Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Thank you Ryan for your service and sacrifice, you are forever in our hearts and minds."
Denny and Donna of Des Moines, Ia.

"I was in Korea with Ryan. We were good friends and spent a lot of time together. I can still remember his smile and sense of humor. Such an awesome guy! I will never forget him! May our Lord and savior Jesus Christ fill you with his everlasting love and peace!
God Bless all of Ryan's friends and family."
Eli Lindbo of Anacortes, Wa

"Though we were more acquaintances than friends, we did play a little back yard football as younger kids growing up in the same neighborhood. Ryan was a great guy that always let you finish your thought, and listened to it as if it were the last thing he would hear. Its been a while, regretably so, since I have stopped to really think of the sacrifice that service members make in order for everyone else to go about their daily lives back home. In Ryans case, he gave his all. Time wears down the shock of loss, however nothing can soften losing such a good man."
J. Peveto of Lewisville Tx

"To the family of PFC McCauley:

Ryan was only an acquaintance to me in school, but once we both swore the oath and enlisted, we became brothers. I have only recently discovered about your loss and offer my most sincere condolences. My brother and myself both have served for many years and continue to serve so our parents worry sick everyday while we are deployed. It saddens me to know he was lost, but makes me proud to know that he was courageous enough to honorably serve his country. I regret never having met him after graduation and thanking him for serving along side our other military brothers and sisters. I will remember his name and honor him always.

"REAL HEROES DO NOT WEAR CAPES, THEY WEAR DOG TAGS.""
MR2(SW) Nguyen, Jonathan - USN of Lewisville, TX (Currently deployed)

"It has been 6 years since your gave your life in Iraq, but you are still remembered. May God Bless your family as you walk in his Kingdom."
Captain Sherry Aikey Hampton of Fort Worth, Texas

"Varsity Squad, Wolfpack Platoon, Alpha "Warriors" Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Divison...A fine Son to his parents, Brother to his Sister, Comrade in Arms to his fellow Soldiers! I'm priviledged to have been in his Platoon!"
Ernie Avalos, 1SG (Ret), Wolfpack Platoon Sergeant of Killeen, Texas

"You were my battle buddy from the beginning. From bootcamp to Korea to Iraq. Remember our promise that I thought was crazy? Its like you knew your fate. Thinking of you sends a tear down my cheek and chills down my spine. Love you man! See you soon Slap Nuts!"
Jason McLaughlin of Gretna, NE USofA

"to the family of SPC McCauley:
i was with Ryan on the day that he was lost. i was his team leader. their is not a day that goes by i dont think of him. he was a great soldier and a great friend. Ryan served his country and is a very special man i know he is in heaven and watching over us all. also i want to say that you all are very awsome people and even though ryan is gone you still live everyday honoring him. i know that he is my brother in arms and he always will be god bless you all.. LOVE SGT STEVEN COSTELLO US ARMY IRAQ VETERAN ( MEDICAL DISCHARGED) A co 2/5 CAV 1ST CAV DIV"
SGT STEVEN COSTELLO of GREENFIELD IL USA

"Today we think of Ryan - that is no different than every other day. But today- Veteran's Day - we are at a loss for words to describe what it is to be a family member of one who gave his life in service to our country. Of one so brave, so committed, and strong, and so very selfless. Ryan-in our hearts and in our minds, truly--this day and every day and loving you always, we salute you."
Uncle Denny and Aunt Donna of Des Moines, Iowa

"I Didn't know this young man,but that he was soldier in a far away land fighting for what we all believe in. He gave his all and now we shall remember this young man FOREVER in our hearts and our minds. See, I was a young man once fighting for what we all believe in; I gave some. This FALLEN SOLDIER GAVE ALL. Ryan,your journey will always be Remembered by everyone I meet as I am your voice and I will talk for you to others, so they may understand the road you were and still are on. I was young once,a soldier in a far away land and I feel your HONOR and your SACRIFICE;Brother...."
Sgt.Monty L. Slough,Retied U.S.Army and Keeper of the DENTON COUNTY FALLEN SOLDIER'S MEMORIAL of Denton County,Texas-U.S

"SPC Ryan M. McCauley You are so noble and so Brave!!! Marc and Shelli may God Bless Ryan and your family forever.

Sheryl Ann, Mother of
SPC Ryan M. Bell
KIA March 5, 2007, Samarra, Iraq"
Sheryl of Spokane, WA USA

"SPC Ryan M. McCauley You are so noble and so Brave!!! Marc and Shelli may God Bless Ryan and your family forever.

Sheryl Ann, Mother of
SPC Ryan M. Bell
KIA March 5, 2007, Samarra, Iraq"
Sheryl of Spokane, WA USA

"August 20, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Ryan M. McCauley:
Ryan 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 WATCHING THE NEWS AND A FALLEN HEROES MEMORIAL IS BEING HELD IN FLOWER MOUND, TX AND THE FIRST PLAQUE SHOWN WAS RYANS, WE WERE AQUAINTENCES IN HIGH SCHOOL. OUR THOUGHTS AND PARYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY"
TOMMY AND KALEY MEDLOCK of LEWISVILLE TX

"We remember and honor Ryan today and every day as we enjoy our freedoms here. I never think about Ryan without a huge smile - I always remember his smile and wave after school. What a wonderful young man - a true hero."
Brad, Patsy & Cody Crawford of Lewisville, TX

"Our son Dustin is also serving with the 2-5 1stBct 1st Cav and who is also a Marcus Grad of 2001, has told us that he is inspired by Ryan's courage and sacrifice to our nation. My wife Cathy and I had the priveledge of meeting you at the memorial Service at lewisville cty hall awhile back. You are continously in our thoughts and prayers."
Jim & Cathy Dumbravo of Lewisville, Tx USA

"My heart goes out to the family and friends of Ryan as with all fallen soldiers. My son's name is also Rian Mccaulley and although he is not in the military he grew up an 'Army brat' with his father and I both serving. May no other parent know the death of a child."
Sherry of NY

"Im so sorry for your loss he was a great person and even though i had not talked to him in a while when i found out i was heart broken for his family. he used to hang out with me and my two brothers jason and chris. they dont know about him yet because im waiting to tell them until they return from Iraq. i just wanted to thank ryan for his service i hope i turn out half as good a solider as he was"
Sarah Rodgers of Rockwall tx usa

"I just wanted you to know that I support a group called Hero Bracelets. I was given your sons bracelet. I am so sorry for your loss and I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers forever."
Vanessa Alberts of Alvord, Tx USA

"To the family of:Ryan M.McCauley 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. Prayerfully, we will 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, Gateway Community Church, 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ,"
Polly Ballew of Covington,Ga

"I wanted to leave a message for the family for the upcoming holidays. I visited your son's grave last week and said my prayers I know that this can be a very diffecult time for you. My business partner is going to Iraq in April next year and I am concerned for his safety. I hopefully will be able to meet your son someday at the gates of heaven and shake his hand and tell him how proud I am of him God bless you family for this coming Christmas"
Charles Tanner of Dallas Texas 75246-1136

"Dear McCauley Family;
Now over a year has passed since Ryan gave his life serving his country.We think of him so often and keep his Mother , Father and Sister in our prayers. Knowing Ryan since he was five years old , watching him grow up to be such a fine, handsome and courageous young man .It just still doesn't seem possible and his death was so much more than a statistic to our community.He was close to the 1000th lost and now we are close to the 2000th to sacrafice their life.Every time we hear of another casualty on the news we remember how it felt to loved ones, neighbors, friends when the news came about you Ryan. We pray for all of these families that our GOD can comfort them and that their faith can sustain them through such a painful time of loss. We especially miss and remember you Ryan. Love, Bob and Carol Bell formerly of Lewisville,Texas"
Bob and Carol Bell of Charlotte,North Carolina

"Sunday at church (Promiseland, Austin, TX) I was given a Poppy flower and the name of a fallen soldier. My soldier was Ryan McCauley. When I saw the date of Ryan's death I knew God assigned Ryan as my personal hero. He died on my birthday, Sept. 5. I will forever remember Ryan and his family in my prayers."
Ellen Charles of Giddings, Tx/America

"to ryan and his family:
its alyse bens daughter. i'm doing lots of reports about him. the one i'm doing right now is about my hero and ryan is my hero.god bless you all and just to tell you i know ryan is in a safe place right now looking over yall."
alyse of garland,tx

"To Ryan and the McCauley family,
I think of Ryan and all of you daily. He was a courageous soldier and an example of how one person can make a difference. Myself, my family and my friends will be forever grateful for his sacrifice and his great gift of love. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
(John 15:13)
May God bless and keep watch over all of you."
CPT Sherry Aikey of Lewisville, TX

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

"To Ryan's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your soldier's bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (The Big Ern's Mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

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

"To the family of Ryan,
Our sincerest condolences for your loss. We know your pain as we have also suffered the loss of a precious life in this battle for freedom. Ryan is a true American hero and will always be remembered for his bravery and sacrifice he gave to our country. May God bless you during this difficult time."
The McClain family--azquail@att.nett of Tucson, AZ

"To Ryan'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

"To the family and friends of PFC Ryan M. McCauley,

Your son's courage to serve our entire world in order to secure a more peaceful tomorrow will not be forgotten. Upon seeing this young soldier's name amongst the fallen heroes of the war in Iraq, I was significantly taken aback. My prayers go to you and the soul of your son who dwells now in God's hands."
Ryan McCauley of Helena, MT

"Thank you brave soldier for sacrificing your today for my children's safer tomorrow. You have our utmost respect and gratitude. May God provide your family with comfort in their time of sorrow. May you forever rest in Heavenly peace. Neither you nor your sacrifice will be forgotten. May time provide family and friends with happy, loving memories in place of present sorrow. Look to the sky for in the infinite meadows of Heaven the bright shining stars bloom....the forget-me-nots of angels. God bless you and thank you."
a grateful family in Phoenix, AZ

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