Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"We met in Korea while both served with 2nd Tank Camp Casey, Korea. We also spend a lot of time with a small group of Latino guys; rank was not an issue there. Melo’s sense of humor, positive attitude towards everything was definitely contagious. Don’t think he ever showed he had or was having a bad day.
I retired over a year before the news of the attack on the dining facility showed up on the TV. I felt that uneasy feeling at the moment that I knew someone there was hurt. Rest easy my friend will never forget you"
Carlos Baez, SFC, (Retired) of Greenville, SC

"I worked for Sgt. Melo as a young kid around 19 years old in the HHC supply room (2nd Tank)(Deuce Tank) Camp Casey Korea (2000-2001). He always tried his best to show me how to excel at everything I do. He use to always say "Come on 'Junior' let go man"!

Memories....

Good man/Soldier ...."
Orette Dixon of Atlanta, GA

"Thinking of you today brother."
SPC Sigman of Newport, NC/USA

"Found a picture of you and the memories were flying of you brother!! Never Forgotten!! RIP brother!
Trucky..
Jtrout3@homail.com/Facebook: James Trout"
James R Trout of Washington DC

"Shall never forget u... Everyday I think of u... But... U kno that sarg..."
torres of Philadelphia

"To the world.... We lost an angel... There are few people in this world and lifetime that bring true meaning and actually make differences in our lives.... Ssgt Melo was one of them..."
Torres of Philadelphia

"To his family...i proudly served with him in ft. Lewis 1/5 inf... I can't imagine your pain.. If the little love and attention he gave me by taking me under his wing and looking after me (one of few Latinos in the unit) was enough to fill my heart... There's no way in measuring your loss of a father husband and friend... I am sorry and pray for you..."
torres of philadelphia

"Ssgt Melo, I miss you... Your smile,laughter and sense of humor will never leave my memory... I never got the chance to say goodbye or thank you... I wish I had been next to you..."
Torres of philadelphia

"I have to Said Melo was the men he took care of me when I was a SPC like I was hes own son he and his family will always be my prayers We love Melo."
SSG Peralta of Germany

"Norma, I share your pain everyday. Ocasio and I could have been there with Julian but somehow we went different ways. The commander used to call us his Latin American connection. Julian was a true friend, great husband and father. He always bragged about his son going to college. I wish I could have been with him to the end.. Que Dios los bendiga."
Lazaro of Matanzas, Cuba

"Time passes my brother but you are not forgotten! I will never forget the times we shared with the 3-77 Ar in Germany and 1-33 Ar at Ft.Lewis. Those memories will always be cherished brother!
I have a few pictures and memories on my facebook page of this hero!! James Trout (facebook) jtrout3@hotmail.com
Miss you and RIP Melo!!

Trucky!!"
James R Trout of Crofton, Maryland, USA

"I knew SSG Melo when he was an E-2. I was his supply sergeant in mannheim and fort lewis. What a soldier, always willing to do the best. For those at there who wants to really knows how SSg Melo was, here is my email. Bosnia39@yahoo.com or facebook, under Diego maldonado."
Diego Maldonado of aibonito, Puerto Rico

"You are missed Brother."
Mike of Fort Lewis

"”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 1,660 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"
Project Compassion - Kenna of Manti, Utah USA

"December 13, 2008
To the family of Staff Sgt. Julian S. Melo:
Julian 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 going through a hard time in my divorce right before you left to Iraq. I knew you were leaving and I pushed our friendship aside to be depressed. I remeber the last time you called from Ft.Lewis,a day or two before deploying and I didn't answer my phone. I wish I would have.

One of my best memories of you is how we first met. I was part of 1/5's field feeding team and I woke up real ill and walked over to the CK where you were getting some coffee.I was intemidated to walk up to you because you always carried around a serious face! You took one look at me and could tell I wasn't feeling well and then you told my NCO that I needed to go to the medics.

It turned out that my appendix had burst and I was rushed out for surgery.

After all that, back at Ft.Lewis we became friends.

What bothers me the most is that I ignored your last phone call to me and I wish I would have answered and thanked you for being a good friend. I feel sad about not getting to say good-bye."
Dawn Dussell (Adney) of Honolulu, Hawaii

"To the family and friends,
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies. Losing a loved on is the hardest thing in life. I am writing to not only express my sorrow for you but to let you know about a memorial I am working on. I am creating a quilt to honor the fallen soldiers from the New York City Area. Each soldier will have a panel created. I am inviting the friends and families to get involved. If you are interested or would like some more information please contact me at nycfallensoldiers@yahoo.com"
Esther Kabalkin of Staten Island, NY

"I am so sorry to hear that SSG Melo is gone. I met SSG Melo at BNCOC in 2004. I later replaced his unit in Mosul, Iraq and that is where I learned of the tragic event that took place. It hurt me to know that he was gone. This was when the war had hit home for me. To the family of SSG MElo you will always be in my prayers and may GOD bless you."
SFC Wesley of Fort Richardson, AK

"Almost 2 years now. Rest in peace. you are so missed."

"To the Melo Family,

I met Julian just a day before he was tragically killed. I was doing a video for christmas messages home for families, and he snagged me and "forced" me to take video of him decorating his tree and talking about how much he loved his family.

I was immedietly uplifted by his charm and his love for his family!

I put that footage together on a DVD and sent it up the chain to make sure you got it. It was the last images and video taken of him.

I really hope you got it. If not, feel free to contact me and I can send it to you again. After more than a year, I still think about him and how badly it hurt to learn of his death.

SSG Dave Hall
Colorado Springs, CO
david.hall5@us.army.mil"
SSG David Hall of Colorado Springs, CO

"As I a Veteran myself search the Names on this site, Looking for fallen comrades I might have served with. It is Quite and I Pray under my breathe for the families of each soldier listed . Then suddenly a name familiar My mind races back and all of a sudden I can see the face Clearly. This soldier might not be my known comrade but he is my Comrade. I respect the memory and pray often for these. I graduated Basic training with a PFC named Melo. I don't know if this is the same Melo or not. However I'm honored to have served and I'm grateful to the families that have paid such a dear price.I will continue to Honor them by remembering them on this web site. Thank you for everything."
VFW Commander of Skiatook,Ok.

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

"To the family of Julian S. Melo, 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 someone to pray with you or just need to talk 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

"To the Melo family, I am very sorry for your loss of Julian. I worked with him in Korea at Camp Casey 2/72 Armor. He was a great man and a great friend. He will truly be missed."
SGT Eric L. Potter of Camp Victory Iraq

"SSG Julian Melo, thank-you for being a friend. I will miss you."
Spc. Adney, Dawn of Ft. Lewis, Wa.

"Dear Melo Family, I also served with Julian in Mannhein and Ft.Lewis.I love him like a brother who was always there for me when I needed him!!We had a lot of great times together and I hold him in the Highest Respect!! He was a true hero in my eyes and died one!!God Bless you ,Julian Melo- jtrout3@hotmail.com"
James Trout of Odenton,Maryland,Usa

"To the Melo Family:

I am very saddened to hear about the loss of SSG Melo. We served together in 3/77 Armored Bn in Mannheim, Germany in the early 90's. That was over twelve years ago. I remember him as a man who always had a smile on his face. No matter what the situation, he lightened up those around him because of his warm smile. He will be missed. God Bless."
Joel Avila of Wyoming, PA

"Norma Melo & Family. My heart is with you in time of grief. I did not know your husband and only know you because of working in the same building. God will see you through this time as we all have you in our prayers. In speaking with my own son who got out of the army last year, he cried as he told me your husband was a mentor for him and a good man as my son was one of your husband's soldier's at one time. God Bless you and your family and know our hearts are with you."
Anita Dobson of Transition Center, Waller Hall Fort Lewis, WA

"To the family of SSG Melo, He was a one of a kind man. He left a deep inpact on me for the little time i knew him. When he first met me he automatically took me under his wing, and mentored me. I learned alot from Julian. I just wanna say my deepest sympathies to his family, and he will never be forgot, as he will live in our memories and in our hearts."
SGT Corral, Jose (Mikey Mouse) of FT. Lewis, Wa

"Julian, your a true American hero, who will never be forgotten. I will always remember your smile and sense of humor. Mine and my families hearts and prayers go out to Norma and the family, God Bless you
SSG Shad"
SSG JUSTIN SHAD AND FAMILY of KALISPELL MT

"Poly (A.K.A Sgt Julian S. Melo),
We love you very much, and we wish we could have you back. Knowing your in a more beautiful place and watching down on us, makes me smile every morning Joel and I awake. We love you and will see you again!! Thank you for making our lives bleesed to know you and safer for protecting us.
Your Nephew Joel and Vanessa
P.s- We will NEVER forget you!! we love you."
Joel and Vanessa Lay of North Attleboro, Mass/USA

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

"Dear Father let me give you the upmost praise and grace...you are there always as our shadow. I pray that you have lifted this wonderful man's life into your gate. I had prayed that you were there beside his ways, and I had prayed that you were his light, his glimps of life, and his stregnth. Thank you. I pray Lord God that you may watch over his wife, and my dear friend Jorsh. I have known Jorsh since we were at Woodbrook, MS and walking down the path into a new beginning after Lakes High...he is one of many that still remains one of a kind. Jorsh my prayers are with you and your mother. May He watch over you, and continue to bless you with the gift of whom you are; brilliantly smart, funny, and the upmost friendliest person I have ever met. Don't change for anything or anyone. May your father and our Father guide you in all that you wish for, and let me tell you that "hey, a gal here in Anchorage, Alaska has you and your mother in her prayers!!"~psalm 139~"
Sharon Pulou of Anchorage, AK (Tacoma, WA ~forever)

"To the Melo Family from the Wahl Family. We are deeply sadden by your lost. An our heart and prays are with you. From another fallen soldier family we ahre your tears. God Bless!"
leonard wahl of Valley Stream Long Island

"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 of Julian S. Melo: Our heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of Staff Sgt. Julian S. Melo. We are one of many grateful families who share a small measure of your grief on this sad Christmas morning. As Walt Whitman wrote in memory of Abraham Lincoln: "This dust was once the Man. Gentle, plain, just and resolute -- under whose cautious hand, Against the foulest crime in history known in any land or age, Was saved the Union of These States.""
Walter of Yonkers, NY, USA

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