Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Thank you for everything Uncle Leon."
Remington, Shelton of Benton, AR (72019)

"Thank you for everything Uncle Leon."
Remington, Shelton of Benton, AR (72019)

"We called him Leon. He was a great brother and person; I was blessed to have him as my brother. I knew I could always count on him when I needed him. He never said what he believed he lived it you knew what he believed he lived it everyday. Leon I miss you rest in peace; and I will meet you on the other side."
Calra Miranda of Alexander,Ar

"So today is Memorial Day, a day in which many again will fire up the Barbeques and fish or simply relax in their homes and amongst friends. Yes a couple of years ago I started a correspondence just like this and no I won’t go on a rant about how I feel the people of our nation don’t fully understand what our Republic stands for or used to. I will only release a sigh of a good many emotions for your sacrifice.
Would I rather have you all back in our lives and hoping to hear from you once again, certainly but I understand what your sacrifice meant and hope for those for whom you gave it will carry the brilliant torch of an idea forward into that uncertain night. I am truly respectful of that sacrifice and am honored to have you as friends and colleagues and thank you for all you have given.
In the words of Abraham Lincoln or John Hays (White House Secretary)
“I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”
God Bless."
William Peterson of El Paso, TX

"I will never forget! Thank You for always being one of the best NCO's. You truly served your soldiers.John 15:13"
Josh Loar of Mena, AR

"Remembering Troy today- I had the pleasure of working with him at ASP with Counterdrug Unit. A sweet guy who is missed!"
Karen of Cabot, AR

"I will carry this with me until I meet up with you one day. 7 years ago yesterday I watched you pass as 5 of my men laid wounded. As a LT, I watched you as a quiet professional which all ranks looked up to. As your commander, I trusted your judgement as I would my own. I still remember watching the sweat dripping off of your nose as we cleared the top room of the building before the came out and went into the alley. These memories are what I will carry with me forever, Troy. I am honored to have known you and served with you. There will forever be a void in the spirit of the Comanches, where you once stood. You are missed, my friend."
TJ Foley of FT. HOOD, TX

"i did not know SFC miranda. but the day i became a part of C.co. 1-153. I quickly learned of his legend. I can't remember a day when i walked by your plaque and mural in the armory hallway and thinking to myself how i would've loved to be in your platoon. All the 04' veterans miss you and are carrying on your honor by keeping C. Co. to the highest standards. Im sorry i never got the chance to meet you or serve under you. You are deeply missed and will allways be respected and honored. Spc Davis, C."
spc davis,c C, co. 1-153 of wickes, ark

"Troy,
I didn't want it to be you buddy...Anybody but you..."
Sean M. of De Queen

""To the family of Troy L. Miranda ,I am so sorry for the loss of your love one.He died a hero.May you know 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 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""

"I never want to forget the sacrifices of so many young men and women. I am so proud it makes me cry. I understand in theory only that war is a part of human nature but so is love and caring. I wish I could take the families 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"
Scott Steiner of Worthington, OH USA

"May 14, 2009
To the family of Sgt. 1st Class Troy L. Miranda:
Troy 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

"Beagle, there were many late night runs or setting on a security post in the cold where we talked about this, that or whatever. Thanks for being there when you knew I didn't like to run or was falling asleep. It was a good thing we didn't drive that HUMMER off into the Kudzu patch that one day. Miss you buddy."
Douglas E Newsom

"You are missed always."
Spc. Deppner of C co

"SFC MIRANDA, YOUR QUIET WAYS WILL BE MISSED IN C-CO FOREVER. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING BEAGLE, YOU ARE FOREVER IN OUR THOUGHTS, MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOUR FAMILY"
CASEY PARKER C-CO 1\153 of DIERKS AR, USA

"It was honor to know and work with Troy. He was a good person and will never be forgotten."
Brian of Little Rock

"I was only less than a mile away when you were hit. I remember that day. I wish I had known sooner."
Angela of Georgia

"I first met Troy when I had the opportunity to work with him in Marijuana Eradication. Troy was always quiet, but he was one of the people I looked up to most. Troy was a terrific soldier. I am proud I was able to work with him."
JDB of Jonesboro, AR

"Its hard to believe that Leon has been gone for almost 2 yrs now. Leon was and always be my hero. When I was growing up he was the best part of going to see my grandparents.I love you LEON"
Melinda Thomas of Tahlequah

"From all the guys at Counterdrug here in Little Rock we miss Troy greatly and wish he was still here. We all worked with Troy here in the States and several of us served with him in Iraq, just a few miles away at another base. I set up my own dedication page for Troy at http://www.clayhughes.com/troy.html, let's not forget the people we loved."
Clay Hughes of Little Rock

"God bless your soul Soldier Miranda and may He forever keep your family in his loving embrace. You will always be remembered."
Bela of Woodbury, CT

"Thanks to men like Sgt. 1st Class Troy L. Miranda who served their country with honor we in America have the freedoms we enjoy and are able to help those in Iraq who lived in fear of a man who would kill them for his own selfish pleasure.

May God richly bless his family and friends. I personally thank you for the huge sacrifice your family has made.

May God Bless America and her effort to help other enjoy the freedoms we have and not have to live daily in fear for their lives."
Bro. Jerry & Linda Smith of Nashville, Ark., Howard County

"When given the task of forming the Counter Drug Operations for the Arkansas National Guard, Troy was one of the first men that I interviewed and brought onboad. To say Troy was a good soldier would be an understatement. He was one of the best soldiers I ever had. He was quiet and never indicated that anything was outside his abilities. He loved to run. He always when the extra distance to do his job well. You don't really have to command men and women such as Troy. You just give them the mission, stay out of their way and provide support when they ask for it. His loss to his family can't be replaced. His loss to his unit will be missed. God has a good soldier to watch his flanks."
MAJ Dwight D. Goldman, AR ARNG (Ret.) of Sherwood, AR

"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. For the family/friends: May time provide happy loving memories in place of present sorrows. 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

"I worked with Troy in the Counter Drug Program for the state of Arkansas. We are a small but close unit. I am in the 188th Fighter Wing based in Fort Smith. I miss Troy and am thankful to have had to chance to get to know and work with him. He served us faithfully and in the most challenging circumstances proved his loyalty to our GREAT COUNTRY. Troy will not be forgotten! I say to the Miranda family, your loved one inspires us to continue to keep up the fight. We will always be grateful for the debt he has paid. You are never alone, try to remember this when you are grieving and feel that the world makes no sense. You are loved by a united and grateful nation. May God bless each of you and give you the strength to face each day."
TSGT Steve Ceniceros of Prairie Grove , AR

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

"To Troy's family, I am so sorry for your tragic loss. Please know that many of us appreciate his service to and sacrifice for our country."
F. Smith of Pennsylvania

"Good bye Leon, you will be missed....."
Joseph Fenwick of Houston, TX

"My condolences to the Miranda Family. I went to school with Troy's brothers Richard, Alfred, and Chris. My heart is with you during your time of need. Phillip, may God be with you, your family, and the troops. We Support Our Troops"
Janita Cecil-Jones of Fort Smith AR

"Family of ssgt Miranda,
It was an honor for me to be able to return SSgt Miranda back to the united states. I was a loadmaster on the cargo plane that returned him from Germany to Dover AFB. The highest respect was shown to him during the offloading ceremony and we should all be proud of him and those others who have fallen.
It has been an honor."
Brian of lackland AFB, TX

"Dear Troy,
We hope that your family may find strength in the love of the thousands who mourn you, strength in the love of the thousands who thank you for your willingness to defend your country and the freedom of millions you did not know. We pray that your family will draw strength from the Holy Spirit in this time of sadness.
We will remember."
David J. Lozier of Pittsburgh, PA

"Dear Troy, thanks for being such a great friend and a squad leader. you have trained all of us well and you showed us how to be a real soldier,,now that i am a staff sgt as well i will try my best to lead the troops as well as you lead me,,,rest in peace my friend,,,,we love you and will never forget you."
brandon house of dequeen arkansas

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

"To Troy L. Miranda's family and friends:
Mr. Miranda's brother is a very close family friend. While I did not know Troy Miranda personally, I do know that his bravery and commitment to his country was, and will always be highly respected by his family and friends. I want his family to know that I express my deepest sympathy for their loss. As an American, I cannot convey how much I respect Troy's service and how much I appreciate his commitment to assuring that we can continue to enjoy the simple, everyday freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. My family and I will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
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It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. George S. Patton 1885-1945"
Kristen W. of Little Rock, AR

"To Troy's Family and Friends --
I would like to send my most sincere condolences to Troy’s family and friends. Troy will always be remembered as a Hero who showed great courage in saving the lives of his fellow solders. I also wanted to let you know that your loss is felt very deeply by my family. My brother was Troy’s room mate in Iraq and now has even more resolve to complete the mission they were sent to do in honor of Troy. I will pray for the family everyday and ask for God to bless his family and friends."
GBC of Corpus Christi, Texas

"To Troy'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 Troy'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 his bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne, KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.

Gloria Caldas (his mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

"I WORK WITH TROYS SISTER CARLA AND I KNOW HOW HARD THIS IS ON HER FAMILY I JUST WANT ALL OF THEM TO KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PRAYING FOR THEM AND TROY WILL LIVE ON IN THE PEOPLE THAT LOVED HIM AND BE REMEMBERED AS HERO TO THE MEN HE SAVED"
MARGI of LITTLE ROCK AK

"Dear Troy,
Thank you for being so brave by fighting for all Americans is Iraq. Most people cannot muster the courage to join the armed forces, but you were different. Thanks to people like you, all of us at home live in safety and happiness. I will always be grateful to you and the others who have served our country. Thank you, Troy."
mark reif of winchester, VA

"Thank you Troy Miranda, 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. 1st Class Troy Miranda:
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 Troy 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. 1st Class Troy Miranda:
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 Troy, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia