Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Remembering the servicemembers who died in the service of their country.

Marine Sgt. Lea R. Mills

21, of Brooksville, Florida.
Mills died while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Died on April 28, 2006.

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"It's Memorial Day 2024 and of course you are on my mind and in my heart. Grief is a funny thing the way it ebbs and flows. I always think back to the time you called me after you finished boot camp. Your voice had changed so much, and I couldn't believe it was you I was talking to. I have so many fond memories of our youth and then watching you grow into the brave young man who sacrificed everything for your country and your loved ones. I know your spirit is alive and well and we will all be united again one fine day. Rest easy sweet Lea."
Jillian Clark of Blairsville, Ga

"Lea, In preparation of 4th of July, I thought it would be appropriate to remember you and honor you. I can't find a picture of you, let alone anything else. Please know that I am thinking of you. Ms. Robin"
Robin Trepes of Spring Hill Fl.

"Just met your mother this morning. What a great woman, as I talked with her, i have got to know you.
Rest In Peace My Brother Marine, Semper Fi."
John Ricciardi of Spring Hill Florida

"You were on my mind this morning...almost 7 years & I can still hear your voice - mocking me of course! I don't mourn your passing anymore b/c I know you're where you belong & you're safe. I do find it very difficult at times to hold back the tears when I hear a certain song or look @ your picture....I can't help but miss you & wish you were still here. I talk to Rylea about you all the time...every time we're in Wal-Mart she asks to see your picture. God works in mysterious ways, I know, I only wish we didn't have to lose you to make us understand that. I love you Lea.....I can only imagine......"
Melissa Malicoate of Brooksville, FL

"Lea I have met your mother and it has change my life. She is a wnderful caring person who keeps your light shining everyday. We will be friends as we are both Marine Moms. Semper Fi fallen Hero"
Linda Reynoso of New Port Richey, Fl

"Another Thanksgiving with out you at our table. I was most thankful yesterday that you are sitting at God's table and one day we will be together again. All my love, mom"
dee

"Mr & Mrs Mills,
I am blessed that I had the opportunity to meet the parents of one of the bravest men of our country. I am grateful for your son giving his life so we can continue to have freedom. I didn't understand the sacrifice that is made by our armed forces until my sister joined the Airforce and speaking with you Mrs Mills helps ease some of the worry I have for my sister. I know I have spoken the words thank you before, now I want to honor your brave son with helping keep his memory and legacy alive. Thank you Mr & Mrs Mills. I am truly honored."
Ray Beasley of Springhill, FL

"Where do I even start?? It is so hard to believe that such a great friend/person is gone. It's not fare and I ask myself all the time WHY?! Why!! I just don't get it. I have tried to put myself at ease with the fact that I will never be able to talk to my friend ever again, and the only way that I can do that with knowning that it's ok. Is to know that you passed away not only being a HERO, but doing something that you loved. All you talked about was going in the service I remember you and Josh arguing all the time on u wanting to go into the coastgard and him marines. And you came to class one day and said "I'm going with you ol' due due" LOL and there yall went. And you loved what you did. I am so proud of you and what you accomplished in such a short period of time. You are a sgt. before we knew it! You were always there for me. And I just wanted to say that I am so thankful I got to have a great friend like you in my life. I love you & there is not 1 day that goes by that I don't think about you. Thank you for our freedom. You are my HERO!!!! Love you ALWAYS Sydney xoxo R.I.P SGT.Mills....."
Sydney Bishop of Brooksville/Tampa FL

"Always remembered and never forgotten."
Jade Dabney of Oceanside, Ca

"Dear Mills, And Family
Hi my name is Tonya Garcia I attend Chamberlain High School and I am in the MCJROTC class and I would like too dedicate my whole junior marine year too Sgt. Lea R. Mills he is what will keep me motivated this whole entire year becaue I want too be a female Marine when I graduate. Best Wishes"
Tonya Garcia of Tampa,Florida/USA

"As memorial weekend approaches I wanted to leave a note, and remind you that you’re still not forgotten. Semper Fi."
Old Man of Portand, Oregon

"Thank you so much for the ultimate price that you have paid lea in your untimely departure. As an ex serviceman i say cheers mate and i look forward to the time
that we can catch up"
nigel of Leyland uk

"Well sweetheart I am 4 years closer to being with you again.Many amazing things have happened but each one comes with a missing part.I am greatful for the amazing and learning how to live with the missing part which is looking forward to our future.I will always love you from the depths of my being. If any of Lea's Marine Brothers want to contact me dmills1974@yahoo.com all my love to each one."
Dee Mills of Masaryktown, Fl

"Even though i never met actually met him. My dad, parker told me how great a person he was and i regert not being able to meet him, but i hope to follow in is footstep and fight fot our freedom too."
Brandon Flannery of Spring hill, FLORIDA

"I never want to forget the sacrifices of so many young men and women. I am so proud it makes me cry at times. I understand, in theory only, that war is a part of human nature but so is love and caring. I wish I could take your families and friends pain away but I can't. I am committed to loving ALL people, myself and our environment. I am committed to working on my happiness everyday because so many have died for my freedom to live my life. Thank you is not enough but it is all I have. All my love and respect. ogersteiner@yahoo.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEjz-wAQLSA&feature=PlayList&p=477CB1585D5551F3
A hundred times a day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labors of other men, living and dead, and I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am receiving. - Albert Einstein"
Scott E. Steiner of Worthington, OH USA

"Sgt Mills and Family,

I still remember the times in Okinawa I knew you. Even know you where not in my Platoon you always had a great influence on me. Then I seen you when in Camp Pendleton, I was very surprised. I was able to goto your house to a get together with you and some friends before you had left. I seen you one last time outside my room and I will never forget that day. You are always though of and will be always be remembered!"
Cpl Radabaugh

"to the family of lea, i knew lea very well when we was in japan i used to make fun of him about how backwoods he was and he used to make fun of how hillbillie i was ....he told me so much about the swamp and how he wanted to take meout how for my first time in the swamp i wish i could get in touch with you guys.....i love ya sgt mills iam always thinking about ya casey casnyderusmc@yahoo.com"
sgt snyder of belpre,ohio

"Lea,
I remember when you came to the battalion, all goofy and not knowing what to do lol. I knew you were a good person from the get go. Everyone misses you dude, me and big red talk about you often, usually ending up in laughter or tears. i keep in touch with keesha, she's doing so well and everyone looks out for her. i felt that you knew what was going to happen to you, and that breaks my heart. on that same thought, you had a strength and sense of honor that was held in high regard. i laugh when i think about that gap in your teeth lol. memorial day is coming up and a moving iraq memorial is put up here in town with a cross for each service member that lost their life in the line of duty. each cross has a name on it and the day of their death. i'm gonna head out there and find your cross, crack a couple jokes, cry alot and remember what memorial day is all about. i just though about when you were driving the kracken around for me when i was on restriction, you were like a little kid, not knowing what to do with your self. totally priceless. i will forever remember you and am grateful to have known such a good man as your self. Zack"
Zack Mack of Modesto Ca.

"April 16, 2009
To the family of Sgt. Lea R. Mills:
Lea 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 didnt know lea very personally at the time we worked together. He was a Sgt, I was a lcpl. I remember struggling with learning the ins and outs of being an amtrack mechanic, and you teaching me in a way that I could understand. all the other sgts tried to teach me but I just didnt get it until you helped me. I remember talking to the other lcpls that I worked with, and we would all talk about how great of a guy you were and intelligent. You Flew through the ranks becoming a very young sgt. most of the guys you were leading were your own age. I sit here now with 4 months left in the military thinking of how it seemed like yesterday you were teaching me little tricks and trades, and how it litterally was just yesterday. I cant immagine going back to 3rd aabn and not seeing your face on the ramp. My deepest condolences go out to the family of Lea I will never forget him, I cant wait to turn wrenches with him again someday."
Cpl Jacob Donahue of Syracuse NY

"Where to even begin? As I sit here thinking of what to say, I am listening to my playlists and hearing so many songs that I remember us always listening to on the bus in 8th grade. It seems like you are here somehow. I remember when you used to say even then that you wanted to be a Marine one day, and I remember thinking, I sure hope not. But, now more than ever I know that is what you wanted more than anything and I now respect you so much for that. We have known each other since before kindergaten, and you were always one of those people that you just expected to be here forever, and now you are gone from this earth, but never from our hearts. I just knew we would all see you at the class reunion. I still find myself thinking of you and remembering your beautiful blonde hair, and that sound in your voice that I'm sure everyone remembers, you couldn't even yell at someone if you wanted to! You were so kind and sincere to people, and that's what made you who you are. And how you always had to tell people, "it's Lea, like pea". I was at work one day, right after you and Keesha got married, and your mom came right up to me and was telling me all about it. She was so proud of you! Every now and then I run into your mom, and as soon as we see each other, we hug, and still burst into tears, but everyone tries so hard to be strong for you. I can't believe it's almost been two years. You are thought of every single day, you are an unforgetable person. The world would be such a better place if more people were like you. Sometimes, when you go to a funeral, when the eulogy is being read, it's hard to listen to how great and caring the person is and how much they had achieved in life, when truthfully, they didn't and weren't. But for you, you are honestly a person whom no one could ever put all the kind words in the world together to make it good enough. Rest in peace my friend, you are still loved and missed."
Shandi "Reynolds" Schuler of Brooksville, Florida

"Lea, I will never forget the day I heard you had died, as I was working in the mail room for the battalion and we had heard in formation that morning that we had lost some more brothers in Iraq, and imedeatly after the formation I went to the adjutant to get the names of the marines as they had not released them yet, but it was part of my job at the time to get this information, and when he wrote the names on a piece of paper and slid it to me yours stuck out imedeatly and I was crushed, I cant begin to tell you of the amount of respect I had for you as a Marine and Brother, I wish I could have serverd with you more closely after we hit the fleet, but you went to "oki" and I stayed in pendleton, I will never forget the fun times we had in MOS School, and the way you lead the class as a guide, also all the help you were always there for me when I was short on bus fare to go visit my son on the weekend, or anything else you could do to help out, you always did, some day when my son is old enough to understand fully I will tell him about you, and the type of young man you were, you would have made a great father your self and I if my son ever grows up to be half of the man you were I will be very proud of him, I think it speaks volumes in it self when someone almost 10 years your senior looks up to you so much, but thats the type of MARINE, you were. A "STELLAR" MARINE. Semper Fi."
Old Man, Aco. of Camp Pendleton

"Lea,
I am glad to know the Marine Corps still has a few good men and you were one of them. You were a good friend and Marine. You gave the ultimate sacrifice doing what you love, and as a Cpl in the Marines you are the Sgt that every marine wants to be like. Lea i will miss you and you are always in my thoughts. Hopefully i can be like you one day and give my life for our country. But untill then you are in my heart and i will always look up to you. Semper Fi"
Cpl Christene Cruz (Dennis) of Albany, Georgia

"To the family of:Lea R. Mills 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 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew Covington,Ga"

"Lea,
Even though months have gone by since your passing everytime I think of you the pain is new. You were an awesome friend, and I am so sorry we lost touch. You touched my life in so many ways. Whether it was a hug on a bad day, a listening ear, or that constant smile you had on your face. You helped me in more ways then you'll ever know. My biggest regret is that I never told you. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. I am so proud to have known you. My pain is eased only by the knowledge that I will one day see you again in heaven."
anynomous of Brooksville, FL

"I never knew you personally, but you are in my thoughts and prayers....rest in peace...and know that you were a Hero....God bless you Lea...."
Jennifer Crowley of VA

"Lea you were always and will always be the marine that i look up to. you had such an important part in the making of the marine i am today. I will never forgot the things that you taught me or the things you wouldnt let me get away with. You may not be here anymore but bieleave me when i say that you have touch so many lives that even without you here in person you still live on. You will be remember forever and till we meet again, have fun and check in from time to time. i know you will be watching us all untill that day we meet again."
Cpl Clint Carleo of Camp Pen., CA

"It only took me a year to be able to leave this message but you have been in my every thought. I don't know how I will live this life with out you in it. Only God can provide a way for me. I ask that your sacrifice be used for God's Glory. Each day I see another life you have touched and God answers my prayer. One day we will be together again and that day will last forever. I love you more than I thought possible, Mom"
Dee Mills of Masaryktown, Fl

"Lea,
It's been almost a year since you were called home and yet in our hearts it seems like only yesterday. I think about you often, miss you always and I am forever proud to have had you in my life. I know your Mom & Dad, your brother and your Wife miss you more than any of the rest of us ever could. The world is a little less bright with the loss of your light, but we know you are guarding well the gates of Heaven and someday soon we will see you again. Stand tall and proud dear Lea as we salute you and all you stand for."
Deb Davis of Floral City, FL/USA

"Lea,
I have known you since we were soo little, I know we only got to see each other in school, but I always made time to go visit you at lunch.. I miss U, & think of U often..
I love you.."
Bobbi Lang of Brooksville, FL

"Lea I just wanted to tell you I love you with all my heart! You will always live on inside of me. Thank you so much for being the best husband ever, my best friend and soulmate. I will always be with you at heart. You are my everything and soon we will be together again.. wait for me at the gates of heaven. Thank you for all you have done for me and others! You are my hero Lea!! I always have looked up to you! Until we are together again, rest in peace my love. Sleep with the angels xoxoxo"
Keesha c Mills of Oceanside,Ca

"Lea, I cannot express how much you mean to me, Cooter & Jessika. You are the son/brother we never had. To Keesha, her knight in shining armor, her soul mate, her true love. I am so thankful that God brought you into our lives. As much as we miss you, I know you are in a far better place & you're only a prayer away. I am so very proud & honored to be your mother-in-law! Rest in peace my beautiful one....until we meet again...."
Melissa Malicoate of Brooksville, Florida

"Lea buddy, you'll never know how much I'm gonna miss you man. I take so much forgranted day to day. You're an inspiration to me like none other. I'll miss all the "Good ol' times" ya know. You've impacted so many lives that I just don't think you knew how much you really meant to so many people. I love you man and I'll be seeing you again someday. Thank you Ol' Leroy!"
Cpl Perdue, Joshua C of Brooksville, FL

"We love you lea, i will never forget you."
Alishia of Brooksville FL

"To the families and friends of Lea Mills. My prayers are with you in this difficult time, May God bless you and give you the strenght to go on after such a loss. Thank for allowing her to serve and fight for our freedom

Ingrid and Jade, Fort Walton Beach Florida"
Ingrid of Fort Walton Beach, FL.

"Keesha,Dee,Rob,& Parker
I know Lea has left so many precious Memories, He was a wonderfull Husband,Son,friend and soldier,
He is truely our beloved hometown hero.
May god be with you, someday you will all see him again"
Diane of masaryktown Florida

"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.
Our nations HERO, Lea will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge / Montana God Bless you ALWAYS. "

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

Honor them by remembering... Freedom - is their gift to us But his soul goes marching on