

"HEY VORNIE. I MISS YOU COUSIN. I THINK OF YOU EVERYDAY AND HOW MY MEMORY OF YOU IS JUST AS CLEAR AS YOU WERE WITH US YESTERDAY. YOU WERE MY OLDER COUSIN JUST BY A FEW YEARS. AND WHEN I REFLECT BACK ON HOW YOUR LIFE WAS TAKEN AT 19, I LOOK AT MY 21 YEARS AS A BLESSING. I NEVER WILL FORGET YOUR SMILE. BUILDING FORTS IN YOUR BACK YARD. BURNING BONFIRES. RACING ON BIKES AND WATER FIGHTS. AND DONT GET ME STARTED ON HOW MUCH FUN WE'D HAVE WITH THOSE FIRECRACKERS ON THE FOURTH OF JULY. YOU WERE A BIG PART OF WHAT MADE MY CHILDHOOD FUN. YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE ADVENTUROUS AND LIGHTHEARTED. YOUR FAMILY WILL REMEMBER YOU ALWAYS. LOVE YOU FOREVER...BOOPERS"
ANTOINETTE HICKS of CHARLOTTE, NC/USA

"Brother, you were among the best. I will miss you... God Bless"
SGT Tristin M Sims of HHT 1/3 ACR

"July 3, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Vorn J. Mack:
Vorn 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

"Just wanted to pay my respects. Mack and I have several similarities in life, and it has always kept him on my mind. We were both from Orangeburg, we were in AIT at the same time and we were both in Ramadi at that time, just on opposite sides of the river. I didn't really get to know him well while we were at AIT, but I do remember him making everyone laugh. The biggest thing I remember was him leaving his laundry in the laundry room at AIT. The drill sergeants made him move each piece of laundry up and down the stairs, one at a time. He just had the biggest smile on his face the whole time and it gave everyone a good laugh to see him smiling during the whole thing."
Mitch of Cary, NC

"Dear Vorn,

It took me a while to find this site, but better late than never right. I want to say first that I love you with ever fiber of my being. You were my younger brother but you protected like I was the youngest. I've always admired your wisdom, drive, and spirit. The day we lost you was the day heaven got one of it's hardest working angels. I love you and I know no man will ever love me the way you did. Thanks for everything. See you in heaven."
Acquanett Hair ( BIG SISTER) of Orangeburg SC

"Vorn was one of my students at OW. My heart goes out to you and your family for your loss. He was a great kid who became a man."

"EVER SINCE I'VE KNOWN YOU WERE ALWAYS KEEPING ME LAUGHING ABOUT SOMETHING CRAZY. BELIEVE ME, YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNIT, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR COUNTRY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. THANKS FOR ALWAYS HELPING ME LOAD MY RADIOS AT THE LAST MINUTE BEFORE TIGER 6 FOUND OUT! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SINCERELY; I'LL SEE YOU IN THE PROMISED LAND!"
SSG CLIFTON MOORE of MANCHESTER, CT US

"Years pass by, but memories remain in time's wake...I can vividly remember being in Chemistry class with you, always smiling with a joyful attitude, God bless you Vorn and your spirit, I pray you are resting in the arms of Jesus right now looking down on us, your character was honorable and I respect you for who you are and all your touched during your years on earth, this world is not our home, you are somewhere much Greater. God be with you."
Lorraine Beraho of Kigali, Rwanda

"I served as a one of the squad leaders that Mack had. He is a great soldier. Now serving in heaven being a soldier for god, to protect us. I am deeply sorry for the loss that the Mack family has to indure. Mack's calling always seemed to be to help out others. He did all in his power to make sure the moral and tempo of his commo shop was up. May his methods be telling a joke or challenging a bigger man to a match. He did what he knew had to be done. My wife put it perfectly, Mack protected us in our first deployment to Iraq and we feel his protection on our second. Once again I am truly sorry for the loss of the Mack family and we are all definetly better people for knowing him. His legacy will live on as we spread his great name to others so that they may get a little, of what a great person he was."
SSG Eric Hopper of 1/3 ACR Commo Shop

"I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have 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 prayer or someone to 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, Your friend in Jesus Christ"
Polly Ballew of Covington, Ga U S A

"Brave Rifles..."
Paul Brian Michalak of Byron,MN U.S.

"My name is Christy Hopper and my husband served along side of Vorn in Iraq. Losing him was on of the hardest things he has ever had to face! Vorn was a wonderful person and he is dreadfully missed here on fort carson. He passed away serving his country in the most respectable way. I am sure he watched over my soldier his remaining time in Iraq, and will be there with the soldiers of the Cav when they go back to Iraq in April of next year! My deepest regards to the family and friends of Vorn J. Mack"
Christy Hopper of Ft. Carson, Colorado

"In Loving Memory..Its been a year..8/23/04

At the rising of the sun and at its going down, We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of Winter, We remember them.
At the opening of buds and in the rebirth of Spring, We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of Summer, We remember them.
At the rustling of leaves and the beauty of Autumn, We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends, We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live;
for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.
Rest in Peace Dear Soldier!!! We will NEVER FORGET!"
The Grogan Family of Lakeland, TN

"Vorn was a very humble person who loved to laugh....I still remember the days we used to chill at work with our co-workers at "Shoney's".....He'll truly be missed..."
Shayla Riley of Orangeburg, S.C. USA

"To the Mack family,
I have the honor of being in AIT with your son. On more ocassions than I can count, Mack made me laugh when I was having a bad day. I am happy to have know such a wonderful man."
SPC Holly E. Holt of Camp Zama, Japan

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

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

"I love you and i miss you baby boy and you will never be replaced. Only you were a ray of laughter and we will miss your crazy personality. RIP"
Booper of Charlotte NC

"To the Family of PFC. Vorn Mack:
I am SPC. Chris Palisoc and I was one of the few who was with PFC. Mack when first joining the army. The both of us went to the same basic training area, the same drill sargeant and the same platoon. We were actually bunk mates together inside our barracks. His bunk lied next to mine. I was really sad to know that Mack had died in Iraq. At first I didnt want to believe it and that it wasnt true when I first heard of it because he was so young and full of potential. What I remembered about Mack was how the way he looked at life. Mack was awas positive and almost never negative outlook on life. Im very sorry for what had happen and hopefully the Mack family can pull it together and be strong during these early phase of his death. He will always be remembered.

SPC. ChrisPalisoc
cpalisoc@msn.com"
Chris Palisoc of Bakersfield, Ca , USA

""My condolences to the family of Vorn J. Mack, You made the ultimate sacrice for your country and now walks in heaven with the other fallen heroes. God Bless."
Marlena of Killeen, TX"
Marlena of Killeen, TX

"Thank you Vorn Mack, 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

"I never knew you Vorn, I've never been to your town, and I've never seen your home state, but I am an American just like you were. I am also an American that realizes that this wonderful country in all its goodness was created with strength of faith and determination in a belief that all men can be truly free. I believe that you are now truly free now, with God in heaven. Sure, America has issues situations and things that aren't PERFECT,as we know, there are many that don't agree with this war, but what makes this country so great, is the fact that America is a country of people that are always striving for the betterment of mankind. We started with our own land, and saw that it was good, and we now, with the assistance of our close allies strive for the betterment of mankind worldwide. The task you took on and the sacrifice you made wasn't just for America, but an even greater cause the freedom God's entire creation. Matthew 5:9 NIV "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God."
Thank you, Vorn"
Bryan Higgins of Fort Worth, TX

"vorn god gave you to us for 19 years and i will alway remember u and the love that u share with me and my kids. they have loss a wounderful cousin and friend and so have i I know that you are in a better places so i will mourn no more i will see you in the future and will give u a great hug to let u know that i missed you love tina"
tina of orangeburg sc us

"To the family and friends of Pfc. Vorn Mack:
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 Vorn 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. Vorn Mack:
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 Vorn, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia